AMBRIDGE, Oct. 21 – Grant funding of nearly $620,000 from the state Department of Education will bolster literacy skills for elementary school students in the Central Valley and Freedom Area school districts, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the funding – which includes $415,405 to Central Valley School District for the Center Grange Primary and Todd Lane Elementary schools, and $204,160 to the Freedom Area School District for the Freedom Area Elementary School – will give students a stronger start in an essential core curriculum subject. “Few skills are more important to success in life than reading, but it takes a coordinated effort of planning, coaching and the right resources to help students master those skills,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus. “The new funding to Central Valley and Freedom Area school districts will provide the tools educators need to give students a strong foundation early on.” The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Structured Literacy Grant program, which provides funding to help school districts implement Pennsylvania's structured literacy legislation. Grants may be used for purchasing materials, obtaining screening assessments, developing plans and sustainable literacy systems, and strengthening districtwide collaboration. More information about the funding is available here: Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The Pennsylvania House today passed S.B. 1328 – companion legislation to state Rep. Rob Matzie’s bill that would mandate the availability of automated external defibrillators at utility and electrical linework job sites in Pennsylvania. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said he introduced his companion bill with state Rep. Jason Ortitay to address a major gap in the law and ensure that workers on some of the highest-risk job sites have access to lifesaving medical equipment. “When seconds count, AEDs save lives,” Matzie said. “Using them immediately on site after cardiac arrest dramatically increases survival compared to situations that rely on EMS arrival alone. It’s why we mandate these devices in schools, hotels, health clubs and coal mines. “But there is a critical gap in the law – there’s no similar requirement for AEDs to be available at utility and linework job sites, even though these are some of the most dangerous jobs around. We introduced this legislation in conjunction with the Senate bill passed today to address that gap and ensure that our workers have the protections they need when doing the essential work that keeps our lights on. I was glad to see the bill move forward and will push to ensure it gets to the governor’s desk.” “Line workers routinely work on energized electrical systems, at Read more

Legislation recognizing telecommunicators, expanding access to benefits heads to governor’s desk Read more

BEN AVON HEIGHTS, Oct. 21 – Through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program , Ben Avon Heights will receive $203,200 in grant funding, announced state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, who represents the borough in the state House. The funding will serve for rehabilitation and development of Ben Avon Heights Park, including construction of pedestrian walkways and a parking area, the installation of play equipment, and landscaping and ADA access improvements on site. “These improvements will allow our neighbors in Ben Avon Heights to have better opportunities to enjoy nature,” Venkat said. “I look forward to seeing these developments completed, and I will continue to work with my bipartisan colleagues to advocate for state support of our community.” Venkat worked alongside state Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny, to secure this funding. The grant came through the C2P2 program, which is administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and serves to build connections between Pennsylvanians and the outdoors by supporting recreational improvements, natural resource conservation, and community revitalization efforts. Read more

Bipartisan legislation for safe and responsible use of e-scooters advances to Senate Read more

AMBRIDGE, Oct. 20 – Nearly $400,000 in newly awarded tax credits will leverage investments to strengthen Beaver County health, nutritional and family resources and support economic development, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said that nearly $81,300 in tax credits will leverage community corporate partner investments to support Adagio Health, which provides health, nutrition and family support services for Beaver County and other families in the region. “Adagio Health provides essential services for lower-income families, including supplemental food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and other services to help new moms and infants, as well as other community wellness and outreach programs,” Matzie said. “The new tax credits will leverage additional funding for those programs and services to help more people.” Matzie said that in addition to the tax credits supporting Adagio Health, $285,000 in tax credits were awarded to leverage investments supporting economic development work by the Beaver Falls Community Development Corporation, and $26,000 in tax credits were awarded to leverage investments in Neighborhood North Museum of Play projects to expand accessible family and youth spaces in Beaver Falls. The tax credits supporting Adagio Health were awarded under the Charitable Food Program, and the tax credits supporting the Beaver Falls projects Read more

BRADDOCK, Oct. 20 – Tax credits totaling more than $1.48 million will leverage investments in District 34 projects to revitalize downtown areas, support local businesses and strengthen food security, job training and other programs for residents, Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury said the tax credits will play a key role in driving progress on community projects. “The new tax credits will spur investments by our regional business partners into the critical work our nonprofit organizations are doing to fight food insecurity, stabilize families, revitalize distressed areas and improve quality of life in dozens of other ways in our district,” Salisbury said. “It’s a powerful way for businesses to partner with our nonprofit sector, and I’m looking forward to seeing more dollars coming in to keep driving positive change.” Salisbury said the tax credits include: $783,750 to leverage investments in the Wilkinsburg Revitalization Plan, a strategic plan administered by the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. to rebuild the business district by attracting investments, supporting local businesses and strengthening neighborhoods. $352,800 to leverage investments in the Enterprise Zone Corp.’s façade improvement grant program for businesses in the Braddock Avenue commercial corridor. $190,000 to leverage investments in the Read more

A proposal championed by state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, to restrict cellphone use in Pennsylvania schools passed the PA House today on a bipartisan vote, a key step in the process for enacting the legislation in time for the 2027-28 school year. Read more