Nearly 1,000 members of IBEW Local 29 agreed to return to work this week, ending their 11-day strike against Duquesne Light Co. As a longtime member of Teamsters Local 205, I was proud to stand with the workers as they demanded better terms of employment.

The five-year agreement, which union members ratified Sunday, reportedly includes extra staffing, technology advancements, and enhanced benefits. You can read more about it here.

I realize the challenges we face staying healthy as we get older, which is why I’m co-hosting a Senior Wellness & Safety Expo this month with Sen. Pisciottano. It’s a free event, and it will be 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at McKeesport Palisades, 100 Fifth Ave. in McKeesport.

We’ll have flu shots and health screenings, and we’ll make it fun with door prizes and refreshments. The Allegheny County Shefiff’s Office will also be there to collect any unused or unwanted medications. For more information, call my district office at (412) 664-0035.

I will be hosting a free shredding event on Saturday, Oct. 24, to help you safely dispose of papers and disks containing sensitive information. It will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the McKeesport High School parking lot. It’s a great way to protect your identity by ensuring documents don’t fall into the wrong hands—documents such as financial statements, canceled checks, and legal and insurance papers.

So, plan on stopping by if you have any documents you’d like to shred, and feel free to call my office with any questions at (412) 664-0035.

I’m happy to report that West Homestead Borough has been awarded a new state grant of $342K for the development of West Homestead Park. The work will include construction of pedestrian walkways, an access drive and parking area, ADA access, landscaping and signage. The grant comes from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

I had the opportunity last week to tour Centennial apartments, a 55-plus facility in McKeesport. It was renovated by Brandon and Heather Kucich of the Kucich Company, and I was impressed by my tour. A great local project, and yet another sign that the Mon Valley is moving forward!

Mail-in voting in PA is simple, safe, and secure. It’s one way that you can make your voice heard. The deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27. Learn more by watching the video below or visiting www.vote.pa.gov.

Local students have a chance to design the county’s next “I Voted” sticker. The Allegheny County Elections Division is accepting submissions for its second annual “I Voted” sticker contest. The winning design will be featured on stickers available to voters during the 2027 elections.

The contest is open to Allegheny County students in grades 9–12. Designs must:

• Include the phrase “I Voted”
• Fit a 2-inch circular design
• Be nonpartisan
• Avoid copyrighted images and trademarks
• Include parent or guardian consent for students under 18

Entries must be submitted electronically by Dec. 31. The top 10 designs will be selected for public voting in January. Students interested in participating can find the full contest rules and submission information at alleghenycounty.us/stickercontest.

Pennsylvania is in the process of safeguarding the SNAP food-assistance program with new, chip-enabled EBT cards. The new cards will help protect these vital benefits from a growing national trend of SNAP theft. Beginning next spring, the new cards will be mailed to the 1.7 million Pennsylvanians receiving SNAP benefits.

The current state budget provides a $7 million investment to modernize the SNAP program and transition to the chip-enabled cards. I’m proud to have supported a state budget that helps people in ways that really matter—in this case, by helping them put food on the table. 

Do you know about upcoming changes to Medicaid and how it could affect your healthcare coverage AND costs? Thanks to changes by the federal government, there are new work and reporting requirements, plus you’ll need to renew your coverage every six months (instead of every 12 months). It’s important that you watch for communication from Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services in your mailbox letting you know about the changes so you can be prepared. You may have already received a letter like this explaining how to meet the work requirements and possible exemptions for individuals. You might also receive a text message on your smartphone (from 69217) or robocall (from 1-877-839-4782). Those are the only legitimate sources of messaging you’ll receive about Medicaid changes from DHS.

Watch the video below for more explanation and click here to read more about the changes and how they might affect you and your family. This page of frequently asked questions may also be helpful. Don’t hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance.

My team and I are here to assist with a variety of state government-related services, so please don’t hesitate to visit the district office at Tube City Center in McKeesport, call us at 412-664-0035, or visit my website, www.repgoughnour.com.  

Pennsylvania State Capitol

117-A East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-1018

District Office

409 Walnut St. First Floor

McKeesport, PA 15132-2524

(412) 664-0035

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