EMSWORTH, Nov. 13 – The borough of Emsworth will receive $25,000 in grant funding to support equipment purchases, announced state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny. “Our local governments help keep our community moving, and it is important that they have adequate resources to do this work,” Venkat said. “This funding will go a long way toward helping the workers who support our neighbors in Emsworth every day. I will continue to work to ensure our communities receive the resources they need.” The funding will support the borough’s Department of Public Works, which will use it to renovate its current vehicle fleet. The funding for this project comes from the state Department of Community and Economic Development through Venkat’s legislative support. Read more

McCANDLESS, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, today announced $95,000 in new grant funding to support the McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority. “I see the critical work our first responders do every day, both as a physician and a legislator,” Venkat said. “I look forward to seeing the MFPAA put this funding to good use, and I will continue working to ensure our local first responders have the resources they need.” The funding will support the remounting of an ambulance, extending the lifespan of an otherwise well-functioning patient care compartment by replacing the vehicle’s chassis. The funding for this project comes from the state Department of Community and Economic Development through Venkat’s legislative support. Read more

Lawmakers remember transgender lives lost, highlight events happening statewide Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – In advance of nationally recognized Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month this November, the Pennsylvania House adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution to raise awareness about the disease, which is expected to kill more than 52,000 people in the United States this year. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said he introduced H.R. 538 – designating November 2026 as “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania – to keep the focus on a disease that remains one of the most difficult forms of cancer to treat. “Although pancreatic cancer isn’t one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer, it’s the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., and it has the lowest overall 5-year survival rate – just 13% – among the major cancers,” Matzie said. “The issue is personal to me because my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was one of the lucky ones. Her cancer was caught early, and she went on to live for eight years. Most patients are not so lucky. Because the disease spreads quickly with few symptoms during the early stages, most cases are not diagnosed until they are too advanced for effective treatment.” Matzie said that although the medical community has struggled to make inroads against the disease, there is some hope on the horizon. “There have been some recent advances. A Read more

State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, a leading proponent of restricting cell phone use in schools, today celebrated the signing of a bipartisan bill prohibiting cell phone use in Pennsylvania schools so students can learn and grow without harmful digital distractions. Read more

Read my email update from October 23, 2026 Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday unanimously adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie's H.R. 539, designating October 2026 as "Agent Orange Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said he introduced the resolution to raise awareness about the devastating impact of Agent Orange exposure and its continuing effects on some Pennsylvania veterans and their families. "While thousands of our troops were fighting in Vietnam, nearly 20 million gallons of Agent Orange and other herbicides were being sprayed to clear trees and other foliage that provided enemy cover,” Matzie said. “Exposure to Agent Orange was later linked to severe health problems, including heart disease, nervous system disorders like Parkinson's disease, birth defects like spina bifida, and various cancers including prostate, blood, bladder, respiratory and other cancers. Because the effects of exposure can take years to show up, many veterans are still discovering and being diagnosed with these conditions. "I introduced this resolution to make sure we remember and honor the sacrifice of those who died as a result of their exposure to this deadly chemical and those who continue to live with the consequences decades after they've served." Matzie said that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes certain conditions as "presumptive" Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The Pennsylvania Senate today passed state Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill to restore newborn testing for Gaucher disease – an inherited genetic disorder that can cause wide-ranging damage in affected children and adults. Salisbury said her H.B. 1652 would give parents the timely information they need for early medical intervention that can alleviate symptoms. “Until recently, Pennsylvania newborns were screened for Gaucher disease, along with a wide array of other diseases, but the condition was dropped from the panel of screened diseases several years ago without good reason,” Salisbury said. “Other states, including neighboring New Jersey, still screen for Gaucher, and it can lead to arbitrary, unfair results for families. For example, a baby born in New Jersey can be diagnosed and taken to Philadelphia for expert treatment, while a baby born right here in the commonwealth would miss that chance for early intervention. “I’m thrilled to know that we’re one step closer to restoring this screening, so parents can have critical information they need as early as possible, and infants born with this condition can get the early treatment they need to give them a better outcome.” Gaucher disease is a genetic condition in which a person is missing an enzyme that breaks down lipids, or fatty compounds, in the body. The disease can cause devastating Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie's H.R. 536, designating the week of Oct. 11-17, 2026, as “Credit Union Week” in Pennsylvania. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said he introduced the resolution to highlight the advantages credit unions can provide for consumers and how these nonprofit organizations differ from traditional banks. “Credit unions are owned and operated by their member account holders,” Matzie said. “They function as financial democracies, with each member having an equal vote, regardless of the size of their account. Because they are not obligated to turn a profit for shareholders, they can return surplus income to members in the form of lower fees and loan rates and higher savings dividends. “As member-owned organizations, they also tend to be community-focused, sponsoring local events and financial seminars and supporting members’ charitable work. For all of these reasons, they can be a good choice for consumers.” According to recent regulatory reports, there are nearly 270 credit unions headquartered in Pennsylvania, including 32 state-chartered credit unions and 236 federally chartered credit unions. State-chartered credit unions are regulated and supervised by the state Department of Banking and Securities, while federally chartered credit unions Read more