State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38 Update

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*

*Storm Response**

The severe storm that tore
through the Pittsburgh region on Tuesday, April 29 caused over half a
million households to lose power, in addition to widespread property
damage to homes and businesses and the death of three of our fellow
Pittsburghers. My office received numerous calls from constituents who
needed information on things like how to look up utility restoration
on outage maps, whether a dumpster would be in their municipality for
spoiled food, how to get reimbursements for groceries gone bad, and
whether utility companies were actually doing everything they could to
get the lights back on.

I first want to thank the line workers, tree
crews, and other electrical workers who have been working around the
clock since April 29th to restore power to Allegheny County. Your
efforts have been exceptional, and we cannot thank you enough for your
hard work.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive
Sarah Innamorato both issued emergency declarations which have been
extended through June 6. These disaster declarations enable the City
and County to bypass normal procedures and immediately deploy all
available resources for emergency response and recovery.

Because
this is a locally declared emergency, the law that prohibits price
gouging during a statewide emergency declared by the governor doesn't
apply. I've joined my colleague Rep. Aerion Abney to introduce
legislation [link 2] that would close this loophole and extend
protection to consumers in any officially declared emergency. You
should never have to pay for corporate greed, but especially not
during a disaster.

You can read more about that legislation here:
Pittsburgh and Duquesne Light officials say they continue to address
storm fallout [link 3].

I met with the Chairman of the Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission this week to learn more about the storm
response and how we can do better in the future. Duquesne Light is one
of PA's smallest electrical companies, with a very densely packed
territory. While this storm was certainly unprecedented in terms of
widespread damage across their territory, we need to prepare for
increasing severe weather and power outages as the climate
changes.

Today, the PUC announced [link 4] that they are launching a
formal investigation into the response to last week's storm. I'm
grateful for this investigation, and I look forward to working with
the PUC, Duquesne Light, and First Energy to review the response to
this storm and learn how we can improve both grid resiliency and
redundancy and emergency response plans. I will keep you all informed
on the progress of this process! You can read my full statement about
the PUC investigation here [link 5].

There are still some people
without power in Allegheny County and many others struggling after
being without it for too long. If you were affected by the storm and
need help, please reach out to PA 211 and the United Way.

-
Dial
2-1-1 on your phone.

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Go to PA 211's continuously updated Storm
Disaster Response Resource Web Page at:
[link removed] [link 6].

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*Storm-Related
SNAP Funds Replacement Available!*

If you are a Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient and lost food due to the
storms and power outages, you may be able to replace your SNAP
benefits with up to one month or regular SNAP benefits. To receive
replacement funds:

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Ask within *10 days of the disaster - which is
Friday, May 9 *and provide documentation of the lost food.

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Call
your local County Assistance Office:

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Alle-Kiski - (724)
339-6800

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Three Rivers -
(412) 565-7755

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Liberty - (412)
565-2652

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Greater Pittsburgh East - (412) 645-7400

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Or Statewide
Customer Service Center: (877)-395-8930

-
Complete form below and
upload to COMPASS:

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[link removed]
[link 7].

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*

*Upcoming
Events**

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[link 8]*

*Senior Social at the Pittsburgh Mills!*

*Pittsburgh Mills
Mall, 590 Pittsburgh Mills Circle, Tarentum, Entrance 5, Thursday, May
15, Noon - 3:00 pm *

We're hosting our second annual Senior Social!
This isn't your parents' senior fair- come ready to meet new people
and learn new things.

Vintage Center for Active Adults will be there
to provide Digital Navigation Services and tech support for your
smartphone, laptop, or tablet.

We'll also have music, games like
fraud bingo, and refreshments to enjoy!

We hope to see you at our
Senior Social on Thursday, May 15 from Noon until 3:00 pm at
Pittsburgh Mills Mall!

Please park at Mall Entrance 5, near the AHN
Citizens' Nursing School.

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*

*Good
News**

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[link 9]

*Kingsley Association Pool Re-opened in Larimer!*

Last
month, I joined The Kingsley Association to celebrate the grand
reopening of their pool after extensive renovations. I was proud to
support funding that helped make this project a reality and bring this
pool back to the neighborhood.

Check out Kingsley's programming,
including the pool schedule, at their website:
[link removed] [link 10].

