Building a stronger storm response for our community requires input from all stakeholders, from state and local emergency officials to residents and small businesses, to our utility providers. That’s why I was so disappointed to see Duquesne Light cancel their scheduled appearance at the Aug. 30 meeting of the Allegheny County Council’s storm review committee meeting just two hours and 15 minutes before the meeting.

This was the second time the company declined to appear to discuss the response to the April 29 storm that left some 400,000 customers without power.

Duquesne Light is scheduled to appear at the committee's next meeting on Sept. 17. I hope they decide to attend, so we can all work together to craft a stronger storm response.

A new federal law will soon impose a work requirement for some Pennsylvania SNAP recipients who do not qualify for an exemption. Just Harvest is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. to help people learn more about the requirement, the exemptions that apply, and how to stay connected to benefits. The webinar will also cover new restrictions to immigrant eligibility that may be implemented in the coming months.  

Visit this page to learn more and register for the seminar.

In related news, I spoke at a news conference organized by the nonprofit group Just Harvest to address the urgent issue of scammers using card readers to steal people’s SNAP benefits. Click here or on the image above to hear my comments from the event.

Stop by our mobile office on Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Carnegie Free Library in Swissvale, located at 1800 Monongahela Ave. Staff can help you obtain a Senior Citizen ConnectCard, apply for a Property Tax/Rent Rebate, and get information about all the other services available through our district office. If you are seeking rebate assistance, please remember to bring a valid photo ID, proof of all 2024 income, proof of 2024 property taxes paid (homeowners) or a completed PA rent certification (renters), and direct deposit information (if desired).

As the budget impasse continues, public schools, public transit, and other vital services and programs for residents are starting to feel the impact. Without a state budget in place, our school districts can’t properly prepare for the year, and Pittsburgh Regional Transit is planning 35% service cuts and 9% fare increases. Even nonprofit groups are sounding the alarm.

Visit this page for more information about PRT proposed service reductions for fiscal Year 2026 and click here or on the map below to see the potential impacts in our district.

I’m working with my House colleagues to encourage the Senate to come to the table and vote on our legislation, but your voice is especially important. I urge you contact Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman and Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and urge them to support a plan that fully funds our transit systems and a budget that fulfills our constitutional obligation to adequately and equitably fund our public schools.

In addition to helping with constituent work, our interns perform research that yields helpful information we use to assist residents. Last week, we bid farewell to our intern Dani Stewart, but she left us with a wonderful reference tool – a food resource guide that our staff can use when constituents reach out for help accessing food. Dani developed a decision tree that helps direct folks to the most accessible resources.

Dani also drafted a resource guide to assist with access to free and income-based health care clinics and women’s health resources. We are thankful for Dani’s great work, and we wish her well in her future endeavors!

The Veterans Leadership Program provides housing, employment, wellness services and other support for veterans and their families. Program CEO Dr. Ben Stahl gave us an exciting tour of VLP’s current project, which involves renovating the former Good Shepherd School in Braddock into 25 units of veterans housing and VLP headquarters. Visit this page to learn more about VLP.

Also, please be aware that our staff has a full-time constituent services advisor, Simon Alexander, who is a veteran and is available to assist residents with veteran-related matters.

On Saturday, our district office director, Aaron, visited the Promise Center of Homewood to celebrate back to school with Senator Jay Costa, Promise Center Executive Director Nate Goodson, and members of Laborers Local 1058, who provided backpacks and school supplies to local students.

Later that day, Aaron staffed a table at Edgewood Community Day to help residents with state services.

Our District Office Director Aaron (at top left with Friends of the Riverfront Executive Director Kelsey Ripper) and staffer Simon Alexander attended the group’s presentation about the latest phase of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, which will connect Hazelwood to Duck Hollow and Carrie Furnace. Visit this page to learn more about the project.  

If you’re looking for a job, check out the Welcome & Work Job Fair on Friday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Allegheny County Human Services (lower level) at 1 Smithfield St., Pittsburgh 15222. Remember to bring your resume!

With students returning to school, it’s a good idea to refresh your knowledge about our school bus stopping law. On roads with painted lines only, all vehicles must stop for a school bus loading or unloading students. Vehicles on the opposite side of the road must stop as well, unless there is a physical dividing barrier. Visit this page to learn more.  

The Wilkinsburg Penn Joint Water Authority will be considering submissions by residents who are interesting in serving on the authority’s Customer Advisory Council. The council was created to ensure that residents have a voice in the quality and delivery of our community’s water services. If you would like to be considered for a seat on the council, please notify me by Sept. 5 by calling our office at (412) 273-3400 or emailing RepSalisbury@pahouse.net

United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania's Community Food Solutions will reopen for applications on Aug. 29. The mini-grant program provides grants up to $7,500 to small-scale, grassroots organizations and groups that are working to address food insecurity in our region. This will be the last opportunity to apply until the Summer of 2026. Visit this page to learn more.