READING, Aug. 5 — State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today issued the following statement in response to the surge of problems linked to the elections process in Berks County. “The people of Berks County deserve better. From the failures hitting people of color the hardest before the election, to the refusal to obey state law and count legal ballots, to the curious resignation of the person who was in charge for those debacles, it’s clear we have to refocus on what matters: restoring the people’s faith in their democracy,” Guzman said. The lawmaker said he plans to call for public hearings and investigate ways to guarantee an open and truthful process before November’s general election. “I plan on calling for open public hearings to find out how these mistakes happened and, more importantly, how we can make sure the people are never denied their voice again for any reason,” he said, added: “I want to thank the Reading Eagle for this vital journalism and always holding government at every level accountable, especially when our sacred constitutional rights are at stake.” Guzman, who has been on the front lines of election’s issues, also warned the community of irregularities with voting machines during the past primary election. Read more
READING, Aug. 1 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today released the following statement in the wake of two homicides that took place early Sunday and within an hour of each other in the city of Reading. “We need to put a halt to gun violence; I urge the residents to cooperate with local authorities,” Guzman said. “I am profoundly saddened by these tragic events. Enough is enough. We cannot acknowledge violence as part of our daily routine, as part of our lives, we must keep fighting to curb this spate of horror. “As a concerned resident and elected official, I’m working to secure more effective actions. I believe that gun violence is preventable. I’m proactively collaborating with Berks County DA John Adams and state Attorney General Josh Shapiro and I will not stop until we reach bolder actions on gun control. I will not cease until we bring peace of mind to our community.” The Reading Police Department is investigating the deadly shooting. The officers found the first victim on Spring Garden Street and a second one on Church Street. Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Pregnancy Support Services Grant (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Any entity that is able to serve pregnant or postpartum women in recovery from SUD. Use : To provide support services to pregnant women and postpartum women in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Funds: Awards up to $600,000. Application Deadline : July 29, 2022. More Information : Click on https://www.ddap.pa.gov/Documents/Funding%20documents/GIFA%2022-03%20Pregnancy%20Support%20Service.pdf . Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : School districts, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in Pennsylvania. Use : To assist in a transition to cleaner fuel transportation. Funds : Up to $300,000 per applicant. Application Deadline : There are two application periods. The program will collect and review all applications submitted by August 26, 2022, and again by December 16, 2022. More Information : Click on https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/GrantsLoansRebates/Alternative-Fuels-Incentive-Grant/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Statewide Victim Witness Training Project 2023 Read more
2022 Mid-Year Review Read more
“For far too many Pennsylvania students, aspiring to attain a postsecondary education means being anchored down by a heap of student loan debt. The Nellie Bly proposal aims to alleviate this financial burden and encourage those to pursue their dream careers, while simultaneously ensuring the vitality of Pennsylvania’s workforce,” said state Rep. Manuel Guzman. Read more
“We all want to see Reading become that diamond in the rough we all know it can be,” Guzman said. “I wholeheartedly believe in the future of Reading.” Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Improvement Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : An entity enrolled with the Department’s OLTL as a Medical Assistance provider type 59 and have a signed OLTL-HCBS Waiver Agreement and be actively rendering services to participants in the CHC or OBRA waiver programs or both as of the date of May 1, 2022. Use : To help HCBS providers implement projects to improve the quality of services provided to individuals in the CHC and the OBRA waiver programs. Funds : Up to $40,000 in funding. Application Deadline : December 31, 2022 or until funds are expended. More Information : Click on https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Providers/Pages/Long-Term-Care-Providers.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Work Force Support Grant (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Certified child care providers. Use : To support the work force of DHS certified child care providers. Funds : Amounts vary by award. Application Deadline : June 17, 2022. More Information : Click on https://www.pakeys.org/workforcesupportgrants/ . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2022 Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Policy and Implementation Program Read more
The Real Deal partnered with Reading Film Office, Berks Community Action Program, Fighter’s Heaven in Deer Lake, Reading School District and the Olivet Boys & Girls Club, with sponsorship help from Berks Community Action Program, state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Manny Guzman, organizers said. Read more
Rep. Manny Guzman alerted the public of issues he encountered while trying to vote Tuesday morning. Read more
“When I went to cast my ballot today, what should have been a quick, simple process turned into a multi-hour ordeal,” said Guzman. “A simple mistake took more than an hour and the personal intervention of the county election director to fix. Workers were not trained on the new voting machines and the county provided no paper ballots to backup any potential problems - in fact ballots are only being distributed today, hours after the polls opened.” Read more
Elected officials like State Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr., State Sen. Judy Schwank and Mayor Eddie Moran attended the event and lauded the efforts of the attendees and organizers. Read more
“This money belongs to the people and belongs in their pockets so they can decide how to spend it in the community, multiplying the power of each dollar and helping workers, helping kids, helping seniors, helping small local business, and building a better future." Read more
State Rep. Manny Guzman is a strong proponent of the governor’s proposal, saying the $2,000 checks would be a big deal for a city like Reading, which has been dealing with issues related to poverty for years. Read more
