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Constituent Stories A Thank You We Won’t Forget! Places like our community pools, public libraries, and parks are incredibly important to our identity. These “third spaces” give us a place to meet neighbors, make friends, learn something new, and feel part of something bigger. They fight isolation and ideological polarization. That’s why investing in them is so important to me. My office recently received this thank you from a McCandless Township resident for a $100,000 Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF) grant that I helped secure for new equipment and renovations to the Ingomar North Recreation & Swimming Club. Dear Senator Williams I wanted to pass along a most sincere thank you from our entire family and neighborhood for your efforts to secure GEDTF funding to maintain our beloved pool. The pool is the epicenter of what makes this such a wonderful place to live, learn, raise children, and age. We make our best friends here, we build and maintain something greater than ourselves, we raise children in a place where free play and curiosity can grow with their peers - and you've helped keep that alive. We've always been proud of the way you represent us and speak with courage and strength, when that is needed more than ever in our democracy. But this service speaks to the very core of our local community and what makes it so special. Thank you for your leadership and public service. McCandless Twp Resident The GEDTF program helps support these critical third spaces that make our neighborhoods stronger, safer, and more welcoming for everyone. I’m proud to support these investments — the very kinds of community spaces that residents like the writer of that letter count on and cherish. 2025 Senate District 38 Events Roundup Four Shredding Events in 2025! We always hear how much our constituents love our free Shredding Events, so we partner with our State Reps to bring as many to the District as possible every year. In 2025, we held two events in Ross (April and July) with Rep. Emily Kinkead, one in Shaler (July) with Rep. Lindsay Powell, and one in Hampton (September) with Rep Arvind Venkat. We’re already planning for next year’s events, so look for details coming soon! Good News Meetings with Center for Coalfield Justice and Planned Parenthood I had some great meetings with constituents in Harrisburg in November! Center for Coalfield Justice and I talked about the impact of AI data centers, including how they will impact our water systems, our power grid, and our utility bills. Data centers and their build outs have a big impact on our bills and our communities-- that's why I'm introducing legislation that will require corporations to pay their fair share. I also discussed the necessity of the wide range of healthcare services that Planned Parenthood of Western PA offers for thousands of patients each year - pap tests, breast & cervical cancer screenings, a variety of contraceptives, STI testing & treatment, colposcopies & cryotherapy, hormone therapy, vaccines and yes, abortion. I love meeting with constituents to talk about the issues that matter to them and work towards solutions for all Pennsylvanians. Tarentum & Brackenridge Christmas Parade It was a bright beautiful day at Tarentum & Brackenridge’s Christmas Parade! Thank you to everyone who worked hard to organize the event or participate and thank you to the community members who came out in support! Shaler Light Up Night There was lots of holiday cheer on display at this year's Shaler Township Light Up Night. It was wonderful to see all the happy faces made possible by Shaler’s hard-working volunteers. McCandless Fire and Rescue Departments Recognition Dinner I had a wonderful time joining firefighters and their families at the annual McCandless Fire and Rescue Banquet. The members of the Highland Volunteer Fire Department, Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company Station 187, and Peebles District Volunteer Fire Company do an incredible job serving their communities, and the entire region, every single day. This banquet is a great chance for them to take a night off, recognize their hard work, and celebrate their successes. A Stroll Down Latte Lane I spent time last Tuesday catching up with Heather, the owner of Latte Lane to talk about their transition from a coffee truck to a storefront here in Cheswick, and how we can make sure these small businesses thrive in our communities. Latte Lane has incredible seasonal drinks and goodies-- my staff and I highly recommend for your morning commute or an afternoon treat. If you have a small business– or the idea for one– and are looking to take the next step, check out my website for resources geared towards owners like you: Allegheny County Small Business Resources - Senator Lindsey Williams. Post Gazette Strike Ends! Congratulations to the (no longer striking) workers of the Post-Gazette on their return to work! The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh went on strike on Oct. 18, 2022, held the longest strike in the country (1,132 days if you're counting), and got their contract restored in court. On November 24,2025, they went back to the newsroom. We're saying goodbye to the Pittsburgh Union Press, but not to the workers who make Pittsburgh #union strong. Sheetmetal Training Facility Visit in Harmar I recently visited to the Journeymen Apprentice Training Facility for the Sheet Metal Workers Local #12 in Harmar Township. I was proud to help secure a $500,000 state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant to upgrade the facility in 2019, and I was excited to see how that funding has been used to improve the building and the educational spaces that future Sheetmetal workers are using. I had fun getting hands-on demonstrations of the state-of-the-art training workers receive at what is the largest classroom for the Journeymen Apprenticeship Program in PA. These apprenticeship programs create the workers of the future– and ensure that they graduate with the skills needed to do their jobs professionally, safely, and without student debt.
