AMBRIDGE, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Rob Matzie is urging homeowners who are struggling with mortgage payments to see if they qualify for assistance under a new state program. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which opened for applications this week, is designed to help homeowners facing unforeseen financial hardships because of the pandemic. “Housing expenses take the largest bite out of a family’s budget, and for many homeowners still feeling the effects of the pandemic, meeting a monthly mortgage payment may be much more difficult than it used to be,” Matzie said. “I urge anyone who is struggling with those payments to see if they qualify for the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which can help prevent delinquency, default or foreclosure.” Matzie said to that to qualify, a homeowner must: own and occupy the Pennsylvania property as their primary home. have experienced financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020 (including a hardship that began before that date and continued afterward). have a household income equal to or less than 150% of area median income ($89,050 for a family of one, $101,800 for a family of two, and $127,200 for a family of four). have a first mortgage that is a conforming loan and meets the federal Read more
The legislative majority in Harrisburg risks transforming our state constitution into a mere collection of failed statutory schemes, while blatantly abandoning the legislative norms of statesmanship and compromise Read more
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Grants will help fund library renovations, blight removal, flood control among other projects Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 21 – Public schools in Beaver County’s Aliquippa and Hopewell Area school districts and Allegheny County’s Quaker Valley School District will enjoy new safety resources thanks to nearly $104,300 in funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the funding is part of the 2021-22 Safe Schools Targeted Grants program administered by the state Department of Education. “The grant funding announced today will help ensure our district schools have the resources they need to keep students and staff safe and to give them the peace of mind they need for a productive, worry-free educational environment,” Matzie said. The funding includes a $19,730 program grant to the Aliquippa School District, a $24,568 equipment grant to Quaker Valley School District, and $60,000 grant to the Hopewell Area School District to continue a school resource officer position. The grants are part of a package of $8 million in competitive grants awarded statewide. More information on the specific awardees and amounts is available here . Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 13 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, is reminding residents about two recent programs that can provide eligible households assistance with water and broadband services. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, said the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program can assist households in danger of losing water service. “For residents facing a risk of having their water services terminated, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program can provide crisis grants – which do not need to be repaid – directly to the service provider,” Matzie said. “Eligible households can receive up to two $2,500 grants – one for water service and one for wastewater service. I urge anyone with past-due water bills who may be facing a shutoff threat to apply.” Matzie said a second program – the Affordable Connectivity Program – can help low-income households that are having difficulty paying for Internet service. “The Affordable Connectivity Program can help eligible households stay connected by providing monthly discounts of up to $30 per month on broadband service,” Matzie said. “With so many important life activities depending on a reliable connection, this is a lifeline no family should have to lose, especially when help is available.” Matzie said households may be able to qualify for several Read more
On Jan. 4 the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association released its list of football classifications for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. Using total male enrollment numbers for grades 9 through 11, the PIAA separates football programs into six classifications, with 6A being the largest and 1A being the smallest. The range for 5A is 383 to 557. Aliquippa currently has 118 boys enrolled yet was classified as 5A. Yes, you read that right. How is that possible? The answer is something called the PIAA competitive balance rule. Ironic, given that the way it is being applied to Aliquippa is anything but balanced. I don’t need to recap the success and tradition of Aliquippa football to anyone even remotely aware of sports in Western PA. Aliquippa football has always voluntarily played a level or two above their designated classification for years. They have embraced the challenge and competition that goes with playing bigger schools with larger enrollment and more resources. Which brings us back to the competitive balance rule. Originally instituted to prevent open transfer recruiting by private high school sports factories, the competitive balance rule uses a program’s number of transfers combined with “success points” to determine if that program should be automatically elevated a classification level. But this rule has a fundamental flaw Read more
