New law extends Automobile Lemon Law to cover motorcycles Read more

This Wednesday, Nov. 13, The Penn was honored with a legislative citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in recognition of its 100th anniversary. The citation was co-sponsored and presented by Reps. Matthew R. Gergely and James B. Struzzi II at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. Read more

MCCANDLESS, Nov. 18 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat announced that a $20,000 state grant was awarded to La Roche University in McCandless for multi-faceted efforts to connect students with food and food resources. The funds are made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Hunger-Free Campus Grant program, which helps schools address food insecurity on campus and includes expanding access to food options, creating awareness initiatives, and upgrading facilities. “Students are more excited to learn and better equipped to excel inside and outside of the classroom when they receive the nutrition needed to fuel and sustain themselves,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “These dollars will help provide the ingredients they require every day and give them the energy they need to tackle the demands of their coursework.” All grant recipients are members of the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative , a coalition of PA institutions of higher education focused on addressing hunger and other basic needs for their students, creating opportunities for connection among student hunger advocates, providing resources and strategies for campuses, and supporting opportunities to apply for grants related to addressing food insecurity. The PA Hunger-Free Campus Initiative began in 2022 and is a focus of First Lady Lori Shapiro and part of her work to advocate for students and families to ensure they have the support they need to thrive and live Read more

State grants fund supports for autistic residents, community arts and higher ed Read more

McKEESPORT, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of $743,000 in state conservation grants was awarded to three projects in local communities and in Pittsburgh. Gergely joined a long list of state lawmakers who helped make possible a $600,000 Community Conservation Partnership Program grant for the coordination and funding of an Urban Wood Reuse Project and Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program by the Pittsburgh Conservation Corps. He also collaborated with state Sen. Jim Brewster, D-Allegheny, to secure $97,400 in C2P2 funds to rehabilitate Breznay Memorial Park in Lincoln Borough. Work will include: Renovation of ballfield. Construction of pedestrian walkway. Installation of fencing and bleachers. ADA access. Landscaping. Other related site improvements. Gergely and several state representatives and senators facilitated $45,600 in C2P2 dollars to prepare a Rivers Conservation Plan for the Youghiogheny River from Connellsville in Fayette County to McKeesport in Allegheny County, as well. “Safeguarding the environmental health of Pittsburgh and its communities is paramount, and these funds will go a long way to keeping both viable and vibrant across many walks of life. The monies will also help ensure the area remains a great place for neighbors and visitors to lay down roots and experience all that the Steel City and western PA have to offer, respectively,” Read more

HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that he has been elected as the new chair of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation . “I’m grateful to my colleagues for giving me the honor to serve as chair and elevate the priorities of our delegation both in Harrisburg and across our region. With so much uncertainty facing our country and state, our region will need to display strong leadership focused on improving the quality of life for our residents,” Abney said. “I look forward to working with our government partners and other stakeholders alike to promote an agenda that is realistic, relevant and impactful.” Abney previously served as city vice chair on the delegation and assumes the role previously held by state Sen.-elect Nick Pisciottano. Abney has served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since April 2022. Membership of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation is comprised of state Reps. Jessica Benham, Brandon Markosek, Dan Deasy, Dan Frankel, Matthew R. Gergely, Emily Kinkead, Anita Kulik, La’Tasha D. Mayes, Joe McAndrew, Dan Miller, Lindsay Powell, Abigail Salisbury, Mandy Steele and Arvind Venkat. State Rep.-elect John Inglis will fill the vacancy left by Pisciottano. Read more

Newly listed state grant programs Read more

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of more than $1.5 million in state conservation grants has been awarded to four projects in the city of Pittsburgh. Powell collaborated with fellow Allegheny County state Reps. Aerion A. Abney, Abigail Salisbury and Jessica Benham and fellow county state Sens. Jay Costa and Wayne Fontana to secure $604,400 in Community Conservation Partnerships Program funds for the coordination of an Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program in the Steel City by the Student Conservation Association Inc. She also joined a long list of state lawmakers who helped to provide a $600,000 C2P2 grant for the coordination and funding of an Urban Wood Reuse Project and Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program by the Pittsburgh Conservation Corps. Powell and Fontana facilitated $250,000 in C2P2 funding to rehabilitate and further develop Spring Hill Park. Work will include: Renovation of baseball fields. Construction of basketball and pickleball court, splash pad, internal loop trail, pedestrian walkway, access drive and parking area. Installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, fitness equipment, utilities and fencing. ADA access. Landscaping. Other related site improvements. In addition, Powell and Allegheny County state Reps. Abney and La’Tasha D. Mayes and county state Sens. Fontana Read more

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat announced that $333,200 in state conservations grants were awarded to two projects in Pennsylvania’s 30th Legislative District in McCandless and Franklin Park, along with over half a million related dollars for the city of Pittsburgh. “As a practicing emergency physician, I’m keenly aware of the importance exercise and green space are for our overall well-being, and these funds will help our community have fun and stay healthy at the same time. Growing recreational opportunities and taking care of our surroundings will make our communities more appealing to residents and visitors alike and do our part for the planet too,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “Thank you to all my state legislative partners for their work in procuring these grants.” Venkat and state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, helped facilitate $288,400 in Community Conservation Partnership Program funds for rehabilitating North Park in McCandless Township. Work will include: Construction of a pedestrian walkway. Parking area and stormwater management. Installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing. ADA access. Landscaping. Other related site improvements. “North Park is a destination for so many people in our region, whether it’s to walk, bike, row, ice skate or celebrate with friends and family. This investment in keeping the park safe and accessible Read more

BRADDOCK, Nov. 13 – New funding of $660,500 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will bring urban tree planting and stewardship programs to Wilkinsburg and Forest Hills boroughs, while an additional $1.2 million in DCNR grants will allow those programs to flourish in the city of Pittsburgh, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. “It's hard to overestimate the importance of trees, particularly in urban areas,” Salisbury said. “They’re a natural way to reduce stormwater runoff, fight flooding, improve air quality and even reduce noise – not to mention the proven mental health benefits that even small areas of nature can provide. “With the new funding, Wilkinsburg and Forest Hills boroughs and the city of Pittsburgh will be engaging communities in tree planting and stewardship and bringing residents and nature together in ways that will yield multiple, long-lasting benefits.” Salisbury said the funding includes: $500,000 to Wilkinsburg Borough for a project to coordinate urban and community forestry by engaging communities in planting trees and building tree stewardship capacity. $160,500 to Forest Hills Borough for a project to coordinate urban and community forestry by engaging communities in planting trees and building tree stewardship capacity. $600,000 to Pittsburgh Conservation Corps to coordinate and fund an urban wood Read more