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What We Can Do When Our Rights are Under AttackI’ve heard from so many of you over the past few weeks who are angry and scared about the ICE attacks happening around the country, especially in Minnesota. Like you, I have read first-hand accounts from people on the ground in Minneapolis detailing ICE’s abuse of power. I watched the videos of the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. I saw the photo of ICE detaining 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. I have read about the lack of oversight of ICE agents who are terrorizing families just as they were hired to do. I saw the leaked photos coming out of immigration detention facilities around the country. It is hard to think of anything else after you see it. The violence happening in Minnesota is not unprecedented in our country’s history. Nor is the surveillance of its dissenters. But the way the federal government is using our personal data from government and social media databases to surveil and police us is new and deeply concerning to me. Minnesota is an ugly testing ground for what could happen in any city in this country, including ours. I want to acknowledge that there are likely more horrors happening that we don’t know about, especially in immigration detention facilities. What is happening in Minnesota goes beyond just hatred of immigrants. It is about undermining our civil liberties, our democracy, and our elections. It’s about control and power and making people feel scared to stand up and show up for each other. And to be honest, I am scared. But I also find hope in the resistance in the people of Minnesota, who have marched in below-freezing temperatures and inspired anti-ICE actions across the country. And I’m motivated by the knowledge that states are not without recourse and can act to protect their people. I see Governor Shapiro preparing for action here in Pennsylvania. I have sponsored legislation to unmask ICE agents, ban ICE from Pennsylvania state property, limit state and local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, and allow Pennsylvanians to bring state lawsuits against federal officials for constitutional violations. I’m also looking towards the good efforts in other states to see what more we could do – like Illinois’ commission to document ICE misconduct and legislation that would bar states from employing anyone hired by ICE under Trump. I am talking to advocates to find out which of these avenues is the most helpful right now so I can focus my energy. Republicans control the PA Senate, but legislation is not the only way to make change. I will strive to continue to lead with empathy and show up for our neighbors to help build a community that is more capable of taking on the challenges we are facing together. For those of you who have called and emailed me, thank you. Holding your elected officials accountable is a worthwhile use of your time. Keep pushing me, keep pushing your other legislators, and please know that it makes a difference. Wondering what you can do? We have compiled some options below:
Upcoming Events AARP Tax-Aide Appointments Available! We’re scheduling appointments for the AARP Tax-Aide program at Shaler Undercliff Fire Department and the Ross Community Center! The AARP Tax-Aide program provides free tax assistance and tax preparation services to low and moderate-income taxpayers, with an emphasis on those 50 or older. To schedule your free appointment, please call the office at 412-364-0469. For more information on the AARP Tax-Aide program, visit https://www.taxaide-pittsburgh.com/. United Way Can Also File Your Taxes for Free! If it is inconvenient for you to get to a tax appointment at the Shaler or Ross AARP Tax-Aide locations, consider scheduling an appointment with one of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s free tax preparation sites across Allegheny County. Appointments are available for families making less than $70,000 each year. This year in Senate District 38 the United Way has partnered with North Hills Community Outreach and Allegheny Valley Association of Churches (AVAC) and has free tax-prep locations in Brackenridge, Tarentum, and Natrona Heights (see graphic above for addresses). To schedule an appointment:
Want to file your federal and state taxes online yourself? Go to: https://myfreetaxes.com/. Get the Support You’ve Earned: VFW Service Officer Appointments Available How can a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) help Veterans and their families? These accredited and certified professionals are able to:
They have a 90% success rate in correcting errors, helping you avoid a lengthy appeals process! They can also help with appeals if you are unhappy with the outcome of your claims. Call or email us today to schedule an appointment at either our Ross Township or Natrona Heights Office! Harrison Township Office: 1826 Union Ave, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Ross Township Office: 5000 McKnight Road, Suite 405, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Contact us at 412-364-0469 (Ross), 724-224-2131 (Harrison), or email us at [email protected] to book your one-on-one session - appointments fill up quickly, so don’t delay! Information
Session: Russellton Neighborhood Facade Improvement
Program Join Senator Williams at a Russellton community information session with the Deer Lakes Regional Revitalization Corporation (DLRRC) on Monday, February 16th at 6:00 PM at the West Deer Volunteer Fire Hall #1, 1520 Saxonburg Blvd. The DLRRC, working with the Russellton Business Group, will discuss a potential neighborhood facade improvement program that could support both residential and business properties. Senator Lindsey Williams is attending to hear directly from the community. This meeting is informational only and no financial commitment is required. Residents, property owners, and business owners are all encouraged to attend! Good News PA Construction Meeting I had a great conversation a couple of weeks ago at the Construction Legislative Coalition meeting. We talked about the need for funding for our highways and public transit systems, apprenticeship programs, our career and technical schools, and permitting reforms. Thanks to everyone in the industry who attended and their officers! Bringing World Class Care to Our Neighborhoods Earlier this month, I joined the ribbon cutting celebration for the new expanded in-patient rehabilitation unit at Allegheny Valley Hospital. Bringing state-of-the-art medical and rehabilitation care to a neighborhood facility like this emphasizes how important community is in the recovery process. Quality rehab means getting back to your life, and that's easier to do if you can stay close to home, surrounded by your friends, family, and support system. I'm grateful that AHN has made this investment in the health and well-being of our neighbors here in the Allegheny Valley and shown that everyone can and should have easy, local access to world-class care. Check out the Tribune-Review’s coverage of the expansion.
