LANCASTER, Dec. 16 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, today announced the approval of over $4.7 million from the Neighborhood Assistance Program to help low-income people and communities and improve distressed areas in Lancaster County. The funding was approved this week by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Through NAP, businesses can receive tax credits of up to 95 percent on contributions they make to a qualifying community project. “Thanks to NAP’s tax credits, our local businesses are investing in projects that will empower residents and energize our communities,” Smith-Wade-El said. “These public-private partnerships will go a long way to helping to address persistent socio-economic problems like the lack of affordable housing, food insecurity, workforce development, blight and public safety in Lancaster.” “NAP’s tax credits are a game changer for Lancaster County’s businesses and communities,” Rivera said. “They will help build up our communities, which in turn will drive our local economy. I am grateful to the Shapiro administration for its financial support of Lancaster County, and its faith in our future. I will continue to advocate for more dollars to be allocated for Lancaster-based projects.” The following programs received Charitable Food Program funding: $1,864,200 to Blessings of Hope to support its Read more

STATE COLLEGE, Dec. 11 – Grant funding of $2 million is coming back to Centre County to fund an important juvenile justice initiative, combat opioid addiction and bolster resources for domestic and child abuse survivors, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin said the funding includes nearly $1.2 million to the Pennsylvania State University to continue its work with the Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol – a data-driven system that allows the state to assess which evidence-based programs are most effective at serving juveniles in the justice system and preventing recidivism. “PSU has been a unique partner with the state in its efforts to improve the quality of juvenile justice services,” Conklin said. “The new funding will allow them to continue those efforts.” Conklin said that a $500,000 grant to the Centre County Commissioners will enhance the Centre County Correctional Facility’s medication-assisted treatment program to fight opioid addiction. “The program has been working to reduce addiction and opioid-related deaths through an approach that combines medication, therapy and access to post-release services,” Conklin said. “The new funding will make the program even more effective by adding educational components and intensive, post-release case coordination services to help people transitioning back to the community.” A $125,000 grant Read more

LANCASTER, Dec. 11 -- State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, today announced $1,227,352 in state grants was awarded to support crime victims, young children, justice-involved individuals with substance use disorders, and firearm suicide prevention in Lancaster County. “This smart use of state funding will go far into providing lifelines to our residents, from helping to prevent firearm suicides to giving non-violent offenders with substance abuse problems another chance at life,” Smith-Wade-El said. “I will continue to advocate strongly in Harrisburg for targeted state investments in our people.” The funding was approved by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency : $150,000 to Lancaster General Hospital to implement a firearm suicide prevention initiative in Lancaster County. $50,000 to Lancaster General Hospital to help maintain compliance with the National Child Alliance standards for child abuse support: multi-disciplinary investigative team, forensic interview, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, case review and coordination, and child safety and protection. $95,000 to support county Intermediate Punishment Treatment Programs that treat non-violent offenders with substance abuse problems. $543,901 to reimburse Lancaster County for costs incurred by counties for adult probation and parole services. $388,451 to Lancaster County Commissioners for crime victim and witness Read more

HARRISBURG, Nov. 24 — Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law state Rep. Nikki Rivera’s legislation that will ensure older Pennsylvanians do not lose their eligibility for the state’s prescription drug assistance programs due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. Rivera’s H.B. 923 , now Act 49 of 2025, will shield seniors from losing PACE and PACENET eligibility if their annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment exceeds normal income-eligibility guidelines. This protection is currently in place but was scheduled to expire after Dec. 31. The new law will extend that protection for two more years -- until Dec. 31, 2027. According to Rivera, the Social Security COLA for 2025 is currently 2.5%. If the moratorium had not been extended, 10,039 PACENET enrollees would have lost their eligibility. Additionally, 12,594 PACE enrollees would have been moved to PACENET, resulting in the loss of their lower copayments and the PACE-paid Part D premium. “I am so glad that our seniors will have guaranteed continued access to PACE and PACENET in the nick of time thanks to this legislation becoming law,” Rivera said. “These programs are true lifesavers, making medication affordable. Because of this legislation, our seniors won’t have to worry about whether they can pay for medication if a necessary Social Security cost-of-living adjustment would have otherwise made them ineligible for a prescription program. Read more