State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38 Update

Stay
Connected!*

*Are you receiving this Enewsletter for the first
time?*

*Make sure you stay up-to-date on all things for the 38th
District and throughout the Commonwealth by clicking below! **


Click Here [link 1]

*By subscribing to my e-mail updates, you are
authorizing me to send regular e-mail updates from my office to your
e-mail account.



*

*Upcoming Events**

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*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, April 16,
Natrona Heights office

-
Tuesday, May 21, Ross Township
office

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!

*
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*Free
License Plate Legibility Event!*

*AAA North Hills, 4790 McKnight
Rd, Wednesday, April 17*, 11 am - 2 pm*

**Weather Permitting*

Is
your license plate peeling or illegible and need to be replaced? Don't
risk getting a ticket! Join Senator Williams and AAA East Central on
Wednesday, April 17* and have all the paperwork done for a new plate
while you wait! This service is free and you don't have to have an
appointment.

What to bring:

-
Owner must be present.

-
Current driver's license for owner.

-
Current car registration
card with your title, VIN, and license plate numbers.

You will need
to register at the table upon arrival. Please call 412-365-7211 if you
have any questions.

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*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*

Did
you know that Allegheny County is at the beginning of two major
utility rate cases?

Duquesne Light and Columbia Gas recently filed
requests to raise their rates with the Pennsylvania Utility Commission
(PUC) [link 3]. Under the Duquesne Light proposed rate increase, the
total monthly bill for an average residential customer using 600
kilowatt hours would increase from $130.67 to $139.19 (6.52%). Under
the Columbia Gas proposed rate increase the total monthly bill for a
residential customer using 70 therms of gas would increase from
$118.16 to $136.92 (15.88%).

For now, these increases are on hold
as the PUC investigates these cases, but who stands up for you in
these cases? The Office of Consumer Advocate! Come and hear about how
the OCA and PUC investigate these cases and how they impact your
bottom line.

We'll also be discussing what utilities are and aren't
covered by the PUC and how you can protect yourself when selecting
energy suppliers.

Register at
[link removed] [link 4].
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
[link 5].

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[link 6]

*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 banker's 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.

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[link 7]*

*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.
Vintage Center for Active Adults will be there to provide Digital
Navigation Services and support for your smartphone, laptop, or
tablet.

The PA Department of Banking and Securities will be playing
Fraud Bingo, a fun and easy way to learn how to keep yourself and your
loved ones safe from frauds and scams.

We'll also have music,
games, and refreshments to enjoy!

We hope to see you at our Senior
Social on Thursday, May 23 from Noon until 3:00 pm at Pittsburgh Mills
Mall!

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*

*Good
News**

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*Exceptional
Citizen's Expo in Ross Township*

Thank you to the Ross Township
Police Department and Chief Zett for organizing Saturday's Exceptional
Citizen's Expo! This was a great opportunity for residents who might
feel overwhelmed at a touch-a-truck event to experience all kinds of
rescue vehicles and talk to first responders in a calmer and more
accessible environment.

Thank you to all of the departments who
participated and spent their Saturday getting to know our exceptional
neighbors!

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*Eclipse
Glasses Collection*

My colleagues in the Senate and I were dazzled
by Monday's eclipse! I hope you were all able to see it safely, but
don't toss those glasses out just yet!

Give children in other
countries the chance to experience an eclipse safely by passing on
undamaged glasses through Astronomers Without Borders or Eclipse
Glasses USA. Each organization will send used glasses to children in
other countries to ensure that they can safely experience the wonders
of an eclipse!

We're also collecting UNDAMAGED (no tears,
scratches, holes, etc) glasses in our McKnight Road and Natrona
Heights offices for donation. Please drop yours off during regular
hours 9-5 Monday through Friday (Natrona is closed on
Fridays).

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*

*Legislative
Update**

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*Banning
State Agencies from Hiring Lobbyists*

I've joined my colleague Sen.
Kristin Phillips-Hill in introducing Senate Bill 1098 [link 8],
legislation that will prohibit state agencies from hiring lobbyists,
lobbying firms, or political consultants to influence the
decision-making process of another Commonwealth entity or
agency.

