Pennsylvania

09/08 2016

Voter Registration Deadline Oct 11, 2016. New Txt and Online Access

Voting information now available by text; 2 million in Pa. aren't registered
Pennsylvania has just launched a voter registration text messaging service. Eligible Pennsylvania citizens can text the word "PA" to "2Vote" (28683) on their smartphones. The user will receive a link that provides direct access to the online voter registration application, voter registration status, polling place locator and link to contacts for county offices and the Department of State. 
The text message link also provides users with important dates and deadlines significant to the Nov. 8 general election. Standard messaging rates may apply.  
 
Know someone who's not registered to vote? Oct. 11 is the deadline to register before the Nov. 8 election, when candidates for president, U.S. senator and other offices will be on the ballot. Pennsylvania now has online registration at www.votespa.com.  
Questions? Call the Allegheny County Elections Division at 412-350-4500. 
Other important deadlines:
•    Nov. 1: Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot 
•    Nov. 4: Last day to return a completed civilian absentee ballot
 

01/26 2015

Mayor Renews Opposition To Amending State Constitution On Defining Public Charities

Mayor William Peduto today made the following statement about Senate Bill 4, which seeks to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to make the Legislature the sole authority on what is a purely public charity:
“After giving this secretive and rushed legislation a review, I continue to stand with Pittsburgh’s delegation in Harrisburg and Mayors from across the state to affirm my strong opposition to it.
My administration has shown good faith by trying to come up with a local solution to the nonprofit issue in Pittsburgh, and Senate Bill 4 further stacks the deck against all communities working to find common sense solutions. Those talks have been constructive and robust, as we have focused on ways we can jointly support the city we share. But these 11th hour moves, made without full hearings or accounting, threaten to damage the fragile relationships Pittsburgh and other cities statewide have built with our nonprofit partners.“
Click here to read full press release
Click here to find your PA State representative
Click here for more info on the bill
12/12 2014

Pgh And 10 Other Cities Join Citizenship Initiative

On Monday Pittsburgh and 10 other cities will formally join Cities for Citizenship, an initiative launched by Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago in partnership with Citi, the founding corporate partner, which aims to increase citizenship among eligible U.S. permanent residents to forge more inclusive and economically robust cities.

Leading officials from Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chattanooga, Denver, Milwaukee, Nashville, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. will announce their active participation in this growing initiative at a special event during the National Immigrant Integration Conference (NIIC 2014).

Read entire article:

http://pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/release?id=3848

06/11 2013

CITY COUNCIL TO OPPOSE STATE SENATE’S PREDATORY LENDING BILL

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013, Pittsburgh City Council will pass a Will of Council opposing PA Senate Bill 975, which would open Pennsylvania to predatory lending practices that endanger working families. The so-called “consumer protection” measure would:

  • weaken Pennsylvania’s existing unethical lending statutes
  • permit annual percentage rate (APR) finance charges in excess of 300% on a two-week balloon loan
  • permit lending without considering the customer’s ability to repay the loan
  • permit lenders to make virtually unlimited consecutive loans against every paycheck

Full article

04/08 2013

PennDOT Invites Volunteers to Join in Statewide Spring Cleaning

PennDOT is seeking volunteers for this year’s Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania effort that runs through May 31.
The cleanup event is an annual effort sponsored by PennDOT, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, state Department of Environmental Protection and other partners. Groups involved in PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) program, which involves volunteers cleaning roadsides year round, are also encouraged to participate in the cleanup.
“These cleanup programs play a huge role in keeping Pennsylvania beautiful through cleaner roadsides and communities,” said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch. “It’s my hope that more individuals get involved and join the thousands of dedicated volunteers that participate in these efforts year after year.”
Interested individuals can find a listing of cleanup events, resources for organizing a cleanup, and other information about the effort online at Great American Cleanup Of PA.
Groups interested in adopting a section of highway are encouraged to contact their local PennDOT County Maintenance office and ask for the AAH coordinator, or visit PennDOT District 11 (Allegheny County)