As Christmas approaches, I want to wish everyone who celebrates a beautiful holiday filled with love and warmth. Please take note of our holiday hours, below.

I’m excited to report that we secured more than $5 million in funding to support neighborhood renewal, infrastructure and road work, vehicle and equipment purchases, and multiple other projects!

The funding includes more than $3.8 million in grants to fund water and wastewater improvements, road paving, and multiple renovation projects, and another $1.4 million in tax credits to spur investments in projects to fight blight, strengthen our business district, develop affordable housing, and more!

The holidays are brighter this year for children affected by violence, thanks to the incredible efforts of Adrienne Young, co-founder of Tree of Hope, who once again coordinated a successful toy drive despite numerous challenges. Heartfelt thanks to Adrienne, Tree of Hope, and our generous donors and volunteers for bringing joy to our youngest residents.

The Swissvale menorah lighting brought the community together for a beautiful, light-filled gathering. Even the Grinch showed up! 

Our district office director, Aaron, had a great time with Sabrina Gibson from the Wilkinsburg Council (top left) and Twanda Carlisle from Sen. Jay Costa’s office celebrating the holidays with the residents of Wood Towers!

The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf hosted an informative Commitment to the Community Breakfast, where we heard updates from the school, a local police department, and more. Visit this page to read more about WPSD.

We were honored to present a legislative citation to Forest Hills Mayor Frank Porco, who has served as a councilmember since 1998 and as mayor since 2015. We are grateful for his many years of dedicated public service! 

Constituent Services Advisor Simon (second from left) and District Office Director Aaron attended the Forward Festive Celebration on Thursday at Hosanna House’s Sherwood Event Center. They are pictured above with Sonya Meadows (far left), Senior Director of Government Relations at Propel School, and Zinna Scott.
 

The event marked the launch of Allegheny Forward, the county’s new comprehensive plan to guide growth, investment, and development over the next 25 years. Click here to learn more about the plan.

I was honored to join colleagues for a Hanukkah celebration at the governor’s residence, which sparkled with holiday warmth.

In news from the House chamber, I voted for – and the House passed – bills to:

• Amend the state constitution to guarantee reproductive health freedom.
• Prevent human trafficking by requiring hotels, motels, and third-party listing platforms to train employees and rental operators on how to recognize and respond to suspected trafficking.
• Establish a statewide literacy program to provide free books to Pennsylvania children ages 5 and under.
• Establish the Keystone Fresh grant program, so schools can purchase local and minimally processed food for school meals.
• Preserve vaccine access by allowing pharmacists to provide vaccines based on recommendations from Pennsylvania health authorities.
• Authorize midwives to directly refer patients to physical therapy, reducing delays.
• Protect the privacy of genetic data testing information.
• Protect workers by requiring employers to adopt written policies and procedures to prevent workplace harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

We also finalized legislation headed for Gov. Shapiro’s desk that will:

• Make it easier for domestic violence survivors to receive unemployment compensation benefits if they are forced to quit working in situations where continued employment would jeopardize their safety.
• Reduce the required seven-day notification to a 24-hour notification for use of an off-premises catering permit for an end-of-life memorial event.
• Better protect kids and teens from illicit vape products.

Visit this page to read more about how we voted.

Pennie, the state’s private health insurance marketplace, has extended the deadline to enroll for coverage that starts on Jan. 1. You can now receive coverage starting on the first of the year if you apply by Dec. 31. Visit this page to read more.

This is a reminder that Dec. 31 is the deadline to file for a rebate on property taxes or rent you paid in 2024.
 

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is available to income-eligible seniors (65+), widows and widowers (50+), and residents with disabilities (18+). The program was recently expanded to offer larger rebates—from $380 to $1,000—and to help more residents. (The income limit is $46,520 for both homeowners and renters.)
 

Visit pa.gov/PTRR to learn more about the program and this page to apply online. Our office can also help you apply! (Please be aware that our office will be closed from Wednesday through Friday of this week for the holidays.)

Remember, our office can assist with a wide range of state-related matters—from filing a Property Tax/Rent Rebate or obtaining a Senior ConnectCard to navigating state benefits and more. Contact us to find out how we can help!
 

If you’re searching for a state grant, you can find a list of the latest program openings here and a state grant-finding search tool here.
 

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.

District Office

501 Braddock Ave.
Braddock, PA 15104

(412) 273-3400

Pennsylvania State Capitol

123-B East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-1914