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.

I’m delighted to announce that the Frick Art and Historical Center is receiving $47,000 in state funding from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to support management of collections and facilities, presentation of traveling exhibits, and other community programming!

I was honored to be a part of the historic ceremonial PA House session at Congress Hall in Philadelphia last week to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday!

Last week, I joined AFSCME member and Swissvale Councilman Kevin Hanes (upper left) to support workers at the Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade, where there was an abundance of union pride!

Our office recently had a chance to observe some of what Swissvale DPW is doing for the community, including, among other projects, installing a disabled parking sign for a homeowner and clearing the area around the M50 diversion in the Carrie Furnace site so ALCOSAN can access and inspect sewage infrastructure.

Our staffer Leslie attended a special celebration marking one million food rescues by the 412 Food Rescue, which works to feed people while reducing food waste. Visit this page to learn more about this amazing nonprofit organization, find food access resources, or sign up to volunteer!

We were excited to hear Rosa Davis, CEO of POWER, (speaking) along with Allegheny County Executive Sarah Innamorato and Allegheny County DHS Interim Director Alex Jutca, launch the Allegheny Recovery Partnership Plan: a first-in-the-nation approach to substance use disorder treatment combining evidence-based treatments, community engagement, and collaboration among care providers and people in recovery.

Our district office director, Aaron (above right), attended a legislative briefing with Neighborhood Legal Services Executive Director Kristine Bergstrom (center) to learn more about how to connect residents to the legal services they provide.

NLS services are income-based and can provide assistance, resource referral, or other guidance in housing, employment, family issues, disability and public benefits, and many other issues. Visit this page to learn more.

Community Living and Support Services, a Swissvale-based nonprofit organization, is seeking an employment support professional to support individuals with disabilities in their efforts to secure and maintain competitive integrated employment. Visit this page to learn more and apply.

The PA ABLE program – which help people with qualifying disabilities and their caregivers plan for their financial future – has expanded. Previously available to Pennsylvanians whose disability started before age 26, the program is now available to people whose disability started before age 46. 

There are multiple savings and investment options, including an interest-bearing checking account. Account owners can contribute up to $19,000 per year, and savings do not impact important disability benefits.

Contributions can also be deducted on PA state income taxes, and no federal or state income tax is owed on account growth when used for qualified withdrawals. Savings can be used for disability-related expenses like groceries, rent, healthcare, transportation, education, and assistive technology. Visit this page to learn more.

The 2026-2027 Student Teacher Support Program is open for applications. Eligible student teachers can receive a $10,000 stipend through this program on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be aware that the deadline to apply is Sept. 15. Visit this page to learn more.

The state has launched a new online Financial Education Hub to help people improve their financial literacy and make informed financial decisions.

The hub covers topics including budgeting, saving, retirement planning, digital assets and cryptocurrency, along with information about Treasury programs such as PA 529, Keystone Scholars, and PA ABLE. Resources are tailored to groups including students, teachers, active-duty military members, veterans, and older adults. 

Parents & caregivers: CeaseFirePA is conducting a school safety study to ensure that their work is both effective and backed by real-life experiences. You can help support their efforts by taking this short survey.

Pittsburgh’s Department of City Planning is inviting residents, community organizations, businesses, and stakeholders from all 90 neighborhoods to join them this September for a series of public workshops to finalize draft plan content for PGH2050 – Pittsburgh's first Comprehensive Plan. Visit this page to learn more and register.

NEBRS Community Land Trust and Grounded Strategies will host a free green space planning party and dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the open space at 6th and Braddock (602 Braddock Ave.) for all the communities in and around 15104. Come help plan the future of green spaces in our communities! Dinner, parking, and childcare are all provided. Please scan the QR code or click here to register.

ALCOSAN is hosting an open house this Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help residents learn about their state-of-the-art wastewater treatment. This is a free, family-oriented event that offers a behind-the-scenes tour of their 59-acre plant and a special lab tour. Visit this page to learn more and RSVP.

Join the Greater Valley Coalition for Peace & Justice at the Rankin Christian Center on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. for a coalition-strengthening event to advance their mission to reduce violence and promote peace throughout the region. The event will include guest speakers, school district and community updates, and resource providers.

Don’t miss Carnegie Museums’ Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Andy Warhol Museum! The event is free with museum admission and will feature music and dance lessons with Flamenco Pittsburgh at noon, a live performance drag show featuring Calipso and Chi Chi de Vivre at 2 p.m., Spanish interpreted tours at 11:15 and 3 p.m., screen printing in The Factory. Visit this page or click on the image above to learn more.

Celebrate Recovery Month by joining friends and neighbors at the POWER Campus, 7436 McClure Ave., to clean up the neighborhood and enjoy refreshments! Visit this page to learn more and sign up!

If you work or volunteer for a nonprofit organization – or just want to help make positive community change – don’t forget to register for our free Nonprofit Symposium! You’ll learn how to maximize state grant funding, cultivate small donors, manage risk, tell your story, use social media for the most powerful impact, and boost staff health and wellness. Click on the image above or here to learn more, and visit this page to register!

Volunteer and career fire companies, EMS providers, and volunteer rescue squads: the FY 2026-27 Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant application period is now open and provides funding for equipment, training, facility projects, recruitment & retention, and more. Apply by 4 p.m. on Oct. 22. Visit this page to learn more and apply.

Nonprofits and local officials: You can find a list of all recent state grant openings at this page.  

Our talented staff can help with a wide range of state-related matters, including filing applications for state programs and services, resolving questions or problems involving state benefits, assisting with unemployment issues, obtaining a PRT Senior ConnectCard or a disability placard, solving state-related problems, and much more.

Seniors and residents with a disability: if you are eligible for a rebate on property taxes or rent you paid in 2025, please remember that the deadline to apply to the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is Dec. 31! Please contact us if you have questions or need help applying!

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