State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38
Update

*

*Upcoming Events**

[image =
[link removed]]

*Spring
Shredding Events*

Are you getting a head start on your spring
cleaning? Protect your identity by shredding documents that contain
personal information such as your name, address, phone number, social
security number, or bank account information.

There is a limit of two
banker's boxes per car at each event (for reference, a banker's box is
about the size of a microwave). Only paper will be accepted- please
remove all metal fasteners other than staples! Shredding will be
performed on site.

Our first event will be with Rep. Emily Kinkead on
*Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM *at the Ross
Community Center, 1000 Ross Municipal Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.

The
second event will be with Rep. Lindsay Powell on *Saturday, April 27,
2024, from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM *at Kiwanis Park, 399 Wetzel Road,
Glenshaw, PA 15116.

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 1]

*My office is now scheduling AARP Tax-Aide appointments!
*

It's tax season and the AARP Tax-Aide Program is up and running at
the Shaler Undercliff Fire Company and the Ross Township Community
Center. This program provides free tax preparation services to low-
and moderate-income taxpayers, with an emphasis on those 50 or older.
To schedule your free appointment, please call the office at
412-364-0469.

For more information, visit AARP Tax-Aide Allegheny
County, PA (taxaide-pittsburgh.com) [link 2].

[image =
[link removed]]

*In-Person
VSO Appointments Available!*

My office offers American Legion
Veterans Service Officer (VSO) appointments every 3rd Tuesday of the
month from 9 am - 1 pm! Appointments will rotate between my district
offices each month.

Upcoming Dates:

-
Tuesday, February 20,
Natrona Heights office, 1826 Union Avenue, Natrona Heights, PA
15065

-
Tuesday, March 19, Ross Township office, 5000 McKnight
Road, Suite 405, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Whether you have a question or
just need a fresh review of the benefits you've earned, call or email
our office to schedule a one-on-one appointment: 412-364-0469 (Ross)
724-224-2131 (Harrison). Appointments fill up quickly!

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*Good
News**

[image =
[link removed]]

*Facility
Tour at Advanced Construction Robotics*

Last week I joined Advanced
Construction Robotics for a tour of their Allison Park facility to
learn more about the new technology they're developing for the
construction industry and the workforce development needs of the
region and across PA. I'm looking forward to addressing these needs
and opening more opportunities here in District 38 and Allegheny
County.

[image =
[link removed]]

*Celebrating
Career and Technical Education Month with A.W. Beattie Career
Center*

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, when
we celebrate this amazing educational programming that gives students
the opportunity to get career training and certification, often at
reduced or zero cost to them, all while still in high school! CTE
comes in all shapes and sizes, from early childhood development,
culinary arts, network engineering, and cyber security to veterinary
sciences, cosmetology, emergency response technology, and building
construction. These students are getting a head start on their next
steps, whether that's finding a job, entering an apprenticeship, or
going to a two- or four-year college.

This week, administrators and
staff from A.W. Beattie Career Center invited local legislators to
hear more about the needs of our career and tech centers as we go into
budget hearings. A special thank you to the culinary arts students for
an incredible breakfast! I'm looking forward to helping secure stable,
predictable funding for our CTE programs so that every student who
wants to can take advantage of these incredible programs!

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*Legislative
Update**

[image =
[link removed]]

Senator
Williams hosts an Independent Pharmacy Roundtable in May
2023

*Pharmacy Benefit Manager Legislation*

I recently signed on as
a co-sponsor to legislation from Senator Judy Ward (R-Blair, Fulton,
Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin) and Senator Tina Tartaglione
(D-Philadelphia) that would regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).
Increasingly, pharmacies are reporting that reimbursements no longer
cover the costs of purchasing drugs, let alone the costs of dispensing
prescriptions to customers. These cost challenges mean that pharmacies
run the risk of not being able to stay open- and the risks are even
higher for small, local pharmacies.

This legislation would create
more oversight for PBMs on a state level by developing a process for
hearing and resolving complaints against PBMs by pharmacies. It will
also require PBMs to report the amounts of rebates and payments
received from drug manufacturers and how those rebates and payments
are distributed to the Insurance Department. The legislation will also
limit or ban several practices by PBMs, including patient steering,
spread pricing and retroactive recoupment of money paid by the PBM to
the pharmacy.

