State Budget Update

The budget can be an elusive, confusing process for residents. That’s why I have hosted Demystifying Harrisburg events on the budget - check out previous years’ here: https://senatorlindseywilliams.com/demystifyinghbg.

There is an additional level of confusion this year because both the House and Senate passed the General Fund appropriation bill, House Bill 611, but we still do not have a budget. The Senate recessed and stated they’re not coming back until September 18^th or the "call of the chair" before the House passed the bill.  After the House passed the bill that was sent over from the Senate, the only thing needed before the bill could go to the Governor’s desk to be signed was the Senate to sign that the House passed the bill without changes. They literally needed to gavel into session for a few minutes for the Lt. Governor to complete this minor procedural motion. 

Unfortunately, the Senate Republican majority refuses to do that. Meaning that unless the President Pro Tempore of the Senate decides to come back, the Senate will not sign that bill until the middle of September. It also means we will not be able to pass the bills (called code bills) that generally accompany the budget bill so that we can actually spend the money that we appropriated in the budget. In other words, a huge number of state programs and the people that rely on them will start to suffer. I cannot say that I am a fan of this budget, but the people of Pennsylvania deserve a budget.

I voted against this budget for many reasons. The biggest reason being because it siphons $100 million away from public schools and uses that money to create a new voucher program for unaccountable religious and private schools. This voucher program would be directed at students attending the lowest performing schools in Pennsylvania - but here’s the tricky part: once students are enrolled in these private and religious schools, we will have no way of measuring their progress. 

The same standards that tell us which schools are low performing are not applied to private schools. These private and religious institutions are not held to the same standards as public institutions - meaning they can and do discriminate against students and their families. They can refuse to admit or kick students out for being gay or having a disability. Students and families check their constitutional rights at the door of private schools.

Additionally, these schools aren’t held to the same academic or accountability standards as our public schools. They don’t evaluate teachers to the same standards as public schools. Students are not required to take standardized tests like public school students are. They don’t have publicly elected and accountable school boards. 

In short, these institutions would have no accountability to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania, even though they would be accepting millions of dollars of taxpayer money. We would be creating a another, parallel system of education in Pennsylvania with no oversight.

Only a few short months ago, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled that we as the legislature are not meeting our Constitutional obligation to provide a thorough and efficient system of PUBLIC education. And the Court reaffirmed that decision that we are unconstitutionally underfunding and inequitably funding our public schools just a few weeks ago. Sending public money into unaccountable private and religious schools is not the answer– we need to make sure that every student in Pennsylvania has a fairly and fully funded education.

Senate Republicans’ willingness to hold up funding of our schools, our health and human services agencies, nonprofits who provide services to vulnerable populations, and other services that you as taxpayers rely on and pay into is unacceptable. They’re taking their marching orders from organizations like The Commonwealth Foundation - “a front group for billionaire donors who profit off Pennsylvania school children.”

I’m ready to end this schoolyard standoff and do the job I was elected to do. I await the reconvening of the Pennsylvania Senate to finally pass this year’s budget.

Everytown Gun Safety Resources

Thousands of individuals lose their lives to gun violence yearly, and countless others experience acute stress and anxiety in the aftermath. The trauma of gun violence doesn’t end when the shooting stops. Experiencing gun violence has a lasting impact on survivors and their communities. We’ve watched the rise of mass shootings, and we’re all affected by the tragedies we learn of in the media almost daily.

Our friends at Everytown for Gun Safety created this list of resources to support individuals and communities affected by gun violence. If you or someone you know needs help, you are not alone; there are tools to help you cope.

Senior Farmers Market Voucher Distribution is July 25!

After a delay of the original June distribution date, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) will distribute vouchers next Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Eligible seniors will receive one set of vouchers to be spent at participating farmers markets (see eligibility criteria above)! Each set includes five vouchers worth $10 each. Vouchers can be used through November 30, 2023 on produce that is grown in Pennsylvania or purchased directly from a Pennsylvania farmer. Please note that when redeeming a voucher at a farmers market, the whole voucher must be spent at once– no change can be given. 

On distribution day, vouchers will be given out at participating Senior Community Centers on a first come, first served basis (see list above for SD 38 locations). Eligible seniors who are unable to get to a senior center may designate a “proxy” to pick up their vouchers. Proxy information and the complete list of distribution centers can be found here.

Contact our office at 412-364-0469 (Ross), 724-224-2131(Harrison), or [email protected] if you have questions! 

Low-Income Water Assistance Available

Are you or someone you know struggling with water or sewer bills? If so, you should apply for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) soon. The application period opened July 10, 2023 and closes August 11, 2023!  

LIHWAP provides eligible households with one crisis grant for drinking water service and one crisis grant for wastewater service of up to $2,500 each! Crisis situations can include past-due water bills or termination of utility service. 

Income requirements for the program are:

Household Size	Maximum Annual Income
1	$20,385
2	$27,465
3	$34,545
4	$41,625
5	$48,705
6	$55,785
7	$62,865
8	$69,945
9	$77,025
10	$84,105

For every additional person, add $7,080

There are four ways to submit your application:

• Online at COMPASS HHS Home (state.pa.us).
• Paper: You can download a paper application, print it, fill it out, and return it to your local county assistance office.
  • LIHWAP Paper Application — English (PDF)
  • LIHWAP Paper Application — Spanish (PDF)
• Phone: Request an application by calling the Statewide Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 or call PA Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired.
• In-Person: Applications are available at your local county assistance office.

Complete eligibility information and what you need to apply can be found here. 

Funding is available for a limited time, so be sure to apply before August 11, 2023. Contact our office at 412-364-0469(Ross), 724-224-2131(Harrison), or [email protected] if you have any questions! 

PWSA Has an Outage Map!

Did you know the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) has a Service Outage Map you can use to look up active, upcoming, and recently restored water outages? The map is a great informational tool for Pittsburgh residents who could be faced with planned or emergency service interruptions this year. 

The map is updated in real time and automatically generates a robo call that notifies affected residents of an outage. Be sure your contact information is updated so you receive these calls! Nothing is more frustrating than getting up to take a shower in the morning only to discover your water has been temporarily shut off. You can enter your current contact information here or call PWSA at 412-255-2423. 

Scam Alert: Unsolicited Emails Claiming to be from PA Treasury!

Online scams are a constant threat, and Treasurer Stacy Garrity is reminding all Pennsylvanians to be on alert for suspicious messages and emails.

Sophisticated phishing emails imitating the Pennsylvania Treasury Department have been circulating recently. The scammers’ emails are designed to look like they come from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. The messages include a link to what appears to be Treasury’s website, but instead leads to a fake version that prompts users to enter login credentials.

The Pennsylvania Treasury Department will NEVER ask you to share personal information through unsolicited emails or text messages.

If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department or have any other questions, you can contact Treasury through its secure website: patreasury.gov/contact.

Indiana Township Boy Scout Receives Meritorious Action Award

Congratulations to Indiana Township resident Cameron Aziz on being the youngest person ever to receive the Boy Scouts' Meritorious Action Award for saving his younger brother from choking in 2021!

Read more at: Indiana Township boy is youngest recipient of Boy Scouts of America's prestigious Meritorious Action Award | TribLIVE.com.