Day 112 of impasse. Negotiators need to come together and remain in a room until a budget agreement is reached. Let's get the job done.

Multimodal Funding

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently announced they are accepting applications through Dec. 18, 2015 for funding transportation improvement projects under the Multimodal Transportation Fund.  Eligible applicants include municipalities, councils of governments, businesses/non-profits, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports, rail, or freight entities.

PennDOT has $40 million in grants available for fiscal year 2016-17.  PennDOT will evaluate the applications and make selections based on such criteria as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.

The Multimodal Fund was created by Act 89, enacted in November 2013.  The fund addresses road and bridge projects.  Also through the fund, transit, aviation, rail freight and pedestrian and bicycle modes obtained dedicated sources of funds for the first time, putting the modes on a firmer footing for future initiatives.

For more information on Multimodal funding including eligible projects and eligible uses of funds, please click here or visit www.penndot.gov and click on �Multimodal Program� under the �Projects & Programs� button.

Fire Company/Volunteer Ambulance Grants � Deadline Thursday!

I want to remind all volunteer fire companies and ambulance services organizations that applications for the 2015-16 Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program (FCVASGP) are due no later than 4 p.m. this Thursday.  The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC).  No applications will be accepted after October 22.

All fire companies, volunteer ambulance services, and volunteer rescue squads are eligible to apply for grant funding.  Eligible projects include:  construction and/or renovation of the fire company�s or ambulance service�s facility; the purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; the purchase or repair of fixtures and furnishings necessary to maintain or improve the capability of the company to provide services; debt reduction associated with the facility or equipment; or the training and certification of members.

Grant applications are available online by clicking here.  For any organization that submitted a grant application last year, you still must create a new User ID and Password in order to access the 2015-16 grant application.

Environmental Education Grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting applications for Environmental Education grants.  Schools, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and businesses are eligible to apply for funding. 

These grants are used to provide funding to develop programs and projects that support environmental education about issues including:  sustainable living; watersheds; air quality; brownfields; energy; Keystone Energy Education Program; climate change; environmental literacy; environmental education certification; natural landscaping and trees; and connecting children with nature.  Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:  teacher professional development; curriculum integration; outdoor learning resources; transportation to field study sites; water chemistry testing equipment; and educational events.  Grants are awarded up to $3,000.

Anyone interested in applying can visit www.dep.state.pa.us, call DEP�s Environmental Education Information Center at 717-772-1828, or email [email protected].  Applications are due to DEP no later than Dec. 18.

Absentee Ballot Deadline � Next Tuesday!

I want to remind everyone that any voter who needs an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 General Election must complete and return the application to the Allegheny County Division of Elections no later than 5 p.m. next Tuesday, October 27.  The Division of Elections is located in the County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 604 in downtown Pittsburgh.  You can download and print an application by clicking here or you can pick one up at any of my district offices. 

Anyone voting by absentee ballot will be required to provide a PA Driver�s License number, PennDOT ID number, or last four digits of your Social Security number.  If you do not possess any of the aforementioned items, a copy of an acceptable ID must be provided with the application.  For any questions related to voting, please contact 412-350-4510 or visit www.votespa.com.

Halloween Schedules

While the official date of Halloween is October 31, some communities celebrate the holiday at different times with trick-or-treat schedules varying by neighborhoods and various parades and other celebrations taking place in the days leading up to the official holiday.  Please be mindful of this if you are driving through neighborhoods where children are out trick-or-treating and watch your speed.

The following is a listing of trick-or-treating schedules and other Halloween events taking place throughout the 42nd Senatorial District.  The City of Pittsburgh will be holding official trick-or-treat hours on October 31 from 5:30 � 7:30 p.m.  Various neighborhoods throughout the city will be holding parades and other events.  For more information about city neighborhood events please call 412-255-8977 or click here.

Space Heater Safety

With Fall upon us and the weather turning cooler, heating systems are beginning to be used to warm residences.  One common form of heating is a space heater.  Though used in many homes, this form of heating causes home fires every year.  According to the latest information from the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters account for 14 percent of all reported home fires.  If you are planning on using a space heater this year, the Pennsylvania Division of the American Trauma Society offers the following tips:

• Keep the heater at least three feet away from combustibles
• Never leave a space heater unattended while you are sleeping or away from the home
• Use only as a supplemental heating source
• Place the heater on a flat surface
• Don�t use in bathrooms or near water
• Keep pets and children away from space heaters
• Don�t use an extension cord to power the heater unless it is a heavy duty cord
• Always inspect the heater�s cord before using
• If your heater runs on fuel, turn it off and let the heater cool down before refueling

Fontana Fact

Pennsylvania is the fifth-highest pumpkin producer in the country, accounting for nearly 6,000 of the 49,500 acres harvested in 2014, according to the Department of Agriculture.