On Monday, I listened to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget address. I was glad to hear a continued strong focus on education, including proposed investments of more than a half-billion dollars to continue strengthening our public schools and communities and more than $100 million for student safety and mental health resources. Visit this page to read more.

In other news this week, I voted for – and the House passed – bills to:

• Require restaurants and other food establishments to implement food allergy protections.
• Help parents recognize childhood eating disorders.
• Protect health care workers from the harmful effects of surgical smoke in operating rooms.
• Allow parking-protected bike lanes.
• Help protect transportation workers by educating new drivers on safe work zone driving.
• Protect jobs in the poultry industry.

Visit this page to read more about those bills and others.

Finally, I was excited to join fellow members of the PA Animal Protection Caucus (above, with a few special guests), as we continue working to ensure that our four-legged friends enjoy the strongest possible protections the state can provide.

It’s Black History Month, and this year’s theme, “African Americans and Labor,” focuses on the ways that work of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people.

There are loads of interesting events, programs, and exhibits in our area. Check out some of the following:

• Black History Month programs at the Heinz History Center, including a free virtual screening of the film “The Hero” – part of the From Slavery to Freedom Film Series – on Feb. 12. Visit this page for details and to register.

• University of Pittsburgh Black History Month events.
• Black History Month programs at the Carnegie Museums, including the Charles “Teenie” Harris archive gallery.
• Genealogy workshops and other Black History Month events at the Carnegie Library.
• These upcoming events in and around Pittsburgh.
• You can also find a map of African American historic sites here.

Expanding protections for LGBTQ youth is a priority, and the Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs will be hosting virtual LGBTQ Youth Listening sessions for middle- and high-school students.

The sessions will be held from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11 and Wednesday, March 19 via Zoom. Students interested in attending should RSVP by completing the survey form at this page.

Community groups or centers that are able to host a hybrid in-person/virtual session for participating youth should complete the survey here.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh has announced that it is partnering with ACTION-Housing for a grant program to help Pittsburgh homeowners make repairs. Applications are scheduled to open on Feb. 14 and remain open through March 14. Visit this page to learn more.

Students and families: PHEAA is offering financial aid webinars to help you improve your financial literacy, strengthen your credit, and learn to make smart borrowing decisions. Visit this page to learn more and register.

Need help with state services? Stop by my next mobile office from 10 a.m. to noon at the Swissvale Library, located at 1800 Monongahela Ave. My talented staff can help you file for a Property Tax/Rent Rebate, obtain a handicap placard or senior bus pass, or get help with other state-related services! Questions? Call the office at (412) 273-3400.

Getting a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card is not mandatory, but once enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act begins on May 7, you will no longer be able to use your regular state driver’s license or ID card to board a domestic flight (or enter high-security facilities like military bases). Instead, you’ll need to present either a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card (or some other form of federally accepted identification, such as a passport or military ID).

If you fly frequently and want to continue using your driver’s license as identification at the airport, you may want to consider upgrading to a REAL ID. You can read more here.

Nonprofits and local officials in Braddock, North Braddock, and East Pittsburgh: New grants are available for projects to improve air quality and public health.

You can learn more about the grants being distributed by the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development here and more about the grants from the Jefferson Regional Foundation here. A map of eligible communities is available here.

Allegheny County is holding two informational meetings to learn more about the grant application process, including a virtual town hall on Feb. 18 and an in-person meeting on Feb. 20.

In other grant news, this is a reminder that the state has a new tool to help residents, local officials, community groups, nonprofits, and businesses find state grants. Click on the image above to access the grant finder. You can also find a list of the latest state grant openings here.

When it comes to state services, my talented staff can assist with a wide variety of matters. Just contact our office to see how we can help! Please be aware that the office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17, in observance of Presidents Day.

You can read my e-newsletter in a way that’s preferable to you by visiting my legislative website here and clicking on the accessibility icon in the lower right corner.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

123-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-1914

District Office

501 Braddock Ave.
Braddock, PA 15104

(412) 273-3400