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Cephas asks utilities to delay billing consumers during government shutdown

Senate committee unanimously approves Rabb bill to address deed fraud

(Sep 09, 2025)

Bipartisan legislation to protect homeowners from fraudulent property transfers advances Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for urgent SEPTA funding ahead of Eagles home opener

(Sep 04, 2025)

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 4 – Yesterday, one day ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles home opener, the Philadelphia House Delegation hosted a press conference to bring attention to the impacts that SEPTA cuts will have on the region and the stadium district. "How do you efficiently move upwards of 100,000 people? It can’t be done by flooding our already overburdened streets and highways with additional traffic,” said Rep. Morgan Cephas, Chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation. “SEPTA is more than just getting to the game, but without it, gameday is a major traffic headache across our city. SEPTA and public transportation systems should be a priority for leaders across the state. We saw how effective transit was during the Eagles championship parade in February. We’ll need it again for next year’s parade and the other world-class events coming to our city. As leaders, we must find consensus on a solution that keeps transit moving beyond a short-term fix - we can’t afford to let SEPTA be destroyed." Lincoln Financial Field seats over 60,000 attendees, but many more people travel to the stadium district on game days, including stadium workers or fans intending to tailgate or watch the game nearby. On average, an Eagles game brings in up to 17,000 additional Broad Street Line riders. On Tuesday, Lincoln Financial Field issued a travel advisory to fans, discouraging tailgating or travel to the area for Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 03, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the Budget: Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Who May Apply: Applicants must have been previously itemized in a Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Use: Applicants can use funds for the purposes prescribed in the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Funds: Varied. Application Deadline: September 23, 2025 More information: OB website Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Statewide Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, or councils of government. Non-profits may partner with an eligible applicant to apply on their behalf. Use: Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization. Funds: The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest. Grant requests must be at a minimum $25,000 and no more than $1,000,000. Application Deadline: November 30, 2025 More information: DCED Website Department of Agriculture: Agriculture and Youth Organization Grant Program Who May Apply: Agriculture and youth organizations, Read more

 

Uber, local nonprofits launch senior ride program to combat SEPTA service cuts

(Aug 27, 2025)

This partnership, created in part thanks to the efforts of State Representative Morgan Cephas, will fund the Uber Senior Ride Program with an in-kind contribution from Uber to help older adults get to critical destinations like doctors appointments and grocery stores. Read more

 

City of Philadelphia confident in preparations to host 2026 events

(Aug 20, 2025)

Preparations are underway for the large influx of tourists set to visit Philadelphia next year for several major events that will be hosted throughout the city. The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing Wednesday to learn more about the safety and security measures being taken to ensure the well-being of both visitors and residents. Read more

 

Food insecurity crisis detailed during House Majority Policy hearing

(Aug 19, 2025)

The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing Tuesday afternoon, hosted by Rep. Amen Brown (D-Phila.), to discuss hunger and what can be done to address the ongoing issue. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Aug 19, 2025)

Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Environmental Education Grant Program Who May Apply: Schools, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, businesses, and other eligible entities. Use: Delivery of meaningful environmental education projects to improve understanding of natural resources and cultivate critical thinking and environmental stewardship for sustainable resource management. Funds: 5% of the pollution fines and penalties collected annually by DEP are used for Environmental Education grants. There are three grant ranges that include grants up to $5,000, grants between $5,001 and $30,000, and grants between $30,001 and $65,000. Application Deadline: November 14, 2025 More information: DEP 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 More information: Read more

 

The Entrepreneur’s Guide

(Aug 12, 2025)

A free publication that guides a small business owner through the process of starting and growing a business in Pennsylvania that includes expert information about writing a business plan, registering a business, receiving funding, and more Read more

 

How will your SEPTA route be impacted?

(Aug 12, 2025)

How will your route be impacted? The map and tables below show how service will be modified on each route in August 2025 and January 2026 if funding is not obtained. Read more

 

As school nears, public transit cuts loom over students and families who rely on SEPTA

(Aug 12, 2025)

For Autumn Fingerhood, a single mother who works three jobs, public transportation is the reason her 15-year-old daughter can get to school and back every day. However, the bus her daughter relies on is slated to be cut in a matter of weeks if Pennsylvania’s Republican-led Senate doesn’t quickly pass a state budget or a separate standalone bill with funding for mass transit. Read more

 

House passes Dougherty’s transformative public transit omnibus legislation; calls on the PA Senate to finally fund public transit

(Aug 11, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Aug. 11 – Today, the Pennsylvania House passed sweeping public transit legislation ( HB 1788 ), which was introduced by state Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila., and passed with bipartisan support. This legislation would: Fund transit systems plus road and bridge projects in all 67 counties. Invest in SEPTA to avoid service cuts. Set requirements for safety, efficiency and accountability in public transit. Dougherty said this legislation is timely as last week, SEPTA announced that if state funding isn’t assured by Aug. 14, service cuts will begin on Aug. 24 with sharp fare increases coming in September. As a representative from Philadelphia, Dougherty pointed out the urgency that this funding must get passed for not only SEPTA, but public transit operations throughout Pennsylvania. “Northeast Philadelphia runs on SEPTA, and many communities all across the Commonwealth heavily rely on public transit,” Dougherty said. “If they become reality, these service cuts will hurt real people, destroy jobs and hurt businesses of every size, not just in my district, but in communities across all 67 counties. We are out of time! The Senate needs to get back to Harrisburg immediately and finally fund public transit, because our state’s well-being truly depends on it.” This bill is one of five that the House has passed to fund public transit without raising Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to SEPTA deadline announcement

(Aug 06, 2025)

