Harrisburg, Pa. − October 21, 2025 − Today, Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, announced that she will introduce legislation to create an Office of Civil Rights within the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This legislation will authorize the state to investigate and enforce students’ federal civil rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other federal education laws. Senator Williams issues the following statement along with her co-sponsorship memo:

“In order to protect their right to public education, students and parents need a real place to go when they are being discriminated against or harassed. Instead, the federal government has gutted the Department of Education and shuttered the Pennsylvania Office of Civil Rights. This means if a student in Pennsylvania files a complaint about not receiving the resources they are legally entitled to, it would be handled by an office in Atlanta, if investigated at all.

Harrisburg, PA  − October 8, 2025 − As the Pennsylvania State Legislature hits 100 days without a state budget, Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) announced today that Senate Democrats will introduce legislation to pay off interest accrued on any loan taken out by an entity that receives state funding that was forced to take out a loan during the budget impasse. This includes counties, human service agencies, non-profit agencies, childcare centers, and schools that have been forced to take on additional debt to stay open and continue providing necessary services.

PITTSBURGH, PA − September 30, 2025 −In 2024, the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) and their 46 member libraries approached the 26 representatives and state senators who represent Allegheny County with a funding request for a project entitled “Providing Books to Children in Difficult and Challenging Situations.” The primary goal of this project was to reach more children and students where they are by installing book vending machines in locations where children are often vulnerable. By providing free books featuring characters in similar situations to the children accessing the vending machines, the children can build their personal libraries while ACLA would increase awareness of public libraries, and their resources and services. Shortly after hearing about this project, Senator Jay Costa and Senator Lindsey Williams contacted ACLA and indicated that they would team up to fully fund this $140,000 project. 

Pittsburgh, PA — September 15, 2025 — Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), awarded more than $1.4 million in infrastructure funding to farms across Allegheny County from 2023 to 2025. These projects support water quality improvements, reduce soil erosion, and enhance long-term productivity and health of farmland. 

“Small farms are on the front lines of keeping our families fed by providing fresh, local produce for communities, schools, and food banks. They also play an important role as stewards of our environment,” said Senator Lindsey Williams. “Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to pure water, and this funding will help small, local farms like Blackberry Meadows and Good Dog Farm continue to feed our families, while prioritizing sustainability and protecting our waterways for generations to come.” 

Pittsburgh, PA — September 26, 2025 — Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) issues this statement following today’s Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) vote to reverse proposed service cuts and maintain current fare levels:

“I first want to thank everyone who took the time to share your personal story about why public transit matters. Whether you spent valuable time waiting to testify at a PRT hearing, attended a rally, or contacted your legislator, your voice made a difference in this fight.

Today’s vote to preserve services and maintain current fare rates is only possible because of your advocacy. But this is a temporary fix. It is not a long-term, sustainable solution to our region’s—or Pennsylvania’s—public transit problems.