Lawmakers, public defenders, researchers and others involved in the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania will hold a public hearing to talk about the state of public defense in the commonwealth, the progress that has been made, and the challenges that still need to be addressed. Read more

Medical debt is an issue that disproportionately impacts rural Pennsylvanians. Efforts to reduce medical debt have been thwarted by legislators representing those communities. Read more

BRADDOCK, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury will host the second annual Nonprofit Symposium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 9 PA, 100 Kingston Drive, Pittsburgh. Salisbury said the free event will be a critical resource for Pennsylvania nonprofit groups of all kinds that are working to maximize funding and further their mission. “Nonprofit groups and the work they do – whether it’s fighting hunger, easing homelessness, promoting mental health or connecting residents with other essential services – make a huge impact, and everything we do to support them strengthens their outreach. “Last year’s symposium was a huge success, and I’m even more excited for this year’s event, because we have added new topics and speakers to help these groups succeed. Getting everyone together in the same room to network and share strategies – all with the same mission of empowering residents and helping their community – brings a special energy to this event.” Salisbury said the symposium will feature: A grant workshop and tips for tapping into state funding. A free copy of the latest state grant directory. A board development workshop. Strategies for advocating with elected officials. Updates on nonprofit law developments. Ideas on how to obtain real estate to Read more

WEST VIEW, Oct. 16 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead announced today that a total of $8,780,300 was awarded to the West View Water Authority for new service lines and related infrastructure. The funds, consisting of a $5,635,872 grant and a $3,144,428 low-interest loan, will replace 750 existing lead service lines with approximately 25,000 feet of copper line and companion structures. Surface restoration will also be performed. “I commend West View Water Authority's aggressively proactive efforts to replace dangerous lead service lines across their service area. Access to pure water is a constitutional right in Pennsylvania,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “I’m thankful for my partnership with Sen. Lindsey Williams on this investment in the health and well-being of folks in District 20 and beyond.” West View Water Authority’s dollars will benefit 55,474 customers and a total population of 151,000. The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority allotted these monies as part of its ongoing mission to increase the health and safety of Commonwealth citizens, protect the environment, promote economic development, and improve water quality. Read more

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 16 – Safer, more reliable water service is on tap for thousands of Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority customers thanks to nearly $69.3 million in funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, announced today. Frankel said the funding to Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority includes (1) a 30-year low-interest loan of nearly $62.7 million that will support work to replace approximately 52,880 feet of 8- and 12-inch water lines to address inadequate size and a history of leaks (non-lead project) and (2) $6.6 million in combined grant and loan funding to replace lead lines (lead project). “Older, leaking lines end up wasting water and draining dollars from customers, who pay the price through higher bills,” Frankel said. “The new work will make water service for thousands of customers far more reliable, efficient and cost-effective.” The total cost of the non-lead project is nearly $72 million, with the remaining funding coming from a $9.3 million local contribution. The low-interest loan funding from Pennvest will provide the grant equivalent of more than $27.5 million over the life of the loan. Frankel said that the $6.6 million in funding for the lead project includes a $4.9 million grant and a 30-year low-interest loan of $1.7 million to replace 1,046 residential lead service lines in conjunction with a water main replacement Read more

BRADDOCK, Oct. 16 – New funding of $9.9 million will ensure safer drinking water for Legislative District 34 residents whose homes are served by lead water lines, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury said the funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority – which includes nearly $6.8 million in grant funding – will support a third-phase project to remove and replace 1,060 service lines identified by Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority as containing lead. “No resident should ever have to worry that the water flowing from their tap is endangering their health and the health of their loved ones. But that’s a very real threat wherever lead service lines exist,” Salisbury said. “The new funding will allow Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority to eliminate the hazard by replacing more than 1,000 lead lines with copper ones, to bring residents the safe water and peace of mind they deserve.” Salsbury said the funding to the Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority includes nonrepayable grant funding of nearly $6.8 million and a low-interest, 30-year loan of approximately $3.1 million. The project will consist of the removal and replacement of approximately 1,060 existing lead service lines on either the Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority or customer side with approximately 42,400 feet of new ¾-inch copper water service lines and 1,060 Read more

“Ensuring the safety and quality of our drinking water is a top priority,” state Rep. Jessica Benham said. “Replacing old lead service lines is critical for improving public health by reducing lead contamination, enhancing our infrastructure, and ensuring a reliable, safer water supply for our community.” Read more

SHALER TOWNSHIP, Oct. 16 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced that $4.3 million was awarded to Shaler Township for maintenance of its sewage system. The funds, a low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority , will fix approximately 30,000 feet of manhole-to-manhole lining, rehabilitate 177 manholes, and include direct excavation repairs. “These monies are much more than providing the materials needed to keep citizens connected to clean water. They are investments in the health and hygiene of Allegheny County individuals and families,” Powell said. “I’m proud to have collaborated with Sen. Lindsey Williams on this necessity for all.” Shaler Township’s dollars will benefit nearly 9,000 customers and a total population of 22,495. PENNVEST allotted these monies, as part of its ongoing mission to increase the health and safety of Commonwealth citizens, protect our environment, promote economic development, and improve water quality. Read more

"Our volunteer firefighters risk their lives daily and need the necessary equipment to do their jobs safely. I’m proud to have secured this investment for the safety of our firefighters and the East McKeesport and Wall Borough communities," said state Rep. Brandon Markosek. Read more

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 11 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, announced that a $1.1 million grant was awarded to Carnegie Library of Homestead . The funds, going specifically towards the installation of a sprinkler, will help the library continue its mission to deliver free public access to computers and wireless internet access. Providing these services enables jobseekers to log into employment application systems and receive staff assistance with completing applications, setting up email accounts, creating accounts for unique application tracking systems, scanning and uploading documents, and other application-related tasks. “Keeping library visitors safe with this new sprinkler will allow them to put all their energy and focus into utilizing this tremendous facility for all their employment and educational needs,” Gergely said. “My thanks to Sen. Jim Brewster for his collaboration in securing these dollars and to all the community partners for their advocacy on behalf of the library.” Carnegie Library of Homestead’s grant money is part of $45 million package made possible by the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program , which is facilitated by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. The program, part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, offers competitive grant monies to community anchor institutions for constructing, acquiring or improving buildings that are or will be open to the public and will Read more