So far this year, my team has helped local residents get more than $245,000 in refunds from the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. It’s one way we’re working to make people’s lives more affordable these days.

The program helps older friends and neighbors stay in their homes while affording life’s necessities. It benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. Rebates range from $380 to $1,000, and the deadline for applying has been extended to Dec. 31.

Learn more about the program here. My staff are available to assist with applications, so don’t hesitate to contact my district office.

I’m partnering with the Pennsylvania State Police to host a community forum next month on First Amendment rights and interactions with law enforcement. These are timely issues, and I’m grateful that the State Police can help increase our understanding of them.

The forum will be held on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM at the Highlands High School Auditorium. A State Police community ambassador will provide an informative video presentation and lead a question-and-answer session on a range of topics related to interactions between residents and law enforcement.

I hosted a forum on this topic in April, and you can read news coverage about it here.

Big thanks to Citizens Hose Fire/Rescue/EMS for hosting our Kids Safety Event last weekend. Healthy kids and families are among my priorities as your representative, so I like to hold this event every year. I’m already looking forward to doing it again next year!

I also want to thank these vendors and first responders as well. Each year, they show up to share resources and bring those amazing fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles out for the kids!

UPMC St. Margaret

Red Cross

Allegheny County Treasurer’s Office

Allegheny County Health Department

First National Bank

Growing Garden Childcare

Tarentum Borough Police Department

Harrison Township Police Department

Hilltop Hose Co. Station 168

Harrison Hills VFC #4

Eureka Fire-Rescue Station 281

PennDOT announced this week that Brackenridge Borough is among 86 municipalities across the state receiving a state grant to improve traffic safety and reduce congestion by upgrading traffic signals. Brackenridge is receiving $198,025 for traffic signal repair at Freeport Road and Broadview Boulevard/ Morgan Street. The funding comes from PennDOT’s Green Light-Go Program, and I encourage all municipalities in our district to contact my office for help applying for grants from the program.

I want to inform nonprofit organizations that they can apply now for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to enhance security and protect against hate crimes at their facilities. I voted to include this $10 million program administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency in the 2026-27 state budget.

Grants can range from $5,000 to $150,000 for a variety of eligible items, including:

• Safety and security planning and training;
• Purchase safety and security equipment and technology;
• Upgrade existing structures that enhance safety and security; and
• Vulnerability and threat assessments.

The deadline for organizations to apply online is Wednesday, Sept. 10.

?To help everyone stay safe when temperatures rise, I want to share some important tips and resources from state and county officials:

• To find a cooling center, residents can call 211 or visit southwest.pa211.org/summer-resources/.
• Older adults seeking a cool place can call Allegheny County’s SeniorLine (412-350-5460) and can also visit Allegheny Connect for a countywide list of senior centers.  

Be sure to check on neighbors, friends, and relatives—especially older adults, those with health conditions, and those without air conditioning—and remember these additional heat-related tips from the Allegheny County Emergency Services:

• Drink plenty of water.   

• Limit time outdoors, especially at midday.   

• Never leave kids or pets in a car.   
• If you need to be outdoors, be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, nausea, headache, or excessive sweating.
• When in doubt, take a break, cool down and seek help.  

I’m offering a new service this year at my Cheswick office. Once a month through September, I will host a representative from Allegheny County Treasurer Erica Rocchi Brusselars’ office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents can take advantage of these special days and hours at my office, located at 1296 Pittsburgh St., to pay county property taxes, apply for the Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion or Senior Citizen Tax Relief programs, or obtain hunting, fishing, or dog licenses.

Mark your calendars for our next session on Sept. 14!

Twice a month, a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) will be at my Cheswick office, 1296 Pittsburgh St., to assist veterans with a variety of services. The VSO will be available on the third Wednesday and Thursday of each month.

Call to schedule an appointment at (724) 826-5151.

District Office

1296 Pittsburgh Street

Cheswick, PA 15024

(724) 826-5151

Pennsylvania State Capitol

111 B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 705-7141