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Powell’s bill to prohibit remote stalking passes Pa. House

(Apr 30, 2024) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, April 30 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell’s bill that would ban tracking via a feature on devices manufactured by Apple Inc. passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today. The legislation, H.B. 416 , would forbid the use of AirTags for any nefarious motive, with an emphasis on remote stalking. Bad actors have utilized AirTags to put trackers on vehicles and pinpoint the location of their victims. “Stalking in any form directly or indirectly impacts far too many residents in our state, country and worldwide. Not only that, the consistent advent of new technologies has made life even more perilous for people subjected to this crime,” Powell, D-Allegheny, said. “This bill would help neighbors stay safer across the commonwealth and keep them on level ground with people seeking to do them harm.” Multiple plaintiffs filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple in December of 2022 for remote stalking and despite the company’s attempt to dismiss the case, it is moving forward. AirTags, launched more than three years ago, is intended to help individuals find items that are often misplaced, such as keys, wallets or bookbags. The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more

 

Benham invites residents to May 5 Bicycle Bonanza

(Apr 30, 2024) Allegheny County Delegation

Free bike raffle, festivities on National Ride a Bike Day Read more

 

A bill in the Pa. legislature could end non-compete agreements for most doctors

(Apr 30, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

When Dr. Lorraine Rosamilia left her job at a dermatology practice in State College, she said the non-compete she'd signed 17 years ago banned her from working within 30 miles of her former office. Read more

 

The FTC banned non-compete agreements. Experts say Philly doctors should wait to shred their contracts.

(Apr 29, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

Doctors should wait to rip up the employment contracts prohibiting them from going to work for competitors, experts are advising, even though the Federal Trade Commission voted last week to bar employers from imposing such restrictions on employees. Read more

 

Mayes bill to provide maternal and newborn supply kits advances in PA House

(Apr 29, 2024) Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes

Legislation would establish state resource program for new parents Read more

 

Rep. Kinkead, Sen. Williams announce $300K+ for new sidewalk in Ross

(Apr 26, 2024) Rep. Emily Kinkead

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund Browns Lane sidewalk connector Read more

 

Frankel announces safety and security grant for Western PA School for Blind

(Apr 26, 2024) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

PITTSBURGH, April 26 -- State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, announced today that Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children will receive a $450,000 state safety and security grant through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to fund physical and staff-related security improvements and behavioral health resources for students. “We are incredibly lucky to have this historic institution that serves children with complex needs in our community, and I am always working to ensure that they have the resources they need,” Frankel said. “With this funding, the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children can help keep kids and staff safe so they can focus on learning.” Frankel said the funding for Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children was part of $47 million in competitive school safety and security grants announced this week for schools across Pennsylvania, grants that round out a total of $155 million in school safety funding contained in the 2023-24 state budget. The safety and security funding is aimed at ensuring all Pennsylvania students are able to learn in schools where they are safe and have access to the behavioral and mental health support they need, Frankel said. Read more

 

Salisbury: Nearly $1.4 million awarded to boost safety for area schools

(Apr 26, 2024) Rep. Abigail Salisbury

BRADDOCK, April 26 – Stronger security measures and new mental health resources are coming to schools in the Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg Borough and Woodland Hills school districts, thanks to new grant funding of $1.38 million from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today. Salisbury said the funding includes $199,451 to the Woodland Hills School District; $144,007 to the Wilkinsburg Borough School District; and $1.04 million to the Pittsburgh School District, which serves schools in the 34 th Legislative District and several surrounding legislative districts. “The path to learning isn’t always simple, but it should always be safe,” Salisbury said. “This new funding will help ensure that our schools have the security resources they need to keep students and staff safe and the supports necessary to help students who may be facing mental health issues.” More information about the funding is available here: https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/PCCD-details.aspx?newsid=105 . Read more

 

New Agricultural, Educational, Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Apr 25, 2024) Allegheny County Delegation

Below are multiple state grant programs that are currenctly open for application. Please contact my office if you have questions. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: National Incident-Based Reporting System Compliance Efforts Who May Apply: Local law enforcement agencies, campus or university police, railroad or street railway police, airport authority police, and county park police. Use: Funds for the proposed program shall be used to improve reporting of crime statistics by upgrading technology infrastructure to report incident-based crime data to the FBI’s NIBRS. Funds: $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding is available. PCCD expects to fund approximately 50 grants with budgets not to exceed $200,000 over the two-year project period. Application Deadline: June 13. 2024 More information: PCCD Website Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener (Watershed Restoration and Protection) Plus Program Who May Apply: Incorporated watershed associations, counties, county conservation districts, council of governments, tax-exempt corporations under 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, educational institutions, or municipal authorities. Use: Projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution—especially nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution from agricultural and stormwater runoff. The Department is particularly interested in design and Read more

 

