Fiedler Touts Benefits of #Solar4Schools

(Apr 27, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler joined renewable energy advocates, legislators, and school administrators outside Steelton-Highspire High School to highlight the school district’s solar energy project. Steelton-Highspire is an underfunded school district that is using energy saving from solar technology to offset their lack of funding. Fiedler’s Solar for Schools legislation would issue grants to K-12 schools and community colleges so that they too could install solar arrays and save on energy costs. Read more

 

Fiedler, Hanbidge ‘Patient Consent for Pelvic Exams’ bill passes House

(Apr 26, 2023)

HARRISBURG, April 26 – Today, House Bill 507 introduced by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously. The legislation would require medical providers to receive explicit consent from a patient before performing an invasive pelvic or rectal exam on an unconscious patient for medical training purposes. Right now in Pennsylvania, medical students can legally perform a pelvic or rectal exam on a patient who is under anesthesia for an unrelated procedure. The invasive exam is done solely for medical students’ training purposes and not to ensure the health of the patient. The patient often is entirely unaware of what is being done to her/his body while are under anesthesia. Fiedler first learned about the practice from a constituent who was disturbed to learn that when she was a patient, a pelvic exam might have been conducted on her. Fiedler shared how her constituent’s experience inspired her to learn more about this practice and ultimately introduce this bill. She also expressed her joy to see this bill pass the House and called on the Senate to get it to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk. “The more I researched the situation, the more horrified I was,” Fiedler said. “Making sure we have highly trained medical professionals is incredibly important, and at the same time, patients should be asked for their consent ahead of time. This Read more

 

Fiedler, Madsen, Harris join Steelton-Highspire High School solar tour

(Apr 25, 2023)

HARRISBURG, April 25 – Today, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila.; Dave Madsen, D-Dauphin; and House Democratic Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris, D-Phila.; joined a tour of the solar panel array at Steelton-Highspire High School. The tour was hosted by Generation 180, a nonprofit organization working to inspire and equip people to adopt clean energy. Last year, Steelton-Highspire School District unveiled a solar panel field to power the district’s schools and buildings. Fiedler recently introduced ‘Solar for Schools’ legislation that would create a grant program to fund solar energy projects at school districts, intermediate units, community colleges, and career and technical schools. She said she was pleased to see Steelton-Highspire’s new solar panel field. “Today, we got to see how much positive change solar panel arrays can bring to schools like Steelton-Highspire,” Fiedler said. “If we pass Solar for Schools legislation, we can save schools thousands each year in energy costs, bring federal money for green energy projects back to Pennsylvania, generate good-paying jobs for skilled workers, reduce pollution, create opportunities for hands-on education, and inspire a new generation of leaders.” Madsen, whose legislative district includes Steelton-Highspire School District, praised the school’s leadership. “I am proud of Read more

 

Fiedler visits Middleburg Elementary School, touts ‘Solar for Schools’ legislation

(Apr 21, 2023)

MIDDLEBURG, April 21 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., on Wednesday visited Middleburg Elementary School, where she toured the school’s solar panel array; met with school officials, teachers, and students; and advocated for her Solar for Schools legislation . Fiedler unveiled her bill (H.B. 137) at a news conference in March. If signed into law, the Solar for Schools program would issue grants to K-12 schools and community colleges for the purchase and installation of solar equipment, permit fees, energy storage, utility interconnection, and other costs approved by the Department of Community and Economic Development, which would manage the grant program. Paired with funds from the federal Inflation Reduction Act, schools could defray at least 80% of the cost of supplies and installation. Fiedler was joined by state Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R- Columbia/Luzerne/Montour/Northumberland/Snyder; state Rep. David H. Rowe, R-Union/Juniata/Mifflin/Snyder; Michael Ford, secretary-treasurer of the PA Building and Construction Trades Council; Katie Blume, political and legislative director of Conservation Voters for PA; and Midd-West School District Superintendent Joe Stroup. On the tour, Fiedler visited with elementary students who participated in last spring’s “Sun Day,” an event where Middleburg focused educational programming on the topic of solar energy. Students learned about energy transfer and Read more

 

Workforce Development, Infrastructure, and Housing Funding Opportunities

(Apr 13, 2023)