Legislative Update Child Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Celebration Last Monday, I joined Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, Rep. Joe McAndrew, and leaders in early childhood education to celebrate the passage of the Child Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Program in the FY25-26 Budget. Working parents—especially working moms—cannot go to work unless they have safe, affordable, reliable care for their kids. Our early childhood care providers do so much more than just babysit. They establish stability and routine, provide an educational foundation that sets kids up for future success, and let parents get to work and provide for their households. This $25 million investment in our childcare workers is a great start toward paying our childcare workers like the keystones of our economy that they are. The Child Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Program is based on Senate Bill 506, legislation that I introduced with my colleague and Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) that was included in the FY25-26 Budget. It provides $25 million in recruitment and retention bonuses for childcare staff across the Commonwealth, an approximately $450 bonus per employee. Delayed Pa. budget aims to tackle child care workforce crisis News You Can Use LIHEAP 2025-26 Applications Open! Applications for the 2025-26 LIHEAP Season opened on Wednesday, December 3rd. The application opening period was delayed due to the federal government shutdown. Cash Grants: LIHEAP cash grants help keep your home warm in the winter. From December 3, 2025, to April 10, 2026, you can apply for a cash grant to help with heating costs. Grants range from $200 to $1,000, depending on your household size, income, and fuel type. The cash grant is a one-time payment - you do not have to pay it back!. The grant will be sent directly to your utility provider or fuel company to be credited on your bill. Crisis Grants: Eligible Pennsylvania residents can receive between $25 and $1,000 in LIHEAP crisis grants. To qualify, households must meet income guidelines and be in one of these situations:
Eligibility To qualify for LIHEAP, you must meet income limits based on your household size. Both renters and homeowners can qualify. You do not need to be on another public assistance program or have unpaid heating bills to qualify. Household Size A household includes the person or group of people who live together. When determining your household size, you must list those who live at the residence, including:
Income Requirements Your LIHEAP eligibility is based on your household’s total yearly income and how many people live in your home. Income includes the combined annual earnings of everyone in the household. Include income from:
See the income and household size table below to see if you qualify.
There are many ways to apply for LIHEAP!
County Assistance Offices in/near Senate District 38 include:
For more offices, visit County Assistance Offices (CAO) | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Questions? Call us at 412-364-0469, 724-224-2131 or email [email protected]. ICYMI -
SNAP Work Requirement Expanded to More People November
1st Thanks to new federal regulations, Pennsylvania’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients are now required to work, volunteer, or participate in education or training programs for 20 hours per week (80 hours per month) and report those hours to County Assistance Offices. Individuals can only receive SNAP for three months in a three-year period if they do not meet the work requirements. Work requirements began in September and were expanded to include more people on November 1, 2025. As of November 1, 2025, SNAP recipients must meet work requirements if they:
Note that there are exemptions from the work requirements for certain people, for example, people who are pregnant, homeless, or physically or mentally unable to work. For a complete list of exemptions go to: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap/snap-work-requirements-abawds#accordion-d710e05f4f-item-12d2821376). What to do:
Make sure to act fast and stay informed! Check the PA DHS website for full details on SNAP and work requirements at: Allegheny County Parks Holiday Food
Drive With SNAP and other benefits facing uncertainty, the need for food assistance is at an all-time high. Allegheny County Parks is working with local food banks to make sure that donating food during the holiday season is easier than ever, with drop off locations in Boyce, North, and South Park from Monday, November 10, 2025 through Thursday, December 25, 2025. North Park drop off locations:
For more information go to: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Parks-and-Events/Special-Events/Parks-Food-Drive. 2027 PA Teacher of the Year Nominations Open through December 15! The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is accepting nominations for the Commonwealth’s 2027 Teacher of the Year! If you know an outstanding educator in Pennsylvania you have until December 15 to nominate them at: https://www.nstoypa.org/nominationselection-process/nomination-form. The 2027 Teacher of the Year will be announced at an awards ceremony in December 2026 and will represent Pennsylvania at various local, regional, and national functions culminating in the National Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House. The National State Teacher of the Year (NSTOY) program annually recognizes a professional who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn; who has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues; and who plays an active role in their school and community. Congratulations to the newly named 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Madeline Loring, who teaches fourth grade at Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School in Greene County! Learn more about Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year program at: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/recruitment-and-recognition/teacher-of-the-year. Christmas Bird Count in North
Park! Join the thousands of volunteers across North America for the Audubon Society’s 126th Christmas Bird Count right here in North Park on Saturday, December 27! This annual winter bird census provides valuable documentation on the species diversity and health of our local birds. No previous experience needed! For complete information and to register go to: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/activity/search/detail/20379?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have by phone at 412-364-0469 (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 (Harrison Office) or by email at [email protected]. My staff will return your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday). |
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