Latest News

McAndrew applauds House bipartisan passage of his legislation to remove unnecessary fee for volunteer fire departments

(14 hours ago)

Ensuring towns and cities are equipped to handle fire emergencies is vital, and this legislation would facilitate easier registration for non-profit status without any cost to fire departments," McAndrew said. Read more

Pisciottano appointed to Heinz History Center Board of Trustees

(Mar 15, 2024)

State legislator accepts role at Smithsonian affiliate Read more

Steele introduces legislative package to protect Pennsylvania’s wildlife, farms, forests

(Mar 13, 2024)

“With more than half a million hunters and approximately 53,000 farms in Pennsylvania, these bills will ensure we continue Pennsylvania’s hunting heritage, aid farmers, conserve our forests and enrich the commonwealth’s economy,” Steele said. “Hunters are instrumental to conserving the environment. Through these packages of bills, we may embrace our hunting heritage, as well as work with farmers, which represent one of Pennsylvania’s largest industries, while helping to nurture thriving forests.” Read more

Abney: $400,000+ for law enforcement and water recreation in Pittsburgh

(Mar 13, 2024)

PITTSBURGH, March 13 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of $415,000 in grants has been awarded to Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Carnegie Science Center . Pittsburgh Bureau of Police received a $315,000 Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law Enforcement Recruitment grant to fill their share of the 412 vacant policing positions across the Commonwealth. Carnegie Science Center was awarded a $100,000 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Boating Facility grant to complete a feasibility study and produce design/engineering plans for a new boating facility and related infrastructure along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail . “Keeping Steel City streets safe starts with adequate staffing, so these dollars are a vital investment in the protection and well-being of neighbors young and old,” Abney said. “I also am proud to support the Carnegie Science Center’s initiative for residents and visitors alike to experience and explore the natural beauty of the Three Rivers by boat.” Since the PCCD started accepting applications for recruitment funding in October of last year, just over $2 million has been allocated to 51 law enforcement agencies statewide. Read more

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Mar 13, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Public School Facility Improvement Grant Who May Apply: School entities, defined as a school district or an area career and technical school. Use: Facility improvement projects, including but not limited to roof repair/replacement, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, plumbing systems, window repair/replacement, health and safety upgrades, and accessibility projects. Funds: $100 million in total funding is available. Grant requests shall not exceed $5 million per eligible improvement project. School entities may submit more than one application, but no school entity shall receive more than 20% of the total funding available. Application Deadline: May 31, 2024 More information: CFA Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: STOP Violence Against Women Grant Program Who May Apply: County governments and non-profit victim service agencies are eligible to apply. Faith-based organizations may be eligible to apply under certain circumstances. Use: Funds may be used to support cross-system, collaborative efforts to respond to victims of violence against women crimes. This includes, but is not limited to, personnel and benefit costs associated with specialized units in law enforcement or core direct victim services, supplies and operating expenses related to the STOP project, equipment necessary for implementation, and training or professional development. Funds: A total of $12 Read more

Mayes aims to expand Medicaid coverage for blood pressure monitors

(Mar 12, 2024)

“With this legislation, we have the opportunity to address the maternal health care crisis, starting with one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality: hypertension,” Mayes said. “By expanding Medicaid coverage of blood pressure monitors, pregnant or postpartum enrollees may detect high blood pressure and receive treatment before it’s too late. When left untreated, women’s risk of cardiovascular disease increases. This legislation will improve maternal health outcomes, Black maternal health, and women’s health care overall.” Read more

Steele secures $50,000 to develop regional riverfront park

(Mar 12, 2024)

“This funding will lay the groundwork for a riverfront park that will make fishing and boating more accessible for our neighbors in Cheswick and Tarentum, who currently must rely on the boat launch at Bull Creek Run,” Steele said. “As an advocate for outdoor recreation and conservation, I’m thankful to the commission for working with me to secure this funding, which will create more opportunities for residents and tourists to enjoy our beautiful Allegheny River.” Read more

Mayes, McClinton launch Pennsylvania CROWN Act Coalition

(Mar 08, 2024)

“Speaker McClinton and I launched the Pennsylvania CROWN Act Coalition, inspired by the national CROWN Act Coalition, to stand together to create a world that respects natural hair and enact a statewide law to ban discrimination of how our hair naturally grows out of our head,” Mayes said. “When people face hair discrimination in the workplace like here in Pittsburgh in the case of Asani Porch who has a lawsuit against Aramark for hair discrimination, in school settings like Darryl George in Texas and public accommodations, it negatively affects their health. We must pass the CROWN Act to ensure that natural hair, hair styles and hair texture are respected in our commonwealth.” Read more

External Link >>>

Allegheny County Board of Health proposes safer conditions for renters

(Mar 08, 2024)

The Allegheny County Board of Health is addressing the relationship between landlords and tenants. Read more

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee holds informational hearing on electric vehicle infrastructure

(Mar 08, 2024)

HARRISBURG, March 8 – With more Pennsylvania drivers turning to electric vehicles, state Rep. Rob Matzie said the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee met Wednesday for an informational hearing on the state’s EV infrastructure. Matzie, who is majority chairman, said the committee heard testimony from stakeholders and discussed key issues such as the role public utilities will play, ratepayer protections, public demand and expectations for EV charging and other issues that will guide development of policy and legislation. “Electric vehicle infrastructure is a hot topic, with federal money pouring in to help expand that infrastructure,” Matzie said. “Today, we heard from stakeholders regarding what kind of legislative guidance is needed and how things are progressing. “We know utilities must have long-term plans in place to ensure that the needed infrastructure is ready, and I anticipate we’ll be having more conversations about those plans. Right now, we want to make sure we’re having conversations with all the stakeholders to make sure PA does it right.” Matzie added that Pennsylvania’s energy independence and ability to maintain a diverse energy portfolio will remain a central part of the dialogue. “I have said many times how important the grid is and how important it Read more