HARRISBURG, Sept. 26 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus today announced that the organization will be hosting a celebration that will exalt the contributions of the Latino community to Pennsylvania. The event, open to the public, will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2 at the state Capitol Main Rotunda. “We want to praise the valuable role of Latinos in Pennsylvania’s economic, cultural, and social progress. There’s an extraordinary asset that comes from embracing different cultures,” said Latino Caucus Chairman Rep. Danilo Burgos. “We want to highlight the achievements and impact of our growing community, but also promote diversity and inclusivity in the state, that is a core aspect of our mission.” Burgos will be joined by Reps. Manuel Guzman Jr., vice chair of the group, and Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, secretary, among other members of the Latino Caucus and community leaders and advocates. The lineup of speakers includes Harrisburg’s Deputy Director of Communications Melissa Mesones-Ortiz, and Anthony Orozco from Barrio Alegria, a troupe of local artists based in Reading. Media coverage is invited. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 19 – The Philadelphia House Delegation Leadership today express their condolences following the passing of JoAnne A. Epps, acting president of Temple University. “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden death of JoAnne Epps. Epps was an incredible woman who had an immensurable impact in our city. Epps’ contributions and legacy in the field of education will be remembered and continue to influence many,” said the delegation’s chairwoman, Rep. Morgan Cephas. Rep. Danilo Burgos, vice chair of the delegation, said that Epps made a genuine difference and connection with young people through her kindness and mastery of teaching. “My most sincere condolences to the Epps family,” Burgos said. “We will always be in awe of her powerful legacy. Her dedication to propel excellence in education for our community was unparalleled.” Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, delegation treasurer, highlighted that he knew Epps since he was just a teenager, as a Temple student. He explained that his impression of Epps never changed. “I met JoAnne Epps when I was a 17-year-old freshman at Temple University. Though our titles have changed over the years one thing never did, and that was she was always a friend and a mentor. I am devastated for her husband and her family and the entire Temple community. The world is a missing one of its bright lights with Read more
PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: COVID Mitigation for Counties Who May Apply : This funding is available to 66 Pennsylvania counties. Each county’s Criminal Justice Advisory Board will be responsible for coordinating the application for their county and local confinement facilities, as funding is limited to that purpose. Use : Per the requirements of the CDC’s award, this grant has 15 allowable activities which are designed to detect, diagnose, trace, and monitor SARS–CoV–2 and COVID–19 infections, and mitigate the spread of COVID–19 in confinement facilities. These activities include hiring personnel related to testing/mitigation efforts, purchasing laboratory equipment used for COVID-19 testing, purchasing supplies, test kits, and other tools related to rapid identification of COVID-19, contracting with testing agencies, purchasing software and technology to track COVID-19, and other related activities. Funds : A total of $9,624,626 is available to 66 counties. Application Deadline : September 19, 2023 More information : PCCD Website Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2024-25 Medical Marijuana Act Enforcement Who May Apply : Eligibility for these funds is open to municipalities and regional police departments proposing to implement projects and programs that address the Read more
“We held this public hearing today to underline the contributions of the Latino community throughout Pennsylvania and here in Philadelphia,” said Rep. Danilo Burgos, who is chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus. “Thanks to the growth of the Latino community in Pennsylvania, the state avoided losing more Congressional seats and avoiding experiencing an even greater decrease in its representation at the federal level. The growth of Pennsylvania and its ability to continue to prosper is directly tied to the growth of the Latino population.” Read more
PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Regional Policing Assistance Program Who May Apply: Applicants for the Regional Policing Assistance Program may be any municipality – a city, borough, township, home-rule municipality, or county. Applicants may also be a public or quasi-public body, or its representative, duly authorized to act on behalf of one or more municipalities. All applications must be accompanied by fully executed Articles of Agreement or an Intergovernmental Agreement that establishes a Regional Police Department. Use: Funding will support efforts in establishing or expanding regional police departments that would improve the following: uniformity and consistency of enforcement across municipalities; recruitment; distribution and deployment of police personnel; training and personnel efficiency; career enhancement opportunities; enhanced professionalism; and reduction of costs. Funds: A total of approximately $1,000,000 in federal