Celebrating MLK Jr.

Veena and I were honored to attend the 25th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast at La Roche University in McCandless on Monday. All of us must work to fulfill Dr. King’s vision of successfully combating injustice that persists to this day. Thank you to all our neighbors for joining this unifying event.

Taking Action Against Fentanyl

Earlier this week, I introduced bipartisan legislation with PA State Rep. Jamie Flick to mandate that the Department of Health create and disseminate public health-focused posters on responding to a fentanyl overdose. You can read more about the bill here. Thank you to Stop the Judgment Project, led by my constituents in Franklin Park, for inspiring this effort.

Funding for Stormwater Infrastructure 

I’m happy to announce that the Borough of Franklin Park has secured $460,000 in new funding to improve stormwater management. You can read more about the funding here. In the year ahead, I’ll continue working to bring dollars back to our community to bolster infrastructure and other critical needs.

A Profile of My Journey

It is a privilege and honor to represent my neighbors in Western Pennsylvania in our State House. But I also take seriously that I am a voice and symbol for our growing Indian-American community. Thank you to The Times of India for profiling my journey. You can read more here.

Improving Online Access for All Residents

I am proud to join my fellow Pennsylvania House Democrats in offering embedded accessibility tools for people living with disabilities. Just go to my website, www.RepVenkat.com, and click on the icon located on the lower right.

Help Boost Literacy in Our Community!

Literacy Pittsburgh needs volunteer tutors to help adults in our community learn English or build their reading, writing, and math skills. Please visit this page to learn more.

New Opportunities for PA Students

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program is currently accepting applications until March 1 for Summer 2025. Based in the Harrisburg state Capitol Building, the program gives fellows a chance to work on a committee or in a House Leadership office, draft and present their own legislation, meet public officials, and much more. Applicants must be:

• College juniors or seniors, graduate students, or law students;
• Enrolled in a PA college/university (or a PA resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution); and
• Pursuing any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

You can learn more here and submit applications to pahousefellowship@pabmc.net.

Future builders – the Keystone Contractors Association scholarship program is now open for graduating high school seniors and current college students who are seeking a construction-related degree. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2025. Visit this page to learn more.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is offering students free help with completing their FAFSA application. Stop by Room 202 of the Kaufmann Building, located at 5738 Forbes Ave., between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Scan the QR code above or email mcarson@jccpgh.org to register.

The Shapiro Administration is inviting students in grades 1-6 to enter the 2025 Lyme Disease Student Art Contest by creating a short video or poster with the theme “Protect. Check. Remove.” You can learn more by scanning the QR code above or by visiting this page for more information. Entries are due March 14 by 11:59 p.m.

Don’t Forget to License Your Dog!

This is a reminder that all Allegheny County dog owners need to register their pet by the age of 3 months. Licenses purchased in 2024 (other than lifetime licenses) expired on Dec. 31 of last year. Visit this page to learn more. 

Employers: Check Out the ‘Shatter the Stigma’ Series

Area employers: check out the latest employer education series “Shatter the Stigma: Supporting Recovery in the Workplace ECHO.” The training is being offered to dispel the stigma and provide education and hiring strategies for individuals with a history of substance use disorder. The first session is Feb. 11. Click on the image above to learn more. Scan the QR code or visit this page to register.

Local officials and nonprofit groups: please be aware that you can find the latest state grant openings at this page.

And to everyone – if you need help with any state-related matter, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

101-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-2363

District Office

9800B McKnight Rd., Suite 130
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

(412) 348-8028