Venkat praises over $728,000 in grant funding for local schools

(Apr 25, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

PITTSBURGH, April 25 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced that several educational institutions in the 30th Legislative District have been awarded a total of $728,022 in federal and state grants. The funds, facilitated by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, will be utilized for a combination of aspects, which include school-based mental health support, behavioral health support, physical security enhancements, and school personnel needs. Grant recipients are: Avonworth School District: $157,938. Hampton Township School District: $172,629. North Allegheny School District: $247,455. A.W. Beattie Career Center: $70,000. Eden Christian Academy: $5,000. Nazareth Prep: $75,000. “As a physician-legislator, I am committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students,” Venkat said. “Thank you to bipartisan colleagues for their collaboration on getting these essential dollars to our next generation of Pennsylvanians.” A total of $155 million in federal and state school safety funding has been approved by the School Safety and Security Committee, part of the PCCD, in appropriations for the 2023-24 fiscal year budget. Full lists of grant awardees, public and nonpublic schools, statewide can be found here . Read more

 

Reps. Lindsay Powell and Aerion A. Abney: Bridging Pa.’s digital divide

(Apr 25, 2024) Rep. Lindsay Powell, Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney

Covid-19 not only resulted in immeasurable loss of life, it also permanently altered life as we knew it. The base of operations that is home shed its more proverbial association and became the place where business in all its forms got done. Computers and internet access represented a lifeline for people forging ahead through this once-in-a-generation health crisis. Read more

 

Lawmakers discuss pharmacy policy reform in Moon

(Apr 24, 2024) Rep. Jessica Benham

New bill would reel in Pharmacy Benefit Managers Read more

 

Powell appointed to PA Children’s Trust Fund board

(Apr 18, 2024) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, April 18 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has been selected to join the board of the Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund . Powell was appointed to the board by House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Delaware/Phila., and Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., who is the House chair of the Children and Youth Committee. “I’m honored to be a member of the PA Children’s Trust Fund board and lend my voice to the tremendous work and advocacy done on behalf of the health and well-being of children across the Commonwealth. Every child deserves the right to live their best life and have all opportunities available to them to succeed,” Powell said. “Thank you Speaker McClinton and Rep. Bullock for entrusting me with this new role.” The Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund, established almost 35 years ago, is dedicated to funding innovative and creative community-based child abuse and neglect prevention programs. Specific emphasis for funding is placed on primary prevention programs, which focus on the prevention of abuse before it occurs. The organization’s board consists of three members of the state House of Representatives, three members of the state Senate, and nine citizens appointed by the governor and confirmed by majority vote in the Senate. Read more

 

Salisbury’s staff recovers more than $623,000 in unclaimed property for residents

(Apr 18, 2024) Rep. Abigail Salisbury

BRADDOCK, April 18 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today that her staff has helped residents of her legislative district recover more than $623,000 in unclaimed property since she took office. Salisbury said her staff helped locate $365,000 in unclaimed property for one constituent, $258,544 for another constituent and smaller amounts for other residents. “I’m thrilled that we were able to help residents recover this property,” said Salisbury, D-Allegheny. “It’s always a great feeling when we can connect someone with services or help them find solutions to state-related problems, but it’s even more exciting to be a part of their joy when we help them recover lost property. “The state Treasury reports that it is holding more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property and that one in 10 Pennsylvanians has property waiting for them. We want to help find more of that property right here in District 34. I encourage everyone to stop by or give us a call so we can search the database.” Salisbury also reminded residents of other services her office can provide. “My talented staff can assist in so many ways, from helping people apply for Property Tax/Rent Rebates, home energy assistance and other state programs, to solving problems involving PennDOT and other agencies, to providing free notary services. Even if folks don’t need help, I urge them to stop Read more

 

State lawmakers call for support for PA’s telecommunicators

(Apr 17, 2024) Allegheny County Delegation

HARRISBURG, April 17 – State Reps. Roni Green and Tarik Khan, both D-Phila., were joined by a bipartisan group of their legislative colleagues, public safety telecommunicators and advocates at the state Capitol today to celebrate “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” and discuss how the legislature can work to help Pennsylvania’s telecommunicators and 911 dispatchers. The telecommunicators and advocates who were present included Jack Morgan III, 911 operator from Allegheny County; Sara Slote, dispatch manager, Lancaster County 911; Bill Perkins, state constable; Garrett Rienhardt, recipient of life-saving care; Tyler Griffith, dispatcher; AFSCME members; and Gordon Zimmet, Local 1637 president. At the news conference, the legislators discussed a resolution (H.R. 377), introduced by Green that recognizes the week of April 14-20 “Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” in Pennsylvania. The resolution was adopted by the House later in the day. “911 dispatchers are the point of first contact between the caller and first responders. The speed and efficiency with which they work saves lives. They parse through heaps of information in very chaotic situations and support callers during what is often one of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Green said. “It’s time for the commonwealth to give back to 911 dispatchers the kind of support they give us. My daughter worked Read more

 

Frankel, Venkat: House passes bill to bar noncompete agreements in health care employment

