HARRISBURG, May 2 – The House yesterday passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Scott Conklin that would help Pennsylvania’s minority-owned businesses secure the capital they need to grow and remain competitive. Conklin, who is majority chairman of the Pennsylvania House Commerce Committee, said he introduced H.B. 2202 – which would establish the Minority Business Development Program to provide low-interest loans and equity financing to ethnic-owned businesses – to get vital resources flowing to traditionally underserved business communities. “Minority-owned businesses have a critical role to play in Pennsylvania, but for too long, they have faced financing hurdles that have prevented them from growing and expanding,” Conklin said. “It’s time to level the playing field by connecting these businesses with the resources they need to thrive. Doing so creates jobs, adds healthy competition, grows our local and state economies, and empowers business owners to give back to their communities. It’s a win-win all around.” The fund established by Conklin’s bill would provide eligible businesses with means ranging from $3 million for one or more projects to a maximum of $5 million for up to three projects. Minority-owned businesses in counties of the First or Second Class would be eligible for a maximum of $10 million per applicant. The funds would be used as equity and Read more
HARRISBURG, May 1 – Following his Pennsylvania Capitol news conference yesterday with school sports officials and student athletes, state Rep. Scott Conklin issued these remarks to shed further light on why Pennsylvania’s approach to school sports competitions should be reformed to model other states that recognize the difference between national all-star teams in private schools (non-boundary schools) and the teams in public schools (boundary schools): “In Pennsylvania, private schools are not restricted as to where they can recruit student athletes, whereas public schools may only recruit within the school district’s geographical location. “This allows private schools to create all-star teams that are providing an unfair advantage over public schools in playoffs. It’s not just about winning a championship. It’s about life opportunities – including scholarships and recruitment for college sports and professional sports – that our public school students are losing out on. “K-12 sports should be about teaching values and competitiveness, giving children a second option that keeps them in school, and allowing opportunities for a brighter future. “I am not against non-boundary schools. They provide many young athletes a chance for a better future, which is great. The change I am proposing would not reduce the opportunities for private school students, but would introduce Read more
HARRISBURG, May 1 – The House today took a major step toward ensuring smoother, more efficient administration of elections in Pennsylvania by passing state Rep. Scott Conklin’s H.B. 847 , which would allow pre-canvassing of mail and absentee ballots to begin up to seven days before an election. Conklin, D-Centre, said an earlier start to pre-canvassing – which involves inspecting and opening envelopes containing ballots; removing them from the envelops; and counting, computing and tallying the votes (but not reporting or publishing those votes) – is needed to address delays and frustration arising under the current law, which does not permit election workers to start the process until 7 a.m. on Election Day. “Free and fair elections are at the very heart of our democracy, but ensuring that they run smoothly and efficiently requires vigilance – and sometimes action – on our part when changing circumstances demand it,” Conklin said. “ Five years ago, Pennsylvania expanded the use of mail and absentee ballots, resulting in a dramatic increase in these ballots. It was a great move that increased voter participation, but it also created some unwanted administrative issues. “As mail ballots have increased, county election board workers from all over the state have been telling us that the current system is unworkable and that they simply don’t have enough time Read more
HARRISBURG, April 30 – State Rep. Scott Conklin joined school sports officials and student athletes at the Pennsylvania Capitol today to urge support for his proposal that would better protect players in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association competitions. Conklin – whose H.B. 1983 would allow the PIAA to establish alternative playoffs and championships for boundary and non-boundary schools – spoke about how the current system jeopardizes student safety by pitting public school teams against private, charter and parochial school teams that are often larger and better equipped. “By leaving public schools no option but to compete against larger, more powerful teams recruited by private schools, the PIAA’s current system is putting student athletes from public schools at a huge disadvantage before they even set foot on the field,” Conklin said. “It’s a system that sets kids up for failure, sends the wrong message and – worst of all – exposes them to the risk of serious injury. “We need to reform the playoff rules by allowing the PIAA to set up alternate playoff systems and championships for boundary and non-boundary schools. Having separate playoffs would not hurt the element of competition – it would merely ensure those contests are waged on a level playing field.” Hall of Fame Football Coach Jim Cantafio and Bald Eagle Athletic Director Doug Read more
