Upcoming Events

November Office Hours at the Kingsley Association
Friday, November 3, 2023 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

My office hosts monthly office hours on the first Friday of every month at the Kingsley Association and will be there again next Friday, November 3rd. Stop by and say hello to our staff between 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM to take advantage of all of the services our District Office provides including senior citizen bus passes, disability parking placards, property tax/rent rebates, unclaimed property searches, illegible license plate replacement, and more. Hope to see you there!

Thanksgiving on Every Table Collection
October 16 - November 6

North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) is collecting items to make a complete Thanksgiving dinner for hundreds of families in our area who are experiencing hardship. Our district offices will serve as drop off sites for the following requested items:

• Large boxes of stuffing mix
• Large boxes of instant mashed potatoes
• 15-ounce can of cranberry sauce or yams
• 16-ounce can of vegetables
• Any dessert mix
• Corn muffin or biscuit mix
• Turkey gravy mix
• Napkins
• Canvas shopping bags

Food items will be accepted through November 6th. Our district office locations and hours are:

Ross Township Office
5000 McKnight Rd.
Pittsburgh PA 15237
(412) 364-0469
Monday-Friday 9-5pm

Harrison Township Office
1826 Union Ave.
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
(724) 224-2131
Monday-Thursday 9-5pm

Thank you for helping to make a family’s celebration complete this year!

Good News

Universal School Meals Discussion

Last week I joined Just Harvest, Rep. Emily Kinkead, and Nicole Paris for a discussion about Universal School Meals. We had a great conversation about how ensuring that our kids are fed, safe, and ready to learn is a crucial part of education.

I look forward to working on the next step of expanding our current Universal School Breakfast program to include Universal School Lunches.

October 2019 site visit with Rep. Sara Innamorato

July 2021 Groundbreaking

October 2023 Westinghouse Announcement

Etna’s 51 Bridge Street Home to New Westinghouse Transportable Nuclear Battery Operations Center

From October 2019 until now, we've seen an amazing transformation at 51 Bridge Street in Etna. I'm incredibly proud to have been an advocate for state funding for the redevelopment of this building from the very beginning-- transforming it from a disused former steel pipe manufacturing site into a flex space that meets the needs of upcoming tech manufacturers, like the Westinghouse eVinci battery operation.

Yesterday we celebrated that Westinghouse will invest at least $18 million and create more than 40 new high-paying jobs at 51 Bridge Street to develop the transportable nuclear battery technology, which will provide clean energy for a variety of applications including off-grid communities, remote mining, defense facilities, and data centers.

Westinghouse to base its nuclear battery operations in Etna | TribLIVE.com

Teachers Make a Difference

Last week, I had the honor of welcoming my former high school American government and history teacher, Mr. Russo, and his wife, to the Senate.

I can't thank my teachers and the other educators at Wyoming Area School District enough for the start that they gave me in my educational journey. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Celebrating 75 Years

Congratulations to North Allegheny School District on their 75th anniversary!

My office joined with House and Senate colleagues to present members of the School Board and Administration with congratulatory citations and to thank them for their work keeping the traditions and excellence of the district going strong.

Legislative Update

Public Education is Under Attack

Since the beginning of September, we have had eight Basic Education Funding Commission hearings around the Commonwealth. It has been a grueling travel schedule and I have been an active participant in each and every hearing. 

I came into the hearings with optimism because that’s how I try to show up, especially when students and their education are involved. This Commission has a Commonwealth Court decision requiring us to find a way to fund a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary system of public education for all Pennsylvania students. We are hearing from experts about how much it costs to fully and fairly fund our public schools. 

But I’ve still struggled when people ask me how the hearings are going. 

I’ve struggled to remain optimistic about the outcome of the Basic Education Funding Commission and the future of public education in Pennsylvania. But after the last two weeks in the Senate, I know that my pessimism is rooted in reality. 

In the last two weeks, the Senate Education Committee has held a hearing and voted on legislation that will ban books from our classrooms and libraries and legislation that would require that every school building has a gun. The full Senate passed this book ban legislation, as well as legislation that would require every school building to post the US and PA constitutions, and legislation that would require schools to put all textbooks, syllabi, and academic standards online for every single course offered. 

So far in my many hours of reading and listening to testimony from experts on the funding needs of Pennsylvania schools, not one single testifier has asked for more guns, book bans, or to post their curriculum online.

They have testified, however, that unfunded mandates result in the need to take money away from other important funding areas like facilities or reading programs. They have also begged for more mental health supports for their students. In Pennsylvania, we have no school counselor to student ratios. Instead, we have heard that one school counselor often serves as counselor to more than 400 students in a school building or serves multiple school buildings.

