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Rivera, Smith-Wade-El host Haywood’s Food Dignity Tour in Lancaster

(Sep 23, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, Sept. 23 – State Reps. Nikki Rivera and Ismail Smith-Wade-El, both D-Lancaster, and state Sen. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery, co-chair of the state Senate Health and Human Services Committee, last week came together to speak about the impact of SNAP changes and cuts in Pennsylvania. Representatives from over 20 organizations were in attendance. “SNAP has for decades enabled low-income Pennsylvanians to put food on their families’ tables,” Rivera said. “Not only will 550 residents in my district lose their SNAP benefits, leaving them not knowing where their next meal is coming from, but the federal budget will also have a devastating impact on our farms, our groceries and our food retailers.” According to Rivera, in December 2024, SNAP provided $366,850,460 in federally funded food assistance benefits that supported grocers, food retailers and farms in PA. “Now that money is gone, our grocery, food retailing and agricultural industries—and all the people they employ—are going to be scrambling to survive,” Rivera said. “The draconian federal budget is going to push our most vulnerable neighbors into desperate circumstances,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Over the next year, more than 144,000 individual Pennsylvanians will lose 100% of their SNAP benefits, with 1,080 of them living in my district. Everyone in our communities is going to be affected, from our schools caring for Read more

 

How the SNAP Cuts are Going to Affect You and Lancaster County

(Sep 19, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, Budget Update It’s been 12 weeks since the end of the fiscal year, and we still don’t have a budget. Without a state budget, the School District of Lancaster is being forced to find a $35 million line of credit j ust to keep schools operating and to ensure employees are paid on time. Those borrowed dollars come with interest and fees, money that could otherwise support teachers, counselors Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El receives award recognizing his leadership in advancing patient safety

(Sep 19, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HERSHEY, Sept. 19 – SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania Tuesday evening awarded the Thomas J. Zuber Memorial Patient Safety Award to state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, in recognition of his leadership in passing legislation that protects the safety, dignity and well-being of health care workers, and advancing patient safety. "It’s real simple: nurses take care of our neighbors and the entire commonwealth at every stage of our lives," said Smith-Wade-El. "It’s my honor to fight in Harrisburg and in Lancaster for folks who are fighting for us in delivery rooms, in hospice hallways and in and out of heart surgery." Recipients of the award also included state Rep. La'Tasha Mayes, D-Allegheny; Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato; and UPMC Magee nurses who just won their union. The award is named after Thomas Zuber, a registered nurse whose advocacy efforts led to Act 102 of 2008, the Ban on Excessive Overtime in Health Care. The award is presented by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania for exemplary solidarity with nurses organizing for a voice in health care and advancing the profession of nursing. Read more

 

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

(Sep 11, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Who May Apply: All fire companies, emergency medical services, and volunteer rescue squads Use: Facility improvements, equipment purchases, debt reduction, training, education, and recruitment and retention Funds: Grants will be not less than $2,500 and not more than $20,000 per applicant fire company and no more than $15,000 per applicant emergency medical service. Application Deadline: October 20, 2025 More information: OSFC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Who May Apply: Counties, county jails/county work release centers, Single County Authorities, and/or County Behavioral Health Administrators. Use: To support counties seeking to increase opportunities to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in combination with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to individuals in county jails and work release centers and upon release to the community. Funds: A total of $1,130,905 in federal Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds is being announced to support this initiative. RSAT funds require a 25 percent cash or in-kind match. The applicant’s source for the cash match must be state or local funds. Federal funds may not be used to meet the match requirement. PCCD expects to fund approximately five grants with budgets not to Read more

 

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

(Sep 02, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

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

 

Labor Day and the Mentor-Protégé Program

(Aug 29, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Happy Labor Day and the Mentor-Protégé Program Read more

 

Pennsylvania budget, transit funding remain in the balance

(Aug 22, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

As you know, Pennsylvania has yet to reach an agreement on this year’s state budget or on funding for mass transit across the state. These impasses create uncertainty for families, schools, commuters, small business owners and community services that depend on timely state funding. Read more

 

