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| The Latest News from Your State Representative |
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| Please do not reply to this e-mail, as I am unable to respond to messages sent to this address. You can contact me directly at vgaydos@pahousegop.com or here. |
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The cost of living has been increasing daily and energy costs are some of the largest parts of those increases. UGI recently noted that residential heating customers in the territories they serve are expected to see a 9.5% increase in their utility bill this year alone. Industrial customers can see their monthly rate to go up 2.8% and commercial heating customers’ rates increase by 3.8%.
UGI does not service our specific area; however, this is becoming a trend for energy providers. For more on UGI’s rate increase, click here.
While it is a noble endeavor to do all that we can to reduce our carbon footprint, the added expense should not be on the backs of the average homeowner and certainly not during a time when so many people are trying to make ends meet.
Pennsylvania is one of the largest energy producers in the country and one of the largest in the world. However, Gov. Tom Wolf’s insistence on Pennsylvania joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) without regard for how it will affect the average homeowner’s energy bill is irresponsible and unfair. It threatens our beneficial status as a leading producer, which helps keep our citizens’ energy bills low.
Pennsylvanians deserve better. If the governor wants to create long lasting, effective energy policy then it should be done through an open, transparent and comprehensive energy policy discussion, not just through yet another executive order.
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Sincerely,
Valerie Gaydos |
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Gaydos Announces $400,000 in Grant Funding for Projects in the 44th District
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Rep. Gaydos recently announced $400,000 in Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund (GEDTF) grants for much-needed improvement projects in the 44thLegislative District.
The grants were awarded as follows:
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Township of Moon - $150,000 for the Boggs Run Fire Station Waterline Extension project. It will consist of approximately 2,300 linear feet of 12-inch waterline and 500 lineal feet of waterline services. |
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Borough of Edgeworth - $100,000 for the Beaver Road Bridge repair project. The scope of the work consists of concrete patching for the spalled areas along the concrete barrel and headwall, installation of new endwall, installation of riprap stabilization and various storm sewer pipe. |
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Pittsburgh Technical College (PTC) - $150,000 for the Corporate College Advanced Welding Program. PTC has launched a strategic plan which calls for the expansion of workforce development aligned with labor market demand through its Corporate College. Under this grant, PTC would like to run three cohorts of 12 students. The 170 contact-hour program will be offered to up-skill incumbent and/or dislocated workers, with a focus on diverse populations which may not immediately consider a welding career. This training will include both classroom lecture and hands-on applications, leading to certification. |
Gaydos said she was pleased to advocate for these grants on behalf of all residents and would like to thank the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC) for recognizing the value of these initiatives.
GEDTF funds community projects across the Commonwealth through a tax assessed on slot games in casinos. The GEDTF is administered by RAAC. It is intended to provide financial assistance to entities to facilitate economic development projects in Allegheny County.
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Gaydos Says It’s Time to End the State’s Monopoly on Liquor
Should the government control the price of alcohol? Gaydos says no, especially if it results in higher prices to consumers. It is time to bring our liquor laws into the current century. As a member of the House Liquor Control Committee, Gaydos and her committee colleagues recently held a hearing on legislation that calls for a constitutional amendment to privatize Pennsylvania’s state-run liquor system.
The legislation is being introduced as a constitutional amendment so that consumers may have a say in how liquor is sold in Pennsylvania. In 2016, the General Assembly passed historic legislation to privatize the sale of wine and spirits, but it was vetoed by Governor Tom Wolf. If a constitutional amendment is passed by the General Assembly, the question of whether liquor sales should be privatized can then be voted upon by the people it would affect the most – consumers.
“Pennsylvania has some of the nation’s most restrictive and inconvenient purchase rules,” said Gaydos. “It is simply time to end the state’s monopoly on alcoholic beverages”
During the hearing, Gaydos asked testifiers Tim Holden, chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB); and board member Mike Negra about the role of the PLCB in determining the price of products. If the PLCB is making as much profit as Wendell Young, president of United Food and Commercial Workers 1776 says it is, then why are we not seeing lower prices? Check out the answer by clicking here.
