Venkat applauds Shapiro’s proposal to alleviate medical debt

(Feb 06, 2024)

“In our commonwealth, more than 10% of Pennsylvanians have an average of $1,473 in medical debt in collections, which prevents them from accessing health care, as well as contributes to their financial burdens,” Venkat said. “As a practicing emergency physician, I treated a woman who delayed breast cancer treatment due to medical debt. As a result, the cancer spread, and she died. By alleviating medical debt as part of the 2024-25 budget, we can ensure patients have access to necessary medical treatment, aid providers with struggling finances, and reduce health care cost pressures that affect all of us. This is a win for all Pennsylvanians.” Read more

 

Pisciottano celebrates $1 million for traffic safety

(Feb 01, 2024)

PennDOT funding for improvements at Hamilton Road and Baptist Road intersection Read more

 

Salisbury to launch Veterans Assistance Program Feb. 7

(Feb 01, 2024)

BRADDOCK, Feb. 1 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury will launch a monthly Veterans Assistance Program on Wednesday, Feb. 7 to help veterans and their families who have questions or need help navigating programs and services. The program will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at Salisbury’s 501 Braddock Avenue district office. “I’m launching this program because I want to make it easier for veterans and their families to access services, find answers to questions or get help with problems such as locating lost paperwork,” Salisbury said. “We’ll have a Veteran Service Officer on site to help folks navigate the system, apply for services or programs and make sure they are receiving all the benefits they deserve. “I encourage all veterans or family members needing assistance to stop by on the first Wednesday of every month between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We consider it an honor to serve you.” Salisbury said the program can provide help with: Veteran-related compensation and pension claims. Education benefits. VA Health Care System enrollment. Burial and survivor benefits. State benefits. Obtaining military personnel and medical records. Other questions. Those seeking assistance are encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment, but residents will also be served on a walk-in basis during program hours. Anyone with questions Read more

 

Powell responds to U.S. Steel settlement

(Jan 31, 2024)

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 31 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, released a statement on the recent courtroom settlement between environmental activists and U.S. Steel, applauding the $20 million pollution control upgrades at the Clairton Coke Works as a positive step forward. "Mon Valley residents have been breathing in toxic air for far too long. The recent settlement with U.S. Steel is a step in the right direction, but it should have never come to this,” Powell said. “We cannot overlook the fact that this settlement is the result of years of neglect and mismanagement. The Clairton Coke Works should have never allowed emissions to reach such dangerous levels in the first place. "An 80% reduction in air pollution is certainly a welcome change, but let's not forget that it should have been zero emissions from the beginning. Clean air and water are a fundamental human right. Our communities deserve to breathe freely without fear of contracting chronic respiratory illnesses, due to unchecked corporate negligence. I’m hopeful that this settlement will serve as a deterrent to would-be polluters going forward." Powell represents the 21st Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which includes the Lawrenceville and Strip District neighborhoods, Millvale and Etna boroughs, and Reserve and Shaler townships in Pittsburgh. Read more

 

Gergely advocates against water and sewage rate increases at PUC hearing in Port Vue

(Jan 31, 2024)

PORT VUE, Jan. 31 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, testified about proposed rate increases by water and sewage companies and their impact on the community during a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission public hearing held at the Port Vue Borough Building. Gergely highlighted the importance of affordable access to clean water as a basic necessity and not just a commodity, as the proposed rate hikes have been criticized for disproportionately affecting senior citizens and low-income families. He also underscored the need for the PUC to rigorously scrutinize these increases and hold corporations accountable. “As state representative of PA’s 35th Legislative District, my commitment to tackling the challenges of water and sewage rates has been unwavering since Day One in office,” Gergely said. “I am deeply engaged in these matters not just as a duty but with a passion to safeguard our residents’ rights.” Data presented indicated that the proposed rate increases are steep and unprecedented, especially during a time when residents are already facing economic challenges, including inflation. Gergely called for the PUC's intervention to safeguard the public interest and explore mitigation strategies, such as renewable and efficient water and sewage management systems. “Citizen access to affordable water and sewage is absolutely non-negotiable,” he added. Emphasizing the importance of Read more

 

Salisbury: Nearly $300,000 awarded to fund traffic improvements along Braddock Avenue corridor

(Jan 30, 2024)

