As a former McKeesport police officer, I understand that law enforcement personnel at various levels help keep us safe. It’s why I’ve introduced a new bill aimed at keeping more officers on the job by allowing them to go through binding arbitration. House Bill 2190 would affect transit police, campus police, and certain state units by giving them access to binding arbitration rather than allowing them to strike when there is a contract dispute.

Read more about the bill here.

I’m hosting a free shredding event April 25 to help you safely dispose of papers and disks with sensitive information. It will run from 10 a.m. to noon at McKeesport High School parking lot. It’s a great way to protect your identity by ensuring documents don’t fall into the wrong hands—documents such as financial statements, cancelled checks, legal and insurance papers.

So plan on stopping by if you have any documents you’d like to shred, and feel free to call my office with any questions at (412) 664-0035.

I was pleased to present a citation to new McKeesport Fire Department Chief Kevin Kovach. I know Chief Kovach will do great things for the deparment and continue the strong tradition of service that protects McKeesport residents every day. And thank you to the members of the McKeesport Fire Deparment for everything you do to keep our community safe.

You might not realize it, but it’s entirely possible the PA Treasury has money that belongs to you. One in ten Pennsylvania residents has unclaimed property, with the average claim exceeding $1,000. The Treasury receives billions of dollars in unclaimed property, often due to misspelled names or incorrect addresses.

To see if you have unclaimed property waiting for you, visit here. You can also stop by one of my district offices and my team will be happy to help you search the database and complete the paperwork to apply.

With the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship upon us -- one of the most significant wagering events in the United States -- the PA Gaming Control Board is encouraging younger Pennsylvanians to keep the madness of March on the court, not in their wallet.

The PGCB’s “What’s Really at Stake” campaign aims to raise awareness about young people who can be negatively affected by gambling. Greater availability of online gambling has resulted in an increase of youth gambling across the board, so we need to have open discussions about the risks and potential harms.

More information can be found on the campaign can be found here.

The PA Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications from municipalities for developing and implementing recycling programs. Grants are available up to $250,000, and the deadline to apply is May 22. For more information, visit the DEP website.

State officials have been warning of various scams being perpetrated on Pennsylvanians, and I want you to protect yourself from the scammers. Please stay vigilant and do not let scammers take your hard-earned funds. Keep in mind these tips listed above when using your phones and email accounts so you don’t get snared unexpectedly.

The state Department of Aging is reminding older adults that the annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is underway. Running through March 31, this period allows beneficiaries to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to original Medicare.

The Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight, or PA MEDI, program offers free, unbiased counseling to help seniors make informed health insurance decisions. This initiative ensures that older adults can optimize their cost savings and access to health care.

Find local program phone numbers and a statewide helpline by clicking here.

With tax season underway, I want to remind you that United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania has FREE in-person programs for tax preparation across our region. You can get more information and schedule an appointment here.

My team and I are here to assist with a variety of state government-related services, so please don’t hesitate to visit the district office at Tube City Center in McKeesport, call us at 412-664-0035, or visit my website, www.repgoughnour.com.  

Pennsylvania State Capitol

117-A East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-1018

District Office

409 Walnut St. First Floor

McKeesport, PA 15132-2524

(412) 664-0035

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