(Apr 17, 2024) Allegheny County Delegation

HARRISBURG, April 17 – The PA House today passed legislation introduced by state Reps. Dan Frankel and Arvind Venkat that would prohibit medical employers from using restrictive noncompete agreements that prevent doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who leave a job from practicing elsewhere. The lawmakers, both D-Allegheny, said they introduced H.B. 1633 to end an unfair practice that limits options for providers, disrupts patients’ long-term relationships with their trusted physicians and makes it more difficult for Pennsylvania to attract talented medical professionals. “This legislation deals with employment contracts for health care providers, but it’s really about patient care – it protects the long-term patient-care giver relationship that builds trust and improves outcomes,” said Frankel, who is majority chairman of the House Health Committee. “We know it’s not always easy to find the right health care provider, and it’s important that our laws not interfere with your ability to maintain that crucial relationship.” Venkat said, “As a physician-legislator, I know that noncompete covenants unnecessarily restrict patient access to the clinician of their choice and make Pennsylvania a less desirable place for health professionals to practice. I am proud to have worked with Representative Frankel to pass this bipartisan legislation through the state House to improve patient access in Read more

 

State Reps. Smith-Wade-El, Kenyatta and Benham applaud two state boards’ opposition to conversion therapy

(Apr 17, 2024) Allegheny County Delegation

HARRISBURG, April 17 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; Malcom Kenyatta, D-Phila.; and Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, today applauded the Pennsylvania boards of Psychology and Osteopathic Medicine for their recent adoption of new policies opposing the practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ minors. The representatives issued the following statement: “We applaud the state Boards of Psychology and Osteopathic Medicine’s adoption of a new Statement of Policies (SOP) that opposes the use of the discredited, pseudoscientific practice of conversion therapy on minors in Pennsylvania. Conversion therapy, also known as conversion abuse, is a dangerous practice aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression that has resulted in profound physical and psychological harm on patients, including depression, trauma, and suicide. “We hope that the state boards of Medicine, Nursing and Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors will vote in the coming weeks to adopt similar SOPs opposing the use of conversion therapy. “Although we are glad to see esteemed state medical boards gradually take steps to oppose the practice of conversion abuse, this is happening at too slow a rate. It is long past time that Pennsylvania joins the 20 other states outlawing the practice. Our bill, the Protection of Minors from Conversion Therapy Act, would prohibit a mental health Read more

 

Mayes’ legislation to expand Medicaid coverage for blood pressure monitors advances to House

(Apr 17, 2024) Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes

Screenings for hypertension decrease maternal mortality Read more

 

Deasy and advocates take pledge against domestic violence

(Apr 15, 2024) Allegheny County Delegation

“One in 3 women face domestic violence, with more than half killed by a current or former intimate partner,” state Rep. Deasy said. “The week we are recognizing calls us all to find out how can help crime victims and be prepared if someone confides in us. We need to make sure we are all familiar with the services available in our communities. Awareness is key.” Read more

 

Mayes to host shredding event Saturday, April 20

(Apr 15, 2024) Allegheny County Delegation

In addition to shredding paper, constituents will learn more about the services Mayes’ office provides, including assistance with applying for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, PACE and PACENET, the state’s prescription assistance programs and more. Read more

 

Powell’s bill to prohibit remote stalking passes Pa. House
Apr 30, 2024

Benham invites residents to May 5 Bicycle Bonanza
Apr 30, 2024

A bill in the Pa. legislature could end non-compete agreements for most doctors
Apr 30, 2024

The FTC banned non-compete agreements. Experts say Philly doctors should wait to shred their contracts.
Apr 29, 2024

Mayes bill to provide maternal and newborn supply kits advances in PA House
Apr 29, 2024

Rep. Kinkead, Sen. Williams announce $300K+ for new sidewalk in Ross
Apr 26, 2024

Frankel announces safety and security grant for Western PA School for Blind
Apr 26, 2024

Salisbury: Nearly $1.4 million awarded to boost safety for area schools
Apr 26, 2024

New Agricultural, Educational, Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Apr 25, 2024

Venkat praises over $728,000 in grant funding for local schools
Apr 25, 2024

Reps. Lindsay Powell and Aerion A. Abney: Bridging Pa.’s digital divide
Apr 25, 2024

Lawmakers discuss pharmacy policy reform in Moon
Apr 24, 2024

Powell appointed to PA Children’s Trust Fund board
Apr 18, 2024

Salisbury’s staff recovers more than $623,000 in unclaimed property for residents
Apr 18, 2024

State lawmakers call for support for PA’s telecommunicators
Apr 17, 2024

Frankel, Venkat: House passes bill to bar noncompete agreements in health care employment
Apr 17, 2024

State Reps. Smith-Wade-El, Kenyatta and Benham applaud two state boards’ opposition to conversion therapy
Apr 17, 2024

Mayes’ legislation to expand Medicaid coverage for blood pressure monitors advances to House
Apr 17, 2024

Deasy and advocates take pledge against domestic violence
Apr 15, 2024

Mayes to host shredding event Saturday, April 20
Apr 15, 2024