News Center

Sturla helps secure nearly $2 million for affordable housing in Lancaster

(Jun 09, 2022) Rep. Mike Sturla

LANACASTER, June 9 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, thanks the Board of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for today approving $1,936,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund for affordable housing initiatives in Lancaster. “As Democratic Chair of the House Urban Affairs Committee, I have been very active this session in working on legislative solutions, including establishing the PHARE fund, to increase affordable housing throughout Pennsylvania,” Sturla said. “I was happy to offer my support for our local PHARE applicants and I congratulate them on their funding.” The local PHARE recipients are: YWCA Lancaster was awarded $250,000 to add 16 newly constructed residential units and renovate their exiting 38 residential units at their downtown facility. SACA Development Corporation was awarded $350,000 to complete the Conestoga North Phase II Project, which will construct nine single family homes for first time homebuyers whose income is below 80% of median. Building and Supporting Entrepreneurship of Southeast Lancaster was awarded $200,000 for its Home Ownership Made Equal (H.O.M.E.) Phase II Program that assists minority families of low to moderate income with owning their first home. The Housing Authority of the City of Lancaster was awarded $336,000 to renovate Read more

 

March 2022 Newsletter

(Feb 25, 2022) Rep. Mike Sturla

Newsletter for the 96th legislative district. Read more

 

Sturla, Muth introduce Pennsylvania Water Resource Act

(Nov 08, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, Nov. 8 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, and state Sen. Katie Muth, D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks, announced today that they have introduced the Pennsylvania Water Resource Act in both the House ( H.B. 20 ) and the Senate ( S.B. 868 ) to improve water quality. Their legislation would charge extraordinary water users a nominal per-gallon fee for removing water from Pennsylvania waterways, either 1/100 of a cent per gallon ($0.0001) for those who return the water or 1/10 of a cent per gallon ($0.001) for those who never return it. Thus, a 10,000-gallon withdrawal would cost $1 per day and $10 per day respectively. “For too long, Pennsylvania has allowed its precious water resource to be used for free by extraordinary water users who take over 8 billion gallons of water every day. Our legislation would raise $350 million annually to help state agencies, municipalities, watershed organizations and authorities improve water quality throughout our commonwealth,” Sturla said. “I am grateful to work with Representative Sturla on companion legislation to establish the Pennsylvania Water Resource Act and to ensure that our most precious natural resource is protected and safe to drink,” Muth said. “Our bill would allow the Commonwealth to invest in water improvement and stormwater management projects without placing any financial burden on residential and agricultural water consumers. Improving the quality and accessibility Read more

 

Sturla thanks PLCB for approving economic development-restaurant liquor license for Southern Market Food Hall

(Oct 27, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, Oct. 27 – According to S tate Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today approved Willow Valley Communities’ application for a new economic development – restaurant liquor license, referred to as an EDR, at its board meeting in Harrisburg. “I thank the PLCB for its approval, which will assist Lancaster city-based entrepreneurs in being successful in the Southern Market Food Hall,” Sturla said. “This food hall project is a partnership between Willow Valley Communities and Lancaster Equity that serves as a perfect example of what the EDR liquor license should be used for. I was glad to help this partnership throughout the PLCB application process.” Sturla noted that the Southern Market Food Hall will create a physical connection between the downtown core and south Lancaster, while revitalizing an underutilized landmark building in a key location. Sturla voted for the law that created EDRs in 2000, which allows a license to be granted for economic development reasons, even if the number of existing restaurant licenses in the county exceeds the ratio of 1 license per 3,000 inhabitants. Read more

 

October 2021 Newsletter

(Oct 18, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

Newsletter for the 96th legislative district. Read more

 

2021 Back to School Event

(Aug 23, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

United Way of Lancaster County's video of Rep. Sturla's 10th Annual Back to School Event on August 14-16, 2021. Read more

 

Sturla to hold 10th Annual Back to School Event on Aug. 14 at Clipper Magazine Stadium: Patients R Waiting Vaccination Clinic will also be held at same time and place

