Upcoming shred event; Supporting our first responders; Recognizing our outstanding students; New military scholarship available – and more! Read more
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 17 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced that more than $160,000 in grant funding has been approved to support first responders in the 30th Legislative District. “As an emergency physician, I’ve witnessed firsthand the lifesaving work our first responders do every day, often at great personal risk,” said Venkat. “I’m proud to support our local fire companies and EMS agencies and will continue working to ensure they have the resources they need.” The funding from these grants includes: $31,136 to Ross West View EMS Authority. This funding includes $16,136 for fire company operations and $15,000 for EMS operations. $16,136 to Peebles District Volunteer Fire Co. $15,518 to Hampton Township Volunteer Fire Department. $15,000 to McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority. $15,000 to Shaler-Hampton EMS. $14,693 to Highland Fireman’s Association. $14,281 to Emsworth Volunteer Fire Co. $13,663 to Ohio Township Volunteer Fire Co. of Allegheny County. $13,476 to Ingomar Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2. $13,250 to Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1. The funding for these projects comes from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant program , run by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. Read more
New grant funding for our community; Meeting with youth leaders; New military scholarship available – and more! Read more
McCANDLESS, Feb. 10 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced that the Town of McCandless will receive a $134,415 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Automated Red-Light Enforcement Program to improve school zone safety. The funding for this project will serve to replace faded school crossing signage, install rectangular rapid flashing beacons and upgrade all school-zone flashing signals located within McCandless. “The well-being of students and families in our community is a top priority of mine,” Venkat said. “This funding will ensure that our school zones get the safety improvements they need, and I will continue working to make sure these state investments come to our district.” Venkat worked with state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, to secure this grant. The North Allegheny School District has several school buildings, from elementary to high school levels, located within McCandless. Read more
The Governor’s budget address; My legislation moves through the Senate; Civics Bee accepting applicants; Supporting our regional economy – and more! Read more
Making healthcare accessible; Honoring our community leaders; PA House scholarship now open – and more! Read more
State Rep. Tarik Khan, D–Philadelphia, joined by colleagues in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, today introduced a resolution urging Congress to withhold additional federal appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) until meaningful accountability and safety reforms are enacted.The resolution comes in the wake of the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis in January 2026, just weeks after another U.S. citizen, Renee Nicole Good, was shot and killed during federal immigration enforcement operations in the same city. Read more
Winter weather updates; Standing up for vaccine access; PA House scholarship application now open – and more! Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 23 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, today announced his appointment to the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority , which operates the Commonwealth’s official health insurance marketplace, PENNIE. “As the legislature’s only physician, I am honored to join the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority,” said Venkat. “Expanding access to affordable health care is one of my top priorities in Harrisburg, and this role gives me an important opportunity to advance that work. I look forward to collaborating with PENNIE’s leadership to benefit all Pennsylvanians.” Venkat’s appointment, made by House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila., will run through the remainder of the 2025-26 legislative session. Four of the board’s members are appointed by legislative leaders, including the Speaker of the House, the Senate President Pro Tempore, and the Minority Leaders of both chambers. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 20 – The Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved over $1 million in grant funding for projects in the 30th Legislative District which were backed by state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, alongside state Sens. Lindsey Williams, Devlin Robinson and Wayne Fontana. “These projects will go to provide our community with long-needed infrastructure repairs,” Venkat said. “I will continue to advocate for these infrastructure needs in our community, and I am thankful to my Senate colleagues in their partnership on these projects.” Projects supported with this funding include: $350,000 to support storm sewer lining in McCandless. Supported with Williams. $333,000 to provide stormwater improvements to the Ohio Township EMS & Fire Training Facility. Supported with Robinson. $200,000 to Hampton Township for rehabilitation to the Gourdhead Run Sanitary Sewer Interceptor. Supported with Williams. $197,150 for storm sewer repair along Spring Street in Emsworth. Supported with Fontana. These projects will be funded through the Small Water and Sewer grant program. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 20 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, M.D., D-Allegheny, the only physician in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, has issued the following statement ahead of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appearance in the state Capitol: “Secretary Kennedy has undertaken a deliberate effort to undermine vaccine access and America’s public health as a whole,” Venkat said. “Since he assumed office, we have seen chaos unfold in federal public health policy because of Kennedy’s anti-science ideology. “From anti-vaccine activists being appointed to vaccine policy boards, to the firing of scientists from leadership positions, to cuts to scientific research funding, to the childhood vaccine schedule being gutted without any scientific evidence or even deliberation, Kennedy’s actions are endangering the health of Pennsylvanians and costing lives. We are seeing the consequences of Kennedy’s dangerous actions in real time, with outbreaks of measles and whooping cough across the nation. More outbreaks are sure to follow. “Our nation has already been greatly harmed by Secretary Kennedy’s actions, and as he comes to Harrisburg, I will continue to use my position as our only physician-legislator to ensure that Pennsylvanians can receive vaccines as they choose and avoid the damage to healthcare and science policy Secretary Kennedy has caused.” Read more
Standing Up for Clean Energy; New Grant Funding; Scholarship Deadlines Approaching; Student Art Contests – and more! Read more
