With the holidays upon us, I want to remind everyone that the commonwealth offers some excellent resources to help families who may be struggling with food insecurity. Check out these links for: A list of food banks by county An interactive map of food pantries A list of state food programs Ideas for fighting hunger in your community If you don’t need help but want to volunteer your time or resources, you’ll find plenty of opportunities in the links above. This holiday season, let’s work together to make sure everyone has blessings to count. Read more

The 2018-2019 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program – LIHEAP – is accepting applications for heating assistance grants. LIHEAP offers cash grants of $200 to $1,000 that are sent directly to the utility company to defray heating costs for eligible households, and crisis benefits of up to $600 for households in immediate danger of being without heat. Remember: These are grants and do not have to be repaid. This season’s income guidelines for both LIHEAP cash and crisis grants are $18,210 for an individual, $24,690 for couples and increases for each additional person in the household. Please click here for more LIHEAP information. Please consider visiting my office if you need help filing a LIHEAP application. Besides my office, LIHEAP information is available by: Contacting local County Assistance offices by phone or in person. Calling the LIHEAP Client Helpline at 1-866-857-7095 or PA Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired. Applying online at https://www.compass.state.pa.us . Read more

HARRISBURG, Sept. 7 – Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus applauded the announcement made today by Gov. Tom Wolf that more than $1.5 million in funding will be allocated across the commonwealth to help reduce gun violence. "The crisis created by the illegal gun violence epidemic cannot be averted without those on the frontlines of this fight having access to the resources and tools needed to do the work of healing those affected,” said state Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., PLBC chairman. “The PLBC is proud to stand with Governor Wolf as we begin to ensure that our communities have the support and tools needed to begin to address this public health crisis." “The PLBC has been working hard to address gun violence in our community as a public health issue, because we understood that resources follow public health concerns. Today’s grant is a result of our collective work with Governor Wolf, city officials, and local advocates,” said state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., vice chair of the PLBC. “As a member of the School Safety and Security Committee, I hope to bring more resources to Philadelphia to address gun violence in and around our schools.” “It is no secret there is a gun violence epidemic in the commonwealth. From Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and all points in between, shootings are taking lives one or two at a time, destroying our communities and families,” said state Rep. Chris Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 7 – State Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald is pleased to announce the Free Library of Philadelphia and its 21 st Century Libraries Initiative has been awarded a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capitol Program grant for renovations at the Frankford, West Oak Lane and Parkway Central branches. “Libraries are fundamental to revitalize our neighborhoods. People go to the library looking for resources and information, but they find much more. They connect, they get to know each other, share concerns and look for solutions – and that’s how you build community,” Fitzgerald said. “I thank Governor Wolf for his commitment to provide support for those who need it the most.” The project will repair and upgrade three buildings, and will reposition these three facilities with new and expanded services. Funds will be used to defray the costs of design and construction, such as hazardous material abatement, interior renovations, exterior building repairs, and new construction to support building expansion. The proposed renovations also include technology upgrades, new furniture, fixtures, and equipment. The project is estimated to cost about $37.2 million. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) is a commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. Read more

Materials from House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing hosted by State Rep. Stephen Kinsey and State Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 28 – State Reps. Stephen Kinsey and Isabella Fitzgerald, D-Phila., will host a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on victim support services. The hearing will be held on Thursday, Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. at Tabor Services, 57 East Armat Street, Philadelphia. Kinsey and Fitzgerald requested the hearing to determine how the state can better assist victim support services. They will be joined by a number of state representatives from across the commonwealth, including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. The current agenda is: 10:00 a.m. – Welcome and Opening Remarks 10:10 a.m. – Panel One: Tinesha Banks, President and CEO, Tabor Services Melany Nelson, Executive Director, Northwest Victim Services Dr. Kevin London, Dir. Behavioral Health, Greater Phila Health Action Mike Lee, Assistant District Attorney, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office 11:10 a.m. – Panel Two: Victoria Greene, Founder/Executive Director, Every Murder Is Real Chantay Love, Program Director, Every Murder Is Real Kimberly Tameria, Parent George Timbers, Care Manager, Greater Phila Health Action 12:00 p.m. – Closing Remarks The meeting is one in a series being held across the state on the House Democrats’ Plan4PA that includes putting people first, good jobs, quality schools and fair taxes. Visit www.plan4pa.com for Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 2 – State Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald, D-Phila., today announced she will host a National Night Out celebration in northwest Philadelphia from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 at Masjidullah, The Center for Human Excellence Parking Lot at the corner of Washington Lane and Limekiln Pike. Fitzgerald said the free event will feature games and activities for children of all ages, free food and more family fun. State and local resources will also be on hand to assist with any concerns or issues families may have. Representatives from the 14 th and 35 th police districts will be present. “Bringing our neighborhoods together is one of my favorite parts of my job,” Fitzgerald said. “This is a great opportunity for the community to have some fun while getting to know the law enforcement in the neighborhood.” Started in the Philadelphia area in 1984, National Night Out has since expanded to 16,000 communities across the country with more than 38 million neighbors involved. The program’s mission is to promote community involvement in local anti-crime programs, heighten neighborhood spirit and to increase knowledge on crime and drug prevention. For more information, call Fitzgerald’s office at (215) 549-0220. Media coverage is invited. Read more

The events that have been unfolding along the U.S.-Mexico border have been heartbreaking and unbearable to see. As a mother, I cannot fathom the idea of having my children taken away from me, let alone the devastating impact on the children. This separation is a vile and inhumane act. I am firmly against the administration’s zero tolerance, family-separation immigration policy. I joined some of my colleagues from the House and the Senate for a rally Thursday in opposition to these actions. I also co-sponsored House Resolution 1000 , which would urge the president to immediately reverse the policy. While the president signed an executive order into place Wednesday that would stop the separation of immigrant children and parents, we all must make sure he stands by it. Using children as political pawns is a tasteless and horrifying tactic to gain immigration policy changes. I hope Congress will work on sensible reform and to ensure these events do not occur again. This country is supposed to be the land of the free for everyone, not just for some. Read more

HARRISBURG, June 21 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., and colleagues today unveiled a package of legislation that would help incarcerated women and parents in Pennsylvania. "I'm glad that we're having vital, bipartisan discussions about criminal justice reform. I think it's crucial for those discussions to include women and girls of color," said Cephas, chairwoman of the Women and Girls of Color Subcommittee of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. "Women are the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population. Since 1985, the rate of incarcerated women has increased at nearly double the male rate. The ACLU reports that African-American women and women of color are significantly overrepresented in the prison population. African-American women are 30 percent of incarcerated women in the United States, but only 13 percent of the female population. In addition, Hispanic women are 16 percent of incarcerated women but only 11 percent of all women in the U.S." Cephas plans to introduce a bill to create a Women and Girls Committee within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. "I believe this would aid the commission in its work as it specifically relates to research and programs that will have a direct impact on women and girls." Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., chairman of the PLBC, said, “This package of legislation would help support incarcerated women in the commonwealth’s prison Read more

I'm happy to announce that the deadline for the 2017 Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2018. The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters. Half of Social Security income is excluded and the maximum standard rebate is $650. Claimants must reapply for rebates every year because they are based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid each year. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may file rebate claims on behalf of deceased claimants who lived at least one day in 2017 and meet all other eligibility criteria. Applications can also be filed online at www.revenue.pa.gov . There is NO charge to apply for this program. If you need assistance with applying, please contact my office. Read more