“Runoff from municipal parking lots in Wilkinsburg’s business district have created stormwater management issues, including a high volume of water loading the storm sewer system and sometimes flooding area streets,” Salisbury said. “Upstream Pittsburgh has been working with Sci-Tek Consultants on plans to address the problem by removing impermeable pavement and retrofitting the lots with engineered soil, new trees, and native plants. These dollars will allow them to work with the borough to complete those plans." Read more
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“Our residents have a right to rely on proper wastewater management, which is critical to public health,” Salisbury said. “The new funding will allow boroughs across the district and our local water authority to complete critical maintenance and repair projects, so residents and small business owners receive the reliable, uninterrupted service they deserve.” Read more
“Our district’s charitable nonprofits are constantly working to improve quality of life for residents, but they can’t do it alone,” Salisbury said. “Fortunately, tax credits can be a powerful tool to spur new investments. The newly awarded tax credits are going to boost key projects to fight blight and attract new businesses, expand affordable housing, and continue treatment programs and related services for residents.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 15 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would raise the monetary threshold amount that subjects charitable organizations to more extensive financial oversight, including mandatory audits. Among other things, Salisbury’s bill would raise the current threshold for a mandatory audit from $750,000 to $1 million, a move she said better reflects current day charitable donations. “Increasing the monetary thresholds that trigger third-party audits or review would cut out red tape and help charitable organizations do what they were created to do – get dollars into the hands of people needing them,” said Salisbury, who serves as House Democratic chair of the Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit Caucus . “The current thresholds for subjecting organizations to greater regulation have not been reviewed since 2017, and it’s time to move the line to better reflect current day standards.” Under H.B. 1824 : Charitable organizations receiving annual contributions of $1 million or more would have to be audited by an independent certified public accountant. Under existing law , the audit requirement applies to organizations receiving $750,000 or more. Charitable organizations receiving annual contributions of at least $500,000 but less than $1 million would be required to have a review or audit of their financial statements performed by an independent certified Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill that would allow employees of licensees in the sales finance industry to work remotely unanimously passed the House Monday. The legislation, H.B. 1580 , applies to workers at licensees who qualify under the Consumer Discount Company Act and the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act. “Fueling the well-being and morale of workers while keeping businesses competitive now moves a step closer to becoming reality,” Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting my bill that is a win-win for a prosperous economy and the people who make it possible.” State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, is co-sponsoring Salisbury’s legislation, which does not change any requirements pertaining to licensing, examination or regulation by the Department of Banking and Securities. Salisbury’s legislation now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, will host an expungement clinic at the Community Empowerment Association in Pittsburgh from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19. The clinic will help residents expunge criminal records and seal or pardon past convictions, and the Allegheny County Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Center will provide the legal advice on the processes at the event. “Minor justice system offenses should not deter or prevent people from pursuing impactful lives,” Salisbury said. “I want to encourage residents looking for a fresh start to attend the clinic and find out how my staff and I can help.” Salisbury is a nonprofit attorney, served as the executive director of JURIST.org , and taught First Amendment law at the University of Pittsburgh. Pre-registration for the clinic can be completed here . Read more
“Navigating government programs can be a frustrating experience for anyone attempting to access a service for the first time,” Salisbury said. “I saw a unique opportunity to bring experts into the room to speak directly to nonprofit organizations and explain the process. The ultimate goal is to help as many people as possible, and today we had a chance to illustrate how organizations can work with government to expand the amazing work they are already doing throughout our neighborhoods and communities.” Read more
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 10 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today that a $250,000 Community Conservation Partnership Program grant was awarded to the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corp. Salisbury said the funds will be utilized to implement various initiatives at the Carrie Blast Furnaces site, including efforts to promote its historical preservation and generate recreational tourism. Such efforts would include public workshops, fundraisers and mini grants. “Much of Pittsburgh’s identity and history is synonymous with the tireless work ethic of its steel mill laborers,” Salisbury said. “This grant will help allow new generations to discover and learn about their commitment to the Steel City and keep their spirit alive for generations to come.” A total of more than $1.19 million in CCPR grants was awarded to park, recreational and conservation projects throughout Allegheny County. The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources facilitates the grants, and a complete list of all statewide grant recipients for fall of this year can be found here . Read more
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 13 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today that a $10,000 Municipal Assistance Program grant was awarded to the borough of Churchill. The funds will be utilized to update the borough’s zoning ordinances and pave the way for vacant industrial properties to be converted into new homes for local businesses, organizations and more. “These buildings sit around without purpose day after day and are a missed economic and human service opportunity for the Churchill community,” Salisbury said. “This grant will not only help provide a cosmetic facelift for such properties, but new ventures will be able to move into these spaces and serve neighbors in a variety of impactful methods.” Salisbury has introduced two pieces of legislation that seek to assist communities statewide in a similar vein. The first ( H.B. 1163 ) would update current property law and allow communities to make blighted or abandoned properties subject to potential acquisition by land banks. Another ( H.B. 1216 ) would create a Municipal Grant Assistance Program within the Department of Community and Economic Development . The program would provide municipalities with grant writing training and allow for professional grant writers to connect with municipalities to provide their services. Both bills have passed the House and are in the Senate for consideration. The commonwealth in its entirety received nearly $500,000 in MAP Read more
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 16 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today that federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants, totaling $61,632, were awarded to several schools in Pennsylvania’s 34th Legislative District. District schools receiving FFVP grants are: Propel Braddock Hills Elementary ~ $22,176. Kelly Primary ~ $17,208. Turner Intermediate School ~ $22,248. “Students having access to fresh fruits and vegetables every day provides a source of vital nutrients to helps them succeed at a high academic level and promote overall health,” Salisbury said. “These funds are an investment in their future and the future of our communities.” In total, Allegheny County received nearly $900,000 in FFVP grants, which prioritize schools with the highest percentage of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals. A complete list of grant awardees by county is available here . Read more
