AMBRIDGE, Oct. 8 – A $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will fund urban and community forestry projects benefiting Beaver County and western Pennsylvania, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said the funding to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will allow it to expand its forestry and tree planting programs and build tree stewardship capacity throughout the region. "The conservancy's programs that engage residents in tree planting and stewardship help our community by strengthening stormwater management, improving water and air quality, providing critical habitat for wildlife and much more," Matzie said. The conservancy plans to continue those efforts by planting thousands of additional native tree species. "Beyond the environmental benefits, these programs give residents hands-on experience that can be a springboard to jobs in park maintenance, conservation, forestry, landscaping, arboriculture and dozens of other careers. The new funding will support and strengthen those programs, and our region will reap the benefits." Matzie said the programs will support the conservancy's work in Beaver as well as Allegheny, Armstrong, Blair, Cambria, Erie, Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties. The funding comes from DCNR's Environmental Read more

“E-scooters have become an essential micro-mobility option across the nation and Pennsylvania is falling behind by failing to allow e-scooter share programs and provide local governments with the proper tools to regulate their use and keep people safe,” Kinkead said. “It is irresponsible for lawmakers to continue allowing e-scooters to exist in a legal gray area. This bill is about addressing the gaps in our existing law – establishing rules for the safe and responsible use of e-scooters while ensuring that Pennsylvanians have access to every option to get them where they need to go.” Read more

State funding awarded for local park construction, regional forestry initiatives Read more

State funding awarded to support preservation of 27 acres of woodlands Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – State Rep. Aerion Abney, chair of the Allegheny and Southwest House Democratic Delegation, announced today that four projects across Allegheny County and southwestern Pennsylvania have been awarded funding through Pennsylvania’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program. The grants support projects focused on workforce development, urban forestry, parks and riverfront planning, as well as conservation efforts across western Pennsylvania. The grants include: Pittsburgh Conservation Corps — funding for workforce development and wood reuse in Allegheny County. Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy — funding to support work at Emerald View Park. Riverlife — funding for a study of Pittsburgh’s riverfront amenities. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy — funding for urban and community forestry efforts throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties. “These grants will help make southwestern Pennsylvania a stronger, more vibrant place to live,” Abney said. “They support good jobs, improve public spaces and parks and help us make better use of the natural assets that define our region. That’s an investment Read more

Twenty-six lawmakers vote to advance regulatory framework for e-scooters Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – The Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Abigail Salisbury that would require all Pennsylvania newborns to be tested for Gaucher disease, an inherited genetic disorder that can have devastating health consequences. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said H.B. 1652 would allow parents to know at the earliest possible time whether their newborn has the disease so they can obtain timely treatment to help alleviate symptoms. “Pennsylvania screens newborns for a wide array of diseases to ensure that children who are affected can benefit from timely detection and treatment,” Salisbury said. “Until recently, the list of screened diseases included Gaucher disease, a genetic disorder that can cause devastating health problems, including organ, blood, and bone disorders and even certain cancers. “Six years ago, Gaucher was dropped from the list of screened diseases, which means that hospitals and parents are no longer automatically notified if their newborn has the disease, and children are deprived of a vital, early treatment window that can alleviate some health impacts. My bill would reinstate screening for this devastating disease, so parents get the timely information they need to help their children.” Gaucher disease is a genetic condition in which a person is missing an enzyme that breaks down lipids – fatty compounds in the body that serve various Read more

Legislation preventing delays for small-scale energy systems advances to Senate Read more

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – The Pennsylvania House Finance Committee today unanimously approved state Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill that would make it easier for lower-income houses of worship and other smaller nonprofit groups to obtain security funding. Salisbury’s H.B. 2639 would remove the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund’s 33% match requirement for grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 if a nonprofit’s annual revenue is less than $250,000. “For houses of worship and other community groups, nothing is more important than ensuring members are safe on the premises,” Salisbury said. “Unfortunately, many smaller groups struggle to meet the dollar match required to obtain funding under our state security grant program. We saw this happen after the attempted shooting at Jesus’ Dwelling Place in North Braddock. Like many smaller groups whose outreach is limited to the immediate community, the church struggled to raise the required 33% match. It took them a year and a half to raise the match and secure a line of credit for the cost-reimbursable $75,000 grant. “The size of a group’s operating budget should never determine its ability to protect members. My bill would lift the 33% match requirement for grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 if a nonprofit’s annual revenue is less than $250,000, to ensure everyone has the protection they deserve.” The bill now Read more

"As someone who has stuttered since a young age, I know firsthand how frustrating it can be when others don't understand you,” said state Rep. Brandon Markosek. “Traffic stops can become stressful and for drivers who face communication barriers, they can be overwhelming. This bill would give those drivers a tool to prevent misunderstandings and let officers know what to expect, so that both sides can approach the moment with less confusion." Read more