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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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At the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission finalized the new maps for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate. As a result, the 44th Legislative district will see some changes due to the tremendous growth we have seen in our region since the last U.S. Census in 2010.
The new maps are based on a requirement in the U.S. Constitution that every 10 years there must be a census done for the purpose of apportioning the U.S. House of Representatives and the State Legislatures.
The results of the 2020 census showed us that population shifted around the state quite considerably. As such, a new map must be drawn to equally divide the 203 House of Representatives and 50 Senate seats in Pennsylvania into new districts. Pennsylvania House seats are drawn with districts of approximately 64,053 people and the Senate with districts of approximately 260,004 people.
With the population of the current 44th District reaching approximately 72,000 residents according to the 2020 census, a change in district lines was inevitable.
I will continue to serve constituents in the existing 44th district through Nov. 30. The new district, which will be adding the areas of Leet and Leetsdale and removing Ohio Township, will enable there to be less splitting of municipalities and will encompass the three complete school districts of Moon, West Allegheny and Quaker Valley beginning Dec. 1.
Please see the map below. If you have any questions on redistricting or any other state-related matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
My phone number is 412-262-3780.
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Sincerely,
Valerie Gaydos |
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House Passes Gaydos, Williams Legislation to Enlist National Guard in Fight with Cyber Criminals
As co-chairs of the House Cybersecurity Caucus, Rep. Gaydos and Rep. Craig Williams (R-Chester/Delaware) combined to sponsor legislation to use the Pennsylvania National Guard to combat cyber criminals.
This week, House Bill 2412 passed the House unanimously.
The FBI reported almost 800,000 complaints in 2020 alone, and governments are a prime target, especially of ransomware and ID theft.
Pennsylvania is home to two military cybersecurity teams: The Pennsylvania Army National Guard Defensive Cyber Operations and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard 112th Cyberspace Operations Squadron.
The bill would give the Pennsylvania National Guard the authority to provide functional support for cybersecurity needs across the Commonwealth. In addition, the legislation would allow trained military cybersecurity experts to support requests from state agencies in need of immediate assistance or training. Further, the bill will allow the guard to receive requests and provide support to non-government entities with cybersecurity education and training exercise assistance as needed.
As government is housing more and more of your information, both personal and professional, it is imperative that we must do all we can to ensure our systems are safe. In addition, we need to support educational initiatives to help train people to work in the cybersecurity field.
House Bill 2412 now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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Working to Ignite PA Job Creation
Looking to jump start our state’s economy and boost job creation, Rep. Gaydos joined a bipartisan majority in the House this week to approve legislation that would reduce the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) rate and provide additional tax relief to job creators.
House Bill 1960 would lower our CNIT rate – currently one of the highest in the nation – from 9.99% to 8.99% starting in January. It would be further reduced in future years if the Commonwealth has a General Fund surplus of more than $500 million.
The measure would also increase the cap on net operating losses to 45% or as much as 50% of taxable income if the Commonwealth has a General Fund surplus of more than $750 million.
Lowering taxes on employers would have a ripple effect on the state’s economy by encouraging the expansion of existing businesses, attracting new business investments and creating family-sustaining jobs. This is exactly what we need to boost the Commonwealth’s economic recovery.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 195-8 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. It is one of eight tax reform bills that have recently passed the House to help small business job creators and drive investment in Pennsylvania.
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Voter Registration Deadline Monday
Pennsylvanians wishing to participate in the May 17 primary election must register to vote no later than this Monday, May 2. Only voters registered as Democrats or Republicans will select nominees in the primary to represent their party in the Nov. 8 general election.
If you register to vote online, the form must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. Monday.
Paper voter registration forms, available here, must be received by your county voter registration office by close of business on Monday.
People who are unsure of their registration status may check it here.
Once registered, voters may choose to vote in person, or by mail-in or absentee ballot. To learn more about your options, click here.
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New Funding Formula to Boost PHEAA Grants for Students
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) announced the adoption of a new 2022-23 PA State Grant Program formula that increases a potential award from $5,000 to $5,750. The agency also estimates as many as 9,000 additional students could receive crucial funding toward their higher education, bringing the total to around 107,000 students served.
The agency said the new awarding system maintains the current year’s $5,000 maximum award while providing up to an additional $750 pandemic inflation adjustment to account for financial obstacles families are facing today.
Grant amounts are determined by several factors, including a student’s family income, effect of inflation on incomes and cost of the school they attend.
The 2022-23 PA State Grant application submission deadline is Sunday, May 1. This applies to all renewal applicants and first-time applicants who plan to enroll in a college, university, or college transfer program at two-year public or private colleges. The deadline is Aug. 1 for students planning to enroll in a community college or designated Pennsylvania Open Admission institution.
To apply for a PA State Grant, applicants must first complete the 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be accessed online at
www.PHEAA.org/FAFSA.
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Bill to Provide Improved Course Access for Schools, Students and Teachers Passes House
Continuing efforts to boost education options and access, Rep. Gaydos voted with a majority of her colleagues to approve legislation calling on the state Department of Education to establish a course catalog for online courses for K-12 students and professional development for teachers.