(Aug 06, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

LANCASTER, Aug. 6 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, will hold his 10 th annual Back to School Event from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 14 at Lancaster Barnstormers’ Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St. Due to the pandemic, there will be no special activities. Instead, registered families with students in K-8 th grade will drive up or walk up to receive their students’ pre-packaged backpacks, which include shoes, uniforms, school supplies, books and masks. There is still time to register at www.RepMikeSturla.com/BackToSchool . Patients R Waiting will also be available at Clipper Magazine Stadium from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 14 to provide first or second dose shots of the COVID-19 vaccination for adults and children aged 12 and older, even if they are not picking up a backpack. Walk ups are allowed for this clinic, and it is open to everyone in the community. While the Back to School Event will also occur from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, over 800 of the nearly 1,400 currently registered students will attend Aug. 14. Sturla’s staff will be available to field questions about state-related issues. Read more

 

House Urban Affairs Committee Continues Examining Blight Remediation Through Roundtable Discussion in Lancaster

(Aug 06, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

News Release about House Urban Affairs Committee meeting in Lancaster on 7/21/21. Read more

 

7/21/21 House Urban Affairs Committee Meeting Materials

(Aug 06, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

Materials from the House Urban Affairs Committee Meeting on blight remediation in Lancaster on 7/21/21. Read more

 

Full Video of 7/21/21 House Urban Affairs Committee Meeting in Lancaster

(Aug 06, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

The full video of the House Urban Affairs Committee meeting on blight remediation in Lancaster on 7/21/21. Read more

 

7/21/21 House Urban Affairs Committee Meeting in Lancaster

(Aug 06, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

Video of Rep. Sturla's comments about House Urban Affairs Committee meeting in Lancaster on 7/21/21. Read more

 

7/20/21 House Urban Affairs Committee Tour of Lancaster

(Aug 06, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

Video of Rep. Sturla's comments about the House Urban Affairs Committee tour of Lancaster on 7/20/21. Read more

 

Sturla to host House Urban Affairs Committee roundtable on blight remediation in Lancaster on Wednesday

(Jul 15, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

LANCASTER, July 15 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that he will be hosting a House Urban Affairs Committee roundtable on blight remediation at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 21 at the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, Rooms 2E/2F,15 E. King St., Lancaster. Sturla, who serves as Democratic Chair of the committee, will be joined by Committee Chair Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe/Pike, and 10 other committee members from across the state. They will hold a discussion with local community leaders about Lancaster’s development efforts. Panelists will include: Chris Delfs , community planning and economic development director, City of Lancaster. Marshall Snively , president, Lancaster City Alliance. Dana Hanchin , president and CEO, HDC Mid Atlantic. Carlos Graupera , CEO, Spanish American Civic Association. Mike McKenna , president, Tenfold. Samuel Bressi , president and CEO, Lancaster County Community Foundation. Tammie Fitzpatrick , director of development, Community Basics, Inc. Mike Todd , vice president for finance and administration, F&M College. Larry Cohen , executive director, Lancaster Parking Authority. Joel Hendry , president, LEADS. Deborah Brandt , owner and creative director, FIG Industries and FIG Lancaster . Tim Miller , executive director, Lancaster Safety Coalition. Read more

 

Virtual Forum on Education Funding

(May 17, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

Rep. Sturla held this forum to discuss fair education funding legislation. Read more

 

Sturla to Hold Virtual Forum on Education Funding Thursday

(May 10, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, May 10 – S tate Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that he will hold a Virtual Forum on Education Funding at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at www.RepMikeSturla.com . The forum will feature presentations and discussion about how to make basic-education funding more equitable in Pennsylvania. Sturla will moderate the forum and speak about his bill to accelerate efforts behind installing a fair funding formula at the state level. State Rep. Mike Longietti, D-Mercer, will provide general comments as Democratic Chair of the House Education Committee while Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., will speak about his 100% Fair Funding legislation. Deberah Kleher, executive director of the Education Law Center, will speak about Rep. Mike Schlossberg’s Level Up for Equitable School Funding legislation. After the presentations, superintendents from Lancaster County school districts will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the bills and make comments on the fair funding issue. Members of the media and public are encouraged to watch the forum at www.RepMikeSturla.com . Read more

 

April 2021 Newsletter

(May 03, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

Newsletter for the 96th legislative district Read more

 

Sturla votes to provide COVID-19 relief

(Feb 05, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, released the following statement after voting in favor of Senate Bill 109 today: “While I did vote for and strongly support the notion of getting out as much COVID-19 relief as possible to businesses, I am disappointed that the Republicans would not allow us to include performing arts venues in this bill. I am hopeful that we will be able to include them in future grant programs if the federal government provides us with more COVID-19 relief.” Senate Bill 109 would provide $569 million for rent and utility relief funds, $145 million for small businesses, and $197 million for schools. Read more