Upcoming Office Closures

(Aug 18, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, Upcoming Office Closures Please note the following office closures due to trainings or community events and plan accordingly if you need our services. We appreciate your understanding! Friday 8/15, closed from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday 8/22, closed all day Monday 8/25, closed all day Friday 8/29, closed from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Transit Budget Update On Monday, for the fifth time , the PA House passed a bill that would provide funding for mass transit such as Amtrak and Red Rose Transit, which both serve our residents. As none of us loves congested roadways and we all need to get to work, to school, to run errands and more, this bill, HB 1788, would benefit us by making sure our mass transportation systems keep running and helping to repair and maintain our roads and bridges. In short, Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District

(Aug 14, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Small Business Advantage Grant Program Who May Apply: Pennsylvania-based small businesses Use: Adopt processes or acquire equipment which results in energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection. Funds: Funding can range from 50% or $7,500 (whichever is less) up to 80% or $12,000 (whichever is less) and will vary depending on environmental impact and project location. A total of $1 million is available in this round of funding. Application Deadline: March 13, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted. 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 Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce Read more

 

Downtown Improvements; Upcoming Office Closures

(Aug 01, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Downtown Improvements; Upcoming Office Closures Read more

 

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

(Jul 31, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

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

 

PA winemakers explore how to grow local industry

(Jul 28, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

“Lancaster County has a strong tradition of family-owned businesses. Winemakers have a reasonable concern that Pennsylvania is doing its utmost to support winemaking and Pennsylvania agriculture,” said Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, who represents portions of Lancaster County. “It will need to be a group effort if we hope to continue to grow the industry.” Read more

 

Come Out for Great Tunes & Support Affordable Housing This Friday

(Jul 25, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, The big news this week is that the Todd Miller concert benefitting the Shiloh House is the place to be in Lancaster this weekend! You’ll do some good while feeling good, helping your neighbor while rocking to some great tunes! Also in this newsletter: Upcoming Office Closures Upcoming Community Events Izzy in the District: Mental health services event at CSG & PSEA Leadership Conference Fighting So You Have a Healthier Tomorrow Government Programs: Financial Support for Veterans, the WIC program, and the PA Money Match program Hear Some Great Tunes & Support Affordable Read more

 

Over $1.7 million in state funding to protect Lancaster City’s public health

(Jul 18, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbors, Upcoming Office Closures Please note the following office closures and plan accordingly if you need our services. These dates represent times that office staff will be in training or are preparing the materials for 3,000+ families to participate in the 14th Annual Back to School Event. We appreciate your understanding! Friday 8/8, closed from 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday 8/11, closed from 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Read more

 

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

(Jul 17, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Main Street Matters (MSM) Who May Apply: Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use: A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Funds: Individual grant awards vary depending on the type of grant. Application Deadline: August 31, 2025 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Who May Apply: Municipalities and counties Use: Advance crisis intervention programs that target the risk factors likely to lead to gun violence and implement projects that support emerging issues and priorities adopted within its SCIP Funding Framework. Funds: A combined total of $4,071,291 in federal FY 2022-2023 and FY 2024 Byrne SCIP Local and Under $10K Share funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 20 grants with budgets not to exceed $200,000 over the Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El: Over $1.7M in state funding to protect Lancaster City’s public health

(Jul 16, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, July 16 – A staunch advocate to improve the lives of City of Lancaster residents, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, was proud to announce that $1,709,338 in Pennvest funding was awarded to the City of Lancaster to replace 108 lead service lines serving the northwest and west-central regions of the city. The 2,985 feet of 108 service lines to be replaced will help improve the city’s compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule. The lines are in a federally designated disadvantaged and environmental justice community. “Our health is our most precious gift,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Crumbling infrastructure puts that health at risk, especially through the contamination of the water we drink or cook with. This money will protect Lancastrians’ health by removing lead from our water. A healthy population and a clean environment are the basic requirements for our city’s economic growth. I thank the Shapiro Administration for helping to safeguard Lancaster’s public health through this critical investment.” Pennvest provides low-interest loans and grants for new construction or for improvements to publicly or privately-owned drinking water, stormwater or sewage treatment facilities, as well as non-point source pollution prevention best management practices. Pennvest also provides low-interest loans to remediate brownfields sites, to individual Read more

 

