March 26, 2024
Harrisburg, March 26, 2024 – Today, Sen. Jim Brewster and Rep. Matthew Gergely announced a $1.8 million Multimodal Transportation grant for the City of McKeesport.
McKeesport was awarded the grant to replace the Versailles Avenue Viaduct Bridge.
“I am happy to see the state investing in local projects, especially this long-awaited bridge replacement,” said Senator Brewster. “The Versailles Avenue Bridge is a lifeline for our local communities so this funding will improve transportation while revitalizing our infrastructure.”
The bridge is an important connector serving the Carnegie Library of McKeesport, Twin Rivers Elementary-Middle School, McKeesport Little Theater and other destinations in McKeesport’s Sixth Ward.
“Senator Brewster and I have made securing the funding to replace this bridge a top priority,” said Representative Gergely. “This is a much-needed project, and I am looking forward to seeing these funds invested in the Mon Valley.”
The grant was approved during a meeting today in the Capitol by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), an independent agency of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, which is responsible for administering the Commonwealth’s economic stimulus packages.
March 19, 2024
Harrisburg, March 19, 2024 – State Sen. Jim Brewster announced today that his bill, SB146, was passed unanimously by the House on third consideration. The legislation exempts veterans and others in recovery programs from fishing license fees.
This bill, which has garnered unanimous support in previous sessions, promotes mental and physical recovery through the therapeutic benefits of fishing and outdoor recreation. Under the provisions of SB146, individuals participating in therapeutic angling programs sponsored by established service groups, including Wounded Warriors and Project Healing Waters, will be eligible for an exemption from fishing fees.
“Supporting veterans and individuals in therapeutic and recovery programs means providing more opportunities for healing,” said Senator Brewster. “This bill will do that by offering free fishing and promoting well-being through outdoor recreation.”
According to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, this exemption will extend to over 60 different service organizations and hundreds of unique one-day fishing opportunity events across the Commonwealth.
Fishing provides time to connect with nature and has been recommended by health care professionals to aid those with a wide range of diagnoses, including mental and physical disabilities, cancer or other chronic diseases, recovery from addiction, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder, Brewster said.
During the previous legislative session, SB146 was passed unanimously by the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee and received a resounding 50-0 vote during a full vote of the Senate. It also received unanimous support in the House Game & Fisheries Committee.
This overwhelming bi-partisan support demonstrates the recognition of the bill’s significance in promoting the well-being and rehabilitation of veterans and individuals in therapeutic programs.
The bill now heads to Governor Shapiro to sign.
February 6, 2024
Harrisburg, February 6, 2024 – State Sen. Jim Brewster released the following statement today on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $48 billion 2024-25 budget proposal:
“The budget that the governor outlined today carries the promise of historic progress on challenges that have for too long prevented Pennsylvania from achieving the type of security and prosperity that is possible in a commonwealth blessed with natural resources as well as a resourceful work force.
“With a proposed increase of another $1.4 billion top of last year’s record commitment to basic education, this spending plan could end years of our state languishing in the bottom tier with states who compete for 21st century jobs with a 20th century funding system.
“The governor’s proposal also helps ensure that new education dollars will not be poured into schools that are unhealthy, unsafe and unfit for service to our students. School security has been a long-held priority of mine and I’m looking forward to working with the administration to direct the funds where they are most needed and most wisely spent.
“It is also encouraging to see that the allocation of Pennsylvania’s record surplus will not end at the school grounds and will find its way into communities and local industry where efforts to provide opportunity will see new investments.
“From the hundreds of proposed new state troopers to the additional $37 million for violence prevention programs, the budget offers a blueprint for the General Assembly to help local communities deal with the scourges of violence and drug abuse.
“In his address, the governor expressed his strong support for the labor movement that made Pennsylvania and the Mon Valley an economic powerhouse in the 20th century and provides the potential for similar future partnerships which ensure that prosperity is equally allocated for all who contributed to its creation.
“There is certainly a lot to like about the direction this budget takes us, but it will take some time over the next few months to create legislation from this broad outline.
“Like the governor, it is my hope that we can do this in a bipartisan fashion that recognizes our common strengths and our common challenges.’
February 3, 2024
PITTSBURGH − February 3, 2024 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee traveled to Pittsburgh yesterday to host two events to highlight the successes of Pennsylvania’s groundbreaking Whole-Home Repairs Program. Less than a year after the distribution of funds, the Whole-Home Repairs program has already facilitated the repairs of hundreds of homes and changed thousands of lives, including many in Allegheny County.
“The Whole-Home Repairs Program is one of the best examples of how the government can directly support our constituents and meet one of their most important needs – safe housing,” state Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, said. “Our events in Pittsburgh really highlighted not only the success of the program and the positive impact it has made in people’s lives – but also the unmet needs across the Commonwealth and the requests for funding that were not approved because of the lack of adequate, yearly funding for Whole-Home Repairs.”
The Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing at the Allegheny County Courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh on Friday to highlight the successes of the Whole-Home Repairs program across the Commonwealth.
“Through the Whole-Home Repairs Program, Pennsylvania is tackling many of the root causes of community instability by keeping people in their homes and keeping these homes safe and healthy,” Senator Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) said. “The need for this program is every bit as enormous as we anticipated. Whole-Home Repairs deserves continued investment because Pennsylvanians deserve investment.”
The Whole-Home Repairs Program was originally introduced in March 2022 as Senate Bill 1135 by Senator Saval and was signed into law in July 2022 as part of the state budget package with a $125-million appropriation to launch the statewide program. An additional $50 million was originally appropriated in the 2023-24 state budget, but the necessary implementation language was not included in the final code bills that passed the legislature in December 2023.
“There has been so much attention on the unhoused population of Allegheny County in the last few years, and rightfully so. But as we work to increase shelter capacity, bridge and transitional housing, we cannot lose site of the importance of keeping people in the homes they already have,” Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said. “We have to recognize that just because they’re housed today, if their home requires repairs that they can’t afford and becomes unlivable, those families may be unhoused tomorrow. That is what the Whole Home Repairs bill can do for families – keep them safe and housed.”
Demand for the program has far outpaced available resources. In Allegheny County, 96% of eligible applicants have been deferred because of a lack of sufficient funds. With similar reports from counties across Pennsylvania, additional state funding is urgently needed to continue the program.
