Open House on Addiction – TOMORROW!

I invite anyone struggling with addiction, their families and the whole community to an Open House on Addiction I am hosting tomorrow.  The Open House is scheduled from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 12 at the Teamsters Temple, located at 4701 Butler Street in Lawrenceville.

Services that will be discussed include:

• Information about addiction treatment centers
• Counseling services: family counseling and support groups
• Low-cost legal services
• Pathways to Pardons

The opioid addiction crisis has swept every corner of Pennsylvania. I encourage anyone who is struggling with addiction or has a friend or loved one who is struggling with addiction to attend the Open House and learn about the resources available to beat back addiction and ease the road to recovery.

This event is free and open to the public.

$15.75 Million in Redevelopment Assistance Being Invested into 42nd District

I am pleased to announce that redevelopment projects within the 42nd Senatorial District have received a combined total of $15.75 million through the state administered Redevelopment Assistance Capital (RACP) grant program. The grant funds will allow a multitude of organizations to accomplish much needed facility renovations. Once these institutions have the facilities they need, they can focus on providing quality jobs and resources to our community.

Grant recipients are:

The Sarah Heinz House Learning Facility - $750,000 for renovations needed to provide high quality and technologically advanced after-school and STEM programs to students.

The AMPAC Plumber Training Facility - $500,000 to transform a vacant public school into an apprentice/vocational school for plumber training.

The Strip District Riverbank improvements - $500,000 which will focus on two sections of river-wall in the Strip District, as well as improvements to the adjacent Riverfront Trail.

Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) - $1,000,000 to construct a 50,000 square foot academic cancer center on the campus located in the City of Pittsburgh.

Astrobotic Capital Expansion Project - $500,000 for capital equipment which the company plans to purchase for use in its spacecraft high bay.

Stevens Elementary School Redevelopment - $1,000,000 for a Special Deployment Division headquarters that will serve as a multi-functional training facility and will include offices and equipment storage space.

Duquesne University Palumbo Center Renovation - $2,000,000 for a complete transformation of the building, opening the facility out to Forbes Avenue and to the community at large.

Forest City Freight House Development - $1,000,000 to re-purpose the building and provide a medical training center school with six new restaurant spaces.

New Granada Theater - $2,000,000 to restore the historic facade, while also contributing to a full renovation to the amenities the theatre provides.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Site Improvements - $1,000,000 for improvements to ensure the safety of all who visit the campus, and improvements will be in areas such as traffic mitigation, building improvements, and landscaping.

Allegheny Commons Park Fountain & Infrastructure Project Phase I - $1,000,000 to complete Phase I construction on the site.

119 Sixth Street Multiplex Development Phase Two - $1,000,000 for plans to redevelop the site into a multiplex and live performance space.

Pressley Ridge School for Autism and Deaf - $750,000 for construction of a 38,000 square foot school building that will incorporate up-to-date technologies for the proper education and life skills training for students.

Lower Hill Infrastructure - $2,000,000 for Phase II of the project which will include construction of a new 3-acre urban public park that will incorporate pedestrian and bicycle pathways, and other amenities improvements.

James Turrell Skyspace and Deck Installation at Mattress Factory - $750,000 for James Turrell and his Skyspace, which will be the fourth of his public works installations.

The RACP Commonwealth grant program is administered through the Office of the Budget with the goal of aiding the construction of regionally focused economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP funds are given to projects that demonstrate their ability to maintain jobs, tax revenue and economic prosperity for their regions.

Remembering 9/11

It was 17 years ago today our country was attacked by terrorists. Communities throughout the country watched the news in horror that day as hijacked airplanes flew into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. Another hijacked plane believed to be headed for Washington D.C. was brought down in a field in Shanksville, PA after passengers and crew members heroically wrestled control of the plane away from the hijackers.

From the events of that morning, to the weeks and months that followed and still 17 years later, our emotions fluctuate. As our nation responded to this attack, a sense of unity took over, a strong resolve to come together and work together to ensure an attack like this never happened again.

We mourned the innocent people who lost their lives that day. We honored the many heroes who emerged from this tragic event, our first responders, police and firefighters, our military, and ordinary citizens who went to extraordinary lengths to help friends, neighbors, and complete strangers.

As we pause today to remember the horrific events of September 11, 2001 let us honor the memory of those who lost their lives by finding the spirit of togetherness, selflessness and duty that Americans everywhere displayed in the aftermath of those attacks and remember that what unites us as Americans is far greater than what divides us.

Flu Shot Clinic/Drug Take Back

I will be hosting my annual Flu/Pneumonia Shot & Senior Clinic on Thursday, September 20 from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Quinn Hall at the Church of the Resurrection in Brookline.  American HealthCare Group will be providing free vaccinations to any senior with the Medicare Part B health insurance card.  Make sure to bring your card with you.  Light refreshments will be served.

Additionally, this year, Deputy Sheriff Joe Cirigliano will be on hand to collect any unused, unwanted, or expired medications as part of Allegheny County Sheriff Bill Mullen’s Project D.U.M.P. initiative.  This program allows residents to bring any unused, unwanted or expired medications so they can be properly disposed.  I’m thrilled to have the Sheriff’s Office participating and am grateful for their efforts in combatting the heroin and opioid epidemic and preventing addiction and overdose.

Attendees can also visit with Duquesne University’s Mylan School of Pharmacy at their “Ask the Pharmacist” table and have questions answered on medications and receive blood pressure screenings. The following terrific organizations are scheduled to participate at this year’s event: Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging; AARP; PA Attorney General’s Office; Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office; ACCESS; Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh; Office of the Consumer Advocate; Duquesne Light; OASIS; PA APPRISE; and the Public Utility Commission.