Funding to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 9 – The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has been awarded more than $1.24 million for infrastructure upgrades to help it serve more of the community, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant – awarded under the COVID-19 Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Program – will allow the food bank to purchase equipment to expand food storage and delivery capacity. “Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and their partners in Beaver and Allegheny counties have always been an important resource for families facing food insecurity,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to expand the food bank’s capacity to store and deliver food so that it can reach more households in need.” The COVID-19 Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Program allows Pennsylvania food banks to purchase, expand, or upgrade cold storage facilities to ensure that they can deliver fresh food to struggling families. Eligible purchases include refrigerators, coolers, freezers, refrigerator trailers and cargo vans, building expansions, and more. The grants are part of a package of $11.4 million in funding to food banks statewide. More information on the grants is available here. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 8 – The Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation is receiving $4,000 in state funding, and history centers and museums in Allegheny County were awarded more than $274,000, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie, who serves on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, voted today to approve the grants, which consist of nearly $2 million in funding to 154 museums and county historical societies statewide under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program and additional funding of $175,000 to 34 organizations statewide under the Historical and Archival Records Care Grant Program. “I was excited to join the board in approving this funding for the organizations and museums that play such a vital role in keeping our history alive,” Matzie said. “Here at home, new funding to the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation will support staff in their efforts to collect and preserve area landmarks, documents and other artifacts and showcase them in a way that engages the public, stimulates young minds, and keeps the story of our past alive for future generations.” Matzie said regional funding under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program includes: Beaver County Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation - $4,000 Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 8 – The Allegheny County Democratic Delegation announced today the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded a total of $721,988 in grant funding to support projects in Allegheny County that address violence against women, racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system, and child abuse. “Support for services for victims of domestic violence and child abuse is critical, and these grants help to strengthen and preserve those resources,” said state Rep. Austin Davis, the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation chair. “This funding also takes a step in recognizing racial injustice and working towards more equitable outcomes for youth of color involved in Allegheny County’s juvenile justice system. Although there’s been some progress, we still have work to do to reduce and prevent unequal treatment, policies, and practices at local and county levels.” PCCD allocated funds to the following: $374,988 to the Allegheny County STOP Violence Against Women project, which uses collaborative, cross-system efforts to reduce violence-against-women crimes in the county including implementing a Lethality Assessment Program, maintaining a specialized prosecution unit, preserving direct services for victims of domestic violence, and training for law enforcement on trauma-informed responses to sexual assault. $47,000 to A Child’s Place, which is part of the Sto-Rox Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 8 – Grant funding of $469,000 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will strengthen Beaver County programs to investigate and prosecute domestic violence and child abuse and expand supports and services for victims, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the Women’s Center of Beaver County will receive $375,000 for the STOP Violence Against Women Advocacy Project, while the Beaver County satellite office of A Child’s Place will receive $47,000 directly and benefit from another $47,000 awarded to the Allegheny County office to fund a community/police liaison. “Securing this funding will allow the Women’s Center to strengthen investigation and prosecution of violence against women and expand services and supports – including medical care, shelter, advocacy, safety planning and other resources – to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence,” Matzie said. “The funding to A Child’s Place will provide resources to beef up investigation and prosecution of child abuse and help educate the community on how to recognize and prevent abuse. In addition, funding to the affiliated Child’s Place office in Allegheny County will provide the Beaver County office with a community/police liaison to maintain relations and exchange information between child advocacy staff and law enforcement.” Mazie said that in addition to Read more
