Legislative News

VAEP Hearing with Alan Shaw, CEO of Norfolk Southern

On Monday, Alan Shaw, the President and CEO of Norfolk Southern Corporation testified before the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee on the devastating train derailment that occurred last month in East Palestine, Ohio, under a mile from the Pennsylvania border. 

I was disappointed that Mr. Shaw didn’t have many answers to our questions at this hearing. He did apologize for the derailment, but he wasn’t able to tell us what steps Norfolk Southern was taking to ensure that disasters like this–or worse– won’t happen again in the future.

I’m especially concerned about whether workers on the ground are able to slow down or stop an unsafe train without permission from above. These workers are in the best position to be able to stop a derailment, and they should be able to exercise their judgment without fear of retaliation.  Mr. Shaw was unable to tell me if workers are able to do this, and that’s a big problem. A culture of safety and prioritizing workers starts from the top.

Check out the CBS coverage of my questions for Norfolk Southern's CEO.

Universal School Meals Update

Following Minnesota’s Governor signing free school meals into law this week, I had the opportunity to join KDKA’s new Talk Pittsburgh show to discuss my Pennsylvania Universal School Meals legislation. I was joined by a local student, Abby Wertz, a senior at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, who has spearheaded a campaign to pay off school meal debt at her school so that students are able to participate in activities like prom and graduation.

Abby’s work is impressive and commendable– but it shouldn’t be necessary. Students shouldn’t be going hungry at school. We’ve all seen the Snickers commercials that say “you’re not yourself when you’re hungry” -- but that’s exactly what happens to children across Pennsylvania every day. They’re not able to concentrate or be their best selves in the classroom. This legislation would fix that by ensuring that all students have access to a healthy lunch and breakfast every single school day.

Learn more and sign on to encourage legislators to support this legislation at: Petition - I Support Pennsylvania School Meals for All (jotform.com).

You can watch my interview with Abby here: State senator and student working to feed all... -CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com).

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38th Senate District Multimodal Transportation Funding Awarded! 

In addition to LSA grants, over $1.8 million in Multimodal Transportation Funding was awarded to projects in District 38! These funds will be used to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and make our communities more connected. We've seen outdoor recreation grow in popularity over the past few years; we need to make sure that everyone is safe while they're enjoying the outdoors!

• Allegheny County Government will receive $250,000 for Phase 2 of the Pearce Mill Road Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project.
• Harrison Township will receive $400,000 to upgrade traffic signals and pedestrian safety at the intersection of Freeport Road and Springhill Road.
• LORE PPA will receive $1,081,346 to continue work on the Larimer-Homewood Multimodal Greenway Extension.
• Steel City Squash will receive $100,000 for pedestrian and streetscape improvements at their new facility.

For more information on these grant awards go to Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces $5.8 Million in Local Share Grant Funding And $1.8 Million in Multimodal Grant Funding for Local Projects - Senator Lindsey Williams.

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DHS Scam Warning!

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) will NEVER ask for personal information in a text! If you receive a text or call about your benefits that seems suspicious, please report it to the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477). 

Note that DHS does send informational-only texts from the number 1-833-648-1964 and these texts will never include details about your benefits or a request for personal information.

Applications for public assistance programs can be submitted safely online atwww.dhs.pa.gov/compass. On-siteCounty Assistance Office (CAO) services are available if clients cannot access online services or need assistance that cannot be accessed through the COMPASS website, the MyCOMPASS PA mobile app, or by calling the DHS Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930. 

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Remember to File for the New PA Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit!

With less than a month to go before the deadline for filing personal income tax returns, the Department of Revenue is reminding Pennsylvanians that there is a new state tax credit available that can help ease child and dependent care costs for working families.

Eligible Pennsylvanians can claim the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit when they file their Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax Return (PA-40). This credit can range between $180 and $630, depending on your income level and the number of your dependents.

To claim the credit, you must have incurred care expenses for:

• A dependent child under age 13.
• A spouse who was physically or mentally incapable of self-care and lived with you for more than half the year.
• An individual who was physically or mentally incapable of self-care, lived with you for more than half the year, and either:
  • Was your dependent; or
  • Could have been your dependent, except that he or she received gross income of $4,400 or more, filed a joint return, or could have been claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return.

Learn more at Don't Forget About PA's New Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit When Filing Your Return this Tax Season.

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Order Your 2023 Lawn to Nature Kit!

Tired of mowing your lawn and want a beautiful and environmentally beneficial alternative? Consider purchasing a Lawn to Nature Kit  from the North Area Environmental Council. The Lawn to Nature Program was developed with help from the Latodami Nature Center and allows people to turn a portion of their lawn into an ecologically useful native wildflower garden and habitat space! Lawn to Nature kits come with wildflower seed mix for sun or shade, a lawn sign to educate neighbors, stickers, and many other goodies! 

Purchase a kit online at LTN Program — NAEC (naecwpa.org) or print out a mail-in form from the website. Don't hesitate! Orders will be closing April 3rd. Pick up for all orders will be Saturday, April 29th, 2023 at the Latodami Nature Center barn in North Park from 9am to 12pm. Learn more about the Lawn to Nature Program here.

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Shaler Area School District Adds High School Firefighter Training

Next year high school students in the Shaler Area School District will be able to train as firefighters! The new course, “Essentials of Firefighting at the Allegheny County Firefighting Academy,” will be taught at the Allegheny County Firefighting Academy during the school day and will provide the community with a much-needed pool of trained volunteers. Students can also use their training to pursue a professional firefighting career. We are excited about the class and are sure it will be a win-win for students and their communities!

Read more at Shaler Area School Board approves adding new firefighting class | TribLIVE.com.

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Easter Egg Hunt in Harrison

Harrison Township Recreation Board’s Easter egg hunt is next week on Saturday,  April 1, 2023, noon until 2:00 at Guardian Angels Parish lawn along Broadview Boulevard. See graphic above for registration details!

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