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| Federal Shutdown Means No SNAP Payments for November! Earlier this month, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified Pennsylvania that it will not fund November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits because of the federal shutdown. This means that without the White House and/or Congress taking immediate action to reopen the federal government, two million Pennsylvanians go without their November SNAP payments. Pennsylvania is unable to cover SNAP costs. I have talked to so many people lately who are scared about how they are going to make ends meet and feed their family. I have seen our communities try and meet this money. I have seen the spike in donations to food banks. And certainly, I want to encourage everyone to donate and volunteer at their local food pantry. But make no mistake—charitable food pantries cannot fill the demands or the infrastructure that the SNAP program is leaving behind. The feds are counting on our sense of decency to not let people starve, while they spend our taxpayer dollars on a giant golden ballroom. This “let them eat cake” attitude coupled with our nearly 5-month long state budget impasse means that Pennsylvanians are being hit hardest by this SNAP cut. My Senate colleagues and I are working on legislation that would allocate $60 million from the Rainy Day Fund to support our food banks and Meals on Wheels programs. This fund is for emergencies. Our neighbors are certainly facing an emergency right now, and it is up to us to help ensure that the working families, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities who rely on SNAP to put food on their table every day can continue to do so. If You Need Assistance For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use:
You Can Help! You can take action! Contact your federal officials (contact information is above) and urge them to end this shutdown by passing a federal budget that funds essential services and releases critical food assistance to the millions of Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. Your voice makes a difference! Also, if you are able, please consider assisting at or donating to your local food banks, food pantries, and other helping organizations who will see increased demand. Consider donating to our food drive at one of our district offices. Donated items will be accepted through December and go to two local food banks (see graphic above for details).
Constituent Stories Government That Works for You This week, I want to take a moment to share some of the feedback our office has received recently. Our mission is to build community with our constituents and to show you that your government works for you.We’re grateful to hear that we’re being successful in our mission, and that it is also serving so many of you well. “Thank you so much. You have been the only one to reply
quickly and continue to help with my problem.”
“Thank you for the continued consideration and kindness
throughout your communications. It truly feels like you care, which is
rare. I appreciate you immensely. I can’t quite express how
refreshing your helpfulness and heart have been to me. You’re
renewing my faith in the State.” “Every
time I come to the office, you all are so helpful and nice. Please
tell the senator how much I appreciate her office.” These kind words mean so much to us. They reflect the dedication and compassion my team brings to every phone call, email, and visit. If you ever have a question, need help with a state agency, or simply want to share what matters most to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You’ll always be met with kindness, respect, and the professional service you deserve from your government. While we can’t promise to solve every issue, my experienced staff will do their best to connect you with the right resources and organizations that can help. Together, we'll keep striving to prove that good government can be responsive, caring, and community driven. Upcoming Events Get the Support You’ve Earned: VSO Appointments Available! Do you have questions about or need a review of your Veterans benefits? We still have appointment slots open with a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Veterans Service Officer (VSO) at both of my District Offices through the end of the year! Ross Township Office 1st Monday of each month from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Upcoming Dates:
Harrison Township Office Last Wednesday of each month from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - except November and December where dates change for the holidays! Upcoming Dates:
Appointments are required to meet with a VSO. Call or email us today to make an appointment at 412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison), [email protected]! Monthly
Community Office Hours at the Kingsley Association My office hosts monthly office hours on the first Friday of every month at the Kingsley Association. Stop by and say hello to our staff between 9:00 AM -1:00 PM to get access to all the services that our District Offices provide. We will also have free notary service available by appointment at our Kingsley Community Office Hours this month! For an appointment call:
$camJam Please join us for our annual $cam Jam presentation with the PA Department of Banking and Securities and other guests! This informative and entertaining event will keep you up to date on how to spot a scammer and keep yourself—and your money—safe from the latest tricks and schemes. This free event is a great refresher or for seasoned veterans, but space is limited, so please call or email to reserve your space today! Register by email at [email protected] or call 412-364-0469. We hope to see you there!
