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Smith-Wade-El, Rivera note passage of sentencing reform legislation

(Jul 24, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, July 24 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, praised the actions of the PA House of Representatives in passing legislation that would end mandatory life-without-parole sentences in cases of second-degree felony murder in Pennsylvania. In 2024, Derek Lee, a Black man serving life without parole for second-degree murder, challenged the constitutionality of his sentence before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He argued that since he did not kill or intend to kill anyone in a 2014 Pittsburgh robbery , his sentence is disproportionate and cruel under both the Pennsylvania and U.S. constitutions. This March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Commonwealth v. Lee found that automatically imposing life without parole for all second-degree murder convictions violates the state constitution’s protections against cruel punishment because it does not consider individual responsibility or level of culpability. Currently only five states — Pennsylvania, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina — require mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole for second-degree felony murder convictions. The bill passed by the House (H.B. 1042) would require the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to deliver guidelines to judges while still ensuring judges can examine the facts of each case. It also would allow certain incarcerated people who served more than 30 years of their sentence before Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El community redevelopment bill signed into law

(Jul 21, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, July 21 – Legislation to authorize the Pennsylvania Department of General Services to transfer the former Witmer Infirmary property in Millersville, Lancaster County, to a nonprofit group was signed into law Monday by Gov. Josh Shapiro, the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, announced. House Bill 2559, now Act 40 of 2026, will enable Student Lodging, Inc. to demolish the vacant Witmer Infirmary property and convert the site into a surface parking lot to serve students and the broader Millersville community, supporting the planned mixed-use development on the adjacent property. The legislation would also authorize other vacant state-owned properties to be returned to productive use while preserving protections for host communities: a former nursing home on Girard Avenue in Philadelphia to the Philadelphia Housing Authority. a parcel adjacent to I-99 in Centre County to Ferris Land Development. the Peace Church in Cumberland County to Friends of Peace Church. portions of the former Danville State Hospital to the Borough of Danville. part of the former Eastern Pa. Psychiatric Institute on Henry Avenue in Philadelphia to Gaudenzia Foundation. “The transfer of these state properties to nonprofit organizations and other community partners will bring many benefits to our local communities, including historic preservation, community revitalization and blight reduction,” Smith-Wade-El Read more

 

Pa. House Consumer Protection Committee receives testimony on safe water systems for Pennsylvanians

(Jul 21, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

PHILADELPHIA, July 21 – On Monday, the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee held a public hearing examining the management of public water systems and prevention of waterborne illness, like Legionnaires’ disease. Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila., chairman of the committee, called the hearing to collect the expertise of leaders in the health and science behind epidemiology, public water systems, and prevention of disease to ensure the safety of Pennsylvanians. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El announces $6M in state funding to support educational opportunities, create jobs, increase affordable housing

(Jul 17, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, July 17 – New funding of $6 million from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program will go to schools, affordable housing initiatives and business development in the 49th Legislative District, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, announced today. “These state investments will deliver wide-ranging and long-term benefits for our communities,” Smith-Wade-El said. “From increasing access to quality education at Thaddeus Stevens to creating affordable housing options and local business growth opportunities at the Crossings at Penn Ridge, this funding will help strengthen our workforce, support economic development and improve quality of life. I will continue advocating for state investments that address our communities’ needs and support their long-term goals.” The funding includes: $4 million for Thaddeus Stevens Foundation to renovate the Lancaster Almshouse to include extensive mechanical upgrades, ADA compliance, and outfitting the building to expand classrooms, lab space, and the Workforce Development Center. $2 million for Crossings at Penn Ridge LLC to develop commercial buildings, mixed-use buildings, and multi-family dwelling units in Millersville. RACP funds design, acquisition, and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects that have a regional impact and generate Read more

 

Public Interest, Transportation, Community Development and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jul 15, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County: Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund Who May Apply: Municipalities, authorities, councils of government, non-profits and for-profit businesses in Allegheny County. Use: Economic development projects, infrastructure development projects, job training, community improvement projects, public safety projects, and public interest projects. Funds: Project budgets must be between $150,000 and $500,000. Application Deadline: August 14, 2026 More information: RAAC Website Commonwealth Financing Authority: Local Share Account: Monroe County Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development agencies, or redevelopment authorities within Monroe County or the five contiguous counties to Monroe (Carbon, Lackawanna, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne). Use: Public interest projects, community improvement projects, economic development projects, or roadway improvement projects. Funds: Funded by gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 More information: DCED Website Commonwealth Financing Authority: Local Share Account: Category 4 Facilities Program (Berks, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and York Counties) Who May Apply: Municipalities, counties, redevelopment authorities, or economic development agencies in a county hosting a Category 4 Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera urge Lancaster residents to get vaccinated against measles, stay informed with new dashboard