Recently, the Pennsylvania Game Commission came under fire
[link 9] for hiring Allegheny Strategy Partners under a $10,000 a
month contract. The former Senate President Pro Tempore, Joe Scarnati
is one of three partners in the firm. Following questioning about this
contract during the Game Commission's Budget Hearing in February, the
Commission decided not to renew the contract, saying in a comment to
Spotlight PA [link 10], "The whole purpose for partnering with ASP
[Allegheny Strategy Partners] was to strengthen our relationships with
members of the General Assembly, but it seemed to be having the
reverse effect, as several legislators expressed concerns," Lau wrote
in an email. "With that being the case, it wouldn't make sense for us
to continue."

This legislation will ban public entities at the
state, county, and local level from hiring lobbying firms. You can
read more about this new legislation here: Lawmakers want to ban
public agencies from hiring lobbyists [link 11].

I'm proud to again
partner with Sen. Phillips-Hill on this common sense, good-government
reform legislation. We are also working together on Senate Bill 275
[link 12], which would require that all Senate and House expenses be
posted online in an easily searchable format, and the Commonwealth
Fraud Prevention Act [link 13], which is the Pennsylvania version of
the Federal False Claims Act that protects whistleblowers and
encourages them to come forward and report fraud, waste, and abuse of
taxpayer dollars.

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*Ballot
Return Locations Open the Two Weekends Before Primary Election
Day!*

The Primary Election is on Tuesday, April 23rd. Once you've
completed your mail-in or absentee ballot, if you prefer to turn it in
person and don't want to go downtown, there will be several ballot
return locations staffed by Allegheny County Elections Division
workers on the last two weekends before Election Day:

-
Saturday,
April 13, 9 am - 5 pm

-
Sunday, April 14, 11 am - 7 pm

-
Saturday, April 20, 9 am - 5 pm

-
Sunday, April 21, 11 am - 7 pm
Election staff will be accepting completed mail-in and absentee
ballots at the locations listed in the graphics above.

An
important reminder: *each voter may only return their own ballot
unless they have a completed **authorization form* [link 14]* to turn
in a ballot on behalf of someone who is physically unable to return
their own ballot. *

Weekend ballot return locations accept only
completed ballots, enclosed in a signed and dated declaration
envelope.

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*Alert:
PA Turnpike's Toll Services Scam*

Some customers have received
phishing-attempt text messages claiming to be from the PA Turnpike's
toll services. If you receive such a text providing you with a link to
pay an outstanding toll, do not click on the link, and delete the
text. Report it at Internet Crime Complaint Center [link
15].

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[link 16]

*April PHEAA Webinars*

Planning for higher education?
There are still opportunities this month to attend one of the
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's (PHEAA) webinars.
See above for details.

Registration and more information are
available at Financial Aid Webinars (pheaa.org) [link 17]*.*

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*Take the Allegheny County Health Department's Public
Health Survey*

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) [link
19] is asking residents who haven't completed their community health
survey to do so before it closes at the end of April 2024. The Public
Health Assessment Survey covers a variety of topics such as health
care access, chronic disease, health risk behaviors, environment,
maternal and child health, and mental health and substance use
disorder. Survey results will inform the Health Department on its
progress towards the goals laid out in the Plan for a Healthier
Allegheny [link 20], a multi-year, countywide plan that focuses on
physical, behavioral, and environmental health.

Access the
community health survey by clicking here [link 21].

The Public
Health Assessment Survey is web-based and focused on achieving broad
and diverse participation among county residents. The survey is
compatible with smartphones. The Health Department hopes to have 3,000
participants from the county's population of almost one million
adults.

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*Litter
League Starts April 20!*

The Litter League is back! A 6-week annual
competition hosted by Allegheny CleanWays [link 22] and Friends of the
Riverfront, [link 23] the Litter League is in its 4th season. In its
first three seasons, Litter League has collected 139,627.50 pounds of
litter in Allegheny County!

