Upcoming Events

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.

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).

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!

Good News

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.

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!

Legislative Update

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.

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. 

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

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! 

 

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). 

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, an artist residency in Pittsburgh. You can check out her works and learn more about her at Alisha B Wormsley. 

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. 

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. 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!

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 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).

Photographer: Dylan Sun

Photographer: Dylan Sun

Photographer: Allen Lin

Photographer: Allen Lin

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).

North Hills Community Outreach Chocolate Walk in McCandless!

Support North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) 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. 

 

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 →

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

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

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