My Upcoming Property Tax Workshop, Welcoming Our New Local Officials, Looking Back on 2025, and more... Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 9 – To celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvania’s Dominican community, state Reps. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and Manuel Guzman , both D-Berks, and Danilo Burgos , D-Phila. -- all of whom are of Dominican ancestry -- have introduced legislation to designate Feb. 27, 2026, as “Dominican Republic Independence Day.” The legislation, H.R. 387 , seeks to honor the impact Dominicans have made as leaders around the world, including in the United States and the Dominican Republic. The date marks the 182nd anniversary of the Dominican Republic’s independence, following centuries of Spanish colonial rule and 22 years of Haitian governance. “As the proud daughter of Dominican immigrants, I have seen firsthand the sacrifices, resilience and determination that helped my parents -- and so many Dominicans across our commonwealth and beyond -- build better lives,” said Cepeda-Freytiz, chair of the PA Legislative Latino Caucus. “Dominican Independence Day honors a legacy rooted in freedom, self-determination and democratic values -- principles that continue to guide our commonwealth today. It is an honor to lead this effort to recognize the Dominican community’s enduring contributions to civic life, public service and the cultural strength of Pennsylvania.” “In 2018, I became the first Dominican elected to serve in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. All these years later, it Read more
READING, Jan. 9 – State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, presented a check to Latin Fusion Baseball Thursday to celebrate the organization receiving $60,000 in state grant funding. Noelia Montero, director of Latin Fusion Baseball, accepted the check on the organization’s behalf. The funding for this project will go to support its operations and goals, which include expanding youth Little League and tournament participation, while cementing Reading as a baseball town and motivating a new generation of leaders. “This funding will not just serve as an investment in an outstanding organization, it will also serve as an investment in our future,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “Latin Fusion Baseball is working to foster leadership skills and athletic talent in the children of our community, and I am proud to support this work by pushing for this funding.” This funding came from a legislative initiative backed by Cepeda-Freytiz, who also serves as chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Multimodal Transportation Funding (MTF) Who May Apply: Municipalities, councils of government, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports and rail freight entities. Use: To improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Funds: The MTF requires a 30% match of the amount award. Awards are available for projects with a minimum cost of $100,000 and no more than $3,000,000. Application Deadline: February 13, 2026 More information: PennDOT website Commonwealth Financing Authority: Public School Facility Improvement Grant Who May Apply: School entities, defined as a school district or an area career and technical school. Use: Facility improvement projects, including but not limited to roof repair/replacement, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, plumbing systems, window repair/replacement, health and safety upgrades, and accessibility projects. Funds: $100 million in total funding is available. Grant requests shall not exceed $5 million per eligible improvement project. School entities may submit more than one application, but no school entity shall receive more than 20% of the total funding available. Application Deadline: March 13, 2026 More information: CFA Website Department of Military and Read more
“The Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Venezuela. We are deeply concerned about the potential impact on civilians and the stability of the region. We urge all parties to exercise restraint, uphold international law, and prioritize a peaceful, diplomatic resolution that protects human rights and respects the Venezuelan people’s right to self-determination.” “Our thoughts are with Venezuelan families, including many here in Pennsylvania - who are anxiously seeking clarity, stability, and a future free from violence.” Read more
WEST READING, Dec. 30 – The state Transportation Department has approved $228,404 in grant funding to West Reading Borough to support traffic safety and mobility by improving traffic flow, announced state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks. “This funding will clear up traffic congestion in West Reading, which will improve safety and mobility for so many of our neighbors,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “I am proud to see this funding come back through the state budget to improve the community.” Intersection that will receive new traffic signal retiming and equipment upgrades include: 7th Avenue / Parkside Drive North 7th Avenue / Reading Avenue 8th Avenue / Hill Avenue / Reading Avenue This grant is funded through the Green Light-Go grant program. It is one of three awarded projects in Berks County to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. Read more
I want to wish you and your family a happy holiday season! I hope you take the time to relax and connect with family as we approach the new year. Read more
READING, Dec. 18 – The Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved over $1.5 million in grant funding for projects in the 129th Legislative District, announced state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks. “This funding will bring meaningful improvements to our community—from critical infrastructure repairs and railroad development to stronger support for local law enforcement and new, safe places for our children to play,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “I’m proud to support these projects, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure our district gets the resources it deserves.” The projects in Cepeda-Freytiz’s district that are supported by this funding include: $507,704 to Spring Township to support the purchase of a street sweeper and two police vehicles. $406,575 to the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority for the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program in Reading. This project spans between Reading and Philadelphia via Pottstown and Reading, and overlaps with the districts of Reps. Joe Ciresi, Manuel Guzman and Jacklyn Rusnock. $232,612 to replace a 50-year-old water main pipe in West Reading on Olive Street, between Elm and Buttonwood streets. $200,000 to the Berks County Emergency Response Team to support equipment upgrades for officers. This project was backed with Rusnock and Guzman, the other Democrats in the Berks County Read more