Specifically, House Bill 1330 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to create a clearinghouse of online courses for students in grades K-12 to be accessible to public schools, nonpublic schools, home education programs and the general public. Schools may opt to participate in the programs as they see fit.
The courses would be phased in beginning with high school classes in the 2024-25 school year, followed by middle and then elementary school courses. In addition, a professional development course catalog for teachers would be created. This legislation would enhance and improve Pennsylvania schools and serve as a model for the rest of the country.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Upcoming Road Construction in Our Area
Blackburn Road will close between Oak Knoll Drive and Magee Road in Sewickley Heights Borough starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 2.
The closure, which is expected to end in September, is required for replacement of Kilbuck Run Bridge No. 16, including new pavement, guide rail, pavement markings and signage.
Traffic will be detoured using Glenfield Road, Kilbuck Street, Deer Run Road, Merriman Road, Glen Mitchell Road, Scaife Road and Water Works Road. Residents on Blackburn Road will always have access to their homes.
Here is upcoming road work from Bell Acres Borough in Sewickley:
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Milling and paving, base repairs, drainage improvements, shoulder work and guide rail replacement on Camp Meeting Road between Beaver Street and Camp Meeting Road Extension. No detours will be needed during this work. Drivers can expect to experience short stoppages in work zones, and flaggers will be used to control traffic. |
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Slope stabilization work on Camp Meeting Road. The work will require a full road closure between Charleston Square and North Lane. Residents living within the closure area will always have access to their homes. Traffic will be detoured using Beaver Street, Little Sewickley Road and Fern Hollow Road. |
There are plans to do some stream rehabilitation work near the 1800 block of Camp Meeting Road at the sharp curve near Fern Hollow Road. That will not require traffic restrictions other than some possible flagging to get equipment in and out of the worksite.
All of the work likely will be performed between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Stay tuned!
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Gaydos Speaks at FedEx Ground in Moon Township to Welcome the Solar Carport
Rep. Gaydos was delighted to be a guest speaker at a ribbon-cutting ceremony as FedEx Ground celebrated its carport installation at its Moon Township headquarters.
This is the company’s largest solar project which will now provide more than a third of the building’s annual energy needs.
The project is part of a network sustainability program currently encompassing 22 FedEx Ground sites with solar technology. The solar panels are expected to generate more than 4 million kWh annually, which is roughly equal to the power used each year by nearly 600 homes.
During the event, a $400,000 check was presented to Generation180 on behalf of FedEx. Generation180 is a national nonprofit working to inspire and equip people to take action on clean energy in their homes, schools and communities.
Pictured in the ribbon-cutting photo are (from left) Patrick Coor, chief strategy officer; Marshall Kaiser, senior director of managed accounts; Paul Melander, senior vice president of safety and transportation; Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive; and others who were part of the day’s festivities.
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RMU Students Discuss State Grants
Rep. Gaydos enjoyed a visit with a group of Robert Morris University students at the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) Advocacy Day at the Capitol. The students attended the event to advocate for level or increased funding for Pennsylvania state grants. The discussion was very productive.
Pictured with her are (from left) Tracy Frazier, Lyndsey McDonald, Cassandra Oden, Lydia Heymann, Emilee Mottle, Lamont Grimes, Devonte Kelly, David Vargas-Garcia and Tracy Frazier.
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Pitt Students Discuss Pharmacy Practice Act
Recently, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Rep. Gaydos visited with University of Pittsburgh pharmacy students to discuss House Bill 1535, legislation she fully supports. The bill would make Pennsylvania’s Pharmacy Practice Act consistent with federal guidance as well as current practice in the Commonwealth for access to coverage of childhood and COVID-19 vaccines.
This legislation would allow pharmacists, pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to continue administering any immunization to a child aged three and older with parental consent. It would also establish training and education prerequisites approved by the State Board of Pharmacy and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education to be completed by the pharmacy technicians, interns and pharmacists who administer these vaccines.
Pictured with Gaydos are (from left) Liana Berry, Duquesne University PharmD Candidate Class of 2023, and Ashley Yarabinec, University of Pittsburgh assistant professor of pharmacy and therapeutics, and associate director of experiential learning.
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PIT to Receive State Grant
Rep. Gaydos is pleased to announce that the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) will receive a $2.4 million grant through the Aviation Transportation Assistance Program.
The funding will be used for continued commercial air cargo facility development. It includes aircraft and vehicular access and parking, environmental remediation and continued site preparation.
Pennsylvania has 121 public-use aviation facilities including airports, heliports, and seaplane bases, and these new investments will expand aviation-related operational and economic opportunities statewide.
Act 64 of 1984 authorized the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to provide assistance to all public airports, including those privately-owned.
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Shred Away Your Personal Documents
Shred it and forget it! You’re invited to join Rep. Gaydos for a shredding event Saturday, June 11, at Moon Area Middle School. You can see all the details above.
What is the importance of shredding? It helps prevent identity fraud. Any documents with personal details on them can be used by someone to steal an identity. If you don't shred your documents before you throw them out, identity thieves can use those details to sign up for things like credit cards or passports under a stolen persona.
This is a free service to you! Don’t miss it!
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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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