PITTSBURGH, Sept. 19 – Members of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation announced today that more than $7.3 million in funding is coming back to the county to strengthen criminal justice programs and bolster services for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. Some of the funding includes $1.3 million to the Center for Victims and more than $1 million to Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, both located in the 36th Legislative District. “Survivors of domestic violence and other crimes face a difficult road back to feeling safe, strong and empowered,” said state Rep. Jessica Benham, who represents the 36th District. “These grants will fund new resources and program support for these critically important organizations, which are based in our district but serve residents throughout the region.” The Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, based in the 24th Legislative District with services provided across the region, secured $1.2 million to bolster services for domestic violence survivors. “The center offers a safe place for survivors of domestic violence and also runs programs that give them the tools, resources and confidence to regain independent, empowered lives,” said Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, who represents the 24th Legislative District. “The new funding will ensure that this amazing community organization can Read more

Newly listed state grant programs Read more

Newly listed grant programs Read more

HARRISBURG, Sept. 10 – House and Senate leaders of the PA Safe Caucus applauded Gov. Josh Shapiro’s move Tuesday to reestablish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention as part of an effort to marshal every possible resource to keep Pennsylvanians safe. “Pennsylvanians are wondering if they will be safe at a concert or a grocery store or their house of faith, or if their children might encounter an unsecured firearm at a friend’s house or will one day hide under a desk while a school shooter thunders down the hallway,” said House PA Safe Caucus Co-chair Dan Frankel. “I’m proud to partner with a governor who doesn’t find any of that OK and doesn’t think we are powerless to stop it.” The Office of Gun Violence Prevention falls under the purview of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which is led by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. It will bring together public safety and public health experts, gun violence survivors and advocates and leaders from across Pennsylvania to address and prevent gun violence. “I applaud Governor Shapiro for taking the necessary steps to ensure safety for our communities. For decades, Republicans in the Pennsylvania legislature have blocked almost every attempt to regulate firearms, and the result has been beyond tragic for our communities,” said House PA Safe Caucus co-chair Anthony Bellmon. “This renewed office will make sure that gun Read more

School districts across Allegheny County awarded a total of $10.6 million in funding Read more

“Eliminating environmental hazards in our schools is vital to the well-being and success of our students,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “I’m proud to have helped secure this critical investment in creating safe and healthy schools.” Read more

"These investments will go a long way in ensuring that our students have a safe and healthy learning environment,” said state Rep. Kulik, D-Allegheny. “I will continue to advocate for resources that improve the infrastructure of our schools." Read more

State funding secured for school repairs Read more

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 9 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, held his first senior fair inside a packed hall at the National Aviary this past Thursday. The event’s goal was to provide older Pennsylvanians with information on state services geared toward them. This included assistance with the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and initiatives under the banner of the state departments of Banking & Securities and Military & Veterans Affairs. “Thank you to all who came out for the senior fair,” Abney said. “Creating a meaningful space for our elder neighbors in the district to feel loved and appreciated and have a great time was a true pleasure. I also want to thank the National Aviary, my staff, and everyone else who made the event such a success.” Photos from the senior fair can be viewed here . Read more

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 6 -- State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., joined state Reps. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, and other Allegheny County legislators Thursday to celebrate the recent passage of her Solar for Schools Act . The event was hosted at the IBEW Local 5 Training Center. Speakers were welcomed by business manager Thomas McInytre. Solar for Schools is a new state grant program designed to help school districts across Pennsylvania install solar panels on their grounds or roofs. By generating their own energy, districts can save millions of dollars over the life of a solar project—while creating good-paying jobs, reducing environmental impact, and helping keep costs low for taxpayers. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law on July 17. “Creating solar energy at schools not only reduces the amount of tax dollars spent on utility bills, but also creates union jobs in the high-tech and rapidly growing renewable energy industry,” said Pisciottano. “Solar for Schools is supporting working families, the environment, and local economies here in southwestern Pennsylvania and across the state.” “This is a win for taxpayers, a win for labor, and a win for the environment. I was proud to help shepherd this through the committee process and to help get it across the finish line,” said state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, chair of the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology Read more