HARRISBURG, March 15 – Financial assistance is now available to help Allegheny County residents struggling to pay rent or utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a program that is partially funded by legislation members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation helped to pass. The Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance program has a total of $79.9 million to distribute to eligible county residents. Of that funding, $43 million came from Act 1 of 2021, which Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law last month. Eligibility requirements for the program include: having at least one person who qualifies for unemployment, has lost income or suffered financially due to COVID-19. being at risk of experiencing homelessness. having a total income below 80% of the Area Median Income for Allegheny County. ACDD Chairman state Rep. Austin Davis, as well as state Reps. Jessica Benham, Dan Deasy, Tony DeLuca, Dan Frankel, Ed Gainey, Sara Innamorato, Emily Kinkead, Anita Kulik, Summer Lee, Brandon Markosek, Robert Matzie, Dan Miller, Nick Pisciottano and Jake Wheatley, issued the following statement: “People living in Allegheny County have been struggling for over a year during this pandemic. This program has been a long time coming and helps provide direct relief to those who’ve been scrambling to pay their rent and bills during this Read more
AMBRIDGE, March 10 – As more community organizations begin plans to reopen, a $12,000 state grant to Beth Samuel Jewish Center in Ambridge will help Beaver County’s oldest operating synagogue meet security needs, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the grant, awarded under the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program to protect potential hate-crime targets, will ensure that when the congregation – which suspended activities during the pandemic – decides to welcome back families, it will be able to provide the safest possible environment. "We need to ensure that the folks returning are safe from security risks," Matzie said. “The funding will help ensure those protections are in place.” In addition to the funding to Beth Samuel, Matzie said 29 organizations in Allegheny County were awarded grants totaling approximately $1.53 million. He said organizations may use the funding for a broad range of resources, including safety and security planning and training, threat assessments, security upgrades, and the purchase of metal detectors, electronic locksets, surveillance equipment and other technology. The grants are part of a larger package of more than $5 million awarded under the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program , which provides funding to nonprofit organizations serving people or groups the FBI has identified as Read more
AMBRIDGE, March 3 – A state grant of nearly $5,000 will help preserve and promote the area’s rich oral history by funding a project to transcribe and digitize documents from the Baden Archives and the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Historical Society, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden is exciting because it will allow the archived information to be placed on the Historic Pittsburgh website for easier access by the public and researchers. “Some of the richest, most detailed accounts of our history begin life as stories and anecdotes,” said Matzie, who is a member of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. “Those accounts can evaporate over time if they are not transcribed and preserved. Securing funding for this project will help safeguard unique, irreplaceable documents and convert them to a modern format that is more accessible for curious residents, historians, students and future generations.” Matzie said the grant is part of a package of nearly $200,000 in Historical and Archival Records Care Grants the commission awarded to 31 projects throughout the state for the care and preservation of archival records. More information about HARC grants is available here. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 15 – Schools in the 16 th Legislative District will be able to apply for approximately $12.62 million in federal CARES Act funding to ensure students have the resources they need to continue learning during the pandemic, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding to eight school districts in the district will help ensure schools have the resources they need to continue offering quality education. “The pandemic’s economic impact has strained resources all around, and school districts are no exception,” Matzie said. “The districts have faced a ton of challenges, from providing safe on-site instruction to ensuring an effective remote curriculum, and I want to commend school officials and our dedicated teachers, aides and other school staff. This funding is going to speed the resources to our districts they need to ensure our students are safe and do not fall behind.” Matzie said the following funding is allocated: Aliquippa School District – $4,032,121. Ambridge Area School District – $2,297,093. Baden Academy Charter School – $875,776. Central Valley School District – $1,173,585. Freedom Area School District – $1,096,991 Hopewell Area School District – Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State Rep. Rob Matzie was sworn in today at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, taking the oath of office to begin his seventh term representing the people of the 16 th Legislative District. As he renewed his commitment to the district, Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the health of residents and the local economy are top priorities. “My top priority in the months ahead will be continuing to address the COVID pandemic and preparing for the recovery, both on the health front and the economic front. “As always, I will continue to support strong education funding at all levels, as well as job training and economic development opportunities for our communities. “Finally, I am proud to have been reappointed Democratic chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee. My focus will be on expanding broadband access and to fully – and safely – develop our state’s natural energy resources.” Matzie said his office – which is operating remotely during the pandemic – can help with a wide variety of state