Press Releases
Brewster Letter Warns PASSHE on Hasty Consolidation; Urges Pause
McKEESPORT, June 10, 2021 – In a letter sent to top officials this week, state Sen. Jim Brewster urged the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to pause its plans to consolidate system universities to allow more careful and deliberate consideration...
PA Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing on Improving Care in Nursing Homes
Harrisburg – June 2, 2021 – At the request of Senators Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), and Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee...
PA Senate Dems Host Policy Hearing on the Mon Fayette Expressway and Southwest PA Infrastructure Advancements
Harrisburg – June 1, 2021 - At the request of state Senator Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hybrid in person and virtual public hearing to discuss the Mon Fayette Expressway and what this project...
Brewster: Local Communities to Receive More Than $1.3 Million to Fight Blight
HARRISBURG, May 25, 2021 – Local projects aimed at remediating blight and revitalizing local communities were awarded more than $1.3 million in state grant money today, state Sen. Jim Brewster announced. Brewster, a former mayor of McKeesport who held a virtual public...
PA Senate Democrats Introduce Spending Plan for $7 Billion in Federal American Rescue Plan Funds – The New Deal For PA
Harrisburg, Pa. – May 12, 2021 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats unveiled the “New Deal for PA” – a $6.15 billion investment of federal funds coming to the Commonwealth pursuant to the American Rescue Plan. The New Deal for PA focuses on Jobs, Opportunity,...
Brewster Announces $1.7M Grant to Replace Lead-Based Water Lines
HARRISBURG, April 21 – More than 300 customers in the New Kensington region will receive new, lead-free water service lines through a state grant announced today by Sen. Jim Brewster. “We know that service lines containing lead can potentially cause hazards to family...
Brewster Announces $1.2M for Local Community Projects
HARRISBURG, April 21, 2021 – Community projects in the 45th Senate District will receive more than $1.2 million in state grants, Sen. Jim Brewster announced today. “Local officials are working hard to improve their communities while protecting taxpayers,” Brewster...
Local Schools to Get Nearly $2M to Advance Computer Learning
McKeesport, April 15, 2021 – School organizations in the 45th Senate District will receive nearly $2 million in state grants to advance computer learning and STEM education, state Sen. Jim Brewster announced today. The grants are among $10.8 million distributed...
PA Senate and House Democrats Host Policy Hearing on Needed Changes to Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship
Harrisburg – March 26, 2021 - At the request of state Senators Wayne D. Fontana (D- Allegheny), Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny) and Representative Sara Innamorato (D-Allegheny), the Pennsylvania Senate and House Democratic...
Brewster Re-Introduces Ban on Per Diems and Other Lawmaker Perks
HARRISBURG, March 16, 2021 − With an eye toward bolstering trust in elected officials, state Sen. Jim Brewster announced today he has re-introduced a series of bills that will ban per diem payments, automatic pay raises, car leases, and gifts of any value for state...
Brewster Announces Rent, Utility Relief Program to Begin March 15
McKeesport, March 13 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) is encouraging Allegheny County residents who are struggling to pay rent and utilities to apply for financial assistance on Monday, March 15. Eligible county residents will be able to apply for...
House, Senate Democrats call for repairs to hazardous, toxic schools across the commonwealth
HARRISBURG – February 19, 2021 – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia) were joined by several Democratic House and Senate members from a cross Pennsylvania on Friday to call for repairs to hazardous and toxic...
Brewster to Serve as Secretary of Port Authority Board for Another Term
(Harrisburg – January 29, 2021) – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) will again serve as Secretary of the Board of the Port Authority of Allegheny County. “We face many challenges in public transportation,” Brewster said. “We are in the middle of...
Brewster Announces $100K in Grants for School Food Service in 45th
Harrisburg, January 26, 2021 – Seven schools in the 45th Senate District will share more than $100,000 in state grants aimed at food service improvements, state Sen. Jim Brewster announced today. “We know that too many students show up to school hungry and making sure...
Brewster Reappointed as Chair of McKeesport Housing Authority
(Harrisburg – January 15, 2021) – The McKeesport Housing Authority will again be led by Senator Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) who has volunteered his time for the 31st consecutive year. “It has been a privilege to lead the McKeesport housing authority,”...
Brewster to Serve as Democratic Chair of Two Key Senate Committees
Harrisburg – January 15, 2021 – After a contentious and controversial election and court battle for the 45th District, State Senator Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) has again been appointed Democratic chair of the Senate Law and Justice and Game and Fisheries...
Senator Brewster Begins Another Term in Pa Senate
Harrisburg – January 13, 2021 – State Senator Jim Brewster (D) was sworn in today for another term in the Pennsylvania State Senate, serving constituents in portions of Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties.
Senator Jim Brewster: Sworn In and Ready to Work
Brewster Announces Approval of Two-Year Contract Between Port Authority and ATU Local 85
McKeesport, PA − December 28, 2020 − Senator Jim Brewster today announced the Port Authority of Allegheny County approved a two-year contract with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85. “I am happy to support our courageous employees and our Port Authority Administration...
Senator Brewster Announces $6.25 Million in Grants for His District
McKeesport - December 23, 2020 - Senator Jim Brewster today announced more than $6 million in state grants that will go to projects in the 45th senatorial district. “I was happy to advocate for these important projects, and I am excited to see them come to fruition...
