By Rep. Abney

Hello, Northsiders! I would like to share with you some information that includes what I hope this year’s state budget looks like and how I’m contributing to transportation improvements here at home in a new role.

After hearing and reviewing Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025/26 budget proposal, I’m encouraged at the opportunity to build upon the progress we’ve made these past two years.

I’m particularly excited to see a priority being made to address our public transportation needs and making housing attainability more realistic for our residents. People need to know that they can afford to have a roof over their heads and reliable infrastructure and transit.

I’m looking forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in the Pennsylvania House and Senate over the next several months to deliver another budget that helps to move people beyond their current conditions and improve the quality of life for residents across the Commonwealth.

I was also appointed to Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Board of Directors by Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna E. McClinton.

I want to thank Speaker McClinton for entrusting me with the responsibility to address transportation needs across Pittsburgh. Collaborating with government colleagues, community leaders and stakeholders on solutions that get neighbors where they need to go every day will help foster positive and measurable change.

In Pittsburgh, a $100,000 state grant was awarded to The Andy Warhol Museum for specialized entertainment and industry- grade equipment, and the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh received $60,000 in state funding to install two elevators, a sprinkler system, HVAC, mechanical plumbing and electrical systems at the Allegheny YMCA.

These investments are essential to maintaining and growing Pittsburgh as a place for families to lead enriching and rewarding lives, fostering our city’s cultural footprint, and showcasing their collective talent on the national and international stage.

Bidwell Training Center was also presented with half a million state dollars to create an urban agriculture farm and market. Such monies will help enable the institution to provide students with a blueprint to what a vibrant and sustaining future in this sector looks like.

Talk to you all again in April!