State arts council distributes $2.3 million to arts groups

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday that 309 nonprofit arts organizations will receive grants totaling $2.3 million to help with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds from the federal CARES Act support staff salaries, facilities costs and fees for artists or...

Pa. just eliminated general assistance. The need for it hasn’t gone away

By Katie Muth, Maria Collett and Lindsey Williams

This week marks the end of General Assistance (GA) as we know it. The life-saving program that has helped thousands of Pennsylvanians get back on their feet and bridge the gap to self-sustainability ended on Aug. 1.

After a difficult battle through the legislative process and an underhanded maneuver to tie the elimination of GA to millions of dollars of hospitals, we accept that the program will cease to exist. However, that does not mean that the need has vanished.

Senator Lindsey Williams to Host District Office Grand Opening Today

Pittsburgh, Pa. − May 23, 2019 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams will host her District Office Grand Opening today from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 5000 McKnight Road, Suite 405, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. representatives from Port...

Pennsylvania National Guard family college benefit touted

Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General on Friday urged state lawmakers to endorse a family education benefit for members of the state’s National Guard touted as the first of its kind n the nation. Gov. Tom Wolf endorsed the concept of the Military Family Education Program or...

Editorial: Student loans are the new mortgage

The changing demographics of the Pennsylvania Legislature are going to do more than increase Harrisburg’s social media presence and a demand for avocado toast. They are producing a whole new perspective on debt, and it’s an important view to understand as we move...

Democratic state senators propose student loan debt relief

(Harrisburg) — Three Pennsylvania state senate Democrats are launching a plan to help people with student loan debt. Sen. Vincent Hughes, who represents parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties, is working with Sen. Katie Muth, who represents parts of...

Lawmakers unveil bill aimed at helping people with student loan debt

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Lawmakers unveiled a bill which aims to help people pay down student loan debt and handle the cost of borrowing. The bill was unveiled by Sens. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Katie Muth (D-Montgomery/Chester) and Lindsey...

Senate Democrats roll out college debt relief plan

HARRISBURG – Senate Democrats on Wednesday rolled out a plan to help roughly 28,000 Pennsylvanians with high-interest student loans. Under the plan, modeled after a similar but smaller program in Connecticut, the state would borrow $1 billion to offer lower student...

Legislation for PA National Guard college benefits

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Wolf has proposed the Military Family Education Program, or PA GI Bill, enabling members of the Pennsylvania National Guard to earn college benefits for their spouse and children. Senator Lindsey Williams will co-sponsor the legislation in...

Local native set to become state senator

President Donald Trump’s election in 2016 bumped up Lindsey Williams’ plans. The Wyoming Borough native, lawyer and Democrat hoped to run for public office someday, just not so soon. Even though Trump won over many working families, his election left Williams feeling...

The GOP’s war on democracy makes an unwelcome stop in Pennsylvania

This fall, voters in a Pennsylvania state senate district that straddles Pittsburgh and its northern suburbs knew all about the questions that had been raised about the Democrat in the race, a labor lawyer and first-time candidate named Lindsey Williams. Anyone who...