HARRISBURG, Feb. 24 – State Rep. Liz Hanbidge said she congratulates Wissahickon Valley Public Library on its competitive award of $182,622 today from the state’s Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities program. The state Department of Education grants are for the construction and rehabilitation of public library facilities across the commonwealth. Wissahickon Valley Public Library was one of 21 libraries in 15 counties to receive an award. “Wissahickon Valley Public Library benefits the public with its excellent services, so it’s fitting that it earns such a substantial and helpful award,” Hanbidge said. “This grant will go to good use expanding the library’s catalog of services and it saves local taxes. It’s always wonderful to see state money reinvested in our community.” The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund was established by the General Assembly in 1993. The Department of Education, through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Bureau of Library Development, administers the public library portion of this program, which is funded from a portion of the state’s realty transfer tax. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 24 – State Rep. Kristine Howard said she congratulates Malvern Public Library on their competitive award of $35,489 today from the state’s Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities program. The state Department of Education grants are for the construction and rehabilitation of public library facilities across the commonwealth. Malvern Public Library was one of 21 libraries in 15 counties to receive an award. “The Malvern Library provides an invaluable service to the community, and I am thrilled with this award, which will enable the library to continue fostering a love of learning.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 22 – Three state lawmakers in Berks County are congratulating the Berks County Workforce Development board for receiving a Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership Program award of $176,155 from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. This grant program, as part of the COVID-19 Nursing Workforce Initiative and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, blends the registered apprenticeship and industry partnership models and is designed to address the many workforce challenges in communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the money, the Berks County Workforce Development Board will partner with the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and Reading Area Community College to launch a new Greater Reading Healthcare Connections Industry Partnership, with a focus on creating strategies for employers to develop career pathways, establishing industry credentials to education partners, and designing and implementing a Registered Apprentice Home Health Aide to LPN career pathway. “Sincere congratulations are in order for the Workforce Development Board, whose application to the program reflected the need and vision for more pathways into nursing, for our area,” said House Speaker Mark Rozzi. “Kudos to all of the people who worked to show why the Reading area is a premier place for investing state dollars.” “With this development, more people will be able to choose a career in the nursing field Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 22 – State Rep. Greg Scott, D-Montgomery, announced today that the Hancock Elementary School received $42,145 in Food Service Equipment grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the purchase of electric combi ovens so the school can provide hot meals to students. “Thanks to these grants, Hancock Elementary School will be able to serve hot and nutritious meals to its students,” Scott said. ”I am committed to making sure our community’s children receive all the resources they need to learn, and that begins with guaranteeing access to healthy and nutritious meals so they have the fuel to grow and flourish.” Funding for the grants is made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Grants are awarded to schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Schools use the grants to purchase or upgrade equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves and dishwashers. More than 1 million children and students receive nutritious meals through federal school nutrition programs, which include the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program. The Shapiro administration and PDE are committed to ensuring that all children and students have access to healthy meals through state and federal programs and initiatives. For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education , Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 17 – State Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, announced that he secured $115,000 in state grants for community organizations in the 49 th District and is inviting residents of the district to his District Office Open House on March 3 to learn more about the services his office provides. “ Our community organizations lift up the lives of so many in our district,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As state representative for Lancaster City, Lancaster Township, and Millersville, I am committed not just to legislating on behalf of our community, but to doing my part to encourage and support these organizations by bringing home the resources they need to give our neighbors the help they deserve.” The following groups received grants: Community Action Partnerships $20,000 to support the Crispus Attucks Community Center’s youth and community-serving programs was awarded by the PA Department of Human Services. City of Lancaster $20,000 to construct and establish the Beaver Street Pocket Park was awarded by PA Department of Community and Economic Development. City of Lancaster Bureau of Fire $15,000 to support fire services was awarded by the PA Office of State Fire Commissioner. Lancaster Township Fire Department $15,000 to support fire services was awarded by the PA Office of State Fire Commissioner. Blue Rock Read more
