Brewster: Sunday Hunting Bill Signed into Law

Brewster: Sunday Hunting Bill Signed into Law

Harrisburg – November 27, 2019—Legislation permitting hunting on three Sundays throughout the year was signed into law today by Gov. Tom Wolf, according to Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland.)

Brewster co-prime sponsored the measure (Senate Bill 147) along with Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie.)

This bill provides for hunting on three Sundays: one during rifle deer season, one in statewide archery deer season and a third to be determined by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The bill also makes trespassing while hunting a primary offense and increases the penalties for trespassing.  It also requires written permission from a landowner to hunt on any of the Sundays.

Brewster’s statement on the signing follows:

“This bill is a result of a collaborative effort of major stakeholders. This new law will create opportunities for hunters in Pennsylvania to get into the field and generate additional revenue that can be used to address chronic wasting disease which is fatal to deer and elk.

“I want to thank Senator Dan Laughlin, supporters in the state House, and all who are interested in Sunday hunting for their advocacy of this important legislation.”

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Brewster: $365,300 in Funding for Elizabeth Township Land Preservation

Brewster: $365,300 in Funding for Elizabeth Township Land Preservation

Harrisburg – November 20, 2019 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced today that state funds have been awarded to a land preservation project in Elizabeth Township.

“Projects like this allow us to preserve sustainable outdoor recreation,” Brewster said.

The Allegheny Land Trust was awarded $365,300 for the acquisition of 150 acres in Elizabeth Township. The land will be dedicated to passive recreation and open land space protection.

Funding comes through the Community Conservation Partnership Program grants and is distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“I fully support efforts to invest money into our communities and to projects that promote environmental protection and recreation,” Brewster said. “I will continue seeking state funding that help preserve open spaces.”

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Sunday Hunting Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk for Enactment into Law

Sunday Hunting Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk for Enactment into Law

Harrisburg – November 18, 2019 – Legislation that would empower the Pennsylvania Game Commission to allow hunting on up to three Sundays each year received final legislative approval on Monday (November 18) and was sent to the Governor for enactment into law, according to Senators Dan Laughlin (R-49) and Jim Brewster (D-45).

“Today was a historic vote. We are now just one step away from increasing recreational opportunities for the thousands of Pennsylvania sportsmen and women who enjoy hunting,” said Senator Laughlin, prime cosponsor of the bill and Chairman of the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee. “This has been a long time coming and is truly a tribute to the thousands of hunters and the many organizations who have supported this effort.”

“This bill is a result of collaborative effort of the major stakeholders that had an interest Sunday hunting. And will not only create opportunities for hunters- men and women, young and old to get out into Pennsylvania’s great outdoors,” said Senator Brewster, Democratic Chairman of the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee and prime cosponsor of the bill. “Also, it will generate additional revenue that we can hopefully use to solve CWD, which is fatal to deer and elk.

Senate Bill 147 provides for hunting on three Sundays: one during rifle deer season, one during the statewide archery deer season and one on a Sunday determined by the Game Commission. The bill also amends the Pennsylvania Game Code to make trespassing while hunting a primary offense and increase the penalties for the offense.

“Weekends are the only free time for many hunters,” Senator Laughlin said. “Those two days are essentially the only time that most working men and women can get out into the woods. The same could be said for many young people, the ones who represent the future of the sport. Lifting the ban will give them increased opportunities to pursue the activity that they love.”

The bill also provides that written permission of the landowner is required to hunt on private property on any of the Sundays being added to the expanded Sunday hunting provisions. The penalty for a violation of this provision will be a summary offense of the third degree.

Additionally, Senate Bill 147 requires the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to perform a financial analysis of the Game Commission’s fees, fines, penalties, royalties, Federal and state appropriations and other sources of revenue received by the commission, and of expenditures, including annual operating costs, investments, land purchases and capital projects, within 180 days after the bill is enacted.

Brewster: $1.5 million in Tax Credits Approved for Community Development Projects

Brewster: $1.5 million in Tax Credits Approved for Community Development Projects

Harrisburg – November 15, 2019 – More than $1.5 million in tax credits to spur community revitalization has been approved for projects in the Monongahela Valley, eastern Allegheny County and Westmoreland County, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today. 

The tax credits were approved through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program. 

“These tax credits will help fund a variety of community development projects in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties,” Brewster said. “There are a wide variety of projects that received tax credits, with each having a great impact on neighborhoods and communities throughout the region.”

Brewster said tax credits were approved for the following projects:

  • Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh in McKeesport ($225,000) will complete the rehabilitation of 20 housing units. The project will create four jobs and 2000 volunteer hours of labor are included in the scope of work;
  • McKees Point Development Group in McKeesport ($360,000) will use the tax credits to stabilize existing housing stock, rehabilitate and resize the downtown business district and maximize job creation from tourism. The project includes development of historical assets and further access to the Great Allegheny Passage;
  • Tax credits were approved for the Mon Valley Initiative in Braddock ($160,000) to support new investment and development in Braddock and increase home ownership;
  • In Clairton, tax credits were approved for Economic Development South ($380,000) to spur investment and restore housing stock;
  • Greater Community Food Bank in Duquesne will use ($110,000) in tax credits to strengthen its partner network, implement new practices to expand coverage and rehabilitate a building;
  • Center for Victims were approved for ($82,500) to complete building renovations to serve those who need shelter services;
  • In East Pittsburgh, This Generation Connect will use tax credits ($110,000) to establish a permanent base to support healthy engagement and relationship building.  These tax credits will promote the development of alternative drop in space to serve as a “safe-harbor”.
  • Westmoreland Community Action in New Kensington received tax credits ($160,000) to address issues including recreation, blight, beautification efforts and main street rehabilitation while addressing concerns expressed by local businesses.
Brewster: Grants Approved for Recreation Projects in Lower Burrell, Baldwin

