You can read my e-newsletter in a way that’s preferable to you by visiting my legislative website here and clicking on the accessibility icon in the lower right corner.

“Shared equity” agreements that offer homeowners cash in return for a percentage of their home’s equity can lead to unexpected consequences. If the home’s value grows, it’s the finance company that benefits, and the owner who later attempts to sell can’t do so without buying their way out of the contract.

For example, if your home is worth $100,000 and you enter into a shared equity agreement for a one-time payment of $10,000, and a few years later your house is worth $150,000, you don’t owe the company $10,000, you owe it $60,000 – the money they gave you plus the appreciation of your home. They get paid first.

Last week in the House, my colleagues and I passed legislation that would regulate these agreements like mortgages or home equity loans, imposing disclosure requirements and other safeguards so consumers know what they’re getting into.

In other House news, we passed legislation that would:

• Allow accessory dwelling units on residential properties
• Impose a bell-to-bell student mobile device ban
• Let end-of-life patients use cannabis for pain relief
• Train school personnel to recognize students having seizures
• Give judges discretion to grant mercy to child defendants whose offense was committed against a person who forced them into prohibited sexual conduct

The bills now move to the state Senate for consideration. Visit this page to read more about these and other bills moving through the House.

Mark your calendar for two great Juneteenth celebrations this Saturday, June 13! The 6th Annual Swissvale Juneteenth Celebration will be held from noon to 8 p.m. at Les Getz Memorial Park, located at 7000 Church St., and Braddock Borough’s Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom will be held from noon to 6 p.m., at the Braddock Civic Plaza, 451 Braddock Ave. in Braddock, with the parade lineup at 11 a.m. Our staff will have tables at both events to provide state services and information.

Check out all our local talent by attending the Braddock Art Crawl, which will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 12 along Braddock Ave. in Braddock. The free, community-focused event will feature local artisan vendors, food trucks, DJ music, and special gallery exhibits.

You can also check out "Sparks of the Past" – The Traveling Forge at Braddock’s Battlefield History Center to see Blacksmith Bob Stone with Stone Forge and Tissage demonstrate hand-forging iron nails, hooks and more. Demonstrations will be held Saturday, June 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, June 14 from noon to 4 p.m. Visit this page to learn more.

EmployHER Pittsburgh will hold a Summer Opportunity Fair on Tuesday, June 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Commonwealth Charter Academy, located at 162 East Bridge St. in Homestead. You can meet local employers, find wardrobe, hair, and makeup support, get help with your resume, and more! Free childcare and lunch are provided. Visit this page or scan the QR code above to register.

Braddock Hills hosted a lovely community festival to celebrate the borough’s 80th anniversary!

Our office is excited to welcome two new interns for the summer! Justin, above left, is pursuing a master’s degree in Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh and said he can’t wait to meet the district’s residents, learn from our team while helping to advance policies to help residents, and give back to the community. A huge fan of outdoor sports, he said he can’t wait for the warm weather.

Jordan, above right, is a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh focusing on Public Administration with a concentration in Social Policy. She is also a part of the Gender Equality in Public Administration Working Group and recently presented the group’s work at the UN! Jordan said she is excited to apply what she has learned to constituent issues and to continue learning about policy work with our office.

If you are facing food insecurity, please remember that Wilkinsburg Community Ministry is a great resource. Supplied by Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and generous local businesses and operated by Executive Director Ruth Kittner and a dedicated staff, the food pantry serves as many as 5,000 area residents each month.

The food pantry is located at 702-704 Wood St. and is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is also a mobile food pantry for residents with transportation challenges. Visit this page for a full list of hours and this page (or click on the image above) to watch a video about WCM.

Last week, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato signed an executive order establishing a series of initiatives designed to position Allegheny County as a national leader in clean technology and advanced manufacturing. Visit this page to read more.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program is accepting applications for the Fall 2026 semester. Applications are due July 1, 2026.

The Fellowship is based in the state Capitol Building in Harrisburg. Fellows are placed with House committees or leadership offices, are paid for their work (and may earn college credits), and gain hands-on experience drafting legislation, meeting public officials, and touring historic Commonwealth sites.

Eligible applicants include:

• College undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or law students
• Students enrolled at a Pennsylvania college or university, or Pennsylvania residents enrolled out-of-state
• Students in any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher

If you or someone you know is a student who would benefit from this opportunity, please encourage them to visit www.pahousefellowship.us and apply.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will host two telephonic public input hearings on a proposed rate increase by Peoples Natural Gas. Both hearings will take place on Thursday, June 11: the first, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and the second, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Residents interested in testifying by phone are encouraged to pre-register by Wednesday, June 10. To join the hearing, call 888-795-4352 and enter PIN 72378378. Visit this page to learn more.

In other utility news, PA Power Switch, managed by PUC, allows consumers to compare electricity rates and plans, including options that can save you money while sourcing energy from 100% renewable suppliers.

This is a reminder that Paul Miller’s Law is now in full effect, making it illegal to use a handheld device while driving. Violators will be fined $50. Visit this page to learn more about the new law.

If you’re searching for state grant funding, you can find an online copy of the 2026 Pennsylvania Grant and Resource Directory here or pick up a hard copy by stopping by our 501 Braddock Ave. district office. You can also find a list of the latest program openings here and a handy grant-finding tool at this page.

Finally, please remember that our office can help with a wide range of state-related matters – from filing a Property Tax/Rent Rebate or obtaining a Senior ConnectCard, to navigating state benefits and more. Contact us to find out how we can help!

District Office

501 Braddock Ave.
Braddock, PA 15104

(412) 273-3400

Pennsylvania State Capitol

123-B East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-1914