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*Meeting
with Homeschoolers!*

I had the pleasure of meeting with a group of
homeschooled elementary and middle school students recently. We had a
great conversation about the ways that my staff and I can help in the
community- our office has a "no wrong door" policy. If you have an
issue and don't know where to start, we're happy to help. If we can't
fix the problem, we'll try to find someone who can!

As always, the
students asked great questions about what our office does, why I
wanted to be in public service, and how they can get involved in
causes that they care about.

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*City
of Bridges Groundbreaking in Etna/Sharpsburg*

Last month, I joined
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and local elected officials
in Etna to break ground on a new affordable housing project. These
homes will be available for purchase by moderate-income
families--neighbors who will build community in ways that the formerly
empty lots never could!

I am incredibly proud of the work Etna has
done to foster community and improve the quality of life for their
neighbors, like becoming the world's first Certified EcoDistrict, and
I know that the families who join this community will be so happy to
be here and to be a part of Etna.

Thank you to Allegheny County and
to the City of Bridges Community Land Trust for believing in Etna.
Thank you to the Borough for everything you do and for the people of
Etna for being willing to work together for a brighter future for
everyone!

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*Adjutant
General Pippy Visits Veterans Place in Larimer*

Thank you to the
Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Major General
John R. Pippy for joining us for a tour and chat at Veterans Place of
Washington Boulevard in April.

I'm always grateful for the work that
The Veterans' Place is doing to help our Vets as they navigate
civilian life and the challenges that come with the loss of military
life. I was so proud to introduce Major General Pippy to the work that
they're doing today and show him their plans for the future.

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*New
Water Treatment Upgrade at McCandless Water and Sewage Authority *

We
kicked off our celebration of Earth Day last month with a tour of
McCandless Township Sanitary Authority's new facility. The Authority
now uses ultraviolet light to sanitize wastewater instead of chlorine.
This means that there are no chemicals going into our streams, leaving
them clean and healthy for us all to enjoy!

Thank you to everyone who
came out to learn more about these upgrades and how MTSA is working to
uphold our constitutional right to pure water. I was glad to help
secure grant funding to complete this project.

Read more at:
McCandless Township Sanitary Authority celebrates Earth Day, upgrades
to Pine Creek treatment facility | TribLIVE.com [link 11].

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*Celebrating
Earth Day Across the District!*

We wrapped up April with a flurry of
Earth Day events on Saturday, April 26! In the morning, Rep. Emily
Kinkead and I co-hosted a free shredding event at the Ross Township
Department of Public Works. These events not only help protect
personal information, but they're also a smart way to keep excess
paper out of landfills.

Next, I joined the Etna-Sharpsburg Earth Day
Litter Challenge, teaming up with the incredible Triboro Ecodistrict
volunteers from Sharpsburg, Etna, and Millvale. Rep. Mandy Steele and
I had such a hard time picking a winner that we declared this year's
challenge a tie! Be sure to save the date for next year's clean-up:
April 25, 2026.

We capped off the day at the Township of Pine's Earth
Day celebration, where we spoke with community members about their
priorities and enjoyed hands-on learning through workshops and
wildlife experiences, thanks to organizations like Wild Bird
Recovery.

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*Honoring
Our Fallen Workers*

Monday, April 28th was Workers Memorial Day, the
day we take time to remember those who have been killed, injured, or
made unwell on the job. This year, I attended the ceremony honoring
local workers who have been injured or killed.

We celebrate Workers
Memorial Day on April 28th because it marks the anniversary of federal
OSHA laws, promising every private-sector worker the fundamental right
to safe working conditions.

As we reflect on those we have lost over
the years, we rededicate ourselves to fight like hell for the living
and to stand up for what we all deserve: a living wage, fair benefits,
dignity and respect in the workplace, and the right to
organize.

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*

*Legislative
Update**

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*Legislation
to Support Public Transportation*

Last week, I joined transit
advocates and riders here in Pittsburgh for a rally in support of
increased statewide investment in public transportation. I also
attended Pittsburgh Regional Transit's first public hearing on
proposed service cuts, where we heard from riders and the community on
how these cuts would devastate lives and neighborhoods.

During the
Pittsburgh rally, I announced that Senator Nikil Saval
(D-Philadelphia) and I will introduce the Transit for All PA!
legislation package [link 12], a suite of legislative proposals to
help secure full funding for transit agencies across Pennsylvania.
Rep. Aerion Abney (D-19) and Rep. Jessica Benham (D-36) will introduce
companion legislation in the House.

