MONROEVILLE, April 5 – State Rep. Brandon Markosek announced today that the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County has awarded $125,000 in Community Infrastructure and Tourism grant funding for a code enforcement data tool in Monroeville. Markosek said the grant will be used for the second phase of Turtle Creek Valley Council of Government’s Code Enforcement Data Tool, which will build capacity to complete the system and get it ready to offer to other towns outside of the program. The data tool is used to track and record the progress of code enforcement violations and resolutions. TCVCOG developed the system to give government officials a way to better enforce their codes and solve problems within their communities. “This code enforcement data tool has helped to resolve issues in TCVCOG member towns before they get out of hand,” Markosek said. “The grant will help to finish the system and eventually allow other communities to use it to improve the quality of life for residents.” CITF grants provide financial assistance to municipalities, councils of government, nonprofits and for-profit businesses to facilitate economic development projects in Allegheny County. Eligible projects include economic development, infrastructure development, job training, community improvement, public safety or public interest. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 15 – Financial assistance is now available to help Allegheny County residents struggling to pay rent or utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a program that is partially funded by legislation members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation helped to pass. The Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance program has a total of $79.9 million to distribute to eligible county residents. Of that funding, $43 million came from Act 1 of 2021, which Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law last month. Eligibility requirements for the program include: having at least one person who qualifies for unemployment, has lost income or suffered financially due to COVID-19. being at risk of experiencing homelessness. having a total income below 80% of the Area Median Income for Allegheny County. ACDD Chairman state Rep. Austin Davis, as well as state Reps. Jessica Benham, Dan Deasy, Tony DeLuca, Dan Frankel, Ed Gainey, Sara Innamorato, Emily Kinkead, Anita Kulik, Summer Lee, Brandon Markosek, Robert Matzie, Dan Miller, Nick Pisciottano and Jake Wheatley, issued the following statement: “People living in Allegheny County have been struggling for over a year during this pandemic. This program has been a long time coming and helps provide direct relief to those who’ve been scrambling to pay their rent and bills during this Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 26 – State Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, is sponsoring legislation that would help prepare teachers and school administrators in the event a student suffers a seizure at school. House Bill 622, to be known as Haley’s Law, would establish procedures for parents to give their child’s school a physician-approved seizure management and treatment plan. It would also connect teachers, faculty and staff with seizure recognition training and basic first aid skills. “If a student suffers a seizure at school, the experience can be traumatic for the student, their classmates and school staff,” Markosek said. “By giving schools the ability to effectively train and plan for such an event, trauma could be minimized, and lives could be saved.” Haley’s Law would be named after Haley Delo, a young Plum, Pa. native who suffered seizures at school when she was 4 and 5 years old. Markosek said Haley’s mom, Victoria Delo, reached out to him to propose a law that would make it mandatory for teachers to be trained to handle a student having a seizure. “Giving our teachers access to epilepsy treatment plans and training will empower them to act quickly if a student suffers an epileptic episode at school,” Markosek said. “This legislation would make our schools safer for students with epilepsy.” House Bill 622 was referred to the House Education Committee where it awaits further action. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – Just a day after a committee approved state Rep. Brandon Markosek’s legislation to exempt the two COVID-19 economic stimulus payments from state and local taxes, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed it. Markosek’s bill was amended into a larger aid package, which the House unanimously passed this morning. “I’m pleased the House took swift action in considering my bill and deciding to include it in a package that would deliver direct relief to Pennsylvanians,” said Markosek, D-Allegheny. “The bill that passed today will speed up help for people who are in desperate need, including renters and restaurants who are struggling because of the pandemic.” Markosek’s proposal would exempt the two recovery rebates to qualifying individuals and children that Congress authorized under the CARES Act from being counted as income, making them exempt from taxes. The amended bill (S.B. 109) also would exclude the forgiveness of paycheck protection loans from consideration as income, and provide $912 million in relief to help hotels, restaurants, bars and taverns; people struggling to pay rent and utilities; and career and technical centers, community colleges, private and charter schools and the State System of Higher Education. “People are struggling. My measure and this entire bill are designed to help Pennsylvanians better deal with the financial Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, announced today the House Finance Committee approved his bill to exempt COVID-19 stimulus payments from state and local taxes. Congress issued recovery rebates under the CARES Act to help people and businesses stay afloat during the pandemic. House Bill 359 would exclude those economic stimulus payments from being considered income, making them exempt from state and local taxation. “I believe people should be able to use every cent of their stimulus payment to offset hardships from the pandemic,” Markosek said. “This legislation would help to keep that much-needed money in the hands of those who can use it to further care for their families.” House Bill 359 received unanimous approval at today’s House Finance Committee meeting. The bill now moves to the full House for consideration. Read more
