PITTSBURGH, PA − March 20, 2025 − Today, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order which begins the process of dismantling the US Department of Education.

In condemning this unconstitutional action, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic Education Chair Lindsey Williams issue the following joint statement: “We are appalled that President Trump, Elon Musk, and their billionaire cronies have taken the unconstitutional and unprecedented step of dismantling the US Department of Education, and moreover, that they have barely attempted to disguise their flagrant raiding of our children’s futures to line their own pockets.

Pittsburgh, PA − March 19, 2025 − Pittsburgh Public Schools has taken the first step towards beginning a process that could close ten schools. At tonight’s meeting, the Board confirmed it will consider a Resolution to begin the process required to close schools at its next voting meeting on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Members of the public can sign up to speak at the public hearing prior to the vote on Monday, March 24, 2025 at 6:00pm.

Following this evening’s Board meeting, Senator Williams, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, issued this statement:

“The proposal to close 10 schools, including Fulton PreK-5 and Conroy Special Education Center, without a clear plan on what happens next will hurt students, educators, and our entire region for generations to come. I am opposed to closing these 10 schools and I urge School Board members to vote no.

Pittsburgh, Pa. − March 13, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced today that Cooper-Siegel Community Library and Northern Tier Regional Library have received Keystone Library grants to assist with their ongoing construction projects. Each of these libraries is renovating to become more accessible and meet the needs of patrons.

“Northern Tier Library and Cooper-Siegel Community Library serve as all-important ‘third spaces’ in our communities, where people of all ages can come to gather, to study, to read, or to just be,” said Senator Williams.

Harrisburg, PA − February 26, 2025 − This afternoon, Senate Democrats held a press conference in response to the U.S. House’s passage of a budget bill that proposes significant cuts to federal education funding and ongoing attacks to public education. You can view today’s press conference here. Senator Lindsey M. Williams’, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, remarks begin at 4:30. You can read a full transcript below.

“We all know that the actions of the federal government are chaotic. And while the specific actions may be new and coming at a frenetic pace, the goal is NOT new. The goal has been and will continue to be to dismantle, defund, and destroy public education. 

Harrisburg, PA − February 26, 2025 − This morning, Senator Lindsey M. Williams circulated a co-sponsorship memo calling on our Congressional Delegation to protect Pennsylvanians from the unprecedented personal data access of Elon Musk’s DOGE. Additionally, during today’s Senate Budget Hearing with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Senator Williams, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, called on PDE to provide clear guidance and leadership to school districts in the midst of the Trump/Musk Administration chaos.

Pittsburgh, Pa. − February 24, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Representative Mandy Steele (D-33) announced that Sharpsburg Borough will receive a $750,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) grant for streetscape revitalizations along their Main Street corridor.

“Sharpsburg is seeing a revitalization along its Main Street corridor as new businesses move in, parks and playgrounds are being upgraded, and existing businesses are seeing more customers,” said Senator Williams. “This funding will help pay for streetscape upgrades that will keep kids and families safe as they walk to the playground, plus keep the patrons of our small businesses safe as they shop and dine on Main Street. This project is incredibly important to the entire Sharpsburg community, and I’m proud to have supported it.”