This legislation includes the
following:

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A ride-hailing component, which will establish a 6%
excise fee on transportation network companies (TNC) such as Uber and
Lyft.

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A rental vehicle component, which will make nominal
increases to the car rental fee.

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A leased vehicle component, which
will similarly make nominal increases to the car lease tax.

Together,
the components of this package are projected to yield hundreds of
millions of dollars, enough to fully close the current funding gaps,
prevent service cuts and fare hikes, and allow transit agencies to
restore and expand services without exhausting reserves.

Our proposal
builds on Governor Shapiro's proposal to allocate a portion of the
existing income tax to public transit. This legislation, sponsored by
Rep. Ed Neilson, was passed out of the House Transportation Committee
this week, and is now moving to the full House for consideration. I
joined transit authorities from across Pennsylvania this week in
Harrisburg to speak about the Governor and Rep. Neilson's legislation,
plus our Transit for All PA! legislation.

Leadership in the Senate
Majority agrees that public transit is important to our economy [link
13]. This is a fight that we can win, but we need your help. Please
continue to share your stories with PRT and your legislators, and
encourage your friends, family, and your employers to get in the
fight! Reach out to PRT here [link 14] and find your legislator here
[link 15]. Please feel free to respond to this email with your stories
of why public transit is important to you!

Read more about our
legislation, the Pittsburgh rally and the PRT public hearing in this
article [link 16] by Ed Blazina in the Pittsburgh Union Progress, the
newspaper published by striking workers at the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette. Read more about Governor Shapiro's proposal and the
Harrisburg rally here [link 17].

*

*News You Can Use**

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[link 18]

*Voting By Mail in the 2025 Municipal Primary*

The 2025
Municipal Primary is less than two weeks away - Tuesday, May 20. If
you plan to vote by mail, we have the information you
need!

*Requesting Your Mail-in Ballot*

If you want to vote by mail,
the *deadline to request a mail-in ballot is 5 p.m. Tuesday, May
13!*

-
The fastest way to apply for a mail-in ballot is online at:
[link removed]
[link 19].

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You can also download a paper application on this site
to complete and mail to the Elections Division at:

Allegheny County
Elections Division

542 Forbes Avenue, Suite 312

Pittsburgh, PA
15219-2913

*Completing Your Mail-in Ballot:*

After your mail-in
ballot arrives, you must complete it carefully to be sure your vote is
counted:

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Follow the enclosed instructions and use blue or black
ink only.

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After completing your ballot, place the voted ballot
into the secrecy envelope. Do not mark the secrecy envelope!

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Place
the secrecy envelope inside the outer declaration envelope and seal.
*The declaration envelope must be signed and dated with the date you
complete your ballot!*

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Add a stamp and mail the
envelope.

*Retuning Your Mail-in Ballot:*

The *deadline *for county
election offices to receive completed mail-in ballots* is 8 p.m. on
Primary Election Day, Tuesday, May 20.* Mail-in ballots received after
that time will not be counted so mail it early!

Or you can return it
in-person at:

-
*A Ballot Return Site*

Allegheny County is hosting
ballot return sites for the Primary Election. Ballot return sites are
staffed locations where registered voters who received a mail-in or
absentee ballot can return ballots in person, directly to a county
employee.

-
*A Satellite Election Office *

Allegheny County is also
providing satellite locations that provide a range of voter services
including
"over-the-counter" voting - meaning registered voters can
request a mail-in ballot, complete, and return it, all in one
place.

Note - once the May 13th deadline to apply for a mail-in or
absentee ballot has passed, voters may only return ballots; they can
no longer request one on-site.

-
Senate District 38 has one location
with both ballot return and satellite services at* North Park Ice
Rink; 1200 Pearce Mill Rd, Wexford 15090.*

-
Satellite hours:
weekend of May 10-11 from 9 am - 5 pm.

-
Ballot return hours:
Friday, May 16, 2025, through Monday, May 19, 2025, from 11 am - 7
pm.

-
To see all Allegheny County satellite voting and ballot return
dates, times, and locations go to:
[link removed]
[link 20].