STRIP DISTRICT, Dec. 7 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, announced today that three buildings in the Strip District will receive major renovations thanks to $2.25 million in state grant funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. “I am overjoyed to announce these crucial developments for the Strip District,” Kinkead said. “It is a great success when we can transform abandoned properties into spaces that will grow our local economy and provide additional housing for our residents. “I am especially excited by the new developments at 3 Crossings that will expand riverfront access for residents and visitors by creating sidewalks, a new road, and public plazas. The Allegheny River is our local treasure, and I will continue advocating for projects that increase river-related opportunities.” RACP funds have been allocated by the Office of the Budget to redevelop buildings at the following locations: 1501 Penn Ave. - $1 million to demolish the existing cold storage building and construct a new building featuring 537,068 square feet of Class A office space, 21,301 square feet of retail space and various exterior improvements including sidewalks, trees and bike racks. 3 Crossings - $750,000 to transform the former cardboard factory into a mixed-use neighborhood by developing 600,000 square feet of office space, Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 6 – A $1 million state grant will fund renovations to create a community center and renovations that lay the groundwork for affordable housing at Pittsburgh’s Jasmine Nyree Campus, state Rep. Dan Deasy announced today. Deasy, D-Allegheny, said the projects – funded by the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program – will enhance quality of life for the students and families who benefit from the campus’ comprehensive special education services. “Securing this funding is exciting because it will support JNC’s mission of helping students and other residents with special needs grow and flourish,” Deasy said. “Some of the funding will be used to create a community center where those on campus can attend events, form friendships, sharpen social skills, and share quality time with family and educators. Other funding will help lay the groundwork for affordable housing. “I commend Christy and Joey Porter for their vision, determination and commitment to the city of Pittsburgh. I am thrilled to join Senator Fontana in supporting this project. It is vital to support ventures like this that add to the fabric of our city.” Deasy said the three phases of the projects will include: Rehabilitation of a three-story school building into a community center, including refurbishment of walls, electrical, gas, plumbing and other Read more
Funding will help with improvements to Lower Hamilton Park Read more
Projects support affordable and safe housing, medical care for vulnerable residents and address food insecurity Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 9 – The Allegheny County Democratic Delegation announced today the state will invest more than $11 million in local communities to fight blight, build affordable housing and promote economic development through the Neighborhood Assistance Program. “NAP investments benefit our communities by addressing the issues that directly impact where we live,” said delegation chair state Rep. Austin Davis, D-Allegheny. “I want to thank Governor Wolf for approving these investments for projects that tackle critical issues our communities face, like affordable housing, community health, blight and more that will help to reinvigorate our neighborhoods and improve our quality of life.” NAP encourages private sector investments into projects that will help improve distressed communities by providing tax credits to businesses that donate capital to support projects that address neighborhood and community problems. NAP can be used for projects in categories including affordable housing, community services, crime prevention, education, job training, charitable food, blight, special population issues, veteran’s initiatives and long-term community revitalization. For a full list of the 56 Allegheny County projects awarded funding, click this link . Read more
Dollars will help repair and improve sidewalks and fight hunger Read more
State rep is committed to clean water, environment for region Read more
DRAVOSBURG, Sept. 10 – In remembrance of the fallen and the first responders who risked their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, state Rep. Nick Pisciottano on Thursday evening presented flags flown over the U.S. Capitol to fire departments across the 38 th Legislative District. “As I reflect on the events of 9/11 and remember the fallen, I also want to honor the heroism of the first responders who risked their lives to save others,” said Pisciottano, D-Allegheny. “My appreciation extends to our first responders here at home, who volunteer to dedicate their time and risk their lives to keeping our communities safe.” Pisciottano and a representative from Congressman Mike Doyle’s office presented flags and certificates of appreciation from the Architect of the Capitol to the following fire departments: Liberty Borough Volunteer Fire Department Port Vue Vigilant Hose #1 Volunteer Fire Department Glassport Citizens Volunteer Hose #1 VFD Pleasant Hills Volunteer Fire Co. Broughton Volunteer Fire Co. Library Volunteer Fire Co. Whitehall Borough Volunteer Fire Co. Dravosburg Volunteer Fire Department #1 South Baldwin Volunteer Fire Department Option Independent Fire Co. Baldwin Independent Volunteer Fire Co. #1 West Mifflin #1 “Homeville” Volunteer Fire Co. West Mifflin #2 “Duquesne Annex” Volunteer Fire Co. West Mifflin #3 Read more
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