I’m excited to partner with Allegheny RiverTrail Park for the third annural RiverTrail Rec Day this Sunday, May 31 at the Allegheny RiverTrail Park at 285 River Ave., Pittsburgh. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s a family friendly day of outdoor recreation along the Allegheny River. I hope you’re able to come out and join us!

For more information, visit here.

I’m hosting a Seniors for Safe Driving class next month to help those 55 and older refresh their driving skills and save on car insurance. The course, which is approved by the state Department of Transportation, will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 12 at Sharpsburg Senior Center, 209 13th St.

Participating seniors will receive a 5% discount on their automobile insurance for three years, and all insurance companies in Pennsylvania must accept it. That discount is mandated by state law and makes the $17 class more attractive to many seniors.

You can sign up for the class at this link: Rep. Steele's Seniors for Safe Driving Class. You can also call my office at 724-826-5151, and we will provide you with the forms needed to enroll.

Monday marked a profoundly solemn day as we mourned the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who died while fighting to uphold the values of our great Country. It was an honor to spend Memorial Day morning with neighbors in Blawnox, marching in their parade and speaking on such a somber and significant day.

This is a Scarlet Tanager, and just a few weeks ago, it was in the Amazon, eating berries that give it a bright scarlet color. Now, it is settled right here in Pennsylvania!

It was wonderful to join Audubon Mid-Atlantic for a birding expedition at Beechwood Farms. I have a bill to designate the Scarlet Tanager as the state migratory bird. Because Pennsylvania has so much old-growth forest, we have more Scarlet Tanagers here than anywhere else in the United States.

Designating this bird is an opportunity to call out the importance of protecting our beautiful Pennsylvania forests and highlight why we should work together to conserve more.

Eligible Allegheny County residents age 60 or older can receive $25 in vouchers for fresh, local produce. Unlike in previous years, you can now apply online and have vouchers mailed directly to your home. If you’d prefer a paper application, just stop by my office so my staff can help you apply.

Learn more about eligibility and apply online here.

Drivers take note: Beginning June 6, you can be cited for driving while using a hand-held device in Pennsylvania, even while stopped at a red light or traffic jam. “Paul Miller’s Law” went into effect last year, but in the first year police could only issue warnings. June 6 marks the date when drivers convicted of distracted driving will be subject to a $50 fine. There are exceptions for contacting emergency officials and hands-free technology.

Signed by Gov. Shapiro in 2024, “Paul Miller’s Law” was named for a 21-year-old Scranton man who was killed in a 2010 crash involving a truck driver who was using a cell phone.

Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program helps older friends and neighbors stay in their homes while affording life’s necessities, and applications are now open. The program benefits income-eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. Rebates range from $380 to $1,000, and the deadline for applying has been extended to Dec. 31.

Learn more about the program here. My staff are available to assist with applications, so don’t hesitate to visit my district office. The above graphic lists the information to bring with you to apply.

I’m offering a new service this year at my Cheswick office. Once a month through September, I will host a representative from Allegheny County Treasurer Erica Rocchi Brusselars’ office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents can take advantage of these special days and hours at my office, located at 1296 Pittsburgh St., to pay county property taxes, apply for the Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion or Senior Citizen Tax Relief programs, or obtain hunting, fishing, or dog licenses.

Mark your calendars with the dates and times on the graphic above!  

Twice a month, a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) will be at my Cheswick office, 1296 Pittsburgh St., to assist veterans with a variety of services. The VSO will be available on the third Wednesday and Thursday of each month.

Call to schedule an appointment at (724) 826-5151.

District Office

1296 Pittsburgh Street

Cheswick, PA 15024

(724) 826-5151

Pennsylvania State Capitol

111 B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 705-7141