Grant to fund repairs to 117-year-old railroad bridge in North Versailles Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, was sworn in Tuesday for a second term as state representative of the 25 th Legislative District. “When I first took office, I set my sights on ensuring the district was well represented at the state Capitol, money was coming back to the district, and that I was taking a stand on issues my community found to be of importance,” Markosek said. “I take great pride in what my community allows me to do here in Harrisburg, and I want to ensure my friends and neighbors that I will continue to fight for their best interests during this legislative session.” Committee assignments for the 2021-22 legislative session have yet to be announced, but Markosek previously served on the Commerce, Gaming Oversight and Professional Licensure committees. The 25 th Legislative District consists of North Versailles Township and the boroughs of East McKeesport, East Pittsburgh, Monroeville, Pitcairn, Plum, Wall and Wilmerding. Markosek invites Allegheny County residents to visit his webpage, www.pahouse.com/Markosek , for more information about constituent services. Residents can also connect with him via social media at www.facebook.com/RepMarkosek . Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 28 – More jobs will likely come to Monroeville, announced state Rep. Brandon Markosek, thanks to a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant that was awarded to a local entity for a renovation project at the Pittsburgh Super Computer Building. “A grant of this magnitude is always exciting, but it’s even better when you know the funding is going to bring jobs to Monroeville,” Markosek said. “That’s what this is all about – making sure things happen in our community that allow residents to prosper. This grant does just that, and I can’t wait to the see the positive outcome of this funding in the near future.” Markosek said the grant awardee, 4350 Propco LLC, will use the funding to make a number of renovations to the building, which also used to be the former location of the Westinghouse headquarters. Specifically, work will include electrical and mechanical upgrades, and amenity upgrades that include a fitness center, outdoor seating and site work, and tenant lounges. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional Read more
PA voting guide Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 15 – State Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, today announced that a combined $400,000 was awarded to North Versailles Township and Turtle Creek Council of Governments in Plum Borough. Markosek said the funding was awarded through the Allegheny County Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund and approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. “I’m excited to announce this funding,” Markosek said. “Funding like this makes a huge impact in our community, and I look forward to the positives that come from these projects for years to come.” Specifically, Markosek said $250,000 in funding will be used by North Versailles Township for phase two of a project that will complete the LED lighting upgrades at Crestas Ballfield. The remaining $150,000 will be used by Turtle Creek Council of Governments to replace the storm sewer pipes at Holiday Park. The funds originate from the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund Program – a program established to fund community and economic development projects in Allegheny County through revenues generated from all casinos. The funds are determined via a daily assessment of the licensed facility’s gross terminal revenue. The GEDTF program provides grants for single-year and multi-year projects that promote development in Allegheny County, including economic, infrastructure and community improvements, Read more
Check out my summer 2020 newsletter! Read more
Click here to read more about all the grants awarded to our district since I took office! Read more
MONROEVILLE, Aug. 20 – With challenges never seen before affecting the school year ahead, Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, today announced $147,633 in COVID-19 relief funding has been awarded to local schools to assist students with special needs. “All of our kids will be adjusting to the new routine that COVID-19 has forced on our schools,” Markosek said. “Our special needs students require extra accommodations to deliver all the support they need to succeed. None of these school modifications are ideal, but this money will help to make sure schools can continue to connect students to the services and support that is critical for them to grow academically.” Grants awarded to school districts with schools in the 25th Legislative District are: Woodland Hills School District: $62,080. Plum Borough School District: $26,772. Gateway School District: $25,118. Penn-Trafford School District: $22,166. East Allegheny School District: $9781. Propel Charter Schools – Pitcairn: $1,713. Markosek has been a strong supporter of special education students and the programs that support them. As co-chair of the Autism and Intellectual Disabilities Caucus, he has worked on legislation to help overcome challenges that these students and their families face. “Coronavirus or not, all students need a quality education to thrive, and they can’t afford to miss a year. I want to make sure school Read more
