PITTSBURGH, Jan. 7 – The Pennsylvania Transportation Department has approved nearly $600,000 in grant funding to projects supported by state Rep. Arvind Venkat alongside state Sens. Lindsey Williams and Devlin Robinson that will improve traffic signal equipment in the Town of McCandless and Ohio Township. “This funding will help to modernize signal systems in our community, improving our safety and mobility on the road,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “I am proud to see this funding come back to our community, and I am thankful to my Senate colleagues who also supported these projects.” Projects in Venkat’s district that will receive grant funding include: $443,409 to McCandless to upgrade adaptive signal systems along Perry Highway (Route 19). Supported with Williams. $155,832 to Ohio Township to upgrade signal equipment at Mount Nebo and Camp Horne Roads. Supported with Robinson. These grants are funded through the Green Light-Go grant program. They are two out of 14 awarded projects in Allegheny County to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan 5 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat and Lindsay Powell, both D-Allegheny, and Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, have announced their intention to introduce legislation that would protect consumers entering into a Shared Appreciation Agreement. Shared Appreciation Agreements, also known as Home Equity Sharing Agreements, are contracts in which a homeowner receives funds in exchange for granting a third party a future interest in the appreciation, equity, or value of their home. The legislation would add Shared Appreciation Agreements to the Loan Interest and Protection Law (Usury Law), Act 6 of 1974, extending to homeowners the same statutory safeguards that apply to other home-secured financial products. These protections include disclosure requirements, foreclosure safeguards, and remedies for violations. “Homeowners may enter into a Shared Appreciation Agreement believing it is a beneficial decision for their family’s future,” said Venkat. “However, unfair or deceptive marketing practices can lead to significant financial hardship down the road. This legislation would provide stronger protections for homeowners as they consider whether to proceed with a Shared Appreciation Agreement.” Under a Shared Appreciation Agreement, the more a home appreciates, the more the homeowner must pay to satisfy the contract -- often far exceeding the amount originally received. Conversely, if the home Read more
Holiday wishes; Legislative updates; New grants coming to our community – and more! Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 18 – The Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved more than $1.5 million in grant funding for projects benefiting residents of the 30th Legislative District, supported collaboratively by state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Emily Kinkead, and Jeremy Shaffer, along with state Sens. Wayne Fontana, Devlin Robinson, and Lindsey Williams. “This grant will bring more than $1.5 million to our community for essential infrastructure, public safety, recreation, and service needs,” said Venkat. “I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in supporting these projects, and I will continue advocating for state funding for these and other vital initiatives across our community.” The projects in the 30th District that will be backed by this funding include: $346,671 to fund sewer repairs in Ben Avon Heights Borough. Supported with Robinson. $237,532 to the Quaker Valley Council of Governments for lighting enhancements to the Mayernik Softball Field in Emsworth, which is utilized by the Avonworth Softball Team. Supported with Fontana. $200,000 to the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department to assist in the purchase of a new aerial fire truck. Supported with Williams and Shaffer. $145,000 to Hampton Township to support North Hills Community Outreach in the purchase of two senior shuttle vehicles. Supported with Williams and Shaffer. $140,606 to Ohio Township to support the Verland Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – As federal authorities continue to undermine immunization access, the Pennsylvania House has passed legislation introduced by state Reps. Arvind Venkat , Tarik Khan , Bridget Kosierowski and Jennifer O’Mara to protect Pennsylvanians’ access to vaccines provided by pharmacists, regardless of federal policy changes. Current state law allows pharmacists to administer vaccines based on federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. The legislation, H.B. 1881 , would also allow pharmacists to provide vaccines based on recommendations from Pennsylvania health authorities, which may draw from guidance issued by professional medical societies. “The work of our local pharmacists is crucial to keeping our communities healthy, and that work should continue to be backed by science,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “This legislation will allow Pennsylvanians to avoid the politicization of health care and get the lifesaving vaccines they want, even if the federal government stops recommending them purely due to politics.” Under this legislation, state vaccination approvals would come from the CDC, competent authorities designated by the Board of Pharmacy, or the Pennsylvania Department of Health which could be informed by professional medical societies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 15 – Through the Neighborhood Assistance Program, North Hills Community Outreach has received $63,000 in funding from the state, announced state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny. The funding will allow North Hills Community Outreach to implement a Family-Centered Coaching model, which will help to streamline the organization’s services and empower their clients. Funding will be used for program staff, food pantry supplies, basic necessities and rent/utility assistance to prevent homelessness. “The work that North Hills Community Outreach has done in our community has an incredible impact, from keeping our neighbors fed to helping our seniors stay healthy and safe,” Venkat said. “I am thankful for the dedication they have to serving our community and proud to continue supporting their efforts.” This is one of 90 awards from the Neighborhood Assistance Program supporting the Southwest region of Pennsylvania, which includes Allegheny and 13 other counties. Read more
Bringing in funding for libraries; Supporting children with disabilities; Property Tax/Rent Rebate deadline approaching; Avonworth Football wins state championship – and more! Read more
Pushing for AI transparency in healthcare; Avonworth football heading to state championships; Fishing licenses now available; My recent town hall – and more! Read more