“It is no secret that Pennsylvania is home to some of the oldest housing stock in the nation. Being a realtor, I understand that not fixing one main element of a house can escalate quickly and have a negative trickledown effect on other areas of a home to the point of making it even uninhabitable,” Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) said. “The assistance provided for critical repairs on a house through the Whole Home Repairs Program can mean the difference between someone staying in their house and having to find somewhere else to live. As we have witnessed, the demand for the program has been staggering which illustrates the need to continue funding the Whole Home Repairs Program.”
The program provides funding for county-wide agencies to address habitability and safety concerns, provide measures to improve energy or water efficiency and make units accessible for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the program provides funding to the counties for construction-related workforce development.
“The Whole Home Repairs Program allows families to safely remain in their homes, prevents blighted properties, puts people to work, and keeps communities together. This one program and its direct investment in people brings a return on investment for the entire community far beyond the lifechanging effects for individual families,” Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) added. “I support ongoing and expanded funding for Year Two and beyond of the Whole Home Repairs Program so that we can bring these impacts to more communities across Allegheny County and Pennsylvania.”
At the hearing, Senator Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) noted that during his tenure as Mayor of McKeesport, they were forced to demolish over 5,000 homes – many of which could have been salvaged if a program like Whole-Home Repairs existed.
“The Whole-Home Repairs Program is a necessary program to help older communities reinvent themselves and maintain their communities,” Senator Brewster added.
Prior to the public hearing, members of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee and several other elected officials held a press conference outside of the home of Kelly Scatena, an Allegheny County homeowner whose house was repaired through the Whole-Home Repairs Program.
“Home should be the place where you feel safe, and now I have that for my family. We can relax in our house and not worry that it’s going to fall down,” Kelly Scatena said. “Now that I’ve gotten these repairs, I feel like I have a solid foot on the ground. I feel like I’m actually a homeowner because I’m here for good. This has been life changing.”
The Whole-Home Repairs Program in Allegheny County is run by Action Housing, a nonprofit housing agency based in Pittsburgh. Action Housing received over 4,300 unique, eligible applications for the Whole Home Repairs program since it began, but because of the lack of funding, they were only able to work on 200 total homes.
“The Allegheny County Whole-Home Repairs Program has been a success for families and builders throughout the region, but the limited funding means that we’ve only been able to serve about 4% of eligible applicants,” Dan Sullivan, Housing Stabilization Program Manager, Action Housing, said. “Without continued funding, thousands of residents will continue to live in homes that are unsafe for them and their families. We can change the status quo, but we need the investment to do it.”
At the press conference, U.S. Representative Summer Lee indicated that she is working in Congress to secure federal investments to support Whole-Home Repairs across the country.
“Just in my small neighborhood of North Braddock, we have over 400 blighted properties. Each time I walk by, I think of the people who – for lack of a few thousand dollars – lost their community. I think of the thousands in this region who are desperately in search of affordable housing. I think of how much generational wealth families have lost, and how that has impacted them in so many other ways,” Congresswoman Lee added. “Whole-Home Repairs could have helped them. The story is not just about the 200 families Action Housing could help, but also the 6,000 eligible applicants they could not help because the program ran out of federal funding. That’s why I’m in DC fighting to secure massive federal investment to continue Whole-Home Repairs in Pennsylvania and implement it nationwide.”
The state legislators are hopeful that funding for the Whole-Home Repairs program is highlighted in the Governor’s Budget Address set for Tuesday afternoon in Harrisburg.
“I am proud that this program has already generated positive outcomes for neighbors in my district and across the state. However, we have a lot more we can do to ensure that our homes are safe and sustainable,” state Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) said. “That is why I will continue to strongly advocate for Whole-Home Repairs funding in Harrisburg. Our communities deserve it.”
Additional participants in the Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing included Rick Vilello, Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; Justin Livingston, Owner and Project Manager, JL Homebuilders; LuAnn Zak, Assistant Director, Indiana County Office of Planning and Development; and Chuck Weiss, Associate Executive Director for Housing, Community Action Lehigh Valley.
“I have been so proud to join my colleagues in the PA Senate Democratic Caucus as we fight for a safe, accessible, and affordable home for every Pennsylvanian,” Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said. “The Whole-Home Repairs program has been integral to delivering on this crucial goal, and I look forward to continuing to support our working families by ensuring their homes keep them warm, dry, and comfortable.”
All submitted testimony from the policy hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy. A recording of the press conference is available to watch on-demand at www.SenatorMuth.com/Video.
# # #
Testimony
Panel 1: Allegheny County Analysis
- Dan Sullivan – Housing Stabilization Program Manager, Action Housing
- Kelly Scatena – Homeowner
- Justin Livingston – Owner & Project Manager, JL Homebuilders
Panel 2: Statewide Analysis
January 16, 2024
Harrisburg, January 16, 2024 – State Sen. Jim Brewster announced today $1.9 million in grants for economic development in the 45th Senatorial District.
“These grants will help local leaders complete a variety of projects to improve our neighborhoods,” Brewster said. “I was happy to support these projects and bring these funds back to the district to help our communities.”
Grants were awarded to 23 projects in Senator Brewster’s district, with 17 projects receiving awards from the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF), and 6 projects receiving awards from the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP).
The GEDTF, administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC), provides financial assistance to awardees to carry out important economic development projects. Eligible applicants include municipalities, authorities, councils of government, non-profit organizations, trusts, and for-profit businesses.
The GTRP, administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) and authorized under Act 13 of 2012, awards grants for the development, rehabilitation and improvement of public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails, and river conservation.
Projects in Senator Brewster’s district receiving funding include:
Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund
- Braddock Carnegie Library Association received $35,000 for renovations;
- Baldwin’s Churchview Farm received $75,000 to construct a Teaching Kitchen;
- Munhall received $75,000 for improvements to the Main Street Business Corridor;
- East McKeesport received $50,000 to improvements to East Field Park;
- East Pittsburgh received $50,000 for safety improvements to Quarry Field;
- Wilmerding received $50,000 to replace a catch basin;
- Turtle Creek received $175,000 for a demolition project;
- West Mifflin’s Filipino-American Association of Pittsburgh received $75,000 to renovate the Multicultural Center & Function Hall;
- Duquesne received $75,000 for a demolition project;
- Baldwin Borough received $50,000 for improvements to the Baldwin Borough Swimming Pool;
- Elizabeth Borough received $411,500 for improvements to Maple Avenue Phase 4;
- Elizabeth Borough received $175,625 to reconstruct the VFD parking lot;
- Whitaker received $50,000 for improvements to Heritage Hill Park Walking Trail;
- McKeesport’s First Step Recovery Homes received $50,000 for a homeless housing expansion;
- Homestead received $50,000 to for improvements to the Betty and Wanda Amphitheater;
- Glassport’s Citizens Hose Company #1 Volunteer Fire Department received $50,000 for building repairs;
- Lincoln Borough received $100,000 for improvements of stormwater management along Dora Drive.
Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program
- Dravosburg received $50,509 for improvements to USS Ballfield;
- Glassport received $75,000 for the off-road park;
- Homestead received $50,000 for the Monongahela River Fishing Pier;
- Lincoln Borough received $50,000 for improvements to Breznay Ball Field;
- North Braddock received $50,000 for improvements to Legends Playground;
- West Homestead received $50,000 for the West Homestead Recreation Park Project.
“These projects will help efforts to revitalize our communities,” Brewster added. “I’d like to say congratulations to the awardees and thank you to the RAAC and CFA for investing in this region.”
Senator Brewster also thanked several state officials for their roles in bringing these funds back to the district, noting his partnership with State Representatives Nick Pisciottano, Brandon Markosek, Matt Gergely, Abigail Salisbury, and Andrew Kuzma.
“I am grateful to be able to work with these incredible state representatives in Allegheny County,” Brewster said. “We all have the goals to help our constituents and bring funds back from Harrisburg to boost our communities, and it is a pleasure to work with these lawmakers to do just that.”
More about RAAC funding is available online, and more information about CFA programs and funding is available here.
January 12, 2024
Harrisburg, January 12, 2024 – The Borough of Munhall will receive more than $1.6 million to replace diesel-fueled trash trucks with renewable electric vehicles, state Sen. Jim Brewster announced today.
“Western Pennsylvania communities have worked for decades to protect future generations from the health effects of air pollution,” Brewster said. “The next step toward reaching that goal is a new generation of zero emission vehicles. I applaud local officials for taking advantage of help that is available to begin the conversion.”
The borough is among 16 applicants who will receive more than $39.6 million, funded by the Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries, to replace diesel-fueled fleets with modern, zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) as a part of the 2022-2023 Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Pilot Grant.
The money will be used for the battery-electric replacement of dozens of vehicles, including home delivery trucks, refuse/recycling trucks, terminal tractors, and the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle replacement of two terminal tractors and their supporting charging infrastructure.
Munhall will receive $1,681,008 for the replacement of three refuse trucks as well as installation of a charger system.
January 11, 2024
McKeesport – January 11, 2024 – State Senator Jim Brewster announced today that he would not seek re-election to another term in the state Senate.
“It has been an honor, privilege, and pleasure to serve the citizens of the 45th Senatorial District in the Mon Valley and Southwestern Pennsylvania in the state Senate, but it is time to explore other options and take on new challenges,” Brewster said.
“While I am concluding my service in the Senate at the end of 2024, I will continue to help the communities of the 45th district.”
Throughout his time in the Senate, Brewster has been a leader on issues impacting the Mon Valley and Western Pennsylvania. With his long tenure serving the Mon Valley he has been recognized as “dean” of the region’s legislative delegation.
“I am exceptionally proud of the work that my staff and I have done to solve problems for citizens throughout the area,” Brewster said. “The efforts have been rewarding and I hope they will have a lasting impact.
“I want to thank my wife Linda, my family, staff and friends for supporting me throughout four decades of public service.”
Many colleagues, officials and community leaders have weighed in on Brewster’s announcement to retire.
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, longtime friend of Senator Brewster, commented on the senator’s role as a mentor as he advanced through school and eventually government.
“Over the years, I have had the great fortune to have a number of political mentors and public servants who have inspired me on my path toward public service, but Senator Brewster was there from the very beginning,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. “As I started to speak up about the issue of gun violence in my hometown of McKeesport, then-Mayor Brewster encouraged me to organize with other young people and take action. He made me feel like my voice mattered, even when I was a high school student and couldn’t yet cast a ballot. I have always valued his kindness and honesty, and I appreciate how hard he has worked for the people of McKeesport for nearly 30 years. I wish him well in his retirement and hope he gets to spend some well-deserved family time with his wife, daughters and grandchildren.”
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa said that Brewster has been a good friend and an outstanding senator and leader who has made a difference.
“I want to wish my dear friend and colleague Jim Brewster a happy and well-deserved retirement from his lifelong career of public service,” said Senator Costa. “For nearly 30 years, Jim has been committed to making the community he loves safer, stronger, and better. No matter what seat he held, from city council to mayor to state senator, he has always been a strong advocate for McKeesport and Allegheny County at large. I am eternally grateful for his work on the Senate Law and Justice Committee, as well as his work in the transit and transportation space, ensuring our roads and bridges are equipped to get our working families from place to place. Jim is a man of deep integrity, passion, and excellence, and his legacy will be one of profound love of his hometown. It’s been an honor to serve alongside him, and I will forever cherish the time we spent in the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus together.”
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said he is honored to have learned from and worked alongside Senator Brewster at various levels of government and community.
“Jim Brewster has upheld a lifelong commitment to McKeesport and the entire Mon Valley,” Cherepko said. “He is a hardworking, goal-oriented leader, who has always strived for the growth of our region. He does this with a kind heart and genuine concern for his neighbors and constituents. I’m proud to call him a mentor and a friend.”
LuEthel Nesbit, McKeesport City Council Vice President, also commented on Brewster’s announcement. “In all the decades that I have known Jim, I can say there is no such thing as retirement for a man like him,” Nesbit said. “He has devoted his life to working tirelessly to make sure his family, community and constituents receive the best government possible. Therefore, I will simply wish him good luck and much success on the next chapter of his life.”
Amanda Settelmaier, Executive Director of the Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments (TCVCOG), said that Senator Brewster tackles problems head on.
“As a former Mayor, Senator Brewster truly understands the challenges our communities face – he has worked tirelessly to pass legislation and bring funding solutions back to his district,” Settelmaier said. “For example, Senator Brewster has been an important ally in the complicated battle against blight. I will miss working with him, and the quick wit and humor he often brought to our conversations.”
Longtime Forward Township Commissioner Dave Magiske called Brewster a leader who will be missed.
“In my 20-plus years in government, Senator Jim Brewster is the best legislator I have ever met,” Dave Magiske said. “He is what every PA resident deserves to have represent them.”
Brewster’s tenure in the Senate was marked by his involvement in solving difficult issues and being a part of landmark court decisions.
At two different times, Brewster appealed to the PA State Supreme Court on behalf of the constituents he represents. First, in 2012, a Republican-majority Court agreed with his argument that a partisan reapportionment plan to move the 45th District across the state to the Poconos would splinter the interests of the Mon Valley and leave his constituents without a voice in the state Senate.
