PITTSBURGH, Feb. 6 – The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens provided members of the PA House Democratic Policy Committee with a hands-on tour and discussion on the process needed and work being done to make this historic landmark a green facility designed with an emphasis on reducing harm – including energy efficient conservatories. “The Phipps Conservatory is an impressive resource for the entire region and state, featuring a tropical forest and indoor gardens as well as resources to educate visitors on cultural topics,” tour and roundtable co-host state Rep. Mandy Steele said. “One of the most impressive spots on the grounds remains the important work being done at the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, where the energy needed for the building is produced on-site and water is reused in an environmentally sustainable setting.” Constructed in 1893, the gardens were a gift to the city by Pittsburgh steel magnate Henry Phipps. Located in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is city-owned but managed by a nonprofit organization. The National Register of Historic Places added the conservatory in 1976. “I’m always proud to introduce colleagues and friends to some of the great resources located in the heart of my legislative district,” co-host Rep. Dan Frankel said. “Phipps has been a leader in green innovation, opting to make changes 20 years ago that some Read more
MT. OLIVER, Feb. 6 – Nearly $63,000 has been awarded to local fire and EMS companies through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program , state Rep. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, announced today. “We are very fortunate to have incredibly hard-working first responders in the 36th Legislative District,” said Benham. “I’ll continue fighting for state grant funding to train and equip our courageous firefighters and EMS workers to ensure they have the best tools to serve our neighbors.” The following local funding was included among $2.5 million in FCEMSG grants awarded in Allegheny County: $10,000 to Brentwood EMS. $13,000 to Brentwood Volunteer Fire Co. $14,800 to Mt. Oliver Hook and Ladder Co. $15,000 to Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire. $10,000 to Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire (EMS). Eligible projects include facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts. Additionally, fire companies were permitted to apply for constructions savings accounts for the purposes of new facility construction. The FCEMSG is administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner and makes an annual grant program available for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads. All fire companies, emergency medical service and volunteer rescue squads are eligible to apply for this annual grant program. Read more
“The pandemic served as a wakeup call for many workers,” said Kinkead, who co-hosted the roundtable. “They saw employers demanding more work without any financial incentives, and this happened in some instances while zero safety precautions had been offered or even considered to protect the health of workers. I’m excited to report, however, that in the wake of these trying circumstances, workers are realizing their true bargaining power and the true benefits of organized labor.” Read more
Funding will help police, borough and local communities Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 2 – State Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr., R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, announced today that he will once again serve as co-chair of the Legislative Hunger Caucus and will be joined by Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, as the House co-chair for the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. “I’m excited to welcome Representative Kinkead as caucus co-chair this session and look forward to another successful growing season in our hunger garden, which harvested over 700 pounds of produce last season,” said Vogel. “I also hope to continue our momentum in September with the annual food drive, when we recognize Hunger Action Month across the state and highlight the critical importance of food banks in our communities.” “Hunger is perhaps the least partisan issue Pennsylvanians face,” said Kinkead. “Despite our state’s reputation as a world leader in food production and processing, data shows that over 1.1 million of our state residents struggle with food insecurity in both rural and urban communities. If elected officials at all levels work together and prioritize this issue, I believe we can end hunger in Pennsylvania.” The Hunger Caucus was founded in 2008 by former state Sen. Mike Brubaker, R-Chester/Lancaster, with the goal of educating legislators on food insecurity issues, improving access to nutrition programs and combating hunger across the state. In 2010, the Hunger Caucus established the Capitol Hunger Read more
“The lost revenue is astronomical, and the lost protections, including health insurance, is sickening – not to mention devastating to our workers and their families,” Pisciottano said. “We heard the practice described as insurance fraud, a crime that hurts all Pennsylvania families and workers since it shortchanges every taxpaying resident.” Read more
“While the pandemic did not cause these issues, it crystalized the problem in a way where the public became acutely aware of its importance,” said Rep. Venkat, who is an emergency physician and the first physician to serve in PA's General Assembly in about 60 year. “Unfortunately, no silver bullet – or magical solution – exists to fix this complicated problem. As we saw when we peeled back layers of the issue today, addressing one issue often calls for the need to find a solution to several more related issues." Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 23 – Seeking to ease the burden of medical debt on working families, a plan to create the Pennsylvania Medical Debt Repayment Program was unveiled today by state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Nick Pisciottano, both D-Allegheny; Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna; and Tarik Khan and Donna Bullock, both D-Phila. “As a physician, I have seen firsthand how problems with our nation’s healthcare system – including medical debt – have hurt families and prevented people from getting the care they need,” said Venkat, the first physician to serve in the General Assembly in nearly 60 years. “While there are many issues that we need to address, including the systemic problems that lead to spiraling medical debt, this bill is an important first step toward helping people across Pennsylvania get the assistance and the care they need – and not phone calls from collection agencies.” “When my son was diagnosed with childhood leukemia, the last thing I wanted to worry about was the stress of medical costs. No family in Pennsylvania should ever need to think twice before seeking care for chronic or other serious conditions for fear of going into medical debt,” Kosierowski said. “We must do whatever we can at the state level to ensure that families don’t need to choose between going to the doctor or putting food on their table or buying clothes for their children.” The lawmakers likened the newly Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 13 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced today that a nearly $500,000 state grant is being awarded to Allegheny Landing Park. The grant will be used to make an array of improvements at the site including renovations to its plaza, historic railings and pedestrian walkways, installation of lawn, meadow and rain gardens, Americans with Disabilities Act access and landscaping. “Allegheny Landing Park was one of the first in Pittsburgh to integrate the scenic backdrop of the Three Rivers into its own appeal,” Abney said. “This grant will ensure that the citizens I represent can enjoy the space now and for many more years.” Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administered the grant via their Community Conservation Partnerships Program . Read more