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

(Jul 08, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Who May Apply: Local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, school districts, tribal governments or nonprofits with a separate eligible applicant. Use: To construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to school, incorporate community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, provide environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity, create trail projects that serve a transportation purpose, and provide for vulnerable road user safety assessment program projects. Funds: $80 million in funding is available through the Federal Highway Administration’s Surface Block Grant Program. Awards will be at least $50,000 and at maximum $1.5 million. This is a reimbursement program and no funds are provided upfront. Application Deadline: Webinar will be held July 9, 2025. Application period opens July 14, 2025. Draft applications due September 5, 2025. Final applications due October 31, 2025 More information: PennDOT 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 Read more

 

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

(Jun 26, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Firearm Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Initiative Who May Apply: Units of local government, nonprofit organizations (including community-based and statewide organizations), institutions of higher education, and state government agencies. Use: To support programming that focuses on firearm-related suicide prevention. Funds: A total of $1 million in federal 2024 Byrne SCIP funds in available. PCCD expects to fund 4 to 6 grants over a 21-month period. Application Deadline: September 9, 2025 More information: PCCD 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 Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic Read more

 

State must step up as federal government abandons commitment to homeless students

(Jun 26, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Child and youth homelessness in Pennsylvania has grown to crisis proportions over the past few years, with 46,714 children and youth identified as homeless in 2023, according to a state report. Despite this unprecedented increase in need, the federal resources that allow schools, nonprofits and other institutions to support these vulnerable young people in their educational pursuits are being cut off and are at risk of disappearing entirely. If we are serious about providing every child in Pennsylvania with the education they’ll ultimately need to land stable employment and contribute to our economy, the commonwealth must dedicate targeted state dollars to support students experiencing homelessness. Although this need has never been more urgent, federal support is evaporating. In March, the U.S. Department of Education abruptly canceled spending extensions for American Rescue Plan funds, eliminating hundreds of millions in education funding for Pennsylvania schools. This funding rescission’s effects are being felt most acutely by our most vulnerable students. The U.S. Department of Education clawed back $9.2 million specifically designated to help homeless children and youth access education. That’s a whopping 29% of the initial $36 million investment meant to support these students. Even more troubling, the budget proposal that is moving through Congress would, if passed, eliminate all funding for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Read more

 

Legislation to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing passes the House

(Jun 23, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, June 23 – Legislation that would seal eviction records for the millions of Pennsylvanians who are unable to secure adequate housing due to an eviction passed the House today (105-98), announced the bill’s sponsors, state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, Jordan A. Harris, Elizabeth Fiedler and Rich Krajewski. “Evictions have contributed to the spiraling housing crisis in Pennsylvania by making it difficult, if not impossible, for deserving working Pennsylvanians to access safe and affordable housing in which to raise their children and help them secure and keep career-advancing jobs,” the bill’s prime sponsor, Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, said. The legislation, H.B. 1095 , aims to protect communities and ensure fair housing access by instituting a statewide policy that would establish procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions. In cases where the tenant has been determined to be at fault by a judge, the records would remain accessible to the public for seven years, bringing them into line with policies related to bankruptcies and foreclosures. "Secure, affordable housing is more than a roof over someone’s head – it’s a critical building block for economic mobility, family stability, and safer neighborhoods," said Harris, who is majority chair of the House Appropriations Committee. "This legislation ensures that Pennsylvanians aren’t forever Read more

 

Rivera, Smith-Wade-El host Haywood’s Food Dignity Tour in Lancaster
Sep 23, 2025

How the SNAP Cuts are Going to Affect You and Lancaster County
Sep 19, 2025

Smith-Wade-El receives award recognizing his leadership in advancing patient safety
Sep 19, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 11, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 02, 2025

Labor Day and the Mentor-Protégé Program
Aug 29, 2025

Pennsylvania budget, transit funding remain in the balance
Aug 22, 2025

Upcoming Office Closures
Aug 18, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
Aug 14, 2025

Downtown Improvements; Upcoming Office Closures
Aug 01, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 31, 2025

PA winemakers explore how to grow local industry
Jul 28, 2025

Come Out for Great Tunes & Support Affordable Housing This Friday
Jul 25, 2025

Over $1.7 million in state funding to protect Lancaster City’s public health
Jul 18, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 17, 2025

Smith-Wade-El: Over $1.7M in state funding to protect Lancaster City’s public health
Jul 16, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 08, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jun 26, 2025

State must step up as federal government abandons commitment to homeless students
Jun 26, 2025

Legislation to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing passes the House
Jun 23, 2025