“There was no question in my mind that our region would have suffered if the Senate district was moved under that proposed reapportionment,” Brewster said. “We would have lost our ability to leverage funding and influence legislation.”
Then again following the 2020 election, Brewster successfully appealed to the Supreme Court after his re-election was challenged by his opponent regarding the counting of mail-in ballots. Despite being certified by the state as the winner, Brewster’s seating for a third full term was delayed by his opponent’s attempts in court to not count all the ballots. The court cases held up Brewster’s swearing-in and the certification of the Presidential results in Pennsylvania. However, after a series of state and federal court decisions against efforts to cast aside legitimate ballots, Brewster prevailed in the case, ultimately protecting the votes of his constituents in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
“It was a historic ruling. I was clear that I wanted all the votes cast to be counted because that’s how democracy works,” Brewster said. “Politicians cherry-picking which votes should be counted is simply wrong.”
Beyond his involvement in historic court cases, Brewster has been instrumental in helping channel immense state resources to the region and the state. During his years of service, the senator was able to directly or indirectly secure almost $350 million in the 45th District for development, safety, transportation, education and more to 56 communities and 23 school districts.
“I have lived in the Mon Valley all my life and witnessed the economic devastation following the collapse of the steel industry in the 1980’s,” Brewster said. “Since then, by working together, we have been able to inject new funds, redevelop former brown fields and create excitement for business investment in the area.”
Throughout his time in the Senate, Brewster served as Democratic chair of two committees: Law & Justice and Game & Fisheries. He has also been a member of Education, Transportation, Banking and Insurance and other committees.
As committee Chair of the Game & Fisheries Committee, Brewster led the effort to establish Sunday hunting, reversing a decades-old “Blue Law”. He also shored up the financial underpinnings of the Game and Fish & Boat Commissions and sponsored the creation of the “Hunting Heritage License Plate,” with the proceeds from the sale used by the Game Commission to fund conservation initiatives.
“There is no question that the key to legislating is finding common ground where all sides can be satisfied that they’ve been heard and included in the finished product,” Brewster said. “I have been able to find middle-of-the road compromise as one of the most bi-partisan legislators in Harrisburg.”
Brewster said that he is enormously proud that he has an open and transparent relationship with local governments in the district. He said it is important that Harrisburg recognizes that if small problems encountered in communities are not addressed, they can become big, unwieldy, and costly.
“As a former mayor and councilman in an economically challenged city, I understand the importance of helping small cities, boroughs and townships,” Brewster said.
Among his many accomplishments, Senator Brewster said that he is proud of the millions of dollars that have been allocated to schools in Pennsylvania to keep children and teachers safe, a top priority for him during his time in the senate.
Brewster has been a member of the School Safety and Security Committee since its creation in 2018 and the original advocate for hardening schools while at the same time addressing core causes by making mental health assessments more prevalent and counseling more available. This committee has helped provide hundreds of millions in critical funding to protect school students, faculty, administration, and staff from threats.
In 2019 Brewster recommended the committee establish baseline standards of safety for every school in the Commonwealth. Specifically, he encouraged the committee members to establish physical baselines, including items such as door locks and cameras; mental health baselines, including school counselors and psychologists; and environmental baselines, including air quality monitors as well as lead and mold abatement.
“We have taken steps to prepare educators and students, and we have put the money in place to work with students and staff to make improvements in safety and security.”
In addition, Brewster is grateful to have been a part of the historic investments in public schools in Pennsylvania. The largest funding commitment to public education in history has included programs to address the state’s teacher shortage, funding for remediating toxic schools, funding for school-based mental health programs, updates for school safety and security and providing for more substitute teachers.
Brewster is also proud to have been an early leader in the move towards diversity in society. Over the course of four decades in the private and public sectors, he was a champion for more minority leadership. During his career with Mellon Bank throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, when women were not promoted as often into positions of power, Brewster is proud to have had two of the three executive vice president positions working with him held by women. And then during his career in public service, Brewster helped elect seven women as mayors of communities that he represents as well as several minorities and women to high-ranking positions in state government.
“When underrepresented groups are at the table, we see improvements in discussion and decision-making, and the organization is stronger,” Brewster said.
Still, Brewster said that there are important initiatives that he has committed to seeing through after his final term in the senate. The three-term senator said that he plans to stay involved and would continue to serve the community.
“I’m not really retiring from public service, I’m just going to attack problem solving from another direction,” Brewster said.
The senator has been a leading voice on addressing the drug epidemic in Pennsylvania and across the country, and his “Drug Prevention, Recovery, and Enforcement” plan to address addiction will remain a top priority.
The proposal, introduced over several legislative sessions, is a three-pronged effort designed to prevent abuse, spur recovery efforts enforce strict laws aimed at taking drug pushers, who use illegal firearms, off the street. In particular, the plan requires mandatory treatment for drug addicted offenders charged with minor offenses, imposes strict opioid prescription limits, and adds stiff penalties for those possessing large quantities of drugs and illegal guns.
Senator Brewster also said that seeing the Mon-Fayette Expressway completed will continue to be important to him. He has been a leading voice for the bipartisan effort to push for the completion of the final section of the roadway which has been planned for more than four decades.
“This is not just a transportation project,” Brewster said. “The expressway will stimulate economic development in the Mon Valley, improve connectivity and growth and help residents gain access to jobs.”
Sean Logan, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commissioner, credited Senator Brewster for being instrumental in restarting the Mon-Fayette Expressway to continue from Jefferson Hills to Monroeville.
“If it weren’t for Senator Brewster, the Mon-Fayette Expressway project would have ended in Jefferson Hills,” said Sean Logan. “His passion for transportation improvements will benefit Southwestern Pennsylvania for decades to come.”
Brewster was first elected to the Senate in a Special Election in 2010. He was re-elected three times. Prior to his service in the Senate, Brewster was Mayor of McKeesport beginning in 2004. He was elected to City Council in 1995 and served as its President.
Before embarking on his political career, Brewster graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Education. He spent three decades working in banking and was Vice-President of Operations for Mellon Bank. He was elected to the McKeesport School District Hall of Fame and the McKeesport Athletic Hall of Fame.
December 19, 2023
Harrisburg, December 19, 2023 – West Elizabeth’s efforts to improve its sewer system will be boosted by more than $700,00 from Pennsylvania’s share of American Rescue Plan funds, State Senator Jim Brewster and State Representative Andrew Kuzma announced today.