Spirit of King Awards I was grateful to participate in this year’s Spirit of King Awards, held by the Kingsley Association, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and The New Pittsburgh Courier. These Awards are given every January to acknowledge Pittsburgh-area citizens who have followed in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and advanced civil rights through a life dedicated to the service of others. This year’s awards honored Rev. Samson M. Cooper, who used his role to promote unity across divisions and address racial issues, and Wendell G. Freeland, a prominent leader in the community and distinguished attorney in the fight for civil rights. I appreciated the opportunity to listen and learn about these members of our community and to celebrate their lives and work. Their constant advocacy that every Pittsburgher should be able to learn, pray, swim, and live with dignity alongside their community in peace is a guiding example to us today. I look forward to continuing this work as we move forward into 2026 and beyond. Celebrating the Opening of Cooper-Siegel 2.0 Congratulations to the entire Cooper-Siegel Community Library community on the grand opening of the new library expansion! I was proud to advocate for the over $1.4 million state grant investment in this project. Public libraries change our lives and communities for the better. An investment in our libraries is an investment in all of us. Pittsburgh Water Lead Line Replacement Grant Awarded! I'm proud to join Senator Jay Costa and Senator Fontana to announce that PA Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) has awarded Pittsburgh Water $31.5 million in combined grant and loan funding to replace lead service lines across Bloomfield, Shadyside, Highland Park, and Central Lawrenceville. By putting state funding toward these projects, we’re making sure PWSA can ensure safe, lead-free drinking water, without passing the cost onto people who are already dealing with high utility bills. Water and Sewer Grants Awarded! Congratulations to our local Small Water and Sewer Grant award recipients: Fox Chapel Authority, Town of McCandless, Blawnox Borough, Deer Creek Drainage Basin Authority, Township of Hampton, Tarentum Borough, Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority, Harmar Township, Harrison Township, and Springdale Township. The projects that are being funded today will ensure that our drinking water is safe and clean, and that wastewater and other pollutants stay out of our natural waterways. This ensures that residents have continued access to pure water both at home and out in nature, as guaranteed by the Pennsylvania Constitution. Read more: https://senatorlindseywilliams.com/senator-lindsey-m.../ Transportation Grants Awarded! Congratulations to our Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant recipients: Cheswick, City of Pittsburgh, Township of O’Hara, Borough of Sharpsburg, and West View Borough! These grants will help support projects that improve road safety for everyone—drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders alike. By installing sidewalks and improving streetscapes, we can keep our neighborhoods safely connected to the schools, businesses, and outdoor recreation that are so important to our daily lives. Read more: https://senatorlindseywilliams.com/senator-lindsey-m.../
Legislative Update Senator Williams and Governor Shapiro introducing Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Act in January 2020 Celebrating a Budget Proposal That Protects Taxpayer Dollars and Invests in Working Families Governor Shapiro officially kicked off the 2026-27 Budget Season on Tuesday with his Budget Address. I’m hopeful that leadership will be able to get together and negotiate an on-time budget this year for all Pennsylvanians. I want to applaud Governor Shapiro for recognizing that we must protect whistleblowers to stop fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer money. A state False Claims Act has been a top priority for me since I took office. Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and I have reintroduced Senate Bill 38 again this session. This legislation encourages whistleblowers to come forward and report false or fraudulent claims against the Pennsylvania government in order to protect taxpayer dollars. Each year, the General Assembly establishes a budget that spends billions of taxpayer dollars on programs that benefit the people of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Act will help us make sure that tax dollars are spent as intended and provide real protection for whistleblowers both inside and outside the government. Study after study has proven that the best way to detect and deter fraud is to protect the employees who see it and who come forward to report it. For too long, Pennsylvania has allowed whistleblowers to be silenced, and our taxpayers have paid the price. That money could be invested in some of Governor Shapiro’s and my shared budget priorities:
