It has been a busy week in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.
On Saturday, I hosted my first annual Spring Open House at my office on Brookline Boulevard. It was incredibly well attended with new and familiar faces, elected officials and constituents from around the district. Then on Monday in Harrisburg, I joined my House Democratic colleagues to begin the fight to make our state budget an investment we need and a budget that works for all Pennsylvanians.
From Harrisburg …
Find out what's happening in Dormont-Brooklinefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Budget Update
The House Republican budget proposal was announced last week. Just like Gov. Corbett’s budget proposal, House Republicans are determined to make the deep cuts from the last few years permanent. Their proposal fails to properly fund education and to provide necessary services for our seniors and most vulnerable citizens.
The House Democrats will be fighting to reinvest in Pennsylvania again and move our state forward. I believe we must restore the $1 billion in cuts to education funding, make education better and higher education more affordable, support the health and well-being of low-income children, and invest in creating jobs. Above all, we must pass comprehensive transportation funding now!
Find out what's happening in Dormont-Brooklinefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Transportation
A comprehensive transportation funding bill passed the Senate this week. I want to thank the 45 Democratic and Republican senators who voted to support fixing roads and bridges and investing in public transit.
The transportation funding bill, Senate Bill 1, isn’t perfect. Pennsylvania must invest in transportation with billions more, just as neighboring states have done. However, this bill is comprehensive and bipartisan. It is a step forward for Pennsylvania, and I welcome the debate on this legislation in the House chamber.
From the district …
Successful Spring Open House
I just wanted to send out another thank you to all the constituents who attended my Spring Open House. It was such an incredible pleasure to meet all of you and talk about the issues that concern you the most. I want to especially thank the representatives from state and local agencies and local non-profits who presented valuable information. You all helped to make this a wonderful community event. I hope we will continue to have gatherings like this for years to come.
Click here for pictures of the event: http://enews.pahouse.net/q/V9kqD8tXzO0Mu2KCmracMpHewziewBBPSgionzTgvjPHr_sGmriiOOVMt
Senior Farmers’ Market Vouchers Available
Senior Farmers’ Market Vouchers will be distributed on Tuesday, June 18 at locations around Allegheny County. Eligible seniors may receive one of the limited number of $20 vouchers for use at local farmers' markets. The program’s success is thanks to a partnership between the PA Dept. of Agriculture and the Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extension
The deadline for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31. This program benefits Pennsylvanians 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities over 18. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. For more information please click here.
Please contact my office for an application or more information on this program, and, as always, any other state matters of concern, at 412.343.2094.
Sincerely,
Erin
