Demystifying Harrisburg
Harrisburg can be needlessly– and sometimes purposely– complicated. My “Demystifying Harrisburg” event series is designed to cut through the noise and show you how your government can and should work for you.
These are some of my favorite events to host, because they tell you exactly how to get the most out of your government. Whether it’s tips on how to effectively lobby your legislator or learning how Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate protects you from utility scams, Demystifying Harrisburg will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take action.
You can watch previous installments of Demystifying Harrisburg below. Watch for upcoming installments in the series by signing up for my newsletter!
Demystifying Harrisburg: Elections
Did you know that we have an election every 6 months? Learn about what Allegheny County does to prepare for every election, what you can expect at the polls, and how ballots are processed and counted.
Important Voting Resources:
- 1-866-OUR-VOTE: Call with any questions about voting or to report any problems you experience while voting.
- Register to Vote | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (pa.gov): Register to vote or update your voter registration.
- Mail-in and Absentee Voting – Allegheny County, PA: Request your mail in ballot.
- Ballot Return Sites – Allegheny County, PA: Allegheny County Ballot Return Sites
- In-Person Voting – Allegheny County, PA: Allegheny County In- Person Voting Resources
- Elections – Allegheny County, PA: Allegheny County Election Resources
Demystifying Harrisburg: Office of Consumer Advocate
Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate protects your rights and makes sure you receive fair treatment from public utilities. They represent utility customers– people who use gas, water, and electric in their homes and businesses– before the Public Utility Commission and other courts and regulatory bodies.
In these discussions, we talked about your rights as a utility customer, how utilities increase their rates and the OCA’s role in that process, tips for shopping for an electricity provider, and more.
You can contact the Office of Consumer Advocate, including to sign up for updates about upcoming rate cases that affect you at:
Phone: 1-800-684-6560
Email: consumer@paoca.org
Web: PA Office of Consumer Advocate – Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate
Office of the Consumer Advocate :: April 18, 2024
Making Utilities Work for You :: July 21, 2022
Demystifying Harrisburg: Unionizing Your Workplace
Standing up for your right to a fair wage, benefits, and a safe workplace is more important now than ever. In this edition of Demystifying Harrisburg, we gathered experienced union organizers and advocates to discuss how to organize a union and what your legal protections are as a worker under the National Labor Relations Act.
- National Labor Relations Board:
- Toll-Free number: 1-844-762-6572
- Website: NLRB
- Email: publicinfo@nlrb.gov
- Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board
Demystifying Harrisburg: How to Lobby Your Legislator
Personal stories about how the government impacts you are incredibly powerful. I’ve been fortunate enough to be entrusted with your personal stories and had the opportunity to share them on the Senate floor to underscore the people behind the work that we do.
But I can’t amplify your stories if you don’t tell them. How to Lobby Your Legislator covers how to feel more comfortable talking to your local legislative offices and how to make the most of your time when meeting with elected officials.
Whether you’re navigating state or federal offices, your voice matters!
Find your local representatives: Find My Legislator – The Official Website of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
How to Lobby Your Legislator :: April 20, 2022
How to Talk to Your Legislator :: March 25, 2021
Demystifying Harrisburg: The Budget Process
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is constitutionally required to pass a budget every year by June 30th. In these installations of Demystifying Harrisburg, we cover the budget-making process, the governor’s role, a working timeline for the passage of the budget, and the budget as the foundation for the needed programs and services that Pennsylvania provides.
Please note that these two videos are overviews of the budget process, but they contain information specific to their fiscal years that is not applicable to every year.
The Budget :: February 17, 2022
The Budget Process :: June 29, 2021
Demystifying Harrisburg: Requesting Information from State Government
The “Right to Know” Law in Pennsylvania ensures transparency by giving the public access to state and local government records. In this session of Demystifying Harrisburg, our experienced panelists explain how you can file a “Right to Know” request and discuss the process for a government to process and fulfill that request. We also have a conversation about how RTKs are used by the media to keep the public informed about government activity.
Demystifying Harrisburg: Knowing the Rules and Tracking Legislation
Why does good legislation not get passed? Turns out, there’s a not-so-good reason for that: our Senate rules.
Join Senator Williams and her legislative staff for a deep dive on the legislative process– how a bill becomes a law and how the rules prevent even popular, bipartisan legislation from getting a fair shake. You can also learn how to research and track legislation that interests you.
If you are interested in tracking a certain bill, see: Bills & Resolutions – The Official Website of the Pennsylvania General Assembly