Senator Brewster Announces Pandemic Relief Funds
McKeesport – December 8, 2020 – State Senator Jim Brewster today announced the following state tax credit monies for COVID-19 relief and community development initiatives. “I was pleased to support this initiative that will help our communities overcome some of the...
Sen. Brewster Votes for State Budget Bill
McKeesport – November 20, 2020 – State Senator Jim Brewster today issued the following statement on the final 2020-21 state budget: “With the dire impact of the pandemic as the backdrop, I am pleased that the legislature was able to hold the line on taxes while fully...
Sen. Brewster Announces $40 Million in State Funds for Local Water Projects
McKeesport – October 21, 2020 – State Senator Jim Brewster today announced over $40 million in state low-interest loan funds for two key local water projects. “These state PENNVEST dollars will help these communities expedite the completion of these important...
Brewster: Nearly $1.5 Million in Economic Development Grants Approved for Area Projects
McKeesport – September 15, 2020 – Nearly $1.5 million in grant funding has been approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) for nine projects in the area, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland). “The ability to secure grant dollars...
Brewster’s Effort to Expand Restaurant Seating Capacity Wins Senate Committee Approval
McKeesport – Sept. 8, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster’s (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) effort to safely increase indoor and outdoor seating for bars and restaurants moved forward today as the Senate Law and Justice Committee approved legislation to expand capacity. ...
Brewster Backs Local Decisions on Restarting High School Sports
McKeesport – Sept. 4, 2020 – Decisions on whether to restart interscholastic fall sports should be left to local school district officials, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today following his vote in support a bill that would leave it to school...
PA Senate Democrats & Small Businesses Rally Behind Legislation Supporting Business Interruption Insurance Claims
Harrisburg, PA – August 27, 2020 – Today, State Senators Iovino, Street, Brewster, Schwank, and Hughes joined members of the Commonwealth’s small business community via Zoom to advocate for bipartisan legislation that would help Pennsylvania businesses file claims on...
Sen. Brewster’s Plan to Eliminate Gifts for Lawmakers, Other Legislative Reforms, Gains Traction
McKeesport – August 25, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster’s (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) call for legislative reforms including a ban on gifts for lawmakers was endorsed today by Gov. Tom Wolf. Wolf unveiled his governmental reform and broader issue agenda for the fall and...
Brewster: $3.7 Million in Water, Sewer Grants Approved
McKeesport – August 19, 2020 – More than $3.7 million in state grant funding for water and sewer projects was approved for municipalities in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said. The Commonwealth Financing...
PA Senate Democrats & CDFI Network Announce $96 Million in Small Business Grants
Statewide, Pa. – August 10, 2020 – The Pennsylvania CDFI Network and the PA State Senator Democrats today announced $96 million in grant awards under the COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business AssistanStatewide, Pa. – August 10, 2020 – The Pennsylvania...
Sen. Brewster Announces $163,400 in State Emergency Relief Education Grants
McKeesport – August 7, 2020 – State Senator Jim Brewster today announced five state pandemic relief grants totaling $163,400 to area schools. “These emergency funds will help these local schools continue to provide a quality educational curriculum during this...
Sen. Brewster Announces $658,370 in State Grant Funds for Area Schools
McKeesport – August 6, 2020 – State Senator Jim Brewster today announced eight state pandemic relief grants totaling $658,370 to area schools and technical colleges. “These emergency funds will help many of these schools remain active and viable as we continue to work...
Senators Jim Brewster & Pam Iovino Propose $100 Million COVID-19 Grant Program & Financial Relief Package for PA Restaurants & Taverns
Allegheny County, PA – July 23, 2020 – Today, State Senators Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino announced a comprehensive proposal to provide emergency relief to Pennsylvania’s restaurants and taverns, which have seen significant financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown. The seven-point plan includes a $100 million grant program to retail liquor licensees using federal CARES Act funds, as well as a suite of policy changes to financially benefit these struggling businesses.
Brewster: School Safety Committee Approves More Than $150 Million in CARES Funding
Harrisburg – June 16, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that the School Safety and Security Committee approved the framework to distribute more than $150 million of a total of $215 million in federal CARES Act funding. “The action...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $225 Million for Small Business Assistance Grants Statewide
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19...
Brewster Decries Racism, Calls for Action to Address Social Injustice
McKeesport – June 3, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today released a statement decrying racism. He emphasized that there is a need to address social justice issues in the wake of the death of George Floyd, who died while in police custody in...
Turnpike Workers Treated Poorly in Layoff, Sen. Brewster says
McKeesport – June 4, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today criticized the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for laying off more than 500 workers with little warning in an extraordinarily difficult economy. “It’s an exceptionally poor way to...
Brewster: $215 Million in School Safety Grants Pass Senate
Harrisburg – May 28, 2020 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that the Senate has passed legislation (House Bill 1210) to drive out nearly $215 million to help school districts pay for costs associated with protecting children, cleaning buildings...
Brewster Bill to Modernize Fish Code Approved by Committee
Harrisburg – May 28, 2020 – Legislation to modernize the Fish Code and help anglers comply with state licensure requirements was approved unanimously by the Senate’s Game and Fisheries Committee, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said. “The measure...
Senate Democrats Announce Main Street Business Revitalization Grant Program
Senators Jay Costa, Vince Hughes, John Blake, Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino today called for $550 million of funds allocated to Pennsylvania through the federal CARES act to be used for a program they are calling the Main Street Business Revitalization Initiative, which...
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