BRADDOCK, Jan. 30 – Traffic signal improvements are coming to the Braddock Avenue corridor in Edgewood Borough, thanks to new grant funding of $292,000 from the state Department of Transportation, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the improvements – funded through the Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements Grant Program – should bring a safer commute for residents. “The new funding will support projects to improve traffic flow along the busy Braddock Avenue corridor,” Salisbury said. “I want to thank PennDOT and the local partners who helped us secure the funding for this work, which will also improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians navigating this busy stretch.” Salisbury said the improvements will include flashing yellow arrows, new vehicular signal heads with backplates and reflective tape, updates to existing controllers and added battery backup. Funding for the ARLE program is generated from the net revenue of fines collected through Automated Red Light Enforcement Systems and Automated Speed Enforcement Systems. Grant applications are accepted annually during the month of June. The funding is part of a package of $13 million in ARLE grants statewide. More information is available here: Read more

 

Frankel: More than $450,000 awarded for District 23 traffic improvements

(Jan 30, 2024)

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 30 – New funding of $453,657 from the state Department of Transportation will support a project to replace the traffic signal at the intersection of Boulevard of the Allies and Ward Street in Oakland, state Rep. Dan Frankel announced today. Frankel, D-Allegheny, said the grant – awarded under the Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements Grant Program – will bring a safer, smoother commute for residents. “Replacing outdated signal technology with modern, state-of-the-art equipment reduces congestion and improves intersection safety,” Frankel said. “I’m grateful to PennDOT and our area partners who worked with us to secure this funding, which will help keep pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists safer and traffic flowing more smoothly.” Funding for the ARLE program is generated from the net revenue of fines collected through Automated Red Light Enforcement Systems and Automated Speed Enforcement Systems. Grant applications are accepted annually during the month of June. The funding is part of a package of $13 million in ARLE grants statewide. More information is available here: https://www.penndot.pa.gov/pages/all-news-details.aspx?newsid=1110#:~:text=Harrisburg%2C%20PA%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Pennsylvania%20Department,to%20fund%2039%20safety%20projects . Read more

 

SCOPA decision marks win for reproductive rights, health and justice

(Jan 30, 2024)

“Today’s decision marks a win for reproductive rights, health, and justice as now, advocates have the opportunity to defend Pennsylvanians’ ability to access reproductive health care, regardless of their income or use of public insurance,” Mayes said. “Currently, Medicaid does not cover abortions in Pennsylvania, preventing at least 28% of Pennsylvanians from accessing reproductive health care. With this decision from the state’s highest court, advocates can now challenge the Abortion Control Act of 1982 to ensure low-income patients have access to abortion and prevent Republicans from controlling the bodily autonomy of Pennsylvanians.” Read more

 

Frankel hails Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision on reproductive rights

(Jan 30, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – State Rep. Dan Frankel hailed Monday’s decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that will allow a challenge to the state’s ban on Medicaid coverage for abortion care to move forward. Frankel said the decision – which reversed 40-year-old caselaw prohibiting a challenge to the ban – provides a key foundation to solidify the right to reproductive autonomy, including the right to decide whether to have an abortion or to carry a pregnancy to term. "In the opinion released yesterday, justices on our highest state court told the world what the vast majority of Pennsylvanians know in their hearts: that the right to make decisions for your own pregnancy should be yours alone,” Frankel said. “If there’s anything we have learned in recent years, it’s that our work to protect abortion rights is never done, but Pennsylvanians can breathe a little easier today, because there’s another brick in the wall to hold back relentless efforts to block access to abortion health care.” Frankel said that although the court did not rule on the merits of the case, remanding that question to the Commonwealth Court, two of the three justices explicitly stated that Pennsylvania’s Constitution protects the fundamental right of pregnant people to make choices for their families, their futures and their bodies. “That’s Read more

 

McAndrew and Markosek on Shapiro plan to increase public transit funding

(Jan 29, 2024)

PENN HILLS, Jan. 29 – State Reps. Joe McAndrew and Brandon Markosek, both D-Allegheny and serving on the House Transportation Committee, released a statement today following the announcement of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s plan to increase the state share of public transit funding by 1.75% – a $282.8 million investment , and nearly $1.5 billion in new state funding over five years -- in transit systems that Pennsylvanians rely on. “Public transit is a necessity for many hardworking Pennsylvanians, who rely on it to get to work or school, or to move around their cities and towns. Accessible, reliable and pollution-free public transit options are essential for our communities, and the proposed plan is a step in the right direction. “As members of the House Transportation Committee, we welcome a plan that increases funding for public transportation, which will benefit not only residents but also businesses and the state's economy. “We look forward to reviewing the details of Governor Shapiro's public transportation funding plan when he announces his 2024-25 budget proposal soon and will continue to work together to support safe and accessible public transportation, especially for working families, in large and small communities across the state.” ### House Democrats are committed to promoting better jobs, better schools and better communities. Putting people ahead of politics, House Democrats are leading the charge to lower Read more

