By Rep. Abney

Hello, Northsiders! I hope everyone who celebrates had a great Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa! I’m eager to share with you some work I’ve been doing here at home and state grants awarded to Pittsburgh, local educational institutions and countywide.

I joined Gov. Josh Shapiro at Big Tom’s Barbershop to help him spread the word about his recent measures to provide licenses/permits to qualified professionals at a faster rate.

A level playing field is essential for neighbors who want to pursue a trade career, and I will do everything in my role as your state representative to ensure everyone can forge their own unique path to sustainability and success!

Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh were awarded $150,000, and more than $1.3 million, respectively, for a host of environmental and conservation projects, which include a climate action plan, forestry workforce and development programs, and acquiring nearly 9 acres for open space and passive recreation.

Pittsburgh is proud to do its part in the ongoing international campaign to safeguard the environment. These dollars will help ensure all the tools and resources are in place to invest in a safer and greener county, state, country and planet for countless generations.

Two schools on the Northside and the Pittsburgh School District (PSD) received state grants for safety measures and mental health resources. PSD was allocated nearly $530,000, while Manchester Academic Charter School and Propel Charter School – Northside were awarded $70,000 each.

Being a member of the Pennsylvania House Education Committee has magnified my resolve to ensure that the students I’m privileged to represent can excel in an environment conducive to learning. Helping to secure these dollars means investing in our young neighbors, so they can plant the seeds of a sustaining and prosperous posterity for themselves and the Commonwealth.

Also, a final reminder that the state’s health insurance marketplace, Pennie, is open for applications until Jan. 15. Pennie provides Pennsylvania residents with an assortment of health insurance coverage plans tailored to their unique health care needs.

Stay warm, and I’ll talk to you all again in February!