State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38
Update

*

*Upcoming Events**

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 1]

*Ensuring Food Security for All*

Over the last week, we've
seen some big wins for food security locally and nationally. Governor
Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis took executive action and
declared a disaster emergency, released $5 million in state funding to
food banks, and organized private donations through the SNAP Emergency
Relief Fund, helping keep food on Pennsylvania families' tables during
the federal shutdown.

Then the Pennsylvania legislature passed our
budget, which includes an $11 million increase for the State Food
Purchase Program and Farmers' Market Voucher program. The State Food
Purchase Program provides grant funding to help food banks purchase
needed food. The Farmers' Market Voucher program provides
income-eligible seniors with vouchers to purchase fresh produce at
local farmers markets during the summer months. Both of these programs
go a long way toward providing fresh, local food for those who need it
most while supporting our local small farms- a huge win for all
Pennsylvanians.

In addition, the federal government passed their
budget, funding SNAP through 2026.

Despite these legislative fixes,
food insecurity continues to affect families across Pennsylvania,
especially our kids and our seniors. That's why I continue to support
universal free breakfast and lunch in school. No one in the richest
country in the world should have to choose between paying bills and
putting food on the table. It's important to me that every child,
family, and senior in Pennsylvania has the food and dignity they
deserve.

My office is hosting a food drive now through December 1 to
collect needed pantry items for North Hills Community Outreach and
Feeding the Flock. Please help out our neighbors in need by donating
if you are able.

[image =
[link removed]]

*VSO
Appointments Available!*

How can a Veterans Service Officer (VSO)
help you? These accredited and certified professionals can:

-
Help
you identify issues and develop evidence

-
Answer your requests for
assistance

-
File your claims with VA in a timely manner

-
Review
your rating decision for accuracy

They have a 90% success rate in
correcting errors, helping you avoid a lengthy appeals process! They
can also help with appeals in situations where you are unhappy with
the outcome of your claims.

Appointments are required to meet with a
VSO. Call or email us today to schedule an appointment at either our
Ross Township or Natrona Heights Offices!

*Natrona Heights
Office*

1826 Union Ave.

Natrona Heights, PA 15065

-
Last Wednesday
of each month (except December due to the holidays).

-
*Next
appointment: Wednesday, November 19th, 10 am - 2 pm.*

*Ross Township
Office*

5000 McKnight Road, Suite 405

Pittsburgh, PA 15237

-
1st
Monday of each month.

-
*Next appointment: Monday, December 1st, 10
am - 2 pm.*

Contact us at 412-364-0469 (Ross), 724-224-2131 (Natrona
Heights), or email us at [email protected] [link 2]
to book your one-on-one session.

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*Good
News**

*
[image =
[link removed]]*

*Springdale
Boro Trunk-or-Treat*

I had a spook-tacular time at Springdale
Borough's Trunk-or-Treat! The families and kids went all out
decorating their cars and on their costumes, and everyone went home
with bags full of treats.

*
[image =
[link removed]]*

*
[image
=
[link removed]]*

*
[image
=
[link removed]]*

*Supporting
Our First Responders*

October 25th was National First Responders Day,
a day we pay tribute to the paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, police
officers, and 911 operators who are always ready to respond in times
of crisis, often risking their own lives in the process.

First
responders work hard every single day to keep us all safe. Their
training, bravery, and selflessness prepare them to handle any
emergency.

These responders deserve more than lip service, which is
why I've made it a priority to bring funding to District 38 and
statewide for EMS, fire companies, and 911 operators to ensure they
have the equipment they need to keep us and themselves safe, and to
make training more accessible and affordable. Since 2019, I've hosted
various senate hearings and roundtables to center first responders'
voices and hear directly from them about what they need.

I will
continue to champion increased funding for our fire companies, EMS,
and 911 operators to run their day-to-day operations safely and at the
high level of professionalism we
expect.

[link removed]
[link 3]

[image =
[link removed]]

*Happy
2nd Anniversary to the Black Maternal Health Caucus!*

We celebrated
the Second Anniversary of Black Maternal Health Caucus on October 27th
with co-founder Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes. Congratulations to the Caucus
for two years of work on strengthening protections for Black Moms and
Birthing Parents across Pennsylvania, and here's to many more!