We also heard from a superintendent in a rural district that his 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th graders must share textbooks because the district does not have enough money to buy textbooks for each student. We cannot provide the resources for our schools to have enough textbooks for each of their students – but these bills will create new unfunded mandates that take away from the textbook budget. That superintendent will literally be required to purchase guns and copies of the preambles of the US and PA Constitutions to display in each school building before ensuring that every student has a textbook.

When I hosted the Commission at Pittsburgh Public Schools. At Westinghouse High School, we heard from a librarian who began her testimony with a story about how, not long after she became the school librarian, a parent came to her and thanked her for “saving her daughter’s life.”  She told us the parent told her that her daughter would have “never survived high school without her.”  Since then, she’s had two other mothers tell her that she helped their children and used that shocking phrase – that she “saved their child’s life.” 

The librarian concluded her story by reflecting on what she had done for those students– and it was the same thing she does for every student: offer a safe space. And then she posed the question, “What if that student didn’t have a school librarian?” 

In fact, that is already the reality for thousands of Pennsylvania students. We have dwindling libraries and librarians. In the 2021-2022 school year, the PA School Library Association found that 52 school districts, which is 10% of school districts across the commonwealth, did not have a school librarian assigned to a library.

That means that a student in a well-resourced school in my district has access to a brand new library and a full-time librarian who could save their life. In contrast, the School District of Philadelphia currently has less than ONE full-time certified librarian for its 217 schools and 114,000 students. Let me repeat that: one full-time certified school librarian for 114,000 students. Book bans will only make this problem worse. 

But this committee doesn’t want to fix those problems. The Senate doesn’t even want to talk about those problems. 

And the reason is because the goal is not to fully and equitably fund a system of public education. It is to destroy public education. Starve schools of resources. Overwork educators. Deny kids opportunities afforded to richer and whiter kids. Ignore students and educators who share countless stories about the emotional anguish they are attempting to survive. Tell outrageous lies about what our kids are exposed to in schools to sow fear and distrust in our schools and our educators. All to divert public money to tax credits for wealthy companies and individuals so that private institutions that can discriminate against any child.

Senator Lindsey Williams Denounces Senate Education Committee Vote on Book Ban Bill

Mr. Joe Welch from North Hills Middle School, 2020 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year 

Nominate an Outstanding Educator to be Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year!

The Teacher of the Year program celebrates excellence in teaching and honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the young people of Pennsylvania. Nominations will be accepted until December 15, 2023.

The finalists are selected and recognized in Harrisburg each fall. Pennsylvania’s 2025 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a state awards ceremony in early December 2024 and will represent the Commonwealth at various local, regional, and national functions culminating in the National Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House.

In 2020, Senate District 38 was home to the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Mr. Joe Welch from North Hills Middle School. Mr. Welch continues to inspire his students to think about history and historical figures from a personal perspective in order to connect to history in new and exciting ways every day!

What's it take to be PA's Teacher of the Year? Check out Joe Welch of North Hills Middle School. (nextpittsburgh.com)What's it take to be PA's Teacher of the Year? Check out Joe Welch of North Hills Middle School. (nextpittsburgh.com).

Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline is October 31!

If you are not already an annual mail-in or absentee voter and want to vote by mail or absentee in the upcoming November 3rd Municipal Election, you must submit an application by tomorrow, Tuesday, October 31. The fastest way to apply is online at Ballot Request Application (pa.gov). If you prefer to print and complete a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot paper application, it must be received by the Allegheny County Elections Division by 5 pm October 31.

Not sure if you are an annual mail-in or absentee voter? Check your voter registration status and look under “VOTER RECORD DETAILS” for “YES” or “NO.”

For complete information on voting by mail in Pennsylvania go to Mail-in and Absentee Ballot (pa.gov). 

Still have questions or need assistance? Call us at 412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison) or email us at [email protected]. We are here to help!

Curbside Ballot Return Available at County Office Building Through Election Day
Curbside Pull-Off Begins October 30; Extended Hours Begin Wednesday, November 1

Ballot return is available until Election Day, November 7th in the lobby of the County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh. Curbside pull-off for ballot return, with staff available at the Ross Street entrance (between Fourth Avenue and Forbes Avenue) of the County Office Building also begins Monday, October 30. The right lane of Ross Street, closest to the County Office Building, will be sectioned off to allow motorists to easily pull over near the entrance and return their completed ballot.

