HARRISBURG, Jan. 4 – State Rep. Jessica Benham took the oath of office in the state Capitol yesterday to begin her second term representing the 36th Legislative District in Allegheny County. For her second term, Benham said she plans to continue fighting for legislative changes that promote access to health care, public education, improvements to critical infrastructure, public safety, workers’ rights and more. “I pledge to continue fighting for working families in Pennsylvania, many of whom are currently struggling to get by,” said Benham. “My colleagues in Harrisburg and I are eager to continue working to pass legislation that will make material changes for those most in need.” As one of the few openly LGBTQ+ members in the General Assembly, Benham was recently named co-chair of the PA House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus alongside state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., positioning the pair to lead on championing bills like the PA Fairness Act in the 2023-24 legislative session. In addition to pursuing policy changes in Harrisburg, Benham said her office on Brownsville Road is ready to help constituents with a variety of state-related services, including home heating assistance, children’s health insurance, prescription drug and property tax/rent rebate assistance. Residents can visit RepJess.com to find out more. The 36th Legislative District includes about 62,000 residents in the boroughs of Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 4 – State Rep. Nick Pisciottano took the oath of office in the state Capitol yesterday to begin his second term representing the 38th Legislative District in Allegheny County. For his second term, Pisciottano said he plans to continue pushing legislative initiatives that support workers and create a fairer economy for all Pennsylvanians, among other things. “I’m eager to continue fighting for policies that help working families in our corner of Allegheny County and across Pennsylvania,” Pisciottano said. “My family has lived and worked in this region for generations. I’m committed to improving and growing what I already consider to be one of the best communities in the country to raise a family.” Pisciottano was also unanimously elected by his peers to serve as the PA House Allegheny County Democratic Delegation chair , and was named the chairman of the newly formed House Democratic Policy Subcommittee on Labor, Energy and Development . “In my new leadership roles I am looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to promote smart policies to foster a prosperous economy and rebuild Pennsylvania’s middle class,” Pisciottano said. “Now more than ever we need to be able to work together and across party lines to get things done in Harrisburg, because at Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead took the oath of office in the state Capitol today to begin her second term representing the 20th Legislative District in Allegheny County. For her second term, Kinkead said she plans to continue pursuing legislative priorities that promote safer and more equitable schools and communities, criminal justice reform, reproductive rights, and support for landslide victims, among other things. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue improving Allegheny County communities and making them more accessible for everyone,” said Kinkead. “I fought hard in Harrisburg alongside my Democratic colleagues throughout my first term. I’m eager to continue that fight, now as a member of the majority party in the state House, and help create a better life for all Pennsylvanians.” In addition to pushing policy changes in Harrisburg, Kinkead said her Bellevue office is ready to help constituents with a variety of state-related services, including home heating assistance, children’s health insurance, prescription drug and Property Tax/Rent Rebate assistance. Residents can visit RepEmilyKinkead.com to find out more. The 20th Legislative District includes about 62,000 residents in the township of Ross, the boroughs of Avalon, Bellevue and West View, and the 26th and 27th wards of Pittsburgh. Judge John McNally Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Mandy Steele took the oath of office today in the state Capitol to begin representing the 33 rd Legislative District. The noon swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of the 2023-24 legislative session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Steele said she wants to prioritize protecting women’s rights and working to promote a green economy across the commonwealth and locally, which would not only increase the commonwealth’s energy independence and address climate change, but also create jobs and save taxpayers money. “It is an honor to be selected by my community to work here in Harrisburg for them,” Steele said. “I come from a background of bringing people together from all walks of life and ideologies to better the community and I am ready to continue to do that. I think those skills – and the ability to work across the aisle, will be critical in the year ahead.” Steele said her office can help with a variety of state-related services, including home heating assistance, children’s health insurance, prescription drug and property tax/rent rebate assistance. Residents can find out more by going to www.pahouse.com/steele The 33 rd Legislative District includes the townships of East Deer, Fawn, Frazer, Harmar, Harrison, Indiana, O’Hara and Springdale. Additionally, the district includes the boroughs of Aspinwall, Blawnox, Brackenridge, Read more
State Rep. Arvind Venkat took the oath of office in the state Capitol today to begin representing the 30th Legislative District. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 22 – Serving alongside Allegheny County’s top transit innovators, state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, announced today that House Democratic Majority Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, has appointed him to the Pittsburgh Regional Transit Board of Directors. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to help shape the future of Pennsylvania’s second largest public transit agency,” Pisciottano said. “In this new role, I’ll be working hard to ensure that Pittsburgh and Allegheny County residents can continue to access public transportation that is safe, reliable, and affordable.” In April, Pisciottano helped secure nearly $1 million for the authority to make fundamental upgrades to pedestrian crossings, bus stops, and traffic signals along Route 837 , one of the most heavily travelled roads in Allegheny County. At his West Mifflin district office, Pisciottano and his staff regularly help constituents receive Senior Citizen ConnectCards, which allow seniors to access PRT and other public transit services at no cost . Pisciottano will fill the PRT board vacancy left by Lt. Gov.-elect Austin Davis. The PRT board appointment comes just weeks after Pisciottano was appointed chair of the newly formed House Democratic Policy Subcommittee on Labor, Energy and Development, poising him to lead on a host Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 16 – The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency recently awarded more than $27 million to local law enforcement agencies, nonprofits and other community safety-focused organizations throughout the region, the state House Allegheny County Democratic Delegation announced today. “These investments will play a fundamental role in reducing crime across Allegheny County,” said state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, delegation chair. “I applaud everyone who helped connect these tax dollars to essential programs in our communities. I look forward to continuing to exhaust every possible funding opportunity that will increase the safety and well-being of all county residents.” The following were among the many PCCD grants distributed across the county this week: $17.6 million to Pittsburgh City for portable radios and related hardware. $2.3 million to the Allegheny County chief executive officer to reduce violent crime in the county. $1.8 million to the Center for Victims, which provides critical support and services to victims of all crimes. $740,000 to Duquesne City law enforcement for digital surveillance cameras, and associated equipment; automatic license plate readers and associated equipment; drone; IT server for storage; associated costs to install equipment. Read more
