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.

The General Election is this Tuesday, Nov. 3, and it’s time to make your voice heard! If you’re not sure of your polling place, you can find it here. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. As long as you are in the physical line to vote by 8 p.m., you are entitled to vote. You do not need to show ID at the polls unless it is your first time voting at a new polling place.
 

If you are planning to vote by mail but have not yet returned your ballot, it is too late to mail it. Instead, take it to the county election office or one of these ballot return locations. The county election office must receive your ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day for it to be counted. A postmark by that time is not sufficient. You can check the status of your mail ballot here and find more voting information here.

If you already submitted a mail-in or absentee ballot, you cannot vote at your polling place on Election Day. If you did not return your mail-in or absentee ballot and you want to vote in person, you have two options:

• Bring your ballot and the pre-addressed outer return envelope to your polling place to be voided. After you surrender your ballot and envelope and sign a declaration, you can then vote a regular ballot.
• If you don't surrender your ballot and return envelope, you can only vote by provisional ballot at your polling place. Your county election board will then verify that you did not vote by mail before counting your provisional ballot.

Please be aware that our office will be closed Nov. 3. We will reopen for regular business hours on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

I was thrilled to join Hosanna House, Action Housing, and state and local officials at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Penn Lincoln Apartments, which will bring 41 affordable apartments and ground-floor commercial space to 789 Penn Ave. in Wilkinsburg! We helped secure nearly $400,000 in state funding in 2024 for Action Housing to construct pedestrian and transportation improvements around the new complex. 

Our district office director, Aaron, recently attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch’s new location at 409 Dinwiddie Street. There was much excitement as NAACP Pittsburgh Branch President Jackie Hill cut the ribbon. Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor presented Hill with a proclamation honoring the event.

Aaron also attended the 2026 Children’s Literacy Summit, where educators, librarians and literacy advocates came together to discuss strategies to support young readers. Aaron is pictured below with Collin Diedrich, executive director and co-founder of the Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania, and Nate Goodson (center), founder of the Promise Center of Homewood. At right, First Lady Katie O’Connor also spoke.

It was fun times at Rankin’s Trunk or Treat event Thursday evening (below) hosted at Rankin Christian Center. Aaron provided state services and got to hang out with Rankin Mayor Joelisa McDonald and RCC's Youth and Family Services Director Sterling Stone! 

We recently bid a fond farewell to our fall intern, Jordan, who did a wonderful job helping district residents with state services. Jordan said she got a lot out of the internship as well.

“This experience has reminded me of how many dedicated people are already working every day to make PA a better place. I've learned that public service is about more than laws and policies. It's about showing up, listening, and making people feel heard. Those are lessons I'll carry with me as I continue my graduate studies and prepare for my next semester in Washington, D.C.” Read Jordan's full comments here. 

Open Enrollment in Pennie—Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace—is going on now. Pennie provides quality health insurance plans for individuals and families who do not have other coverage options. Dec. 15 is the deadline to enroll or change plans for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2027. (You can still enroll from Dec. 16 through Jan. 15, but coverage will not start until Feb. 1.)

If you need help navigating the process and selecting the best plan for you and your family, Pennie has experts who can help for free. Visit pennie.com/connect to find local help at no cost.

Medicare Open Enrollment is going on now through Dec. 7. During this time, you can join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D prescription drug plans or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. The state offers free, confidential advice through the PA MEDI program that can help you select the best plan for your needs and budget. Call 1-800-783-7067 or visit this page to learn more.

Parents and caregivers: save the date for the Reading Resource Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at Carnegie One Braddock, 419 Library St. You and your family will find activities, snacks, and information about free services and resources, including tutoring and fun events!

The Civically Square inaugural meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, November 19 at the Historic Wilkinsburg Train Station, 901 Hay Street, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guest speakers include:

• Marita Garrett, Founder, President & CEO of Civically 
• Maryn L. Formley, Executive Director & Founder of VEEEM Pittsburgh
• Abby Rae LaCombe, Executive Director of RentHelp PGH
• Moses Workman, Director of Operations Wilkinsburg CDC & VP, Wilkinsburg Borough Council

Registration is not required but is encouraged. Visit this page to RSVP.

Students in grades 6-8: The Second Greater Pittsburgh Regional Civics Bee is happening on May 6, 2027! Participation is free, and applications are open now through Feb. 3 at 4:59 a.m. EST. Visit this page to read more, this page to apply, and this page for a recap of last year’s competition.

Local officials and nonprofits – if you’re searching for state grant funding, you can find the latest program openings here, a handy grant-finding tool at this page, and an online copy of the 2026 Pennsylvania Grant and Resource Directory here.

Please remember that our office can help with a wide range of state-related matters – from applying for benefits or services to obtaining a Senior ConnectCard or disability placard, to solving questions and problems involving various state agencies. Contact us to find out how we can help!

Seniors and residents with a disability: Please remember that Dec. 31 is the deadline to apply for a rebate under the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. Our office can also help you apply!

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