South Park Democrats

🌿 Andrew Kuzma voted NO on Ryan’s Law. Compassion shouldn’t be controversial.

Today, the Pennsylvania House passed HB 2254 — Ryan’s Law — by an overwhelming 174–27 vote. This legislation ensures that terminally ill patients can use medical ma*****na in hospitals and care facilities to manage their pain, stay alert, and spend precious time with their loved ones.

Read the bill: HB 2254 (Ryan’s Law) — https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2254

Andrew Kuzma was one of only 27 “no” votes in the entire House.

Ryan’s Law is named for Ryan Bartell, a cancer patient facing the end of his life who was forced to leave Pennsylvania and travel out of state just to access medical ma*****na. For Ryan, medical ma*****na was not about recreation — it was about having the chance to stay awake, lucid, and present with the people he loved most during his final days. No family should have to spend precious time navigating state lines and bureaucracy when they should be focused on comfort, dignity, and being together. That is the problem this bill fixes. And Kuzma said no.

Here’s what makes that vote even more out of touch: 72% of Pennsylvania Democrats — and even 69% of Republicans — support legalizing adult-use recreational ma*****na (Susquehanna Polling & Research / Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition, April 2026). And Kuzma couldn’t even get behind compassionate access for the dying.

HD-39 deserves better.

Dylan Altemara supports Ryan’s Law and full adult-use legalization. Dylan understands that Pennsylvanians — across party lines — are ready for commonsense cannabis policy that puts patients and people first.

On Election Day, the choice is clear. Vote Dylan Altemara for Pennsylvania House District 39.

PASSED 174-27: my bill to allow terminally ill patients to access medical cannabis while receiving care in hospitals. “Ryan’s Law” gives some very sick people the chance to spend their final days conscious, comfortable and connected to the people they love.

Read more: https://www.pahouse.com/Frankel/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=143850

Happy Pride Month from the South Park Democrats! 🌈

This month, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, honor the long fight for equality, and reaffirm a simple belief: everyone deserves to live openly, safely, and with dignity.

Pride is about visibility, community, and the courage to keep pushing for a future where every neighbor is respected and every family belongs.

Here in South Park, we stand for Community. Equality. Pride.

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈

🏳️‍🌈

Love is love. Equality is non-negotiable. We celebrate our LGBTQ+ friends, families and neighbors living their authentic lives and will continue to fight to elect officials who value equality for all.

County Council updates from Allegheny County Councilman Dan Grzybek

Here is my summary of the Tuesday, May 26, 2026 regular meeting of Allegheny County Council. My votes are in parentheses, as is the prime sponsor of each item. All 15 members were present.

The meeting opened with the election of the Council President, due to President Catena resigning the previous week. Councilwoman Naccarati-Chapkis was unanimously elected and carries the distinction of being the first woman to serve as Council President.

13810-26 (Hallam — Yes) This ordinance codifies existing federal protections under the Prison R**e Elimination Act at the County level, writing those standards directly into our own ordinances. Passed unanimously.

13969-26 (Rose - Gov Reform) This ordinance would place a referendum question on the November General Election ballot asking voters whether to require County Council to approve all contracts over $30,000, rather than giving the County Executive unilateral authority. Referred to the Committee on Government Reform.

13970-26 (Chief Executive - Budget) This ordinance sets the County's intent to issue one or more series of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $335 million. The funds would primarily be used to pay down existing higher interest debt and would also be used for various capital projects. Referred to the Committee on Budget & Finance.

13971-26 (Filiaggi & Grzybek — Yes) I co-sponsored this motion authorizing the Council President to provide for a 5th public hearing for countywide reassessments that will be held on July 20th at 5pm in the Gold Room of the County Courthouse. Passed unanimously.

⚠️ CONFLICT OF INTEREST ALERT ⚠️

Rep. Andrew Kuzma (R-PA 39) is sponsoring legislation that directly benefits the boards that pay his legal bills.

Here are the facts:

📋 HB 977 — Kuzma’s own bill — would change how Zoning Hearing Boards across Pennsylvania operate, letting them use audio recordings instead of stenographers.

💼 At the same time, Kuzma’s law firm lists him as the paid solicitor for EIGHT Zoning Hearing Boards — including right here in Jefferson Hills.