BALDWIN, Dec. 15 – Law enforcement agencies in West Mifflin and Baldwin have been awarded $290,000 through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, announced today. “Our communities are safer when local law enforcement has the right tools and proper training," said Pisciottano. “I’ll continue advocating for grants every chance I get to support emergency services across our region.” Funds were awarded as follows: $200,000 to Baldwin Borough to fund drug recognition training and costs associated with attending the 2022 and 2023 PA DUI Conferences. $90,240 to West Mifflin Borough to purchase dash-mounted cameras for police cars. More information on PCCD grants can be found here . Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 15 – More than $1.8 million in grants has been awarded to two area organizations through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, state Rep. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, announced today. Benham praised both awards, saying the funds will enhance community safety initiatives and increase access to essential victim services throughout the region. Funds were awarded as follows: $1.8 million to the Center for Victims , which provides critical support and services to victims of all crimes, including-domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, child sexual assault and physical abuse, elder abuse, homicide, burglary, and incidents of mass violence. $10,000 for security enhancement projects at the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corp. , a community organization focusing on racial and economic equity in the area. More information on PCCD grants can be found here . Read more
Kenyatta, Benham will lead the caucus in 2023-24 session Read more
Pisciottano, a legislator in the final weeks of his first term representing parts of the Mon Valley and the South Hills, will succeed now Lieutenant Governor-elect Austin Davis, who served as ACHDD chair in the 2021-22 legislative session. Read more
CORAOPOLIS, Oct. 31 – Friends of Pittsburgh Professional Soccer secured $2 million in state funding for the next phase of development for the Sports and Athletic Complex at Montour Junction, announced state Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny. “It has been a long road in transforming Montour Junction from a former railyard into a premier place for young athletes and the community to access athletic fields for various sports,” Kulik said. “The state funding awarded today will help bridge the gap as the project enters its fourth phase and connect it with the previous phases of development.” Kulik said the project includes the construction of seven outdoor soccer fields and amenities, including bleachers, a concession stand, restrooms and parking areas. The fourth phase of development also includes the Allegheny Health Network Sports Medicine facility. Funding for Montour Junction is part of a package of $40 million in grants from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Today’s RACP funding is in addition to the $5.25 million approved last week for the Josh Gibson Foundation, Welly LLC and the Riverfront Industrial Development. Read more
Urges legislature to pass PA Fairness Act Read more
“Since the Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the health care landscape in Pennsylvania has changed significantly and become more complex,” Frankel said. “As we have heard during previous hearings and again today, restrictions on health care never makes a country healthier and it creates a number of underlying problems for residents as well as our health care providers.” Read more
“I wanted to hear from numerous experts on what the development of the hydrogen hub would mean for western Pennsylvania,” state Rep. Nick Pisciottano said. “Our state has long been a leader in energy production and industry, and I wanted to gather leaders with concerns and vested interests in this project under one roof to hear about what this could mean for PA’s economy, businesses and environment.” Read more
“I wanted to host this hearing because I wanted to be a part of a conversation with experts to learn about fusion, and – more importantly – understand how Pennsylvania industries could expand with fusion,” state Rep. Emily Kinkead said. “Fusion has the potential to be a clean, sustainable option more closely aligned with renewable energy that could not only be the future for electrical power but also manufacturing and job creation in PA and the U.S.” Read more
Event to foster community spirit, awareness and activism for inclusivity Read more
Funding awarded through state Green Light-Go program Read more
AMBRIDGE, July 14 – Nearly $1.4 million awarded to build and modernize Pennsylvania’s registered apprenticeship system will bring greater career opportunities to Beaver County, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding will give local students and job seekers a leg up in securing good-paying jobs by connecting them with trusted work partners. “Students and job seekers who go through pre-apprentice and apprenticeship programs benefit from early exposure to career information, real-life experience with trusted local employers, and a steadier path to family sustaining jobs in key trades,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to expand all of those opportunities right here in Beaver County.” Matzie said the funding includes: $450,000 to KML Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund to expand its Carpenters Apprentice Readiness Program to 100 pre-apprentices. $400,000 to the Pittsburgh A. Philip Randolph Institute Education Fund for the Breaking the Chains of Poverty program, which trains minorities and women for apprenticeships and entry-level jobs in the construction, manufacturing, energy and related industries. The fund plans to train a minimum of 64 students during the grant period and place a minimum of 48. $324,500 to Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania Inc. for a Careers in Skilled Read more
HARRISBURG, July 8 -- State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, issued the following statement after casting a “yes” vote for the state budget bill: “Budgets are never easy. We live in a big Commonwealth with many diverse needs. Finding common ground is often difficult. But there were numerous positives, especially to Beaver County, that made it easy to support. “Substantial increases for schools, libraries and community colleges stand out, along with fulfilling our commitments to our state and state-related universities. “Two important areas of particular concern – school safety and mental health awareness/treatment – received large increases, which should help make our schools and communities a bit safer. “Further, my legislation requiring the full use of LIHEAP funding was passed as part of the overall budget package, which will authorize the release of tens of millions of additional dollars to help people pay their utility bills this winter. “At the end of the day, this budget makes a substantial investment in our children and workforce, helps struggling families and funds the core functions of state government, all without raising a tax or fee. For me, that’s always a win, and an easy ‘yes’ vote.” The bill has passed the General Assembly and is now headed for the governor’s desk. Read more
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