(Jul 15, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, July 15 – As Lancaster County experiences the largest measles outbreak in Pennsylvania in 2026, state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, are encouraging residents to get vaccinated against the disease and to stay informed about outbreaks through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s new measles online dashboard. “We urge residents to protect themselves against the measles outbreak by getting vaccinated if they are unvaccinated and by staying informed about outbreaks using the Department of Health’s new online dashboard,” Smith-Wade-El and Rivera said in a joint statement. “We are grateful to the Department of Health for expanding public access to information and increasing transparency about measles cases in Pennsylvania.” Since the beginning of the year, Pennsylvania has reported 105 cases of measles. More than half of those cases — 63 — have been reported in Lancaster County. The new online dashboard provides up-to-date information on measles outbreaks across Pennsylvania, including case details by county, age and hospitalizations. The dashboard is updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon with the latest available data. The Department of Health currently provides school vaccination data at the county and state levels. In August, school-level vaccination information will be available online, giving families additional information to guide personal Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El applauds historic investments in education, pioneering affordable housing initiatives in 2026-27 state budget

(Jul 12, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, July 12 -- State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, celebrated the passage today of a 2026-27 state budget that he said will help achieve equity in Pennsylvania through historic investments in education and housing. Read more

 

Equality Caucus applauds unanimous passage of bill decriminalizing HIV

(Jul 12, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, LGBTQ Equality Caucus

“We are grateful that Senate Bill 45 is headed to the governor’s desk. This legislation brings Pennsylvania law into closer alignment with current science, reduces stigma, and creates a legal framework that can continue to evolve alongside future advances in HIV research and care.” Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agriculture, CTE, Tourism, and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District

(Jul 09, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program Who May Apply: Family farm corporations, family farm partnerships, farm enterprises, nonprofit education institutions Use: Reduce operating expenses through practices that are ecologically beneficial, improve soil quality and fertility, improve water quality, and reduce or eliminate the need for the purchase of off-farm inputs, such as chemical or synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides. Funds: Grants may not exceed $25,000 except as provided in this subsection. An additional amount of up to $25,000 may be granted if the grantee matches that additional amount dollar for dollar so that an individual grant may not exceed $50,000 in one calendar year. Application Deadline: August 28, 2026 More information: PDA Website Department of Transportation: Career and Technical Education Grant Who May Apply: Public, private, and cyber schools, career and technical centers, youth development centers, and institutions of higher learning Use: To develop and implement new technical training curriculum or to expand existing technical training curriculum and/or delivery, relevant to the heavy highway industry Funds: The total amount of direct grant reimbursement funding available under this program is $12 million. PennDOT intends to award a single individual grant up to $500,000 per eligible applicant. Read more

 

Grant Memo: Nonprofit security, Redevelopment, Scholarship, and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District

(Jun 29, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Emergency Management Agency: Nonprofit Security Grant Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations Use: Provides funding for physical and cybersecurity enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high-risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack. Funds: This program is funded through FEMA using federal dollars. The maximum award request is $200,000. Application Deadline: July 14, 2026 More information: PEMA Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2026 First Chance Trust Fund Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to any school district identified as having statistically higher high school dropout and incarceration rates based on data from the PA Department of Education and the PA Department of Corrections. Please refer to Appendix A for a full listing of eligible school districts. Use: Direct financial support to eligible students via scholarship, administrative support directly related to the administration of student scholarships and connecting at-risk youth with community-based organizations, or community-based organization (CBO) direct programming support. Funds: A total of $3.3 million in state funding is being made available to support this initiative. PCCD anticipates awarding up to $150,000 per grantee for an initial two-year project period. Application Deadline: August 11, 2026 More Read more

 

Redevelopment, Transportation, Environmental and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jun 12, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy (JJSES) Who May Apply: Private non-profit agency or unit of local government Use: To build on the work that has been completed to date and advance statewide training and technical assistance around the JJSES framework with a strong focus on continuous quality improvement and fundamental fairness Funds: A total of $450,000 in federal Title II Formula Grant funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $450,000 over the 12- month project period. Matching funds are not a requirement of this funding opportunity, but a sustainability plan must be included as part of the application submitted. Application Deadline: July 13, 2026 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvements Who May Apply: State, county, or municipal forensic crime laboratories to support activities that improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services. Use: To improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services throughout Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on combating opioids and synthetic drugs through laboratory accreditation, the certification of forensic scientists, and the purchase of laboratory equipment. Funds: A total of approximately $740,000 in federal Paul Coverdell Forensic Read more

 

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus calls for swift, transparent conclusion in Quakertown investigation

