Abney introduces bill for PA to join Social Work Licensure Compact

(Nov 14, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, introduced a bill today that would add Pennsylvania to the list of states who are members of the Social Work Licensure Compact. The legislation ( H.B. 1841 ) would allow licensed commonwealth social workers or those eligible for a license to apply for the ability to provide their services across multiple states. A comprehensive data system would also be created, so the public could be kept safe and informed with regards to social worker license status and any adverse actions associated with them. “Often an underappreciated profession, an increased demand for social workers became evident through the pandemic and continues as people deal with ongoing traumas,” Abney said. “My bill would be a win-win for social workers seeking employment opportunities and individuals in need of personal and emotional assistance.” Abney holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. The bill has been referred to the House Professional Licensure Committee. Read more

 

Salisbury’s bill to permit remote work capabilities passes House unanimously

(Nov 14, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill that would allow employees of licensees in the sales finance industry to work remotely unanimously passed the House Monday. The legislation, H.B. 1580 , applies to workers at licensees who qualify under the Consumer Discount Company Act and the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act. “Fueling the well-being and morale of workers while keeping businesses competitive now moves a step closer to becoming reality,” Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting my bill that is a win-win for a prosperous economy and the people who make it possible.” State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, is co-sponsoring Salisbury’s legislation, which does not change any requirements pertaining to licensing, examination or regulation by the Department of Banking and Securities. Salisbury’s legislation now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more

 

Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus applauds passage of S.B. 500

(Nov 13, 2023)

The bill now heads to the Senate for concurrence. Read more

 

Mayes applauds passage of Owen’s Law

(Nov 13, 2023)

“As a longtime advocate for Black maternal health and reproductive justice, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus, and a new mother, I applaud the passage of Owen’s Law, which would make breast milk, an important source of nutrition for infants, more accessible for medically fragile infants in need,” Mayes said. “With two-thirds of mothers struggling with breastfeeding, Owen’s Law will provide critical support for mothers and birthing people across our commonwealth.” Read more

 

Gergely to host district office grand opening Thursday

(Nov 06, 2023)

MCKEESPORT, Nov. 6 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, and his staff will hold a grand opening from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 in his district office at Tube City Center. Individuals will be able to tour the office and receive information/assistance on state services and state government-related questions and issues. Prospective attendees are encouraged to call Gergely’s office at 412-664-0035 for more information. Read more

 

Abney to host legislative town hall in Pittsburgh’s West End

(Nov 06, 2023)

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 6 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, and his staff will hold a legislative town hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at Sheraden Senior Center , 720 Sherwood 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. Interested individuals are encouraged to call Abney’s district office at 412-471-7760 for more information. A light meal will also be served. Read more

 

Shapiro: maternal morbidity law vital to protect moms and babies

(Nov 02, 2023)

A new law will provide key data to improve outcomes for women, especially Black women, who have high rates of maternal morbidity across the state. Read more

 

‘This is only a start’: Shapiro, lawmakers celebrate signing of maternal mortality bill

(Nov 02, 2023)

Cephas thanked the newly formed caucus for its work and said its members, including state Reps. La’Tasha D. Mayes (D-Allegheny) and Gina Curry (D-Delaware) will be “laser-focused on building on the momentum of the work we’ve done to date and beginning to be the catalyst for the work we will be doing moving forward.” Read more

 

Anti-hate crimes legislation passes Pennsylvania House

(Oct 31, 2023)

“The conflict in Israel has Jewish and Muslim Pennsylvanians feeling afraid – afraid to leave home, afraid to practice their faith, afraid to gather with their communities at a time when such events would bring them the most comfort,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. “The vast majority of Pennsylvanians want this commonwealth to be a welcoming, diverse place for all, and that is the call legislators answered today.” Read more

 

Act 5 will help ‘improve maternal health’ in PA, Mayes says

(Oct 31, 2023)

“As an advocate for Black maternal health and reproductive health, rights and justice, member of the Women’s Health Caucus, and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, I am thankful for Sen. Schwank’s leadership, as well as Rep. Morgan Cephas for introducing the House companion bill, and Gov. Shapiro for acting swiftly to sign S.B. 262 into law,” Mayes said. “This law will provide us with the data to improve maternal health for Pennsylvanians.” Read more

 

Gergely introduces bill to enhance quality of donated plasma in PA

(Oct 30, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, introduced a bill today that would ensure plasma donated throughout the state is suitable for subsequent use in health and medical forums. The legislation (H.B. 1795 ) would require that source plasma, specifically, undergoes extensive testing upon donation and before it is ultimately integrated into essential pharmaceuticals. Gergely’s bill, co-sponsored by state Rep. Tim Briggs of Montgomery County, would also allow more focus to be devoted to developing such pharmaceuticals by eliminating a signification portion of subsequent testing conducted in labs during the clinical development phase. “Plasma is vital for treating rare diseases, chronic conditions, and emergencies like trauma and burns,” Gergely said. “My bill would help ensure that PA has a safe and sustainable plasma supply necessary for bettering and saving countless lives.” “In a world where plasma can mean the difference between life and death, we cannot afford to hinder the flow of this precious resource,” Briggs added. “By proposing legislation to align Pennsylvania's laws with federal standards for source plasma donation centers, we are taking a crucial step toward ensuring a reliable plasma supply for our state.” In 2017 alone, approximately 30 million liters of source plasma were collected in approximately 40 million procedures in the United States, per a work published Read more

 

Steele to assist with distributing smoke alarms to Natrona residents

(Oct 27, 2023)

