This week, I proudly joined state Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, other fellow state legislators, and advocates to launch the bipartisan PA Housing Caucus at the state Capitol! With over 25 of my colleagues having already joined the Caucus, we have the chance to pass meaningful reform to Pennsylvania’s housing market.
The caucus’ legislative priorities can be summarized in three words:
- Producing more housing to meet demand by alleviating zoning burdens, ensuring permits do not slow down development, investing in new and affordable housing options, and enabling state funding for land banks and land trusts.
- Preserving existing housing by increasing repair funding for senior homeowners, offering flexible loans for small landlords, and keeping existing subsidies with properties.
- Protecting Pennsylvanians’ access to housing by preventing institutional investors from purchasing houses on the market and increasing funds and resources for eviction assistance and first-time homeowners.
Already, I’ve introduced legislation that would increase housing production, the Affordable Homeownership Program, and I’ve partnered with Rep. Twardzik on a bill that would enact the Vacant Property Registration Act.
Without stable housing, everything else, no matter how well designed, rests on a shaky foundation. In many parts of Pennsylvania, that foundation is showing cracks, cracks that too many neighbors are falling through.
Let’s do what Pennsylvanians sent us here to do – let’s listen, let’s collaborate and, most importantly, let’s act!
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Protecting the Affordable Care Act
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I proudly voted YES on a package of bills aimed at keeping provisions of the Affordable Care Act in place. With healthcare under attack by the President, I urge the state Senate to put the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians first!
Please click here to make your voice heard.
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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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A veteran service officer will next be at my Lawrenceville district office on Tuesday, April 15, Wednesday, April 16, and Monday, April 21. 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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I want to remind eligible residents about taking advantage of Pennsylvania’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit before the tax filing deadline of Tuesday, April 15.
This credit, expanded under a law passed by the General Assembly, provides financial relief to working families with child or dependent care expenses.
Please click here to learn more and to apply.
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Jewish Family and Community Services will host their Spring Job Fair on Friday, April 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall (300 Beechwood Avenue in Carnegie).
The event is FREE, so please click here to learn more and to register.
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Goodwill of Southwestern PA will also hold its own career fair on Wednesday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Goodwill’s Workforce Development Center (118 52nd Street in Pittsburgh).
To register, please use the QR code on the flyer above or click here.
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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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The Wall That Heals is coming to Shaler
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From Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, The Wall That Heals will be at Shaler Area High School’s Anderson Field (1350 Anderson Road in Pittsburgh).
The Wall is a ¾ size replica of the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., which travels the country to help educate the public about U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and help all veterans reflect and find closure on their own military service.
Please click here to learn more.
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Local Roadwork in Progress
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Roadway improvement work on Route 8 (William Flinn Highway) in Shaler Township and Etna Borough will resume Monday, March 31 weather permitting. Single-lane restrictions will occur between Saxonburg Boulevard and Route 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weeknights through late October.
Please click here to learn more.
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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