“When I learned about Child Advocacy Centers and their mission, I was so relieved these organizations and professionals are in place to support children throughout the state,” said Policy Committee roundtable host Rep. Justin Fleming, who represents portions of Lower Paxton and Susquehanna townships as well as the borough of Pennbrook in Dauphin County. “If we really want to support children and their recovery, then we need to prioritize Child Advocacy Centers.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 16 – State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, announced today that four fire companies and an EMS provider in the 105th district received $79,112 in state grants from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. “Our district’s residents will be safer thanks to this grant funding providing crucial support to our fire departments and emergency medical services,” Fleming said. “Our communities across the commonwealth need a strong safety infrastructure in order to thrive, and that’s why I will support the renewal of this program this year and the governor’s budget plan to double the program’s size.” The following organizations received funding: Citizens Fire Co. 1 of Pennbrook Fire $13,839.63 Colonial Park Fire Company No 1 Fire $16,951.99 Progress Fire Company Fire $16,951.99 Rescue Fire Co. # 1 Fire $16,368.42 Susquehanna Township Emergency Medical Services EMS $15,000.00 The grant money can be applied to a combination of up to two projects in the following categories: Construction and/or renovation of the fire company's or ambulance service’s facility. Purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance, or Read more
READING, Feb. 16 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, today announced $63,325 in state funding to improve services of fire and EMS agencies in the 127 th Legislative District that he serves. The grants come from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner. “The safety and peace of mind of our community relies on local first responders. Funding these agencies is crucial and this is certainly one of my priorities,” Guzman said. “I will continue advocating to ensure that local fire companies and EMS providers are efficiently funded.” The grants were awarded to: Kenhorst Volunteer Fire Company No 1. - $14,423. Keystone Fire Co No 1 of Shillington - $16,951. City of Reading Dept of Fire and Rescue Services / Fire - $16,951. City of Reading Dept of Fire and Rescue Services/ EMS - $15,000. Act 91 of 2020 authorized the Fire Company and Medical Services Grant Program until June 30. Recently, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed increasing the program’s funding to $60 million. Read more
Two projects that will benefit residents in the 95th Legislative District were recently awarded grant funding, state Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, announced today. Read more
State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, announced that the Dauphin County Technical School has been awarded a grant of $85,000 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the purchase of new equipment to help train students in skills required for high-demand occupations. Read more
READING, Feb. 8 – State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, today praised Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 state budget and emphasized that the spending plan excludes new tax hikes. Cepeda-Freytiz said she is particularly excited for the proposed investments in education, mental health and small, disadvantaged businesses. “This budget invests in education at every level. We are talking about the largest increase in K-12 basic education funding in Pennsylvania history,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “I hail the $1.1 billion increase in basic education subsidies and significant funding for special education, school safety improvements, and universal free breakfast for 1.7 million students it calls for,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “I applaud the inclusion of feminine hygiene products at no cost to students. The overall allocations for education would certainly help address decades of disinvestment in this area,” she added. The legislator highlighted that Shapiro continues to support mental health services by proposing investing $10 million for 988 crisis line operations to boost Pennsylvania’s crisis intervention services, among other provisions. “Our community is experiencing challenging times when it comes to mental health,” she said. “I am proud to say that I, along with my colleagues, secured $100 million in the current budget Read more
Gov. Josh Shapiro today held the ceremonial bill signing for state Rep. Justin Fleming’s H.B. 1289, which was signed into law as Act 54 of 2023 in December. The law helps rectify the legacy of biased housing practices by making it easier for property owners to repudiate discriminatory deed covenants. Read more
The Central PA Delegation along with the Latino Caucus were hosted by Tec Centro to discuss workforce education efforts happening in their Central PA locations. Read more
READING, Jan. 25 – State Rep. Manny Guzman today announced that he has been appointed to serve as chair of the Pennsylvania House Central Pennsylvania Democratic Delegation. Guzman indicated that he is overjoyed with the appointment as it represents a new platform to amplify his efforts for the region, as well as represents a vote of trust from his colleagues. “My colleagues in Harrisburg know that I am a tireless and persistent advocate for the needs and wants of my district here in Reading and Berks County,” he said. “l am looking forward to continuing to be that voice not only for Reading and Berks County, but for all the members of the Central PA Delegation,” he added. “I am ready to embrace the new challenges and responsibilities that this position entails.” The legislator also explained the fact that he is now chair of the Central PA Delegation can be seen as a positive indicator of the Latino community advancement in the Commonwealth. “As a proud Latino, I feel that I reflect a growing, diverse community. I want to make it easier for kids in Reading and all across the state to see themselves in roles like this one; I want to empower them through my work,” he said. “I hope that seeing someone who looks just like them, who attended their school and ran around on the same playgrounds, will encourage them Read more
