Today nearly $1 million in state grants were awarded to combat campus sexual assault at 36 colleges and universities. Read more

Program helps train students to lessen impact of overdose crisis Read more

Grant awards can range from $5,000 to $150,000 Read more

With one-in-two Pennsylvanians struggling to afford health care, state Reps. Dan Frankel and Austin Davis, both D-Allegheny, today unveiled legislation to provide transparency in drug pricing and ensure Pennsylvanians can access affordable, life-saving medication. Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 26 – Mt. Lebanon, a community in the 42 nd Legislative District, has been designated a recognized Keystone Main Street in Pennsylvania, announced state Rep. Dan Miller, D-Allegheny. Miller said Mt. Lebanon received the recognition through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Keystone Communities Program, which is designed to encourage the creation of partnerships between the public and private sectors that jointly support local initiatives such as the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities; social and economic diversity; and a strong and secure quality of life. The program allows communities to tailor the assistance to meet the needs of its specific revitalization effort. “Mt. Lebanon was previously recognized as a Keystone Main Street, resulting in many accomplishments. But more needs to be done,” Miller said. “The Mt. Lebanon Partnership, a volunteer nonprofit program, and the municipality have bold plans for Mt. Lebanon’s business district, none of which would be possible without this designation.” Miller said Mt. Lebanon’s central business district revamp includes the Washington Road Streetscape Project; a placemaking plan with accessibility as a major driving factor; façade assistance; a series of popular events; and much more. Communities can apply to receive designation through the program as a Keystone Main Read more

AMBRIDGE, Dec. 20 – Area youth will have a better chance to successfully transition from the justice system to the workplace, thanks to two grants from the state Department of Labor and Industry totaling about $1.03 million, state Rep . Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. “Securing this funding means a brand-new chance for area youth who ended up incarcerated or involved in the criminal justice system,” Matzie said. “The programs funded will provide these young people with education, vocational training, mentoring and other resources they need to move into productive jobs and rejoin the community. When that happens, we all benefit because it saves taxpayer dollars and boosts the local economy. “An investment like this also sends the message to these youth that their past does not have to determine their future and that it is not too late for a fresh start in life.” Matzie said the following grants will go for these projects: Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board – A $500,000 grant to the Youth Reentry Cooperative Network for a program that will provide post-secondary education, soft-skills training, and advanced training for justice system youth ages 18-24 from Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. Three Rivers Workforce Development Board – A $527,464 grant to create a partnership between Partner4Work, Allegheny County Read more

The study will look for low-cost safety improvements at Maple and McKelvey Avenue and Swissvale Avenue and Race Street in Edgewood Read more

AMBRIDGE, Dec. 12 – A $700,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation will fund the rehabilitation of freight rail track in Beaver County, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said that the grant, awarded to Pittsburgh Intermodal Terminals Inc., will improve about one mile of track to bolster operations and generate area jobs. “Successful commerce is all about the smooth, seamless flow of goods,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding allows us to improve rail track in critical areas so that freight will move more efficiently, boosting production capacity for our entire region. In addition, this project is going to create area jobs for workers. It’s a win-win all around.” Matzie said the project will entail replacement of ties and switch timbers, new ballast, and surfacing. He added that in addition to the Beaver County track project, the following grants will fund these projects in Allegheny County: $399,105 to Pittsburgh & Ohio Central Railroad to replace deteriorated open deck bridge timbers on the McKees Rocks Bridge. $700,000 to TMS International to rehabilitate and construct about one-half mile of track and increase storage capacity. $689,500 to United States Steel Corporation for track upgrades to accommodate increased rail volume from USS’s new hot rolling mill in Braddock. $2.5 million Read more

AMBRIDGE, Dec. 11 – Two state grants totaling $321,923 will bolster resources to combat the opioid addiction crisis statewide and expand services locally for victims of child abuse, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said a $274,923 grant to Commonwealth Prevention Alliance will fund the statewide PA STOP campaign to expand public awareness about the dangers of opioid use. “This funding will allow us to target new groups – including students and faith-based communities – in driving home the dangers of opioid use,” Matzie said. “That’s critically important because, although the public is aware that we have a crisis, so many people – and especially young people – feel invulnerable to the risk and fail to appreciate just how addictive these drugs are.” Matzie said a second grant of $47,000 will fund continuing services for the Beaver County satellite branch of A Child’s Place, which provides protection and advocacy services for children. “Professionals and support workers at the Beaver County satellite office do critical work advocating on behalf of children traumatized by abuse and helping them heal,” Matzie said. “The office itself provides a supportive, non-threatening environment where children can feel safe as they speak to law enforcement, doctors and other workers. Securing this funding helps ensure that this essential Read more

Joe Welch teaches social studies at North Hills Middle School Read more