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Rep. Tony DeLuca

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Don't miss my Nov. 13 ConnectCard event!

(Nov 06, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

Senior citizens who have yet to apply for their new free bus passes should plan to attend a special event I am sponsoring on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road. Read more

 

Surprise medical bills? If so, I want to hear from you and your family!

(Nov 01, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

Right now, you and your family could fall victim to substantial surprise medical bills, even if you are receiving health care at an in-network facility. Read more

 

DeLuca: $3 million in emergency funding released to Penn Hills for roadway repair

(Oct 31, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Oct. 31 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, on Thursday announced that the state Department of Transportation awarded $3 million in emergency funding to repair two roadways that were severely damaged last summer by torrential rain and flooding in Penn Hills. “I’ve been diligently pursuing this funding since the flooding occurred because I knew the safety of Penn Hills residents was in jeopardy,” DeLuca said. “PennDOT, too, was more than willing to release this funding due to the severity of the damage and my longstanding track record during my many years in Harrisburg and working to ensure motorists’ safety on both roadways. I’d like to thank PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards for releasing this funding, as well as Cheryl Moon-Sirianni, district executive for PennDOT 11 for working so closely with me on this project.” DeLuca said $1 million of the emergency funding will enable the completion of substantial repairs already underway on Verona Road. The remaining $2 million will fund desperately needed repairs to Lime Hollow Road. DeLuca said construction on Lime Hollow Road is expected to begin early next year. Read more

 

DeLuca: Voting bill a no-brainer, casts “yes” vote

(Oct 30, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, released the following statement regarding his “yes” vote on S.B. 421, which passed the state House on Tuesday: “On Tuesday, we all had a chance to take part in a historic, bipartisan push to bring our state’s voting system into modern times. I voted for this bill for a number of reasons, but I think it’s important to note this bill does so many great things for the state and its voters. It was a no-brainer to cast my ‘yes’ vote. “Pennsylvania, regardless of how you look at it, was behind the times. We were able to pass a bill that expands access to the ballot with vote-by-mail, no-excuse absentee ballots, and change the voter registration deadline so that everyone has a chance to cast a vote! “The commonwealth prides itself on the hard-working demeanor of its residents, but many residents in years past had to make special accommodations to make it to the polls. This bill ensures residents working long hours or odd shifts have the flexibility and choice as to when they decide to cast their vote. “Lastly, but certainly not least, this bill provides an influx of $4 million to help promote an accurate and complete census count, which will help determine how more than $675 billion in federal funds will be distributed. Those dollars mean new roads, better schools and better health care, which, as Read more

 

Make sure YOU know where to find your polling station

(Oct 28, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

I wanted to reach out and remind everyone of the recent changes to polling locations for the upcoming election! Read more

 

Public Defender’s Office hosting expungement clinic Saturday

(Oct 25, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

The Office of the Public Defender will host an expungement Clinic on Saturday at the Carnegie Library of Homewood, 7101 Hamilton Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Read more

 

It’s time to review your health coverage

(Oct 21, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

It’s that time of year again where all Pennsylvanians should review their current health insurance plan to ensure it is meeting their needs. Which is why, as Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, I want you to know that the open enrollment period for the ACA is now through Dec. 15, 2019. If you don’t act by Dec. 15, you can’t get 2020 coverage unless you qualify for the special enrollment period. Learn more about the ACA’s open enrollment here . If you qualify for Medicare, open enrollment began Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. Any newly selected coverage takes effect Jan. 1, 2020. During open enrollment, new Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage and health plans to complement Medicare, and current Medicare beneficiaries can review and make changes to their current coverage so that it better meets their needs. To assist seniors during what can be a quite stressful and overwhelming process, the state is offering free, objective health benefits counseling through the APPRISE Program , which is designed to counsel and encourage Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers to make informed health care benefit decisions. You can contact the Allegheny County APPRISE Program at 412-661-1438 . Click here to read more about Medicare open enrollment and the available counseling services. Read more

 

DeLuca: Redeemer Lutheran School receives funding for school safety initiatives

(Oct 18, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Oct. 18 – A private school associated with the 32 nd Legislative District was awarded $12,752 in state funding for school-safety and violence-reduction initiatives, announced state Rep. Tony DeLuca. DeLuca said the competitive 2019-20 Safe Schools Targeted Grant was awarded through the state Department of Education’s Office for Safe Schools, which offers four types of safety grants: equipment grants, program grants, school police officer grants and school resource officer grants. DeLuca said Redeemer Lutheran School in Penn Hills was awarded $12,752, which will be used to purchase safety and security related equipment. “Our children, above all, deserve to go to school without fearing for their safety,” DeLuca said. “Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. The Commonwealth, though, has worked hard to ensure student safety, and this funding will assist Redeemer Lutheran School in continuing their safety initiatives and efforts.” DeLuca said all four types of grants offered by PDE’s program aim to assist schools in reducing unnecessary student disciplinary actions and promoting an environment of greater productivity, safety and learning; and enhance anti-violence efforts among schools and parents, local governments, law enforcement and community organizations. This program is separate from the School Safety and Security Grant program administered by the Read more

 

You could be eligible for a free mammogram!

