State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38
Update

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*Upcoming Events**

*We want to hear from you!*

As
we plan 2023, we need to know more about what kinds of events you want
to attend. Please take a minute to fill out a brief survey to tell us
what topics you want to see the most next year!
Senator Williams
Event Survey (senatorlindseywilliams.com) [link 1]

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[link 2]

*TONIGHT!

Gridlock: How Senate Rules Block Good
Policy*

*A Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Senate
Rules

Wednesday, December 7, **6:00 pm** - **7:00 pm*

Senator
Katie Muth and I will be hosting "Gridlock: How Senate Rules Block
Good Policy," a Virtual Roundtable Discussion on the need for Senate
Rules Reform *TONIGHT*, Wednesday, December 7 from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. For
far too long, the operating rules of the Senate have allowed the
Majority Party to prioritize politics over policy and silence members
who are trying to advocate for their constituencies and often, for
what is right and just.

For example, the Senate rules stop even
common sense, popular legislation, like banning the sale of puppy mill
dogs in pet stores, from coming up for a vote. Despite growing
attention to this problem, the rules haven't changed. Pennsylvania's
bloated and expensive Legislature gets shockingly little done. This
has to change. [editorial] | Our Opinion | lancasteronline.com [link
3]

During this conversation, Senator Muth and I will discuss our
package of proposed Rules Reforms for the upcoming 2023-24 Session
that will promote transparency, encourage public participation,
advance good policy, and hold Senators accountable to the public. The
roundtable discussion will be hosted on Zoom and will allow for
attendees to ask questions throughout the event.

Register in
advance for the roundtable discussion at Meeting Registration - Zoom
[link 4]

*

*2022 Events Review**

This week's event feature is
our 2022 Community Baby Shower. This event is one of my absolute
favorites to host. It serves as a resource fair for anyone with
children in their lives: parents, grandparents, foster/kinship
families, guardians or anyone looking to start a family.
We've hosted
this event three times and each year it gets better!

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*Community
Baby Shower in Larimer*

Our 2022 Community Baby Shower was held at
Larimer's Liberty Green Park. We couldn't have asked for better
weather or attendance - more than 100 people came! The good music and
beautiful open park made everyone feel welcome. Whether you needed a
new children's winter coat, educational assistance, diapers, lead
testing, car seat information, childcare, a flu or COVID vaccination,
or healthcare support, there was an organization there to help with
programs and information.

Special thanks to the City of Pittsburgh
Office of Special Events [link 5] for their help coordinating the
event. We'd also like to thank Russellton Palmer Pharmacy [link 6] for
providing flu shots and COVID-19 booster shots, the Pittsburgh
Firefighters Local No. 1 [link 7] & Duquesne Light's [link 8]
Operation Warm Program [link 9] for their coat giveaway, Cupcakes for
Cohen [link 10] for providing our wonderful pastries, and Soergel
Orchards [link 11] for their juicy apples!

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*Good
News**

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*Stuff
the Bus Toy Drive!*

It was great to join Rep. Emily Kinkead [link
12] and Rep. Jessica Benham [link 13] at the annual Allegheny-Fayette
Central Labor Council [link 14] Stuff The Bus Toy Drive! Two buses
were packed with a variety of toys, games, and bikes that will
certainly put a lot of smiles on kids this holiday season.

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*Persad
OWLS Open House*

It was a packed house last week at the Persad
[link 15] OWLS Open House!
Representative Dan Miller [link 16],
Representative Jessica Benham [link 17], and I listened and learned
about what is important to our senior LGBTQ+ population. Thank you to
Persad for all the work you do to support and advocate for our LGBTQ+
community!

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*Capitol
Christmas Tree*

The Christmas tree in the Capitol is officially
lit! Thank you to all of the pre-k students and senior centers across
the state who donated ornaments for this year's tree.

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[link 18]

*AARP Tax-Prep Volunteers Needed!*

The AARP Foundation
Tax-Aide is Looking for Volunteers! The program is looking for
individuals to volunteer virtually or in person to provide help to
taxpayers. Volunteers come from a variety of industries & span from
retirees to college students. AARP will provide training and support.
Learn new skills and help those in need!

Learn more online [link
19] or call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669)

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[link 20]

*North Park Holiday Laser Show*

The Allegheny County
Holiday Drive-In Laser Show [link 21] is back! This daily show runs
through Wednesday, December 22 at the County's North Park Swimming
Pool Parking Lot on South Ridge Drive.

Visitors can choose from
three session times Sunday through Thursday (6 PM, 7:30 PM and 9 PM),
or four weekend session times on Friday and Saturday (6 PM, 7:30 PM, 9
PM and 10:30 PM). Each session accommodates 200 cars. The resident
rate is $20 per vehicle and the non-resident rate is $25 per vehicle.
Space is limited and tickets can sell out.

For more information
and to buy your tickets go to
Holiday Laser Show | Special Events |
Allegheny County [link 22].

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[link 23]

*Pittsburgh's Lunar New Year Gala*

Tickets for
Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center [link 24]'s 2023 Greater Pittsburgh
Lunar New Year Celebration Gala are now available! Celebrate the Year
of Rabbit on Saturday, January 21st, 2023, from 7PM to 9PM at the
Pittsburgh Playhouse, PNC Theater.

Learn more and buy your tickets
at Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Gala | Point Park University |
Pittsburgh, PA [link 25].

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[link 26]

*You May Be Eligible for LIHEAP! *

With colder
temperatures and increasing heating bills upon us, it is worth taking
a look at whether you qualify for LIHEAP [link 27], the Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP helps families pay their
heating bills through a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of
being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants.

A LIHEAP
cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility
company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range
from $500 to $1,500 based on household size, income, and fuel type.
Remember, because it is a grant it does not have to be
repaid!

Eligibility:

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You must meet income guidelines (see
graphic above).

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You do NOT have to be on public
assistance.

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You do NOT need to have an unpaid heating
bill.

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You can rent or own your home.

Applications:

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Online at: dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS [link 28].

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Download and print an
application from the DHS LIHEAP website [link 29] to return to the
Allegheny County Assistance Office, located at 5947 Penn Avenue, 4th
Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206.

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Request an application from the
LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095 or 412-562-0330. Individuals with
hearing impairments can call 711.

Application period ends April 28,
2023.

For complete information on LIHEAP go to LIHEAP (pa.gov)
[link 30].

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[link 31]

*Car Seat Safety Reminder*

The weather outside may be
cold, but PennDOT [link 32] wants you to remember a puffy coat should
never be worn under a car seat harness! Light layers allow the harness
to fit more snugly and protect children better in the event of an
accident.

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*Do You Have a Winter Emergency Travel Kit?*

This
winter, pack an emergency travel kit to keep in your car before you
need it! If you must drive during a winter storm, keeping necessary
supplies in your vehicle can help in case of emergency. PennDOT [link
34]'s list of items for the kit include:

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Warm clothing, gloves,
and a blanket

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Ice scraper, sand, small shovel, reflective
triangles, and jumper cables

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Cell phone, car charger, and
flashlight

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First aid kit, water, nonperishable food, and any
personal needs such as medications, baby supplies, or pet
food.

Read more at Winter (pa.gov) [link 35] and
PennDOT Emergency
Kit Checklist (pa.gov) [link 36].

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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 37] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
38] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 39]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

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Senator
Lindsey Williams

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mailto:[email protected]

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

Harrison Office
1826 Union
Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Phone: 724-224-2131
Fax:
724-224-2145

Harrisburg Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box
203038
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax:
717-787-8625

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