The funding system in Pennsylvania is broken, but this is not a “can we fix it?” question. We have the tools, and we have the political will to pass real solutions. Are our colleagues in the GOP ready to join us? Read more
In honor of National Gun Violence Survivors Week, I urge everyone to open their minds and their hearts to how we can stop this epidemic and save lives. Read more
"It is my hope that at the conclusion of this tour we will have a clear idea on how best to heal the divides in Harrisburg, what a fair set of House rules should include, and a plan to finally get survivors of childhood sexual assault the justice and truth that they so desperately deserve.” Read more
Rozzi said he hopes the members of Speaker’s Workgroup join him on the tour and that by the end of it, “we will have a clear idea on how best to heal the divides in Harrisburg." Read more
“Today’s Commonwealth Court ruling is a victory for democracy." Read more
The workgroup will organize on Tuesday, January 17th, and will meet regularly until a path forward is reached. Read more
History will not judge us based on how many Democratic Party wins or Republican Party wins we achieve, but we will be judged based on what we did for the children of this Commonwealth. Read more
There is an epidemic of sexual abuse against children in this Commonwealth, throughout this nation, and throughout the world. I came to Harrisburg with one purpose: to see that survivors of childhood sexual assault in Pennsylvania receive the justice that they deserve. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 4 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem took the oath of office in Harrisburg Tuesday, commencing her first term as state representative for her Delaware County district. After last year’s reapportionment process, the 159th Legislative District consists of the City of Chester, Lower Chichester and Upper Chichester townships and Eddystone, Trainer, Parkside and Marcus Hook boroughs. “It’s a great honor that the residents of the 159 th District gave me the opportunity to be their advocate in our state legislature,” Kazeem said. “I look forward to bringing up the topics that our commonwealth needs to seriously discuss and enact change that will improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.” Kazeem said that some of her top legislative priorities for this session include reducing gun violence, strengthening education equity, criminal justice reform and raising the minimum wage. She expects to receive her committee assignments later this month. Kazeem is one of 26 new Democratic members sworn in and one of eight Democratic freshwomen. This class of freshmen legislators is the largest and most diverse group in over a decade. Photos from the swearing-in ceremony are available on Kazeem’s website: https://www.pahouse.com/Kazeem/PhotoGallery?g=5437 . Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, today was elected by his peers as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. After taking the oath of office in the state Capitol this afternoon to commence his sixth term, Rozzi was then elected speaker by a vote of 115 to 85. “I’m proud to say that I’ve served the residents of the 126th Legislative District for the last decade, and I’m humbled to now serve every Pennsylvanian,” Rozzi said. “As speaker, my goal is to remain nonpartisan in order to deliver a sense of unity within the legislature. It’s past time that we work together and restore trust in the people’s House.” Rozzi pledged to caucus with neither Democrats nor Republicans. He affirmed that while at the rostrum, typical politics and the division they subsequently create will have no place in the House chamber. “Sometimes Republicans will win, and sometimes Democrats will win, and that is fine, so long as the beneficiaries are the people of this commonwealth,” he said. Rozzi, most notably known for his work protecting children through abolishing Pennsylvania’s criminal statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse , said that his top priority as speaker is to put people over politics and eradicate instances of hyper partisanship. Photos of Rozzi at today’s swearing-in are available on his website: Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Tina Davis took the oath of office in the state Capitol today to begin her term representing the 141st Legislative District, which comprises Bristol Township and Bristol Borough. The noon swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of the 2023-24 session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Davis said some of her priorities will be economic development and opportunity; job creation; pay equity; property tax reform; and programs assisting families, seniors and veterans. “I’m excited to be in a position to advocate for legislation to build safe, strong and healthy communities, a thriving workforce and top-notch affordable health care for all in Bristol Township and Bristol Borough,” Davis said. “I will advance a strong legislative approach to economic development, law enforcement and social services to ensure that these communities reach their full potential and are a magnet to residents and businesses. “As I have successfully done in the past, I will make it a priority to bring in grant money to support projects to improve life and expand business in our community.” Davis’ office can help with a variety of state-related services, including home heating assistance, children’s health insurance, prescription drug and Property Tax/Rent Rebate assistance. Residents can find out more by going to RepTinaDavis.com . Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Ismail “Izzy” Smith-Wade-El took the oath of office today in the state Capitol to begin his first term representing the 49 th Legislative District, which comprises part of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster Township and Millersville Borough. The noon swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of the 2023-24 session of the Pennsylvania House. Smith-Wade-El is also scheduled to be installed as treasurer of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus during its installation of officers at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4. The installation will be streamed live on the PLBC website or on the PLBC’s Facebook page. Smith-Wade-El said some of his priorities in his first term are affordable housing, justice and public safety; high-quality affordable healthcare for all; LGBTQ rights; cannabis decriminalization; high-quality education for children regardless of Zip code; workers’ rights; climate action; returning power to local government, and reproductive rights and health care. “I am honored to represent the 49 th District in the PA House of Representatives,” Smith-Wade-El said. ‘I am looking forward to drawing on my depth of skills and experiences acquired as an activist and president of the Lancaster City Council to improve our residents’ quality of life, make our communities safer and stronger, and increase economic opportunities for all.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Mary Jo Daley took the oath of office at the state Capitol today to begin her sixth term representing the 148 th Legislative District, which comprises Whitemarsh Township, Lower Merion Township and Narberth Borough. The noon swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of the 2023-24 legislative session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Daley said some of her priorities will be improving health care for women and children, ensuring high quality health care is available to all, protecting the environment and implementing sustainable energy policies. “I am proud the residents of the 148 th District have chosen me to again to represent their interests in Harrisburg,” Daley said. “Every day, I am fighting to ensure our residents live in strong, safe communities, are supported by an expansive and durable social net and top-notch affordable health care and can send their children to high performing public schools. I believe that my work in the 148 th will help bring improved quality of life for all.” Daley said her office can help with a variety of state-related services, including home heating assistance, children’s health insurance, prescription drug and Property Tax/Rent Rebate assistance. Residents can find out more by going to RepMJDaley.com . Daley’s office is located at 312 Old Lancaster Road , Read more
LEVITTOWN, Dec. 22 – State Rep. Tina Davis, D-Bucks, announced today that Bucks County Technical High School has been awarded the maximum grant of $50,000 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the purchase of new equipment to help train students in skills required for high-demand occupations . “This money will help Bucks County Technical High School in its mission to provide our young people with the educational opportunities necessary to develop the in-demand skills required for high-paying jobs,” Davis said. “As I have said before, the development of a highly trained workforce in Bucks County is a magnet for companies. This state grant is a wise investment in our economic future.” Under PDE’s program, Bucks County Technical High School has received the maximum grant of $50,000. This grant must be matched dollar-for-dollar from local sources. The development of career and technical centers and high schools has been a priority for the Wolf Administration in its goal of developing a world-class 21 st century workforce. In the past eight years, the number of career and technical education students earning industry-recognized credentials has increased by 49.5 percent, and the number of credentials earned by students enrolled in CTE programs has grown by 32.6 percent. There are more than 80 CTCs in Pennsylvania that offer a combination of classes and hands-on learning Read more
ROYERSFORD, Dec. 21 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced that the Western Montgomery Career and Technical Center has been awarded the maximum grant of $50,000 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the purchase of new equipment to help train students in skills required for high-demand occupations . “I know from my years in business and in the legislature, the foundation to a thriving economy is a highly trained workforce,” Ciresi said. “This state grant will help ensure that our young people at the Western Montgomery CTC are getting the in-demand skills that will make them sought after hires in today’s highly competitive economic climate. I applaud the state’s investment in the development of Montgomery County’s workforce.” Under PDE’s program, the Western Montgomery Career and Technical Center has received the maximum grant of $50,000. This grant must be matched dollar-for-dollar from local sources. Ciresi applauded the Wolf administration for making the development of career and technical centers and high schools a priority in its goal of developing a world-class 21 st century workforce. In the past eight years, the number of career and technical education students earning industry-recognized credentials has increased by 49.5% and the number of credentials earned by students enrolled in CTE programs has grown by 32.6%. There are more than Read more
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