Brewster, along with Rep. Kuzma, supported the funding for the important local efforts.
“Clean and safe drinking water is critical to community health and local municipalities face numerous maintenance challenges with limited local funds,” Brewster said. “I’m grateful for their efforts and always supportive of their projects.”
West Elizabeth Sanitary Authority will receive $212,445 for a wastewater treatment plant improvement project located in West Elizabeth Borough as well as $200,000 to install solar electric system at their Ferry Street lift station and wastewater treatment plant in the borough.
The authority will also receive an additional $100,000 for the rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment plant, and $200,000 to rehabilitate the Lovedale Pump Station located in Elizabeth Township.
“I’m pleased to support this important project for Elizabeth Township,” Kuzma said. “When pump stations are not functioning properly, environmental problems can occur. This grant will help ensure the facility operates appropriately for years to come.”
The funds come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) signed into law by President Joe Biden in March of 2021. In Pennsylvania, the grants are awarded through the COVID-19 ARPA PA Small Water & Sewer program and the COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA program administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.
December 19, 2023
Harrisburg, December 19, 2023 – Local efforts to upgrade water and sewer systems will be supported by more than $8.6 million from Pennsylvania’s share of American Rescue Plan funds, State Senator Jim Brewster announced today.
Brewster supported more than two dozen grant requests that will help maintain critical local infrastructure and provide relief to taxpayers in the 45th Senatorial District through the COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA program and the COVID-19 ARPA PA Small Water & Sewer program. In Pennsylvania, the grants are administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).
“Maintaining our aging water and sewer infrastructure projects is expensive and time consuming,” Senator Brewster said. “But this critical work must continue if we want clean streams and healthy drinking water for the generations to come. These projects make important upgrades to water and sewer systems, and I’m grateful to the local municipalities and authorities doing the hard work.”
The following municipalities and authorities received awards:
COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA
- West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer & Stormwater Authority – $1.5 million for grit removal equipment and operational improvements at the Thompson Run Sewage Treatment Plant;
- Monroeville – $889,778 for the sanitary sewer system rehabilitation project;
- Plum – $916,043 for a waterline replacement along Sardis Road.
COVID-19 ARPA PA Small Water & Sewer
- Duquesne – $300,000 for a water system improvement project;
- Braddock – $200,000 for sewer repairs;
- East McKeesport – $100,000 for Ice Plant Hill Groundwater and Stormwater Remediation project;
- Castle Shannon – $425,000 for Hamilton Park Lining Improvements;
- Clairton Municipal Authority – $180,439 for Golden Gate Storm Sewer Improvements Phase 2;
- East Pittsburgh – $275,000 for Grandview Avenue Storm Sewer Separation Project;
- Elizabeth Township – $200,000 for Lovedale Pump Station Upgrades;
- Homestead – $100,000 to construct a separate storm sewer system;
- Liberty – $100,000 for the replacement of sanitary sewer;
- Munhall Sanitary Sewer Municipal Authority – $146,000 to repair a collapsed segment of the sanitary sewer;
- Munhall Sanitary Sewer Municipal Authority – $300,000 for Phase 1 of sanitary sewer improvements;
- North Braddock – $200,000 to construct a storm-only sewer system along O’Connell Boulevard;
- North Versailles Township Sanitary Authority – $265,323 for sanitary sewer upgrades along Woodland Street;
- Versailles – $200,000 for sanitary sewer repairs;
- Wall – $300,000 for the replacement of rusted metal pipes;
- West Elizabeth Sanitary Authority – $212,245 for wastewater treatment plant improvement project;
- West Elizabeth Sanitary Authority – $100,000 to install a solar electric system at Ferry Street lift station;
- West Elizabeth Sanitary Authority – $100,000 to install a solar electric system at the wastewater plant;
- West Elizabeth Sanitary Authority – 100,000 for the rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment plant;
- West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer & Stormwater Authority – $400,000 for pump station improvements;
- Whitaker – $100,000 for rehabilitation of sanitary sewer system; and
- Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority – $450,000 to remove and replace asbestos concrete waterline in East McKeesport.
For more details on all the local grants, click here.
The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.
More information about CFA grants and programs are available online.
December 19, 2023
Allegheny County, December 19, 2023 – Today, Senator Jim Brewster (45th Senatorial District), Representative Nick Pisciottano (38th Legislative District), and Representative Matt Gergely (35th Legislative District) announced that West Mifflin’s efforts to improve its water and sewer systems will be boosted by more than $2 million from Pennsylvania’s share of American Rescue Plan funds.
Brewster, Pisciottano and Gergely supported grant funding for infrastructure projects awarded through the COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA program and the COVID-19 ARPA PA Small Water & Sewer program. In Pennsylvania, the grants are administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).
The West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer & Stormwater Authority was awarded $1,500,000 from the H2O PA program to fund grit removal equipment and operational improvements at the Thompson Run Sewage Treatment Plant.
“The maintenance of safe and reliable water and sewer systems is crucial for healthy, thriving communities,” said Senator Brewster. “I’m grateful for efforts by local municipalities to keep us safe and always supportive of their projects.”
Act 54 of 2022 appropriated $205.4 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the H2O PA – Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Projects program for the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer projects.
The West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer & Stormwater Authority was also awarded $400,000 from the Small Water & Sewer program for pump station improvements.
“Having a safe and reliable sewer system is essential for any community to thrive,” said Representative Pisciottano. “The funding announced today will deliver necessary upgrades to our local water treatment and stormwater infrastructure. I’m proud to have partnered with Sen. Brewster and Rep. Gergely to help bring this grant money back to West Mifflin.”
Act 54 of 2022 appropriated $105.6 million of ARPA funds to the PA Small Water & Sewer Program for the construction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply system, sanitary sewer system, and storm water system projects.
In addition, West Mifflin Borough will receive $107,583 from the Small Water & Sewer program for the replacement of a section of storm sewer on Melvin Drive that extends down to the 300 block of Regis Avenue.
“I’m happy to see state funds coming back from Harrisburg to support deserving projects,” said Representative Gergely. “We all recognize the importance of water and sewer infrastructure projects like this for various reasons, including sanitation, rainwater management and flood control.”
The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.
More information about CFA grants and programs are available online.
December 13, 2023
Harrisburg, Dec. 13, 2023 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today praised completion of a final state budget package that will help Pennsylvania ease the teacher shortage and boost help for parents struggling with child-care costs while ending a nearly 6-month impasse over vouchers for private schools.
