State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38
Update

*

*Upcoming Events**

[image =
[link removed]]**
*

*June Community Days!*

Summer is right around the corner, and
we look forward to attending as many community celebrations as we can
in Senate District 38. This June, we will be at Cheswick's Strawberry
Festival and the Fox Chapel/Aspinwall, Ross, and Sharpsburg Pride
events. Stop by our table for resources, questions, or to share what
is important to you with Senator Williams. Hope to see you
there!

[image =
[link removed]]

*Upcoming
Summer Office Hours at the Kingsley Association*

*Friday, June 7,
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM*

My office provides monthly office hours on the
first Friday of every month at the Kingsley Association! Stop by
between 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on first Fridays this summer to meet with a
Constituent Relations Specialist and access all the services that our
District Office provides:

-
Property Tax Rent Rebates

-
Senior Photo Connect Cards

-
PennDOT Forms

-
Connection to
Resources

-
Unclaimed Property Searches

-
Voter
Registration

-
Free Notary Services*

-
And much
more!

*Please call ahead if you need notary services

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*Good
News**

[image =
[link removed]]

*Taiwanese
Heritage and Culture Celebration*

I was honored to join Taiwanese
Association of America - Pittsburgh Chapter [link 1] on Wednesday, May
22nd for a celebration of Taiwanese heritage and culture, featuring a
breathtaking performance by the Ten-Drums Art Percussion Group from
Taiwan.

Thank you to all who volunteered and worked hard to make
this celebration of Taiwanese American Heritage Week possible!

*
[image =
[link removed]]*

*Great
Time at our First Senior Social!*

Last week, we hosted our first
Senior Social at Pittsburgh Mills Mall as a chance for our residents
who are age 55+ to get together and socialize, share a meal, and learn
about resources available to them.

We had a great time talking with
new and old neighbors and enjoying delicious treats from the culinary
students at A.W. Beattie Career Center. Special thanks to Vintage
Center for Active Adults for helping attendees with smartphone and
tablet tech questions!

This was a great event and we're already
looking forward to next year!

*
[image =
[link removed]]
*

*Honoring Those Who Sacrificed*

I was proud to join the
Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company, Fox Chapel Area School District
Marching Band, and the rest of the Blawnox Borough community for
Monday's Memorial Day Parade and Service.

As we honor the
sacrifices of those who gave their all for this nation, we rededicate
ourselves to the ideals of community and service in their memory.

*
[image =
[link removed]]*

*The
Fire Rescue Boat Williams*

On Monday, I thought I was simply
joining the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company to honor those who served
our country in the Blawnox Borough Memorial Day Parade, but I got a
huge surprise.

I've been working with Blawnox to secure funding to
purchase a fire rescue boat so that their Swiftwater Rescue Team would
be able to better respond to emergencies on our rivers. The Blawnox
Swiftwater Rescue Team is certified Level 2a and was the first team in
the state to receive this certification. Blawnox also serves on the
greater Allegheny County Swiftwater/Flood Response Team, which is
certified Level 1a and is the only team in the state to receive this
designation.

Their new Fire Rescue Boat has officially arrived and
is named the FRB Williams. I am so grateful for the dedication of our
volunteers in Blawnox and around the District for the hours they spend
training and working to save lives and property of our community.
Having this new vessel named after me is an incredible honor-- and
even days later I cannot find words to convey my surprise and
gratitude!

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*Legislative
Update**

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 2]

*State Leaders Unite to Champion Groundbreaking Federal
Clean Car Standards*

This week, I joined my colleague Rep. Lindsay
Powell, Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, and Alliance of Nurses for
Healthy Environments to celebrate a major milestone in the journey
down Route Zero on our way to zero emissions.

Recently, the Biden
Administration and the EPA finalized the strongest ever federal clean
car standards for model years 2027 through 2032. Currently, about 7-8%
of vehicles sold in the United States are EV or plug-ins. With these
new standards, we estimate that 60% of light-duty vehicles sold by
2032 will be EV or plug-ins.

These improved standards will create
incredible benefits by stopping more than 7 billion tons of carbon
emissions, improving our air quality. We also anticipate that
consumers will enjoy $62 billion in reduced fuel costs, maintenance,
and repair costs every year.