funds is being announced to support this initiative. Applicants may apply for up to $150,000 for the formation of a new regional police department or up to $50,000 for the expansion of an existing regional police department by adding a chartered municipality(ies). Application Deadline: September 6, 2023 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Legal Standing Video Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 23 – State Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila., announced today he will host a Community Day and Resource Fair Saturday, Aug. 26. Burgos explained that the Community Day is a free event open to all families in the area. The legislator will be offering information about state resources and services for the whole family in an entertaining atmosphere. “This is a great way to keep a sense of community alive in our neighborhood, and it is also an opportunity to connect with new and established residents of the 197 th Legislative District and talk about state programs available to them,” he said. “I encourage the community to come out and join us in this celebration. I would like to hear directly from our neighbors any questions and concerns they might have. My staff will also be there to assist them,” he said. The Community Day and Resource Fair will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 at Feltonville Recreation Center, 221 E. Wyoming Ave. # 231. Interested residents may contact Burgos’ office at (215) 223-1890 with any questions or for more information. Read more
PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development: Keystone Communities Program Who May Apply : Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofit organizations to include economic development organizations, housing corporations, etc., community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use : Multiple uses, including: Planning grants (address a particular need or circumstance within a community, undertake a study relevant to an identified need, or study the results of implementing a specific activity) Implementation grants (assist designated KC program communities in implementing critical components of their approved Five-Year Strategy) Façade grants (to stimulate private investment in properties, foster an attractive environment, and preserve the architectural heritage of properties and communities. The grant funds may be used for primary street-facing, exterior building improvements in a defined target area of a downtown or neighborhood such as storefront signs, exterior façade painting, design assistance, etc.) Development grants (available to fund a variety of physical improvements, see program guidelines for full list) Public improvement grants (available to assist communities in a variety of development projects to help Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 4 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed their satisfaction after the Shapiro administration announced that $13.5 million in federal grant funding has been awarded to 26 school entities to support expectant and parenting learners. Pennsylvania’s Education Leading to Employment and Career Training Program is a federally funded program that works with intermediate units, school districts and charter schools to coordinate the continuity of educational services for people under 22 who are expecting or parenting a child and provides community resources to allow them to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. The School District of Philadelphia was awarded more than $3.62 million. Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas explained that the group is pleased to see the inclusion of The Philadelphia School district in this program as it will help boost ongoing efforts to provide educational assistance to expectant and parenting youth. “ELECT is an outstanding program that helps schools keep this segment of the student population in school without disruptions. This is crucial in a student’s efforts to obtain a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate and secure post-graduation employment, education, or training. “If we want more financially independent adults, more empowered parents, we need to start by helping our young Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 4 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today said a recent incident where a firefighter was verbally disrespected is an outrageous act that demands more than a mere apology. State Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny, referred to Ken Pagurek, a first responder from Pennsylvania Task Force 1, as a “dick,” using the slur during a committee meeting on Tuesday. A video shows Robinson, who serves as the chair of the Labor and Industry Committee, leaning towards Sen. Doug Mastriano, making the disgraceful comment, presumably and wrongfully assuming that the microphone was off. The delegation noted that Mastriano seemed amused by the observation. Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas explained that the group is outraged by the confrontation and the lack of empathy shown towards the hardworking men and women who risk their lives every single day protecting communities across our commonwealth. “We are not going to let these types of degrading remarks go unchecked because of your proximity and disregard for the City of Philadelphia,” said chairwoman Cephas. “This is not a joke; it just shows the type of leadership that we have in the Pennsylvania Senate. As senators they are supposed to represent all Pennsylvanians. Unfortunately, neither Robinson nor Mastriano embody the moral values that their positions require. House Democrats support the Read more