(Oct 17, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is why I want to remind insured women 40 and over that they’re eligible for a FREE annual mammogram. Read more

 

DeLuca: Dental networks have value and keep costs down for the consumer

(Sep 24, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Sept. 23 – On Sunday, I read Kailyn Marie Perez’s “As I See It” editorial on ways lawmakers can reform health care. While I appreciate and respect her opinion, as Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, I feel that it’s my duty to provide readers with the other side of the story. First, dental networks have value and keep costs down in order to prevent premium increases for dental coverage. This keeps consumers from shelling out big money on top of what their dental insurer reimburses for services. What is missing from the previous Sunday story is the fact that out-of-network dentists generally choose not to join the network because they don’t want a contract and won’t have to agree to in-network reimbursement rates. They want direct payment so they can balance bill the consumer the difference between the reimbursement and the original charges. Meaning – the consumer pays more! I have consistently said no to this proposal and, when House Bill 564 came up for a committee vote, all House Democrats voted “no” and even some Republicans voiced concern, too. The Dental Association that is pushing this proposal wants their cake so they can eat it, too. Dentists would benefit from direct payment when out of network, while the consumer does not benefit. How does a consumer benefit from being balance billed additional charges? Read more

 

DeLuca bill could generate upwards of $135 million for senior citizen property tax freeze

(Sep 18, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Sept. 18 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, on Wednesday unveiled his legislative plan to provide qualified senior citizens with a property tax freeze. DeLuca rolled out H.B. 1565 at a Capitol news conference. If adopted into law, the bill would lift the sales tax exemption for advertisements and direct the collected funding to property tax freezes for senior citizens, much like the way the state earmarks lottery revenue to fund Property Tax/Rent Rebates to qualified individuals, DeLuca said. “It is estimated my proposal will benefit between 126,000 and 284,000 senior households,” DeLuca said. “These are state residents who have already paid off their mortgages. Yet, they’re forced to pay ever-increasing property taxes on a fixed income, which ultimately results in many seniors losing their homes.” “Meanwhile, we’re letting big business profits go exactly to that – big business. Why not capitalize on the major profits reaped by large corporations regarding untaxed ads and put that funding to good use? This is a decades-long problem that continues to plague legislators, and the time to act is now. House Bill 1565 is the solution to this ongoing problem.” Under his proposal, any homeowner over 65 with an income less than $40,000 per year would be able to apply for a tax freeze. However, a recipient of the property tax freeze would not be permitted to Read more

 

DeLuca: More than $450,000 awarded to 32nd Legislative District for park improvement projects

(Sep 17, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Sept. 17 – State funding totaling a combined $454,410 was awarded Tuesday to Verona Borough, Penn Hills and Plum Borough for park beautification projects, announced state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny. DeLuca said the funding was awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and funded through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. “Enhancing public places like parks is key to continuing the beautification efforts here in the 32 nd Legislative District,” DeLuca said. “The substantial funding awarded today will be reflected in our park areas in the near future, and I’m excited to see residents enjoying the enhancements for years to come.” DeLuca said Verona Borough was awarded $200,000 for the construction of a new pavilion at Cribb’s Field. The project will include the demolition of the existing pavilion and the construction of a new one. DeLuca said the new pavilion will include concessions, restrooms and ADA access from the pavilion to the road. Penn Hills was granted $104,410 for upgrades to Penn Hills Park. DeLuca said the funding will be used to replace the Maple and Red Oak pavilions, which have drainage, roof and concrete issues. DeLuca said the project will increase pavilion capacity and include prefabricated, all-steel basic gable end shelters. Plum Borough received $150,000 for the rehabilitation of Logan’s Ferry Park. DeLuca said the Read more

 

DeLuca to unveil bill that could generate more than $100 million for seniors

(Sep 12, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Sept. 12 – On Wednesday, state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, plans to introduce legislation that has the potential to earmark more than $100 million for senior citizen property tax relief. DeLuca will roll out his legislation, H.B. 1565, at a news conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, in the Capitol Media Center. Funding for property tax relief would come from taxation on advertisements, DeLuca said, referencing the vast amounts of money spent on advertisements each year. “Advertisements are not taxed, and that’s a giveaway to big business,” DeLuca said. “Why not capture some of the millions of dollars large corporations are paying for ad time and direct that revenue to much-needed relief to our senior citizens?” If enacted into law, DeLuca said the taxing of advertisements could generate an estimated $135 million for senior citizen property tax relief. Read more

 

Pennsylvania to Launch Online Application for Absentee Ballots

(Sep 10, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

As part of Governor Tom Wolf’s commitment to making voting more convenient, Pennsylvania is launching a new option for voters to apply online for an absentee ballot starting with the November election. In August 2015, Governor Wolf launched online voter registration. Since then, more than 1.4 million voter registration applications or changes have been submitted online. Read more

 