Our working families are stretched thin. It’s time we show that government can and should work for them, not just for billionaires and tech bros. We do that by protecting their tax dollars and by investing in programs that benefit their lives. Governor Shapiro has known since he was Attorney General Shapiro that protecting whistleblowers through the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Act is the best way to safeguard taxpayer dollars. He supported this legislation then, and I’m grateful for his continued support in his budget address. News You Can Use PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Filing Season is Open! The PA Department of Revenue (DOR) has opened applications for older Pennsylvanians and individuals with disabilities to apply for the Property Tax/ Rent Rebate Program (PTRR). This lottery-funded program gives up to a $1000 rebate on rent or property taxes paid in 2025. Applications are due on June 30, 2026. To apply you must be:
The household income eligibility is $48,110 or less - a more than $1,500 increase from last year’s income limit! Note that half of Social Security income is excluded. The maximum standard rebate went up this year as well. Check the table below to see the rebate amount for each income level:
DOR recommends filing your PTRR online for fastest review. If you don’t feel confident about filing online, don’t worry, call our office for an appointment and we will file your application for you!
To apply online yourself, go to: https://mypath.pa.gov. To print an application and file by mail go to: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/ptrr/property-tax-rent-rebate-program-forms-and-information. For complete information on the PTRR program go to: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/ptrr. New
HOME-ARP Program The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) opened its new HOME-ARP program with $35 million in funding! This U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program funds the construction or rehabilitation of rental properties in order to increase the supply of affordable housing for at-risk or homeless Pennsylvanians. The HOME Investment Partnerships Program – American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) was part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible applicants include housing developers, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations committed to expanding affordable housing. All applications must be received no later than 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1. For more information on the HOME-ARP program, including eligibility requirements and application details, go to: https://www.phfa.org/mhp/developers/arp.aspx. Winter Safety Tips The extended forecast says we will continue to endure temperatures in the teens and get some more snow! As this icy weather persists, it is a good time to brush up on how to stay safe this winter with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s (PEMA) handy winter safety tips.
Stay safe out there! Pittsburgh’s Snow Angels Program Needs Volunteers! The City of Pittsburgh Snow Angels program has a lot of unfilled support requests-- can you help out our older and disabled neighbors? The areas with the highest needs are The South Hills. West End, Northside, East Hills, and Lincoln-Lemington. But everything helps. Sign up to volunteer at:
Want to assist in another Allegheny County municipality? Contact your local municipal government to see if they offer a similar program. Benefit
Concert for Highland Hose Fire Company Join me at Kaley’s Kops & Heroes for a benefit concert this Saturday at the Brackenridge American Legion from 6-8 pm to support Highland Hose Fire Company! Scott Blasey, lead singer of The Clarks, will be performing live. Come for the great music and support our local heroes at the same time! All proceeds benefit Highland Hose. Ticket prices and more event information can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558749671649. Try an Allegheny County Park Activity this February! If you are feeling claustrophobic during these chilly days spent indoors, consider signing up for one of your Allegheny County Park Ranger events. There are three coming up in Senate District 38 in February: Winter Birds Guided Hike: Saturday, February 7th, 10 am-noon, Harrison Hills Park Learn about the region’s year-round and winter resident birds. Binoculars recommended but not required. This hike will be approximately 2 miles with moderate elevation changes. Wear winter-ready shoes, dress warmly, and bring water. For details and to register go to: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/activity/search/detail/21775?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true. Superbowl Weekend Hike, Sunday, February 8th, 10am-noon, Deer Lakes Park Get some exercise before the big game! Learn about the five native PA animals that are also NFL team mascots. Can you name them all? This hike will be approximately 2 miles with moderate elevation changes. Wear winter-ready shoes, dress warmly, and bring water. For details and to register go to: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/activity/search/detail/21771?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true. History Presentation on North Park - Thursday, February 19th, 6-7pm at North Park. The Park Rangers will be exploring the past, present, and future of North Park! This is an indoor stationary presentation. For details and to register go to: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/activity/search/detail/21783?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true. 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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