(Jun 12, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

QUAKERTOWN, June 12 – Leaders of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, including state Reps. Napoleon Nelson, Darisha Parker, Justin Fleming and Ismail Smith-Wade-El, released the following statement calling on Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan to expedite the investigation into the actions of Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree: “Video footage and eyewitness accounts describing a physical confrontation between the police chief and student protesters have raised significant questions that warrant a swift and transparent investigation. “It is difficult to ignore the concerns raised by members of the community while questions regarding law enforcement conduct remain under review. Public confidence in our justice system depends on all parties being held to the same standard of accountability. “The public deserves a prompt and impartial resolution to this matter, not nearly four months of uncertainty. Continued delays in the investigation of Police Chief McElree only prolong unanswered questions for those involved and for the broader community. “We therefore call upon District Attorney Khan and his office to expedite the investigation into Chief McElree and any officers involved and to announce their findings and charging decisions as soon as practicable. Transparency and timely action are essential to maintaining public trust in the integrity of the justice system. “Our Read more

 

Transportation, Development, Artistic, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jun 03, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

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: DCED Website Department of Environmental Protection: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program Who May Apply: Pennsylvania residents whose total household income is below 400 percent of the Federal Income Poverty Level. Use: This program provides a rebate to Pennsylvanians who purchase or lease alternative fuel vehicles. Funds: Rebates vary depending on type of vehicle purchased. Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted and evaluated on a first come, first served basis as long as funds remain available. Please note applications must be received within six months of the date of the vehicle purchase. More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: WIIN 2107: Voluntary School and Childcare Lead testing and Reduction Grant Who May Apply: Childcare facilities and schools located in Pennsylvania with Read more

 

Transportation, Environmental, Artistic, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 26, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2026/27 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Single Solicitation for Local Initiatives Who May Apply: Units of government (including counties) and non-profit organizations Use: To implement projects and programs that directly address the PCCD Objectives and Goals outlined in PCCD’s 2026-2030 Strategic Framework Funds: A total of $8,221,880 in federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 30-35 grants with budgets not to exceed $250,000 over the two-year project period. Application Deadline: July 14, 2026 More information: PCCD Website Department of Aging: Resilient environments for Aging and Dementia in Your Communities (READY Communities) Who May Apply: Non-profits, county and municipal governments, and coalitions of organizations Use: For community-based projects focused on improving the lives of older adults, people living with dementia, caregivers, and their communities Funds: A total of $325,000 is available with a minimum award of $10,000 and a maximum award of $50,000 Application Deadline: June 12, 2026 More information: Aging Website Department of Environmental Protection: Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants Who May Apply: School districts; Municipal authorities; Political subdivisions; Incorporated Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera embrace free online platform for food help

(May 22, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, May 22 – Building on their commitment to support food-insecure Lancastrians, state Reps. Ismail Smith Wade El’s and Nikki Rivera’s offices attended a training on an innovative online platform that is increasing food access and sustainability in the region. The Lancaster County Food Exchange uses a mobile web application to allow procurement volunteers at food pantries and community kitchens in Lancaster County to communicate their surplus items and items they are requesting. Each posting is communicated to all participants via email or text twice daily. The service is free and only requires an email address and a cell phone or laptop. Terry Kile, founder and board chair of the non-profit, gave the training. Lancaster County Food Exchange is used by 23 food pantry providers to feed Lancaster County’s estimated 50,000 residents who need more access to food. “At a time when federal government budget cuts have significantly strained food pantries’ and food banks’ abilities to provide nourishment to the food-insecure, these critical organizations have had to become more agile to ensure that our neighbors in need have food to feed their families,” Smith-Wade-El said. “And this app makes that easy by enabling them to support one another’s needs by sharing surplus or requesting additional food with the click of a button.” “There’s no better example of the phrase Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El to hold shred/e-cycle/child car seat safety event May 9

(May 06, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, May 6 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El will host a free community shred/e-cycle event/child car seat safety event from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, May 9 at Lancaster Township Fire Department, 275 Millersville Pike, Lancaster. “This Saturday’s community event is a great one-stop shop where you can ensure your private documents are shredded in an environmentally safe way that also protects you from identity theft and gives you peace of mind knowing your child’s car seat is correctly installed,” Smith-Wade-El said. “And it’s a great place to get rid of unwanted household items that are no longer of use to you, but could greatly benefit someone else, like new and gently used stuffed animals which will be shared with hospitalized kids in need of comfort. District residents are invited to bring up to three bankers boxes of papers for free shredding. Staples and paperclips do not need to be removed. Electronics, small appliances, and gently used clothing, housewares, and stuffed animals can also be dropped off with event partners. The organizers cannot accept large appliances, hazardous household waste, or devices containing mercury or freon. “As nearly half of child car seats are incorrectly installed, I am excited to offer free, expert-led safety reviews to ensure residents’ child car seats are correctly positioned and secured to protect their children in case of an accident,” Smith-Wade-El Read more

 

