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Gergely praises over $1.15 million in state grants for school safety and mental health needs

(9 hours ago)

McKEESPORT, Dec. 2 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, announced that more than $1.15 million in state grants was awarded to several school districts and schools throughout the 35th Legislative District to make them safer for students, teachers and staff, and address behavioral health needs. Noncompetitive funds were allocated to the following public school districts, charter schools and career education center: McKeesport Area School District: $168,570 West Mifflin Area School District: $143,005 Steel Valley School District: $130,619 South Allegheny School District: $128,117 Clairton City School District: $118,148 Duquesne City School District: $116,719 Allegheny I.U. 3: $70,000 McKeesport Area Tech Center: $70,000 Propel CS – Homestead: $70,000 Propel CS – McKeesport: $70,000 Young Scholars of Greater Allegheny CS: $70,000 “Having managed the finances of a school district and community in previous roles, I know firsthand how important the allocation of dollars is to keep our students healthy and safe at school every day,” Gergely said. “Education is an ideal I strive to sustain and bolster as much as I can as a state representative, and I’m proud to help secure these investments in future generations of successful Pennsylvanians.” Pennsylvania’s School Safety and Security Committee, under the banner of the PA Read more

Krajewski, Frankel plan to introduce legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis, prioritizing public health, community repair

(11 hours ago)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 2, 2024 – State Reps. Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel announced Monday their co-sponsorship memo for landmark legislation to finally decriminalize cannabis in Pennsylvania , vowing to create a strong marketplace that centers public health, raises state revenue and supports individuals and communities harmed by the criminalization of cannabis. Krajewski, who led the House Health Subcommittee on Health Care, chaired five hearings to examine the successes and failures of cannabis programs in other states in the previous legislative session. “We’ve heard from public health experts. We’ve heard from criminal justice and social equity advocates. We’ve learned directly from states across the country how to get this done safely and efficiently, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in public revenue,” said Krajewski. “It’s time to move forward in Pennsylvania before we fall further behind.” Twenty-four other states – including nearly every state that shares a border in Pennsylvania – have already legalized recreational marijuana. Polls show that cannabis decriminalization is popular among Pennsylvanians across all political parties . Frankel, who is majority chair of the House Health Committee, said that the criminalization of cannabis has been disastrous for the commonwealth, particularly within communities of color. “We have a moral obligation to not Read more

Venkat: over $800,000 in state grants for school safety and mental health needs

(11 hours ago)

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Dec. 2 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat announced that $803,064 in state grants was awarded to several school districts and schools throughout the 30th Legislative District to make them safer for students, teachers and staff and address behavioral health needs. A total of $672,864 in noncompetitive funds were allocated to the following public school districts, career education center, and charter school: North Allegheny School District: $250,133 Hampton Township School District: $147,525 Avonworth School District: $135,206 A.W. Beattie Career Center: $70,000 Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School: $70,000 Nazareth Prep High School also received a $75,000 competitive targeted grant, and a $55,200 grant of the same kind was presented to Eden Christian Academy. “The COVID-19 pandemic left an everlasting imprint on public education with remote learning and the rise in school shootings and related violence has compounded the stress and angst felt by students nationwide,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I’m proud to be a physician-legislator and am privileged to help secure these dollars and to assist keeping our kids healthy and safe inside and outside of the classroom.” Pennsylvania’s School Safety and Security Committee, under the banner of the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency, made the funds possible. They help advance the SSSC’s goal of ensuring that all Pennsylvania students can learn Read more

State grant of $150,000 awarded to Allegheny County for climate plan

(Nov 22, 2024)

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Nov. 22 – The Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation announced today that a $150,000 state grant was awarded to the county for a climate action plan. The funds, allocated through the Municipal Assistance Program , will address extreme weather events and public health impacts, with the goal being to develop investment strategies for county facilities, assets and services alongside its comprehensive plan update. “Measurable ramifications of climate change grow every day across a host of sectors, and Allegheny County wants to ensure it does everything in its power to help stem the tide of its impact,” state Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny and chair of the Allegheny County Delegation in the Pennsylvania House, said. “These dollars will help ensure all the tools and resources are in place to invest in a safer and greener county, state, country and planet for countless generations.” The Municipal Assistance Program provides technical resources and assistance for municipalities, consolidation and regional efforts, as well as serving as a resource for local government officials, developers and residents interested in planning to improve, grow and enhance communities. Gov. Josh Shapiro helped secured $2 million for the program in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget. A full list of grant recipients statewide is available here . Membership of the Allegheny County Delegation include state Reps. Abney, Jessica Benham, Read more

