AMBRIDGE, May 6 – Beaver County students will benefit from pre-apprenticeship opportunities in the HVAC field thanks to a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Labor and Industry, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the Schools-to-Work grant to Steamfitters Local Union No. 449 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee will fund the launch of an HVAC pre-apprenticeship program connecting students to in-demand jobs through hands-on training and industry partnerships. “It’s an excellent opportunity for students on the career path because new construction, the state’s cold winters and hot summers, and incentives to embrace new, energy-efficient technology are all driving demand for skilled HVAC technicians,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus. “Pre-apprenticeships are the perfect conduit because they supply the hands-on experience and connections with industry partners that can help students hit the ground running.” Matzie said the program will benefit students in Beaver and other western Pennsylvania counties. Schools-to-Work grant funding is awarded to employers, schools and community organizations to help create, launch and maintain registered pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship career pathways that bridge the gap between high school or college graduation and the job search process. More information about the program is Read more

New law will allow spouses of deceased firefighters to continue receiving benefits Read more

HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury said she will soon introduce legislation that would cut the red tape associated with reporting suspected fraud, waste or abuse of state dollars by creating a statewide whistleblower office and a 24/7 reporting hotline. Salisbury said a statewide office is needed because it can be daunting for citizens to navigate the multiple agencies that handle different types of fraud claims and funding categories. “Suspected misuse of state funds is an urgent matter requiring an urgent response, but the average citizen attempting to report these claims can face a bureaucratic maze, with no clear guidance on who to call,” Salisbury said. “We need to streamline the process by giving people a simple, easily accessible contact point. My bill would do that by creating a statewide whistleblower office with a dedicated hotline and electronic reporting system. “Having a more transparent and accessible method of reporting would make it easier for people to pick up the phone when they see or suspect something is wrong. It would also help the state crack down on these issues.” Salisbury said the statewide whistleblower office would be required to maintain a 24/7 hotline and an online reporting system, allowing residents to submit reports anonymously if they choose and to include documentation and evidence to support their claims. Salisbury is currently Read more

HARRISBURG, May 5 – The Pennsylvania House on Monday unanimously passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Abigail Salisbury that would improve the guardianship appointment process by expanding the list of individuals entitled to receive notice of the proceedings. Salisbury said she introduced H.B. 2106 in response to concerns that the current system is failing some of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians. “When someone is unable to make key decisions about their own welfare and the court determines that a guardian is needed, the inquiry turns to finding the best person for the job,” Salisbury said. “Unfortunately, guardianship case documents are not public records in Pennsylvania, and hearings are not widely publicized. As a result, caring, competent individuals who might be the best choice never step forward because they were never made aware of the proceedings. “My bill would fix that by expanding the list of people who are entitled to receive notice of a guardianship petition and hearing. Doing so would bring greater transparency to the process and help ensure that all interested parties have a chance to advocate for and protect the best interests of a loved one who can no longer advocate for themselves.” Salisbury said the legislation was inspired by constituent Susan Colker, who raised concerns that a lack of adequate notice is leaving some of the most vulnerable people without the care and protection Read more

The House today approved a bill sponsored by state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, to standardize and improve school counseling services for students in all grades in Pennsylvania schools by ensuring that counselors aren’t pulled away from their needed counseling duties. Read more

HARRISBURG, April 29 – Pennsylvania has some of the oldest infrastructure in the country, and local governments are facing major difficulty and expenses in funding projects—especially for transportation purposes. This is why state Rep. Lindsay Powell has introduced legislation that would allow local governments to take part in public-private partnerships to improve transportation infrastructure. House Bill 2469 would allow all counties, as well as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, to use public-private partnerships, also known as P3s, which authorize governments to coordinate with private entities for the engineering, construction, operation, financing and maintenance of a transportation project or facility. “From aging bridges and congested corridors to major transit and roadway upgrades, we have all seen transportation projects in our communities that need urgent support,” said Powell, D-Allegheny. “These projects can be daunting to take on, especially because taxpayers are footing the bill. My legislation would allow counties to partner with private groups to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects more efficiently and cost-effectively.” Current law allows only PennDOT and certain transportation agencies to use P3s. With this legislation, the current P3 process would remain unchanged. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Pennsylvania’s infrastructure a grade of C- in 2022, Read more

“I’m very passionate about this issue, because our children are being harmed by unfettered access to digital devices,” Steele said. “I’m grateful to my colleagues on the Education Committee who realize the high stakes for our children and are helping to move this bill through the Legislature. We need to do our part to create a healthy learning environment for every child in Pennsylvania." Read more

HARRISBURG, April 28 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee on Monday unanimously advanced two bills that would protect individuals cooperating with first responders in the event of a drug or alcohol overdose, announced state Reps. Paul Friel and Emily Kinkead, who sponsored the bills. House Bills 1944 and 1945 would protect people, such as college students, from endangerment charges if they are administering aid to a person suffering an emergency overdose. “Strengthening medical amnesty, particularly on college campuses, empowers students to prioritize safety over fear, fostering a community where looking out for one another is the norm, not a liability,” said Friel, D-Chester. “When students trust they won't face punishment for seeking help, they are far more likely to intervene in emergencies, saving lives.” “Every second matters in an emergency. In these critical moments, no one should have to weigh saving a life against the risk of being charged with a crime,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “These bills make it clear that if you render aid to a person experiencing a medical emergency as a result of consuming drugs or alcohol, you should be protected. “Advancing this legislation is a step toward ensuring people, especially young people, are empowered to do the right thing without fear of life-altering consequences.” The representatives heard during a March Read more

Read my email update from April 24, 2026 Read more

Read my email update from April 24, 2026 Read more