Press Releases
Brewster: Court Ruling Validates Charter Funding Concerns Raised by Democrats
Harrisburg - Dec. 11, 2015 - Commonwealth Court's ruling that the Department of Education cannot shift tax relief money to pay charter schools validates objections raised by Mon Valley lawmakers that were reinforced by Senate Democrats' efforts to stop payments, state...
Brewster: Budget Makes Key Investments in Education, Human Services, Jobs
Harrisburg - Dec. 7, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) released the following statement after a $ 30.5 billion bipartisan state budget proposal cleared the Senate on a 43-7 vote today. The spending plan includes a $ 460 million boost for...
Brewster’s Plan to Speed Demolition or Rehabilitation of Blighted Property Clears Senate
Harrisburg - Dec. 1, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said that he is pleased that his bill allowing counties the option of establishing a new demolition and rehabilitation fund was unanimously approved by the Senate last week. "Creating the...
Brewster, HSCC and YWCA to Spur Sign Ups for Heating Assistance
Harrisburg - Nov. 6, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) is teaming up with the Human Services Center Corporation (HSCC) and the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh to spur participation in a valuable program that helps individuals and families lower home...
Brewster: Fire Chief Roundtable Discussion Slated for Nov. 5 at McKeesport High School
Harrisburg, Nov. 5, 2015 - A roundtable discussion with local fire chiefs and state officials will be held this evening, Thursday, Nov. 5 at McKeesport High School cafeteria beginning at 7 p.m. "State Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay will help lead a wide-ranging...
Senate Hearing Focuses on Budget Impasse’s Impact on Schools
Harrisburg – October 28, 2015 – At the request of state Sen. Vince Hughes (D-Phila.), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing on the devastating impact that the state’s 120-day budget impasse is having on schools across the state. “While many of...
Brewster: College Financial Aid Seminar at Penn State New Kensington on Nov. 2
Harrisburg - Oct. 27, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland), in concert with representatives of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will host a financial aid seminar for prospective college students, parents and others who...
Senate Democrats Ask Treasurer to Withhold Payment to Charters
Harrisburg – Oct, 20, 2015 – State Senate Democrats today called on the Pennsylvania state treasurer to “stop payment” on a scheduled disbursement of property tax revenue headed to charter schools. They have sent a letter to state Treasurer Tim Reese formally asking...
Mon Valley Lawmakers Seek Suspension of Payments to Charters
Harrisburg - Oct. 16, 2015 - Mon Valley lawmakers are demanding that the PA Department of Education halt the scheduled payment of state funds to charter schools and cyber-charters until state funds are first paid to public schools or a more equitable distribution...
Brewster: Right-to-Know to Seek Information on New Charter School
Harrisburg - Sept. 28, 2015 - Believing that taxpayers should know how their tax dollars support the operations of the Young Scholars of McKeesport Charter School, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said he will soon file a formal request seeking full...
Republican Stopgap Budget a Non-Starter, Brewster says
Harrisburg - Sept. 18, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that the Senate Republican stopgap budget plan is a non-starter because it represents one-third of an already-vetoed budget and it does not include property tax relief or a...
Brewster to Budget Negotiators: Make Education Funding via Shale Tax a Budget Priority
Harrisburg - Sept. 2, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland), who has authored a plan to tie a shale extraction tax to education, said today that budget negotiators must focus their efforts on a responsible shale tax to restore education funding....
Sen. Brewster to Help Seniors Get Bus Passes in Baldwin
McKeesport – July 29, 2015 – On the heels of the announcement that Port Authority Transit bus routes are being added for Baldwin Borough, state Sen. Jim Brewster today announced that he will hold special satellite office hours at the Baldwin Borough Building to help...
Brewster: ‘Extraction for Education’ Plan Would Help Move Budget Talks
Shale tax devoted to education; retains local government share Harrisburg – July 21, 2015 – As Pennsylvania continues operating without a General Fund spending plan, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that his “Extraction for Education”...
Brewster Announces Satellite District Office Locations, Dates and Times
Harrisburg, July 2, 2015 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that he will again have satellite office hours at various locations throughout the region. "We have had great success with our satellite offices in various part of the district...
Brewster: Better Alternatives to Republican Budget, Votes “No”
Harrisburg - June 30, 2015 - Following the passage of the $30.2 billion Republican budget bill (House Bill 1192) today, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) issued the following reaction: "The Republican budget bill that passed the Senate today is...
Brewster Appointed to Seat on Senate Appropriations Committee
Harrisburg - June 29, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) has been appointed to serve on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. "I am very pleased that the Senate Democratic leader recommended me for appointment to this important committee...
State Police Job Application Deadline is Tuesday
Harrisburg, June 26, 2015 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today said people have until June 30 (Tuesday) to apply for a job with the Pennsylvania State Police. “I urge men and women interested in a law enforcement career to look into this opportunity,” Brewster said. “The...
Brewster Supports Senate Democratic Property Tax Relief Plan
Harrisburg, June 24, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/ Westmoreland) today threw his support behind a new Senate Democratic property tax relief plan that would eliminate school property taxes for 2 million homeowners, reduce property taxes by $ 1,990 for...
Property Tax and Rent Rebate Filing Deadline Extended to Dec. 31, Brewster Says
Harrisburg – June 16, 2015 – The deadline for filing for a property tax or rent rebate has been extended to Dec. 31, 2015, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland). "This is an important program that helps seniors and those with disabilities...