MONROEVILLE, Aug. 17 – Five grants totaling nearly $1.2 million approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority will fund vital sewer and flood management projects, state Rep. Brandon Markosek announced. “These infrastructure projects are worthwhile investments in our communities’ quality of life, addressing a number of sewer and flooding concerns,” said Markosek. “These state funds will make sure that critical repairs are made to fix these problems and prevent more costly repairs in the future.” The funded projects are as follows: PA Small Water and Sewer grants Monroeville Municipal Authority ($422,675) – Funding to be used to fix sanitary sewer overflow issue on Woodhaven Avenue in Monroeville Borough with the goal of reducing/ eliminating sanitary sewer overflow events. North Versailles Township Sanitary Authority ($146,942) – These funds will be used to repair the aging and defective Star Alley sewer line. H20 PA grants Monroeville Municipal Authority ($300,000) – These funds will be used toward the rehabilitation of a sanitary sewer overflow issue on Woodhaven Drive to reduce or eliminate the number of sanitary sewer overflow events. North Versailles Township Sanitary Authority ($200,000) – This project will use grant funds to construct two new pump stations in the township to help mitigate issues from a major landslide Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 6 – On Thursday, a technical center and a local school district were awarded a combined total of $263,006 in education funding, announced state Rep. Brandon Markosek. The Forbes Road Career Technical Center was awarded $186,856, funding that was set aside to assist the center in implementing public and safety plans and to help resume operations. Markosek said the Continuity of Education and Equity Grants provide funding to support effective continuity of education programs such as summer and other expanded programming and industry credential assessments for students enrolled in CTCs negatively impacted by COVID-19 mitigation efforts. “This funding, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is crucial to the forward progression of many educational and technical careers in our community,” Markosek said. “I’m grateful the commonwealth recognizes the importance of continued education, even in the wake of a pandemic.” In addition, Markosek said the Woodland Hills School District was awarded $76,150 in Governor's Emergency Education Relief funding for the 2020-21 academic year. Markosek said this funding will be used to purchase computer equipment, such as laptops, tablets and internet hot spots, or used toward providing instructional materials, such as paper lessons and coursework. CEEG grants are designed to help provide access and inclusion for all Read more
Harrisburg, PA – State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego announced today that the Office of State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) opened registration on July 6 for state grants aimed at providing direct financial relief to fire, rescue and emergency medical service (EMS) companies negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. “Fire, rescue and EMS companies throughout the state have struggled since the state began taking action to curtail the spread of COVID-19,” said Trego. “Increased operational tempo, and an inability to raise funds through community events have hit these organizations hard. The financial lifeline these grants provide will help hundreds of companies keep their lights on.” Of the $50 million in funding set aside for this new program, $44 million will be made available to fire and rescue companies and the remaining $6 million will go to EMS companies. Grant funding must be used for operational and equipment expenses. Additional guidance, including detailed registration instructions are available online at OSFC’s website . The registration period for this grant program ends August 7, 2020 at 4:00 P.M. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 4 – On Monday, state Rep. Brandon Markosek’s H.B. 2408 that would exempt cash payments disbursed by the CARES Act from state and local taxation was unanimously passed by the state House of Representatives. “COVID-19 has been harsh for all residents in one form or another. Unfortunately, many struggled financially due to a sudden loss of income, which is why the CARES Act was passed. This funding was exempt from federal taxation with hopes that it would maximize the impact of the distributed funding. This bill does the same exact thing at the state level,” Markosek said. Congress recently voted and passed the CARES Act, which was put in place to help residents and businesses stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in the coronavirus response were provisions to provide cash payments to people making less than $99,000 and couples making less than $198,000. These funds are exempt from federal taxation. Markosek’s bill seeks to ensure the funds are exempt from state and local taxation, too. “I’m grateful to know that even in our darkest moments, my colleagues and I are willing and able to set aside political differences and vote on bills that can truly make a difference in the commonwealth,” Markosek said. H.B. 2408 now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 9 – Looking to maximize relief and minimize the financial burden associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, on Thursday introduced legislation that would exempt the cash payments disbursed by the CARES Act from state and local taxation. “This is much-needed money for many families in Pennsylvania who have lost their source of income due to COVID-19 state emergency,” Markosek said. “The funding from the CARES Act is meant to help state residents – not add to their struggles. My bill seeks to ensure the CARES Act remains a positive legislative measure for Pennsylvanians at the state level.” Congress recently voted and passed the CARES Act, which was put in place to help residents and businesses stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in the coronavirus response were provisions to provide cash payments to people making less than $99,000 and couples making less than $198,000. These funds are exempt from federal taxation. Markosek’s bill seeks to ensure the funds are exempt from state and local taxation, too. “It’s our responsibility to minimize the negative impact felt by Pennsylvanians due to the ongoing health crisis, so it’s my hope that my colleagues will see the benefit of this legislation and move it through the state House,” Markosek said. State Sen. Jim Brewster, D-Allegheny, has Read more
A total of $606,508 in state funding was awarded to four school districts in the 25th Legislative District for the implementation of school safety initiatives, announced state Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny. Read more
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