READING, Dec. 16 – Through the Neighborhood Assistance Program, seven projects in the 129th Legislative District have received more than $1.2 million in state funding, announced state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks. “From combating food insecurity to ensuring that victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault have the support and safety they need, these projects will make a meaningful difference in our community,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “I am grateful for the dedication of these organizations to helping our neighbors, and I am proud to continue supporting their important work.” The organizations that will receive funding from this program include: $459,000 to Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank to support year three of five in their renovation to add a community kitchen and annex to their building, which will produce frozen meals and provide space for nonprofits and affordable apartments. They will also receive $109,850 for food purchasing and distribution costs. $414,000 to Our City Reading Inc. to support the development of the Helping Harvest Annex, including two Head Start classrooms and a playground for 34 children. $81,000 to Safe Berks for upgrades to their confidential safe house to ensure security for domestic abuse and sexual assault victims. This includes improved video surveillance and access control, installing solar film on all windows to deter abusers, and repairs to a patio. Read more
LIHEAP Now Accepting Applicants, Supporting Local Unions, Upcoming Holiday Events, and more... Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Philadelphia Who May Apply: Community Development Corporations, economic development organizations and redevelopment authorities, business improvement districts/neighborhood improvement districts, non-profit organizations with a 501(c) designation, the City of Philadelphia, the School District of Philadelphia. Any eligible organization must be located in Philadelphia. Use: Economic development projects, neighborhood revitalization projects, community improvement projects, projects in the public interest. Any eligible project must be located in Philadelphia. Funds: Grant amounts will vary based on the specific project requirements but are limited to a minimum request/award of $10,000 and a maximum request/award of $500,000. Application Deadline: January 31, 2026 More information: DCED Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis Read more
Celebrating New Local Art, Local Holiday Events, New Tax Credit Program, and more... Read more
Last Wednesday, the House was called back into Harrisburg to vote on and finally pass a balanced, bipartisan state budget that invests in education, protects our seniors, strengthens our workforce, and supports families and vital services. The final budget deal is far from perfect: in a divided legislature where the Democrat-controlled State House and Republican-controlled State Senate both had to agree to a budget deal, there were difficult compromises throughout this process. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 17 – In a step to increase school safety for students and teachers, the PA House Communications & Technology Committee held a public hearing Monday on legislation ( H.B. 634 ) introduced by state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, that would require schools to consider implementing silent panic alarm buttons in classrooms during the annual review of their safety and security practices. The alarms would be linked directly with law enforcement responders and could be used to signal a life-threatening emergency. The legislation is modeled after “Alyssa’s Law,” named for 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff, who was murdered along with 17 others in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018. In the wake of the shooting, Alyssa’s parents and fellow advocates have fought for the passage of laws to require or permit schools to install silent panic alarm buttons in classrooms. “At today’s hearing, Alyssa Alahadeff’s mother, Lori, movingly advocated for the implementation of silent panic alarms in our schools as a necessary step to prevent the unthinkable—the murder of a child in a school shooting,” said state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, who chairs the House Communications & Technology Committee. “At a time when it seems like there is a school shooting every day in our country, we must take concrete steps to make our schools as safe as possible. Read more
At long last the state has a balanced, bipartisan budget. I voted for this plan because this budget pays our bills, helps every kid in every school in Berks County, preserves vital services, prevents layoffs, and does not raise taxes. With your family’s costs already on the rise, I made sure you wouldn’t face any local or school property tax hikes. Read more
LIHEAP Delayed, Community Resource Collections, Halloween Activities, and more... Read more
The House returned to Harrisburg this week, and I have updates to provide on several of my bills and resolutions. First, HR 162 advanced out of committee, which urges all state agencies to adopt the usage of diacritical marks - such as accents and tildes - in names. The lack of these characters in documentation causes people to have to change their identities just to fit in a government system. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – Two years after an explosion at the West Reading R.M. Palmer Chocolate Factory killed seven people and injured 10 others in March 2023, a National Transportation Safety Board investigation found the explosion to have likely been caused by a degraded natural gas connection. Due to this tragic accident, two bipartisan bills introduced by state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz to address the causes of the incident have moved out of committee. “Our community continues to mourn the death of the seven employees killed in this accident and feel the impact this accident has had on us,” said Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks. “The NTSB has made lifesaving recommendations following this incident, and these bills would ensure that we learn from this avoidable tragedy and prevent this from happening again.” The bills in this legislative package moved out of committee include: House Bill 1525 : Would require all owners and operators of pipelines transporting steam located in public rights-of-way to register with the Pennsylvania One Call System so that property owners and construction workers know where steam lines are located. House Bill 1526 : Would require the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission to work with natural gas pipeline operators to develop guidance and management programs to address threats to degrading plastic pipelines, such as those that degraded and leaked natural gas, Read more
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, SNAP funding will run out at the end of this month, and benefits will not be delivered in November. That means over two million people across Pennsylvania will go without food aid, and more than half of them are families with children. Read more
I joined my House colleagues last week to pass a bipartisan state budget, the third in a 100-day period. Since this latest budget bill moved to the Senate, we continue to hear no response from Senate Republicans, who have not been taking this funding crisis seriously. Read more
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1111 Penn AvenueWyomissing, PA 19610-2033
P*: (484) 577-2756
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We also host D.A.V Services (Disabled American Veterans) in my office every other Monday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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P*: (717) 772-1858