“The bills we passed today was a thoughtful and reasonable compromise that will help recruit teachers, support parents, and allow federal funding to flow to school mental health programs,” Brewster said. “Passage of the final bills addresses my priorities and shows that we can get together and work toward resolving the issues that face Pennsylvanians.”
The completed School Code creates a stipend program for student teachers that will grant up to $15,000 for those struggling trying to complete their teacher training.
“Good teachers are the foundation of our education system which, in turn, is the foundation of our economy and our quality of life,” Brewster said. “Pennsylvania has seen a sharp decline in teacher certifications and this program should help stem that decline and encourage young Pennsylvanians to become teachers.”
The completion of the negotiations also means $100 million in federal aid can be directed to schools for mental health services while another $75 million has been targeted to clean up lead, mold, and asbestos in aging school buildings. Parents will benefit from a boost in the child-care tax credit from 30 percent of the federal child-care and dependent tax credit to 100 percent. The credit is based on income, but the change would nearly triple the maximum state credit from $630 to $2,100.”
“This boost will provide families with more flexibility and better support working parents who have been struggling with the economic balance of work and family. It’s a win for families and employers,” Brewster said.
The budget agreement increases by $130 million the amount that can be awarded in tax breaks to businesses that donate to private and religious schools while increasing oversight on that program to track its fairness to marginalized students.
The plan also contains $7.5 million in first-ever state aid for overwhelmed public defenders offices in Pennsylvania and $50 million for struggling hospitals and health systems.”
For more budget details, go to www.pasenate.com/budget.
November 21, 2023
McKeesport – November 21, 2023 – This week State Senator Jim Brewster was reappointed to serve on the Board of Directors for Pittsburgh Regional Transit (formerly Port Authority of Allegheny County).
“Public transportation is a priority,” Brewster said. “Accessible public transportation is an important feature of a community’s quality of life and essential for business development.”
Brewster, who has been a member of the Board since 2013, was reappointed by Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. Brewster currently serves as Secretary of the Board.
“Public transportation helps build a strong economy by making employment opportunities accessible,” Senator Brewster said. “An efficient public transportation system is good for workers and their companies.”
Brewster has long been an advocate for an enhanced public transportation system. He supported additional funding for mass transit systems that added routes and service in various communities.
“There are many challenges that we face in public transportation and hurdles to overcome,” Brewster said. “I am confident that by working together we can meet the needs of riders throughout Allegheny County.”
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is the second-largest transportation system in the Commonwealth, employing more than 2,600 people and providing an average of 220,000 rides on weekdays and 50,000 rides on Saturdays and Sundays.
November 17, 2023
Harrisburg – November 17, 2023 – This week, the Senate passed the school funding portion of the 2023-2024 Pennsylvania Budget after amending House Bill 301 to include several programs Senator Brewster and his colleagues have advocated for during this session.
That includes programs to address the state’s teacher shortage, funding for remediating toxic schools, funding for school-based mental health programs, updates for school safety and security, providing for more substitute teachers, and the necessary formulas to effectuate the distribution of appropriated funds.
“We have made significant progress for public school funding in the school code passed this week,” Brewster said. “There were a couple of areas in which we were disappointed, including “Level-Up” funding for our most underfunded schools, as well as PlanCon, which would allocate funds for school construction and facilities.”
However, Senator Brewster was particularly pleased with the funding for school safety in the legislation. Since its 2018 creation, Brewster has been a member of the School Safety and Security Committee and the original advocate for hardening schools while at the same time addressing core causes by making mental health assessments more prevalent and counseling more available.
Brewster also praised the legislation for including funding for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC).
“We did support the EITC scholarship program, which has been in the budget for several years now,” said Sen. Brewster. “We were able to put more money into this program so that the children who want to attend a private school are not cut short.”
The EITC Program provides tax credits to eligible businesses contributing to nonprofit scholarship or educational improvement organizations. These business contributions are then used to provide scholarships to students to attend private and religious schools.
Key victories for students, educators, administrators, and families passed in the school code legislation include:
- Tackling the Teacher Shortage by providing more funding
- Money to Fix Toxic Schools
- School Based Mental Health Programs
- School Safety and Security
- More Substitute Teachers
- Educational Improvement Program
- Necessary Formulas to Effectuate the Distribution of Appropriated Funds
“Overall, I believe House Bill 301 is a good, bipartisan bill,” said Senator Brewster. “We took a step forward, and we need to take two or three more steps forward to get PlanCon in, for example. I think teachers, administrators, and school boards should be happy with the progress that we made.”
November 15, 2023
Harrisburg, November 15, 2023 – State Senator Jim Brewster today thanked Senate leadership for his reappointment to a term on Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC), which conducts a range of research activities pertaining to the operation and performance of programs and agencies funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
“It is an honor to once again serve on this committee,” Brewster said. “I look forward to continuing the work with my colleagues and the committee’s outstanding staff.”
Brewster was reappointed to the Committee, where he currently serves as Vice Chairman, this week by the Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward at the recommendation of Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. His term will expire on January 7, 2025.
The LBFC is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative service agency consisting of 12 members of the General Assembly, six from the Senate and six from the House. The committee conducts studies and makes recommendations aimed at eliminating unnecessary expenditures, promoting economy in the government, and assuring that state funds are being expended in accordance with legislative intent and law.
July 25, 2023
Harrisburg – July 25, 2023 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today called on lawmakers to return to Harrisburg to address a now-final court ruling that Pennsylvania’s education funding system is unconstitutional, unfair and inequitable.
“Since the deadline to file an appeal to the Commonwealth Court’s February ruling passed over the weekend, that ruling is now final and presents an opportunity for us to work together to fairly fund education and comply with the judge’s order,” Brewster said.
In her 800-page decision from February, Commonwealth Court President Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer detailed the shortcomings of the current system that has created the most dramatic and draconian inequity in the nation.
“Commonwealth Court could not have been more direct in exposing that our education funding system ‘clearly, palpably, and plainly’ violates the Pennsylvania Constitution’s Education Clause,” Brewster said. “Every member of the General Assembly has taken an oath to defend the constitution and that means nothing less than sweeping reform that will end generations of inequity and lost opportunity.”
“Petitioners satisfied their burden of establishing the Education Clause was clearly, palpably, and plainly violated because of a failure to provide all students with access to a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary system of public education that will give them a meaningful opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and civically,” the judge wrote.
Brewster says that the court’s ruling is a call to action for lawmakers to create a thorough and efficient system of public education without putting more burden on Pennsylvania’s taxpayers.
