30 de enero de 2020
McKeesport - 30 de enero 2020 - El senador estatal Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) está trabajando con funcionarios del Departamento de Transporte (PennDOT) para reabrir Bunola River Road.
Brewster dijo que la carretera se reabrirá una vez que una nueva señal temporal y una fuente de alimentación permanente están asegurados. El Departamento de Transporte de Pensilvania (PennDOT) cerró recientemente la carretera al tráfico de paso después de que se vieran vehículos saltándose los semáforos, lo que suponía un peligro para la seguridad. La carretera se cerró originalmente a un carril el año pasado debido a un corrimiento de tierras.
Brewster dijo que Bunola River Road es una arteria principal para muchos residentes y negocios a lo largo del río Monongahela en los municipios de Elizabeth y Forward. PennDOT dijo que estaba cerrando la carretera al tráfico no de emergencia. El legislador dijo que se le informó de que una vez que una fuente de energía está asegurada que puede operar con seguridad las luces de la carretera se volverá a abrir.
A continuación figura la declaración de Brewster:
"Mis oficinas han recibido llamadas, correos electrónicos y cartas de electores que expresan su preocupación por las reparaciones y el cierre de Bunola River Road. Comprendo su frustración.
"He viajado por Bunola River Road durante más de 40 años y conozco de primera mano la importancia de esta carretera para las empresas de la zona, los residentes y la comunidad. Si bien ha habido problemas con el procedimiento de viaje de un carril que se puso en marcha mientras la carretera está siendo reparado, he pedido PennDOT para ayudar a encontrar fondos y acelerar el trabajo para abrir con seguridad la calzada.
"Los funcionarios de PennDOT, especialmente la Ejecutiva de Distrito Cheryl Moon-Sirianni, han hecho un excelente trabajo identificando alternativas y trabajando en los problemas para tratar de reabrir la carretera lo antes posible."
Declaración del ingeniero de distrito Sirianni:
"La intención del Departamento desde el principio era mantener un solo carril de tráfico con el fin de evitar un largo desvío para la comunidad, pero debido a graves problemas de seguridad nos vimos obligados a cerrar la calzada. Con la ayuda del senador Brewster y el representante Puskaric, PennDOT está en el proceso de evaluación de las opciones que nos permitan abrir con seguridad la calzada en un futuro próximo."
El cierre de Bunola River Road afecta a Elizabeth Borough, West Elizabeth Borough, Forward Township y Elizabeth Township.
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28 de enero de 2020
Enero 24, 2020
Harrisburg – Enero 24, 2020 – One of the General Assembly’s leading advocates for expanding mental health programs, services and funding said today that this year’s state budget must make mental health a priority.
State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) called for more funding and focus on mental health issues during this year’s state budget deliberations. Last year, Brewster repeatedly called for more attention to mental health issues in schools from his position as a member of the state School Safety Committee.
“Many members of the General Assembly and the governor have spoken out for program expansion and robust funding for mental health services,” Brewster said. “The problem is that there have been too many instances when much-needed funding and program support has been sidelined by other pressing budget needs.
“This year, adequate funding for mental health is the pressing need!”
More than 1 million Pennsylvania adults suffered with psychological distress and more than a quarter had an unmet need, according to a report cited by the Wolf Administration. The report also said that more than 40 percent of those needing mental health care did not receive it because it was unaffordable.
The attorney general recently announced year-end results for the school-based “Safe-to-Say Something” program. Reinforcing the need for additional mental health resources, the report noted that there were over 40,000 tips — with a substantial number of mental health-related issues.
Brewster said he is pleased that the governor made mental health a top issue as a result of his new “Reach Out PA” initiative. Brewster noted that a part of the governor’s plan was to add more counselors focused on mental health concerns, an issue he has championed.
“As a member of the School Safety and Security Committee, I have championed mental health services,” Brewster said. “At my request, a subcommittee has been formed to study my idea of requiring baseline safety elements – including mental health counselors.”
In addition to Brewster’s efforts with the School Safety and Security Committee, he has introduced legislation (Senate Bill 788) that would statutorily establish baseline safety standards, including a focus on mental health services, for all schools.
“There are so many needs to address as it relates to mental health,” Brewster said. “There are also many ideas and ways to improve the lives of those who need assistance.”