MCCANDLESS, Jan. 13 – The Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company will receive $308,000 in grant funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development, announced state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny. This funding will go toward helping the fire company purchase a new radio system. This would enable it to connect to the newly updated radio network used by other fire companies and first responders in Allegheny County. “As an ER doc, I regularly see the heroism of our local firefighters,” said Venkat. “As a legislator, supporting our first responders is among my top priorities. I am very happy to see this funding come to our community for a project that will make all of McCandless and our region safer.” The funding for this project came about from legislative advocacy by Venkat, along with the leadership of the State House. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 12 – The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has awarded $1.25 million to Ohio Township to support the acquisition of land for a new park, which was supported by state Rep. Arvind Venkat and state Sen. Devlin Robinson. The funding, which comes from the Community Conservation Partnership Program , will allow the township to acquire 138 acres to be utilized by the new Ohio Township Park at Green Valley. “This is an incredible opportunity for us to have a new, expansive community space,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “This will provide Ohio Township with many new opportunities for outdoor access and activities. I am thrilled to see this funding come back to our community, and I am thankful for Sen. Robinson’s partnership in this project.” The Community Conservation Partnership Program serves to invest in new recreational opportunities, expand outdoor access, protect natural resources, and strengthen local communities. Read more
Looking back on 2025; My legislation to protect homeowners; New park development in Ohio Township; Youth litter awareness contest – and more! Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 7 – The Pennsylvania Transportation Department has approved nearly $600,000 in grant funding to projects supported by state Rep. Arvind Venkat alongside state Sens. Lindsey Williams and Devlin Robinson that will improve traffic signal equipment in the Town of McCandless and Ohio Township. “This funding will help to modernize signal systems in our community, improving our safety and mobility on the road,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “I am proud to see this funding come back to our community, and I am thankful to my Senate colleagues who also supported these projects.” Projects in Venkat’s district that will receive grant funding include: $443,409 to McCandless to upgrade adaptive signal systems along Perry Highway (Route 19). Supported with Williams. $155,832 to Ohio Township to upgrade signal equipment at Mount Nebo and Camp Horne Roads. Supported with Robinson. These grants are funded through the Green Light-Go grant program. They are two out of 14 awarded projects in Allegheny County to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan 5 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat and Lindsay Powell, both D-Allegheny, and Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, have announced their intention to introduce legislation that would protect consumers entering into a Shared Appreciation Agreement. Shared Appreciation Agreements, also known as Home Equity Sharing Agreements, are contracts in which a homeowner receives funds in exchange for granting a third party a future interest in the appreciation, equity, or value of their home. The legislation would add Shared Appreciation Agreements to the Loan Interest and Protection Law (Usury Law), Act 6 of 1974, extending to homeowners the same statutory safeguards that apply to other home-secured financial products. These protections include disclosure requirements, foreclosure safeguards, and remedies for violations. “Homeowners may enter into a Shared Appreciation Agreement believing it is a beneficial decision for their family’s future,” said Venkat. “However, unfair or deceptive marketing practices can lead to significant financial hardship down the road. This legislation would provide stronger protections for homeowners as they consider whether to proceed with a Shared Appreciation Agreement.” Under a Shared Appreciation Agreement, the more a home appreciates, the more the homeowner must pay to satisfy the contract -- often far exceeding the amount originally received. Conversely, if the home Read more
Holiday wishes; Legislative updates; New grants coming to our community – and more! Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 18 – The Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved more than $1.5 million in grant funding for projects benefiting residents of the 30th Legislative District, supported collaboratively by state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Emily Kinkead, and Jeremy Shaffer, along with state Sens. Wayne Fontana, Devlin Robinson, and Lindsey Williams. “This grant will bring more than $1.5 million to our community for essential infrastructure, public safety, recreation, and service needs,” said Venkat. “I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in supporting these projects, and I will continue advocating for state funding for these and other vital initiatives across our community.” The projects in the 30th District that will be backed by this funding include: $346,671 to fund sewer repairs in Ben Avon Heights Borough. Supported with Robinson. $237,532 to the Quaker Valley Council of Governments for lighting enhancements to the Mayernik Softball Field in Emsworth, which is utilized by the Avonworth Softball Team. Supported with Fontana. $200,000 to the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department to assist in the purchase of a new aerial fire truck. Supported with Williams and Shaffer. $145,000 to Hampton Township to support North Hills Community Outreach in the purchase of two senior shuttle vehicles. Supported with Williams and Shaffer. $140,606 to Ohio Township to support the Verland Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – As federal authorities continue to undermine immunization access, the Pennsylvania House has passed legislation introduced by state Reps. Arvind Venkat , Tarik Khan , Bridget Kosierowski and Jennifer O’Mara to protect Pennsylvanians’ access to vaccines provided by pharmacists, regardless of federal policy changes. Current state law allows pharmacists to administer vaccines based on federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. The legislation, H.B. 1881 , would also allow pharmacists to provide vaccines based on recommendations from Pennsylvania health authorities, which may draw from guidance issued by professional medical societies. “The work of our local pharmacists is crucial to keeping our communities healthy, and that work should continue to be backed by science,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “This legislation will allow Pennsylvanians to avoid the politicization of health care and get the lifesaving vaccines they want, even if the federal government stops recommending them purely due to politics.” Under this legislation, state vaccination approvals would come from the CDC, competent authorities designated by the Board of Pharmacy, or the Pennsylvania Department of Health which could be informed by professional medical societies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates...
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Arvind Venkat.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
9800B McKnight Road, Suite 130Pittsburgh, PA 15237-6020
P*: (412) 348-8028P: (833) 321-5520
F*: (412) 348-8026
Hours of Operation - Monday: 9am-5pm Tuesday: 9am-5pm Wednesday: 9am-5pm Thursday: 9am-5pm Friday: 9am-4pm
Emsworth Borough Building171 Center AvenueEmsworth, PA 15202-1598
Hours of Operation - 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
101 B East WingPO Box 202030Harrisburg, PA 17120
P*: (717) 772-2363
F*: (717) 780-6023