New $500,000 Penn Hills Ambulance Funding Dedicated to Fallen EMS Worker Nick Theofilis

(Nov 21, 2024)

“When a member of our community like Nick passes in our community it affects everyone,” McAndrew said. “Our paramedics dedicate so much to the people, doing everything they can to help those in their care. Nick was a special person who gave so much and to memorialize him in this way is a blessing. May his memory be carried on for years to come and his spirit be passed on to those who care for people in this new ambulance for years to come.” Read more

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IUP alum, State Rep. Gergely, presents The Penn with legislative citation

(Nov 19, 2024)

This Wednesday, Nov. 13, The Penn was honored with a legislative citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in recognition of its 100th anniversary. The citation was co-sponsored and presented by Reps. Matthew R. Gergely and James B. Struzzi II at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. Read more

Venkat applauds $20,000 state grant to reduce hunger at local university

(Nov 18, 2024)

MCCANDLESS, Nov. 18 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat announced that a $20,000 state grant was awarded to La Roche University in McCandless for multi-faceted efforts to connect students with food and food resources. The funds are made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Hunger-Free Campus Grant program, which helps schools address food insecurity on campus and includes expanding access to food options, creating awareness initiatives, and upgrading facilities. “Students are more excited to learn and better equipped to excel inside and outside of the classroom when they receive the nutrition needed to fuel and sustain themselves,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “These dollars will help provide the ingredients they require every day and give them the energy they need to tackle the demands of their coursework.” All grant recipients are members of the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative , a coalition of PA institutions of higher education focused on addressing hunger and other basic needs for their students, creating opportunities for connection among student hunger advocates, providing resources and strategies for campuses, and supporting opportunities to apply for grants related to addressing food insecurity. The PA Hunger-Free Campus Initiative began in 2022 and is a focus of First Lady Lori Shapiro and part of her work to advocate for students and families to ensure they have the support they need to thrive and live Read more

Mayes welcomes nearly $10 million for local construction projects

(Nov 15, 2024)

State grants fund supports for autistic residents, community arts and higher ed Read more

Gergely: over $740,000 in state conservation grants for local communities and Pittsburgh

(Nov 14, 2024)

McKEESPORT, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of $743,000 in state conservation grants was awarded to three projects in local communities and in Pittsburgh. Gergely joined a long list of state lawmakers who helped make possible a $600,000 Community Conservation Partnership Program grant for the coordination and funding of an Urban Wood Reuse Project and Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program by the Pittsburgh Conservation Corps. He also collaborated with state Sen. Jim Brewster, D-Allegheny, to secure $97,400 in C2P2 funds to rehabilitate Breznay Memorial Park in Lincoln Borough. Work will include: Renovation of ballfield. Construction of pedestrian walkway. Installation of fencing and bleachers. ADA access. Landscaping. Other related site improvements. Gergely and several state representatives and senators facilitated $45,600 in C2P2 dollars to prepare a Rivers Conservation Plan for the Youghiogheny River from Connellsville in Fayette County to McKeesport in Allegheny County, as well. “Safeguarding the environmental health of Pittsburgh and its communities is paramount, and these funds will go a long way to keeping both viable and vibrant across many walks of life. The monies will also help ensure the area remains a great place for neighbors and visitors to lay down roots and experience all that the Steel City and western PA have to offer, respectively,” Read more

Abney becomes new chair of Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation

(Nov 14, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that he has been elected as the new chair of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation . “I’m grateful to my colleagues for giving me the honor to serve as chair and elevate the priorities of our delegation both in Harrisburg and across our region. With so much uncertainty facing our country and state, our region will need to display strong leadership focused on improving the quality of life for our residents,” Abney said. “I look forward to working with our government partners and other stakeholders alike to promote an agenda that is realistic, relevant and impactful.” Abney previously served as city vice chair on the delegation and assumes the role previously held by state Sen.-elect Nick Pisciottano. Abney has served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since April 2022. Membership of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation is comprised of state Reps. Jessica Benham, Brandon Markosek, Dan Deasy, Dan Frankel, Matthew R. Gergely, Emily Kinkead, Anita Kulik, La’Tasha D. Mayes, Joe McAndrew, Dan Miller, Lindsay Powell, Abigail Salisbury, Mandy Steele and Arvind Venkat. State Rep.-elect John Inglis will fill the vacancy left by Pisciottano. Read more