HARRISBURG, Feb. 26 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has signed on as the sponsor of a bill that would utilize tax increment financing dollars for keeping individuals and families in their homes in TIF-designated districts. The legislation, H.B. 1064 , would update the Tax Increment Financing Act and allow designated districts to fund affordable housing, foreclosure and rental assistance, and workforce programs with TIF dollars. The bill would also increase the lifespan of TIF districts from 20 to 25 years and convert more of such collected monies into projects aimed at the measures outlined above. “TIFs have been an integral component of revitalizing economically distressed areas. Funding for anti-displacement activities, however, have never been allowable costs under prior TIF guidelines,” Powell said. “While we’ve seen areas rebound as a result of this program, long-time neighborhood residents have lost their homes because of resulting increases in property values and taxes. My amendment aims to prevent those consequences in future TIF districts. “These are commonsense changes to the program that should garner bipartisan support,” Powell continued. “From speaking with residents, community organizations and partners in the public and private sectors, we all want to see our region thrive. This legislation would make TIF districts more effective and equitable.” House Bill 1064 was originally Read more
The growing shortage of health care providers could be helped with a change in state law, says one group. Read more
State grants fund digital literacy, transportation resources Read more
“In the U.S., emergency physicians treat approximately 3.4 million patients for allergic reactions to food,” Venkat said. “I introduced this legislation after speaking to my constituent, Kathy Briden, whose son Matthew died after accidentally being exposed to peanuts while eating at a restaurant. As an emergency physician, I treated patients experiencing allergic reactions, and we must improve food safety at restaurants to prevent deaths such as Matthew’s.” Read more
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State grants fund regional emergency services Read more
"The safety of our community and our law enforcement officers remains a top priority, and this funding underscores the state's commitment to providing the necessary resources and tools for the Monroeville Police Department to continue protecting the community," Markosek said. Read more
“This funding ensures emergency responders will have the resources needed to respond to emergencies,” Steele said. “These funds are especially important, considering there is a shortage of firefighters and EMS providers. I will continue to advocate for funding to provide assistance to emergency responders so that our communities remain safe.” Read more
BRADDOCK, Feb. 16 – New resources are coming to fire and ambulance companies in the 34 th Legislative District, thanks to $141,283 in grant funding from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the grants – awarded under the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program – will help get needed resources to local departments. “Our fire and EMS companies face constant challenges, from tight budgets that make it tough to meet equipment, maintenance and other operating expenses to ongoing recruitment and retention issues,” Salisbury said. “Any additional funding we can secure can ease some of those administrative burdens and, most importantly, help ensure that our first responders have the equipment and training they need to stay as safe as possible.” Salisbury said the funding includes: Churchill Volunteer Fire Company (fire) – $13,256. Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department (fire) – $15,000. Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department (EMS) – $5,000. Forest Hills Volunteer Fire Department (fire) – $16,952. North Braddock Volunteer Fire Department Inc. (fire) – $20,000. Rivers Edge VFD (fire) – $26,645. Swissvale Fire Department (fire) – $15,000. Swissvale Volunteer Fire Department (fire) – $14,812. Wilkins Township Volunteer Fire Company No. Read more
L&I grants fund pre-apprenticeships, workforce diversity programs Read more
“By allocating these grants, we ensure that our EMS providers and firefighters have the ability to operate,” Venkat said. “Our EMS providers and firefighters work to save lives, and this funding will allow them to continue their crucial work.” Read more
DCNR grant money to study new species, support biodiversity Read more
“Through this funding, we will have the opportunity to keep McCandless’ roads safer by equipping the McCandless Police Department and its officers with cameras to read license plates,” Venkat said. “This will ensure that our police officers have the most up to date equipment while patrolling the community.” Read more
BRADDOCK, Feb. 14 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury and community nonprofit partners today launched a grant-writing scholarship program to bring key training to residents in lower-income District 34 communities. Salisbury, who is co-founder and chair of the Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit Caucus, said the scholarship will bring needed tools to talented, civic-minded residents. “Our community is filled with changemakers – people who have the vision and drive to want to bring change, but don’t necessarily have a background in nonprofit grant-writing skills,” Salisbury said. “The scholarship program we are launching today will help connect folks to the skills they need to tap into valuable state grant dollars. “I encourage all residents who are interested to learn more and find out whether they qualify.” Salisbury said the program will provide 10 scholarships to District 34 residents living in low-income census tracts. Residents can determine whether their address qualifies by visiting www.justicemap.org , clicking on the income link at the top of the page and entering their address into the search bar at top left. Addresses located within red-colored zones showing income from $43,000 and below qualify. More information about the course is available by visiting: https://www.ccac.edu/workforce-and-community/community-education/grant-writing-and-non-profit-management.php . Residents who wish to apply Read more
“With my legislation, we have the opportunity to address welfare fraud while ensuring that the punishment fits the crime,” Mayes said. “This legislation will also assist the Office of the State Inspector General to pursue cases to recover fraudulent benefits, which we can utilize to allocate to eligible recipients.” Read more
Open Markets Act would protect consumers, workers and small businesses Read more
“Celebrating women scientists like Rachel Carson, Marie Curie and Hedy Lamarr is essential to inspiring the next generation of women leaders in STEM,” Kinkead said. “Establishing the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in our state would provide a great opportunity to highlight the significant contributions women have made to the field, which continue to be undermined and ignored. We need to do more to make women and especially young girls feel welcome and included in this field and that’s what this resolution is all about.” Read more
“With this grant, we ensure that students at the A.W. Beattie Career Center have access to equipment of the highest quality while they continue their education,” Venkat said. “As more than 8.3 million high school students participate in career and technical education programs across the U.S., we have the opportunity to ensure students from the Avonworth, Hampton, and North Allegheny school districts and many others across Allegheny County are prepared to enter into the workforce, in turn boosting Pennsylvania’s economy. I’m proud to have such an innovative career and technical center in McCandless.” Read more
“Many of the governor’s proposals resonated with me, including his proposals for greater investment in our public schools and in our historically disadvantaged small businesses," Salisbury said. Read more
“With maternal mortality at its highest rates since 1965 and Black women at a higher risk of dying from complications during child birth, we must address the maternal health care crisis to reduce racial disparities in health care, as well as combat Black maternal morbidity and mortality,” Mayes said. “Even healthy women, such as U.S. Olympic sprinter Tori Bowie who died in May 2023 from pre-eclampsia, are at risk. As such, we must ensure Black women and Black pregnant people have access to equitable health care so that we may systemically combat maternal morbidity and mortality.” Read more
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