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Looking Ahead to the 2022-23 State Budget
This Tuesday, Feb. 8, Gov. Tom Wolf will deliver his final state budget address before a joint session of the General Assembly. The address will begin at 11:30 a.m. and stream live at www.PAHouseGOP.com.
While we anticipate more of the same from the governor in the way of excessive spending, I remain committed to a plan that funds the core functions of government while respecting the taxpayers who foot the bill.
The budget address marks the start of the annual state budget process. It will be followed by a series of budget hearings by both the House and Senate Appropriations committees in the second half of February and early March. A final budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year is due by June 30.
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Governor Vetoes General Assembly’s Citizen’s Congressional Redistricting Map
Using the most transparent congressional redistricting process in Pennsylvania history, the House and Senate sent a citizen-drawn map to Gov. Tom Wolf who promptly vetoed it. The issue is now before the Commonwealth Court due to a lawsuit.
A new map is required as part of the redistricting process mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Using data collected through the U.S. Census every 10 years, districts across the country must be redrawn to be nearly equal in population to ensure fair and equal representation in Congress.
Census data shows Pennsylvania’s population growth is slower than that of many other states. As a result, the Commonwealth will drop from our current 18 congressional districts to 17.
To view the General Assembly’s congressional map, visit www.paredistricting.com.
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Gaydos’ Upcoming Veterans Outreach Hours
Rep. Gaydos is calling all veterans in the 44th District! Her next veterans outreach hours are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25, at her district office in Moon Township.
If you have any questions or concerns, veterans can call Gaydos’ office at 412-262-3780.
Gaydos encourages men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces to reach out if they are in need of assistance.
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Gaydos Honors Local Police Officer
During his illustrious career as a law enforcement officer for more than three decades to the Ohio Township Police Department (OTPD), Cpl. Bryan Saffer has decided to retire.
Saffer has been described as dedicated, determined, loyal and a total professional. Hired by the OTPD in 1991, he served for 24 years before being promoted to his current rank in 2015. Saffer joined the North Hills Special Response Team in 2008 and ended his tenure as a master operator.
It was Rep. Gaydos’ honor and pleasure to present Cpl. Saffer a House of Representatives citation for serving our community with such passion and dignity.
Gaydos congratulates and wishes the best of luck to Bryan as he ventures into the next chapter of his life.
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Happy 30th Anniversary to Greenways Conservation!
The Hollow Oak Land Trust recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.
It is an organization that protects and connects greenspace with an emphasis on the Pittsburgh Airport Corridor. The Hollow Oak Land Trust was instrumental in the creation of the Montour Run Watershed Association and securing funding for the Montour Trail. In addition, it has conceived a network of greenways along Montour Run with the goal to establish a new 10-mile greenway trail linking several communities.
Rep. Gaydos had the honor of presenting Roy Kraynyk, founder, with a House of Representatives citation.
Gaydos would also like to thank Sean Brady, executive director of Hollow Oak Land Trust, for keeping things running smoothly every day!
The Hollow Oak Land Trust has made numerous contributions to the welfare of society through a sense of fellowship and through its programs, which are designed to enhance the quality of life for everyone.
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Helping Patients Undergoing Complicated Medication Therapies
Did you know that Oakdale is the home to CarepathRx and UPMC’s Chartwell, leaders in home infusion and specialty pharmacy delivery solutions for patients undergoing complicated medication therapies including at home COVID-19 monoclonal antibody infusions?
As the chairperson of the House Cancer Caucus and co-chairperson of the House Life Sciences Caucus, Rep. Gaydos visited with David Adair, vice president of Health System Business Development at CarepathRX, to congratulate them on their service to the most vulnerable and chronically ill patients during the pandemic and to discuss the nation’s rapid increase in the demand for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians over the past two years.
Pennsylvania is the home to some of the top pharmacy schools in the nation, including the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. Now is a good time to consider a profession in pharmacy!
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Road and Bridge Construction in Our Area
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Rep. Gaydos has expressed her concern for those people who were injured in the recent Frick Park Bridge collapse. Fortunately, there weren’t any fatalities. She also acknowledges the critical role that roads and bridges have in urban environments. It is essential that our roads and bridges be safe and efficient.
