NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Dan Williams D-Chester County www.pahouse.com/Williams Williams’ bipartisan bill to fight blight passes PA House of Representatives HARRISBURG, July 7 – A bipartisan bill that would give municipalities another tool to fight urban blight passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today. Sponsored by Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, H.B. 859 would give a municipality the ability to deny permits to limited liability corporations that are delinquent on their taxes. Currently, municipalities may deny permits to individuals who are delinquent, but not LLCs. Williams said some bad actors are using this loophole to force municipalities to approve permits despite their delinquent status. The bill would also allow municipalities to deny permits to an LLC if one of the principals of the LLC has delinquencies in the municipality. “Every struggling community in Pennsylvania wants to fight blight and see their neighborhoods revitalized,” Williams said. “That revitalization includes ensuring there are safe, quality buildings owned by a reliable tax base.” The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 6 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, said she is proud to announce the passage of her legislation (H.B. 841) in the state House of Representatives today. House Bill 841 would restrict DNA collection from juveniles to those convicted, or adjudicated delinquent of, serious sexual and violent offenses such as murder and rape. The bill would also require the automatic expungement of DNA previously collected for juveniles at the time the applicable offense becomes eligible for expungement. Currently, DNA is collected from juveniles for a host of felonies and misdemeanors, many minor. Howard said that DNA expungement is not automatic, leaving the burden on individuals whose requests are rarely granted, unlike the sealing of juvenile records as a matter of course. “The juvenile justice system was intended to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment,” Howard said. “However, the overuse of juvenile DNA collection conflicts with the rehabilitative purposes of the juvenile system. My legislation gets rid of this conflict and instead further promotes rehabilitation, which is what our justice system should be focused on. I thank my colleagues for sharing this goal and pushing this bill to the state Senate.” The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Read more
Victims of domestic violence are on their way toward receiving much-needed support in rebuilding their lives after the House today passed legislation authored by state Rep. Lisa Borowski, D-Delaware. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 6 – After his vote to approve the state budget this week, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, highlighted its progress in education funding and significant expansion of property tax relief as the reasons for his support. Pennsylvania’s 2023-24 budget includes $717 million in funding for public schools statewide, including $100 million in “Level Up” funding dedicated for the most underfunded school districts that Ciresi had pushed to include in the budget. “While this budget doesn’t finish the job in addressing education underfunding, we’ve now come farther than ever before in shrinking the funding gap for our underfunded districts, especially our most-underfunded districts like Pottstown,” Ciresi said. “With the help of supplemental ‘Level Up’ funding to help these districts catch up, I’m proud that we’ve delivered almost $10 million in new, recurring state funding for Pottstown School District in the past three years. This funding is helping our schools and led to Pottstown residents even getting a local tax rebate this year.” Locally, the budget increases funding for Montgomery County school districts, including $6 million in increased funding for school districts in the 146th Legislative District: Pottstown School District: $3,363,052 increase. Spring-Ford Area School District: $1,588,175 increase. Pottsgrove School District: Read more
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
HARRISBURG, June 29 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Kristin Marcell, R-Bucks, introduced a bill this week aimed at helping the state’s intermediate units. House Bill 1526 would permit IUs to own facilities, allowing them to own instructional space and use facilities they already have for instructional purposes. Currently, IUs are only permitted to own office space and warehouse facilities, a limitation that prohibits them from owning facilities used for instructional space that does not apply to school districts, area career and technical schools, or charter schools. Many IUs operate classrooms and other instructional spaces as providers of important special education, pre-school programs and other educational services. All these instructional facilities must be leased, burdening IUs with rental costs that sometimes greatly exceed what it would cost the IU to purchase and own the facility themselves. “As a former school board member, I have seen firsthand the important work that the state’s intermediate units do every day,” Ciresi said. “This bill will help our IUs provide better services to our children and save taxpayer dollars by empowering IUs to avoid costly long-term leases of buildings essential for providing educational services.” Both Ciresi and Marcell served on school boards prior to serving in the PA House. Ciresi was a Read more
“Empowering women to have conversations about menopause with medical professionals and their loved ones can help destigmatize this natural process," Hanbidge said. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 29 – A resolution (H.R. 41) sponsored by State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, to replace the state song was adopted by the House this afternoon. “The problem is this: most Pennsylvanians don’t know we have a state song, but they’ll probably recognize the state songs of Georgia, West Virginia, or New York,” Ciresi said. “State symbols are supposed to bring us together and be part of our identity. We should have a state song that everyone knows and loves because it reflects who we are as a people, and it should work to represent and market Pennsylvania and help bring in tourism.” In 1990, the state legislature adopted the current state song, “Pennsylvania,” by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner. State law establishes this as Pennsylvania’s official song for all public purposes, and the song is often performed at public events, such as gubernatorial inaugurations. “I’m very glad that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle voted to pass this resolution. We need a song that we take pride in singing because it reflects our pride in Pennsylvania, the cradle of liberty and home to today’s dynamic industries and diverse communities,” Ciresi said. The resolution will establish an independent commission to study the history of the state song, solicit submissions from the public, and recommend changes to the state song. The legislature will then have the option of passing Read more