Changes to my Sept. 7 Shredding event

(Sep 04, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

I am sponsoring a free paper shredding event on Saturday, Sept. 7 (weather permitting) from noon to 2 p.m. at a NEW LOCATION and with NEW RESTRICTIONS. Read more

 

DeLuca condemns BuzzFeed story accusing insurers, police of working together to falsely prosecute customers for profit

(Aug 23, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Aug. 23 – In response to a BuzzFeed News story that claims major home and auto insurers around the country have urged law enforcement to intimidate and prosecute customers to boost company profits and avoid paying claims, state Rep. Tony DeLuca, Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, released the following statement: “The accusations, and I reiterate, the accusations made by this news organization claiming the existence and use of a co-opt plan by major insurance companies and law enforcement to falsely prosecute insurers to boost company profits – which, as a result, pay police salaries – are unfounded and false. “As Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, I work closely and am in-tune with the rules, regulations and practices upheld by the state’s Insurance Department. The department would never tolerate actions that suggest the insurance industry is misusing fraud reporting, and it surely would act if brought to its attention. “Moreover, the Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority was enacted to assist insurers in reporting fraud, not tear down the system. This story suggests the opposite, claiming the relationship between insurers and law enforcement in Pennsylvania goes deeper than arresting and prosecuting criminals who deceptively steal money from state residents. This, among others, is another false accusation made on behalf of this news organization. “In 2018, there were Read more

 

Deluca asks Mayor Peduto, House members to honor late-Sen. John McCain by flying American flag on Aug. 25

(Aug 22, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

State Rep. Tony DeLuca sent a letter to Mayor Peduto and all House members, encouraging them to fly the American flag at their residence or place of business to mark the one-year anniversary of U.S. Sen. John McCain's death. Read more

 

ConnectCards coming to a senior center near you!

(Aug 16, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

I am pleased to announce the staff in my district office has been trained to help senior citizens apply for their new Port Authority photo bus pass (Connect Card). Read more

 

Flood plain or not, you can still get flood insurance

(Aug 09, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

As a resident of Allegheny County, flooding is not uncommon – this we know. This year, however, many Allegheny County residents have been impacted by flooding. Read more

 

Residents, business owners: Low-interest loans available for flood damage

(Aug 08, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

As your representative, I wanted to let you know that I have heard your distress over the devastating, widespread flood damage throughout the district from recent storms. For weeks, I have been asking the Wolf Administration to work with federal authorities to declare Allegheny County a disaster area. Today, I’m happy to report that our voices have been heard: The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Gov. Tom Wolf’s request, and low-interest disaster loans are now available for damage from flash flooding caused by the July 21-22 storms. Homeowners impacted may be eligible for a low-interest loan of up to $200,000. In addition, homeowners and renters may receive up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Businesses impacted may borrow up to $2 million to restore damaged buildings, inventory, equipment and assets. In addition to Allegheny County, disaster loans may be available for damage in neighboring Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland counties . To assist anyone wishing to apply, the SBA will establish a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Renton Volunteer Department, Plum Borough, 1996 Old Mine Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15239. The center will be open on the following days and times: Opening: Friday, Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. Hours: Monday - Friday., 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10 & Aug. 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Closed: Sundays Closes: Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. Loan applications can also be Read more

 

Don't miss my Nov. 13 ConnectCard event!
Nov 06, 2019

Surprise medical bills? If so, I want to hear from you and your family!
Nov 01, 2019

DeLuca: $3 million in emergency funding released to Penn Hills for roadway repair
Oct 31, 2019

DeLuca: Voting bill a no-brainer, casts “yes” vote
Oct 30, 2019

Make sure YOU know where to find your polling station
Oct 28, 2019

Public Defender’s Office hosting expungement clinic Saturday
Oct 25, 2019

It’s time to review your health coverage
Oct 21, 2019

DeLuca: Redeemer Lutheran School receives funding for school safety initiatives
Oct 18, 2019

You could be eligible for a free mammogram!
Oct 17, 2019

DeLuca: Dental networks have value and keep costs down for the consumer
Sep 24, 2019

DeLuca bill could generate upwards of $135 million for senior citizen property tax freeze
Sep 18, 2019

DeLuca: More than $450,000 awarded to 32nd Legislative District for park improvement projects
Sep 17, 2019

DeLuca to unveil bill that could generate more than $100 million for seniors
Sep 12, 2019

Pennsylvania to Launch Online Application for Absentee Ballots
Sep 10, 2019

Changes to my Sept. 7 Shredding event
Sep 04, 2019

DeLuca condemns BuzzFeed story accusing insurers, police of working together to falsely prosecute customers for profit
Aug 23, 2019

Deluca asks Mayor Peduto, House members to honor late-Sen. John McCain by flying American flag on Aug. 25
Aug 22, 2019

ConnectCards coming to a senior center near you!
Aug 16, 2019

Flood plain or not, you can still get flood insurance
Aug 09, 2019

Residents, business owners: Low-interest loans available for flood damage
Aug 08, 2019