Featured News

Krajewski announces birth certificate application changes for minors with DOH

Philadelphia House Delegation advancing eviction reform

(Aug 30, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30 – In response to a series of violent incidents involving landlord-tenant officers taking place in the city, members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today said the organization has been working hand in hand with the House Housing and Community Development Committee to help end the practice of private contractors performing eviction services. As part of this collaboration, both organizations held a public hearing Tuesday in the Philadelphia City Council Chambers on proposed reforms regarding landlord and tenant officers and evictions. Rep. Morgan Cephas, chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation, explained that a vital concern is that the eviction services are executed by people without the proper training, and carrying guns. “Moving forward there needs to be accountability and transparency with an agency that is responsible to the citizens of Philadelphia,” Cephas said. “We are determined to take this task away from the unaccountable, private entities. “We respect the need for landlords to run their business and receive their payments in a timely manner. However, the need for compassionate, respectful interaction with tenants was made obvious in the hearing,” she added. Rep. Mike Sturla, chair of the PA House Housing and Community Development Committee, highlighted that when it comes to housing it is important to look at the Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for bold changes in eviction process

(Jul 20, 2023)

HARRISBURG, July 20 – After the third eviction-related shooting since March in Philadelphia, members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today said the organization is determined to help end the practice of private contractors performing eviction services in the city to avoid more violent incidents. “The imminent threat of being displaced from home can put anybody into a rage and despair mode. If you add to this scenario people without the proper training, carrying guns to handle evictions, the outcome can be fatal,” said Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas, who is organizing upcoming hearings in August about the evictions with state Rep. Mike Sturla, chair of the PA House Housing & Community Development Committee. “Philadelphia’s landlord-tenant officer has temporarily stopped evictions, but this is a turning point: evictions must be handled by public officials and our delegation will be working to introduce legislation to regulate this process. We are ready to establish policies that would support critical demands in this system, like proper protocol and de-escalations practice to protect the safety and integrity of the tenants,” she added. State Rep. Rick Krajewski, who will be introducing a bill addressing the subject, explained that the mercenary mentality of private contractors working for the city's landlord-tenant officer serves no public good. Krajewski indicated that Read more

 

Infrastructure, Housing, Transportation, and Safety Funding Opportunities

(Jul 05, 2023)

Below are several grant programs that are currently open for applications. PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Historical & Museum Commission: Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program Who May Apply: Museums that are in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind services) and at least one full-time professional staff person and that are not supported by other state agency funding programs and official County Historical Societies designated as the official historical society for the county. Use: The goal of this program is to strengthen Pennsylvania’s museums and allow applicants to determine how to use funds for operating expenses. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, salaries, benefits, insurance, food service, travel, professional development, marketing, and equipment. Funds: Grant awards range from $2,500 to $65,000. Application Deadline: November 7, 2023 More information: PHMC Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program Who May Apply: Municipality, Economic Development Organization, Redevelopment Authorities, Municipal Authorities, Industrial Development Agencies. For-profit businesses are not eligible to apply for the PA SITES Program. However, an eligible applicant may apply for a site owned and controlled by the Read more

 

Krajewski Kinship bill unanimously passes PA House

(Jun 22, 2023)

HARRISBURG, June 22 – Today, legislation ( H.B. 1058 ) introduced by state Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., unanimously passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and will now head to the state Senate for consideration. House Bill 1058 would make child custody proceedings more inclusive of potential kinship care providers by requiring courts to solicit and consider the opinions of those who engaged with family finding and kinship care programs. While living with kin (relatives and close family friends) minimizes childhood trauma and increases wellbeing , f ewer than 42% of children receiving care in the state are placed in a kinship home. “This simple change in where a youth calls home can help a child resume attending school, reforge their community connections, and avoid being at-risk for violence. As we're hit by a gun violence crisis, it is essential that we do all we can to keep communities intact and minimize childhood trauma. ” Krajewski said. “We took an important step in moving this legislation out of the House. Now, I urge my Senate colleagues to do the same in their chamber so we can get it signed into law and ensure foster kids find homes with people who will be best for their growth and futures.” Read more

 

Krajewski kinship care legislation clears House committee

(Jun 07, 2023)