HARRISBURG, June 28 – A bill sponsored by Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, that would make it easier for property owners to repudiate discriminatory deed covenants passed the House today. A covenant stipulates what existing or future owners can and cannot do to the property. Racially discriminatory real estate covenants were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1948 under the Shelley v. Kraemer decision, ruling that these covenants are unenforceable under the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. In addition, the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited deed covenants that discriminate against protected classes. Although these covenants are no longer enforceable, Fleming said this harmful and discriminatory language still exists in many property deeds. Fleming’s bill ( H.B. 1289 ) impacts all restrictive covenants for classes of individuals covered under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and would allow a property owner to repudiate the covenant. Under the bill, a property owner or homeowner association could file a form with the county’s recorder of deeds office to repudiate a restrictive covenant at little or no cost. "The shameful legacy of restrictive covenants and practices like redlining have created massive inequality in wealth and home ownership rates among people of different races,” Fleming said. “This legislation would make it Read more
HARRISBURG, June 27 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, announced that his resolution, H.R. 66, that directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the impact of housing on health in Pennsylvania passed the House on Monday. “We have a housing crisis in Pennsylvania,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Not only is there not enough affordable housing, but most housing dates from before 1978 and exposes residents to lead contamination, poor ventilation, ill-constructed waste systems, and other unsafe and toxic conditions. “Bad housing is having a devastating impact on people’s health and on our health services,” Smith-Wade-El said. “We’ve got to use our resources to find a remedy for a literally toxic situation by studying the health care costs associated with substandard housing and building affordable housing connected to local health care and social service systems.” According to Smith-Wade-El, studies have shown that substandard housing is a contributing factor to negative health outcomes and can perpetuate economic struggle and housing insecurity for some of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians. The LBFC will reach out to relevant stakeholders to gain insight on the impact housing has on residents’ health and provide recommendations for housing solutions. “Everyone deserves a safe and healthy home,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Not only Read more
HARRISBURG, June 21 – With over two million electric vehicles (EV) already on the road and projections forecasting continued growth in EV adoption, state Rep. Joseph Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced legislation that would help to create more charging stations throughout Pennsylvania. House Bill 1474 would add electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects as an eligible project type under Pennsylvania’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy program (C-PACE). C-PACE, which was created by Act 30 of 2018 , has facilitated over $250 million in investments in energy efficiency, clean energy, conservation, and other projects by connecting property owners with long-term financing. The investments are funded entirely through private capital, so it would not impose any financial burden on the commonwealth or local governments, according to Ciresi. “As electric vehicles become increasingly common, we need to make sure we have a developed statewide infrastructure with access to convenient charging stations,” Ciresi said. “This bill will unlock financing that would help businesses, workplaces, apartment buildings, and more locations install EV charging stations, offering important access for EV drivers and helping businesses that want to make these types of investments.” Read more
The legislation would protect the first amendment rights of students and provide direction for schools as they navigate the increase in book challenges. Read more
Although a tight labor market and worker shortages have affected nearly every field, education, healthcare, and law enforcement are the “backbone of a well-functioning society,” said Rep. Brian Munroe, D-Bucks County. Read more
LANCASTER, June 16 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, released a statement on the guilty verdict issued against the shooter in the Pittsburgh synogogue shooting in 2018. “ With the news that the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter has been found guilty on all charges, our office wishes to extend our solidarity to the Jewish communities of Allegheny County, Lancaster County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the entire United States. “Our thoughts and prayers as an office, and more importantly, my will and vote as a legislator are with those who summoned the will to testify in this trial. “For years, our Jewish friends and neighbors have been sounding the alarm about the ever-increasing rise of antisemitic hatred, the growing threat of Christian nationalism to American democracy, and the cultural hegemony that dominates and oppresses vulnerable minority communities. “The arc of the moral universe does not bend toward justice on its own. It takes the bravery of those who have acted in defense of human rights in a world that would harm them for it. “While hate may begin in the margins, in the shadows, it grows and multiplies in broad daylight thanks to the passive acceptance of the majority. Finally, hate reaches its monstrous apotheosis as an irreversible force, sweeping away millions in its wake. The time is now to stop the rising tide of antisemitism Read more
