The Joint State Government Commission would establish a bipartisan task force to study the PA Crimes Code, Sentencing Code, Judicial Code, and all statutes, consolidated and unconsolidated, that carry a criminal penalty for language that is duplicative, inconsistent, unenforceable, carries improper offense grading, or is outdated for modern society under a concurrent resolution introduced by state Rep. Emily Kinkead that the PA House passed on Tuesday. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 11 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely’s bill to protect plasma donated throughout Pennsylvania and preserve its suitability for use in health and medical forums passed the state Senate unanimously this week. 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, D-Montgomery, 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 centers are a priority for me, as there are many in the communities I represent. Safeguarding healthy and viable plasma not only enhances quality of life for residents, it will save lives throughout the 35th District and the commonwealth at large,” said Gergely, D-Allegheny. “A huge thanks to Rep. Briggs for his collaboration and to the members of the Senate for all their efforts in getting this legislation to Governor Shapiro’s desk.” “We're on the verge of securing a lifeline for those battling serious medical conditions. With this bill’s imminent passage into law, we affirm our commitment to ensuring that every drop of plasma donated in our state is a beacon of hope for those in need,” Briggs added. “Let's Read more
Bill would create position to promote employment policies Read more
“Our community still has a long path to healing, and we will need the love, hope and support these programs provide," Frankel said. "I am deeply grateful to the 10.27 Healing Partnership and thankful to DHS and the state and community partners who helped us secure this funding, which will ensure that this remarkable group remains a part of our journey.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 9 – State Reps. Lindsay Powell and Aerion Abney, both D-Allegheny, and state Rep. Roni Green, D-Phila., introduced legislation that would mirror the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program and create a similar program in Pennsylvania. This legislation ( H.B. 2195 ) would provide eligible households with $30 per month to apply towards their broadband internet access, an essential service that increases employment, educational and health outcomes. “Over 739,000 households in Pennsylvania benefited from this federal program and while it’s shameful that Congress has yet to reauthorize funding, the General Assembly and the governor have the opportunity to help hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians access stable broadband,” Powell said. Abney highlighted a specific demographic the bill would concentrate on by saying, “Kindergartners through high school seniors must be able to learn and access coursework online. Our bill would help provide these necessities and ensure learning gaps are bridged.” “Governor Shapiro’s economic development strategy is bold and will ensure Pennsylvania prospers in the coming decades,” Powell said. “Increasing access to affordable broadband internet is a critical component to setting our economy on a path toward innovation and resilient growth.” Pennsylvania’s digital divide is real, with 25% of Latino and 35% of Black Read more
HARRISBURG, April 4 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced today he has been appointed as a Commonwealth Trustee on the University of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees. Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Delaware/Phila., appointed Abney to fill the vacancy after state Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny/Washington, resigned. Abney will serve on the board until Nov. 30. “I’m grateful to Speaker McClinton for granting me the opportunity to serve on the University of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees,” Abney said. “Pitt plays a significant role in preparing our future workforce, contributing to our economy, and as a core social partner at the local community level. I’m excited to take on a leadership role and work with the university administration to continue its legacy of being a world-class institution.” Abney is a two-time Pitt alum, having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications in 2010 and a Master of Social Work degree from the university’s School of Social Work in 2012. Read more
MCKEESPORT, April 3 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, announced that federal grants totaling $764,400 have been awarded to McKeesport Area School District . The funds, one in a series of 21st Century Community Learning Center grants , would help establish and/or support community learning centers that provide academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for students and their families. “Learning is never a one-size-fits-all proposition, and educational needs often extend far beyond the classroom door,” Gergely said. “The new funding will help ensure students in our district have access to the additional programs and services they need – from social skill building, nutrition and behavioral support to tutoring in essential academic subjects like math and literacy – to help them succeed in the world.” The funded program must occur during non-school hours or periods when schools are not in session to help them meet state and local standards in core academic subjects. Centers must also offer students a broad array of activities that can complement their regular academic programs and literacy and other educational services to families. A full list of 21st Century CCLC grant recipients can be found here . Read more