services, including prescription drug assistance, children’s insurance, unemployment compensation, driver and vehicle services, home heating and property tax/rent rebate applications, veterans’ issues and more. Residents should call the office at 724-266-7774 for assistance More information is available by Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 23 – Beaver County development projects will benefit from more than $1.5 million in funding thanks to state grants under state Redevelopment and Capital Assistance Program funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. “The funding to Aliquippa will allow us to transform a dead brownfield area into a thriving manufacturing area, which will provide job opportunities and economic revitalization for the entire area. The grant to Monaca will allow for construction of a 27,000-square-foot building to house police, fire and administrative operations, which will allow the borough to operate with greater efficiency and greater savings to taxpayers.” Matzie said the grants include the following: $1 million for redevelopment of a 40-acre brownfield and construction of a 250,000-square-foot high-tech manufacturing building located along the Ohio River in Aliquippa. $500,000 to build the new 27,000-square-foot, two-story Monaca Civic Center on Pacific Avenue in the borough to house police, fire and administrative departments. In addition to the Aliquippa and Monaca projects, Matzie said development projects in Midland Borough will receive $2.5 million in combined funding, and another development project in Center Township will receive $2 million in funding. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 23 – Beaver County residents will have access to free COVID-19 testing at a drive through-clinic in Monaca beginning Dec. 27, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced. Matzie said the testing will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Sunday, Dec. 27 through Thursday, Dec. 31 at the Community College of Beaver County, 1 Campus Drive, Monaca. Matzie said mid-nasal passage swab PCR tests are free and will be performed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Patients must be 3 or older and are not required to show symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested. No appointment is necessary. Patients are encouraged to bring a photo-ID or insurance card. Registration will also be completed on-site. The turnaround time for testing results is two to seven days after testing. More information on the testing is available here. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 9 – Grants totaling nearly $4.53 million will bolster programs to assist law enforcement, deter crime, protect domestic crime victims and offer supports and services for women and children victims of abuse, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding comes from grants administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, acting on recommendations by various advisory committees. “Funding from PCCD goes toward programs that make our communities safer by improving crime detection and prevention and enhancing services and support for victims. They help our law enforcement and social service workers do their jobs better and help crime victims recover and thrive. Essentially, they are investments in peace and safety for our region.” Matzie said grants approved by these committees will fund the following services: County Adult Probation and Parole Advisory Committee – improve probation services Allegheny County Improvement of Adult Probation Services – $1.33 million. Beaver County Improvement of Adult Probation Services – $282,501. Criminal Justice Advisory Committee – purchase body-worn law enforcement cameras Borough of Ambridge Law Enforcement and Corrections – $23,209. Beaver County Commissioners BWC Program Expansion – $2,892 . Criminal Justice Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 8 – More area residents and business owners will have the benefit of high-speed broadband access thanks to nearly $2 million in funding from the Federal Communications Commission awarded today to five area broadband companies, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the funding is welcome after years of work to bring faster connections to area neighborhoods. “As Democratic chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, expanding access for residents and businesses has been a top priority,” Matzie said. “I’m glad to see the federal government make this much-needed investment to help remove the digital divide that unfortunately exits based on Zip code. “So many day-to-day tasks and interactions depend on reliable, quick internet access, and the need is even greater now, as more people are working, shopping and socializing from home. Internet access has become similar to other essential services, such as water, electric and gas utility – with a level of expectation by the consumer that there is access and speed.” Matzie said the funding, which will provide access to 1,731 homes and businesses in the district, includes the following: $716,028 to Windstream Services LLC, to 259 Beaver County customers and another $180,474 for 114 Allegheny County customers. $593,551 to Space Exploration Technologies Corp. for 575 Beaver County customers and an additional Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 7 – Tax credits totaling $400,000 will help rehabilitate blighted areas of Beaver County, revitalize parts of the business district and provide residents with food, rent and job training assistance, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the tax credits awarded to Aliquippa Economic Development Corp., which were approved under the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program, will create investments that transform the landscape while improving residents’ lives. “I am pleased that the funding for this crucial community project continues the vision of our team of stakeholders led by Mayor Dwan Walker, council members Walker, Mottes, Piroli and Milliner, and community leaders,” Matzie said. “The public-private partnership with the commonwealth and BNY Mellon has paid big dividends in a variety of ways thus far, and the continuation of cleaning up blighted properties and rebuilding crucial infrastructure is the next step in improving the quality of life for city residents.” Matzie said that among other things, the tax credits will fund the following: Acquire 7 blighted houses in the West End Franklin Avenue Corridor and acquire and rehab 1 house in this neighborhood. Provide match funding for the house acquisition/rehabilitation projects, replace 800 feet of sidewalk and ADA ramps, and install signage and landscaping at the Gateway Read more
