School is back in session for our youngest neighbors across the Commonwealth, which was always one of my favorite times of the year growing up. The new notebook smell, academic exploration, and making new memories with friends are a few reasons to be excited for new beginnings! Read more
It’s been almost a year since I was sworn in as state representative for Pennsylvania’s 21st Legislative District. So far, the honor of representing you in Harrisburg has been an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience. It’s been inspiring to meet so many people from all walks of life throughout our community, to hear their stories, and to learn about their concerns and priorities. Read more
This past week, I supported and recognized not only the top beer festival in our nation, as voted on by readers of USA Today, but an annual celebration of Black and brown neighbors making their mark in the craft brewing space, contributing to the strength of local and state economies, and much more. Read more
Recently, I joined Etna's residents and local leaders to celebrate the life and legacy of former Mayor Tom Rengers. Tom spent his life dedicated to making Etna a thriving, welcoming borough, and his legacy will live on through his neighbors’ selfless acts for their community and toward one another. In that spirit, I want to highlight the merits of public service and what that means and looks like for our communities. Read more
In case you missed it, I hosted a PA House Democratic Policy Committee hearing this week to discuss short-term rental properties -- their impact locally, and across Pennsylvania. Read more
The number of short-term rental properties are on the rise in Pennsylvania, and testifiers at Monday’s House Majority Policy Committee hearing on the topic detailed the need to introduce regulations to address ongoing concerns. Read more
The dog licensing event with Allegheny County Treasurer Erica Brusselars and her team is this Friday, July 26th and will take place at Arsenal Park from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Read more
We passed the 2024-25 state budget last week! While we didn’t get everything in the budget that we were hoping for, like funding for affordable housing construction, guaranteed funding increases for our public schools every year, and sustained support for public transit, this budget will positively impact the future of our Commonwealth for decades Read more
“The whole point of public education is to ensure that every child gets the same chance to succeed, but that can’t happen with the vast disparity we have in per-pupil spending between wealthier and less-affluent districts,” Powell said. “Pennsylvania has been failing its public school students, and it’s time for the commonwealth to step up and make the kind of commitment that affirms equity and a fair shot for all children. I believe the new budget’s $1.3 billion investment in our students reflects that kind of commitment needed to level the playing field and start shifting that burden off taxpayers." Read more
HARRISBURG, July 3 – State Reps. Lindsay Powell’s and Shelby Labs’ bill that would establish the Victims of Violence Relocation Act passed the state House today. Under the legislation ( H.B. 2162 ), eligible violent crime survivors would be entitled to relocation assistance, and the timeframe for requesting such assistance would be increased from 90 to 180 days after the crime occurred. The legislators said this would allow survivors more time to access necessary support and would ensure they can utilize federal documentation to validate their need for relocation. “Partnering with Representative Labs on this bill exemplifies that the PA House stands united with survivors of violent crime by expanding housing assistance to them in their time of need,” Powell, D-Allegheny, said. “Thank you to all my colleagues for your affirmative votes and your commitment to helping survivors start their lives anew.” “I want to thank Representative Powell for her collaboration on this important piece of legislation that protects victims and empowers survivors,” Labs, R-Bucks, added. “The passage of House Bill 2162 is a critical step in ensuring our commitment to making Pennsylvania a safer place for victims of violence and providing a foundation of support during recovery.” The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence says one in three women, one in four men and nearly half of LGBTQ+ individuals will Read more
HARRISBURG, July 2 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell and several Democratic members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate shared their reactions to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision on homelessness at a news conference in the Capitol Main Rotunda today. On Friday, the court ruled that sleeping outside in public places can be an arrestable offense and banning it does not qualify as “cruel and unusual punishment” under the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. “We are here today because our Supreme Court sided with cities and municipalities, who are more concerned with public appearances than with building enough affordable housing,” Powell, D-Allegheny, said. “Now, our neighbors are confronted with a harsh reality: remain awake or face arrest.” Powell has signed on as a co-sponsor to future legislation that would clarify the decriminalization of homelessness in Pennsylvania and allow individuals to occupy public spaces. She also recently introduced H.B. 2454 , legislation that would establish the Affordable Homeownership Program under the state Department of Community and Economic Development . The program would award funds for a variety of homeownership-related projects to individuals and households through sponsoring organizations. “The House and the Senate are committed to doing everything in our power to provide actual solutions and actual housing units,” she added. “We will continue to Read more
The state budget deadline is less than a week away, and I’m still in Harrisburg focused on passing a comprehensive spending plan that invests in education, health, housing, infrastructure, transportation, and much more for the neighbors I’m proud to represent and neighbors across PA. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 26 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that would provide money to Pennsylvania individuals and families seeking to own their own home. Powell’s legislation ( H.B. 2454 ) would establish the Affordable Homeownership Program under the state Department of Community and Economic Development . The program would award grants to sponsoring organizations, who would then provide the funds to individuals or households with annual incomes between 60% and 120% of the area median income. Qualifying applicants would be able to use these funds for projects such as: Home purchasing assistance programs. Home repairs. Work force housing programs. Acquiring residential properties. Designing and constructing properties. Asset management studies of properties. Social and environmental studies of properties. Homeownership education programs. Land trusts acquiring properties (Homeowners would need to maintain at least 40% of the equity on the property). “The median home price shot through the roof to nearly $225,000 in March of this year and continues to climb. This, combined with other factors, has pushed owning a home away from reality and closer to fantasy for many Pennsylvanians,” Powell said. “Home ownership is not only part of the American dream, it’s crucial to building and fostering strong communities. My bill would benefit PA and all neighbors who call it home.” Grant Read more
