Upcoming Events

Demystifying Harrisburg: Office of Consumer Advocate-Your Voice in Utility Matters
Hampton Community Center, 3101 McCully Rd, Allison Park
Thursday, April 18, 6:00 pm

My Demystifying Harrisburg series has been one of my favorite events to do as a Senator, and I am excited to bring you the first installment of 2024 with the Office of Consumer Advocate - Your Voice in Utility Matters. Join me and Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate, Patrick Cicero, to learn about utility rate hikes, choosing new utility providers, filing utility complaints, and available financial assistance.

Register at https://www.senatorlindseywilliams.com/demystifyinghbg/.

Demystifying Harrisburg is designed to take a closer look at how Harrisburg works—or doesn’t work—for people every day. The series also seeks to provide easy steps and access points for people to get involved and engaged in what can feel like overwhelming processes. Look for the next installment of my Demystifying Harrisburg series this summer!

You can watch all of the previous videos in the series on my website at SenatorLindseyWilliams.com/DemystifyingHbg.

Free Paper Shredding Event with Rep. Lindsay Powell
Kiwanis Park, 399 Wetzel Road, Glenshaw, PA 15116
April 27, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Have you been cleaning out your old paperwork? Dispose of your personal documents safely and securely at my *free* paper shredding event with Rep. Lindsay Powell on Saturday, April 27 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Kiwanis Park in Shaler!

Each car can shred up to two bankers boxes of paper (for reference a bankers box is about the size of a microwave). Please remove all metal fasteners other than staples before the event!

Shredding will be performed on site. You should bring papers that contain personal information, such as your social security number, medical information, credit card or banking information, or other personally identifying information.

Senior Social
Pittsburgh Mills Mall, 590 Pittsburgh Mills Circle, Tarentum, PA 15084
Thursday, May 23, Noon - 3:00 p.m.

We’re hosting a Senior Social! This isn’t your parents’ senior fair– come ready to meet new people and learn new things. We’ll have information on staying healthy with safe and healthy movement, keeping yourself and your money safe from fraudsters, help with technology, and more!

This event will answer your questions and help you make healthy choices as you transition into retirement and beyond. We hope to see you at our Senior Social on Thursday, May 23 from Noon until 3:00 pm at Pittsburgh Mills Mall!

Good News

Expungement of Records and Clean Slate Workshop

We had a great turnout last Wednesday for our Expungement of Records and Clean Slate Workshop in Highland Park. Thank you to our co-hosts Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts and to presenters Magistrate Katherine Lovelace and Seth Barkley from the Allegheny County Public Defender’s Office. Participants learned about the complex process of expungement and clearing their criminal records in a way that was accessible for the public and not just lawyers and lawmakers. Judge Lovelace’s colorful courtroom was the perfect venue, providing inspiration in the face of this difficult topic.

If you were unable to attend the workshop and want to see the recording, you can visit Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts on YouTube. You can also see additional workshop recordings and get information at Homepage | Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.

If you have questions about criminal record clearing, you can reach out to:

• Allegheny County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Center, 412-402-6677
• Neighborhood Legal Services, Pittsburgh, 412-255-6700

Groundbreaking in Garfield

Last week, I joined the City of Bridges Community Land Trust (CBCLT) for a groundbreaking ceremony on Columbo Street in Garfield. CBCLT is building three new homes that will be permanently affordable homes, meaning that the community will help oversee the long-term stewardship of the land and keep the price affordable for future Pittsburghers. Community-led ownership ensures affordability, empowers individuals, and fosters responsible growth in changing neighborhoods.

Thank you to CBCLT, the City of Pittsburgh, Urban Redevelopment Authority, and the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation for all of their work in bringing this project to life and securing affordable housing for our neighbors. I’m happy to support programs like the New Markets Tax Credits, which made this project possible.

Ava Miller, Senator Williams, and Rebecca Gaynier with Pittsburgh Technology Council

Senator Williams with Roger and Erin Haney and Carolyn Keller of Spectrum Fudge

Constituent Meetings

I had the chance this week to meet with several groups of constituents at my McKnight Road office. I always appreciate getting to hear directly from people about what matters most to them, especially since I know it can be intimidating for some people to talk to a legislator!

If you want tips or tricks on how to reach out to your legislator about subjects or legislation that you’re passionate about, take a look at my Demystifying Harrisburg: How to Lobby Your Legislator. And feel free to reach out to my office at any time! We’re happy to hear from you.

Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Awardees

This year, $40 million was available to applicants for Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Grants. The School Safety and Security Committee reviewed 276 applications and awarded funding to 64 applicants. Three organizations in District 38 received funding for their projects:

• East End Cooperative Ministry received $545,720 for their Violence Prevention Programming for K-12 students at PPS.
• The Kingsley Association received $950,000 for enhancements to their Teen L.E.A.D. program.
• Three Rivers Youth received $926,557 to expand their school-based diversion programs for middle & high school students.

Congratulations to the recipients and thank you for all you do for our students!

21st Century Community Learning Grant Awardee

Rep. Emily Kinkead and I are thrilled to announce that the West View HUB has received a $509,600 21st Century Learning Grant from the PA Department of Education!

This funding will ensure stability and predictability, allowing the HUB to focus on giving local students and their families the additional supports they need to succeed academically, socially, and creatively.

The West View HUB has been a center of academic excellence since its opening in 2019, with hundreds of students and families participating in academic and social enrichment programs. A recent study of nearly 700 student participants and their caregivers indicated that 96.7% saw a marked academic improvement and 98% saw an emotional improvement after participating in programming at the HUB.

Read more at Sen. Lindsey Williams and Rep. Emily Kinkead Celebrate $509,600 Grant to West View HUB.

Legislative Update

Putting People Above Corporate Profits

Last week I joined members of the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee for a hearing in Darlington, PA to hear directly from residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern derailment one year later.

These residents were poisoned due to corporate greed and a lack of government oversight. And Norfolk Southern continues to put profits over worker safety and the safety of the communities that their trains pass through every day.

To help protect Pennsylvanians, Senator Katie Muth and I have introduced Senate Bill 808, which will:

• Limit train length to 8500 feet within Pennsylvania.
• Permit union representatives to monitor safety practices and operations.
• Establish safe staffing levels and require that all train crews consist of at least two individuals, affirming an Obama administration rule that was finalized this week.
• Require all wayside detectors are installed, maintained, repaired, and operational in accordance with Federal guidelines.
• Prohibit railroads from blocking a railroad/highway crossing in a way that delays an emergency vehicle from responding to a person or property in distress for more than five minutes.

While we can make some changes to keep Pennsylvanians safe, railroad safety is largely regulated at a Federal level, where there is still much work to be done, like passing Congressman Deluzio's Bipartisan Rail Safety Package. Deluzio, LaLota Introduce Bipartisan Rail Safety Package to Comprehensively Respond to February Derailment | Representative Deluzio (house.gov)

New Graduate Next Steps

Calling all 2024 college grads! PA CareerLink is here to help with your job search! On April 17th, they will host an in-person seminar on how to make your resume stand out, prep for your interview, and budget for post-college life.

To see a full calendar of CareerLink events, go to PA CareerLink® - Search Events.

 

What Are Your Socializing Habits? - Take the Survey!

The U.S. Surgeon General's Report on the Epidemic of Isolation and Loneliness warns that social disconnection is a corrosive condition with grave consequences for the physical and mental health of our citizens and for the societal health of our communities.

The City of Pittsburgh's Office of Nighttime Economy is answering the call to mend the social fabric of our city. The Socializing Survey seeks to index metrics in neighborhoods citywide to understand citizens' socializing activities, locations and frequency - and to identify infrastructure, safety and equity barriers that prevent Pittsburghers' ability to connect with others and socialize in person. Pittsburgh residents of all ages are invited to complete the survey.

PRT Public Meeting
Tuesday, April 16 on Zoom

Join Pittsburgh Regional Transit on April 16th at 5:30 pm for an online meeting about their Bus Line Redesign project. Learn about their goals, public feedback to date, and upcoming re-route scenarios. Your input matters!

Register for the meeting today at: buslineredesign.com.

Licensing Your Dog

Does your furry friend have a current or lifetime dog license? Not only do dog licenses and registration tags help find lost pets, they are required by law in Pennsylvania. All dogs three months or older must be licensed by January of each year. Make sure your furry friend's licenses are up to date today!

To renew in the city of Pittsburgh residents call 412-255-2967. To renew online and for more information go to Dog Licenses | pittsburghpa.gov. 

All other Allegheny County residents can renew licenses by calling 412-350-4111 or applying online at Dog License | Allegheny County Treasurer Office.

Total Solar Eclipse

A reminder that our offices will be closed to walk-ins on Monday, April 8. Staff will still be available to assist you by phone or email. Please enjoy the solar eclipse safely!

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