Recently, Rep. Gaydos had a meeting with PennDOT officials to discuss road and bridge improvement projects in the 44th District.
Here are some of the projects in the area (Numbers correlate with the map and the red color indicates the project has started):
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Mill and overlay on I-376, from Business 376 to Route 22 in North Fayette, Findlay, Moon and Robinson townships. |
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Bridge preservation on I-79 northbound ramp to Route 51 in Robinson Township, 200 feet north 4033 in Glenfield Borough. |
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Upgrade existing guiderail and end treatments on District 11’s Interstate System based on Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware criteria. |
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Mill and overlay on Route 65 from Emsworth to Sewickley Bridge in Kilbuck Township and Glenfield, Haysville and Glen Osbourne boroughs |
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Bridge replacement on Spring Run Road over Spring Run in Crescent Township. |
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Mill and overlay, bridge rehabilitation and bridge preservation on I-79, from Neville Island to I-279 in Aleppo Township and Glenfield, Sewickley Hills and Franklin Park boroughs. |
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Construct ADA curb ramps on Routes 885, 2045, 3025, 3033, 3034, 4022 in West Mifflin Borough, City of Pittsburgh, Scott Township, Mt. Lebanon and Bridgeville. |
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Slides correction on Route 3059, North Road at segment 30 in North Fayette Township. |
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Resurfacing, guiderail, pavement marking on Business 376 in Moon Township. |
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Construct ADA curb ramps from the previous year in project locations |
More construction projects will take place in 2023 and beyond. Rep. Gaydos will have more information in future weekly emails.
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Gaydos Advocates for Safe Schools Targeted Grants Program
The Quaker Valley School District and the Intermediate Unit 3 Christian School have been awarded funding from the Safe Schools Targeted Grants program.
Quaker Valley will receive $24,568 and IU 3 Christian School was awarded $15,441 for equipment grants.
Under the program, the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office for Safe Schools offers four types of targeted safety grants: equipment grants of up to $25,000; program grants of up to $20,000; School Police Officer grants of up to $40,000; and School Resource Officer grants of up to $60,000. The grants help reduce unnecessary student disciplinary actions; promote an environment of greater productivity, safety and learning; and enhance anti-violence efforts between schools and parents, local governments, law enforcement and community organizations.
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UC Claimants to be Eligible for Free Credit Monitoring
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) is offering free credit-monitoring services to all unemployment compensation (UC) claimants relative to an ongoing investigation of unusual account changes within the UC system.
The issue is part of an FBI and Homeland Security investigation into what appears to be a highly sophisticated, coordinated effort to infiltrate various government systems. At this time, there has been no confirmed data breach.
L&I is encouraging any UC claimant who believes their account has experienced an unusual change to contact the department either online or by calling the PA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-692-7469.
Information about registering for the free credit monitoring services is coming soon.
Additional details are available here.
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Attention Students: House Fellowship Program Taking Applications
The Pennsylvania House Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its Summer 2022 session. The 13-week program remains based at Pennsylvania’s Capitol Building in Harrisburg where fellows are placed in committee chair and House leadership offices.
Qualified applicants must be:
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Undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students or law school students. |
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Enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution. |
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Students of any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. |
For more information or to apply, visit www.pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to pahousefellowship@pabmc.net. The deadline to apply is March 1.
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Be Prepared, Tax Season is Fast Approaching
The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.
The VITA program has operated for more than 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:
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People who generally make $57,000 or less. |
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Persons with disabilities. |
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Limited English-speaking taxpayers. |
In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement related issues unique to seniors.
VITA/TCE services are not only free, they are also a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns. All VITA/TCE volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards.
Providers include:
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Robert Morris University, 6001 University Boulevard in Coraopolis. |
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Moon Township Western Allegheny Community Library, 181 Bateman Road in Oakdale. |
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| Office Locations |
| District Office: |
| 1005 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 106, Moon Township, PA 15108 | Phone: (412) 262-3780, Fax: (412) 262-3783 |
| Capitol Office: |
| Room 428, Irvis Office Building, House Box 202044, Harrisburg PA 17120-2044 | Phone: (717) 787-6651 | |
| Email: vgaydos@pahousegop.com |
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