 

Abney: $32 million+ secured to remove lead in Pittsburgh’s drinking water, enhance water conservation

(Jan 25, 2024)

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 25 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of $32,058,100 was secured by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority for lead remediation and water conservation measures across multiple Pittsburgh neighborhoods. The state funds, facilitated by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority , will be used to replace approximately 1,375 public and 1,260 private lead service lines in the areas of Millvale Borough, Mount Washington, South Side Slopes, Garfield, Upper Lawrenceville, Central Northside, Manchester, Perry North, Perry South and Spring Hill. Many of these communities are at a disproportionately higher risk for lead contamination. Consumers will also be able to save water, as they are currently required to flush their systems each morning prior to use. Abney, whose legislative district includes four of the localities in the service area, said, “Ensuring the health of the neighbors I represent and preserving the local environment are paramount. These efforts will also help keep more dollars in the pockets of individuals and families who need them the most.” “Safe drinking water is a basic necessity that must be available to everyone,” state Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, said. “Investing monies in these critical infrastructural improvements is an investment in the health and safety of citizens and the environment.” Powell represents the citizens of Millvale, Upper Read more

 

Matzie introduces bill to tackle problems with how schools are classified for athletic competition

(Jan 24, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 24 – As the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association meets to consider the Aliquippa School District’s appeal of the PIAA’s decision to bump Aliquippa High School’s football team to a 5A classification, state Rep. Rob Matzie today introduced legislation to resolve problems with the way Pennsylvania’s 1,400 public, private and charter schools are classified to compete in athletic competitions. Matzie – who is vice chairman and the longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee – said he introduced H.B. 1972 to address longstanding concerns that PIAA’s procedure for classifying schools places student athletes in harm’s way and skews competitions in favor of wealthier schools and those with larger enrollment numbers. “When the PIAA determines the athletic level at which our high schools compete, they use a competition classification formula based on enrollment, success and transfers,” Matzie said. “Based on the formula, PIAA can force schools to move up a classification. But there is a dangerous flaw in PIAA’s formula that they have been stubbornly unwilling to address. “When considering enrollment as part of the formula, schools that voluntarily play up in a higher classification are pigeonholed by the PIAA into that higher classification used for the formula – regardless of the school’s Read more

 

Steele to host open house at Tarentum office

(Jan 24, 2024)

“By hosting this open house, we have the opportunity to connect with residents in the upper portion of the community, which includes Tarentum, Brackenridge, Fawn, Frazer, and Harrison, and talk to them about the issues facing our community,” Steele said. “With this new office, more residents will be able to access the services my staff and I provide.” Read more

 

Frankel: Carnegie Mellon University awarded $40,000 ‘It’s On Us’ grant

(Jan 23, 2024)

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 23 – New funding of $40,000 will help Carnegie Mellon University’s efforts to protect students from the threat of sexual assault, harassment and violence, state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, announced today. Frankel said the funding – awarded by the state Department of Education under the It’s On Us program – will help equip CMU to prevent incidents and better address any that might occur. “Your college years should be a time of growth, learning and self-discovery, but too many young people throughout history have instead found themselves feeling unsafe and found their school environments to be unequipped to deal with threats and attacks on campus,” Frankel said. “This grant is part of a focused effort – at the state level and at CMU – to provide the safest possible campus environment, ensure that a system of reporting is in place when incidents do occur and promote a culture of reporting where students feel safe to speak out.” Frankel’s legislation to create the “It’s On Us” online reporting program for campus sexual assault became law as part of the 2019 state budget. Statewide efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assaults on college campus es were further expanded by Act 55 of 2022, which requires institutions of higher education and postsecondary private licensed schools to adopt a definition of Read more

 

Venkat: Abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania

(Jan 22, 2024)

“On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we recognize that while abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania, access to abortion and reproductive health care is under attack,” Venkat said. “As an emergency physician, I once treated a patient who nearly lost their life to a back-alley abortion. If we continue to criminalize access to abortions, we risk the lives of more and more Americans. We must continue to protect patients’ rights to reproductive healthcare by ensuring access to abortions and keeping the decision to seek reproductive health care between the patient and their physician.” Read more

 

