Affordable and high-quality health care for seniors and individuals with disabilities remains a big concern in Pennsylvania. Read more
“With gun violence increasing all across the country and this shooting so close to home, we must continuously work to prevent gun violence, address the housing crisis and the effects of gentrification, and allocate mental health resources, so that we may never endure such trauma in our neighborhood, or in our country, ever again,” Mayes said. “Redlining, which creates barriers for people of color to own a home, and gentrification are intertwined in Pittsburgh’s housing crisis. We must address these systemic issues as we continue to support our neighbors in Garfield. That way we may repair the damage caused by this shooting and prevent gun violence.” Read more
“Addressing severe maternal morbidity also addresses issues for Black maternal health as severe maternal morbidity rates increased by 51% for Black, non-Hispanic patients in Pennsylvania,” Mayes said. “As Black women are 3.5 times more likely to die during pregnancy-related complications and more than 10% of Black people report discrimination in health care, we must work to address severe maternal morbidity and more to ensure health care is equitable for all Pennsylvanians.” Read more
“Thanks to this grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the City of Pittsburgh will improve infrastructure for motorists and pedestrians who utilize the Bloomfield Bridge, which connects Bloomfield and Polish Hill,” Mayes said. “Through this project at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and the Bloomfield Bridge, we may ensure safe transportation is accessible for all residents.” Read more
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 17 – New grant funding of $155,000 will broaden apprenticeship opportunities for women, people of color and other underrepresented workers in the building and construction trades, members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives announced today. Read more
“Some folks will act like environmental research is bad for business and bad for Pennsylvania’s economy. But, no – it’s pollution that’s bad for business. It’s poor health outcomes that are bad for business,” Frankel said. “Let’s get every ounce of information that we can and use it to protect our constituents.” Read more
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 16 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today that federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants, totaling $61,632, were awarded to several schools in Pennsylvania’s 34th Legislative District. District schools receiving FFVP grants are: Propel Braddock Hills Elementary ~ $22,176. Kelly Primary ~ $17,208. Turner Intermediate School ~ $22,248. “Students having access to fresh fruits and vegetables every day provides a source of vital nutrients to helps them succeed at a high academic level and promote overall health,” Salisbury said. “These funds are an investment in their future and the future of our communities.” In total, Allegheny County received nearly $900,000 in FFVP grants, which prioritize schools with the highest percentage of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals. A complete list of grant awardees by county is available here . Read more
Federal grants supplement universal free school breakfast Read more
WILKINSBURG, Aug. 15 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today that two Green Light-Go grants, totaling $486,738, were awarded to the borough of Wilkinsburg. A grant of $212,425 will be used to update traffic signal equipment at the intersection of East Swissvale Avenue and North Avenue, while another $274,313 in grant funds will fund the update of traffic signal equipment at the intersection of East Swissvale Avenue and Glenn Avenue/Park Avenue. “I’m grateful that this money will be utilized to keep motorists and pedestrians alike safe during their daily commutes,” Salisbury said. “Not to mention that these dollars are essential to ensuring the smooth and steady flow of people and commerce throughout the community.” Green Light-Go grants are provided as reimbursement to municipalities for updates to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. For a full list of grant recipients by county, click here . Read more
Venkat will introduce legislation to disclose the use of AI algorithms in health care claim evaluations, define such algorithms to subject them to current laws and regulations related to clinical evidence, and require specialized health care professionals that review claims and rely upon initial AI algorithms to document their review of the records and data prior to their individualized documented decision to deny a claim. Read more
“In the Town of McCandless, more than $1.6 million will make our roads safer for the residents and all those driving through the town,” Venkat said. “These grants will assist with improving signal equipment along the town’s roads.” Read more