Rep. Rob Matzie's 2021 Capitol Scenes calendar is available to download. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 2 – State grant funding of $209,833 will help boost operations for museums and historical societies in Beaver and Allegheny counties as they work to preserve and showcase the region’s unique past, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie, who serves on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, voted today to approve the grants as part of a package of nearly $2 million to 155 museums and county historical societies statewide. “Our region has an incredibly rich culture and history, and our museums and historical societies are the bridges that keep us connected to that rich past through colorful displays and events,” Matzie said. Many have been hit hard during the pandemic, as restrictions on events and gatherings have drained resources. Securing this funding is going to help ensure they are around to keep telling our history to future generations.” Matzie said the regional grants include the following: Allegheny County Braddock’s Battlefield History Center - $4,000 Carnegie Museum of Natural History & Carnegie Science Center - $40,000 Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh - $40,000 Frick Art & Historical Center - $40,000 Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania - $40,000 The Holocaust Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh - $8,462 Read more
AMBRIDGE, Nov. 30 – Grant funding of $1.308 million will help ensure residents in Beaver and Allegheny counties do not have to face the harsh realities of winter and a pandemic without a safe place to call home, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the grant funding under the CARES Act includes $85,000 to The Cornerstone of Beaver County and an additional $1.22 million in combined grants to three additional relief entities in Allegheny County. “Life during the pandemic has been especially harsh, but the hardship and risk are tenfold for Pennsylvanians facing life without the promise of a warm, secure place to call home,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding will help ensure those who are homeless or are facing the prospect of homelessness will not have to face the triple threat of winter, flu season and COVID-19 without a safe secure place to go.” In addition to The Cornerstone, Matzie said Allegheny County shelter providers ACTION Housing/Team PSBG, Community Human Services and Pittsburgh Mercy will share in approximately $1.22 million. Pennsylvania received a second allocation of nearly $20 million in Emergency Solution Grant CARES Act funding allocated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Of that amount, the state Department of Community and Economic Development prioritized the use of nearly $3 million to address emergency winter shelter and temporary Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 20 – Pennsylvania’s drug consumers and taxpayers are on the verge of a major victory after final passage of state Rep. Rob Matzie’s bill to hold pharmacy benefit managers accountable for predatory practices that are gouging patients, wasting taxpayer dollars and driving mom-and-pop pharmacies out of business. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said he introduced H.B. 941 together with state Rep. Doyle Heffley, D-Carbon, to bring transparency to questionable PBM pricing practices in the state’s Medicaid program and that the bill — which passed the state House in November – is now headed to the governor’s desk. “This bill is a big victory for Pennsylvania’s taxpayers, local pharmacies and anyone who takes prescription medicine,” said Matzie, who is House Democratic chair of the bicameral, bipartisan Community Pharmacy Caucus. “With the power to decide which drugs are covered by insurance and how much to reimburse the pharmacies that fill those prescriptions, PBMs wield a huge amount of power, but for years, they have operated below the radar, with little or no scrutiny. All that is about to change. “My bill would shed light on how PBMs are making key decisions, including how they determine price spreads – the difference between how much the state pays them for a drug and how much they reimburse the pharmacies that fill those prescriptions – and how they select which drugs Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 19 – Better protections are on the horizon for Pennsylvania consumers after the Pa. Senate today unanimously passed state Rep. Rob Matzie’s bill to update and improve the commonwealth’s law prohibiting pyramid schemes. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said his H.B. 1534 will both update the current antiquated law and clarify the distinction between legitimate direct-sale companies and fly-by-night schemes designed to scam consumers. “We can’t protect consumers with outdated laws, and our anti-pyramid law is so old it still refers to chain letters,” said Matzie, who is Democratic chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee. “My bill would bring the law up to date so that it reflects the complexity of today’s criminal fraud and has the necessary teeth to be an effective enforcement tool. “The bill would also clarify what constitutes acceptable business practices to help guide legitimate direct selling companies, while helping enforcement officers target the bad actors. The Senate’s move today means Pennsylvania consumers are one step closer to better protection.” Matzie said the law will encourage direct-sale companies to adopt the following two provisions that have been successful in other states: An anti-inventory loading provision that would discourage companies from saddling individual direct sellers with more products or services then they can sell or use. A Read more