“The state must come up with more to fairly fund our public schools so that taxpayers do not see increases in their property taxes,” Brewster said.
Brewster, who has become known as an advocate for public education during his time on the Senate Education Committee and the state’s School Safety and Security Committee, said the ruling gives lawmakers an opportunity to create a plan to ensure every school district has enough staff, a modern education curriculum and safe school buildings.”
“Pennsylvania is in a sound financial position and there is opportunity to do what we are sworn to do,” Brewster said. “It is time for us to return to Harrisburg to get this done.”
The Court’s entire ruling from February can be read here.
June 13, 2023
Harrisburg, June 13, 2023 – The deadline for Pennsylvanians to apply for a property tax or rent rebate has been extended to December 31st, State Senator Jim Brewster announced today.
The program is open for qualifying seniors or residents with disabilities. The previous deadline to apply was June 30.
“I am pleased by the Department of Revenue’s decision to extend the deadline to apply for property tax and rent relief,” Brewster said. “This is an important program to help seniors and those with disabilities manage their property tax bills.”
Brewster said by extending the deadline there will be ample time to apply to receive financial help.
The senator said that his offices are open, and staff can help constituents file applications.
“I encourage those who are eligible to apply as soon as possible,” Brewster said. “This program is a good way to get funds back to homeowners and renters who need help.”
The rebate program benefits Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older, widows and widowers aged 50 and older, and people with disabilities aged 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 yearly for homeowners and $15,000 for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. The current maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. The Department of Revenue automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners.
For more information about the program or to contact Brewster’s office about any other state-related matter, constituents can call 412-664-5200 or visit Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (pa.gov) to apply online.
May 9, 2023
Harrisburg, May 9, 2023 — Senator Jim Brewster’s legislation to help counties create a fund to remediate blighted properties and restore communities was unanimously voted out of the PA Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee today.
“Run-down buildings and abandoned properties bring down the value of entire neighborhoods and promote more decay,” Brewster said. “We need to give local government the tools they need to tear down, fix up and restore blighted neighborhoods.”
Senate Bill 149 will establish a demolition and rehabilitation fund in each county through a fee collected from sheriff sales or mortgage foreclosures. The fee will be capped at $250.
In addition to the purchase price, the bureau conducting the sale of the property or the sheriff in a mortgage foreclosure will collect the fee.
“Cash-strapped local communities need help to rebound from years of decline and population shifts,” Brewster said. “With the housing market exploding and young people looking for a more convenient urban lifestyle, the time is right to make key investments.”
The fund established may be used by the county, any not-for-profit or pro-profit corporation that has a contract with the county or a taxing district, redevelopment authority, land bank or other government entity, for the demolition or rehabilitation of blighted property located in the county.
April 13, 2023
Harrisburg, April 12, 2023 – State Senator Jim Brewster was unanimously confirmed to again serve as vice chairman of the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) during today’s meeting.
“It is an honor to once again serve in this significant position on this committee,” Brewster said. “I look forward to continuing the work with my colleagues and the committee’s outstanding staff.”
The LBFC is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative service agency consisting of 12 members of the General Assembly. The committee conducts studies and makes recommendations aimed at eliminating unnecessary expenditures; promoting economy in the government; and assuring that state funds are being expended in accordance with legislative intent and law.
April 12, 2023
McKeesport, April 12, 2023 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today applauded Pittsburgh Public Schools for joining a growing number of districts that are suing social media giants for ignoring and exacerbating a growing mental health crisis among students.
“The reckless race for profit and digital dominance has been catastrophic for students and educators across the country,” Brewster said. “Social media companies continue to seek ever more sophisticated ways to capture student attention and create a virtual addiction to their platforms. It’s no different than what cigarette companies did for years while ignoring the evidence.”
Pittsburgh Public Schools announced last week that it has filed suit against a Facebook parent company Meta, as well as Instagram, TikTok and others for producing “an unprecedented mental health crisis fueled by addictive and dangerous social media platforms.”
In filing the suit, Pittsburgh joins Bucks County, Pennsylvania, as well as San Mateo County, California in suing social media giants for their role in the growing challenge schools and parents face safeguarding the mental health of students.
“These companies have been paying lip service to age and safety protocols and continue to develop their technology in a way that encourages compulsive and addictive use which adversely affects students’ mental health. They’re not listening to educators, parents, mental health professionals or law enforcement,” Brewster said. “The only way to make them listen is to hit them where their attention is, and that’s in the bank book.”
Brewster, a founding member of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety Committee, said Pennsylvania and other states are spending millions dealing with the growing mental health crisis and the resulting crime and violence.
“They make the money, and we foot the bill,” Brewster said. “And in the meantime, we lose a generation of potential. That’s unacceptable and I’m glad that Pittsburgh Schools will lead the charge in this fight.”
April 5, 2023
March 30, 2023
Harrisburg, March 30, 2023 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today announced the commitment by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) of nearly $5 million to improve school security and training while work continues on other aspects of school safety.
Since its 2018 creation, Brewster has been a member of the School Safety and Security Committee and the original advocate for hardening schools while at the same time addressing core causes by making mental health assessments more prevalent and counseling more available.
“Virtually every day we get a reminder that students are not as safe in schools as they should be or could be,” Brewster said. “We have taken steps recently to prepare educators and students and we have now put the money in place to work with students and staff to make improvements.”
At this week’s meeting, the PCCD School Safety Committee approved $4.8 million in state funding to support the development and launch of a new School Safety and Security Training program for school employees and School Safety and Security Coordinators, pursuant to Act 55 of 2022.
All school employees in Pennsylvania will now receive three hours of safety and security training every year, at no charge to their schools, through a new training program grant approved by the School Safety and Security Committee.
“Training for safety and security is a commonsense approach to deterrence,” Brewster said. “We know this training is difficult and, at times, stressful, but preparation is key to better outcomes and safer schools.”
The school employee preparation will include training on emergency drills, including fire, natural disaster, active shooter, hostage situations and bomb threats, and the identification or recognition of student behavior that may indicate a threat to the safety of that student, other students, school employees, other individuals, schools or the community.
The school safety coordinator training will include the topics for employees as well as more in-depth training on emergency preparedness, physical security assessments and securing facilities, and coordination and communication with law enforcement and emergency personnel.
In 2019 Brewster recommended the committee establish baseline standards of safety for every school in the Commonwealth. Specifically, he encouraged the committee members to establish physical baselines, including items such as door locks and cameras; mental health baselines, including school counselors and psychologists; and environmental baselines, including air quality monitors as well as lead and mold abatement. The committee is now working on Brewster’s recommendations for standards and an announcement should be made within weeks.