*
[image =
[link removed]]*

*Senior
Fair in Ross a Success!*

We hosted our 5th annual Senior Fair at Ross
Township Community Center with Rep. Emily Kinkead on October 30th!
Thank you to all of our vendors who came out to share information and
resources with the community, to Waltmire Pharmacy for providing
vaccines, to Ross Township for being our incredible host, and to
Sheetz for catering!

We're already looking forward to next
year!

*
[image =
[link removed]]
*

*Hampton Honors Our Veterans*

It was an honor to participate in
Hampton Township School District's annual Hampton Heroes Veterans Day
celebration last Monday. This service is a tribute to all of our
Veterans but also inducts local Veterans into the Hampton Heroes
program. Thank you to the students, teachers, parents, administrators,
and, most importantly, active service members and veterans for a
moving ceremony honoring those who served our country.

In addition to
the Hampton Heroes program, the District also offers the Operation
Recognition program, which gives Veterans (or their families) of WWI,
WWII, Korea, and Vietnam who missed their graduations while in service
to their country a chance to receive their diploma. Learn more about
Hampton Heroes or Operation Recognition here [link 4].

*
[image =
[link removed]]*

*Veterans
Place Opens New Outdoor Heroes Terrace on Veterans Day!*

I started my
Veterans Day at Veterans Place in Larimer with U.S. Rep. Summer Lee
and PA Rep. La'Tasha Mayes to celebrate the grand opening of the new
Heroes Terrace Meditation Area. This beautiful new seating area
provides a space to decompress and enjoy the outdoors for the Veterans
who live at Veterans Place and civilians alike. It was a particular
honor to meet the WWII Women's Army Corps (WAC) veteran who attended
and assisted with the flag ceremony!

[image =
[link removed]]

*Veterans
Honored at Ridgecrest of McCandless*

I also had the pleasure of
meeting with residents at Ridgecrest of McCandless Senior Living on
Veterans Day. It was inspiring to hear the stories of service from the
29 veterans who were honored that day, and I was happy to share
information on the veterans legislation I've been working on, like the
update to the PA GI Bill, property tax relief and discounted fishing
licenses for disabled veterans, and a "Green Alert" notification
system for missing veterans. We can never fully repay our men and
women in uniform, but my legislative priority will always be to take
every opportunity to make their lives easier.

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*Legislative
Update**

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

*Passing a Budget that Works for Pennsylvanians*

Over the
last few months, I've shared stories on the floor [link 6] about how
the 135-day long state budget impasse has threatened our schools,
communities, businesses, and Pennsylvanians.

I didn't get everything
that I wanted in the extremely late budget that was signed into law on
Wednesday. There were big concessions. But there are good things in
this budget that I really care about-- supporting our childcare and
direct care workers, funding our public libraries, and creating a new
Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit.

We didn't touch public transit or
our roads and bridges. We didn't find any new revenue. And we didn't
make the people and organizations whole who suffered because of our
failure to pass a budget on time. But our next budget is due in 230
days, and I hope it will address these issues and more-- and be done
on time.

I voted for a budget that provides:

-
$526 million
investment in adequacy and equity funding for public schools

-
$25
million for my and Governor Shapiro + Lt Gov Davis' Childcare Worker
Recruitment and Retention initiative

-
A $5 million increase in the
public library subsidy and a $433,00 increase for library services for
the visually impaired and disabled

-
A $21 million investment in our
direct care workers

-
An $11 million increase in the State Food
Purchase Program/Farmers' Market Coupons

-
$50 million in local
water and sewer grant program funding

-
A review of how large-load
connection requests, like data centers, are impacting our electric
bills

Pennsylvanians didn't get everything they deserve in this
budget. We have more work to do. I'm looking forward to working with
my colleagues to get that work done in our next budget right around
the corner.

[image =
[link removed]]

*

*News
You Can Use**

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 7]

*Nominations Open for 2026 PA River of the Year!*

The
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is calling on
Pennsylvanians to nominate their favorite waterway for the 2026 River
of the Year. The winner is featured in a year-long series of events
and activities to celebrate the river, including the popular *River of
the Year Sojourn*. *The nomination period is open through Friday, Nov.
21, at 5 p.m.*

All Pennsylvania waterways are eligible for
nomination, excluding the past five years of winners: Delaware River
(2025), Allegheny River (2024), Susquehanna North Branch (2023),
French Creek (2022) and Shenango River (2021).

