Looking to build on the continued success of the Northeast region in the Commonwealth, state Rep. Jeanne McNeill assumed the role of chair of the Northeast Democratic Delegation in the PA House of Representatives today, a role previously held by state Rep. Maureen Madden. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Who May Apply: State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other eligible specialty crops stakeholders. Use: The purpose of the Program is to enhance, but not replace, the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by establishing a Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for specialty crops that are not currently eligible for grant payments under the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, or that are otherwise designated high-priority specialty crops by the Secretary. Funding for the Program will assist the growth, certification of seed and marketing of these eligible specialty crops. Funds: $460,000 in funding is available. Application Deadline: April 19, 2024 More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply. Use: Strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or support transition of ownership. Funds: $500,000 in funding is available. Grants shall not exceed $7,500. Application Deadline: Applications will be received until funds are exhausted. More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Local law enforcement Read more
Pa. state Rep. Josh Siegel gives a brief recap of a recent House Appropriations Committee budget hearing with state-related universities. Siegel questioned about affordability and whether these institutions are working to keep their communities and students safe. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Josh Siegel gives a brief recap of a recent House Appropriations Committee budget hearing with the Pennsylvania Judicial Branch. Siegel questioned the justices on Governor Shapiro's plan to allocate $5 million for indigent defense. Read more
Project critical to post-Covid redevelopment Read more
At a recent House Appropriations Committee Budget Hearing, Pa. state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski discussed the importance of the Nurse Compact Law in alleviating nursing shortages across the state. Kosierowski also highlights how medical debt relief and increased access to healthcare in rural areas could benefit both patients and the healthcare system. Read more
"Our hardworking first responders deserve every resource they need to respond to local emergencies and to increase and retain their membership,” said Madden. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 27 – Today, state Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, held a news conference at the State Capitol to discuss the importance of alleviating medical debt for Pennsylvanians who need it most. Last spring, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation ( H.B. 78 ) that would establish the Pennsylvania Medical Debt Repayment Program, which would target the medical debt of low-income Pennsylvanians drowning in it and in need of relief. The legislation is currently sitting in the PA Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Medical debt relief is also a top priority for Gov. Josh Shapiro who, in his state budget address for the 2024-25 fiscal year, proposed investing $4 million to wipe it out for thousands of Pennsylvanians. State officials estimate that roughly 1 million Pennsylvanians carry some amount of medical debt. As of Dec. 2020, Pennsylvanians collectively share more than $1.8 billion in medical debt in a collections stage. “The toll of medical debt is staggering, with some reports showing that nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have gone into debt due to healthcare costs,” Khan said. “Medical debt makes us sicker because it prevents people from seeking preventative care and in some cases skipping healthcare services all together. It’s time the legislature addresses this issue that plagues countless Pennsylvanians.” Read more
State Rep. Josh Siegel released the following statement today in response to the announcement that the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone finances will be examined by a PA legislative committee: Read more
State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski hosted a legislative outreach for seniors today at the Senior Citizens Center in Wilkes-Barre. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Jim Haddock sat down the the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to discuss the upcoming trout fishing season and encourages anglers to be safe while out on the water. Read more
Residents in Wilkes-Barre attended a seminar Tuesday about state government services, an event that was designed to inform them about the state resources available to them. Read more
State Rep. Jeanne McNeill today announced a total of $117,907 was awarded to eight fire/EMS companies in her community. Read more
Today, state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski announced that the Office of the State Fire Commissioner awarded more than $102,308 to multiple fire department and EMS services in his district. Read more
State Rep. Josh Siegel today announced that three fire and EMS services in his community have received funding totaling $46,957. Read more
“As former mayor of Stroudsburg, I know the important roles that emergency responders play in our communities. We all owe them a debt of gratitude for the services they provide during our time of need. These grants will enable them to buy needed equipment, acquire necessary training and improve their facilities,” said Probst. Read more
“Many of our emergency service providers are volunteer organizations that have had trouble recruiting membership and fundraising, so this influx of dollars is important because it will enable them to buy needed equipment, provide training and build facilities,” said Kosierowski. Read more
“Emergency responders deserve our heartfelt recognition because they keep us safe, and we can go to sleep each night knowing they are on call if we need them in an emergency,” said Haddock. “But they also need state-of-the-art equipment and valuable training to do their jobs and these grants will help to make that happen.” Read more
“It is important that our emergency responders have up-to-date training, facilities and equipment, so that they can respond in a timely manner to keep residents safe,” said Freeman. Read more
Please know we are not seeking more money for our schools just for the sake of getting more money. What we are doing is fulfilling the obligation in the Pennsylvania Constitution for all children to receive a quality education. Read more
The state House Health Committee recently approved a bill written by Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski that would balance a patient’s right to access their health information with the important role that medical professionals provide in helping patients understand their test results. Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.