I joined my House colleagues and legislative partners in the Senate on Tuesday to hear Gov. Josh Shapiro deliver his vision for Pennsylvania’s budget needs for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This was my second budget address as a state representative, and I heard several exciting initiatives my colleagues and I will work to make reality.
Safe and dignified housing for all is one of my top priorities, and the governor outlined two brand new initiatives to help deliver on that promise:
- $50 million to create the Housing Stock Restoration program, which would improve or maintain existing housing and be a huge help in rehabilitating the tens of thousands of vacant properties in Allegheny County.
- $10 million for First-Time Homebuyer Grants to assist Pennsylvanians with closing costs when purchasing their first home.
Also, Gov. Shapiro requested that eviction records be sealed for residents who had their cases ultimately dismissed.
From conversations I’ve had with our volunteer fire and EMS providers, fundraising is essential in supporting them. Providing more support for our firefighters and EMS crews is long overdue, so a new proposed $30 million in supplemental grants would help them be able to afford the equipment they need to protect our neighbors without spending time on fundraising.
PRT and other transit agencies would get $300M more for buses, trains, and paratransit as well, which means more Pennsylvanians can get to work, school, and essential services. Reliable transit isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. Investing in it means investing in people.
Additionally, new investments of $30 million will help to expand career opportunities in life sciences and $20 million will help entrepreneurs scale their ideas. This means PA will continue to grow its innovation economy and will compete with our neighboring states in bringing new, high-paying jobs to our Commonwealth.
This is a strong budget that puts people first, and I’m excited to keep pushing in the House to make sure these investments deliver for our communities!
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Lindsay’s Legislative Lineup
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This week, I introduced House Bill 407, which prohibits remote stalking via the use of Apple AirTags. To learn more, please click here.
I’m pleased to share that House Resolution 12, recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month in PA, was adopted as well.
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Heating bill assistance is available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The program provides one-time cash payments ranging from $200 to $1,000, depending on household size, income, and fuel type, to qualifying consumers. Crisis grants are also available to households on the brink of losing heat.
Please click here to learn more about the program, how you can apply with your COMPASS account, or to download a paper application that is available in multiple languages. Apply by Friday, April 4.
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The 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application period is open!
PTRR has made it easier for older friends & neighbors to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more. Also, don’t forget that thanks to changes made in 2023, eligibility and rebate amounts have increased many times over!
Please click here to apply by Monday, June 30. My staff and I are here to assist with applications as well, so please don’t hesitate to stop by the district office.
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Expanding Broadband Opportunities
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The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program is open for those in need of broadband internet service.
The BEAD program will consist of two, 60-day application periods for eligible entities to apply for funds to construct high-speed internet networks to areas that lack service. Dates for the second application period in 2025 will be announced.
Please click here to learn more about the program and to apply.
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Commonwealth Grant Programs
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To review and apply to grant programs available across PA, please click here or on “Grant Programs” under “Help & Services” on the homepage of my legislative website.
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Opportunities for Future Leaders
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The PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program is open for applications. The program provides four-year scholarships to two high school seniors per year and is to be used towards the cost of tuition and fees for a four-year program at a college, university, or career school in the Commonwealth.
Please click here for eligibility criteria and to apply. Applications are due Tuesday, April 15.
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Applications are also being accepted for the PA House Fellowship Program’s spring 2025 semester.
Fellows are assigned to work in House committees or leadership offices, compensated for their work (which may also include college credit), provided opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, and much more.
To view eligibility criteria and to apply, please click here. Please apply by Saturday, March 1.
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A veteran service officer will next be at my Lawrenceville district office on Tuesday, February 18 and Wednesday, February 19. Help will be available with:
- Compensation and pension claims.
- Education benefits.
- Obtaining military personnel and medical records.
- And additional requests.
Please consult the graphic above for the rest of these service dates throughout 2025.
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The next mobile office hours event will take place at Shaler North Hills Library on Monday, March 10 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Please join my team and me and get assistance with programs and services that include:
- Applications for voter registration and mail ballots.
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- PennDOT.
We hope to see you there!
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Housing Assistance Program is Opening Soon!
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The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh is partnering with Action Housing and the city of Pittsburgh for the 2025 Homeowner Assistance Program. Grants of up to $35,000 will be presented to homeowners for critical repairs and improvements.
The application period opens next Friday, February 14 and closes Friday, March 14 at 4 p.m. Only a limited number of grants will be awarded, so please click here to review the eligibility criteria and required materials to provide before applying.
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Connecting to Good Careers
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Sign up to receive the monthly Career Connect update email from NorthSideWorks!, an initiative of the Northside/North Shore Chamber of Commerce to help get good people into good jobs. The monthly update includes date-dependent information that can assist in skill building and job search decisions in the month ahead.
View the most recent Career Connect here and sign up to get next month’s delivered directly to your inbox here!
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Helping New Neighbors with Employment
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Renew your Furry Friends’ License Today!
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Please remember that any Allegheny County resident who has a dog must register them by the age of 3 months.
Start out the year on a pawsitive foot by clicking here or calling 412-320-4111.
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Learn More about REAL IDs
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The Penn Hills Driver License Center will host a REAL ID Day on Monday, February 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
You can also find out additional information on REAL IDs by clicking here.
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Bus Line Redesign Input Hearing
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Pittsburgh Regional Transit team members will be on hand for a community meeting next Tuesday, February 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at St. Michael and All Angels Lutheran Church (1308 Spring Garden Ave.) to discuss the Bus Line Redesign project and Draft Network 1.0.
To learn more about the project and how you can submit feedback if you’re unable to attend in person, please click here.
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Race in Politics Presentation at SNHL
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Shaler North Hills Library will host retired teacher Vincent Neal for a talk about the history of civil rights in America on Friday, February 21 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
To register, please click here.
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Local Roadwork in Progress
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If you live in upper Lawrenceville, please consult the graphic above for basic information on Pittsburgh Water’s upcoming inspection work on Butler Street.
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Construction will soon begin on the North Avenue Signals and Safety Project as well. Please click here to learn more.
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My office provides notary services that include:
- Taking an acknowledgement.
- Administering an oath or affirmation.
- Taking a verification on oath or affirmation (which includes affidavit).
- Witnessing or attesting a signature.
- Certifying or attesting a copy or deposition.
- Taking a note protest of a negotiable instrument.
Please click here or on “Schedule an Appointment” under the “Help & Services” tab on my website.
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The district office is open:
- Monday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Evening appointments are also available by request on Wednesdays.
The Shaler office is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. or any weekday by appointment.
My staff and I are here to help with all of your state government-related questions and concerns, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to the district office, call us at 412-781-2750, or visit www.RepPowell.com! You can also sign up for my weekly e-newsletters by going to the bottom of my website homepage and submitting the requested information.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
106-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-9114
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District Office
5154 Butler St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(412) 781-2750
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