AMBRIDGE, Nov. 18 – Two grants totaling $52,107 from the state Department of Education will fund training equipment for area career and technical schools, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding includes $2,407 to Beaver County Career and Technology Center and $49,700 to Parkway West Career and Technology Center. “State-of-the-art equipment is essential to prepare career and technical school students for real-world work environments,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding means area students will have the benefit of training with the latest technology so they can step into high-tech jobs and meet employer expectations with a shorter learning curve. Less down time for on-the-job training means greater productivity for area business and industry and quicker economic returns.” The competitive grants are part of a statewide package of nearly $1.2 million to 32 career and technical centers and area vocational technical education schools and two school districts. The maximum grant under the program is $50,000, and each must be matched dollar-for-dollar from a local source such as local school funds or contributions from business and industry partners. More information on the grants is available here . Read more
AMBRIDGE, Nov. 18 – State Rep. Rob Matzie has announced that beginning Thursday, Nov. 19, his office will not be accepting walk-in requests. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said residents should call his office – which remains open and fully staffed – at (724) 266-7774 for remote assistance. Matzie said in addition to calling, residents can also email RepMatzie@pahouse.net for assistance. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Nov. 16 – Schools in Beaver and Allegheny counties are receiving $515,977 in grant funding to ensure students and staff enjoy the safety possible environment, state Rep, Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the competitive 2020-21 Safe Schools Targeted Grants from the state Department of Education will ensure schools have all the resources they need to implement safety plans for the year ahead. “Safety is the first order of business when it comes to our schools, and that’s true whether we’re protecting students and staff them from health risks from COVID or ensuring basic security is in place,” Matzie said. “Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution, our school officials do an excellent job of assessing specific needs and ensuring every potential issue is addressed before it becomes a problem. “But security comes at a price, and the cost burden often falls on taxpayers. Securing this funding will allow officials to cover all bases and ensure schools have the resources they need – including a mix of personnel, programs and equipment – while easing the tax burden on residents.” Matzie said the funding includes the following grants: Aliquippa School District – $25,000 for security equipment. Ambridge Area School District – $24,960 for security equipment and $60,000 for a school resource officer. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 26 – The House last week unanimously adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer – a disease that kills approximately 47,000 Americans each year. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said he introduced H.R. 1045 , designating November 2020 as “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania, to draw attention to a disease that often evades detection until it is too advanced to treat. “I introduce this resolution every year because we need to keep talking about pancreatic cancer until survival is the rule, not the exception,” Matzie said. “My connection to this disease is deeply personal – my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about six years ago. After undergoing chemotherapy and surgery, she survived. Sadly, her story is not typical for most of the 57,000 Americans diagnosed every year. “There is cause for hope, however. Although we have yet to see a breakthrough, the statistics on survival are slowly climbing. Between 2014 and 2020, the five-year survival rate increased from 6% to 10%. The progress happens because of research. As more clinical trials take place, the number of survivor stories grows, and so do the people who live to tell them. “What can we do now? We can learn the symptoms and risk factors for pancreatic cancer and make sure family and friends know them. We can volunteer, support research efforts, and Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The PA House on Tuesday unanimously adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution designating October as “Wine, Wineries and Grapes Month” in Pennsylvania. Matzie said he introduced H.R. 1046 to highlight the major contributions made by Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industry, which traces its history all the way back to William Penn. “With nearly 300 wineries and hundreds of grape growers farming more than 14,000 acres, Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industry plays a vital role in our economy,” Matzie said. “It’s estimated that each year, the industry produces more than 2 million gallons of wine, generates more than $1.4 billion annually and creates nearly 10,000 jobs paying more than $390 million. “Pennsylvania also has a fascinating historical connection to wine production – William Penn planted the first vineyard here more than 330 years ago. Today, the industry is not only thriving but provides a major source of tourism revenue, as our wineries, vineyards and trails draw more than 2 million visitors annually. “The commonwealth’s rich, fertile soil plays an essential role in the success of the industry, but ultimately, it is the proud efforts of the men and women who work in our vineyards and wineries that make this industry the vital, economic driver that it is and supply Pennsylvanians a taste of a product Read more
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1240 Merchant St.First FloorAmbridge, PA 15003-2279
P*: (724) 266-7774P: (412) 565-3569
F*: (724) 266-7634
Hours of Operation - Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Send all district correspondence here.
3589 Brodhead RoadSuite 5Monaca, PA 15061-3138
P*: (724) 987-4341
Franklin Center of Beaver County Inc. 524 Franklin Ave. Aliquippa, PA 15001
P*: (724) 375-3052
Hours of Operation - Thursdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
202 Irvis Office BuildingPO Box 202016 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2016
P*: (717) 787-4444