PennDOT’s Green Light-Go Program awarded 23 grants to Allegheny County, which included funding to the following:• Pittsburgh – $430,000.13 for new traffic signal controllers throughout the city.• Pittsburgh – $954,552.43 for updated signal equipment at Penn Avenue and Highland Avenue; South Aiken Avenue and Ellsworth Avenue; and Bayard Street and Neville Street.• McCandless – $350,532 for updated signal equipment at Peebles Road and McIntyre Square.• Monroeville – $308,000 for updated signal equipment at Monroeville Boulevard and Northern Pike (SR 2081)/Municipal Center.• Mt. Lebanon – $490,080 for various signal upgrades throughout the municipality. Read more
“Expanding diversity within the supply chain not only improves economic possibilities, but it also has the ability to enhance the quality of life within our communities,” said Rep. Aerion Abney, who represents a portion of Allegheny County and hosted the hearing. “If we embrace diversity in the supply chain, what we are really embracing is a stronger supply chain less susceptible to disruptions and a more secure economic future.” Read more
WEST MIFFLIN, Aug. 8 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, presided over a meeting of the PA House Democratic Policy Committee yesterday at Kennywood that focused on maintaining and promoting public safety. Testimony was provided by West Mifflin Borough Police Department Chief Gregory McCulloch and Flock Safety Director of Sales Rick Lombardo. “We heard from law enforcement and a community organizer on the best way to build neighborhood safety and reduce crime rates,” Gergely said. “These partnerships can be advanced through technology, including plate-reading devices in neighborhoods, but the foundation for all of this remains building relationships between police officers and residents. The community involvement aspect of this issue cannot be overstated.” Nearly one year ago, three individuals were wounded during a shooting that took place inside Kennywood. The park was set to close for an indefinite period of time, until updated and additional safety protocols could be put in place. Thanks to the efforts of Gergely, members of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation and others, the needed measures were implemented, and Kennywood opened for its 125th season this year. Read more
“We heard from law enforcement and a community organizer on the best way to build neighborhood safety and reduce crime rates,” state Rep. Matt Gergely said. “These partnerships can be advanced through technology, including plate-reading devices in neighborhoods, but the foundation for all of this remains building relationships between police officers and residents. The community involvement aspect of the issue cannot be overstated.” Read more
The House Majority leadership team and Policy Committee wrapped up the statewide “Save Our Schools” tour Thursday morning with a stop at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh to tour the building, discuss the need for fair funding for public education and rally with education advocates. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 2 – State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, released the following statement on the Tree of Life synagogue shooter being sentenced to death today: “I’m grateful that the trial is over, so our community can move forward in recovery. I respect the wisdom of a jury who has found this act of hate and violence abhorrent and beyond the bounds of rehabilitation. “This verdict doesn’t restore the lives of the people lost to hate. We will forever mourn them, and the loss is sewn into the fabric of our community, just as the building on the corner of Shady and Wilkins avenues attests to both the tragedy – and hopefully – the path forward in healing and education. “My small part in this is to continue to fight against hate, against hate crimes, and try to compel the full force of our government against this viciousness, this antisemitism, and these attacks against targeted communities.” Today’s sentence comes after a jury found the perpetrator guilty of all 63 counts against him and deemed the death penalty to be an appropriate punishment. Frankel is the co-chair of the PA Jewish Legislative Caucus and has introduced several anti-hate bills in the state House. Read more
Legislators discuss efforts to enhance capabilities of western PA search and rescue. Read more
"I will always stand on the side of working people and am hopeful that UPS will come to the table and negotiate a fair contract with their workers," Pisciottano said. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 20 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would allow employees of licensees in the sales finance industry to work remotely. The legislation, H.B. 1580 , would apply to workers at licensees who qualify under the Consumer Discount Company Act and the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act. “COVID-19 forever changed the landscape and approach that businesses take to maximize their productivity and stay competitive,” Salisbury said. “My bill would foster job retention amongst licensees by offering this flexibility option and allow their employees to deliver the same optimal quality and quantity of service from any offsite location they choose.” State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, is co-sponsoring Salisbury’s legislation, which does not change any requirements pertaining to licensing, examination or regulation by the Department of Banking and Securities. Read more
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