HARRISBURG, June 7 – Today, the House Children and Youth Committee voted to report to the full House for a vote H.B.1058 , introduced by Rep. Rick Krajewski D-Phila., which would make child custody proceedings more inclusive of potential kinship care providers. Krajewski said that when a child is taken from their home and into the custody of a county youth agency it can be a deeply traumatic experience. Living with kin – such as relatives, grandparents, and close family friends – is better for children, minimizing childhood trauma and increasing well-being. Despite this, only 42% of Pennsylvania’s children receiving care are placed in a kinship home , and potential kin providers can be excluded from consideration because of implicit bias, family poverty and red tape. This bill would require that in child custody proceedings, courts solicit and consider the opinions of those who engaged with family finding and kinship care programs. This would ensure that courts are fully aware of the strengths and qualifications of potential kinship providers before they place a child in a county youth agency. “As advocates of Kinship Care for youth in Pennsylvania, we believe this bill would strengthen support systems for young people in the child welfare system,” wrote Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia in a joint letter of support for H.B.1058. Read more

 

Rep. Krajewski 2023 Spring Newsletter

(Jun 06, 2023)

This newsletter includes updates from Harrisburg, a recap of district events and information on state programs. Read more

 

PA lawmakers form Progressive Caucus

(May 23, 2023)

Focusing on prioritizing people over profit, fighting social inequality Read more

 

Krajewski Works with Neighbors to Clear the Air

(May 03, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Rick Krajewski brings parents and neighbors together to assemble low-cost, high-efficiency air purifiers for classrooms at Lea Elementary School. Lea is one of many Phila. School District buildings in dire need of renovation but Krajewski says the students and teachers can’t wait for those necessary HVAC upgrades. The filter boxes will help to remove pollutants from the air in classrooms and common spaces throughout the school. Read more

 

Krajewski announces $1.75 million in state funding for local projects

(Mar 16, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, March 16 – State Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., today announced three projects in his legislative district that were awarded a combined $1.75 million in state funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The projects awarded this funding include: $1 million to PIDC Financing Corporation on behalf of the Public Health Management Corporation to upgrade the Public Health Campus on Cedar's parking garage. $500,000 to the city of Philadelphia for the construction of a synthetic sports field at the corner of Kingsessing Avenue and South 49th Street. $250,000 to PIDC Financing Corporation on behalf of The Woodlands Cemetery Company of Philadelphia for renovating a historic building at The Woodlands. “I am proud of the $1.75 million in state grant funding that will be coming to our district and excited for how these funds will contribute to West and Southwest Philly being a place where people are cared for and can thrive,” Krajewski said. “The improvements at the Cedar Ave Health Campus are essential to ensuring that our residents receive the world class care they need right in their neighborhood. Kingsessing Recreation Center is an essential public resource, and these funds will provide improved spaces for our youth to play safely. The Woodlands is a beloved treasure and provides outdoor green space for our community to exercise, relax, and reflect. Public money Read more

 

Expungement Clinic

(Mar 10, 2023)

Expungement Clinic Read more

 

Krajewski: Gov’s Budget Invests in Pennsylvania

(Mar 07, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Rick Krajewski believes Governor Shapiro’s commitments to investment in Pennsylvania schools, homes, and working-class communities are a good start. Highlighting efforts to increase school funding and fix toxic schools, Krajewski is excited about the emphasis on our students in the classroom, and enabling the Whole Home Repairs program which he helped to create. Krajewski is committed to working with the Governor to pass a budget that fully funds our schools, ensures recurring funding for Whole Home Repairs, and investing in our communities and green spaces. Read more

 

Krajewski excited about Pa. school funding ruling

(Feb 08, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 8 – Yesterday, PA Commonwealth Court ruled that the state’s current school funding system is unconstitutional. The ruling is the result of a 2014 case brought by the William Penn School District against the PA Department of Education, a lawsuit that was filed on behalf of parents, school districts, and statewide organizations arguing that the commonwealth’s funding of K-12 public education is inadequate and violates the Pennsylvania Constitution. State Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., has been an advocate for fair and equitable school funding since taking office in 2021. He said he is excited about the ruling. “Access to a quality public education should be a fundamental right! For far too long, Pennsylvania public schools have been unfairly funded based on Zip codes, and districts with a higher proportion of Black and brown children have been most adversely impacted. Yesterday’s court ruling affirms that. Now we must do the work to ensure public schools that have been underfunded for so long get whatever they need to provide their students a valuable education,” Krajewski said. 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