WILKINSBURG, Aug. 15 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today that two Green Light-Go grants, totaling $486,738, were awarded to the borough of Wilkinsburg. A grant of $212,425 will be used to update traffic signal equipment at the intersection of East Swissvale Avenue and North Avenue, while another $274,313 in grant funds will fund the update of traffic signal equipment at the intersection of East Swissvale Avenue and Glenn Avenue/Park Avenue. “I’m grateful that this money will be utilized to keep motorists and pedestrians alike safe during their daily commutes,” Salisbury said. “Not to mention that these dollars are essential to ensuring the smooth and steady flow of people and commerce throughout the community.” Green Light-Go grants are provided as reimbursement to municipalities for updates to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. For a full list of grant recipients by county, click here . Read more
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HARRISBURG, July 20 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would allow employees of licensees in the sales finance industry to work remotely. The legislation, H.B. 1580 , would apply to workers at licensees who qualify under the Consumer Discount Company Act and the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act. “COVID-19 forever changed the landscape and approach that businesses take to maximize their productivity and stay competitive,” Salisbury said. “My bill would foster job retention amongst licensees by offering this flexibility option and allow their employees to deliver the same optimal quality and quantity of service from any offsite location they choose.” State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, is co-sponsoring Salisbury’s legislation, which does not change any requirements pertaining to licensing, examination or regulation by the Department of Banking and Securities. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 29 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill that would aid communities lacking grant writing capacity passed the Pennsylvania House along party lines today. The legislation ( H.B. 1216 ) would create a Municipal Grant Assistance Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development . Eligible municipalities would be able to access free grant writing services when seeking state funding and would receive instruction in writing future grant proposals. “Current law only benefits those municipalities with funding in place for grant writing services,” Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said. “My bill is about equity. It's time to level the playing field so that municipalities with extreme need are not kept out of the state grant-making process due to capacity issues." Salisbury developed the bill after receiving feedback from local elected officials in her district that they were struggling to access state funding programs. The legislation now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 29 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill that would reduce severe blight and revitalize community properties passed the PA House yesterday. The legislation ( H.B. 1163 ) would update current property law to allow municipal governments to make vacant properties that have been severely blighted for five or more years subject to potential acquisition by land banks. Owners of such properties would be granted a set amount of time to make the repairs needed to reverse the designation and could appeal the designation. "In my five years as a borough council member, I saw firsthand how these neglected vacant properties can become safety hazards and sources of frustration for communities,” said Salisbury, D-Allegheny. “Residents begged me to do something about these unused properties and asked if I could force the owners to use them or sell them, but I was powerless to do anything under state law. Now as a state representative, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to amend the current law so that local elected officials are able to respond to these residents with action. “My goal with this legislation is to add another tool to local governments' toolboxes and help put properties back to productive use,” she added. “Today’s passage means that municipalities are that much closer to providing their residents with affordable housing and space for small businesses.” Salisbury said her legislation Read more
“The work of charitable nonprofits touches nearly every aspect of community life, from fighting food insecurity to supporting local libraries to providing disaster relief and other critical services,” Salisbury said. “As legislators, we need to do everything we can to keep these catalysts for good growing and thriving.” Read more
HARRISBURG, June 13 – A bill introduced by state Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, that would reduce blight and revitalize community properties advanced out of the PA House Housing & Community Development Committee today. The legislation ( H.B. 1163 ) would update current property law to allow communities to make vacant blighted or abandoned properties subject to potential acquisition by land banks. Owners of such properties would be granted a set amount of time to make the repairs needed to reverse the designation and could appeal the designation. "In my five years as a borough council member, I saw firsthand how these neglected properties can become safety hazards and sources of frustration for communities,” Salisbury said. “As a council member, however, my ability to help neighbors deal with problem properties was limited by what the law allowed. My goal with this legislation is to add another tool to local governments' toolboxes and help put properties back to productive use. My bill delivers a ‘use it or lose it’ message to urge property owners into action and improve communities' ability to address blight.” Salisbury said her legislation does not require land banks to acquire vacant properties designated as abandoned and/or distressed but, instead, allows them to do so if they wish. House Bill 1163 is Salisbury’s first bill as a state representative. It now heads to the full House for consideration. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 30 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would prohibit lobbyists from running state candidates’ political campaigns and then lobbying those same candidates once they are elected. “Lobbyists have whispered into the ears of political candidates, shaped their agendas and gotten rich while doing so for far too long,” Salisbury said. “My bill would put campaign control back into the hands of candidates and refocus elected officials’ attention on their constituents, not on pleasing lobbyists who also run campaigns.” Salisbury’s legislation ( H.B. 1223 ) also prohibits campaign consultants from lobbying state employees who work in the candidates’ offices. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 25 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would aid communities that lack grant writing capacity. The legislation ( H.B. 1216 ) would create a Municipal Grant Assistance Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development . Eligible municipalities would be able to access free grant writing services to when seeking state funding and would receive instruction in writing future grant proposals. “The current system perpetuates structural inequalities among communities by favoring those municipalities which already have the funding to pay for grant writing services,” Salisbury said. “My bill provides an escape from the chicken-egg loop wherein local governments literally cannot afford to get money from the state.” Salisbury developed the bill after receiving feedback from local elected officials in her district that they were struggling to access state funding programs. Read more
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