Good News Lawrenceville LIVE! Earlier this month, I joined friends, families, and local businesses at Lawrenceville LIVE! This community block party hosted by Lawrenceville United and the Lawrenceville Corporation celebrates the vibrant thriving community that Lawrenceville is today, while honoring its historic roots. We enjoyed music, games, art, and more at Bay41, home of the famous Farmers Market! Celebrating the New NaturePlay Space in Aspinwall Earlier this month, I was proud to join community members for the ribbon cutting of the new NaturePlay Space at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall. I’ve long supported the park’s efforts because I share their core mission of improving the quality of life in the community with projects that reclaim spaces that have been lost to industry for years. This play space inspires creativity and connection to the outdoors - values I’m sure children will pass on to the next generation! Fawn VFD Turns 75! Congratulations to the Fawn Township Volunteer Fire Department #2 for 75 years of service! I had the pleasure of celebrating with them on October 11th and was honored to meet one of the founding members of the Department. Local departments like Fawn VFD are always looking for neighbors to help—everything from becoming a firefighter yourself to performing administrative work to keep the department running. If you are looking for a way to give back to your community, contact your local fire department to see how you can help! Advocating with PAAR/PCAR I joined survivors and advocates from Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) and Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR) to rally in support of a Pennsylvania budget that recognizes and funds the work of our rape crisis centers statewide. These advocates have been doing more work with less funding for years, but now Harrisburg is asking them to do more with nothing—to borrow money to stay afloat, or to close their doors. But none of the organizations that are funded by the PA budget should be doing this—they shouldn’t be borrowing the money that the legislature was constitutionally obligated to allocate back in June, nearly 5 months ago. It’s time to get a budget passed and stop playing games with people’s lives. Standing with Workers at Greco Steel I was proud to stand alongside the striking workers of Greco Steel Products, who voted to unionize over a year ago following the tragic death of one of their own. These brave workers are standing up for what we all deserve-- the ability to take care of their family, and safe working conditions so they can come home to their family every night. It's time for Greco Steel to sit down at the table and negotiate a fair contract and safe working conditions with the workers who helped build this company. BikePGH Vision Zero Summit On October 17th, I joined Rep. Lindsay Powell, PennDOT’s Ngani Ndimbie, and Councilperson Erika Strassburger at BikePGH’ s Vision Zero Summit to discuss how decisions made in Harrisburg impact Pittsburgh’s goal of reducing traffic fatalities to zero. In addition to adequately funding Pennsylvania’s public transportation systems, Harrisburg needs to think beyond cars. That means ensuring state transportation policy and funding reflect a “complete streets” approach—one that supports all modes of travel, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers alike. If we can refocus that policy, we will create roadways that get everyone to their destination safely, no matter how they are traveling—and that should be our #1 goal.
Legislative Update Protecting Pennsylvania Student’s Civil Rights I'm introducing legislation that will create an Office of Civil Rights within the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This will authorize the state to investigate and enforce students' federal civil rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other federal education laws. In order to protect their right to public education, students and parents need a real place to go when they are being discriminated against or harassed. Instead, the federal government has gutted the Department of Education and shuttered the Pennsylvania Office of Civil Rights. This means if a student in Pennsylvania files a complaint about not receiving the resources they are legally entitled to, it would be handled by an office in Atlanta, if investigated at all. Eliminating the enforcement of students’ rights is part of the plan to defund, dismantle, and destroy public education being carried out by the Trump Administration. According to ProPublica, former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO turned Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has brought on at least 20 political appointees from ultraconservative think tanks and advocacy groups “eager to de-emphasize public schools” and push students into private and religious schools, neither of which are required to educate students with disabilities. Our students and parents are running out of places to turn for help. My legislation will allow Pennsylvania to do what the federal government refuses to do and investigate and enforce students’ federal civil rights to education. If the Federal government won’t stand up for our most vulnerable students, I will.
News You Can Use 2025-26 LIHEAP Season Open Date Delayed! In addition to SNAP benefits not being paid due to the federal shutdown, we've also learned that Pennsylvania must delay the start of the 2025–26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by one month — it will now open on December 3rd. LIHEAP is a federal program run by the Department of Human Services (DHS) that helps Pennsylvanians pay their heating bills in the winter. The money goes straight to a household’s utility company or fuel provider. Each year, Pennsylvania gets more than $215 million in LIHEAP funding — $216 million in 2023 and $229 million in 2024. The state cannot cover these costs on its own if federal funding is cut or reduced. If you need immediate assistance during the shutdown, please:
Haven’t Returned Your Mail-In Ballot Yet? Use a County Ballot Return Site Near You! If you have your mail-in or absentee ballot and want to return it without relying on the mail, Allegheny County is offering 10 ballot return sites for your convenience. These sites are not drop-boxes and are staffed by County employees. Ballot Return Site Hours
Ballot Return Locations
Election Day Ballot Return Option On Election Day — Tuesday, November 4, voters can return their completed mail-in or absentee ballot to the County Office Building lobby (Ross Street entrance) between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. There will be a designated drive-up area for voters on Ross St. to park temporarily and drop off their ballots. Important Reminders
For more information on returning your ballot go to: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Government/Elections/Ballot-Return-Sites. General Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 If you plan to vote in-person on Election Day, next Tuesday, polling places are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Anyone in line as of 8:00 pm on Election Day will be allowed to vote. First time and newly registered voters will be asked to show an approved form of ID upon arrival at the polling place. You can find your polling place, list of approved forms of ID, a video of what to expect on Election Day and more at: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Government/Elections/In-Person-Voting. Shaler
Library GIANT Used Book Sale If you are looking to freshen up your book collection you shouldn’t miss the Shaler North Hills Library’s annual Used Book Sale this weekend! Scan the QR code above for a preview.
Trick-or-Treat in the 38th! Halloween is Friday, and we’ve compiled the trick-or-treat dates and times for Senate District 38 municipalities for your reference. Have a safe and fun Halloween!
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). |
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