HARRISBURG, April 25 – State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, said he helped Lower Paxton Township secure a competitive grant award of more than $1.18 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to extend the township’s sidewalk network. “This investment in Lower Paxton Township will help enhance quality of life in the township by increasing pedestrian safety,” Fleming said. “The funding will be used to extend the township’s sidewalk network to make important connections between neighborhoods and key destinations such as the Lower Paxton Township Municipal Center, Central Dauphin Middle School, and many neighborhood-serving businesses. This is a smart use of our taxpayer dollars to strengthen the connections in our community and provide easier access to critical services.” Fleming added that the new sidewalk connections will include all necessary signage, ADA-accessible ramps and crosswalks, and will narrow the width of the roadway on Prince Street, which will act as a traffic calming feature, and improve pedestrian safety. The grant award comes from the Surface Transportation Block Grant program Set-Aside, also known as the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside). The grant funds projects that improve the accessibility of biking and walking paths and amenities, pedestrian access to public transportation, community improvement activities, environmental mitigation projects and trails. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 26 – State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, today announced that over $1.14 million in state grants have been awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to reduce gun and group violence in local Dauphin County schools. “Every child in our community should feel safe in school so they can flourish and preventing acts of violence is the best way to do that,” Fleming said. “These grants, which were funded by our votes in Harrisburg, will give our schools the tools they need to be more effective when it comes to reducing violence.” The total award amounts approved for schools in the district are: Central Dauphin School District - $307,321 Susquehanna Township School District - $631,469 Dauphin County Technical School - $70,000 Infinity Charter School - $70,000 Reach Cyber Charter School - $70,000 View a full list of awards, including dollar amount and school entities approved for funding, here: ? School Safety Awards . Nonpublic School Awards . Funds will advance the School Safety and Security Committee’s goal of ensuring that all Pennsylvania students can learn in safe, healthy school environments by helping school entities address basic safety needs and mental health services identified in the Committee’s recently adopted Revised Baseline Criteria Standards . Read more
LANCASTER, April 26 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Mike Sturla, both D-Lancaster, helped the city of Lancaster secure a $3 million state grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to support the Water Street bike project. “Being on a bike offers the opportunity to see the world differently,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Having learned to ride a bike at the late age of 29, I can say it changed my life. I am thrilled that PennDOT has awarded Lancaster City $3 million to help execute the Water Street bike project. A city that is safer for cycling is safer for pedestrians, safer for people pushing strollers, safer for accessing public transit. This a smart investment in our city and in our future.” Sturla added, “I thank PennDOT for awarding this grant to enable the city of Lancaster to continue their successful strategy in making our community even more friendly to bike riders.” The Water Street bike project extends from Fairview Avenue up to Harrisburg Pike and includes a mixture of shared on-street bike facilities and a half-mile portion that will be off-road. According to Smith-Wade-El and Sturla, the project will include intersection improvements along the length of Water Street with raised intersections, speed humps, bump-out curb extensions, ADA compliant ramps, piano key crosswalks and rapid flashing beacons. Three intersections and one segment along Water Street are in the High Injury Network as Read more
STATE COLLEGE, April 26 – Stronger security measures and expanded mental health resources are coming to schools in the 77 th Legislative District, thanks to new grant funding of nearly $537,000, state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, announced today. Conklin said the funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will ensure schools have the resources needed to maintain a safe and secure environment. “Learning is never a one-size-fits-all proposition, but one thing is universally true – all students need a safe and supportive environment to learn and thrive,” Conklin said. “This new funding will ensure our schools have the resources they need to provide that environment, so students and staff are free to focus on academic success.” State College Area School District – 231,714. Bald Eagle Area School District – $154,131. Centre Learning Community Charter School – $70,000. Young Scholars of Central PA Charter School – $70,000. Central Intermediate Unit 10 - $10,825. More information about the funding is available here: https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/PCCD-details.aspx?newsid=105 . Read more
HARRISBURG, April 25 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, today announced that $480,760 in state grants have been awarded to public schools in the 49th District by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to reduce gun and group violence in Lancaster County schools. The following public school districts have received funding: School District of Lancaster $ 269,655 Penn Manor $ 211,105 “All Pennsylvanians deserve to be safe, especially our kids and especially when they are at school,” Smith-Wade-El said. “These grants, which were funded by our votes in Harrisburg, will give our schools the tools they need to increase school security, provide mental health resources for students, and reduce violence. Thanks to this funding, our kids will be able to focus on what they should be doing at school — learning.” View a full list of awards, including dollar amount and school entities approved for funding, here: School Safety Awards . Nonpublic School Awards . Funds will advance the School Safety and Security Committee’s goal of ensuring that all Pennsylvania students can learn in safe, healthy school environments by helping school entities address basic safety needs and mental health services identified in the Committee’s recently adopted Revised Baseline Criteria Standards . Read more
STATE COLLEGE, April 19 – Faster, more reliable broadband is coming to underserved areas of Centre County thanks to new funding of nearly $17.6 million from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, announced today. Conklin, who is majority chairman of the House Commerce Committee, said the funding – which includes $16.1 million to Verizon Pennsylvania LLC and $1.5 million to Windstream Pennsylvania LLC – will bring residents and small business owners in underserved areas the connections they need. “Internet provides essential connections to the world, but for too long, residents lacking speedy, reliable access have faced a disadvantage when it comes to key online resources for job opportunities, training and education, shopping, telemedicine and more,” Conklin said. “Small businesses in underserved areas also lose a major competitive edge. “We have worked hard to get the necessary broadband infrastructure in place, and with this new infusion of funding, we can finally make those critical high-speed connections a reality for the residents and businesses who need them.” Conklin said that matching funding will bring the total project to nearly $40 million. The funding – which is part of a statewide package awarded under the Broadband Infrastructure Program – will also benefit underserved communities in Blair, Read more