HARRISBURG, July 20 – After the third eviction-related shooting since March in Philadelphia, members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today said the organization is determined to help end the practice of private contractors performing eviction services in the city to avoid more violent incidents. “The imminent threat of being displaced from home can put anybody into a rage and despair mode. If you add to this scenario people without the proper training, carrying guns to handle evictions, the outcome can be fatal,” said Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas, who is organizing upcoming hearings in August about the evictions with state Rep. Mike Sturla, chair of the PA House Housing & Community Development Committee. “Philadelphia’s landlord-tenant officer has temporarily stopped evictions, but this is a turning point: evictions must be handled by public officials and our delegation will be working to introduce legislation to regulate this process. We are ready to establish policies that would support critical demands in this system, like proper protocol and de-escalations practice to protect the safety and integrity of the tenants,” she added. State Rep. Rick Krajewski, who will be introducing a bill addressing the subject, explained that the mercenary mentality of private contractors working for the city's landlord-tenant officer serves no public good. Krajewski indicated that Read more
It has been quite a while since my last newsletter, and I am excited to connect and update you about the work that I have been doing this year, so far. In the next pages you will find highlights of remarkable moments of these first five months of 2023. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 7 – As we close out this week with the passage of the 2023-24 state budget, the Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed that the spending plan is far from ideal, but still delivers major support to disadvantaged families in Pennsylvania. Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas explained that the delegation is pleased to see the inclusion of some of their top priorities for Philadelphia. “We certainly praise the nearly $1.7 billion (7.6% increase) for the School District of Philadelphia,” Cephas said. “We also voted to support $7.5 million to fund indigent defense for the first time in Pennsylvania history, ensuring public defenders have the resources they need to provide legal representation to defendants who cannot pay for it on their own, among other wins. We are moving the state in the right direction,” she added. State Rep. Danilo Burgos, vice-chair of the delegation, pointed out that the budget showcases the commitment of the House Democratic majority with Pennsylvanians, while managing to evade the unnecessary impasses of a bipartisan legislature. “Not a perfect budget; we wished it could have gone further in some areas and programs, but I am proud to say that we didn’t bargain our principles and that we prioritized our school system,” Burgos said. “I am appreciative of the investments in apprenticeships 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 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus today released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, banning race-conscious admissions, in the cases of Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina and Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College: “We stand for diversity. We have focused our work on policies that would improve minority representation in all facets of life in our state. This is why we feel compelled to raise our voices against a decision that is clearly a setback in our fight for racial justice. “This ends decades of precedent that granted schools access to programs aimed at boosting diversity on their campuses. “This ruling will have a harmful impact for underrepresented minorities now that the race factor was eliminated from the equation; we fear the selection process of students with no race consideration. “Affirmative action has been a crucial tool in addressing historical and ongoing disparities faced by underrepresented groups, including women, people of color and individuals from low-income backgrounds. It has played a pivotal role in leveling the playing field and opening doors of opportunity for those who have been historically disadvantaged, particularly for our sons and daughters here in Pennsylvania. “The Supreme Court's decision disregards the Read more