BRADDOCK, April 3 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury today congratulated 10 district residents who were selected for grant-writing scholarships to Community College of Allegheny County Homewood-Brushton through a program she is offering together with community partners. “I’m so excited for the residents who were awarded these scholarships, and I’m excited for our community, as well,” said Salisbury, D-Allegheny. “It is important to realize that there are structural inequities within the grant-writing and grant-making processes, and we must work to address them. This 12-month course will help participants build new networks and learn how to successfully tap into new funding for the organizations that work so hard for our district. “My sincere thanks to Community College of Allegheny County, the Pittsburgh Foundation and the Health and Education Alliance for helping make this happen. Above all, congratulations to the awardees – I can’t wait to see everything these changemakers will accomplish for our community.” Krishna Patel, founder and president of the Health and Education Alliance, said, “Our region has no shortage of civic-minded residents passionate about improving life for their community, and it was difficult selecting from more than 50 talented applicants. It’s great to know that as the course participants strengthen their skills, they will also be Read more
Grants fund enrichment opportunities for students Read more
“As the first Black woman to represent the 24th Legislative District, I aspire to continue the legacy of former state Representative Fauset and I am especially honored to be recognized by my peers for my leadership in the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus,” Mayes said. “While Representative Fauset served in the House, she advocated for Black Pennsylvanians, especially to make housing more affordable for Black communities in Philadelphia, health care more accessible, and women’s rights in labor. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements Grant Program (ARLE Program) Who May Apply: Local governments, planning organizations, or Commonwealth agencies. Use: Eligible uses include, but are not limited to, roadway safety, mobility, and capacity upgrades, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, local technical assistance program projects, and traffic signal improvements. Funds: PennDOT anticipates $32 million available with the intent of funding worthwhile projects that can be completed at a relatively low cost. Application Deadline: A pre-application scoping form is required to be submitted by April 30, 2024. Feedback will be provided by May 31, 2024. The application period will be open from June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024. More information: PennDOT Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Intermediate Punishment Treatment Program Who May Apply: Counties Use: Funds for the proposed program must be used to support restrictive conditions that are imposed as part of a county probation sentence and may be used for needed drug and alcohol-related services, and mental health treatment and supportive services for eligible individuals Funds: Funding is contingent upon the availability of funds in the FY 2024-25 budget. Application Deadline: May 1, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Read more
“The birth of a child should be a joyous occasion and parent should have what they need for their babies when they enter the world,” Mayes said. “While my partner Heather and I were lucky to have our family and friends and my colleagues in Harrisburg host multiple baby showers, every mom or parent does not necessarily have that level of support or can afford every they need. That’s why I partnered with Healthy Start Pittsburgh, the leading Black maternal health organization in western Pennsylvania, to distribute diapers, wipes and other baby supplies to expecting parents and new parents. Together, we must work to aid Pennsylvanians in need, starting from birth.” Read more
Attendees will have the opportunity to drop off glass bottles, jars and jugs for recycling and receive a reusable tote bag and plant from Steele’s office. Trees from Tree Pittsburgh will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Read more
“On average, low-income students perform lower than high-income students because of systemic socioeconomic inequalities, and we must close this gap in our education system,” Mayes said. “With the COVID-19 pandemic decreasing students’ grades, we must make efforts to assist our youngest scholars. To do so, I advocated for more than $393,000 so we may enrich students’ academics and prepare them for life after graduation through programs offered at Neighborhood Learning Alliance.” Read more
“Our first responders provide lifesaving services every day for our community, and we must ensure that they have the resources they need to keep our communities safe,” Venkat said. “As an emergency physician who works with EMS, a former member of the MFPAA Board, and now as our state representative, I advocated vigorously for this grant and am glad that it has come to fruition to the benefit of our community.” Read more
