PITTSBURGH, Oct. 11 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, announced that a $1.1 million grant was awarded to Carnegie Library of Homestead . The funds, going specifically towards the installation of a sprinkler, will help the library continue its mission to deliver free public access to computers and wireless internet access. Providing these services enables jobseekers to log into employment application systems and receive staff assistance with completing applications, setting up email accounts, creating accounts for unique application tracking systems, scanning and uploading documents, and other application-related tasks. “Keeping library visitors safe with this new sprinkler will allow them to put all their energy and focus into utilizing this tremendous facility for all their employment and educational needs,” Gergely said. “My thanks to Sen. Jim Brewster for his collaboration in securing these dollars and to all the community partners for their advocacy on behalf of the library.” Carnegie Library of Homestead’s grant money is part of $45 million package made possible by the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program , which is facilitated by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. The program, part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, offers competitive grant monies to community anchor institutions for constructing, acquiring or improving buildings that are or will be open to the public and will Read more

Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Representative Lindsay Powell (D-21) announced that the Etna Center for Community will receive a $500,000 Multipurpose Community Facilities Program grant. This funding will be used to continue demolition on the historic Ochese Building and begin renovations to create a library and community space, the highest-prioritized project from Etna’s EcoDistrict Plan. Read more

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 11 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that a $500,000 grant has been awarded to HH Main LLC. The funds will be utilized for the renovation of Hill House and, specifically, to address the building’s structural integrity when it comes to safety and functionality. “For more than 50 years, Hill House has provided medical assistance and various additional resources to the Black and brown residents of the Hill District and many others. These dollars will be an investment in the next 50-plus years of its invaluable service to the community,” Abney said. “Thank you to Senator Jay Costa for his collaboration in securing this grant and to community partners for their advocacy of Hill House.” HH Main LLC’s grant money is part of $45 million package made possible by the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program , which is facilitated by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. The program, part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, offers competitive grants to community anchor institutions for constructing, acquiring or improving buildings that are or will be open to the public and will directly enable work, education and health monitoring at the respective facility. A full list of grant recipients in this round of funding can be found here . Read more

As an emergency physician, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of untreated mental health conditions. For far too many young people, the first time they access mental health care is in a moment of crisis – often in the ER, when their symptoms have already escalated beyond what community care could have addressed. Read more

Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Reps. Emily Kinkead (D-20) Arvind Venkat (D-30) announced that Northland Public Library will receive a $650,000 Multipurpose Community Facilities Program grant. Northland is currently undergoing a major renovation project to upgrade their entire facility and improve accessibility for all patrons while adding much needed space for work, study, and gathering. Read more

BRADDOCK, Oct. 10 – New grant funding of $2.5 million from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority will support construction of a new medical center and office building in Homewood and renovations to the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury said the funding includes $2 million to Primary Health Care Services Inc., for construction of a 44,000-square-foot medical center and offices facility. “This is an extremely exciting project because the new center is going to generate a lot of additional activity for the area,” Salisbury said. “In addition to expanding health care access, jobs, high-speed broadband and other opportunities for residents, the new complex will serve as an anchor for other commercial tenants, drawing new businesses and new pedestrian traffic to support them.” Salisbury said additional funding of $500,000 to the Woodland Hills School District will support renovations to the Carnegie Free Library. “The new funding to Swissvale Library will provide needed upgrades to a beloved place that has been serving our community for more than a century,” Salisbury said. “The renovations will improve service for neighbors in Rankin, Swissvale and surrounding areas by ensuring folks have strong broadband service connecting to important services and comfortable, user-friendly spaces to take advantage of the Read more

“Years of delay have prevented the full implementation of many interstate licensure compacts, leaving professionals and patients without the benefits these agreements offer,” state Rep. Brandon Markosek said. “Interstate compacts provide much-needed flexibility for licensed professionals, enabling them to more easily work where they are needed most. This makes Pennsylvania a more attractive place for professionals in vital fields, like nurses and other health professionals, who are in high demand.” Read more

“Having grown up with a stutter, I know how important speech therapy can be, not only in improving speech but also in boosting confidence,” state Rep. Brandon Markosek said. “I understand firsthand the challenges and stigma that come with stuttering and that giving children access to necessary speech therapy early on will help them develop communication skills important to their academic and social development. This legislation is about making sure that no child in Pennsylvania has to face the additional hurdle of affordability when it comes to getting the support they need to thrive.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – The Pennsylvania House today passed landmark legislation introduced by state Rep. Dan Frankel that would prohibit annual and lifetime limits on health insurance policies across the commonwealth. Frankel, who is majority chair of the House Health Committee, said his H.B. 2562 would ensure that all Pennsylvanians are guaranteed access to essential health care, regardless of federal actions or court decisions that could impact existing protections. “No family should be forced to choose between life-saving treatment and financial ruin because their insurance arbitrarily cuts them off when they need it most,” said Frankel. “By passing House Bill 2562, we are taking a stand to ensure that Pennsylvanians are protected, no matter what happens in Washington or the courts.” Currently, protections against annual and lifetime limits are in place under the Affordable Care Act. However, with ongoing legal challenges and political threats to the ACA, the passage of H.B. 2562 is a crucial step toward enshrining these protections into Pennsylvania state law, providing residents peace of mind and ensuring that health care remains a right, not a privilege. The legislation passed as part of a three-bill legislative package to enshrine ACA protections into state law. The other bills include: H.B. 2563 , by Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, which would allow parents to keep their adult Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – Legislation that would make Diwali an official holiday in Pennsylvania passed the General Assembly with a bipartisan majority today and will soon become law. Senate Bill 402 was introduced by state Sens. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland/Dauphin/Perry, and Nikil Saval, D-Phila., and would not require school, government or employer closings. “Thousands of Pennsylvanians celebrate Diwali each year, as a time of reflection and gathering,” Rothman said. “Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity.” “Wherever we’re from and whatever our background, all of us deserve to have our cultures recognized and honored. As the number of Asian Americans grows steadily here in Pennsylvania and across the country, our commonwealth’s official recognition of Diwali sends a clear message of inclusion,” Saval added. “I am so proud to have worked with my colleagues in the state legislature to put Pennsylvania at the forefront by acknowledging Diwali’s deep cultural significance and inviting all people to reflect on the endless struggle of light over darkness.” State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s companion legislation, House Bill 436 , passed the Pennsylvania House in April of last year. “Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over a billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists worldwide, including hundreds Read more