Supporting advancements in allergy relief; Bringing state grant funds to our community; Avonworth Girls’ Volleyball wins championship; Litter Hawk Youth Program – and more! Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 18 – The Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved $768,041 in grant funding for projects backed collaboratively by Allegheny County state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Lindsay Powell and Jeremy Shaffer, as well as state Sens. Lindsey Williams, Devlin Robinson and Wayne Fontana. “One of my most important duties as a state lawmaker is to secure funding for our community,” said Venkat. “These grants will support critical projects for our emergency medical services, recreational facilities, public infrastructure, borough buildings and parks and playgrounds. I was proud to advocate for these projects and am thankful to my colleagues for their partnership in making this funding possible.” The projects funded with the grants include: $205,000 to Franklin Park Borough to replace playground equipment at Blueberry Hill Park with ADA-compliant equipment. Supported with Sen. Robinson. $105,000 to the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority to support chassis replacement on existing ambulance vehicles. Supported with Sens. Williams and Robinson and Rep. Shaffer. $100,000 to the Ingomar North Recreation & Swimming Club in McCandless for new equipment and renovations of the pool. Supported with Sen. Williams. $55,000 to construct a new ADA-compliant ramp at the Ben Avon Municipal Building. Supported with Sen. Fontana. $50,000 to the Avonworth Historical Society for Read more
Meeting with the next generation of leaders; Protecting vaccine access; Learning more about AI’s potential – and more! Read more
Check out my latest e-newsletter to read about a successful Diwali celebration; my bill to regulate AI use in healthcare; an upcoming winter coat drive – and more! Read more
Fighting to protect vaccine access; Celebrating our outstanding students; Election Day coming up; Supporting childcare centers – and more! Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – In the wake of major changes to a federal vaccine advisory panel that could threaten Pennsylvanians’ access to life-saving immunizations, the state House has passed legislation that would protect access to recommended vaccines, the bill’s co-prime sponsors, state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Tarik Khan and Bridget Kosierowski -- all health professionals -- announced. The legislation, H.B. 1828 , would require private insurers to cover vaccines that have been recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The department would be able to draw upon the expertise of professional medical societies in that recommendation, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Venkat said this legislation is needed to ensure that critical immunization protections remain available to Pennsylvanians after recent developments from the federal government. “We have seen the firing of all members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and their replacement with several anti-vaccine activists. We have also seen the firing and resignation of the entire leadership of the CDC due to their unwillingness to support anti-vaccine Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – House Bill 1974 , bipartisan legislation introduced by state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Jamie Flick to help target the growing public health concern of stimulant use disorder, which includes cocaine and methamphetamine use, has been reported out of the House Human Services Committee, 24-2. Unlike opioid use disorder, there is no FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment for stimulant use disorder. Contingency management is a widely recognized approach to address stimulant use disorder and involves providing modest, non-cash incentives, such as gift cards and transit or food vouchers, after achieving certain treatment goals, including negative drug screens and consistent counseling attendance. “As a physician, I have seen how difficult it can be to recover from stimulant use disorder and the impacts it has on members of my community and so many Pennsylvanians,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “I have also seen how contingency management can help that recovery and provide an answer to Pennsylvania’s ongoing cocaine and methamphetamine use challenges.” "Solutions that make sense, backed by evidence, are clearly needed in this fight against addiction,” said Flick, R-Lycoming/Union. “We know that medication-assisted treatment works with opioid addiction, and studies have shown this same effect with contingency management.” To help fund contingency management Read more
SEWICKLEY, Oct. 27 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, will host a community celebration for Diwali from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2 at the Baierl Family YMCA, 2565 Nicholson Road in Sewickley. “As a member of the Hindu community and the first Indian American elected to the state House, I am honored to celebrate and support our region’s vibrant South Asian community,” said Venkat. “This event helps to recognize and foster the diverse culture and communities that have made a tremendous impact on our Commonwealth.” Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over a billion Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the world, and marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, while also bringing family together for celebration and connection. The main day of the festivities falls on Oct. 20 this year. Venkat championed the effort to officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania. His bipartisan legislation to do that, H.B. 436 , passed the state House in April 2023. Companion legislation, S.B. 402 , was ultimately passed and signed into law as Act No. 112 of 2024 . Attendees are requested to RSVP, which can be done on Venkat’s website . Dry food donations will be collected at the event for North Hill Community Outreach. This marks Venkat’s third annual community celebration of Diwali, which he has done every year since taking Read more
My upcoming Diwali event; Standing up for healthcare access; Nominate an educator for Teacher of the Year; My legislation to treat stimulant use disorder – and more! Read more
My upcoming Diwali event; Learning about local economic developments; Local students receive music performance honors – and more! Read more
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, members of the PA House Energy Committee toured Cordia Energy’s Bruce Mangione Steam Plant in Harrisburg, where they got a closer look at the sustainable infrastructure that powers the Capitol Complex and much of Harrisburg. Read more
Moving bills out of committee; Meeting with healthcare professionals; My legislation to regulate AI in healthcare; Veterans can get free vaccines for pets – and more! Read more
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