The Community College of Allegheny County Local, County & State Government Relations & Special Projects office works closely with state and regional legislators and policy makers. As the institutional point of contact for state administration, legislators and their staffs, the office is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the proposed annual budget and legislation on the state level for potential impact to the college. The office maintains a presence in Harrisburg liaising with senators and representatives and keeping them apprised of CCAC’s critical issues and communicating regularly with the Governor’s southwestern regional office located in Pittsburgh.

Legislators and community members interested in learning more about CCAC's state relations should contact the CCAC Local, County & State Government Relations & Special Projects office.

Charles T. Blocksidge, PhD
Executive Director
Local, County & State Government Relations & Special Projects 

Legislative Events

Senator Matt Smith to Co-host Public Hearing in Pittsburgh

The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee will be holding a public hearing "Early Voting & Other Reforms to Pennsylvania's Election Code" on increasing voter access and participation on Thursday, May 9, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. - noon. Co-hosted by Senator Matt Smith (D-District 37, Allegheny/Washington) and Senator Lisa Boscola (D-District 18, Northampton), the hearing will be conducted at the Allegheny County Court House 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 in the Gold Room, 4th Floor. Those interested in election and voting issues are encouraged to attend.

2013 Lobby Day in Harrisburg Another Success

The 2013 Lobby Day in Harrisburg took place on Tuesday, April 9. CCAC students, faculty and staff made the trip to partake in various events and to meet legislators. This year approximately 20 students, faculty and staff made the trip. Student representatives from each campus went with CCAC President Alex Johnson and Executive Director of Local, County & State Government Relations & Special Projects Charles T. Blocksidge to meet with staff members of Representative Frank Dermody (D–District 33) and Senator Mike Folmer (R–District 48) and with Representatives Joseph Markosek (D-District 25) and Jake Wheatley (D-District 19). Student representatives were Harley Mills  and Marcus Smith of Allegheny Campus, Derrick Dawkins, Bill Moran and Rebecca Stevens of Boyce Campus, Kevin Boglitz, Malisa Branch and Arabia Porter of North Campus and Ashley Crisi and Crystal Hinnebusch of South Campus. In addition, all students received a tour of the Senate Chamber, escorted by Senate Democrat leader and CCAC Board of Trustees member the Honorable Jay Costa (D–District 43).

CCAC Students Make the 2013 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team

In Harrisburg, seven CCAC students were among 44 Pennsylvania community college students honored for making the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team.

Nominated by their college, the students are honored for both their academic achievement in the classroom, maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher, and for their volunteerism in their communities. CCAC students honored were: Kevin Boglitz, Ashley Crisi, William Moran Jr., Yiyi Zhao, Alex Brown, Crystal Hinnebusch and Rebecca Stevens. Both Kevin Boglitz and Yiyi Zhao are also 2013 Bronze Coca-Cola Scholars.

 Annual Legislative Breakfast Held

CCAC's annual Legislative Breakfast was held in Byers Hall Board Room on the Allegheny Campus. President Alex Johnson and Executive Director of Local, County & State Government Relations & Special Projects Charles T. Blocksidge apprised the local delegation of state senators and representatives of key issues for CCAC, particularly as they relate to the State budget. Legislators in attendance were Senators Jay Costa (D-District 43), Wayne Fontana (D-District 42) and Matt Smith (D-District 37) as well as Representatives Dan Deasy (D-District 27), Bill Kortz (D-District 38), Nick Kotik (D-District 45), Harry Readshaw (D-District 36), Erin Molchany (D-District 22), and Ed Gainey (D-District 24). Also attending was staff member Brian O'Malley for Representative Luke Ravenstahl (D-District 20).

Legislative Updates

The Local, County & State Government Relations & Special Projects office monitors legislation on the state level that potentially impacts the college and communicates updates to internal and external stakeholders.

2012-13 Budget
For more information on the impact of the state budget on CCAC, see:
CCAC and the State Budget: 2012-13.