LANCASTER, June 14 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and state Sen. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery/Phila. will hold a virtual town hall from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 22. Following their successful “Raise the Wage” rally in Lancaster in June, the legislators are holding the virtual town hall to further raise awareness of efforts to increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania, focusing on Haywood’s “ Raise the Wage ” legislation, S.B. 772. “I am looking forward to teaming up with my colleague, state Senator Art Haywood, to raise awareness about legislative efforts to raise the minimum wage, especially his Raise the Wage bill,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Raising the minimum wage would help reverse decades of pay inequality and narrow the racial pay gap for workers of color. Raising the minimum wage also benefits our economy as working families will be able to spend more, injecting revenue into Pennsylvania’s economy, and strengthening our overall financial health.” "Raising the minimum wage is a form of respect for the dignity of hardworking people,” Haywood said. "Right now, the minimum wage doesn’t justly compensate our people for the work they do and doesn’t allow them to live a decent life. Our working people deserve a living wage, which allows them to have a roof over their heads and food on the table. My legislation would establish a $15-per-hour minimum wage for Read more
HARRISBURG, June 14 – Legislation (H.B. 1184) introduced by state Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin, to extend the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment moratorium when determining eligibility for the state’s prescription drug programs for seniors passed the House unanimously yesterday. “This bill would help safeguard Pennsylvania's seniors’ health and wellness by ensuring they can continue to access essential medications through the PACE and PACENET programs without undue financial burden,” Kim said. “My bill would enable nearly 29,400 more seniors to remain eligible for these lifesaving programs.” Currently, PACE and PACENET programs benefit approximately 231,000 older Pennsylvanians, offering critical support and access to vital medications. When Social Security COLA increases occur, some older Pennsylvanians discover they exceed income eligibility thresholds and are no longer eligible for these programs. Thanks to the last extension in 2021, approximately 10,000 PACE and PACENET cardholders were able to retain their benefits despite Social Security COLA increases. Unfortunately, that moratorium is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2023. According to Kim, the projected 8.7% Social Security COLA for 2023 could result in almost 29,400 older adults losing their benefits due to exceeding the eligibility limits. In response to this imminent threat to Pennsylvania’s seniors, Kim proposed extending the current Social Read more
LANCASTER, June 9 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El announced today that $1,250,000 in PHARE grants has been awarded to eight Lancaster organizations that provide affordable housing and services to the unhoused. “Housing is one of the most critical needs in our community – everyone deserves a safe, affordable home. These PHARE grants are going to help improve the lives of some of Lancaster’s most vulnerable residents,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As your state representative, I am proud of the deserving, hardworking people and organizations in the 49th District, and grateful for the support the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provides. Our office works hard to bring state and federal funds back to the people of Lancaster City, Lancaster Township and Millersville, and we don’t intend to stop any time soon.” The following organizations received grant money: United Disabilities Services Foundation received $100,000 to renovate 33 units for low-income residents across six apartment buildings in Lancaster County prioritizing accessible features for independent living and safety. The Lancaster City Housing Authority received $100,000 to support critical electrical and HVAC updates to their 169-unit building on Farnum Street. BASE, Building and Supporting Entrepreneurship of Southeast Lancaster Inc., received $100,000 to support phase three of its Home Ownership Made Equal initiative. Community Basics Inc. Read more
LANCASTER, June 8 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El helped to secure $124,827 in state grants for two Lancaster organizations. The award money comes from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission’s Keystone Historic Preservation grant program. The grant awardees are: The city of Lancaster received a $25,000 grant to create a small area plan to develop the closed historic prison at 625 E. King St. and its surrounding area. The plan would include potential land uses, historic resource analysis, scale of future development, transportation improvements and more. The YWCA Lancaster YForward Historic Porch Restoration Project was awarded a $99,827 grant to remove the 1973, non-historic, masonry fire stair tower from the North Lime Street elevation so the Colonial Revival style porch can be restored to its historical, full length configuration. ““I am very proud to have helped secure these state grants to preserve the city’s history for its current and future residents,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Preservation projects like these enhance the distinctiveness of the city’s diverse neighborhoods and repurpose historic buildings and sites in creative ways to meet evolving community needs.” All grants require a 50/50 cash match and were awarded through a competitive selection process. Keystone Historic Preservation grants Read more
HARRISBURG, June 5 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced the introduction of legislation (H.B. 1311) to increase Level Up funding to $400 million for fiscal year 2023-2024. “Our state’s inequitable school funding system has produced severely underfunded school districts where it is a challenge for students to get a good education,” Ciresi said. “The Commonwealth Court ruling this year declaring Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutional is a call to action. We need to act by working to level the playing field for Pennsylvania’s children and ensure that every child has access to a high quality education. “Level Up has been one of our best tools for reducing inequity in education and ensuring all students have the opportunities to succeed, regardless of zip code. But without additional funding for Level Up, it will take decades or more for our underfunded school districts to reach adequate funding – too long for our children to wait.” According to Ciresi, Pennsylvania began leveling the playing field in 2016 by providing much-needed resources for public education: the enactment of a weighted formula for Basic Education Funding based on need and gradual increases in state education funding. Level Up has played a key role in providing dedicated funding for the 100 most underfunded school districts since it was implemented in FY 2021-2022 and expanded in 2022-2023. “Since its Read more
“I look forward to working with all my colleagues on important matters that affect the lives of all Pennsylvanians. A lot of important conversations need to happen within our state legislature, especially as we begin drafting this year’s budget, and it’s my honor to serve as a strong voice for the people of Delaware County,” Boyd said. Read more
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