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: DEI in the Building and Construction Trades Grant (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Organizations that serve as sponsors or intermediaries of Registered Apprenticeship and/or Pre-Apprenticeship in the building and construction trades. Use : To develop diverse talent pipelines and reach underrepresented populations within the building and construction trades. Funds : $1 million in total program funding. Application Deadline : April 26, 2023 More Information : Click on https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/grants/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT): Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Program (Funding Source: State, Federal, & Private Funding) Who May Apply : Private companies. Use : To develop innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation, and ports. Funds : Varies by award. Application Deadline : April 30, 2023 More Information : Click on https://www.penndot.pa.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/p3forpa/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: Youth Reentry Grant (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Read more

 

Pa. House committee advances bill requiring informed consent for certain medical exams

(Mar 30, 2023)

The House Health Committee on Wednesday voted 20-1 to advance a bill requiring explicit verbal and written consent from a patient to receive a pelvic, rectal, or prostate exam performed by medical students while they’re under anesthesia or while they’re unconscious, still allowing exceptions for emergencies and exams deemed “within the scope of care.” Read more

 

House Health Committee advances bills to save lives of children, improve lives of seniors, protect dignity of all patients

(Mar 29, 2023)

HARRISBURG, March 29 - Following through on their promise to put people first, today, the Democratic-led House Health Committee, chaired by Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, passed three bipartisan pieces of legislation that will safeguard Pennsylvania's youngest to wisest neighbors. “From Day 1, I said that my goal as Health Committee Chairman was to consider and pass legislation that helps people in every age group from communities across the state. Now is the time to put the needs of Pennsylvanians ahead of politics, and the bipartisan bills we passed today reflect that priority,” Frankel said. Responding to a near-tragedy last fall and overcoming years of partisan inaction, the committee approved Rep. Jeanne McNeill’s H.B. 494, which would require buildings housing child care facilities with possible sources of carbon monoxide to have one or more carbon monoxide alarms depending on the size of the building. Last October, children and staff at an Allentown day care were rushed to the hospital after a child became unconscious and first responders found dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide in the facility. McNeill introduced this bill in previous sessions, but Republican leaders prevented it from being considered. “It’s alarming that there are no statewide carbon monoxide alarm requirements in place for the facilities that care for our children,” McNeill said. “In October 2022, a tragic incident occurred right Read more

 

Fiedler bill to require patient consent for pelvic exams passes Health Committee

(Mar 29, 2023)

HARRISBURG, March 29 – Today, a bill introduced by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, to require patient consent for pelvic exams passed in the Health Committee. Right now, medical students can perform a pelvic exam on a female patient who is under anesthesia for an unrelated procedure. The pelvic exam is done solely for medical students’ training purposes and not to ensure the health of the patient. The patient often has not given explicit consent and is entirely unaware of what is being done to her body while under anesthesia. This bill, H.B. 507, will now head to the house floor for a vote. Fiedler first learned about the practice from a constituent who believed a practice pelvic exam might have been conducted on her while she was under anesthesia. Fiedler shared how her constituent’s experience inspired her to learn more about this practice and ultimately introduce this bill. “A couple of years ago, a resident of my district came to me concerned about what happened to her while she was a patient for a medical procedure, under anesthesia,” Fiedler said. “She worried that while she was unconscious, her body had been used for a practice pelvic exam. A year later she still didn't have answers, despite asking her doctor directly. “The more I researched the situation, the more horrified I was. I learned that, in our commonwealth, Read more

 

Policy Committee examines expanding reproductive health care

(Mar 29, 2023)

“Physicians testified before the committee about how eliminating the physician-only abortion laws in Pennsylvania would strengthen our health care workforce while at the same time improve care for pregnant people, and help reduce maternal mortality,” hearing co-host Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler said. “These are recommendations based on science, published reports by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control, and by the very physicians who train advanced practice clinicians. This change would have a beneficial impact on the lives of many Pennsylvanians.” Read more

 

State funding for local projects

(Mar 27, 2023)

“Community support and historic preservation are both important in our community, and I’m glad the state is investing dollars in both right here in South Philly,” Fiedler said. Read more

 

Fiedler Expresses Concerns About Temple’s Public Image

(Mar 24, 2023)

Acknowledging the gravity of Temple University’s first labor strike in more than three decades and recent incidents of gun violence on campus, Pa. state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler questions Temple President Dr. Jason Wingard about damage done to the school's reputation and their plans to rebuild a positive public image. Read more