Six weeks of competition kick off on
the Saturday of Earth Day weekend, April 20th. Teams of neighbors and
colleagues will compete in tournaments across Allegheny County to
accomplish "trashy" challenges that earn points and win prizes. At the
end of the season, an overall champion is declared, and outstanding
teams are awarded.

It's not too late for you to join or register
your group! Go to Litter League | Friends of the Riverfront [link 24]
to get started getting trashy!

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*Spring Roadside Cleanup in McCandless*

Spring has
arrived, but unfortunately, this time of year highlights how fast
litter builds up over the winter. Don't despair, take action and join
McCandless' Environmental Advisory Committee's (EAC) 6th annual litter
clean-up on *Saturday, April 20, 2024! *Participants will meet at the
Department of Public Works garage (9957 Grubbs Road) at 8:30 am for a
continental breakfast before heading out. Safety vests, gloves and
bags will be available for participants.

This year, the McCandless
EAC is participating in the Subaru Love Promise Program. Baierl Subaru
will provide electronic recycling and a food truck in coordination
with the community roadside cleanup. Volunteers are invited to return
to Baierl Subaru after their cleanup, to drop off any e-recycling
equipment and recharge with an icy treat.

Don't assume your
neighbor or the township will do it for you. Caring community members
make all the difference. You can join as an individual or, if there is
an area of litter that bothers you, the EAC is looking for volunteers
to adopt areas or streets to clean up as a group.

Be part of the
solution! Sign up by emailing [email protected] [link
26].

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*Larimer Consensus Group: Building Homeownership in
Larimer*

*URA Homeownership Program for First-Time Homebuyers
*

The Larimer Consensus Group (LCG) [link 28] is helping connect
Pittsburgh residents with the Homeownership Program for First-Time
Homebuyers in the City of Pittsburgh to encourage homeownership in the
Larimer neighborhood. This program is run by the Urban Redevelopment
Authority (URA), the Housing Authority of Pittsburgh, and their
banking partners and is also available in other Pittsburgh
neighborhoods.

The application process begins with the banks, who
refer your application to the URA. Qualified first-time homebuyers can
receive up to a $50,000 grant and a $40,000 loan. This is for
Pittsburgh residents at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). For
example, a household size of 4 can have a maximum income of $80,300 to
qualify.

For more information, including program guidelines,
applications, and contact information, go to OwnPGH Homeownership
Program (ura.org) [link 29]

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[link 30]

*Virtual Monthly Homeownership Operation HOME
Workshop*

*Next course: Saturday, April 20, 2024, 9:00 am - 5:30
pm*

Nervous about homeownership? Consider Operation HOME [link 31],
a homeownership program consisting of an 8-hour workshop and
one-on-one counseling each 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00-5:30
PM. The next workshop is Saturday, April 20th!

The course is
designed to enable clients to make informed decisions during the
transition from renter to homeowner. This course places an emphasis on
financial literacy, budgeting and credit restoration for first-time
homebuyers, particularly in the low to moderate income population.
For more information or to register go to Operation Home - Urban
League of Greater Pittsburgh (ulpgh.org) [link 32], email
[email protected] [link 33], or call 412-227-4812.

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[link 34]

*AmeriCorps LEAD Program: Next Cohort Starts May 27,
2024!*

Are you someone looking to leave a lasting impact on young
lives? An AmeriCorps term of service might be the option for
you!

The AmeriCorps LEAD (Learn. Educate. Activate. Develop)
members will be hands-on with youth to implement curriculum and
programming on a day-to-day basis. The curriculum will focus on
social-emotional learning, career development, and leadership skills.
This role is responsible for the safety of all program participants as
well as relationship building.

For more information and to apply go
to AmeriCorps LEAD Member - Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania
- Career Page (applytojob.com) [link 35].

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As
always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have
by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 36] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
37] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 38]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

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Senator
Lindsey Williams

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Contact
Information:

Website:
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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


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