 

Krajewski announces more than $9 million in grants awarded in district to reduce violence

(Jan 19, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 19 – State Rep. Rick Krajewski announced a total of $9.56 million in state funding has been awarded to multiple organizations in his district from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for violence intervention and prevention. The organizations in Krajewski’s district that were awarded grants include: Anti-Drug & Alcohol Crusaders Inc. - $169,000 Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - $1.93 million Drexel University - $1.2 million University of Pennsylvania – Center on Treatment & Study of Anxiety - $1.52 million University of Pennsylvania – Injury Science Center- $2.33 million University of Pennsylvania – Penn Trauma - $1.91 million YEAH Philly - $500,000 “Gun violence has been a very pervasive issue in Philadelphia and taken far too many lives,” said Krajewski, D-Phila. “I am very happy to see this funding come to the district and look forward to seeing the deserving recipients use it to keep our communities safe from further tragedy.” Read more

 

Rep. Krajewski 2022 End of Year Newsletter

(Dec 19, 2022)

Recap of 2022 community events, legislation, state funding brought to the 188th district and much more! Read more

 

Krajewski elected as vice chair to Sentencing Commission

(Dec 08, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 8 – This morning during the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting, state Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., was unanimously elected by the members to serve as vice chair. Per new by-laws adopted during the same business meeting, Krajewski will serve a one-year term until December 2023, when he will be up for reelection. Krajewski issued the following statement: “Over the past two years while serving on the Sentencing Commission, I have gained a deeper understanding of Pennsylvania’s criminal legal system and the Sentencing Commission’s important role. I appreciate the variety of perspectives that each of the commission members brings to the work of establishing Pennsylvania’s guidelines on sentencing, parole, and probation. “In this new role as vice chair, I hope to bring my experience as a community organizer to this role. I believe I offer an important and unique community perspective both from my experience as an organizer advocating in the criminal legal space, and as someone who has family who have been involved in this system. I look forward to continue working with the members of the commission to bring this community perspective into the work of the Sentencing Commission.” Read more

 

Krajewski issues statement on Phila. DA Krasner impeachment vote

(Nov 16, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 16 – State Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., issued a statement following the unprecedented vote by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to impeach Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. "Today is a dark day in Pennsylvania,” said Krajewski. “This afternoon the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to impeach Philadelphia DA Krasner. The impeachment of DA Krasner is a direct extension of efforts by extremist Republicans to undermine voters, decimate our democracy, and steal power to advance their right-wing agenda. But in this country, and in Pennsylvania, voters decide. What we saw today, was emboldened extremists strip away the rights of all Pennsylvanians. And we could see this happen again to our constituents. To any of us. “This impeachment is a distraction from GOP legislators’ failure to address the leading cause of gun violence: guns. And a failure to deliver material support to Pennsylvania communities. Philadelphians have made their voices heard loud and clear: they want gun control, good-paying jobs, and do not want more of their loved ones in jail. GOP legislators are shamefully using the pain of victims and survivors as part of their own desperate power grab. If the General Assembly wanted to protect Philadelphians, they would listen to Philadelphians and help meet these clearly expressed needs.” More information is available by contacting Read more

 

State officials, civil rights groups react to report denying thousands in Pa. their voting rights due to felony convictions

(Nov 01, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 1 – On the last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot in Pennsylvania, state Reps. Rick Krajewski and Chris Rabb, both D-Phila., and civil rights groups reacted to a new report, which found that 42,976 people in Pennsylvania will be formally disenfranchised. The report is by The Sentencing Project, which found that across the country, 4.6 million people, or one in every 50 adults, will be barred from voting in the 2022 midterms due to a felony conviction. In Pennsylvania, only those incarcerated for a felony conviction are ineligible to vote. The 45.4% who will be disenfranchised are African American in a state that is less than 12.2% Black. In addition, advocates warned that thousands of Pennsylvanians currently held in local jails will be unable to vote despite being legally eligible to cast a ballot. A 2021 report by All Voting is Local, Committee of Seventy and Common Cause PA found that only 52 people had requested mail-in ballots in the 2020 general election using an address associated with one of 18 county jails. At the time, nearly 25,000 people were held in jails across the 67 counties. Reactions to the report included: "Felony disenfranchisement is a manifestation of how we dehumanize people in the carceral system,” Krajewski said. “We value retribution over rehabilitation. Punishment over restorative justice. And because we believe people who make mistakes should be penalized, it also means that we Read more

