State budget, transportation funding update, and yard debris collection

                                       From Harrisburg …

The Pennsylvania State Budget
Budget season in Harrisburg is beginning to heat up. The state is required to pass a budget by June 30 every year, and we expect to see a bill in the House of Representatives sometime next month. The outline for the budget is first introduced by the Governor in February then reexamined and tweaked until legislation is introduced and sent through both chambers.

The budget sets priorities for the state in the coming year. It determines the amount of money that the state spends on education, health care, social services, transportation, and community redevelopment. Every cent spent is tax money and I will fight to make sure it betters all of our lives.

Governor Corbett has slashed funding the past several years to necessary programs that affect every Pennsylvanian. He has favored tax breaks for big corporations while pitting public schools and state agencies against each other for fewer state dollars. I will focus my time and energy on advocating for the things the residents of District 22 demand:
1.    Comprehensive transportation funding that restores fuller Port Authority Service,
2.    Adequate funding for schools, and
3.    Restoration of programs that provide our friends and neighbors with the care they need.

If you have questions about the budget process, please reach out to me by email at repmolchany@pahouse.net or by phone at 412-343-2094.

Transportation Funding
As I promised to you, I have remained committed to fighting to improve roads and bridges in our state and invest in public transit in Pittsburgh. Watch a clip of me talking about the importance of this issue to the people of the 22nd Legislative District by clicking on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aF-A7ebCQMg
 
                                     From the district …

Absentee Ballots Must Be Submitted by May 17
In order to be counted, the deadline for submission of Absentee Ballots is no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at the Allegheny Department of Elections. The deadline has passed for applying for an absentee ballot.

If you have questions about your registration or would like to confirm your polling place, please call the Allegheny County Elections Division at 412-350-4510. You can find information about your polling place by calling the Elections Division or using this website.

*You do not need photo ID to vote in the May 21 primary election. First-time voters may be required to show proof of residency.

District Photo Contest Deadline Extended to May 22
My office is still accepting entries for the District Photo Contest in which participants are encouraged to show their civic pride by capturing the uniqueness of the community and take an original photo within the district. The contest is open to anyone from the district whether they are an amateur or a professional, young or old. I will select four winning photographs, which will be permanently displayed in my district office. The winners will also be recognized at my Office Open House on May 29, and featured on Facebook and Twitter.
 
District 22 covers the neighborhoods of Brookline, Beechview, Duquesne Heights, Manchester, Mt. Washington, Overbrook, Sheraden, Esplen, Baldwin Township, Castle Shannon and Whitehall boroughs.

You can learn more about this contest here. If you have any other questions about the contest please feel free to contact me.

Yard Debris Collection for City Residents Saturday, May 18
This Saturday, May 18, Pittsburgh’s City Environmental Services crews will have a special yard waste collection day. City crews will collect bagged leaves, bundled tree branches and shrubbery.

Leaves must be placed in paper bags and weigh less than 35 pounds; branch and shrub bundles must not be longer than five feet, and individual branches must be smaller than four inches in diameter. All items must be at your usual trash collection place on Friday. Dirt, stones, rocks and yard debris left by landscape companies will not be collected.

For more information on city trash collection, you can check out the Environmental Services website. Should you have any questions or comments on this or any state-related issue, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

 Erin