Preventing remote stalking; transit cut hearings; senior property tax discount – and more!

Rep. Abigail Salisbury April 9, 2025 | 4:08 PM

How we voted in the House this week

This week in the PA House, I voted for – and the House passed – legislation that would:

Update PA’s stalking law to limit the use of personal tracking devices.
Ensure placement of carbon monoxide alarms in child care sites.
Increase workplace safety for public employees.
Strengthen compensation for people injured at work.
Help minors who lack a stable home address obtain driving privileges.
Improve disclosure of patient test results.
Provide grants to increase consumer access to healthy, affordable food.
Add 911 call takers and dispatchers to the definition of “emergency responder” so they qualify for wellness and stress management programs.

Visit this page for a closer look at these and other bills we passed this week.

Help keep PRT running at full speed

Last week, I encouraged everyone who is concerned about projected PRT service cuts and rate hikes to contact our leaders in the state Senate and urge them to support more funding.

In addition, PRT is encouraging people to weigh in by:

Taking this online survey.
Completing a paper survey at PRT’s Downtown Service Center, located at 623 Smithfield St., Pittsburgh.
Calling the public comment inbox at (412) 566-5525.
Writing to Pittsburgh Regional Transit, Attn: Funding Crisis, 345 Sixth Ave., Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Attending one of three upcoming public hearings. Visit this page for hearing details and other information.

Visit this page or click on the image at top to read more.

Free tax prep, senior property tax discount,

and other tax resources

This is a reminder that free tax preparation assistance is available for qualifying households. Visit this page to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Age- and income-eligible senior homeowners in Allegheny County may be eligible for a 30% discount on property taxes on their primary residence. Learn more here.

In addition, please check out the resources below.
Extended hours

As the April 15, 2025, deadline to file 2024 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns approaches, the PA Department of Revenue is extending its call center hours to assist late-season filers. Taxpayers can call 717-787-8201 during the extended hours:

April 8 – 11: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
April 12 (Saturday): 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
April 14 – 15: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Additional support is available through

The Online Customer Service Center.
Revenue District offices (appointment encouraged), open weekdays
from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Refund status updates via the “Where’s My Income Tax Refund?” tool or 1-888-PATAXES.

Free filing options

myPATH: file state taxes online without creating an account.
Direct File: new this season, lets eligible taxpayers file both federal and state returns in one place.

Available tax credits

Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Credit.
Tax Forgiveness for retired and low-income individuals

Anyone earning more than $33 in taxable income in 2024 must file a return by midnight, April 15, 2025.

If you fly frequently, you may want to upgrade to a REAL ID

Upgrading to a REAL ID-complaint driver’s license or photo ID is purely optional. You do not need one to drive, vote, access hospitals, visit the post office, or apply for or receive federal benefits such as social security or veterans' benefits.

Beginning May 7, however, new rules will affect what kind of identification you will need to show to catch a flight or enter certain high-security federal buildings. From that time on, you’ll need to show either a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or photo ID card (or some other form of acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a commercial flight (including a domestic flight) or enter federal facilities that require ID.

If you fly frequently and want to continue using your driver’s license as identification, you may decide it makes sense to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant one.

You can upgrade at any time. If you want to do so before May 7, PennDOT is offering special help at driver license centers, including the one in Penn Hills, on April 14, April 28, and May 5. You can read more here.

It’s easy to become a lifesaver!

Did you know that one organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can help up to 75 people? April is National Donate Life Month, and if you’re not already a donor, it’s a great time to consider signing up to become one!

Home heating assistance extended through April 18

This is a reminder that the deadline to apply for help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has been extended to April 18. Check out this page to learn more.

Around the district & upcoming events

There’s nothing better than joining with neighbors on a project to enrich our community. I want to give another shout-out to Humane Action Pennsylvania and all the wonderful volunteers who have been working to prepare the Swissvale Pollinator Garden for spring. Visit this page for more great photos from this recent event and news about upcoming events.

Our Constituent Services Advisor Thomas Charyton (above right) and former CSA (now A. Philip Randolph Institute staffer) Cassi Schaffer (left center) joined forces last week for an amazing community resources fair at the Heritage Highlands Community Center in Rankin. Thank you to the institute for hosting and to all the amazing staffers who helped residents.

I first met Cheryl Johnson when she beat me at a library fundraiser chili cookoff. If you attended the nonprofit symposium or my sweet potato pie giveaway, you've already eaten Aunt Cheryl's delicious food. Aunt Cheryl’s Café is one of many outstanding local businesses in our community. Please remember to shop and eat local – you’re supporting someone’s dreams and investing back in our local economy!

Contact alainalo@gmail.com for more information about these Rankin festivities!

I am teaming up with state Rep. Joe McAndrew to host a free document shred event on Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon (weather permitting). Please bring up to two paper bags or standard-size trash bags of documents for secure shredding. Also, please consider bringing an unexpired non-perishable food item to help hungry people in our area!

The A.N. Minney Scholarship offers a great opportunity for Woodland Hills School District high school grads! To learn more, contact Darlene McGregor, executive director, at (412) 436-2735.

Food Justice Fund accepting grant applications

through April 14

Online applications for the Food Justice Fund grassroots grants are now open, and the deadline to apply is April 14. The program will distribute $1.5 million in grants up to $75,000 each. Awardees will be selected in Fall 2025, and project funds must be spent by June 30, 2026. Visit this page for more information, including eligibility.
You can find a list of all recent state grant program openings at this page.

As always, if you need help with any state-related matter, please don’t hesitate to contact my office!

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.