Brewster added that the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania has made increased funding for mental health services a priority. He said they are seeking funds for community-based mental health services including residential programs, family-based support, outpatient care and crisis intervention.
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Enero 22, 2020
Harrisburg – Enero 22, 2020 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D – Allegheny/Westmoreland) said that $280,000 in PAsmart science and technology grants have been awarded to school districts in the area.
“Our students are growing up in a technological world that is advancing at an incredibly fast pace,” Brewster said. “We must make sure that when students graduate, they have the technological skills that will serve them in the job market.”
PAsmart grants are awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education and focus on expanding access to computer science programs for underrepresented students.
Programs supported by PAsmart grants assist students of color, female students, low-income students and students in rural communities to make sure that these historically underrepresented populations are prepared for the technological future.
Each school will receive $35,000.
Schools receiving PAsmart grants include:
- Brentwood Borough School District
- Clairton City School District
- Gateway School District
- New Kensington-Arnold School District
- Plum Borough School District
- West Jefferson Hills School District
- West Mifflin Area School District
- Woodland Hills School District
“I will continue to work to make sure that our communities have the funding we need to prepare students for successful futures and give teachers the resources they need to make kids career ready.”
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Enero 21, 2020
HARRISBURG, Enero 21, 2020 – The McKeesport Housing Authority will be led for the 30th straight year by state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland).
“It has been my privilege to lead the housing authority over the last 30 years,” Brewster said. “We have achieved a great many things during my tenure as chair, but we have more to do.
“I am excited to get our efforts underway this year as we work to ensure that affordable housing is available for citizens in the region.”
Brewster said that quality, affordable housing is an important element of a strong, healthy municipality. He said that he will continue to work with the members of the authority to solve issues and deliver secure housing.
The authority is responsible for more than 1,000 units including senior, handicapped-accessible and neighborhood sites.
The McKeesport Housing Authority is the third oldest housing authority in Pennsylvania. It was created under the auspices of the United States Housing Act of 1937. In addition to providing housing, the authority works in concert with other organizations to provide community assistance programs.
For more information on Sen Brewster’s activity in the McKeesport community and the McKeesport Housing Authority, visit senatorbrewster.com
Enero 21, 2020
Harrisburg – Enero 21, 2020 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D – Allegheny/ Westmoreland) said today that local fire and EMS organizations in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties will receive nearly $1 million in Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program (FCEMSGP) funds.
“It is imperative that our fire and EMS services have the resources they need to serve our communities and keep us safe” Brewster said.
The Office of the State Fire Commissioner awards FCEMSGP funds to volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads throughout Pennsylvania.
In Allegheny County municipalities in Brewster’s district, there were 52 organizations that are slated to receive $668,784 total in funds. The complete list of organizations and the amount of funding can be found here on the Senator’s website.
Westmoreland County fire, rescue and first responders in Brewster’s district will receive $189,360 in funds for 16 organizations. The complete list of recipients and the total amount earmarked can also be found here on the Senator’s website.
The combined funding for Allegheny and Westmoreland counties is $858,144.
“I will continue to make sure that our fire and EMS services receive the state funding they need to maintain and improve facilities, make sure personnel are properly trained and ensure the safety and security of our communities,” Brewster said.
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6 de enero de 2020
Harrisburg – Enero 6, 2020 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced that he will host two free Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Financial Aid Seminars for high school students and their families.
“Financing education after high school can be very expensive, but there are financial aid resources to help students who want to pursue college or technical school,” Brewster said.
The first information session will be hosted on Miércoles Jan. 15, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Penn State Greater Allegheny Ostermayer Room in the Student Community Center at 4000 University Dr., McKeesport, PA 15132.
The second session will be hosted on Miércoles Jan. 29, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) South Campus in the Auditorium at 1750 Clairton Rd., West Mifflin, PA 15122.
A student aid expert from PHEAA will be at both sessions to present on the student aid process and how best to plan to pay for a student’s higher education.
“Higher education has an essential role in the lives of students preparing to enter the workforce,” Brewster said. “It is important that students are financially prepared for this step in their lives.”
Students and families interested in attending these free seminars can contact Kathy Jo Osman in Senator Brewster’s office by phone at 412-664-5200 or by email at Kathy.osman@pasenate.com.
6 de enero de 2020