State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, announced today that a $230,736 state grant has been awarded to a project in her community. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 13 – Initiatives to improve air and water quality and develop recreation areas throughout the region received more than $2.2 million in state grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program , members of the state House Allegheny County Democratic Delegation announced today. “Pennsylvania has the sixth largest outdoor recreation economy in the country,” said state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, who chairs the delegation. “Providing funding to properly manage our waterways and forests not only improves the quality of life of our community members, but also delivers major economic benefits. Our delegation will continue fighting for every dollar we can to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.” The following local funding was included among $31.2 million in grants announced for projects across the state: $499,900 to the city of Pittsburgh to rehabilitate Allegheny Landing Park. The funded project includes renovation of the plaza, historic railings and pedestrian walkways; installation of lawn, meadow and rain gardens; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. $521,000 to the Allegheny Land Trust for payment toward the acquisition of approximately 96 acres in Monroeville for open space and passive recreation. Read more
State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced today that Franklin Park has been awarded $390,900 in grants to address environmental concerns. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 12 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced today that a total of $10.3 million in state grants is being awarded to multiple Allegheny County entities for the purpose of preventing and limiting the frequency and severity of community gun violence. “Far too many innocent people have lost their lives to these senseless acts of violence, and far too many families have been irreversibly torn apart,” Abney said. “These funds are weapons in their own right to help stamp out the prevalence of these violent crimes.” Abney said that a $3 million Coordinated Community Violence Intervention grant is being allotted to the Neighborhood Resilience Project to supplement the Allegheny County Violence Prevention Plan. Abney also outlined that a total of $7.3 million in Violence Intervention and Prevention grants shall be utilized by several county organizations for outreach efforts, educational sessions, trauma aid and additional services. Beneficiaries of these grants are: Aaron Donald 99 Solutions Foundation: $80,015 for their Community Defense Project. ACH Clear Pathways: $450,000 to support their R.E.A.C.H. program. Allegheny County Chief Executive Officer: $2.43 million to implement the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative. Amachi Pittsburgh: $440,500 to their Hear4U Mobile Outreach. Foundation of HOPE: $809,000 for efforts that include their HOPE Aftercare/MAD DADS Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 12 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced today that a total of nearly $370,000 in state grants is being awarded to colleges and public schools throughout Pittsburgh. Abney said the first set of grants, totaling slightly above $150,000, will be utilized to promote and strengthen university campus security, with a special emphasis on curtailing acts of sexual violence. These grants are part of Pennsylvania’s It’s On Us campaign, launched statewide by Gov. Tom Wolf in 2016 following President Obama’s national initiative. Beneficiaries of these grants include: Bidwell Training Center Inc.: $8,000 Community College of Allegheny County: $55,000 Duquesne University: $40,000 Point Park University: $40,000 Vet Tech Institute: $7,600 Per Abney, a second grant, nearly $217,000 and made possible by the Schools-to-Work Program, would help prepare Pittsburgh Public Schools students for careers in trades. Specifically, these monies will go to the Pipeline Into The Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program which aids students seeking to enter the Carpenters’ Union Apprenticeship Program upon high school graduation. “Maintaining a safe space for students to pursue their dreams and goals is paramount to not only their success but to their overall well-being,” Abney said. “Furthermore, students deserve every and all opportunities to thrive in their chosen careers.” Additional Read more
Newly acquired funding of $20,000 will help La Roche University in McCandless move closer towards the goal of a hunger-free campus, state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced today. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 11 – Local programs to develop and expand opportunities for students preparing to enter the workforce were awarded more than $716,000 in grants through the state Department of Labor & Industry’s Schools-to-Work Program , the state House Allegheny County Democratic Delegation announced today. “Creating better job opportunities for our next generation of workers is foundational to continue growing our region’s economy,” said Rep. Nick Pisciottano, the delegation chair. “Investments like this support the idea that all Allegheny County workers deserve careers that allow them to raise a healthy family, own a home, and pursue their own happiness.” The following grants were among $2.7 million awarded today throughout the state: $250,000 to Carnegie Mellon University to support their Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Pathways for Underserved Populations (RAMP UP) approach, leveraging trained staff and resources from Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy to deliver SMART Robotics technician training to underserved formal credit recovery high-school students (aged 17-21) at Passport Charter School , a formal learning site where this type of training is typically not found. $250,000 to PHASE 4 Learning Center to support their Giving Opportunities through Robotics and Manufacturing program, designed to prepare Read more
State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, today announced that a local food growth non-profit, Grow Pittsburgh, has been awarded $50,000 in state funding. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 9 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced today that a total of $200,000 in state grants is being awarded to Duquesne University for the purpose of preparing the school’s faculty and staff members to educate students. “These individuals are the integral resource dedicated to preparing young adults for the next important phase of their lives,” Abney said. “I’m thrilled that these grants will help professors and university leadership members excel at the highest level so they can impart that success on students.” Abney said Duquesne’s faculty and staff members will be the beneficiaries of two $100,000 grants made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. One grant will help connect members of school leadership with local education agencies to better acclimate them to their roles, and the other grant will provide an interlinked process of training for prospective educators. More information about PDE’s policies and programs is available on the department’s website . Read more
State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes took the oath of office in the state Capitol Tuesday to begin representing the 24th Legislative District. Read more
Today, state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced $626,483 in state funding for his community. Read more
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