For years, I relied on Pittsburgh’s buses to travel everywhere—to work, the grocery store, doctor’s appointments—until I had no choice but to get a car to go back and forth to Harrisburg as a state representative. Public transit, however, isn’t optional for seniors, people with disabilities, kids, and workers. Rather, it’s often their only way to get around.
Public transit shouldn’t be a luxury for our neighbors. Everyone in our community, including our seniors, people with disabilities, kids, and workers, should be able to get around easily in our region.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is proposing its single largest service cut in decades to address a possible deficit of $100 million. As a result, the agency is requesting a significant increased allocation in the 2025-2026 state budget, larger than proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his budget address.
If this funding is not secured, PRT’s Bus Line Redesign project would be eliminated. Additionally, PRT’s current routes and frequency of trips would be dramatically reduced, resulting in fewer riders and compounding these financial troubles.
The bottom line is that neighbors will be confronted with devastating downgrades that gut the lifeline of our communities. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to reach out to my fellow members on the PA House Transportation Committee so that the Steel City can keep moving.
I won’t stop fighting for this urgent funding!
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Supporting Hourly School Workers
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This week, I spoke to members of the PA House Labor & Industry Committee about my legislation to provide unemployment compensation to education support professionals during the summer months. Please click the video above for my remarks.
I’m happy that my bill was voted out of committee and now moves to the House for consideration, but there’s still plenty more that must be done to ensure these folks achieve financial security.
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The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has made it easier for older friends and neighbors to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more. Also, don’t forget that thanks to changes made in 2023, income-eligibility and rebate amounts have increased significantly!
Please click here to apply by Monday, June 30. My staff and I are here to assist with applications as well, so please don’t hesitate to stop by the district office.
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Apply for a REAL ID Soon!
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Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license/photo ID card, or another form of federal identification, such as a valid passport or military ID, to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID.
PennDOT will be holding several REAL ID Days in the area to help residents apply. Please see the graphic above for details and click here to learn more about REAL IDs.
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Commonwealth Grant Programs
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To review and apply to grant programs available across PA, please click here or on “Grant Programs” under “Help & Services” on the homepage of my legislative website.
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James R. Roebuck Scholarship
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Applications are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 James R. Roebuck Scholarship. The application deadline is Saturday, April 5 by 5 p.m.
Please click here to learn more and to apply.
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Opportunity for Future Leaders
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The PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program is open for applications. The program provides four-year scholarships to two high school seniors per year and is to be used towards the cost of tuition and fees for a four-year program at a college, university, or career school in the Commonwealth.
Please click here for eligibility criteria and to apply. Applications are due Tuesday, April 15.
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Grant Dollars for Local Law Enforcement
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A $50,000 state grant was awarded to the Millvale Police Department to install in-car cameras in their vehicles. These cameras will help keep officers and residents safe, and I’m thrilled to return these dollars to the district!
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A veteran service officer will next be at my Lawrenceville district office on Monday, April 21 through Wednesday, April 23. Help will be available with:
- Compensation and pension claims.
- Education benefits.
- Obtaining military personnel and medical records.
- And additional requests.
Please consult the graphic above for the rest of these service dates throughout 2025.
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The next mobile office hours event will take place at De Fer Coffee & Tea on Tuesday, April 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Please join my team and me and get assistance with programs and services that include:
- Applications for voter registration and mail ballots.
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- PennDOT.
We hope to see you there!
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Connecting to Good Careers
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Sign up to receive the monthly Career Connect update email from NorthSideWorks!, an initiative of the Northside/North Shore Chamber of Commerce to help get good people into good jobs. The monthly update includes date-dependent information that can assist in skill building and job search decisions in the month ahead.
View the most recent Career Connect here and sign up to get next month’s delivered directly to your inbox here!
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NorthSideWorks! will also hold the Northside Job Fair on Wednesday, May 14 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Stage AE (400 North Shore Drive in Pittsburgh). More than 50 employers, service organizations, and training providers will be on hand.
Please click here to register. You can also contact Quinn Kirby at quinn@northsidechamberofcommerce.com or at 412-231-6500 if you have questions.
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United Way of Southwestern PA & 211 PA are offering FREE tax preparation services with I.R.S.-certified volunteers. They will be available at multiple sites in Allegheny and neighboring counties to help households get their maximum refund and Earned Income Tax Credit.
Please dial 211 or 855-567-5341 to locate the site nearest to you and click here to schedule an appointment online.
Also, the Shapiro administration has launched a new online petition center for PA taxpayers to file appeals. To learn more, please click here.
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Getting Young Ones Excited about Reading
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Millvale Community Library is introducing its Baby Bag Program, which is focused on helping young children get a jump on enjoying reading.
The library will provide FREE bags of books, games, and toys to parents of kids up to age 1. Parents must apply for a library card or be a library member to be eligible.
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Renew your Furry Friends’ License Today!
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Please remember that any Allegheny County resident who has a dog must register them by the age of 3 months.
Put a pawsitive foot forward by clicking here or calling 412-320-4111.
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The Etna Neighborhood Association will hold an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 12 from noon to 2 p.m. at Fugh Hall (27 Crescent Street).
There will also be games, crafts, candy, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny!
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Millvale’s first of two market days this year is Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 40 local businesses and many more purveyors will be available, so please consider attending and supporting the community!
To learn more or to become a vendor, please click here.
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Local Roadwork in Progress
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Additionally, the southbound right-hand lane of McKnight Road between Perrymont Road and the Babcock Boulevard/Evergreen Road interchange is closed to traffic. This closure will remain in place around-the-clock through early July to allow crews to conduct concrete repairs and drainage work.
To learn more, please click here.
Construction will soon begin on the North Avenue Signals and Safety Project as well. Please click here to learn more.
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My office provides notary services that include:
- Taking an acknowledgement.
- Administering an oath or affirmation.
- Taking a verification on oath or affirmation (which includes affidavit).
- Witnessing or attesting a signature.
- Certifying or attesting a copy or deposition.
- Taking a note protest of a negotiable instrument.
Please click here or on “Schedule an Appointment” under the “Help & Services” tab on my website.
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The district office is open:
- Monday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Evening appointments are also available by request on Wednesdays.
The Shaler office is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. or any weekday by appointment.
My staff and I are here to help with all of your state government-related questions and concerns, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to the district office, call us at 412-781-2750, or visit www.RepPowell.com! You can also sign up for my weekly e-newsletters by going to the bottom of my website homepage and submitting the requested information.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
106-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-9114
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District Office
5154 Butler St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(412) 781-2750
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