Upcoming Job Fair

On Thursday, Sept. 27, with Rep. Dan Deasy and Rep. Anita Kulik, and in partnership with Building Bridges for Business and U.S. Probation & Pre Trial Services, we will be hosting a Job Fair for any interested job seekers.  The Job Fair is being held at the VFW VESLE Post 418, located at 1242 Chartiers Avenue in McKees Rocks.

The Job Fair will feature local companies looking to fill positions now.  There will also be representatives in attendance to talk about apprenticeships and other technical training programs to help individuals gain information on acquiring new skills to become gainfully employed.

Many job seekers face barriers to employment like issues related to a past criminal record, a suspended driver’s license, lack of high school diploma or necessary job skills. Therefore, the Job Fair will include three breakout sessions that address these barriers.  From 4:30-5 p.m., attendees can join a breakout session to learn more about the driver’s license restoration process.  From 5:30-6 p.m., a session on pardons and record expungement will take place.  Anyone wishing to learn more about improving job skills and short-term training programs can attend the session from 6:30-7 p.m.

If you are looking for work or have difficulty because of any of the barriers listed above, please consider attending this Job Fair.  If you have family or friends who may be interested, please share this information with them.

Rebates Available to Help Pennsylvanians Drive Cleaner Cars

The PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering rebates up to $2,000 for Pennsylvania residents who purchase alternative fuel vehicles. Rebates are available depending on the type of vehicle purchased. Eligible vehicles are plug-in hybrid, plug-in electric, natural gas, propane, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

To be eligible for a rebate, a new alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) must have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $60,000 or less and must have an odometer reading of less than 500 miles. One-time preowned AFVs with 75,000 miles or less and a true market value of $50,000 or less are also eligible for a $750 rebate. Leased vehicles are also now eligible for rebates, a change that allows additional flexibility for residents.

An additional rebate of $500 for pre-owned vehicles is available to residents with household income below 200 percent of the federal income poverty level.

Rebates will be awarded in the order that the request forms and required documentation are received and approved, not the date a vehicle was purchased. Consumers may submit applications up to six months after the date of purchase. Consumers should be aware that funds may be depleted before their rebate application can be processed.

Flexible fuel, non-plug-in hybrid and biodiesel vehicles are not eligible. Businesses are not eligible to receive rebates through this program. Rebates issued as a part of this program are taxable income and will result in the issuance of a 1099 form for the taxable year in which the rebate was received.

For program guidelines, application instructions, and an up-to-date listing of rebate availability, please click here or visit the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants web page at  http://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/GrantsLoansRebates/Alternative-Fuels-Incentive-Grant/Pages/Alternative-Fuel-Vehicles.aspx.

Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop

The Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop is the go-to resource for planning, registering, operating, and growing a business in Pennsylvania.

Serving as the first point of contact for Pennsylvania business development concerns, the Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop connects and guides businesses through all stages of development, from planning and startup to operating and expanding. Whether seeking information about registering a business, Act 32 and Local Earned Income Tax withholding, Unemployment Compensation (UC) tax, diverse business resources, and more, the Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop can help provide answers to business-related questions.

With an easy-to-navigate website and backed by a team of business consultants and subject matter experts, entrepreneurs and small businesses have access to the resources, tools, and experience to help them dream big, plan for the future, and achieve their goals.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop, visit www.business.pa.gov.

Open Streets Carnegie

Carnegie Borough is hosting Open Streets Carnegie on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on West Main & East Main Streets. West and East Main Streets will be closed from Jefferson Street to Washington Avenue, so people can enjoy activities such as yoga, tai chi, dance, physical therapy, massage, skateboarding, bicycling, hockey, mini-golf, and numerous other outdoor pursuits (including a scavenger hunt). Participants can bring bikes, scooters, skates and even dogs.  The Carnegie Police will have a bicycle safety course and the Carnegie Volunteer Fire Department will have an obstacle course. The closed streets will permit individuals to enjoy outdoor activities in a fun, safe environment. There will be giveaways, a bike raffle and prizes for the scavenger hunt. This is a free event.

Hispanic Heritage Month Festival

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month in Pennsylvania, Las Palmas, Latin American Cultural Union, Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation and UPMC Health Plan are hosting a Mexico and Central America Independence celebration this Saturday.  The festival is scheduled from noon – 9 p.m. in the parking lot at Las Palmas, located at 1616 Broadway Avenue in Beechview. There will be live music, soloists, musical groups, mariachis, food stalls, children’s activities, and more.

Easterseals Benefit

Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Pirates will be taking on disability together on Friday, September 21st at 7:05 pm. Watch the Pirates take on the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park, one of America’s favorite ball parks!

Easterseals will be hosting a family-friendly Friday evening filled with fun, friendship and fireworks! And, know that all the while you will be supporting those with disabilities and other special needs.

Ticket information is available at https://www.mlb.com/pirates/tickets/easterseals-western-central-pa. Tickets through this promotion will be donated back to Easterseals local programs and services.

For more information, please contact Easterseals at 412-281-7244 - ext. 1229 or ext. 1221.

Fontana Fact

Pennsylvania is the only state in the country with port access to the Atlantic Ocean (Philadelphia), Gulf of Mexico (Pittsburgh), and the Great Lakes (Erie).

Brookline District 932 Brookline Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15226 Phone: 412-344-2551 Weekdays – 9 am – 5 pm	Harrisburg 543 Main Capitol | Box 203042 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Phone: 717-787-5300 Fax: 717-772-5484 Weekdays – 8:30 am – 5 pm	Kennedy Township Kenmawr Plaza 524 Pine Hollow Road Kennedy Twp, PA 15136 Phone: 412-331-1208 Weekdays – 10 am – 4 pm
Beechview Satellite 1660 Broadway Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15216 By Appointment