READING, April 25 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today announced an award of $1.45 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funding for the ongoing rehabilitation of Reading’s historic Trexler Mansion. The project will involve rehabilitating the iconic building for event and office space that retains the history of the building, while providing necessary upgrades that will ensure this building remains a focal point in the Reading community for years to come. The project will include repairing masonry work and restoring windows, including the stained-glass window on the main stairwell inside the building, along with replacing the front and side doors. Additionally, the 4-lane bowling alley and tap room in the basement level will be restored, and a rooftop garden terrace will be reconstructed for outdoor space. “The Trexler Mansion has been a part of Reading’s vibrant past for over 150 years,” Guzman said. “This building is a living, breathing testament to the individuals who built this city from the ground up, and I am thrilled to see these dollars be utilized to honor their memory by ensuring the Trexler Mansion continues to be at the center of Reading’s story for generations to come. “In my first term representing the 127th Legislative District, we have seen millions of dollars being invested to revitalize the wonderful city of Reading. I look forward to continue advocating to bring home more of Read more
READING, April 18 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today released the following statement in response to the deadly shooting that took place Sunday afternoon outside a shopping center at North Sixth and Greenwich streets within the city of Reading. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded Sunday afternoon, which led to an individual losing their life. This incident occurred so close to my home that I heard the gunshots ringing from down the street. My heart aches for the family that have lost a loved one, and for all the families who have had their loved ones taken from them too early as a result of gun violence. While even a single act of gun violence is horrifying, they have occurred with unrelenting frequency in communities across this commonwealth for far too long. This is evidenced by the rise in gun-related violence in Reading as well as the mass shooting that took place in Pittsburgh over the weekend, which also resulted in multiple lives being lost. “As a community, we must resist becoming numb to these appalling acts and rise as unified people with the underlying goal of ceasing the violence. As elected officials, we have the opportunity to take proactive measures to ensure these gruesome events reduce in frequency and severity. I look forward to working with my colleagues at the state, federal and local levels, as well as across the aisle, to address these issues head on and provide a safer community not only here in Read more
HARRISBURG, April 13 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, along with PLBC members Reps. Stephen Kinsey, Patty Kim and Manuel Guzman, introduced a resolution that would recognize April 2022 as National Minority Health Month in Pennsylvania. The resolution was spurred by National Minority Health Week, which was inspired by the creation of National Negro Health Week in 1915 by Booker T. Washington and the U.S. Public Health Service. The focus was to improve the overall health status of Black Americans and to encourage Black professionals to join the medical field. National Negro Health Week then grew into the National Negro Health Movement to educate the public about continuing health disparities year-round. The U.S. Public Health Service then published National Negro Health News to update on activities of the movement and publish reports on Black health in America. The theme for 2022 is Give Your Community a Boost, which supports the CDC’s recommendation of the Covid-19 vaccine and booster shot as a means to combat the global pandemic. “Minorities are significantly more at risk for both terminal and treatable illnesses,” Bullock said. “But because many do not have access to affordable health care or insurance, the life-saving power of early detection by a primary care physician is hardly ever obtainable. These health disparities were exposed during and because of the recent pandemic.” The Read more
HARRISBURG, March 9 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, tonight will host a virtual town hall on the processes surrounding bail within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “ The process surrounding bail is oftentimes confusing, convoluted, and can negatively affect you for the rest of your life. That is why I wanted to engage in a Virtual Town Hall to establish the facts regarding the bail process with judges who have career experience in dealing with this issue,” Guzman said. Guests for Guzman’s town hall will include Judges M. Theresa Johnson, Tonya A. Butler, and Priscilla Campos. The virtual town hall will begin at 7 p.m. and can be accessed at either RepMannyGuzman.com or on Facebook at: @RepGuzman. Read more
Winter 2022 Newsletter Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 9 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today announced a recent appointment to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. The House Appropriations Committee plays a key role in crafting the commonwealth’s annual budget, and Guzman hopes to use his appointment as a vehicle to create sound fiscal policy that enhances the lives of all Pennsylvanians. “I am overly grateful for this opportunity to serve on the Appropriations Committee and look forward to the discussions and dialogue that will take place alongside my colleagues as we strive to propel Pennsylvania into a prosperous economic future,” Guzman said. “For far too long, Latinos have been severely underrepresented during the budget process; however, they will now have a seat at the table and their voices will be heard during this budget and all budgets moving forward. “With how Pennsylvania’s budget surplus currently stands, we have a rare opportunity to make monumental, strategic investments in our schools, infrastructure, and work force to make places such as Reading and Berks County wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family. These investments will lead to community revitalization that will incentivize our citizens to continue living in our great commonwealth, while also attracting individuals to decide to move to Pennsylvania because of the vast economic and social opportunities.” For more information, contact Guzman’s Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila., will host a Dominican Independence Day celebration event news conference at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7 in the Main Capitol Rotunda. Burgos will be joined by state Reps. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, and Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “In the United States, it is important that we recognize Dominican Independence Day,” Burgos said. “The Dominican population is growing, and we must acknowledge Dominican history and celebrate it.” “As we prepare to celebrate the 178th anniversary of Dominican Independence, let us be reminded of the struggles and sacrifices countless individuals made to gain independence, and the perpetual fight of the Dominican Republic’s citizens to retain their freedom,” said Guzman. “Now more than ever is a time to reflect and remind ourselves how important it is to continuously fight to ensure future generations have the privilege to live, work, and grow in an independent country.” "Our Dominican community is a beautiful one filled with amazing families, entrepreneurs and community leaders," said Schweyer. "I couldn’t be happier living in Allentown with our rich cultural diversity and am so very honored to join in this beautiful celebration of the Dominican heritage." The representatives will be honoring Dr. Cynthia Mona, first Dominican and woman to serve as City Council president in Allentown; and Johanna Read more
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645 Penn St.5th FloorReading, PA 19601-3543
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