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Upcoming Events

Clean Slate and Expungement Clinic

Tuesday, March 14 2023, from 6:00-7:45pm

Get a fresh start by learning about how to clear your record! Join Senator Lindsey Williams and Barbara Griffin, Director of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Center, for a Clean Slate and Expungement Clinic at the Kingsley Association in Larimer. The clinic begins with a brief presentation on options for clearing criminal records including Clean Slate, expungements, and pardons.Afterward, participants have the option of meeting one-on-one with professionals to see what help is available to them. Advance registration is strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.

Property Tax and Rent Rebate Event with Rep. Emily Kinkead

Thursday, March 16, 2023, from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

My office is partnering with Rep. Emily Kinkead to help process Property Tax & Rent Rebate (PTRR) forms for residents of the Robert J. Corbett Apartments (commonly known as Corbett Court) on Thursday, March 16, 2023, from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Residents can sign up to have their PTRR processed with the Main Office at that time.

If you can’t make this event or don’t live in Corbett Court and need help with your PTRR, please contact the office at 412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Natrona) and we’ll be happy to help!

Lunch Debt Assembly with the PA Cancel Lunch Debt Coalition

Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM

As we work towards providing Universal School Meals for our students, the reality is that lunch debt is still accruing for many families. While the legislature has passed a law preventing lunch debt shaming in PA, our students still know when their families aren’t able to afford meals for them. This inability to pay and debt hurts everyone from students and families to cafeteria workers and staff who witness students going hungry, to the entire school community– the money spent both administering this debt and then writing it off if it cannot be paid back could otherwise be spent on other school programs.

On Thursday, March 16, I’ll be joining the PA Cancel Lunch Debt Coalition for a Lunch Debt Assembly to discuss personal stories of what living with lunch debt is like. Participants are encouraged to join and share their stories. If you’re interested in joining, please register here. If you’re interested in sharing your testimony and have questions, please contact the PA Cancel Lunch Debt Coalition at [email protected].

Spring Senior Fair

Thursday, April 20, 2023, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join us at the Mt. Ararat Community Center for our free Spring Senior Resource Fair!

Good News

Pitt Pantry - Addressing Campus Food Insecurity

Last week I had a chance to meet with Airi Tilley, who currently serves as the VP of the Pitt Pantry and is doing amazing work regarding food insecurity on campus. Hunger on college and university campuses is often overlooked, but students like Airi are working hard to change that through advocacy and the work of making sure that students are fed, healthy, and ready to learn. I can't wait to see what amazing things are in store for Airi!

Hampton Rotary Visit

Thank you to the Hampton Township Rotary Club for inviting me to join you last Thursday to speak with your members about what's going on in Harrisburg and here in the District! It's always great to catch up with leaders in the community to find out what matters most to them-- these conversations are always enlightening and a lot of fun.

Future Etna Library Location!

I joined Rep. Sara Innamorato last Thursday alongside Etna Community Organization and Borough of Etna partners for a tour of the future Etna Branch of the Rivertown Libraries. While this community project is underway, be sure to check out the fun and family friendly programming being held in the current space!

Legislative News

Governor Shapiro’s Budget Address

I joined my Senate and House colleagues, elected leaders from across the State, and other officials to hear Governor Josh Shapiro deliver his inaugural Budget Address on Tuesday, March 7. Governor Shapiro laid out a list of priorities that will allow us to reinvest in Pennsylvanians who need it most.

I'm incredibly encouraged that Governor Shapiro included $38.5M in funding for feeding our students, including extending the Universal Breakfast Program and covering the remaining cost for the 22,000 students who qualify for reduced lunch. These programs are a huge help for our students and our families-- I'm ready to get this done in this year's budget!

There is room for improvement when it comes to Governor Shapiro’s proposals for K-12 education in light of the Commonwealth Court decision declaring our funding unconstitutional. I believe we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a real difference for our students, and this calls for bold thinking beyond what the Governor made time for in this address. However, I believe that we can meet this occasion.

I also want to thank Ms. Jess Porter, a 3rd grade teacher from North Hills School District, who took time away from her classroom to attend the Budget Address. It was wonderful hosting you in Harrisburg– now it’s time for us to get to work funding our public schools so that teachers all across the Commonwealth have what they need to help their students succeed.

Senators Lindsey M. Williams and Judy Schwank, Advocates Applaud Gov. Shapiro’s Proposed $38.5 Million Budget Investment in School Meals - Senator Lindsey Williams

The Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Act

On March 2, we wished a Happy 160th birthday to the Federal False Claims Act! This piece of federal legislation is a critical tool in the fight against waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.

