State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38
Update

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*Upcoming Events**

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*Larimer Alive!*

We can't wait for Larimer Alive this
Saturday! Come on out to celebrate the Larimer neighborhood and stop
by our table for an opportunity to talk with Senator Williams or to
pick up some information and resources from her staff. Hope to see you
there!

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*Good
News**

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*Prescription
Benefits Manager Reform Legislation Signed Into Law! *

Earlier this
week I joined my colleague Representative Jess Benham to celebrate the
passage of HB 1993, which will reform Pharmacy Benefit Managers
(PBMs). This legislation will save Pennsylvanians money on their
prescription medications, support our local pharmacies, and protect a
vital link in our health care chain.

I have been fortunate to
partner with local pharmacies throughout my time in the Pennsylvania
Senate. These incredibly knowledgeable individuals have participated
in my office's Senior Fairs, Community Baby Showers, and other events
to ensure that residents have access to vaccines and other important
health information.

One of the pharmacists I've worked with closely
throughout my time in the Senate, *Kaitlyn Sullivan, the owner of
**Russellton Palmer Pharmacy* [link 2]* in West Deer*, said "PBM
reform continues to be needed to ensure that patients will always have
access to local brick and mortar & include all the unique services we
provide as community pharmacies. Today was a small step in the right
direction, but local pharmacies are still in danger of going away. We
thank the lawmakers that have worked hard with us and we hope to
continue to work towards better solutions."

Senator Lindsey M.
Williams Applauds Senate Passage of Pharmacy Reform Legislation -
Senator Lindsey Williams [link 3]

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*Homelessness
is not a Crime*

Last week I joined my Senate and House colleagues
in a public response to the recent Supreme Court decision
criminalizing homelessness. Jail is not a housing program and
incarcerating people for not having housing will not solve any of our
problems-- it will only make them significantly worse. Thank you to my
colleagues Rep. Lindsay Powell, Senator Nikil Saval, Senator Amanda
Cappelletti, and Rep. Joanna McClinton for your inspiring words and
leadership on this issue.

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*Policy
Hearing on PA Property Reassessment System*

On Monday I was
grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in a Senate
Democratic Policy Committee hearing requested by Senator Wayne
Fontana. This hearing took a hard look at the lack of a statewide
system of regular property reassessment in Pennsylvania. We heard from
experts and advocates on the incredibly significant impact
Pennsylvania's inequitable property tax reassessment system has on
residents and our public institutions.

We heard from experts and
advocates on the incredibly significant impact Pennsylvania's
inequitable property tax reassessment system has on residents and our
public institutions.

Without regularly scheduled reassessments like
the rest of the country, our local governments and school districts
are stuck with a system that taxes residents and families unfairly. We
can't appeal our way to fairness, so I'm looking forward to working
with Senator Fontana to find a legislative solution that benefits all
Pennsylvanians.

For more information on this policy hearing and to
access all submitted testimony and a full recording of the hearing,
visit www.SenatorMuth.com/policy [link 4].

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*Tour
of the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts *

Last week while I
was in Harrisburg working on the budget, a member of my staff attended
a Pittsburgh Cultural Trust (PCT) tour of the Benedum Center. The tour
showcased the Benedum as a prime example of the benefits of financial
support for PTC's eight theaters, galleries, and varied performance
spaces.

At nine stories up and very deep, the Benedum Center
boasts one of the biggest stages in the country. In fact, many
national tours prefer to start in Pittsburgh because it's such an
effortless experience for traveling teams to get acclimated since
there is so much backstage storage. Funding for the Benedum has been
used for recent safety and modernization upgrades that also attract
Broadway's top shows which in turn keep our downtown restaurants and
culture vibrant.

As an annual season ticket subscriber to the
Broadway in Pittsburgh series at the Benedum, I take every opportunity
to support the arts in Harrisburg and hope everyone in the Pittsburgh
region takes advantage of its world-class venues that continue to draw
the best shows and talent in the country.

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*Fresh
Access Program at Farmers Markets*

On Monday, to kick off Urban
Agriculture Week, I took a trip to the City of Pittsburgh East End
Farmers Market [link 5] at Liberty Green Park in Larimer to highlight
the importance of Just Harvest's Fresh Access Program. I also was
excited to pick up some produce and fish for myself!