Following this morning’s announcement by SEPTA of their deadline to avoid initial service cuts in the absence of state funding, Philadelphia state Rep. Morgan Cephas, chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation, issued the following statement:“Our deadline to avoid service cuts is now as real as ever with SEPTA drawing their line on the tracks today. We have eight days, but we’re hopeful that the actions of the House Transportation Committee this afternoon will build the necessary consensus to overcome this impasse and keep our city working and economy moving.” Read more

 

House Dems want action from Picozzi on SEPTA funding

(Aug 05, 2025)

Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation held a press conference at Abraham Lincoln High School in Northeast Philadelphia, calling on the PA Senate to pass funding for public transit. Read more

 

Hospitality Industry Urges Passage of State Legislation Requiring Human Trafficking Training

(Aug 05, 2025)

“Human trafficking is an evil practice that happens all across the country, and Pennsylvania is not immune to it. Hotel and service-industry workers tend to be on the front lines of witnessing the crime and are at risk of being victimized themselves. With the Philadelphia Airport located in my district and major interstate routes passing through our region, trafficking is especially pervasive here,” said State Representative Regina Young. “We also want to bring into this discussion online reservation platforms for long- and short-term lodging, as they are the modern standard for reservations, allowing easier trafficking through bypassing actual human interaction. Making sure lodging associates are trained to understand what human trafficking can be is a crucial step in identifying and reporting those being trafficked. We must do all we can to end this heinous crime.” Read more

 

Burgos applauds PECO grant announcement for customers to pay off overdue utility bills

(Jul 31, 2025)

Beginning Aug. 4, PECO customers will be able to apply for assistance through the temporary PECO Customer Relief Fund. Read more

 

Rabb proposes nonpartisan investments in local journalism, civic information

(Jul 28, 2025)

Legislation establishing consortium, fellowship to strengthen community news Read more

 

A plan to help SEPTA emerges from the GOP state Senate, with no funding attached

(Jul 28, 2025)

“Our systems are meeting the moment and addressing every single concern that Republicans are bringing up. The one thing that I need them to shift on is actually funding the actual system like it should be funded,” (Cephas) said. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jul 22, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Broadband Development Authority: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Who May Apply: Cooperative organizations, non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, private companies, public or private utility companies, public utility districts, municipalities or units of local government, internet service providers registered through the FCC Use: Deploying and/or upgrading broadband network facilities, data collection, broadband mapping and broadband planning Funds: Pennsylvania received $1,161,778,242 in federal funding pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This is the second round of BEAD funding. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount for any project Application Deadline: August 1, 2025 More information: PBDA Website Historical & Museum Commission: Cultural and Historical Support Grants Who May Apply: Museums located in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person or an official county historical society. Use: To strengthen Pennsylvania’s museums and allow applicants to determine how to use funds for operating expenses Funds: Grant awards range from $2,500 to $65,000 Application Deadline: August 22, 2025 More information: PHMC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Sequential Intercept Model Training Initiative (SIM) Read more

 

Seniors aren’t ‘getting any younger.’ So why do their SEPTA fare cards expire?

(Jul 21, 2025)

The SEPTA senior fare cards have a shelf life from the manufacturer, SEPTA says. Read more

 

Small Business Funding and Support Opportunities in Philadelphia

(Jul 18, 2025)

Small Business Funding and Support Opportunities in Philadelphia Below is an overview of several programs offered by the Department of Commerce to support small businesses in Philadelphia. The Mayor’s Business Action Team within the Department of Commerce offers personalized guidance for any business in Philadelphia who wants to be connected to resources and programs. The Mayor’s Business Action Team can be contacted by emailing business@phila.gov or calling (215) 683-2100. The Mayor’s Business Action Team also provides personalized assistance in multiple languages to entrepreneurs for all aspects of doing business in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund is a recent $5 million investment designed to accelerate the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the city. Support includes funding and strategic guidance. Grants of up to $50,000 per business are awarded based on demonstrated need, growth potential, and economic impact. Eligibility: Businesses that generated no more than $2 million in revenue in 2024 Business must be located in Philadelphia and registered and licensed with the City of Philadelphia Business must be up to date on City taxes or have an approved tax payment agreement with the City Business must be able to accelerate business goals with targeted funding and support Must show strong growth potential Read more

 

Senate committee unanimously approves Rabb bill to address deed fraud
Sep 09, 2025

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for urgent SEPTA funding ahead of Eagles home opener
Sep 04, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 03, 2025

Uber, local nonprofits launch senior ride program to combat SEPTA service cuts
Aug 27, 2025

City of Philadelphia confident in preparations to host 2026 events
Aug 20, 2025

Food insecurity crisis detailed during House Majority Policy hearing
Aug 19, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Aug 19, 2025

The Entrepreneur’s Guide
Aug 12, 2025

How will your SEPTA route be impacted?
Aug 12, 2025

As school nears, public transit cuts loom over students and families who rely on SEPTA
Aug 12, 2025

House passes Dougherty’s transformative public transit omnibus legislation; calls on the PA Senate to finally fund public transit
Aug 11, 2025

Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to SEPTA deadline announcement
Aug 06, 2025

House Dems want action from Picozzi on SEPTA funding
Aug 05, 2025

Hospitality Industry Urges Passage of State Legislation Requiring Human Trafficking Training
Aug 05, 2025

Burgos applauds PECO grant announcement for customers to pay off overdue utility bills
Jul 31, 2025

Rabb proposes nonpartisan investments in local journalism, civic information
Jul 28, 2025

A plan to help SEPTA emerges from the GOP state Senate, with no funding attached
Jul 28, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 22, 2025

Seniors aren’t ‘getting any younger.’ So why do their SEPTA fare cards expire?
Jul 21, 2025

Small Business Funding and Support Opportunities in Philadelphia
Jul 18, 2025