Remember, *voters may only return their own ballot
*unless they have a completed authorization form to return a ballot on
behalf of someone who physically is unable to do so. If you require
assistance to vote or to return your ballot, contact the Elections
Division at 412-350-4500.

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[link 21]

*New Consumer Protection System in PA*

Last week, Gov.
Shapiro launched a new, centralized consumer protection hotline,
website, and email address to make it easier for Pennsylvanians to
report scams, resolve financial and insurance issues, and access help
from the Commonwealth. To report financial, insurance, and consumer
concerns Pennsylvanians can now:

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call 1-866-PACOMPLAINT
(1-866-722-6675)

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visit pa.gov/consumer [link 22]

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or email
[email protected]
[link 23]

This initiative was taken to protect
Pennsylvania consumers in the wake of the Trump administration's
elimination of nearly 90% of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
(CFPB) in February.

These tools represent a "no wrong door approach"
to government services. Whether it is insurance, lending, utilities,
or financial scams, Pennsylvanian residents will be connected with the
right agency to help them:

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Department of Banking and Securities
(DoBS) -- Protecting against financial exploitation, predatory
lending, and banking issues.

-
Pennsylvania Insurance Department
(PID) -- Resolving disputes over insurance claims, coverage, and
unfair practices.

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Other agencies, including those regulating
utilities, student loans, and professional licensing.

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*You
Can Still Apply for a REAL ID!*

We want all our constituents to be
aware that you can apply for a REAL ID after Wednesday, May 7,
2025!

Getting a REAL ID is optional in PA, but beginning May 7,
*enforcement begins. *This means everyone in the U.S. will need a REAL
ID-compliant license/identification card, OR another form of federally
acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID)
to:

-
Board domestic commercial flights.

-
Enter a military
base.

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Enter a federal facility that requires ID at the door.

*The
May 7 deadline applies to enforcement only - people who want REAL IDs
will continue being able to get one after enforcement begins.*

*Still
need a REAL ID? *

PennDOT Driver's License Centers will have their
final Real ID Day (open only for REAL ID applicants) this coming
Monday, May 12, 8:30am - 4:15pm. For locations go to:
[link removed]
[link 24].

For complete information on REAL ID go to:
[link removed] [link
25].

Or watch our April 24th virtual REAL ID webinar with
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) [link 26] at:
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[link 27]



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[link 28]

*The RAD Pass Summer Staycation is Back! *

The 2025 Summer
Staycation RAD Pass for area attractions through August 31 is open!
The Regional Asset District (RAD) Pass is an online ticket lending
system that allows Allegheny County library cardholders to access free
or discounted tickets to participating regional attractions like the
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh Zoo
and more! RAD Pass helps make our region's cultural resources
available and accessible to everyone.

Reserve your RAD passes at:
[link removed] [link 29]. You'll find a complete list of
cultural assets and regional attractions to choose from there.

Don't
have a library card? Stop by any Allegheny County Library Association
library and register by presenting an accepted form of photo ID, or
apply online.

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Library locations:
[link removed] [link 30]

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Apply
for a library card online: [link removed] [link
31]

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*Pittsburgh
Water Coloring Contest*

Pittsburgh Water is celebrating Drinking
Water Week with a coloring contest for kids 12 and under. Kids can
design their own Water Super Hero or Villain OR color their favorite
freshwater animal! *Deadline is Saturday, May 10!*

For details and to
submit your entries, click here [link 32].

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*Touch-a-Truck
in Harrison Township!*

Join the Harrison Township Recreation Board on
Saturday, May 17 from 12-3 PM for their exciting Touch-a-Truck event!
This family-friendly afternoon invites kids (and kids at heart) to get
up close with fire trucks, police vehicles, and more -- including the
Eureka river rescue boat, and a massive Air Products tanker. Don't
miss this hands-on experience full of fun, learning, and
adventure!

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As
always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have
by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 33] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
34] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 35]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

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Senator
Lindsey Williams

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Contact
Information:

Website: [link removed]

Office
Location:
District Office
5000 McKnight Road
Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA
15237
Phone: 412-364-0469
Fax: 412-364-0928
Monday ? Friday
9-5

Harrison Office
1826 Union Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA
15065
Phone: 724-224-2131
Fax: 724-224-2145
Monday ? Thursday
9-5

Harrisburg Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box
203038
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax:
717-787-8625
By appointment only


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