By State Rep. Abney

Hello, Northsiders! I hope everyone who celebrated had a safe and enjoyable Eid al-Fitr and Passover. I’m eager to share with you a new position I’ve accepted back home and some of the important work I’ve been doing in Harrisburg.

I’m honored to be appointed to the University of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees by Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton. Pitt is committed to preparing our future workforce, contributing to our economy, and serving as a core social partner at the local level. As a two-time alumnus, I’m excited to take on this leadership role and work with the university administration to continue its legacy of being a world-class institution!

I introduced a bill that would create the Pennsylvania Climate Emission Reduction Program (PACER), a key component of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s energy strategy, while in Harrisburg. PACER would require large emitters of carbon to pay a state-specific price to do so, and the money collected would be reinvested in consumers and green energy projects and advocacy. Not only that, but PACER would ALSO help lower the levels of harmful emissions and lead to the creation of 15,000 energy jobs. Thank you to state Sen. Carolyn Comitta for her Pennsylvania Senate companion bill and a shout out to my House Democratic colleague state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten for her Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard Program companion bill in the state House. Let’s do all we can to keep Pennsylvania green!

Together with my House Democratic colleagues state Reps. Lindsay Powell and Roni Green, we introduced a bill that would institute a state version of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The legislation (H.B. 2195) would offer a $30 rebate on monthly internet bills for individuals and families and specifically aim to help households with children aged 5-18. The federal ACP expired at the end of last month, so our bill is essential to expanding internet access across the Commonwealth and ensuring people stay connected not only to the digital world but to the multiple walks of life it helps facilitate.

I cast my affirmative vote to regulate ghost guns throughout Pennsylvania as well. These weapons are untraceable and used by criminals to commit a host of violent offenses. This legislation is essential to keeping the residents of Allegheny County and Pennsylvania safer.

Just like the temperatures, budget season will be heating up soon. I’m excited to transform the valuable input from February’s and March’s House Appropriations hearings into tangible dollars for the residents and communities of the Commonwealth.

I look forward to talking with you all again in June!