LANCASTER, Jan. 22 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, hosted his first pardon and expungement clinic last Thursday in Lancaster with over 50 attendees counseled by eight volunteers on the pardon and expungement processes. In addition to Smith-Wade-El’s district staff, volunteers came from the following local agencies: Zion Community Services, Lancaster Bar Association, YWCA, and MidPenn Legal Services. “Too many people are being held back in life by past mistakes,” Smith-Wade-El said. “My goal for the pardon clinic is to help people learn how to navigate the pardon and expungement processes so they can get the fresh start they deserve -- opening doors to better job opportunities, housing, and overall peace of mind.” The clinic featured: Personalized advice from seasoned legal experts on the details of the pardon and expungement process. Engaging and informative sessions about eligibility criteria, required documentation, and the step-by-step process. Private one-on-one conversations with consultants. One-on-one support in preparing and submitting a pardon or expungement application. A resource fair featuring health, mental health, food, and clothing resources. Lunch and parking were provided to registrants. “This event wouldn’t have been possible without the Read more
Governor Josh Shapiro joined Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, the York County Economic Alliance, and YWCA York to highlight the recent expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for over 210,000 Pennsylvania families. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, announced today that he helped secure $2,428,357 in state funding to support water infrastructure projects and a community arts organization in the 105th district. “I am glad I was able to help bring back our tax money to our district to help rehabilitate and replace critical sanitary and storm sewer infrastructure so that our water remains clean and healthy,” Fleming said. “I am also glad that the arts in our community will be supported by a grant to the Harrisburg Community Theater.” Funds distributed through the H2O PA Program provide for single-year or multi-year grants to municipalities or municipal authorities to assist with the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm water projects. Act 54 of 2022 appropriated $205.4 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the H2O PA – Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Projects Program. $893,773 for Susquehanna Township’s Fox Run Trunk Line and Force main sanitary sewer improvement project $1,400,826 for Lower Paxton Township’s PC-3E sanitary sewer and storm sewer replacement/rehabilitation project. Funds distributed through the Small Water and Sewer program provide for small water, sewer, and storm system water infrastructure projects. Act 54 of 2022 appropriated $105.6 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the PA Small Water and Sewer Program. $112,150 for Lower Read more
“I really love that we can have fun while we work, so thank you for that,” Rep. Cepeda-Freytiz told her colleagues in the House chamber before the vote. Read more
¡Prepárate para un año lleno de aventuras al aire libre! Las licencias, permisos y vales de pesca para la temporada 2024 se pueden comprar a través del portal en línea HuntFishPA en el sitio web de la Comisión de Pesca y Embarcaciones de Pensilvania ( Fishandboat.com ), en su teléfono inteligente usando la aplicación móvil FishBoatPA o visitando uno de los casi 700 agentes de licencias. Las nuevas boletas de voto por correo serán implementadas el próximo año Las boletas por correo rediseñadas se implementarán en todo Pensilvania el próximo año. El diseño actualizado dará a los votantes instrucciones más claras, disminuirá el número de boletas rechazadas y garantizará que se cuente cada voto legal. Todavía tiene tiempo de aplicar para los reembolsos de impuestos a la propiedad / alquiler Todavía hay tiempo para solicitar reembolsos en los impuestos a la propiedad y el alquiler pagado en 2022. Si conoce a un amigo o familiar que pueda ser elegible, anímelo a verificar si califica para presentar una solicitud antes de la fecha límite del 31 de diciembre de 2023. Los propietarios de viviendas mayores, inquilinos y personas Read more
Tele-Town Hall Wrap-Up Grants Secured Sustainability Expo Read more
"Rewrite Your Story," Pardon and Expungement Clinic, Jan 18. Read more
READING, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, today announced that four local projects will benefit from $249,195 in grant funding from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program. The funds are aimed at enhancing and fostering cultural initiatives in the region. The grants were awarded to: Barrio Alegria Co. - $13 ,551 for operating expenses. Berks Arts Council - $55 ,715 for operating costs and establishing new programs for the arts organization located in Reading. Berks Arts Council - $132,000 to distribute pandemic recovery payments to arts and culture professionals as the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts regranting organization for Region 7 that includes Berks, Lancaster and Schuylkill counties. Reading Symphony Orchestra Association - $37,929 for operating costs for the Orchestra located in Reading. Berks Youth Chorus - $10,000 for operating and marketing expenses for the arts organization located in Reading. “I am excited about these grants. This funding ratifies my commitment to the city’s local art setting,” Guzman said. “I praise these investments because they will help cover operating costs and support our artists. The arts are necessary in our lives not only as an opportunity to distract ourselves or help us reflect and Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, today announced more than $4.3 million in state grants for local water and sewer projects, with the lion’s share going toward the Calder Way infrastructure improvement project. Read more
READING, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, today announced that two municipalities within her legislative district will benefit from nearly $1 million in grant funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development and distributed through the state’s H2O PA Program. The H2O PA Program provides single-year or multi-year grants to municipalities or municipal authorities to assist with the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer, and storm water projects. The grants were awarded to: Spring Township – $250,000. Funds to replace gravity sanitary sewer main within Highland Avenue, Intervilla Avenue, Noble Street, Reading Avenue, Morwood Avenue, and Park Road. Wyomissing Borough – $700,346. Funds to demolish an existing pump station and construct a new pipe and manhole system. “I praise the significant funding awarded to these municipalities. These grants will be used to improve infrastructure, purchase necessary equipment, and provide safety upgrades,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. Read more
“These grants will go a long way to improving stormwater drainage and set our region up for continued success,” Madsen said. “'This funding will not only fortify the reliability of our infrastructure but also pave the way for essential upgrades, promoting sustainable growth and development in our communities.” Read more
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