 

Fiedler Starts 3rd Term on Appropriations Committee

(Mar 21, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler says she’s ready to make sure funds allocated in the state budget go where they are needed the most. Fiedler highlights issues important to the people who sent her to Harrisburg including education, transportation and violence prevention. Read more

 

Fiedler Working for Increased Investment in Philly Schools, Students

(Mar 20, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler questions Pennsylvania Dept. of Education acting Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin about how his agency will ensure that deteriorating school building conditions in Pennsylvania are addressed. Fiedler is a longtime advocate for fair education funding and has been working to improve environmental conditions and safety in Philly schools since her election to the House in 2018. Read more

 

Fiedler announces nearly $500,000 in state grants for local projects

(Mar 17, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, March 17 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., announced that approximately $500,000 in state funding has been awarded for infrastructure projects in her district. The funds from the Commonwealth Finance Authority will be invested in the following projects: $260,500 to restore and repair the historic Chapel of the Four Chaplains in the Navy Yard. $213,000 to Philabundance for parking lot lighting upgrades at its warehouse. “Community support and historic preservation are both important in our community, and I’m glad the state is investing dollars in both right here in South Philly,” Fiedler said. The funding comes from the Statewide Local Share Account Program. The funds distributed through this program come from gaming revenues. Act 71 of 2004 provides for the distribution of gaming revenues to support projects in the public interest within the state. During her time in office, Fiedler has brought back to her district millions of dollars in state investment for education, job creation, workforce development, recreation centers, youth sports, libraries and senior centers. That includes a recent $200,000 grant to support before-school and after-school programming for children and teens. Read more

 

Fiedler introduces legislation for solar energy grant program for PA schools

(Mar 08, 2023)

HARRISBURG, March 8 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., today hosted a news conference where she introduced legislation that would create a grant program to expand the use of solar energy at school facilities across Pennsylvania. The grant program, “Solar for Schools,” would issue grants to schools for solar energy projects, including costs related to equipment, installation and maintenance of solar energy systems. “This 21st-century landmark program can save local taxpayers and school districts hundreds of thousands of dollars a year,” Fiedler said. “With the savings, local governments can reduce taxes and schools can invest in more teachers. In addition to all those benefits, solar schools projects have immense local benefits such as reducing carbon emissions and creating family sustaining jobs.” At the legislation roll-out, Fiedler was joined today by labor, educational and environmental leaders. The list of labor unions and organizations supporting the legislative effort includes: the PA and Philadelphia Building Trades, AFT PA, PA and Philadelphia AFL-CIO, LIUNA and IBEW. Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades, said the grant program would create great opportunities for Pennsylvania. “As the sun rises on a new administration, labor and the state legislature can capture that sunlight and turn it into family sustaining jobs, lower energy costs for consumers, and Read more

 

Fiedler Providing Safety and Services

(Mar 08, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler wants to make sure every Pennsylvanian, from children to seniors, has the care and support they need to thrive. She says this year's proposed budget has some good things, including expansion of the property tax and rental rebate program, more services for people with disabilities, and increased funding for child care and education. Read more

 

Democratic lawmakers announce legislation to invest in school facilities

(Mar 01, 2023)

HARRISBURG, March 1 – State Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., Robert Merski, D-Erie, Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, and Tarik Khan, D-Phila., today partnered with state Sen. Tim Kearney, D-Delaware, to announce legislation addressing toxic school buildings in Pennsylvania. Gathered outside the lieutenant governor’s office, Fiedler, Merski, Kosierowski and Khan said they plan to introduce legislation to fund the school construction program PlanCon to address the school facilities crisis in Pennsylvania. The lawmakers’ legislation would fund the maintenance program within the traditional PlanCon program for vital projects including repairs to roofs, HVAC systems, boilers, plumbing and electrical wiring. Under the legislation, the lawmakers propose opening applications only to the new Maintenance Program created under Act 70 for a temporary 3-year period. After this period, the Department of Education would re-open the program for traditional PlanCon projects, with the Maintenance Program returning to its 20% share of available funding. The lawmakers announced they are also introducing another piece of legislation to address toxic school buildings. This legislation would make changes to the commonwealth’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to make it easier for public schools to submit applications for building improvements. Their announcement comes on the heels of the Commonwealth Court’s ruling in the William Penn School Read more