BRADDOCK, March 28 – New state funding of $156,838 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will allow a District 34 community outreach group to develop and administer youth anti-violence programs, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the funding awarded under PCCD’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Program will support the Bible Center Church Oasis Project’s out-of-school-time program to further develop and deliver an evidence-based violence prevention program. “The Oasis Project is deeply involved in the community and has a long and successful history of running programs that empower residents and help families and youth,” Salisbury said. “The new funding will allow them to continue developing and operating anti-violence programs with lessons that engage kids and young adolescents and help them build the social and emotional skills they need to navigate life safely and successfully.” Salisbury said the funding will support social and emotional learning and Too Good for Violence lessons for more than 280 area students ages 5-13 each year. The Violence Intervention and Prevention Program supports grants and technical assistance to address community violence, with a focus on preventing and intervening with gun and group-related violence. More about the funding is available here: Read more
PITTSBURGH, March 28 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that a state Violence Intervention and Prevention grant has been awarded to an organization in his legislative district for educational efforts focused on preventing and decreasing violence. The Homeless Children’s Education Fund will receive $638,201 to support its Mobile Learning program, which provides tutoring for students not currently at a shelter or housing agency, as well as its Teen CEO program, which provides workforce development for older youth transitioning into adulthood. Additional dollars will also be used to support the design and build of Winnie’s STEAM Machine, HCEF’s second mobile learning classroom, to be used in the Mobile Learning program, which will provide science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics learning to vulnerable populations to address learning gaps. “Keeping area students in a classroom, in-person or mobile, is essential to preparing them for the next phase of their lives and focused on making the best possible life,” Abney said. “This grant is all about helping set them up for success and providing invaluable knowledge they can utilize now and years down the road.” The VIP grant program is facilitated by the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency . Since the program began in 2021, 256 projects across the Commonwealth have been approved for a combined total of approximately $185 million in grant Read more
PITTSBURGH, March 28 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced that a state grant has been awarded for safer and streamlined travel throughout Pittsburgh. Hullett Development Triangle LP received a $452,424 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant for sidewalk improvements around the Hullett Triangle Building. “Making these needed remedies to pathways used by residents and visitors alike on a daily basis is integral to connecting them with places of employment, health facilities, housing, shopping destinations, and much more,” Powell said. “This grant will help keep neighbors safe and translate into crucial dollars to help fuel the local economy.” MTF grants are facilitated by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and help to provide a reliable system of transportation to residents statewide. Monies may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Intermediate Punishment Treatment Program Who May Apply: Counties Use: Funds for the proposed program must be used to support restrictive conditions that are imposed as part of a county probation sentence and may be used for needed drug and alcohol-related services, and mental health treatment and supportive services for eligible individuals Funds: Funding is contingent upon the availability of funds in the FY 2024-25 budget. Application Deadline: May 1, 2024 More information: PCCD Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply. Use: Strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or support transition of ownership. Funds: $500,000 in funding is available. Grants shall not exceed $7,500. Application Deadline: Applications will be received until funds are exhausted. More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Local law enforcement agencies, campus or university police, railroad or street railway police, airport authority police, and county park police. Use: Funding is explicitly to support Act 120 training and recruitment activities for law enforcement officers that will take place between Oct. 19, 2023 and June 30, 2025. Funds: $14 million in Read more
“With gun violence spiking since 2020 and increasing by 46% in 2021, this funding will assist three organizations in the 24th Legislative District with addressing the gun violence epidemic,” Mayes said. “Through these grants, Kingsley Association, Three Rivers Youth, and East End Cooperative Ministry may provide more programs that engages youth with high risk factors for experiencing substance use and violence. With nearly one-third of Pittsburgh’s homicide victims being teens in 2021, it is only common sense that we must prevent these travesties through these proactive programs and passing bills that prevent gun violence.” Read more
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