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, Steele, the American Red Cross, and Hilltop Hose Company No. 3 will distribute the smoke alarms. The American Red Cross and Hilltop Hose Fire Company No. 1 will install the smoke alarms. Residents may register by calling the American Red Cross at 412-263-5278. Read more

 

Kinkead: $37 million secured to replace waterlines

(Oct 20, 2023)

PWSA awarded low-interest loans, grant to support water infrastructure Read more

 

Bills to improve voting access for incarcerated individuals draw support from lawmakers, advocates

(Oct 19, 2023)

With the general election weeks away, lawmakers and advocates are calling for legislation to better inform incarcerated Pennsylvanians about their right to vote and permit them to vote via absentee ballot. Read more

 

Mayes launches PA Black Maternal Health Caucus with Cephas, Curry

(Oct 18, 2023)

“By launching this caucus, we may begin to address severe maternal morbidity rates, which are highest for Black, non-Hispanic patients, and significantly reduce maternal mortality in Pennsylvania,” Mayes said. Read more

 

Legislation to allow workers on strike to collect unemployment compensation advances to the House

(Oct 18, 2023)

“In light of the ongoing strike for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette union members and the high concentration of unions in western Pennsylvania, we must protect employees by making them eligible for unemployment compensation,” Steele said. “With this bill, we may ensure employees can continue to provide for themselves and their families.” Read more

 

Cephas, Curry, Mayes launch Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus

(Oct 17, 2023)

The Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus seeks to address disturbing trends of Black maternal mortality and morbidity and pass the Pennsylvania MOMNIBUS, a legislative package modeled after the federal MOMNIBUS legislation to change the trajectory of maternal health outcomes in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Salisbury to hold expungement clinic in Pittsburgh

(Oct 17, 2023)

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, will host an expungement clinic at the Community Empowerment Association in Pittsburgh from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19. The clinic will help residents expunge criminal records and seal or pardon past convictions, and the Allegheny County Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Center will provide the legal advice on the processes at the event. “Minor justice system offenses should not deter or prevent people from pursuing impactful lives,” Salisbury said. “I want to encourage residents looking for a fresh start to attend the clinic and find out how my staff and I can help.” Salisbury is a nonprofit attorney, served as the executive director of JURIST.org , and taught First Amendment law at the University of Pittsburgh. Pre-registration for the clinic can be completed here . Read more

 

Educational, Environmental, Public Safety, and Redevelopment Grant Opportunities

(Oct 16, 2023)

PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Please note: On Oct. 10, PCCD announced The Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program deadline has been extended to 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2023. Department of Environmental Protection: Coastal Zone Grant Program Who May Apply: Municipalities, area-wide agencies, state agencies, educational institutions (school districts, colleges, universities, other institutions of higher learning), conservation districts, port authorities, public authorities, or incorporated nonprofit organizations. Use: Grants may be applied to a wide variety of studies, plans, designs, research, acquisition, and construction projects pertaining to one or more of the established Coastal Resources Management Program policies. Projects must be located within the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone or the Lake Erie Coastal Zone boundaries. Funds: Grant funding is provided to DEP from the Office for Coastal Management through NOAA. Application Deadline: Monday, October 16, 2023 More information: DEP Website Pennsylvania Department of Education Nita M. Lowey 21 st Century Community Learning Centers Cohort 12 Who May Apply: P ublic school districts, charter schools, private schools, nonprofit agencies, city or county government agencies, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, Indian tribes or tribal organizations and for-profit corporations. Applicants must Read more

 

More than $3 million awarded from PHFA’s Housing Options Program

(Oct 13, 2023)

“Pittsburgh ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., and these grants will make it more affordable for residents of the 24th Legislative District to continue living here in our city,” Mayes said. “Thanks to these grants from PHFA’s HOP, we may make Pittsburgh a more affordable area to live.” Read more

 

Abney introduces bill for PA to join Social Work Licensure Compact
Nov 14, 2023

Salisbury’s bill to permit remote work capabilities passes House unanimously
Nov 14, 2023

Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus applauds passage of S.B. 500
Nov 13, 2023

Mayes applauds passage of Owen’s Law
Nov 13, 2023

Gergely to host district office grand opening Thursday
Nov 06, 2023

Abney to host legislative town hall in Pittsburgh’s West End
Nov 06, 2023

Shapiro: maternal morbidity law vital to protect moms and babies
Nov 02, 2023

‘This is only a start’: Shapiro, lawmakers celebrate signing of maternal mortality bill
Nov 02, 2023

Anti-hate crimes legislation passes Pennsylvania House
Oct 31, 2023

Act 5 will help ‘improve maternal health’ in PA, Mayes says
Oct 31, 2023

Gergely introduces bill to enhance quality of donated plasma in PA
Oct 30, 2023

Steele to assist with distributing smoke alarms to Natrona residents
Oct 27, 2023

Kinkead: $37 million secured to replace waterlines
Oct 20, 2023

Bills to improve voting access for incarcerated individuals draw support from lawmakers, advocates
Oct 19, 2023

Mayes launches PA Black Maternal Health Caucus with Cephas, Curry
Oct 18, 2023

Legislation to allow workers on strike to collect unemployment compensation advances to the House
Oct 18, 2023

Cephas, Curry, Mayes launch Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus
Oct 17, 2023

Salisbury to hold expungement clinic in Pittsburgh
Oct 17, 2023

Educational, Environmental, Public Safety, and Redevelopment Grant Opportunities
Oct 16, 2023

More than $3 million awarded from PHFA’s Housing Options Program
Oct 13, 2023