Our local pharmacies are often the hub of a community.
These pharmacists know their regular patients extremely well and are a
key member of their health care team. Supporting these small
businesses and protecting these health care relationships is a
priority for me.

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 3]

*Budget Hearings Start Next Week*

Budget Hearings for the
2024-25 budget kick off next week! These hearings give the
Appropriations Committee and members of relevant standing committees
the chance to ask departments questions about their operations and
budget requests for the upcoming year.

As the Chair of the Education
Committee, I'll be participating in Tuesday's 9:30 AM hearing with the
Pennsylvania State System of Education (PASSHE) Chancellor. You can
catch that hearing streaming live on my Facebook page at
Facebook.com/SenWilliamsPA [link 4].

All other hearings will stream
live or can be watched at any time on my website at
SenatorLindseyWilliams.com/budget [link 5].

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*Black
History Month**

This week for Black History Month we are featuring a
Black Pittsburgh photographer from the past and one from today. Both
artists are known for more than just their pictures!

[image =
[link removed]]


*Teenie Harris*

Many Pittsburghers know and love the works of Teenie
"One Shot" Harris, but did you know that he was a popular shortstop
for the Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1926 and 1927, before he became a
noted photographer of Negro League Baseball?

The Teenie Harris
archive of over 70,000 negatives has been cataloged and digitized, so
you can see his prolific work detailing Black life in Pittsburgh and
America on permanent display at the Teenie Harris Archive - Carnegie
Museum of Art (cmoa.org) [link 6].

[image =
[link removed]]

*Alisha
Wormsley*

Like Teenie Harris, Pittsburgh's own Alisha Wormsley has a
large body of work in photography, but her art extends into a vast
array of media including video, textiles, and public art. She is the
founder and Creative Director of Sybil's Shrine [link 7], an artist
residency in Pittsburgh. You can check out her works and learn more
about her at Alisha B Wormsley [link 8].

[image =
[link removed]]

[image
=
[link removed]]
[link 9]

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 10]

*2024 Primary Election Dates*

The April 23, 2024, Primary
Election is just around the corner!
It takes some planning to vote
every year, and this year voters need to be aware that April 23rd
coincides with the observance of Passover. If you are unable to visit
the polling place in person due to Passover observances or other
commitments, consider applying for a mail-in ballot. Applying for a
mail-in ballot is a convenient way to cast your vote from
anywhere.

Plan ahead using these important dates to ensure you have
the opportunity to vote!

-
Monday, April 8:

-
Last day to
register to vote or switch parties before the Primary.

-
Tuesday,
April 16:

-
Applications for mail-in & absentee ballots must be
received by the County Board of Elections by 5pm.

-
Tuesday, April
23:

-
Primary Election Day! Polls are open from 7am to 8pm.

-
Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted mail-in &
civilian absentee ballots (must be received by 8pm).

To check your
registration, apply for a mail-in ballot, find your polling place, and
more go to Elections - Allegheny County, PA [link 11].

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 12]

*Poll Workers Needed!*

The Allegheny County Elections
Division is looking for poll workers for the April 23rd Primary
Election.

You can step up and demonstrate your civic participation
by serving as a Judge, Inspector, or Clerk of Elections. 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 [link 13].
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.

Our elections are made
possible by thousands of regular citizens. Become a democracy champion
today!

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 14]

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 15]

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 16]

*Grant Funding Available for Historically Disadvantaged PA
Businesses!*

The Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Grant
Program, in partnership with the PA CDFI Network and Pennsylvania
Department of Community and Economic Development [link 17] is awarding
$10.5 million to support historically disadvantaged small businesses
in Pennsylvania! Applications are now open through February 23.

To be
considered eligible for this grant program, a small business must:

-
Be at least 51% owned and operated by individuals that identify as
African American, Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, or
Pacific Islander.

-
Generate annual revenues of less than $1
million,

-
Generate 51% or more of revenues in Pennsylvania,

-
Employ 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees,

-
Have been
negatively impacted by COVID-19,

-
Be in operation on or before
March 17, 2020,

-
Be in operation when they apply for and receive
HDBA grant funding,

-
File a Pennsylvania tax return, and

-
Be
current on federal, state, and local taxes.