“The work continues, but I’m grateful to my colleagues and to Governor Shapiro for the progress we have made,” Brewster said.
March 28, 2023
Vandergrift, March 28, 2023 – State Sen. Jim Brewster joined local officials and community leaders in North Vandergrift today to dedicate a local bridge to a hometown hero.
The Vandergrift Bridge, spanning the Kiski River between the borough and Parks Township, is now the Rudy Minarcin Bridge after Brewster added language to an omnibus bridge-naming bill that was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf late last year.
Minarcin was born in North Vandergrift in 1930 and led Vandergrift High School to the WPIAL baseball title in 1948. After signing with the Vandergrift Pioneers, his baseball career was put on hold for service to his country in 1951. After his stint in the U.S. Army, he made the majors pitching for the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox.
Minarcin threw a one-hit complete game against the Pirates at Forbes Field while driving in two runs. He also pitched for the Havana Sugar Kings of the International League before the team moved to New Jersey following Fidel Castro’s rise to power. His major league career was curtailed by a devastating knee injury after he compiled a 4.66 ERA over 70 appearances.
After baseball, Minarcin returned to Vandergrift to run the family grocery store, raise a family and coach little league teams. He retired in 1995. Following his death in 2013, the community began to petition for the bridge dedication in his honor.
“Rudy traveled the world and never forgot where he came from. He returned to apply the skills he learned for the benefit of young people from his hometown,” Brewster said. “With this dedication, his name will be carried through for generations to come.”
March 16, 2023
Harrisburg – March 16, 2023 – Today, Senator Jim Brewster announced $6.1 million in grants for community revitalization and infrastructure improvements in the 45th Senate District.
“I’m pleased to see so many local projects receive investments from the state,” said Senator Brewster. “These grants will fund projects for important infrastructure upgrades in local communities to improve the quality of life for the residents. These investments will pay off in the years to come.”
Thirty projects were awarded funding in Senator Brewster’s district, with the majority of projects receiving awards from the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Local Share Account, which distributes state gaming revenues for projects to improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Two projects received grants from DCED’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, which provides grants to encourage economic development and to ensure safe and reliable transportation is available to residents. Both sets of grants were approved during a March 16th meeting of the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency of DCED responsible for administering Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages.
Projects in Senator Brewster’s district receiving funding include:
Local Share Account Grants
- Baldwin Borough – $600,000 for Baldwin Pool improvements
- Braddock – $100,000 for Braddock Avenue reconstruction
- Brentwood – $74,000 for the Brentwood Nature Trail
- Clairton – $200,000 for the community center
- Dravosburg – $75,000 for a public works truck
- Duquesne – $40,000 for W. Grant Avenue reconstruction
- East McKeesport – $200,000 for Ice Plant Hill water remediation
- East Pittsburgh – $92,000 for roadway infrastructure
- Elizabeth Borough – $100,000 for Maple Avenue improvements
- Elizabeth Township – $862,000 for landslide repairs on Forest Hills Road
- Glassport – $56,000 for the Off Road Park
- Homestead – $100,000 for McClure Street/Hazel Way sewer separation
- Liberty – $300,000 for the stabilization of Liberty Way slide
- Liberty – $150,000 for E. Street stormwater repairs
- Liberty – $100,000 for street resurfacing
- Lincoln – $50,000 for repaving Dora Drive and Mable Drive
- McKeesport – $800,000 for Lysle Boulevard Garage renovation
- Munhall – $100,000 for Main Street Business District sidewalks
- North Braddock – $100,000 for the demolition of blighted properties
- North Versailles – $500,000 for the revitalization and construction of Naser Road
- Port Vue’s Vigilant Hose Co. #1 – $125,000 for a fire department squad truck
- Port Vue – $100,000 for two police vehicles
- Port Vue – $30,000 for the recreation center
- Turtle Creek – $100,000 for Maple Avenue Reconstruction
- Wall – $50,000 for Patterson Street slide
- West Elizabeth Sanitary Authority – $50,000 for a utility truck
- West Mifflin – $376,000 for a public works dump truck
- White Oak – $100,000 for Heritage Hills Park improvements
- Wilmerding – $100,000 for street reconstruction
Multimodal Transportation Fund Grants
- Allegheny Health Network – $341,000 for Forbes Hospital transportation access improvements
- Castle Shannon – $159,000 for borough wide pedestrian improvements
More information about DCED and grants can be found online.
March 10, 2023
Harrisburg – March 10, 2023 – State Sen. Jim Brewster has introduced legislation that will require the state to provide the public with easier access to expanded information on the condition of state, county, and local bridges as well as any scheduled repairs or maintenance.
“The general public has a right to know everything about the bridges they are crossing, not just for their safety, but also for their ability to assess the performance of state agencies and public officials,” Brewster said. “Modern communications technology should be able to deliver on the promise of transparency.”
Brewster’s bill, Senate Bill 147, would require the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to ensure that their database is accurate, current, and publicly accessible for all bridges in the commonwealth that are built or maintained with public funds. The database will provide searchable information organized by county, municipality, and PennDOT maintenance district about the number of bridges located in each community, the last inspection date, and the rating of the last inspection. Any bridge rated “poor” would require a proposed schedule regarding reconstruction, maintenance or repair and estimate of the costs.
The bill also requires the Auditor General to inspect the records relating to each bridge and determine whether inspections are being done on time and by qualified inspectors.
“The more people who access the database and review the information the more likely we are to find lapses and oversights before any catastrophic bridge failures occur,” Brewster said.
The bill has been referred to the Transportation Committee for review.
March 7, 2023
State Sen. Jim Brewster issued the following statement today on Gov. Shapiro’s inaugural budget address:
The governor’s budget provides a solid framework for building upon recent improvements to education, public safety, and the environment. I’m looking forward to working with the administration to fill out the framework with the details that will help communities thrive and keep our neighbors safe and healthy.
Pennsylvania’s economy has provided revenue that will in turn provide opportunity to address long-term and systemic neglect of our public education system, a system that has been declared unconstitutional in its inequity.
At the same time, I applaud the governor for outlining a way to change the way we fund the State Police to create sustainable long-term investments in public safety through the expansion and continued improvements to training and equipping our troopers.
From improvements to childcare to expansion of the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program, the budget should lift Pennsylvanians of all ages in all regions. It is a thoughtful and balanced approach to governing and I’m looking forward to filling in the details over the next several months. For more details on the budget visit pasenate.com/budget.
