State Rep. Morgan Cephas said investing in mass transit is essential to statewide economic success.“One of our top priorities is mass transit,” she said. “We understand early and often that when we invest, we win.” Read more

Supporters of two SEPTA programs that offer free rides rallied at Philadelphia City Hall on Friday. Their concern is that the new city budget will cut funding for the programs.SEPTA has issued 68,000 Zero Fare cards to qualifying riders, though not all of them are used, according to the agency’s Andrew Busch. More than 20,000 Philadelphians currently benefit from the program, and about 13,000 city workers enjoy free rides via the Key Advantage program. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, March 6 – This morning outside of City Hall, state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., spoke at a news conference highlighting the need for city and state investments in mass transit for Philadelphians.Cephas was joined by City Councilman At-Large Nicolas O’Rourke, as well as transit supporters and advocates calling for the protection of the Zero Fare program and the municipal SEPTA Key Advantage program in the city budget. Read more

PHILADELPHIA (March 4, 2026) – Philly public school educators, city officials, and students and families on Wednesday rallied for Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed education funding package as part of a nationwide AFT Day of Action.Members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) at Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School welcomed Dr. Jermaine Dawson, Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services (representing Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington, Sr.); City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Education Chair Isaiah Thomas, and At-Large Member Dr. Nina Ahmad; Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas; and public education supporters to urge the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass Governor Shapiro’s education funding package – of which $2.2 billion would be invested in the District. Shapiro’s proposed FY 2027 budget also includes $1 billion for public education infrastructure, including school buildings. Read more

“When working families are counting every dollar, unpredictable prices are not innovation – they’re instability,” said Rep. Mary Isaacson, who co-hosted the hearing and represents portions of Philadelphia. “AI-enabled pricing puts consumers and working families at an extreme disadvantage, all in the name of corporate greed.” Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS PennDOT: Automated School Bus Enforcement Grant Program Who May Apply: School entities, independent school bus contractors, and municipal governments Use: To cover costs associated with the issuance of CDL licenses to operate school buses within the Commonwealth or to increase school bus safety, education, and training Funds: The total amount of funding available is $1.2 million. Grants can be awarded up to $100,000 per applicant Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 More information: PennDOT Website Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Product Promotion, Education and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate engagement in market research, product development or promotion of agricultural products grown, raised or produced in the Commonwealth Use: To provide matching funds to nonprofit organizations engaged in market research, development or promotion of agricultural products Funds: Up to $381,810.50 is available for grants under the Program Application Deadline: April 10, 2026 More information: PDA Website Department of Environmental Protection: Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant Program Who May Apply: Municipalities Use: To develop and implement recycling programs Funds: Grants are available up to $250,000. Application Read more

“Universal pre-K is one of the smartest investments Pennsylvania can make,” said state Rep. Tarik Khan, who represents part of Philadelphia and co-hosted the hearing. “In Philadelphia, we’ve already seen that high-quality pre-K improves children’s focus, self-control and early literacy. And we know pre-K boosts graduation rates, expands access to better-paying careers, reduces involvement in the criminal justice system and helps parents stay in the workforce. We intend to do more smart things in Pennsylvania, like investing early, where the returns are strongest. The benefits won’t just help kids next year. They will strengthen our commonwealth for decades.” Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 18 – City and state lawmakers joined members of the PA Justice Alliance to celebrate passing key criminal justice reforms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with significant and historic bipartisan support. “For too long, the concerns of incarcerated Pennsylvanians have been sidelined and dismissed as infeasible, said state Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila. “But these wins show that our movement has real power in Harrisburg and can build support across party lines for criminal justice reform.” The Justice Alliance is a coalition of over 30 criminal legal reform organizations, including the Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project, Children First, Straight Ahead, ACLU of PA and more. Recent legislative wins in the State House include: H.B. 144 - Expanding the use of juvenile diversion for nonviolent offenses, which passed the House 153-45. H.B. 150 - Updating Pennsylvania's medical release policy in state prisons, which passed the House 111-92 H.B. 1936 - Ensuring courts consider time served in juvenile jails, which passed the House 111-87. Advocates stressed how these pieces of legislation provide second chances and generate significant cost savings on corrections, arguments which helped secure unprecedented bipartisan support. “Our juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania is long overdue for real reform, and these Read more

South Philly’s largest park will see a little more green.FDR Park will receive more than a quarter of a million dollars in state grants for improvement projects, officials announced on Feb. 11. Leaders from the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation joined state Rep. Regina Young to announce $275,000 in newly awarded state grants for improvement projects at the historic park.“FDR Park, by design, has been a community resource for recreation and nature for over 100 years,” Young said. “There are immense public benefits of both, especially for children.” Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 11 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, joined leaders from the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to announce $275,000 in newly awarded state grants for improvement projects at historic FDR Park in South Philadelphia.Funding through the CFA Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program:•$125,000 to Fairmount Park Conservancy for the FDR Park Nature Phase Franklin 5K to connect all the landscapes in the park for cyclists and pedestrians, allowing for safer travel and exploration from the plaza to the park's natural lands and beyond. Funding through the PA Watershed Restoration Protection Program:•$150,000 for ecological restoration along Shedbrook Creek to bring stronger ecology, thousands of climate-resilient trees, and biodiverse native plants to FDR Park.Young said that she was happy to advocate for these grants to support the FDR Park Plan and develop open, green, recreational and education spaces for children and families.“FDR Park, by design, has been a community resource for recreation and nature for over 100 years. There are immense public benefits of both, especially for children,” said Young. “We cannot say the word ‘park’ without thinking of children, which is why we must continue creating spaces for our youth in Philadelphia. At a time when so many young people are facing challenges related to mental health and access to safe physical spaces, we must work together to support their overall well-being. These... Read more