The transportation sector is the
second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Pennsylvania, and
it is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United
States. That means that reducing tailpipe emissions will make a huge
difference in fighting climate change, which is bringing more and more
extreme weather to our region.

We see this when our older school
buildings that were built before air conditioning was necessary become
dangerously hot, requiring districts to switch to remote instruction
to keep students and staff safe. While having virtual instruction is a
help, it doesn't replace the in-school learning that's lost when
students are out of the building for heat days. And the price tag to
address just HVAC-related school infrastructure challenges and keep
our students safely learning in school every day is hundreds of
millions of dollars across Pennsylvania.

We also see the effects of
climate change in the increased frequency of storms and extreme
weather events. By May 18 of this year, the Pittsburgh region has
already had more tornadoes than in any other May on record, including
an EF1 tornado near the Highland Park Bridge in East
Liberty.

Increasing storms have seen floodwaters rise over and over
again, causing creeks and streams to overflow their banks and flood
streets, yards, basements, and homes, resulting in headaches for
homeowners and hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of damages
locally.

From 2010 to 2020 alone, Pennsylvania experienced 37
extreme weather events that cost the state up to $10 billion in
damages. And that doesn't include the increased events of the last 4
years. Climate change is costing Pennsylvanians.

By addressing
tailpipe and transportation emissions through improved carbon
emissions standards, the Biden Administration is putting the auto
industry and the country on a predictable and clear path towards
reduced emissions, cleaner air, and less extreme
weather.

[link removed]
[link 3]

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 4]

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 5]

*Property Tax Rent Rebate Program Deadline Extended to
December 31, 2024!*

Good news! The Pennsylvania Department of
Revenue has extended the deadline for older residents and
Pennsylvanians with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent or
property taxes paid in 2023. The new deadline is* December 31st, 2024.
*

If you need assistance, our office is here to help you apply for
your rebate. Call 412-364-0469 or 724-224-2131 for an appointment.
Or, if you prefer to file on your own go to:

-
Application online
at: [link removed] [link 6]

-
Online Assistance:
[link removed] [link 7]

This program was recently
expanded so that thousands more Pennsylvanians are eligible.

PTRR
PROGRAM CHANGES:

-
The maximum rebate was increased from $650 to
$1000.

-
The income cap for renters and homeowners is now
$45,000. When calculating income, only 1/2 Social Security income is
included.

-
Income cap increases annually to grow with
inflation.

*
[image =
[link removed]]
[link 8]*

*FAFSA Application Deadline for PA State Grant
Consideration is June 1*

Reminder for students and families!
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) has extended
the deadline for PA State Grant Applications to this Saturday, June
1st.

Don't delay, file today at
[link removed] [link 9]!

[image =
[link removed]]

*Emergency
Food Assistance Grant Awarded to NHCO Food Pantry*

Congratulations
to North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) on receiving an Emergency
Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency Grant! These
funds will help NHCO feed more families in need through its food
pantries in Millvale, Allison Park, and Avalon.

For more
information about their program, or to volunteer, please check out
their website at Food Pantry -- North Hills Community Outreach
(nhco.org) [link 10].

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 11]

[image =
[link removed]]

*Allegheny
Go Program Offers 50% Discount on PRT Fares to SNAP
Recipients*

Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT),
and the County's Department of Human Services unveiled Allegheny Go
[link 12] last week!

Due to the success of the 2022 pilot [link
13], the Allegheny Go program is now permanent and offers a 50%
discount on public transit fares to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) recipients who live in Allegheny County. More than
130,000 county residents will be eligible to participate. Applications
open on Monday, June 3rd!

Riders should download PRT's Ready2Ride
app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store before applying at
[link removed] [link 14]. Eligible
applicants will be able to purchase discounted fares within their app.
The program is starting with smartphone users but will be available
without an app in 2025 when PRT launches its new smartcards.

If you
have questions about downloading Ready2Ride or the application
process, contact PRT Customer Service at 412-442-2000, on
Twitter@pghtransitcare [link 15], or via live chat at www.rideprt.org
[link 16].

[image =
[link removed]]

*Duquesne
Light is Raising Rates - Let Your Voice Be Heard!*

You may have
heard that Duquesne Light Company (DLC) has proposed to raise rates
for residents by approximately $133 million, increasing bills by as
much as 7% for electric customers! Duquesne's service territory
includes all or portions of Allegheny and Beaver Counties.