Extended ballot return hours will begin on Wednesday, November 1.

Voters are reminded of the following:

• State law requires that voters return their own ballot; they may not return the ballots of others
• Ballots must be placed in the secrecy envelope; "naked" ballots will not be counted
• Voters should not mark the secrecy envelope in any way
• If either the signature or date, or both, are missing, the ballot cannot be counted

Since Tuesday, October 31 is the deadline to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot, voters can also vote over-the-counter in the lobby 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM tomorrow. The space, accessible from Forbes Avenue, will be staffed by the Elections Division and has space for voters to complete their ballot in private. If a voter has made an error on their ballot, or has not received one previously applied for, the Elections Division can also reissue the ballot tomorrow only.

Poll Workers Needed!

Allegheny County is always looking for folks to work the polls on Election Day, and the 2023 General Election is coming in less than 2 weeks! There is still time to step up and demonstrate your civic participation by serving as a Judge, Inspector, or Clerk of Election. Poll workers earn from $150 to $175 for the day. New poll workers also receive paid training.

Fun fact - 17-Year-Old high school students are eligible to be poll workers with permission from their school principal and a parent or guardian.

For more information on becoming a poll worker go to Elections | Election Poll Workers | Allegheny County. You can also call the Elections Division office by phone 412-350-4500 (option 5), email,  or stop in at the County Office Building, Suite 312 to speak to someone about working the polls.

Whole Home Repair Program Enters Phase 2

Have you heard about the Allegheny County Whole Home Repairs Program? Phase 2 of the Program opened on October 16 and closes Friday, November 17th, at 4pm. If you didn’t get an application in, you still have three weeks!

The Whole Home Repairs Program is administered by Action Housing and awards up to $50,000 of repairs for renovations completed by one of their certified contractors. With limited funding, they are focusing on homes with the most severe issues. Funds are available to homeowners who:

• Own & live in a house that needs repairs in Allegheny County
• Are living in a home with significant habitability issues such as roof damage, unsafe electrical wiring, or accessibility concerns.
• Have a total income that doesn't exceed 80% of the Area Medium Income for Allegheny County.

Applications can be found online or contact ACTION-Housing at (412) 248-0021 to complete an application over the phone.

If you applied in Phase 1 and weren’t selected, you must recertify your application to verify your income to be considered for Phase 2! Documents like an IRS 1040 form, W2 form, two months of current pay stubs, an award letter from the Social Security Office or welfare office, or a letter from their employer can all be used. Applicants who need help resetting their password call the Help Desk at (412) 350-3457, option 2.

For more information go to Allegheny County Whole-Home Repairs Program - Action Housing.

2023 Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Virtual Forum
Thursday, November 2, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Join the Pennsylvania Department of Aging for the 2023 Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Virtual Forum next Thursday. Topic:  A Focus on Lewy Body and Frontotemporal Dementias. For more information and to register go to Alz. & Related Disorder Plan (pa.gov).

Winter Coat and Clothing Distribution in Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg Family Worship Center, Saturday, October 28, 2023, 9 AM - 5 PM

Fox Families Care and Roots of Faith are partnering again to present their 6th Annual Winter Coat & Clothing Distribution this Saturday at the Sharpsburg Family Worship Center, 610 Clay St.

The distribution is open to Fox Chapel Area School District & Etna Residents. Bring residency verification with you (driver's license, state ID, utility bill).

Free coat and clothing for people in attendance only. There will be limits based upon what is available.

Trick or Treat in District 38

Get ready for Trick or Treat in your neighborhood! Check the times for your municipality and make sure that your little (or not-so-little) ghosts and goblins are safe while they trick or treat by following these safety tips!

1. Dress children in brightly colored or light-colored costumes.
2. Use reflective tape, flashlights, or glow sticks for added visibility.
3. Make sure costumes and shoes fit properly to prevent trips or falls.
4. Make sure your porch and front yard are clear of any potential tripping hazards.
5. Replace any burned-out bulbs in your outdoor lights.
6. Use battery-operated votives instead of lit candles in your Jack-o'-lanterns.
7. Restrain your pets or keep them in another room.
8. Secure inflatable Halloween decorations.
9. Drive slowly and be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters, including those in dark clothing.
10. Exercise extra caution at crosswalks and intersections.
11. Don't text or look at your phone while you're driving.
12. Turn your headlights on earlier in the day.
13. Do not wear Halloween masks or costumes that can obstruct your vision while driving.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have by phone at 412-364-0469 (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 (Harrison Office) or by email at [email protected]. My staff will return your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

Senator Lindsey Williams