“They may not be able to vote for us, but young children are a major component of any elected official’s constituency, and we must advocate for them as if our candidacy depends on them,” Hill-Evans said. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 17 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; Malcom Kenyatta, D-Phila.; and Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, today applauded the Pennsylvania boards of Psychology and Osteopathic Medicine for their recent adoption of new policies opposing the practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ minors. The representatives issued the following statement: “We applaud the state Boards of Psychology and Osteopathic Medicine’s adoption of a new Statement of Policies (SOP) that opposes the use of the discredited, pseudoscientific practice of conversion therapy on minors in Pennsylvania. Conversion therapy, also known as conversion abuse, is a dangerous practice aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression that has resulted in profound physical and psychological harm on patients, including depression, trauma, and suicide. “We hope that the state boards of Medicine, Nursing and Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors will vote in the coming weeks to adopt similar SOPs opposing the use of conversion therapy. “Although we are glad to see esteemed state medical boards gradually take steps to oppose the practice of conversion abuse, this is happening at too slow a rate. It is long past time that Pennsylvania joins the 20 other states outlawing the practice. Our bill, the Protection of Minors from Conversion Therapy Act, would prohibit a mental health Read more
“As chair of the House Commerce Committee, I believe we must fund minority businesses to ensure marginalized Pennsylvanians have the ability to start their business in our commonwealth,” Conklin said. “With more than 1.15% of businesses owned by minorities in 2020, we need to make the economy more equitable for Pennsylvania’s entrepreneurs by allowing minority businesses to prosper in our economy and remain competitive in our marketplace. By advancing this legislation to the House, we will invest in Pennsylvania’s businesses, ensuring that we keep Pennsylvania open for business.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 10 – Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Valerie Arkoosh joined state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, for a tour of Refresh Lancaster’s mobile unit at Union Community Care last Friday. Refresh Lancaster is a collaboration between Lancaster Emergency Medical Services Association and Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition that offers free weekly showers, hygienic kits, medical care and referrals to social services in a mobile unit at several locations throughout the county. “In my experience working as an activist in Lancaster, I found that many of the people most in need of social services were nervous about approaching state organizations for help,” Smith-Wade-El said. “I wanted to share with Secretary Arkoosh how Refresh Lancaster is successfully reaching out and building trust with these vulnerable members of our community by serving as a low-barrier entryway to the commonwealth’s extensive network of social and health services.” Smith-Wade-El and Arkoosh also toured Union Community Care’s new dental unit where the staff stressed dental care as a critical part of health care. The tour highlighted how managed-care organizations use Medicaid waivers to serve residents in need. “People who are unhoused experience higher health care spending and poorer long-term outcomes, and approachable, empathetic supports and assistance can be a bridge to stability and a Read more
“With subscriptions contributing $650 billion to the economy and businesses monetizing relationships with customers through recurring subscriptions, we must regulate automatic contract renewals to ensure that they do not deceive consumers,” said Conklin, who chairs the PA House Commerce Committee. “That’s why we introduced this legislation, so that businesses notify consumers that their contract is approaching its automatic renewal, as well as to offer time to shop for other subscriptions and consider cancelling the subscription. By doing so, we ensure transparency, which is in the best interest of Pennsylvania’s consumers, businesses, and economy.” Read more
The Department of Environmental Protection awarded $3,305,011 from the Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program to replace five Class 6 and Class 7 box trucks with battery electric vehicles, install four DC fast EV chargers, and one Level 2 EV charging plug at three locations across Penn State’s campus. Read more
“With one in five women and one in 16 men being sexually assaulted while pursuing higher education, we must work to prevent sexual assault, harassment and violence on campus so that students feel safe on campus,” Conklin said. “It is on us, as state legislators, and faculty and staff at Penn State, to lead by example so that students feel supported on campus. With this funding from PDE, we’ll support sexual violence prevention and support survivors on campus. As state representative for the 77th Legislative District, I remain committed to advocating for victims of sexual violence.” Read more
The funding will make fresh produce more accessible, as well as expand the University Park Basic Needs Hub and food pantries at all Penn State campuses across the commonwealth. Read more
The Department of Agriculture awarded more than $2.2 million in funding to invest in Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry. Read more
The grant will fund two projects within watersheds in Centre County for water preservation and pollution reduction in two watersheds that directly link to waterways leading to the Chesapeake Bay. Read more
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