Mayes affirms commitment to reproductive health, rights, and justice

(Jan 22, 2024)

“The U.S. Supreme Court advanced a right-wing agenda when it overturned Roe v. Wade and today, Republicans continue to attack Pennsylvanians’ rights to access an abortion,” Mayes said. “Now, 21 states restrict access to abortions, but in the Pennsylvania House, we introduced legislation to enshrine access to reproductive health care into the state’s Constitution, passed legislation to prohibit states from using the resources of Pennsylvania’s legal system to prosecute people in civil and criminal lawsuits from other states if they access reproductive health care services in Pennsylvania, and proposed legislation by state Rep. Tarik Khan to finally remove onerous restrictions on abortion clinics that were required to become ambulatory surgical centers in 2011. Read more

 

Salisbury: Churchill Borough awarded $15,000 to help fund electric vehicles

(Jan 19, 2024)

BRADDOCK, Jan. 19 – New state funding of $15,000 from the Department of Environmental Protection will help Churchill Borough purchase two new electric vehicles for the borough’s police force, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today. Salisbury, who is a member of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said the funding – awarded under the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program – will help the borough move toward greener, more sustainable operations. “I’m excited about this new funding that will help Churchill police expand their fleet with electric vehicles,” Salisbury said. “From zero tailpipe emissions to greater energy efficiency to lower maintenance costs, EVs offer a ton of benefits – not just for public health and the environment, but also for taxpayers and local government. “The funding will build on other EV improvements around the district, including the electric vehicle charging station that opened in Swissvale last fall. As a member of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, I voted to expand our EV infrastructure, and I’ll be working to secure more of these investments that improve our air quality and help local governments operate more efficiently.” The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program was established under Act 166 of 1992 to help create markets for alternative Read more

 

Steele’s legislation to provide more counseling services reported out of House Education Committee

(Jan 18, 2024)

“School counselors provide more than academic and career counseling – they also provide mental health services, helping our students to address their emotions in a healthy environment with someone who supports them,” Steele said. “Recently, the Basic Education Funding Commission issued its report, calling for additional investments in mental health services. With mental health deteriorating since the COVID-19 pandemic and nearly 65% of students asking for mental health services, we must ensure our youth have access to counseling services to help them succeed.” Read more

 

Venkat, Nelson introduce resolution to raise awareness of data privacy

(Jan 18, 2024)

“As new technology continues to emerge, we must raise awareness of data privacy to ensure Pennsylvanians have knowledge about the data being collected and relevant policies and laws,” Venkat said. “With this resolution, we will do just that.” Read more

 

Allegheny House Dems announce $10.4 million in community investments

(Jan 18, 2024)

State grants awarded for local parks, building rehabilitation Read more

 

Venkat applauds Shapiro’s proposal to alleviate medical debt
Feb 06, 2024

Pisciottano celebrates $1 million for traffic safety
Feb 01, 2024

Salisbury to launch Veterans Assistance Program Feb. 7
Feb 01, 2024

Powell responds to U.S. Steel settlement
Jan 31, 2024

Gergely advocates against water and sewage rate increases at PUC hearing in Port Vue
Jan 31, 2024

Salisbury: Nearly $300,000 awarded to fund traffic improvements along Braddock Avenue corridor
Jan 30, 2024

Frankel: More than $450,000 awarded for District 23 traffic improvements
Jan 30, 2024

SCOPA decision marks win for reproductive rights, health and justice
Jan 30, 2024

Frankel hails Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision on reproductive rights
Jan 30, 2024

McAndrew and Markosek on Shapiro plan to increase public transit funding
Jan 29, 2024

Abney: $32 million+ secured to remove lead in Pittsburgh’s drinking water, enhance water conservation
Jan 25, 2024

Matzie introduces bill to tackle problems with how schools are classified for athletic competition
Jan 24, 2024

Steele to host open house at Tarentum office
Jan 24, 2024

Frankel: Carnegie Mellon University awarded $40,000 ‘It’s On Us’ grant
Jan 23, 2024

Venkat: Abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania
Jan 22, 2024

Mayes affirms commitment to reproductive health, rights, and justice
Jan 22, 2024

Salisbury: Churchill Borough awarded $15,000 to help fund electric vehicles
Jan 19, 2024

Steele’s legislation to provide more counseling services reported out of House Education Committee
Jan 18, 2024

Venkat, Nelson introduce resolution to raise awareness of data privacy
Jan 18, 2024

Allegheny House Dems announce $10.4 million in community investments
Jan 18, 2024