Along with my colleague, Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill, I'm introducing the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Act, a Pennsylvania version of this federal bill, that will allow us to recoup our full share of money when a recovery is made under the law. It will also provide protections for whistleblowers, who are the best source of information about waste, fraud, and abuse.

Last week, I spoke on the Senate Floor about the need for this important legislation. Pennsylvania cannot afford to have another budget pass without putting in place this powerful tool for government accountability and transparency.

Medical Assistance and CHIP Renewals Resume April 1!

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is preparedfor the federal government’s resumption of annual Medicaid renewals which take effect April 1, 2023, and we want to make sure our constituents are too. If anyone in your family is covered by Medical Assistance or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you should be sure your contact information is up-to-date with DHS and find out when your renewal date is to avoid missing important notices and potentially losing coverage.

Medicaid recipients are required to renew their coverage every year in order to keep their coverage. Under federal rules during the pandemic, DHS still sent annual renewals to recipients, but their health coverage did not change even if they became ineligible; this is known as continuous coverage.

A recent federal law has ended this temporary requirement that allowed coverage to continue. Starting on April 1, Medicaid recipients will need to once again complete annual renewals on-time to maintain their coverage. All Medicaid recipients will need to go through a renewal process around the time of their normal renewal date in the next 12 months to determine if they are still eligible for Medicaid. In some cases, DHS will use recent available case data to automatically complete the renewal. Those households will receive a letter affirming that their renewal is complete and they are eligible for another year of coverage. When that information is not available, DHS will send renewal information to households which must be completed and returned to DHS within a specified timeframe.

You can check and update your contact information and find out your renewal date at COMPASS HHS Home (state.pa.us), myCOMPASS PA Mobile App, or by calling 1-877-

Loans Available for Residential Sewer and Septic Work

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency are reminding homeowners that they offer an affordable loan for the repair or replacement of on-lot septic systems and sewer laterals or first-time sewer connection from an existing home.

The Homeowner Septic Program is now more customer-friendly thanks to:

Expanded eligibility criteria
A streamlined application process
Loan amounts up to $25,000 for all homes (including manufactured homes)
No prepayment penalty

For more information or to start the PENNVEST application process, homeowners should contact a participating lender or PHFA at 1-855-U-Are-Home (827-3466), then press “0” to be connected with the agency’s Customer Solutions Center. Information also is available from the bottom bullet point on this webpage: http://www.phfa.org/programs/repairs.aspx.

Health and Wellness Fair in West View!

Come to St. Athanasius Church in West View for their first annual Health and Wellness Fair on March 17th! Health and wellness resource organizations will be there to answer your questions and provide free screenings. You may even win a door prize!

Bake Sale for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Striker Fund

Where: USW headquarters lobby, 60Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Date: Tuesday, March 14th

Time: 12pm - 6:30pm

You can support striking Pittsburgh Post-Gazette workers by donating or purchasing baked goods for their sale next Tuesday! Your help allows them to fight for the dignity of their work, their families, and the Pittsburgh community they strive to serve. All sales will be donated to the Post-Gazette workers' strike fund. If you won't be in the area that day, you can make a strike fund donation by scanning the QR code above or clicking here. .

Did you know striking Post-Gazette workers are producing their own news publication? Check out the Pittsburgh Union Progress today! You can also read more about the strike here.

Second Chance Prom

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber is hosting a Second Chance Prom on Friday, March 31! Whether you missed your prom, want a prom do-over, or just want to repeat the fun of last time, this is a party you don't want to miss.

For ticket prices, details and registration click here.

Bobbie Reed Named American Kidney Fund Ambassador!

Congratulations to my friend and constituent Bobbie Reed for being named an American Kidney Fund Ambassador! Bobbie has been a tireless advocate for her son, Alex, and an amazing educator for the entire National Kidney Foundation Serving the Alleghenies region. She has come to our Senior Fairs to share her knowledge about kidney health with others and has helped my office with our "How to Lobby Your Legislator" event, which is a part of the Demystifying Harrisburg series. (You can watch her in action at SenatorLindseyWilliams.com/DemystifyingHbg-- she knows how to get things done!)

Congratulations again Bobbie on this well-deserved recognition!

You can read more about Bobbie’s achievement here.

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).

Senator Lindsey Williams