During the application
process, businesses will request a grant amount of at least $2,500 and
up to $10,000. The grant amount request should be based on past and
anticipated costs associated with, but not limited to, the following:
-
Working capital

-
Inventory

-
Equipment

-
Safety and
security equipment

-
Marketing

-
Costs to support the ongoing
operation of the business

Eligible businesses may not use the grant
funds for expenses already paid for with other relief measures such as
federal, state, or local grants and/or loan programs.

Learn more and
apply today at HDBA Grants | PA CDFI (pacdfinetwork.org) [link
18].

[image =
[link removed]]

Photographer:
Dylan Sun

[image =
[link removed]]

Photographer:
Dylan Sun

[image =
[link removed]]

Photographer:
Allen Lin

[image =
[link removed]]

Photographer:
Allen Lin

[image =
[link removed]]

Photographer:
Dylan Sun

*2023 Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Gala*

For the
first time ever, the Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Gala was held
at the Pittsburgh Playhouse PNC Theater in downtown Pittsburgh. This
year, Gala Day was on January 21, Lunar New Year's Eve! We encourage
everyone in the region to take advantage of the opportunity to
experience the splendor of this annual celebration!

For information
on the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center and the annual Gala go to
Home - Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center (pghccc.org) [link
19].

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 20]

*North Hills Community Outreach Chocolate Walk in
McCandless!*

Support North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) [link 21]
and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time at the McCandless
Crossing Chocolate Walk on March 2nd. Enjoy a relaxing day of
indulgence while visiting local businesses.

The day will begin at
Fairfield Inn & Suites, where participants will receive a tote bag for
their goodies. You will then stroll around McCandless Crossing, where
participating businesses will offer specialty chocolates to ticketed
guests.

For more information go to (13) McCandless Crossing
Chocolate Walk | Facebook [link 22].

*
[image =
[link removed]]
[link 23]*

*
[image =
[link removed]]
[link 24]*

*
[image =
[link removed]]
[link 25]*

*Upcoming West View Hub Programs*

Fight the winter blues
with a new activity at the West View Hub!

Monday, February 19,
6:30pm - Budget Meal Class. Learn about budget-friendly meal planning.
Register -> [link 26]

Tuesday, February 20, 6 pm - Society of
American Magicians Youth Monthly Magic Class.

Register -> [link
27]

Saturday, March 9, 7pm - Danceland Memories Dance!

Register ->
[link 28]

[image =
[link removed]]

[image
=
[link removed]]

As
always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have
by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 29] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
30] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 31]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

[image =
[link removed]]

Senator
Lindsey Williams

[image =
[link removed]]


----------------------
footnotes
----------------------
[link 1]
[link removed]
[link 2]
[link removed]
[link 3]
[link removed]
[link 4]
[link removed]
[link 5]
[link removed]
[link 6]
[link removed]
[link 7]
[link removed]
[link 8]
[link removed]
[link 9]
[link removed]
[link
10]
[link removed]
[link
11]
[link removed]
[link
12] [link removed]
[link
13] [link removed]
[link
14] [link removed]
[link 15]
[link removed]
[link 16]
[link removed]
[link 17]
[link removed]
[link
18]
[link removed]
[link
19] [link removed]
[link 20]
[link removed]{
[link 21]
[link removed]
[link
22]
[link removed]
[link
23]
[link removed]
[link
24]
[link removed]
[link
25]
[link removed]
[link
26]
[link removed]
[link
27]
[link removed]
[link
28]
[link removed]
[link
29] tel:412-364-0469
[link 30] tel:724-224-2131
[link 31]
mailto:[email protected]

Contact
Information:

Website:
[link removed]

Office Location:
District
Office
5000 McKnight Road
Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone:
412-364-0469
Fax: 412-364-0928
Monday ? Friday 9-5

Harrison
Office
1826 Union Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Phone:
724-224-2131
Fax: 724-224-2145
Monday ? Thursday 9-5

Harrisburg
Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box 203038
Harrisburg, PA
17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax: 717-787-8625
By appointment
only


Unsubscribe:
[link removed]
Privacy
Policy: [link removed]