The
Public Utility Commission (PUC) is hosting 4 public input hearings for
members of the public to weigh in on the impact that this rate
increase will have on customers and businesses served by Duquesne
Light. If you, your business, your community, or organization will be
affected by the rate proposal, we strongly encourage you to
participate in the public input hearings. *This is your opportunity to
explain how rate increases will personally affect you and any
downsides of your current service and how those impact you. Your voice
can make a difference.*

Wednesday, June 5th at 1:00 PM
(In-Person)

-
Piatt Place, Conference Room #3023 (Located on the
3rd Floor), 301 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 [link
17]

Wednesday, June 5th at 6:00 PM (In-Person)

-
Community
College of Beaver County, Conference Room #9103 (Located in the
Library), 1 Campus Drive, Monaca, PA 15061 [link 18] - Parking: Lot B
(no pass required)

Thursday, June 6th at 1:00 and 6:00 PM
(Telephonic)

*You do not have to pre-register to testify in-person.
However, if you wish to testify by telephone, you must pre-register by
4:00 PM on June 4th.*

Pre-register by calling 412-565-3550 or
emailing [email protected] [link 19]. If you require an interpreter,
pre-register as soon as possible.

[image =
[link removed]]

*2024
Gene Kelly Awards Honor High School Musical Theater*

The Pittsburgh
CLO and Michael J. Kara Family presented the 33rd Annual Gene Kelly
Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater on Saturday night
at the Benedum Center in downtown Pittsburgh and four Senate District
38 high schools won big. We will undoubtedly see some of these
performers on Broadway someday!

The awards program, named for the
legendary performer and Pittsburgh-native Gene Kelly and patterned on
the Tony Awards, is the oldest and most comprehensive regional awards
program of its kind in the United States. Public and private schools
are judged at four budget levels to ensure all schools have an equal
opportunity to participate and win regardless of their resources.
Performers are also eligible for $75,000 in scholarships to Point
Park, Robert Morris, and Seton Hill Universities and the school's arts
programs are eligible for cash prizes.

The 2024 Gene Kelly Award
winners in Senate District 38 are:

-
Saint Joseph High School
(Natrona Heights): *TARZAN*

-
Best Musical, Budget Level I

-
Best Scenic Design, Budget Level I

-
Shady Side Academy Senior
School: *ZOMBIE PROM*

-
Best Lighting Design, Budget Level I
-
Best Crew/Technical Execution, Budget Level I

-
Pine-Richland
High School: *MAMMA MIA!*

-
Best Student Orchestra

-
Best
Scenic Design, Budget Level IV

-
Hampton High School: *TUCK
EVERLASTING*

-
Best Dance Ensemble, Budget Level IV

-
North
Hills High School: *THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE*

-
Best Actress: Emma Hopf (as William Barfee)

-
Best Crew/Technical
Execution, Budget Level III

Winners for Best Actor and Best Actress
will represent Pittsburgh CLO's Gene Kelly Awards in the Jimmy Awards
(R)/National High School Musical Theatre Awards (R) in New York City
on Monday, June 26. Good luck Emma!

For a full list of winners and
more information on the awards go to The 2024 Gene Kelly Awards
Announced - Full List of Winners! (broadwayworld.com) [link 20] or
"Road to the Kellys" on Facebook [link 21], Twitter [link 22], and
Instagram [link 23].

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

*Kids' Book Sale at Shaler Library*

*Saturday, June
8th & Sunday, June 9th, 10am-4pm*

Shaler North Hills Library
Incredible Kids' Book Sale is just around the corner!

Find loads of
wonderful children's books and materials at great prices. Oram's
famous Cinnamon Rolls will also be for sale!

More volunteers
needed! Scan the QR code or click here [link 25].

[image =
[link removed]]

*Flower
Garden Contest in West View - Deadline July 15!*

If you live in
West View and have a green thumb, consider entering a photo of your
garden to the West View Community Association's 2024 Flower Garden
Contest. Deadline to enter is July 15 - plenty of time to get the
perfect shot! See graphic above for details.

[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 26] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
27] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 28]. 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] mailto:[email protected]
[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] tel:412-364-0469
[link 27] tel:724-224-2131
[link 28]
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]