 

Our schools are falling apart, here's one thing we can do about it

(Feb 28, 2023)

As we head into this new House session, in the majority, we are determined to push investments in school buildings to the top of the list. Read more

 

Fiedler and Saval announce violence-prevention grant for Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia

(Feb 07, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 18 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and State Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Phila., announced a grant worth $247,000 has been awarded to Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia to reduce community violence. The funding will come from the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency for violence intervention and prevention. CAGP plans to provide programming and activities for families and neighbors in South Philadelphia. “We are thrilled to receive the state violence intervention and prevention grant,” said Sarun Chan, executive director of CAGP. “Our Cambodian community has called Philadelphia home for over four decades, and during this time we have faced and witnessed many disparities and issues of violence in our community. This project will support South Philadelphia families, regardless of ethnicity, from neighborhoods with high rates of gun violence and crime.” In South Philadelphia, CAGP will host community conversations and organize community events that address gun violence for families of children and older adults. “Every day I hear from constituents concerned about gun violence in the city,” Fiedler said. “While we work to get guns off the streets, we also need to invest in community groups like CAGP who have a long history of youth mentorship, leadership development and community advocacy. Strong communities are safe communities, and groups like CAGP Read more

 

Conservation, Substance Abuse Education, and Act 13 Funding Opportunities

(Feb 03, 2023)

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Regional Recovery Hubs Grant Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Nonprofit organization or governmental entity. Use : To support a Recovery-Oriented-System of Care (ROSC) by establishing a Recovery Hub and Spoke model. Funds : Nine grants up to $500,000 each will be awarded.. Application Deadline : February 24, 2023 More Information : https://www.ddap.pa.gov/Documents/Funding%20documents/GIFA%2023-01%20Regional%20Recovery%20Hubs_2023.01.11_FINAL.pdf . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency: Substance Abuse Education and Demand Reduction Category 1 Funds (Funding Source: SAEDR Fund) Who May Apply : Nonprofit organizations may partner with governmental entities, including school districts, provided the nonprofit organization is the applicant. Use : To provide research-based or evidence-based approaches to prevention, intervention, treatment, training, and education services to reduce substance use or to provide resources to assist families in accessing the services needed to reduce substance use behavior, as well as strategies aimed at combating opioid/heroin overdoses. Funds : Grants up to $150,000 over a two-year project period. Application Deadline : February 24, 2023 More Read more

 

Fiedler Touts Benefits of #Solar4Schools
Apr 27, 2023

Fiedler, Hanbidge ‘Patient Consent for Pelvic Exams’ bill passes House
Apr 26, 2023

Fiedler, Madsen, Harris join Steelton-Highspire High School solar tour
Apr 25, 2023

Fiedler visits Middleburg Elementary School, touts ‘Solar for Schools’ legislation
Apr 21, 2023

Workforce Development, Infrastructure, and Housing Funding Opportunities
Apr 13, 2023

Pa. House committee advances bill requiring informed consent for certain medical exams
Mar 30, 2023

House Health Committee advances bills to save lives of children, improve lives of seniors, protect dignity of all patients
Mar 29, 2023

Fiedler bill to require patient consent for pelvic exams passes Health Committee
Mar 29, 2023

Policy Committee examines expanding reproductive health care
Mar 29, 2023

State funding for local projects
Mar 27, 2023

Fiedler Expresses Concerns About Temple’s Public Image
Mar 24, 2023

Fiedler Starts 3rd Term on Appropriations Committee
Mar 21, 2023

Fiedler Working for Increased Investment in Philly Schools, Students
Mar 20, 2023

Fiedler announces nearly $500,000 in state grants for local projects
Mar 17, 2023

Fiedler introduces legislation for solar energy grant program for PA schools
Mar 08, 2023

Fiedler Providing Safety and Services
Mar 08, 2023

Democratic lawmakers announce legislation to invest in school facilities
Mar 01, 2023

Our schools are falling apart, here's one thing we can do about it
Feb 28, 2023

Fiedler and Saval announce violence-prevention grant for Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia
Feb 07, 2023

Conservation, Substance Abuse Education, and Act 13 Funding Opportunities
Feb 03, 2023