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.

I'm preparing to introduce legislation that would create a statewide whistleblower office with a 24/7 reporting hotline. We need to cut the red tape and make it easier for people to report waste, fraud, or abuse of state funds. You can read more here.

In other House news, I voted for – and the House passed – my colleagues’ bills to:

• Cap rental application fees.
• Improve vision resources for school kids.
• Study the feasibility of Keystone Exam?alternatives.
• Improve prosecution of internet crimes against children.
• Require mandated reporters to report suspected child sexual abuse materials even if the offender is also a minor.

Visit this page to read more about these and other recent bills. 

I'm excited to report that we were able to secure $60,000 in funding for municipal planning to continue efforts to revitalize downtown Swissvale to invite new pedestrian traffic and strengthen local businesses.  

Our district office in Braddock is currently seeking enrolled undergraduate or graduate students interested in law, government, or public service for a 10-week paid summer internship. No prior government experience is necessary — just curiosity, professionalism, and a willingness to learn.

The position offers up to 20 hours per week at $15/hr. Duties include:

• Attending meetings with constituents, local officials, and community organizations.
• Assisting with constituent services and agency follow-up.
• Conducting research on district and policy issues.
• Drafting correspondence and internal summaries.
• Supporting outreach and community engagement efforts.

Please call us at (412) 273-3400 to learn more.

I recently joined Hive Project Coordinator Lew Fortwangler, of Humane Action Pennsylvania, to discuss the progress of our Swissvale Pollinator Garden, which helps sustain our critical pollinators, improves stormwater management, and brings our community together for workdays to keep the garden thriving. Click here or on the image above to watch! You can also visit this page to learn more about the pollinator garden.

It was exciting to see local students shine at the First Annual Greater Pittsburgh Regional Civics Bee at the Braddock Carnegie Library! Congratulations to winners Eisa Khan, Azriel Hutchins, and Adler Moraski for taking home first, second, and third prizes, and to all the students who made it to the finals! 

The Three Rivers Urban Watersheds Council hosted an excellent discussion on how lawmakers, local officials and advocates can prepare for the Ohio River Basin Restoration Act and the potential for increased investments to improve water quality.

Our staffer Leslie attended the air purifier distribution giveaway last week at Greater Valley Community Services in Braddock (above). Residents also turned out for two similar events in Rankin (top left) and North Braddock (top right).

The sponsor, Valley Clean Air Now, partnered with Greater Valley Community Services, Clean Water Action, Breathe Project, and the Borough of Braddock to share information about air quality in the Mon Valley and tips for clean household air. More than 200 air purifiers were distributed, with more giveaway events in the works!

On a related note, this is a reminder that you can schedule a free “healthy home assessment” visit through Healthy Homes to discuss hazards such as mold, lead paint, and other dangers. Visit this page to learn more and schedule an appointment. You can also schedule an appointment by calling 412-404-2872 or scanning the QR code above.

Check out Braddock Neighborhood Night on Friday, May 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., when local restaurants, artists, and other businesses will set up pop-up locations at the Frick Pittsburgh, located at 7227 Reynolds St. The evening includes exclusive after-hours access to Lewis Hine Pictures America before the exhibition closes. The event is free for Braddock residents and workers, who should use the promo code “Braddock” at checkout. Visit this page to read more!

PennDOT will host a virtual public meeting from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on May 13 to discuss and answer questions about the Commercial Street Bridge Replacement project. Visit this page to learn more and register.

Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor is hosting budget engagements so residents can learn about planning for Pittsburgh’s 2027 budget and offer feedback on their priorities for city investments. Click on one of the sessions listed below to register:

• May 20 – South Side Market House.
• May 26 – Greenfield Healthy Active Living Center.
• May 28 – Northside Institutional Church.
• June 3 – Catalyst Academy Lincoln-Lemington.

Share your ideas to improve Wilkinsburg’s housing, parks, transportation, and economic development at the next Wilkinsburg Comprehensive Plan public input meeting on Wednesday, May 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Borough Building, 605 Ross Ave. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Click here to register for the public input meeting, here to take a survey, and here to indicate the places that are most important to you. 

Residents of Edgewood Center Retirement Residence: Come chat with Police Chief Altieri and enjoy coffee and donuts on Thursday, May 14 at 11 a.m!

Applications are now open for the 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program provides Allegheny County residents age 60 or older who meet income guidelines with vouchers for use at local farmers markets. Voucher distribution will begin on June 1, and residents have until Sept. 15 to apply.

New this year: you can now apply online, and vouchers will be mailed directly to you, so no proxy forms or in-person pickups will be required.

To learn more and apply online, visit this page. You can also pick up an application at our 501 Braddock Ave. district office.

If you plan to vote by mail in the upcoming Primary Election, please be aware that the county election office must receive your application by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12. You can apply online here.

If you prefer, you can apply in person at the county election office, where you can obtain your mail ballot, complete it, and return it all in one visit.

Follow these steps to ensure your mail ballot is counted:

• Read all instructions enclosed with the ballot.
• Fill out the ballot by following the instructions on how to mark selections. Check both sides of the ballot in case there are races listed on the second page.
• Seal the ballot in the yellow secrecy envelope marked "official election ballot."
• Seal the yellow secrecy envelope in the pre-addressed outer return envelope.
• Sign and date the outer return envelope.
• Return the completed ballot to the county election office, or hand deliver the ballot to an officially designated satellite office or drop box. You can also find a list of drop-box locations here. The county election office must receive your ballot by 8 p.m. on May 19. A postmark by that time is not sufficient.

Visit this page for additional voting information.

Last week, I joined panelists at the Disability & Mental Health Summit to hear from families and direct support workers about the challenges they face as caregivers and the need to pay workers in the field a livable wage. We also heard from health education and mental health professionals about mental health supports for college students.

The Older Artists of PA Showcase invites artists age 60+ to apply for inclusion in a Capitol exhibition this August 2026. The deadline to apply is May 24. Visit this page to learn more and apply.

The state Attorney General's office is warning of a new scam involving consumers receiving email invitations from friends whose accounts have been compromised. The emails include a link prompting recipients to view the invitation and RSVP.

Do not click the link or follow any prompt to log in or connect to another online account. Doing so can result in malware being installed on your device or your email credentials being stolen. Legitimate invitation platforms will not require you to sign in simply to view an invitation. You can read more here.

Applications are now open for the Solar for Schools Grant Program, which works to reduce the cost of implementing solar energy systems into schools across Pennsylvania. Visit this page to learn more and apply.

If you’re searching for state grant funding, you can a list of the latest program openings here and a handy grant-finding tool at this page.

You can find an online copy of the 2026 Pennsylvania Grant and Resource Directory here or pick up a hard copy by stopping by our 501 Braddock Ave. district office!

Please remember that our office can help with a wide range of state-related matters – from filing for 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!

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