HARRISBURG, June 25 — State Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila.; Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny; Tarik Khan, D-Phila.; and Tarah Probst, D-Monroe/Pike, today introduced a bill that would create a School Facilities Office within the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The proposed office would be designed to help lawmakers and school district officials assess school facilities so they can adequately address facilities needs across the Commonwealth. “The deterioration of our school buildings is a statewide educational and public health issue, and we need to start funding them with that importance,” Fiedler said. “But if we are going to use millions of dollars in public money, we have to do it wisely and ensure no funds are wasted. We have a chance now to provide our children with the 21st-century learning spaces they deserve -- let's seize the opportunity and do it right.” In 2023, the Commonwealth Court ruled that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and that it is not enough for students to learn in facilities that are “generally safe,” the facilities “must be safe, and adequate.” "In Pittsburgh, more than 75% of our schools had to resort to remote learning because they lacked air conditioning and proper ventilation," explained Powell. "The need for an organizing office to help schools access local, state and federal dollars for Read more
I’m back in my legislative district before gearing up to return to Harrisburg next week! I’m fighting to ensure we can finalize a comprehensive budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year that assists and benefits ALL Pennsylvanians. Read more
PITTSBURGH, June 20 – State Reps. Lindsay Powell and Nick Pisciottano, both D-Allegheny, joined Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato to support legislation aimed at growing green energy jobs across Pennsylvania at the City County Building today. House Bill 2315 , sponsored by Powell and Pisciottano, would establish the Promotion of Renewable Opportunities, Supporting People, Employment and Resilience – or PROSPER -- Act and incentivize the creation of sustainable energy jobs statewide, with a focus on regions grappling with high unemployment rates within the natural resources and mining sectors. Powell pointed out that PA is among the top producers of natural gas energy in the country, and the PROSPER Act would serve as a logical bridge to cleaner energy output. “Clean air and water are human rights, and communities throughout the Commonwealth should be able to thrive without having to worry about developing respiratory illnesses due to poor air quality or having their water contaminated,” she said. “The PROSPER Act is an investment in our future and the long-term health of our communities.” Recent research has found that fossil fuel extraction workers possess skillsets compatible with work in clean energy, and Pisciottano communicated the need to assist them. “The PROSPER Act is centered around supporting workers whose livelihood has depended on the fossil fuel industry,” he said. “We refuse Read more
I was back in Harrisburg this week, and I was proud to cast my affirmative vote for a basic education funding bill that would help get our public schools the dollars they need to assist students, teachers, and staff. We have a historic opportunity to reverse decades of underfunding public education. The House did our part. Now, the state Senate needs to act. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 11 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that would help Pennsylvanians access the consultations and care they need, while keeping the price of this treatment low. Powell’s legislation ( H.B. 2385 ) would mandate that consultations between doctors, often done virtually, are covered under health insurances policies statewide. “The collective knowledge of more than one medical professional is often vital when our neighbors receive care. Interprofessional consultations are one tool physicians employ to effectively diagnose and treat patients,” Powell said. “This bill would help ensure that costs facing patients are reduced and would provide better peace of mind on the path to recovery. The burden of scheduling additional doctor appointments would also be removed and save patients considerable time and money.” The bill has been referred to the PA House Insurance Committee. A related bill Powell has introduced would prohibit employers in Pennsylvania from denying medical benefits to workers who are on strike. That legislation is co-sponsored by state Rep. Dan Miller, D-Allegheny. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell’s bill that would help keep individuals and families in their homes passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today. The legislation, H.B. 1064, would update the Tax Increment Financing Act and allow TIF districts to fund affordable housing, foreclosure and rental assistance, and workforce programs with funds collected from the implementation of the act. The bill would also increase the lifespan of TIF districts from 20 to 25 years, allowing more revenue generated from these projects to ensure development is equitable and to support homeowners who may be impacted by resulting property tax increases. “These commonsense changes to the TIF Act are investments not only in the economic health and viability of neighborhoods but are investments in our neighbors who call these communities home,” said Powell, D-Allegheny. “Strengthening our community bonds and supporting residents is a bipartisan issue, and I'm glad my colleagues on both sides recognized the need for these protections.” TIF districts are communities deemed “blighted” or “distressed” and coordinated through a partnership with a city and its respective county and school districts. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration. Read more
My colleagues and I were back in Harrisburg this week for budget negotiations, and like the temperatures, discussions are heating up fast! Please never hesitate to let my office know which priorities you want to see funded. A budget is only strong if it reflects the needs and priorities of our communities! Read more
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