By Rep. Powell

Happy September! The air is finally cooling, tailgates are in full swing, and I’m back in Harrisburg to advance legislation that will support affordable housing, create green jobs in sustainable energy, and expand access to healthcare.

It’s been almost a year since I was sworn in as state representative for Pennsylvania’s 21st Legislative District. So far, the honor of representing you in Harrisburg has been an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience. It’s been inspiring to meet so many people from all walks of life throughout our community, to hear their stories, and to learn about their concerns and priorities.

On Sept. 7, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., at Goodwill SWPA, 118 52nd St., Pittsburgh, PA 15209, I’ll be co-hosting a Housing For All Resource Fair with Lawrenceville United! You’ll be able to get information, resources, and break-out sessions aimed at all things housing, with a focus on affordability. This housing fair will arm you with tools you’ll need to reach your housing goals, and to prevent and/or overcome houselessness. We hope to see you there!

As you know, my office hosts a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW) on the second Monday of each month. Beginning in August, we now offer three days each month to meet with the VSO so we can make sure you get the assistance you deserve! In September, the VSO will be in our office on Sept. 16, Sept. 17, and Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are a veteran or know a veteran who would like help in accessing their benefits, please call my office at (412) 781-2750 to schedule an appointment.

My office will be at the Lawrenceville Farmers Market this year! The Lawrenceville Farmers Market runs every Tuesday until Nov. 26 from 3 to 7 p.m., but my office will be there on the first and third week of each month. Stop by to get the latest information on what is happening in the district and state programs that you could potentially be eligible for. My team cannot wait to see you there!

My district office is located at 5154 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201. We are open and ready to serve you, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and by appointment in the evenings on Wednesdays. We also have office hours at our Shaler office at the Shaler Municipal Building located at 300 Wetzel Rd., second floor, Glenshaw, PA 15116. We will be there every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or any weekday by appointment.

Any state related issue, or assistance that you may need, please give my office a call; even if we cannot directly help, we will do our best to put you in contact with someone who can. Here are some examples of ways we can help, but are not all encompassing of the support we offer:

• PennDOT services: car registrations and disability placard applications
• *NEW* Free notary services
  • Taking an acknowledgement
  • Administering an oath or affirmation
  • Taking a verification on an oath or affirmation (which includes an affidavit)
  • Witnessing or attesting a signature n Certifying or attesting a copy or deposition
  • Taking a note protest of a negotiable instrument
• Complaints about road conditions or infrastructure
• Unemployment compensation problems
• Property tax/rent rebate applications
• Issues related to utility companies
• Birth certificate applications and finding copies of your vital records
• Senior ConnectCard applications through Port Authority of Allegheny County

Call: (412) 781-2750 or Email: Rep-Powell@pahouse.net or stop by our office during the hours listed above.