Venkat’s legislation would prohibit health insurers or their contracted vendors that initiate payments to participating health care providers from requiring the use of an electronic credit card with a fee to transmit payment to the health care provider without the provider’s consent. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 28 – State Reps. Aerion A. Abney and La’Tasha D. Mayes, both D-Allegheny, will host a legislative town hall from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday , Dec. 5 at the Thelma Lovette YMCA , 2114 Centre Ave. in Pittsburgh . The lawmakers will provide updates on legislation that has recently passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the issues most important to them. There will also be information about state services. “As the eyes and ears of the communities I represent, I’m excited to meet with my neighbors where they live for this important dialogue,” Abney said. “I’m eager to share the good work done in Harrisburg and receive essential feedback on the good work that still needs to be done.” “During this town hall, we’ll have the opportunity to connect with residents of the Hill District on issues affecting the community and on legislation including the CROWN Act ,” Mayes said. “I look forward to engaging constituents in a vibrant discussion about our work.” A light meal will be served. Residents wanting more information should call Abney’s district office at 412-471-7760 or Mayes’ district office at 412-665-5502 . Read more
“By hosting this luncheon, my district office staff will have the opportunity to provide seniors with a meal to nourish them, as well as provide information on state services,” Steele said. “My staff looks forward to meeting seniors that reside in the 33rd Legislative District.” Read more
NAP tax credits to support revitalization efforts Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 22 – Two community projects were awarded a combined $136,250 in tax credits to support housing initiatives and provide personal care kits to underserved communities, according to state Rep. Dan Deasy. Deasy, D-Allegheny, said the investments are as follows: $80,000 for the Mt. Washington Community Development Corp. to provide assistance to low-income individuals and families in the neighborhoods of Mt. Washington and Duquesne Heights. Major needs addressed within this project include affordable housing, housing improvement assistance and stabilization, home and community safety, food security and job training. $56,250 for Global Links’ Personal Care Kits initiative, which aims to provide 5,000 neighbors with 10,000 personal care kits in 2024. “These investments will help local organizations with providing opportunities for folks to live with dignity in good, affordable homes and in good health,” Deasy said. “I am proud to support these efforts and want to thank community leaders for the work they do to provide a positive and lasting impact on our communities.” The investments to support both projects come from the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program. The goals of the program are to promote community participation and collaborations among nonprofits, businesses Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 21 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced today that $2.84 million in tax credits through the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program has been awarded to several community organizations. “These tax credits are essential to the preservation and improvement of communities that need urgent assistance,” Abney said. “Whether putting more roofs over the heads of individuals, providing food resources, or helping local businesses expand, I applaud all the great work these tax credits will do by encouraging private investment.” Two organizations were approved for general NAP tax credits. They are: Amani Christian Community Development Corp.: $55,000 for the Centre Avenue project, which includes the eventual completion of a 700 square foot affordable commercial space builder. Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania: $55,000 for a project to replace the roof of their main building for safer program access. Six organizations were awarded Neighborhood Partnership Program tax credits. Those recipients are: Hilltop Alliance: $200,000 for a projects involving home repairs and food assistance. Hazelwood Initiative Inc.: $240,000 for a project to renovate rental units. Northside Leadership Conference Inc.: $400,000 for a project to support affordable housing development, commercial real estate, small business support, parks and greenspace planning, and restoration, Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 21 – Three organizations in the 23 rd Legislative District have been awarded $126,250 in tax credits to spur investment in community projects, state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, announced today. “Tax credits can offer critical support for key community projects by drawing needed investments,” Frankel said. “I’m excited that these newly awarded credits will support programs that offer hope for residents and families and new opportunities for marginalized businesses and job seekers.” Frankel said the funding includes: $71,250 in tax credits to InnovatePGH Partnership Pittsburgh to support projects aimed at improving equality and access to Oakland’s business and innovation district, with an emphasis on helping diverse and marginalized entrepreneurs and job seekers. $41,250 in tax credits to the Aleph Institute to support the Shifra program, which helps families in need through an afterschool program, a motherhood center, and a food shed. $13,750 in tax credits to the Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh Inc. to help support The Beacon – a program that aims to engage 300-500 teens in activities that promote mental health and wellness skills. In addition, more than $1.3 million in tax credits was awarded to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which distributes food to residents in Allegheny County and 10 other counties. The funding is Read more
BRADDOCK, Nov. 21 – Residents and businesses in the 34 th Legislative District will benefit from more than $1 million in new tax credits awarded to support affordable housing, community revitalization and human services programs, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the tax credits – awarded through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program – will leverage investments to bolster the work of area nonprofit organizations. “Our district’s charitable nonprofits are constantly working to improve quality of life for residents, but they can’t do it alone,” Salisbury said. “Fortunately, tax credits can be a powerful tool to spur new investments. The newly awarded tax credits are going to boost key projects to fight blight and attract new businesses, expand affordable housing, and continue treatment programs and related services for residents.” Salisbury said the funding includes: $400,000 in tax credits to Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. to supports efforts to strengthen the Central Business District, improve quality of life for residents, continue attracting new homeowners and businesses, and improve the borough’s fiscal health and sustainability. $265,875 in tax credits to Enterprise Zone Corp. of Braddock to support projects to Read more
