Hello, Northsiders! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Halloween. I’m eager to share with you some of the important work I’ve been doing in Harrisburg and here at home.

My legislation (H.B. 1429) was approved by the House Finance Committee and now heads to the full Pennsylvania House for consideration. The bill would expand the Commonwealth’s Neighborhood Assistance Program by doubling the total tax credits available for nonprofits from the program from $36 million to $72 million. In addition, entities would be able to claim higher social service expenditure amounts as non-taxable, depending on the kind of project being brought to an area. Keeping more funds in the pockets of nonprofits is like pumping more water into the well whenever someone needs a drink, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this needed community assistance across the finish line.

In Harrisburg, I added my affirmative votes to two important pieces of legislation that passed the House recently. The first was a $1 billion tax cut plan that would support working families, ease childcare costs and offer additional forms of tax relief. A second bill would help students in public schools and Pennsylvania universities by making institutions of higher learning more affordable for Pennsylvania students and provide students with additional physical and mental health resources. These would be tremendous investments in current and future generations of Pennsylvanians.

I also recently was appointed to serve on the House Education Committee. No matter where someone is on the continuum of their educational journey, I’m excited to assist in fulfilling the promise of a quality education for all.

On that note, my House Democratic colleagues and I joined education officials back home in western Pennsylvania for joint Appropriations and Education committee hearings on funding schools. I’m privileged to sit on both committees and help shape policy for the core institution in our society that is education.

Finally, I’m proud to announce that the Allegheny YMCA and the Widows Home on the Northside were awarded grants of $2.2 million and $825,000, respectively, from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The funding will go towards the repair of 112 affordable housing units at these complexes. Ensuring that everyone has a safe place to call home and decreasing displacement are two of my highest priorities as a state legislator, and the social worker in me knows that these dollars will provide immeasurable help to the people I’m privileged to represent.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving, and I’ll talk to you all next month!