HARRISBURG, June 21 – Today, legislation ( H.B. 580 ) introduced by state Reps. Stephen Kinsey, Danilo Burgos and Morgan Cephas, all D-Phila., passed the Pennsylvania House and will now head to the Senate for future consideration. This legislation would re-establish the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative , a program that operated from 2004 to 2010 and provided grants and low-interest loans for the construction, rehabilitation or expansion of grocery stores, farmers markets and other healthy food retail establishments in low- to moderate-income areas in need and other underserved communities. “Today, we in the Pennsylvania House affirmed our commitment to ensuring all communities in our state have access to healthy, nutritious and fresh food,” Kinsey said. “I’m glad to see us one step closer to bringing back the Fresh Food Financing Initiative- now, I urge my Senate colleagues to get this bill to the governor’s desk so it can be signed into law, and we can bring back this necessary initiative.” “I am proud to see that our efforts have paid off,” Burgos said. “We are now a step closer to providing more fresh food purchasing options to residents in underserved areas. Fresh food cannot be accepted as a privilege of a few. We are moving legislation forward for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians.” “We are determined to make the commonwealth a Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Support Families of Child Abuse Victims Who May Apply: Non-profits that specialize in providing service for child abuse victims in Pennsylvania. Use: Implementation of a research or evidence-based trauma training to support non-offending caregivers of child abuse victims. Funds: $250,000 in federal Children’s Justice Act funds. Application Deadline: July 6, 2023 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PA START/STOP Project Who May Apply: Any private non-profit agency, any private for-profit agency, public agency, or unit of local government. Use: The PA START/STOP campaigns aim to increase awareness of the dangers of Opioid abuse, as well as to provide resources to assist parents and caregivers in promoting healthy behaviors among youth to prevent substance use in the first place. Funds: $900,000 in federal State Opioid Response funds. Application Deadline: July 10, 2023 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Department of Transportation: Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Who May Apply: Local, county, and tribal governments, transit agencies, schools, school districts, nonprofits, and small Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Use: Transportation alternatives, including on- and Read more
Burgos avanza proyecto de ley para fomentar la diversidad y la igualdad en la industria agrícola HARRISBURG, 7 de Junio – El Rep. Estatal Danilo Burgos, D-Filadelfia, declaró hoy que Pensilvania está un paso más cerca de la creación de una comisión que ayudaría a generar nuevas vías de oportunidad en la industria agrícola en beneficio de las comunidades marginadas. Burgos dijo que su proyecto de ley ( H.B. 767 ) que establecería una Comisión de Agricultores Socialmente Diversos de Pennsylvania fue aprobado ayer en el Comité de Asuntos Agrícolas y Rurales de la Cámara y está listo para su consideración por el pleno de la Cámara. El representante detalló que su legislación mejoraría las oportunidades agrícolas para las minorías y la gente de color en todo el estado. "Este proyecto de ley transformaría la situación de muchos que están considerando hacer carrera en la industria agrícola. Estoy determinado a mejorar la equidad en nuestra producción agrícola. Tenemos que eliminar la alarmante disparidad que afecta a esta industria. "Propongo establecer una comisión que se encargaría de revisar las políticas actuales y emitir un informe con recomendaciones para promover y aplicar Read more
HARRISBURG, June 7 – State Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila., said today that Pennsylvania is a step closer to creating a commission that would help open new avenues of opportunity in the agricultural industry for the benefit of underserved communities. Burgos said his bill ( H.B. 767 ) that would establish a Pennsylvania Socially Diverse Farmers Commission was approved yesterday in the House Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee and is ready for consideration by full House. Burgos said his legislation would improve agricultural opportunities for minorities and people of color across the commonwealth. “This bill would transform the playing field for many who are considering careers in the agricultural industry. I am determined to improve the fairness in our agricultural production. We need to eliminate the alarming disparity that is affecting this industry. “I am proposing a commission that would be tasked with reviewing current policies and issuing report with recommendations to promote and implement a farm-related diversity, equity and inclusion plan. “We cannot continue ignoring the elephant in the room. Intentional or unintentional national and state agricultural policies have benefited white farmers while impeding farmers of color. As Latino, I am proud to raise my voice for our people. Whether you are Black, Hispanic or Asian, we all have the same rights. We Read more
El representante estatal, Danilo Burgos, celebra que su proyecto de ley para establecer la Comisión de Agricultores Diversos es aprobado por el Comité de Agricultura y Asuntos Rurales de la Cámara. Burgos dice que la comisión creada por esta legislación haría que los empleos y las oportunidades agrícolas fueran más accesibles para los residentes afroamericanos y latinos de Pensilvania. El proyecto de ley pasará ahora a la Cámara en el pleno para su consideración. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Danilo Burgos celebrates as his bill to establish the Socially Diverse Farmers Commission clears the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. Burgos says the commission created by this legislation would make agricultural jobs and opportunities more accessible to Black and brown Pennsylvanians. The bill will now move to the full House for consideration. Read more
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