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
Newly listed state grant programs 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
Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Representative Lindsay Powell (D-21) announced that the Etna Center for Community will receive a $500,000 Multipurpose Community Facilities Program grant. This funding will be used to continue demolition on the historic Ochese Building and begin renovations to create a library and community space, the highest-prioritized project from Etna’s EcoDistrict Plan. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 11 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that a $500,000 grant has been awarded to HH Main LLC. The funds will be utilized for the renovation of Hill House and, specifically, to address the building’s structural integrity when it comes to safety and functionality. “For more than 50 years, Hill House has provided medical assistance and various additional resources to the Black and brown residents of the Hill District and many others. These dollars will be an investment in the next 50-plus years of its invaluable service to the community,” Abney said. “Thank you to Senator Jay Costa for his collaboration in securing this grant and to community partners for their advocacy of Hill House.” HH Main LLC’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 grants to community anchor institutions for constructing, acquiring or improving buildings that are or will be open to the public and will directly enable work, education and health monitoring at the respective facility. A full list of grant recipients in this round of funding can be found here . Read more
As an emergency physician, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of untreated mental health conditions. For far too many young people, the first time they access mental health care is in a moment of crisis – often in the ER, when their symptoms have already escalated beyond what community care could have addressed. Read more
Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Reps. Emily Kinkead (D-20) Arvind Venkat (D-30) announced that Northland Public Library will receive a $650,000 Multipurpose Community Facilities Program grant. Northland is currently undergoing a major renovation project to upgrade their entire facility and improve accessibility for all patrons while adding much needed space for work, study, and gathering. Read more
BRADDOCK, Oct. 10 – New grant funding of $2.5 million from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority will support construction of a new medical center and office building in Homewood and renovations to the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury said the funding includes $2 million to Primary Health Care Services Inc., for construction of a 44,000-square-foot medical center and offices facility. “This is an extremely exciting project because the new center is going to generate a lot of additional activity for the area,” Salisbury said. “In addition to expanding health care access, jobs, high-speed broadband and other opportunities for residents, the new complex will serve as an anchor for other commercial tenants, drawing new businesses and new pedestrian traffic to support them.” Salisbury said additional funding of $500,000 to the Woodland Hills School District will support renovations to the Carnegie Free Library. “The new funding to Swissvale Library will provide needed upgrades to a beloved place that has been serving our community for more than a century,” Salisbury said. “The renovations will improve service for neighbors in Rankin, Swissvale and surrounding areas by ensuring folks have strong broadband service connecting to important services and comfortable, user-friendly spaces to take advantage of the Read more
“Years of delay have prevented the full implementation of many interstate licensure compacts, leaving professionals and patients without the benefits these agreements offer,” state Rep. Brandon Markosek said. “Interstate compacts provide much-needed flexibility for licensed professionals, enabling them to more easily work where they are needed most. This makes Pennsylvania a more attractive place for professionals in vital fields, like nurses and other health professionals, who are in high demand.” Read more
“Having grown up with a stutter, I know how important speech therapy can be, not only in improving speech but also in boosting confidence,” state Rep. Brandon Markosek said. “I understand firsthand the challenges and stigma that come with stuttering and that giving children access to necessary speech therapy early on will help them develop communication skills important to their academic and social development. This legislation is about making sure that no child in Pennsylvania has to face the additional hurdle of affordability when it comes to getting the support they need to thrive.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – The Pennsylvania House today passed landmark legislation introduced by state Rep. Dan Frankel that would prohibit annual and lifetime limits on health insurance policies across the commonwealth. Frankel, who is majority chair of the House Health Committee, said his H.B. 2562 would ensure that all Pennsylvanians are guaranteed access to essential health care, regardless of federal actions or court decisions that could impact existing protections. “No family should be forced to choose between life-saving treatment and financial ruin because their insurance arbitrarily cuts them off when they need it most,” said Frankel. “By passing House Bill 2562, we are taking a stand to ensure that Pennsylvanians are protected, no matter what happens in Washington or the courts.” Currently, protections against annual and lifetime limits are in place under the Affordable Care Act. However, with ongoing legal challenges and political threats to the ACA, the passage of H.B. 2562 is a crucial step toward enshrining these protections into Pennsylvania state law, providing residents peace of mind and ensuring that health care remains a right, not a privilege. The legislation passed as part of a three-bill legislative package to enshrine ACA protections into state law. The other bills include: H.B. 2563 , by Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, which would allow parents to keep their adult Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – Legislation that would make Diwali an official holiday in Pennsylvania passed the General Assembly with a bipartisan majority today and will soon become law. Senate Bill 402 was introduced by state Sens. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland/Dauphin/Perry, and Nikil Saval, D-Phila., and would not require school, government or employer closings. “Thousands of Pennsylvanians celebrate Diwali each year, as a time of reflection and gathering,” Rothman said. “Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity.” “Wherever we’re from and whatever our background, all of us deserve to have our cultures recognized and honored. As the number of Asian Americans grows steadily here in Pennsylvania and across the country, our commonwealth’s official recognition of Diwali sends a clear message of inclusion,” Saval added. “I am so proud to have worked with my colleagues in the state legislature to put Pennsylvania at the forefront by acknowledging Diwali’s deep cultural significance and inviting all people to reflect on the endless struggle of light over darkness.” State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s companion legislation, House Bill 436 , passed the Pennsylvania House in April of last year. “Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over a billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists worldwide, including hundreds Read more
Recommendations include employment targets, eliminating sub-minimum wage and segregated work for state employees and contractors Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bills that would enhance licensure flexibility for physician assistants related to their supervising physicians passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously today. House Bills 2294 and 2295 would amend the physician licensure acts in Pennsylvania and allow physician assistants to work with either classification of physician, a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, without having to align with the physician’s license type. Current law requires that physician assistants and supervising physicians must be licensed by the same state medicine board. “Medical professionals want to help as many patients as possible, and my commonsense bills eliminate a circumstantial barrier to performing their sworn duty,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their affirmative votes and their personal investments in the health and livelihood of patients and health professionals alike.” Both bills now move to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
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