“This funding will assist with affordable housing programs, community services, job training, and neighborhood assistance all across the 24th Legislative District,” Mayes said. “With this funding from DCED’s NAP, we have the opportunity to revitalize the community to uplift residents in need and develop our economy.” Read more
Legislation would strengthen antitrust laws, prohibit monopolistic tactics Read more
“As an advocate for reproductive health, rights and justice, I voted to pass H.B. 1786 to ensure Pennsylvanians’ rights to make decisions about their own bodies,” Mayes said. “This bill would allow Pennsylvanians and residents in neighboring states to safely access reproductive health care, including abortions, in Pennsylvania, without fear of retribution.” Read more
“I introduced this legislation to provide financial relief for striking workers, such as those who have been on strike for more than a year at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,” Steele said. “With more than 67% of Americans supporting unions and strikes on the rise, we must support our union members, which are the backbone of the labor industry in Allegheny County, our commonwealth and our nation. By passing this legislation, we show solidarity with those on strike by allowing them to collect unemployment compensation benefits.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 15 – State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, celebrated approval of his bill to close loopholes in Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act in the House Health Committee Wednesday, saying that it’s long past time for the commonwealth to step in and ensure workers are protected from the hazards of secondhand smoke. “We are the Health Committee – it’s in the name. We cannot refuse to act while thousands of Pennsylvanians are forced to choose between an absolutely undebatable health hazard and their ability to put food on the table,” said Frankel, who is majority chairman of the committee. House Bill 1657 would ban smoking – including the use of e-cigarettes – in the state’s bars, clubs and casinos that were allowed to permit smoking due to loopholes included in the Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act when it was passed in 2008. Frankel noted that much has changed since the prior bill passed, including an avalanche of public health data supporting smoking bans and a sharp decline in the popularity of smoking . A growing body of evidence shows that the feared economic consequences of smoking bans never came to pass and that there are far more consumers who won’t choose to subject themselves to smoking environments than smokers who will shun establishments where they cannot smoke. “It’s preposterous to argue that Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 15 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, and his staff will hold a legislative town hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 at Pittsburgh Higher Ground Ministry, 3505 Perrysville Ave. in Pittsburgh . The town hall will include information about legislation that has recently passed the PA House and an opportunity for residents to discuss the issues most important to them. “Meeting with neighbors in a forum like this is integral to continuing the essential work that needs to be done in Harrisburg,” Abney said. “I look forward to having a lively dialogue with the people I’m privileged to represent.” Residents interested in attending are encouraged to call Abney’s district office at 412-471-7760 for more information. A light meal will be served. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 15 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would raise the monetary threshold amount that subjects charitable organizations to more extensive financial oversight, including mandatory audits. Among other things, Salisbury’s bill would raise the current threshold for a mandatory audit from $750,000 to $1 million, a move she said better reflects current day charitable donations. “Increasing the monetary thresholds that trigger third-party audits or review would cut out red tape and help charitable organizations do what they were created to do – get dollars into the hands of people needing them,” said Salisbury, who serves as House Democratic chair of the Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit Caucus . “The current thresholds for subjecting organizations to greater regulation have not been reviewed since 2017, and it’s time to move the line to better reflect current day standards.” Under H.B. 1824 : Charitable organizations receiving annual contributions of $1 million or more would have to be audited by an independent certified public accountant. Under existing law , the audit requirement applies to organizations receiving $750,000 or more. Charitable organizations receiving annual contributions of at least $500,000 but less than $1 million would be required to have a review or audit of their financial statements performed by an independent certified Read more
“With global temperatures up 1.1 degrees since industrialization first began, we do not have time to exclude the oil and natural gas industry from the conversations about climate change,” Steele said. “Instead, we must act collaboratively to decarbonize our economy, one of the biggest challenges we face in Pennsylvania today. We have an opportunity to set Pennsylvania up as a worldwide energy leader in the coming carbon neutral economy, and that path begins with gathering as much information as we can about the current lay of the land.” Read more
“These are our former teachers, our children’s teachers, maintenance workers at the schools, public employees who have kept our state government running and the list goes on, who are living under poverty wages," Deasy said. "We made a promise to these folks that while you likely won’t get rich working the jobs you had, you would not go hungry in retirement. The day has come to fulfill that promise." Read more
HARRISBURG, June 26 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill, the Medical Debt Relief Act , passed the House of Representatives today with bipartisan support. This bill would establish the Medical Debt Relief Program within the Department of Health to discharge medical debt of eligible residents by contracting with a medical debt relief coordinator. Pennsylvanians would be eligible for relief if they have a household income at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or medical debt equal to 5 percent or more of the individual’s household income. Venkat, D-Allegheny, introduced the Medical Debt Relief Act to address the impact medical debt has on the cost and accessibility of health care for patients, providers and the public. “By establishing the Medical Debt Relief Program, we can alleviate medical debt for working Pennsylvanians, improve health care institutions and providers’ finances and reduce the costs for all Pennsylvanians,” Venkat said. “As an emergency physician, I’ve witnessed patients delay medical care due to the rising cost of health care, to the point of dying as a result. Through this bill, it is my hope that we can alleviate Pennsylvanians’ medical debt so that they may receive the health care they need.” The House passed the Medical Debt Relief Act by a vote of 114-89. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. Read more
Bill would create grant program, streamline reporting of underage drinking Read more
Mayes will host the resource fair from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation’s Community Activity Center, 113 N. Pacific Ave., Pittsburgh. Read more
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