Brewster: Grants Approved for Recreation Projects in Lower Burrell, Baldwin

Harrisburg – November 14, 2019 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that recreation and park projects in Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County and Baldwin Borough in Allegheny County have been awarded Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grants totaling nearly $230,000.

“State resources redirected back to help local communities fund park and recreation projects are important and help municipalities in their redevelopment efforts,” Brewster said.  “Planning for future recreation and the preservation of open spaces, in addition to developing community parks are excellent uses of DCNR grants.”

  • Lower Burrell was awarded $19,000 to prepare a recreation and open space plan for the city;
  • Baldwin Borough will receive a $210,000 grant to help rehabilitate and further develop Elm Leaf Park. The project includes renovations, development of parking areas, dugouts, comfort stations, new play equipment in addition to other improvements.

The grants were part of third-round funding for Community Parks and Partnerships.

Brewster Announces $1.5 Million in State Funds for Local Economic Development Projects

Brewster Announces $1.5 Million in State Funds for Local Economic Development Projects

Harrisburg – November 12, 2019 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today announced a total of $1.575 million in state grant dollars for 11 local economic development programs.

“These Gaming Economic Development Fund monies help local communities advance and accelerate work on key economic development projects,” Brewster said. “I will continue to seek state grant and loan program dollars to help local leaders get projects up and running.”

Funding includes:

  • $50,000 to the Community Improvement Advisory Committee in Wilmerding to help rehabilitate houses for resale;
  • $325,000 to Elizabeth Borough for work on its central business district;
  • $50,000 to Baldwin Borough for the New Outlook Academy Expansion and Revitalization Project (Phase 2);
  • $100,000 to West Mifflin Borough for the Livingston Road Storm Water Improvements Project;
  • $100,000 to Glassport Borough for Glassport Road Rehabilitation;
  • $100,000 to the Urban League of Pittsburgh for renovation and repair of the Duquesne Family Support Center;
  • $50,000 to the Turtle Creek Valley COG for Pitcairn Borough Building demolitions;
  • $100,000 to the Turtle Creek Valley COG for the Holiday Park Storm Sewer Project (Phase 1) in Plum Borough;
  • $50,000 to the to the Turtle Creek Valley COG for the Turtle Creek 2019 Blight Removal Project;
  • $150,000 to Rebuilding Pittsburgh Together for the RTP McKeesport Housing Project; and
  • $500,000 to the Pittsburgh Film Office for the Pittsburgh Film Industry Workforce Readiness Program in Rankin, Swissvale, Braddock and North Braddock.

Project funding comes from the Gaming Economic Development Fund administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.

 

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Brewster Announces More than $1 Million in Transportation Grants

Brewster Announces More than $1 Million in Transportation Grants

Harrisburg – November 12, 2019 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that state grant funding in excess of $1 million has been approved for projects in five municipalities in the Mon Valley and eastern Allegheny County.

Funding was approved for West Mifflin, North Braddock, Glassport, Pitcairn and Lincoln Borough.

“The grants will help communities throughout the region complete important projects,” Brewster said.  “For many of the communities, this funding is essential because the municipalities would struggle to raise local funds.

“Any state resources redirected back to our area to fund needed upgrades relieves local taxpayer burden and helps improve a community’s quality of life.”

Brewster said the funding approved through the Commonwealth Financing Authority through its Multimodal program. 

He said that the following grants were approved:

  • West Mifflin will receive $200,000 for landslide repair along Curry Hollow Road;
  • North Braddock’s Hawkins Avenue Pedestrian Sidewalk Project is slated to receive $163,550;
  • Glassport will use $196,900 for the Broadway Public Step Improvement project;
  • Pitcairn is set to use $300,000 for Hillside Avenue slide remediation;
  • Lincoln Borough’s Fuehrer Drive Phase III was approved for $155,444.

Brewster said that total amount approved by the CFA for the local projects was $1,015,899.

The CFA was created in 2004 to serve as administer economic development programs.  Its’ Multimodal Transportation Fund finances projects to improve and develop transportation access.  Funding can be used for developments related to road connectivity, streetscape, lighting and mass transit.

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Affordable Care Act Insurance Enrollment Events

Affordable Care Act Insurance Enrollment Events

 

ACA Enrollment Event

Do you need help buying or renewing your federal health insurance? Come to our event for free enrollment services.

Certified enrollment specialists will be able to walk you through the best and most affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act or Medicare.

This event is FREE and open to the public.

For ACA enrollment, make sure to bring documentation to verify your annual income (a W-2 or pay stub) AND a driver’s license or other government-issued ID.

For more information and details, visit HeathcareForPA.com.