The Fresh
Access Program [link 6] improves access to fresh, locally grown fruits
and vegetables for everyone by expanding payment options at local
farmers markets. Shoppers are able to pay using SNAP benefits, SUN
bucks, Food Bucks, WIC or Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
vouchers, EBT cards, credit and debit cards, and cash.

A full
listing of farmers markets participating in the Fresh Access Program
is available at Just Harvest's website [link 7]. Participants should
look for a red Fresh Access tent or ask for the market manager's
tent.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is accepting
paper wait list applications by mail through the end of July.
Participants who meet income guidelines (at or below $27,861 for a
one-person household or $37,814 for a two-person household) can
request an application from my office by calling or emailing
412-364-0469 (Ross),
724-224-2131 (Harrison),
[email protected] [link 8].

Full information on
the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is available at Farmers
Market Nutrition Program - Allegheny County, PA [link 9].

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*Legislative
Update**

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*FirstEnergy's Rate Increase Should be Denied*

I've
asked the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission [link 11] to deny
FirstEnergy's proposed rate increase. People in our region are facing
skyrocketing costs at the grocery store, the gas pump, and when they
open their utility bills. As corporate profits soar, our families and
seniors are struggling to make ends meet. Penn Power and West Penn
Power proposing to increase monthly electric bills 10-12% is extreme,
especially because the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate [link
12] has flagged that this increase may result in excessive returns to
FirstEnergy.

Read more at
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*Deadline
for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Voucher Waitlist is July
30th!*

Allegheny County Senior Community Centers had a very large
and successful turnout for their in-person Senior Farmers Market
Nutrition Program voucher distribution on June 25th. Unfortunately,
there were not enough vouchers allocated to meet the demand. We are
reminding seniors that the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
responded by moving to a waitlist for vouchers managed by a
first-come, first-served mail-in application process. Vouchers will be
mailed after August 1, 2024, so if you haven't mailed yours in yet,
*applications must ARRIVE in the mail by July 30, 2024!*

If you
need assistance or need our office to mail you an application, please
call 412-364-0469 (McKnight) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison).

Full
information on the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is
available at Farmers Market Nutrition Program - Allegheny County, PA
[link 14].

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*Welcome to the Neighborhood!*

A warm welcome to our
new neighbors in the Heights Plaza! The new Natrona Heights Social
Security Administration office opened on Monday, July 15!

The new
location is at 1721 Union Avenue, just a hop, skip and a jump from our
district office at 1826 Union Ave!

Their office hours are 9am-4pm,
Monday through Friday.

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*Join the DCNR NextGen Advisory Council!*

The PA
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is seeking applicants
for their NextGen Advisory Council. Members will work together to
assist DCNR in their mission of expanding access to outdoor recreation
and ensuring public lands are welcoming to all.

Applications will
be accepted through Wednesday, July 31. Learn more and apply at
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (pa.gov) [link 17].

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*Pittsburgh Fair Housing Ordinance Update*

The City
of Pittsburgh has released the public draft of its new Fair Housing
Amendment. You can review the draft, ask questions, and sign up for
updates on the process at
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The next step in this process is a Planning Commission Briefing on
July 23.

This work is needed to ensure that the City's Zoning Code
complies with the federal Fair Housing Act and state regulatory
standards, as well as provides flexibility and opportunities for
development while still being easy to understand.

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*Allegheny GoatScape to Clear Natrona Water Trail*

Did
you know goats are great lawn mowers? You can see them in action when
Allegheny GoatScape [link 21], Friends of the Riverfront [link 22],
and Natrona Comes Together Association [link 23] team up to tackle the
vegetation along the riverbank around the Natrona Water Trail Launch
between Monday, July 22 - Friday, July 26!

The goats will be fenced
in and munching on invasive weeds and bushes to help create a safer
and more visible area along the riverfront. Pop by during the week to
greet the goats and walk along the short river trail stretch from the
Army Corps lock and dam to the kayak launch.
The entrance to the
mosaic trail is across from Natrona Park and extends along Veterans
Way Road to the kayak launch and back to River Avenue.

An official
Meet & Greet with the goats will take place on Wednesday, July 24th
from 12:30pm-1:30pm at the Three Rivers Water Trail Launch- Natrona
Access.

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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 24] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
25] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 26]. 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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