 

Sturla named Democratic Chair of House Urban Affairs Committee

(Jan 05, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State. Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, has been named Democratic Chair of the House Urban Affairs Committee by House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Phila., for the 2021-22 legislative session. “As Democratic Chair of the House Urban Affairs Committee, I will be able to oversee critical issues that affect Lancaster and other urban areas daily, including affordable housing, redevelopment, blight and growth management,” Sturla said. “In addition to my committee responsibilities, I will continue to work hard this session for fair education funding, a healthy environment, and our state’s economic recovery from the pandemic.” Sturla joined his colleagues today in taking the oath of office to start his 16th term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Representing the 96th Legislative District since 1991, he is now the third-longest serving member. Read more

 

House Democrats fight to increase transparency and accountability, make sure the people come first

(Jan 04, 2021) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Jan. 4 – A group of 10 House Democrats announced the introduction of changes to the Operating Rules of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to reduce the impact of partisan politics, make sure ideas with broad public support get a fair hearing, and restore the people’s faith in government after the damage done by extremists in Washington, D.C., and Harrisburg. The People Before Politics plan was crafted with this central idea: lawmakers work for the people, not the other way around. It focuses on openness, transparency and citizen control of the legislative process. The People Before Politics plan includes the following proposals: Amendment 1 – The Voice of the People, sponsored by Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila. This amendment would make sure each House member has an opportunity to speak at a designated time during the first full session day of the week on any topic, similar to how the U.S. House of Representatives allows members to speak. This change would end the requirement of “unanimous consent” so often abused by extremists to silence members and prevent legislative topics bottled up in committee from being heard by the people. Amendment 2 – Let the People See, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware . This amendment would restore the rule requiring a full 24 hours before final passage of any bill, including all bills amended in the House chamber or in committee, or sent over from the state Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold virtual hearing on voting issues Thursday

(Oct 05, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla, Policy Committee

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on voting issues. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. The media and public can watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, the hearing will feature testimony from county and state officials about their preparation for the general election. Testifiers and legislators will speak remotely. Testifiers will include: Jonathan Marks , deputy secretary for elections & commission , Pennsylvania Department of State. Bill Turner , acting director, Chester County Voter Services. Sara Mullen , associate director/director of advocacy & policy, ACLU PA. Lauren Cristella , chief advancement officer, The Committee of Seventy. Carol Kuniholm , vice president of government and social policy, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

Sturla helps secure nearly $2 million for affordable housing in Lancaster
Jun 09, 2022

March 2022 Newsletter
Feb 25, 2022

Sturla, Muth introduce Pennsylvania Water Resource Act
Nov 08, 2021

Sturla thanks PLCB for approving economic development-restaurant liquor license for Southern Market Food Hall
Oct 27, 2021

October 2021 Newsletter
Oct 18, 2021

2021 Back to School Event
Aug 23, 2021

Sturla to hold 10th Annual Back to School Event on Aug. 14 at Clipper Magazine Stadium: Patients R Waiting Vaccination Clinic will also be held at same time and place
Aug 06, 2021

House Urban Affairs Committee Continues Examining Blight Remediation Through Roundtable Discussion in Lancaster
Aug 06, 2021

7/21/21 House Urban Affairs Committee Meeting Materials
Aug 06, 2021

Full Video of 7/21/21 House Urban Affairs Committee Meeting in Lancaster
Aug 06, 2021

7/21/21 House Urban Affairs Committee Meeting in Lancaster
Aug 06, 2021

7/20/21 House Urban Affairs Committee Tour of Lancaster
Aug 06, 2021

Sturla to host House Urban Affairs Committee roundtable on blight remediation in Lancaster on Wednesday
Jul 15, 2021

Virtual Forum on Education Funding
May 17, 2021

Sturla to Hold Virtual Forum on Education Funding Thursday
May 10, 2021

April 2021 Newsletter
May 03, 2021

Sturla votes to provide COVID-19 relief
Feb 05, 2021

Sturla named Democratic Chair of House Urban Affairs Committee
Jan 05, 2021

House Democrats fight to increase transparency and accountability, make sure the people come first
Jan 04, 2021

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold virtual hearing on voting issues Thursday
Oct 05, 2020