📄 The Borough of Jefferson Hills’ own official March 2026 public hearing notice lists:

SOLICITOR: Andrew Kuzma, Esq.

This isn’t speculation. It’s on the letterhead.

A sitting state representative is writing the rules for the same boards that are writing him checks.

He didn’t disclose it. He didn’t recuse himself. He just introduced the bill.

📖 Read his own memo introducing HB 977 — in his own words:
🔗 palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=45745&document=HB977

Read HB 977: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb977

🔗 See his law firm client list for yourself: https://www.kuzmalawgroup.com/bio-kuzma-andrew

Ask Rep. Kuzma: Who does HB 977 serve — your constituents, or your clients?

This may technically skirt Pennsylvania’s narrow ethics rules — but it’s a textbook conflict of interest, and the 39th District deserves a representative who answers to the people — not clients, insiders, or big-money interests. Vote Dylan Altemara.

Legislative Update: What Moved in Harrisburg This Week

Several important bills and policy proposals were introduced, referred, or remain worth watching in Harrisburg — especially for communities like South Park that care about responsible development, affordability, consumer protection, and local control.

Data centers and local control

Pennsylvania continues to grapple with the rapid growth of large data centers and the impact they can have on electric rates, water use, land development, emergency services, and local infrastructure.

This week, HB 2533 was introduced to allow municipalities to adopt a temporary moratorium on new high-impact data center applications while they study infrastructure, public safety, environmental, and community impacts.

🔗 HB 2533: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2533

Another bill, HB 2535, would require large-load data-center facilities to submit emergency operations floor plans and generalized infrastructure information before receiving a certificate of occupancy, so local officials and first responders are not left in the dark.

🔗 HB 2535: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2535

Governor Shapiro also released new GRID standards for data centers seeking Commonwealth support, including standards related to energy affordability, transparency, community engagement, workforce and economic development, environmental protection, and local-government guidance.

🔗 Governor Shapiro’s GRID standards: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/gov-shapiro-releases-full-grid-standards-to-protect-pennsylvania

The bottom line: economic development should not come at the expense of ratepayers, local infrastructure, public safety, or municipal authority.

AI transparency

A new artificial intelligence transparency bill, HB 2534, was referred to the House Communications and Technology Committee. The bill would create transparency requirements for certain generative artificial intelligence systems and platforms.

🔗 HB 2534: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2534

Housing and affordability

A bipartisan Senate bill, SB 1346, was introduced dealing with accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. These are smaller housing units such as in-law suites, garage apartments, or backyard cottages. Supporters argue ADUs can help address housing affordability and allow seniors, young adults, and working families more flexible housing options.

🔗 SB 1346: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb1346

That said, this needs to be done carefully. ADU policy should help homeowners, families, seniors, and local communities — not become another loophole for large developers, outside investors, or speculative rental operators to exploit neighborhoods. Any statewide ADU legislation should include strong safeguards, respect for local planning, and protections to make sure the policy actually serves residents.

Homeowner and consumer protections

Also worth watching: State Senators Nick Pisciottano and Nikil Saval are circulating proposed protections for homeowners entering shared equity agreements — financial arrangements where homeowners receive money upfront in exchange for a share of the home’s future value.

Their Senate proposal is intended as a companion to HB 2120, a bipartisan House bill dealing with the regulation of shared equity providers and shared equity agreements.

🔗 Senate co-sponsorship memo: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=48720

🔗 HB 2120: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2120

These products can be complicated and risky. Stronger consumer protections are needed so homeowners understand exactly what they are signing, what future equity they may be giving up, and what obligations could come due later.

Gambling addiction and consumer protection

Related consumer-protection bills from State Senator Wayne Fontana remain pending.

SB 265 would prohibit the use of credit cards for iGaming.

🔗 SB 265: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb265

SB 266 would prohibit casinos and the gaming industry from directly marketing promotions to people on gambling self-exclusion lists.

🔗 SB 266: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb266

This is an affordability issue and a public health issue. Pennsylvania should not allow predatory practices that push people deeper into debt or addiction.

Why this matters locally

These issues may sound statewide, but they affect local communities directly. Development pressure, utility costs, emergency response, housing affordability, consumer protection, and government transparency all show up right here at home.

We will continue watching what moves in Harrisburg — and pushing for policies that protect working families, seniors, homeowners, local taxpayers, and our communities.