HARRISBURG, Jan. 14 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca’s House bill that would require the mandatory five-year sentence imposed for convictions of crimes with a firearm to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed by the court passed the state House Monday. The measure, H.B. 726, also passed the state House during the last legislative session under a different bill number, DeLuca said. “It’s time we think more about the victims and the victims’ families, rather than the perpetrator,” DeLuca said. “ I support criminal justice reform, and I’m more than encouraged to see the positive discourse surrounding the subject in the political arena. What I don’t support, however, is the individuals committing violent crimes with firearms.” DeLuca said his reasoning behind this legislation surrounds the “clear and present danger” crimes involving firearms and those that commit them pose to society, and what he called the “severely comprised” legislative intent of current law, thanks to district attorney plea bargaining that allow multiple sentences to run concurrently. House Bill 726 now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, plans to introduce legislation that would allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to deny or revoke a hunting license to individuals convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals. The legislation comes in wake of a recent viral video in which two Pennsylvania hunters appear to kick a wounded white-tailed deer in the face, rip at its antlers and step on its legs. Act 10 of 2017, also known as Libre’s law, overhauled Pennsylvania’s animal cruelty laws and prohibits the torture of animals. “Libre’s Law did not give the Game Commission the power to deny or revoke the hunting license of individuals convicted under Libre’s law,” DeLuca said. “My legislation seeks to change that and hold individuals accountable for the cruel acts they commit.” DeLuca’s legislation would give the commission the power to revoke or deny a hunting license to any person convicted under Libre’s Law of torturing an animal. The duration of a license suspension would be determined by the Game Commission. “The concept behind my legislation is simple: if you were convicted of torturing an animal, you should not be able to go out there and engage in hunting activities,” DeLuca said. DeLuca plans to introduce his legislation in the near future. Read more
I have both good news and bad news about repairs on Hulton Road in Penn Hills. Read more
Today, Gov. Tom Wolf signed my H.B. 1016 into law. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 27 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca’s H.B. 1016, which provides stronger protections to fraternal life insurance products, was signed into law as Act 98 of 2019 by Gov. Tom Wolf. DeLuca, Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, said his measure provides enhanced protections to not-for-profit fraternal insurance products by allowing for earlier regulatory intervention; enacts notification requirements to the state Insurance Department before assessments; creates a streamlined process that allows for state transfers of products to another fraternal; and, if necessary, streamlines liquidation. Fraternal benefit societies are not-for-profit membership organizations. To date, the commonwealth has about 500,000 members of fraternal organizations. “Before this pro-consumer bill was signed today by Governor Wolf, fraternal life insurance products weren’t held to the same standard as other products,” DeLuca said. “Today’s signing changes that, and I’m grateful for the bipartisan support from my colleagues that got this bill signed into law. As long as I’m in public service, I will continue to fight for consumer protections.” DeLuca said he initially drafted the bill because he saw a need to provide stronger protections for fraternal members who were purchasing life insurance products offered by fraternal benefit societies, noting the products didn’t Read more
Last week staff from my district office registered 200 senior citizens for their new free bus passes at a special outreach event I hosted at the Penn Hills Library. The turnout was outstanding, and I was honored to interact with area residents who came to apply for the cards and happy to bring this service directly to you in one central location. Read more
Is your family struggling to pay the sewage bill? Read more
Blawnox Community Park will undergo a major rehabilitation project, thanks to a $40,000 state grant! Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, announced Thursday that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources approved a $40,000 state grant to be used for the rehabilitation of Blawnox Community Park. “Local parks are one of many reasons residents love to call our district home,” DeLuca said. “But, just like our roadways, sometimes our parks need some refurbishing so that families can enjoy these locations to the fullest extent. Today’s funding will assist in that initiative.” DeLuca said the rehabilitation project at Blawnox Community Park will include the renovation of a basketball court; installation of fencing; ADA access; landscaping; and other site-related improvements. The grant was among dozens awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on Thursday through its Community Conservation Partnerships Program. The program assists local governments, recreation and conservation organizations with funding for projects related to conservation, parks and recreation, including conservation of open space, river conservation and access, and the planning, acquisition and development of public parks. More information can be found here . Read more
As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day on Monday, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our nation’s veterans, and particularly, to the remarkable veterans of our commonwealth. Read more
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
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
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
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
I wanted to reach out and remind everyone of the recent changes to polling locations for the upcoming election! Read more
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 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
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
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
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
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form your are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates. Aw yeah!
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Tony DeLuca.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
Oh no! It seems cookies are not enabled for your browser. This site unfortunatly uses cookies to help provide you with a customized experience on the site. Please enable cookies to allow your experience to be customized. Thank you.
7205 Saltsburg RoadPittsburgh, PA 15235
P*: (412) 793-2448
115 K. Leroy Irvis Office Bldg.PO Box 202032 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2032
P*: (717) 783-1011