Selected nominees will
be voted on by the public beginning in late November. For more
information about the River of the Year program, visit the
Pennsylvania Organization of Watersheds and Rivers' (POWR) website at
[link removed] [link 8].

To nominate a river or waterway,
visit the Grants and Awards webpage at
[link removed] [link 9] and scroll down to
"apply."

[image =
[link removed]]

*Free
November Seminars on Energy Savings*

The Pennsylvania Utility Law
Project is hosting their *free* November webinar series on energy
savings. Don't miss this opportunity to increase your energy IQ at one
of these upcoming events, including two sessions on how to testify at
a public input hearing on November 20! These informative hearings will
help you gain confidence and learn how to get involved when your
utility notifies you of a rate increase. Public comment is a large
factor in rate increase decisions, so your participation in these
hearings is incredibly important for you and your entire community!

-
*Rising Energy Costs: What's Causing Them and What Can I Do?:*
November 17, 1-2pm

-
Register at [link removed] [link 10]

-
*How to Testify at Public Input Hearings:* November 20, 1-2pm &
6-7pm

-
Register for 1pm webinar at: [link removed] [link
11]

-
Register for 6pm webinar at [link removed] [link
12]

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 13]

*Free Home Energy Audits Available for Sharpsburg, Etna,
and Millvale Residents!*

The Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization is
partnering with Energy Efficiency Empowerment (E3) [link 14] to offer
*FREE* professional Energy Audits of homes in the Triboro Ecodistrict
neighborhoods of Sharpsburg, Etna, and Millvale -* a value of $400!
*Don't miss this opportunity to learn how your home could be more
energy efficient.

This program is open to both RENTERS and HOMEOWNERS
in the Triboro Area. Households with an income of 50% or less of the
area median income will be prioritized for energy audits.

For more
information and to register, visit: bit.ly/EnergyAuditsForm [link 15].
[image =
[link removed]]
[link 16]

*College-Bound Students Should File for Financial Aid
Now!*

It is November and if you are a college-bound student you
should complete your financial aid application as soon as possible! To
complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online
go to either:

-
[link removed] [link
17] or

-
[link removed] [link
18].

If it is your first time applying, you will be directed to
complete the State Grant Form (SGF) and the High School Form when you
complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA is the first step to determine if you
qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, PA State Grant, scholarships,
institutional awards, and federal student loans. PA State Grant funds
are need-based aid and do not need to be repaid.

Students and
families who need help with the financial aid process can register for
one of PHEAA's free, upcoming webinars
at:
[link removed] [link
19].

Don't leave free money on the table - submit your FAFSA
today!

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 20]

[image =
[link removed]]
[link 21]

*Upcoming November and December Financial Aid
Webinars*

Every high school student who is gearing up for the next
big, exciting step in their education should know about the
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's (PHEAA) [link 22]
webinars that help guide them through the process. Don't miss PHEAA's
upcoming November/December financial aid webinars. These one-hour
sessions make the next steps less intimidating:

-
Financial Aid
Timeline--Know What To Do When

-
Thursday, November 20, at 6:30pm

-
Understanding the Offer Letter and Balances

-
Tuesday, December 2,
at noon

-
Thursday, December 18, at 12pm

For more information and
to register go to:
[link removed] [link
23].

[image =
[link removed]]

*East
Deer Light Up Night!*

Join East Deer for some holiday cheer on
Saturday, November 29th from 4-8pm! Santa, holiday shopping, and
crafts for the kids will all be part of the fun. Hope to see you
there!

[image =
[link removed]]

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).

[image =
[link removed]]

Senator
Lindsey Williams

[image =
[link removed]]


----------------------
footnotes
----------------------
[link 1]
[link removed]
[link 2]
mailto:[email protected]
[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]
[link removed]
[link 20]
[link removed]
[link 21]
[link removed]
[link 22]
[link removed]
[link 23]
[link removed]
[link 24]
tel:412-364-0469
[link 25] tel:724-224-2131
[link 26]
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]