Democrats Press for Shale Tax to Fund $ 1 Billion Education Investment
Harrisburg – June 2, 2015 – Legislative Democrats gathered in the state Capitol for a news conference today to highlight the broad and deep support in the General Assembly for legislation that would create a new $1 billion natural gas extraction tax for education....
Multiple Local Bridges Selected for Rapid Replacement, Brewster says
Harrisburg - May 15, 2015 - Seventeen bridges in state Sen. Jim Brewster's Senate district have been selected for PennDOT's Rapid Bridge Replacement Project, the senator said today. "As a strong supporter of the transportation financing plan, I think it is imperative...
Brewster to Host Senior Wellness and Safety Expo in West Leechburg
Harrisburg - May 11, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) is sponsoring a senior wellness and safety expo on May 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the West Leechburg Fire Hall. The West Leechburg Fire Hall is located at 1116 Gosser Street in West...
Brewster Strongly Supports MASD’s Appeal of Charter Ruling
Harrisburg - May 4, 2015 - While Young Scholars of McKeesport won its appeal to establish a new charter school in McKeesport, the fight "isn't over by a long shot," state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today. "I am pleased that the school board in...
Brewster Satellite Office Schedule Announced
Harrisburg – April 8, 2015 – Bringing services that are available in his district offices directly to communities throughout Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that he will again have satellite office...
Brewster Calls Attention to Extension of Deadline for Home Heating Help
Harrisburg - April 2, 2015 - The deadline to apply for help through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program has been extended to May 1, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland.) "The home heating program is valuable and useful and I am...
Consider Flood Insurance, Prepare for Spring Rains Now, Brewster says
Harrisburg - March 20, 2015 - Spring rains often cause flooding that results in devastation, distress and dismay for homeowners, so now is the time to take action, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today. "National Flood Awareness Week helps all...
Brewster Announces Two Free Local Identity Theft Seminars
McKeesport, March 3, 2015 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today announced that he is co-hosting two local Senior Identity Theft Seminars. “All of us have heard stories about how people can get their identity stolen and become victimized in so many ways,” Brewster said....
Brewster: Tax Relief, Education Funding, Jobs Creation Focus of Budget Plan
Harrisburg – March 3, 2015 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said that Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget that is focused on tax relief, education funding and job creation would help rebuild the middle class and address key issues that have plagued Pennsylvania. Wolf...
Brewster Introduces Senate Democratic Liquor Modernization Plan
Harrisburg – Feb. 27, 2014 – Senate Democrats outlined their liquor modernization plan today, a day after the House of Representatives passed an ill-conceived privatization plan. “No banker would back it and no business would implement it,” Sen. Jim Brewster...
Brewster: Help with Property Tax/Rent Rebate Applications Available
Harrisburg - Feb. 19, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) said today that seniors can get assistance completing Property Tax and Rent Rebate forms at any of his three local offices. "My staff is ready to help seniors file their Property Tax and Rent Rebate...
Brewster Applauds Gov. Wolf’s Plan to Tie Severance Tax to Education Investments
Harrisburg – Feb. 11, 2014 – Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to use the proceeds from a new 5 percent gas severance tax to fund education is being applauded by state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland). “Using shale tax revenues to rebuild education following the severe...
Brewster Comments on the Death of former U.S. Rep. Joseph Gaydos
Harrisburg – Feb. 10, 2015 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) offered the following comments on the recent death of former U.S. Rep. Joseph M. Gaydos Sr. Gaydos served briefly in the state Senate, but he was better known for his work in congress...
Brewster Opens Local Satellite Offices
Harrisburg, February 5, 2015 - Calling it a way to reach and assist more constituents, Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today announced that he will be staffing four satellite district offices over the next three months. "These additional area locations...
Brewster Re-appointed Port Authority Board Secretary
Harrisburg - February 2, 2015 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) will serve another year as secretary of the board of the Port Authority of Allegheny County. “There are many challenges that we face in public transportation and many hurdles that have...
Brewster to Serve as Democratic Chair of Two Senate Committees
Harrisburg - Jan. 15, 2015 - State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) has been selected to serve as Democratic chair of two standing committees of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 2015-16 session. "I am honored to be chosen to lead Democrats on both the...
Brewster: New Hunting Heritage Plate Available in Feb.
Harrisburg - Jan. 13, 2015 - Hunters and outdoor-sports enthusiasts will soon be able to obtain a license plate for their vehicles honoring Pennsylvania's hunting heritage, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today. The Pennsylvania Department of...
Tax Advantages, Savings Boost for 529 Contributions, Brewster Says
Harrisburg – Dec. 17, 2014 – To better manage the cost of higher education and cut tax liability this year, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today reminded students and parents that contributions to an approved college savings plan by Dec. 31 are tax...
Brewster Details “Extraction for Education” Plan
Harrisburg – Dec. 16, 2014 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) will soon introduce a plan that would earmark revenue from a new shale gas extraction tax for public schools while retaining current well impact fees that support local government operations.
Sen. Brewster: “Catch the Value” with Holiday Savings on 2015 Fishing Licenses
McKeesport – Dec. 9, 2014- State Sen. James Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that the holiday season will come early for many anglers this year as a result of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s “Catch the Value” discounted
license promotion.
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