Public hearings on proposed gas rate hike; bridge replacement project update; new PRT fare machines; help us plan the next Nonprofit Symposium – and more!

Rep. Abigail Salisbury June 1, 2026 | 4:14 PM

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.

Send us your suggestions for this year’s Nonprofit Symposium!

After last year’s Nonprofit Symposium drew an overflow crowd, we’re moving to the Monroeville Convention Center for this fall’s event! We’re still in the planning stages and want to make the symposium as useful as possible, so we would like to hear from you!

The symposium is scheduled for Oct. 15, so please save the date! Registration is required and will open in September. Stay tuned for more details!

New funding for municipal planning

I’m excited to announce that the Wilkinsburg Land Bank is receiving more than $34,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development for strategic planning to address vacant lots in Wilkinsburg neighborhoods.

Around the District

I attended two moving ceremonies on Memorial Day. At a Forest Hills event hosted by Mayor Patricia DeMarco (above right), Magisterial District Judge Lisa Caufield (center) read from the Gettysburg Address as Scouts stood in attendance.

In North Braddock, veterans, elected officials, and community members came together at Braddock Catholic Cemetery for a beautiful ceremony hosted by North Braddock AMVETS Post 60.

Our staffer Leslie (top center and right) recently visited Bella Terra Stables, a Murrysville-based nonprofit organization that provides equine-assisted psychotherapy, learning, and wellness programs to the community.

Helping children in crisis is a special focus of Bella Terra. According to Director of Community Outreach Laura McGee, the organization is committed to removing barriers so that schools and students have access to healing-centered learning, regardless of resources or ZIP code.

Our district office director, Aaron, recently toured Red Lantern Bicycles, a volunteer-run organization that gives out 16” and under refurbished bikes (and new helmets) to local children and sells larger kids’ and adults’ refurbished bikes at low prices. Visit this page to read more about the group.

Aaron is pictured at top with state Rep. Brandon Markosek (right) and Red Lantern Bike Shop Executive Director Brian Sink.

Public hearings on proposed gas rate hike

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will hold public input hearings on a proposed rate increase from Peoples Natural Gas. In-person hearings will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, at the Ross Township Municipal Building, 1000 Ross Municipal Drive, Pittsburgh. Pre-registration is not required.

The PUC will also host telephonic public input hearings from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 11. Residents who would like to testify by phone are encouraged to pre-register by Wednesday, June 10. To join the hearing, call 888-795-4352 and enter PIN 72378378.

Visit this page for additional information, hearing dates, and participation details.

Transportation news

PennDOT recently briefed me on the Commercial Street Bridge Replacement Project. The work involves demolishing the old bridge, using accelerated bridge construction techniques to slide the new bridge into place on the same alignment with I-376 Parkway East, and replacing bridge approaches, followed by repaving and other roadway work. PennDOT says the project will be one of the largest lateral slide projects performed in Pennsylvania!

Full closure of I-376 Parkway East in both directions is expected to begin at 9 p.m. on July 10 and last for approximately three weeks. Residents in the vicinity should expect a lot of noise in July as the old bridge is demolished. Visit this page to learn more about the project and see a recording of a recent public meeting.

PRT has begun installing new fare vending machines as part of its transition to the ReadyFare system. Installation of more than 80 machines system-wide is expected to last through late summer 2026 and will help riders smoothly transition from the ConnectCard system to ReadyFare. Once installed, the new machines will allow riders to buy ReadyFare cards for $1.

Riders who already use the Ready2Ride mobile app will not need to make any changes, as it operates on the same platform as ReadyFare and can continue to be used for fare payment. Visit this page to learn more.

County Health Department seeking feedback on paid parental leave proposal

The Allegheny County Health Department has introduced a proposal to require 18 weeks of Paid Parental Leave countywide for all employees and is seeking feedback on the proposal. There will be a public hearing on the proposal at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2 at the Allegheny County Courthouse, 4th Floor Gold Room, 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh.

If you are interested in speaking at the hearing or submitting written comments, please complete the form on this page. You can also call 412-687-2243.

Upcoming events

The Swissvale Farmers Market is returning this Saturday, June 6. Please note the new location at the CLASS Facility upper parking lot, 1400 S. Braddock Ave. Visit this page to learn more.

On a related note, applications are now open for the 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which provides income-eligible Allegheny County residents age 60 or older with vouchers for use at local farmers markets. Voucher distribution begins today, June 1, and residents have until Sept. 15 to apply.

New this year: you can apply online and vouchers will be mailed directly to you, so there is no need for proxy forms or in-person pickups. To learn more and apply online, visit this page. You can also pick up an application at our 501 Braddock Ave. district office.

Check out our talented local artists at the Braddock Art Crawl, which will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 12 along Braddock Ave. in Braddock. The free, community-focused event will feature local artisan vendors, food trucks, DJ music, and special gallery exhibits.

If you are interested in learning more about Pittsburgh’s 2027 budget, there is still one session available. Visit this page to register for the meeting at 6 p.m. on June 3 at Catalyst Academy Lincoln-Lemington, located at 7061 Lemington Ave.

Finding funding & help with state services

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

Finally, please remember that our office can help 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!