Rep. Smith-Wade-El introduces legislation to rein in pet housing costs

(May 04, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, May 4– State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El today introduced legislation (House Bills 2475 and 2476) to protect Pennsylvania pet owners from exorbitant tenant rental fees, as well as relocation fees in domestic violence situations. House Bill 2475 would prohibit landlords from charging tenants an upfront or ongoing pet fee or rent; and would limit the amount of a permitted pet deposit. The bill seeks to restore equity to rental property pet policies, ending a pattern of landlords charging out of control pet fees or rent on top of upfront deposits. “It is one thing to charge tenants for property damage their pets could potentially cause,” Smith-Wade-El said. “It is another thing entirely to charge a captive audience exorbitant fees for the sake of profit. Pets are beloved family members and should not be seen as an obstacle to affordable housing.” House Bill 2476 would allow expenses related to the relocation of pets in domestic violence situations as an “out-of-pocket loss” compensable under the Crime Victim Compensation Program. The bill would give victims of domestic violence an avenue to keep their family pets safe. “We need legislation to assuage the fears of how family pets could be treated in domestic violence situations,” Smith-Wade-El said. “The pressures of relocating a pet are already high, and it becomes immense in a high-stress position. With a minor Read more

 

Transportation, Environmental, Community and Economic Development and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Apr 30, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener Plus Act 167 Plans Who May Apply: Counties Use: To prepare and adopt a watershed stormwater management plan. Funds: Grant awards will be at least $30,000 and not more than $50,000. Application Deadline: June 22, 2026 More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act Grants Who May Apply: Municipalities, municipal authorities, and appropriate incorporated nonprofit organizations Use: The design, construction and/or rehabilitation of treatment facilities on ABS Legacy AMD discharge sites, but grants may also be awarded for ABS bond forfeited land reclamation projects. Application Deadline: June 22, 2026 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: DCED Website Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El legislation to end the criminalization of homelessness in PA reported out of committee

(Apr 28, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, April 28 – The PA House of Representatives took a step toward decriminalizing homelessness in Pennsylvania by reporting state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El’s Shelter First Act ( H.B. 2028 ) out of the House Judiciary Committee on Monday. Smith-Wade-El’s Shelter First Act legislation would allow people experiencing homelessness to conduct life-sustaining activities in public spaces when no reasonable alternative options for housing are offered or available. Municipalities would be required to provide adequate indoor spaces for people experiencing homelessness before they could enforce any ordinance that criminalizes living outside. State Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Phila., has introduced a companion bill in the state Senate. Smith-Wade-El’s advocacy grew out of his experiences managing a homeless shelter in Lancaster. “Many of the shelter’s residents had jobs they went to day after day but still were struggling to find a home of their own thanks to low wages, rising inflation, and an affordable housing crisis—a perfect storm,” Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, said. “The criminalization of the unhoused will not solve the homelessness issue in our commonwealth. Instead, it will exacerbate it by plunging these vulnerable people into a never-ending cycle of heavy fines, arrests, and incarceration. It’s a tax on being poor. “Jailing our unhoused population is a losing proposition for everyone, as it Read more

 

Upcoming Events

(Apr 16, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

April 16 Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera note passage of sentencing reform legislation
Jul 24, 2026

Smith-Wade-El community redevelopment bill signed into law
Jul 21, 2026

Pa. House Consumer Protection Committee receives testimony on safe water systems for Pennsylvanians
Jul 21, 2026

Smith-Wade-El announces $6M in state funding to support educational opportunities, create jobs, increase affordable housing
Jul 17, 2026

Public Interest, Transportation, Community Development and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 15, 2026

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera urge Lancaster residents to get vaccinated against measles, stay informed with new dashboard
Jul 15, 2026

Smith-Wade-El applauds historic investments in education, pioneering affordable housing initiatives in 2026-27 state budget
Jul 12, 2026

Equality Caucus applauds unanimous passage of bill decriminalizing HIV
Jul 12, 2026

Grant Memo: Agriculture, CTE, Tourism, and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District
Jul 09, 2026

Grant Memo: Nonprofit security, Redevelopment, Scholarship, and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District
Jun 29, 2026

Redevelopment, Transportation, Environmental and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jun 12, 2026

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus calls for swift, transparent conclusion in Quakertown investigation
Jun 12, 2026

Transportation, Development, Artistic, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jun 03, 2026

Transportation, Environmental, Artistic, and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 26, 2026

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera embrace free online platform for food help
May 22, 2026

Smith-Wade-El to hold shred/e-cycle/child car seat safety event May 9
May 06, 2026

Rep. Smith-Wade-El introduces legislation to rein in pet housing costs
May 04, 2026

Transportation, Environmental, Community and Economic Development and Additional Grant Opportunities
Apr 30, 2026

Smith-Wade-El legislation to end the criminalization of homelessness in PA reported out of committee
Apr 28, 2026

Upcoming Events
Apr 16, 2026