 

Krajewski announces $2.75 million in RACP project grants for Christy Recreation Center

(Oct 27, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 27 – State Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., today announced $2.75 million from a state grant approved by the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program that will support the city of Philadelphia and the Christy Recreation Center. “Christy Recreation is a staple of the community located right in the heart of my district providing dozens of community programs, places to play and recreate, outdoor ball fields, basketball courts, a pool, game room, and community meeting spaces,” Krajewski said. “Whether you’re old or young, we all have stories of the experiences we’ve had at the Christy, and many of us have been heartbroken that such a vital cornerstone has been in disrepair. This investment of $2.75 million provides hope for a grieving community that suffered an immense loss when a young man lost his life to gun violence at this site at the age of 16. This community has come together, and now Christy has the chance to become a cutting-edge recreation center that West Philly residents deserve.” $2.75 million will be provided to the city of Philadelphia for the Christy Recreation Center project, which will involve renovating the existing center building and grounds, including ADA access to and throughout the facility. The facility will become more accessible, better lit, and greener, with better lines of sight and more efficient use of interior and exterior spaces. It will feature better and Read more

 

Krajewski announces birth certificate application changes for minors with DOH

(Oct 26, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 26 – State Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., today announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Health will administratively introduce changes to the birth certificate process, as proposed in legislation he has introduced that would allow disadvantaged minors to access their birth certificates . “Disadvantaged Black youth are at highest risk of being victims of gun violence in our city,” Krajewski said. “I heard their stories of how the inability to access their birth certificates were holding them back from seeking opportunities to improve their lives, and I knew I needed to act. We introduced House Bill 1475 to remove one of many barriers preventing them from being able to better their lives, and I am grateful for the Department of Health’s partnership on this critical issue.” “This regulatory change is a huge win for my clients who are in foster care or transitioning out,” said Saumya Ayyagari, public health nurse home visitor for Philadelphia Nurse-Family Partnership. “Now they can claim their identity and take charge of their financial, educational and career goals.” “This is a transformational change that impacts young people in our state in a positive way,” said Kendra Van de Water, co-founder and executive director for YEAH Philly. “Not only can working-age youth now have the autonomy and access to get their own birth certificates, but now we’ve helped make Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation advancing eviction reform
Aug 30, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for bold changes in eviction process
Jul 20, 2023

Infrastructure, Housing, Transportation, and Safety Funding Opportunities
Jul 05, 2023

Krajewski Kinship bill unanimously passes PA House
Jun 22, 2023

Krajewski kinship care legislation clears House committee
Jun 07, 2023

Rep. Krajewski 2023 Spring Newsletter
Jun 06, 2023

PA lawmakers form Progressive Caucus
May 23, 2023

Krajewski Works with Neighbors to Clear the Air
May 03, 2023

Krajewski announces $1.75 million in state funding for local projects
Mar 16, 2023

Expungement Clinic
Mar 10, 2023

Krajewski: Gov’s Budget Invests in Pennsylvania
Mar 07, 2023

Krajewski excited about Pa. school funding ruling
Feb 08, 2023

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

Krajewski announces more than $9 million in grants awarded in district to reduce violence
Jan 19, 2023

Rep. Krajewski 2022 End of Year Newsletter
Dec 19, 2022

Krajewski elected as vice chair to Sentencing Commission
Dec 08, 2022

Krajewski issues statement on Phila. DA Krasner impeachment vote
Nov 16, 2022

State officials, civil rights groups react to report denying thousands in Pa. their voting rights due to felony convictions
Nov 01, 2022

Krajewski announces $2.75 million in RACP project grants for Christy Recreation Center
Oct 27, 2022

Krajewski announces birth certificate application changes for minors with DOH
Oct 26, 2022