Representative Takac finds funding for struggling rural borough. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 16 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, brought home $1,138,851 in PA Housing Finance Agency funds from the new Housing Options Program to update the Lancaster Housing Authority Farnum Street East’s HVAC systems. The building at 33 East Farnum Street in Lancaster has 169 units, an office space, and a community room on the first floor. This development provides housing for the elderly and individuals living with disabilities. The funding will be used to update the aging HVAC systems to modern energy efficient heat pumps. “Our community has a critical need to add new affordable housing, and to protect our existing housing stock. As we brace for a cold winter, we cannot rest until all our neighbors have a safe, warm, accessible place to lay their heads,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This $1.1 million grant to improve the HVAC systems for an affordable housing development will dramatically improve the living conditions for our elderly and individuals living with disabilities. We often say, ‘housing is a human right.’ I’m grateful to the Lancaster City Housing Authority and PFHA for helping us put our money where our mouth is.” Smith-Wade-El said these PHFA funds are classified as Housing Options Program grants and can be utilized to repair existing housing units or to construct new housing units. Additionally, they are intended to fund housing that has not Read more
By making this small change to the Combustible and Flammable Liquids Act, fuel dispensers can now be placed farther from convenience stores, and therefore, farther from pedestrians. It’s an economic and safety win for businesses and consumers. Read more
Smith-Wade-El began his morning in Steelton to join state Rep. Dave Madsen, D-Dauphin, and other House Democratic members from central Pennsylvania to advocate for legislation that would improve the plight of tenants in Pennsylvania today. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 11 – State Rep. Patty Kim joined representatives from PennEnvironment at a news conference at the state Capitol today marking the release of the organization’s new study ranking Pennsylvania 50th in the nation for percent growth in total solar, wind and geothermal generation since 2013. “If the environmental and weather disasters happening worldwide tell us anything, it’s that we must come together now to develop a clean energy economy in Pennsylvania,” Kim said. “Developing a clean energy economy is the best chance to avoid the full devastating impact of climate change. “The PA Legislature can play a key role in fostering a clean energy economy, but too many bills have been stalled in committee,” Kim said. “I’m calling on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to realize that time is running out fast. Our children’s and grandchildren’s lives depend on us passing smart, commonsense legislation quickly to turn the tide against the onslaught of climate change.” The study, “Renewables on the Rise 2023,” charts the growth of six key clean energy technologies in states over the past decade: solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations. The report demonstrates that clean energy in the commonwealth is growing at a much slower rate than other states. Since 2013, Pennsylvania has seen a Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 11 – A longtime advocate for supporting higher education in Central Pennsylvania, state Rep. Patty Kim today praised M&T Bank’s $250,000 investment in the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology at its award ceremony at Strawberry Square in Harrisburg. Kim said money will be used to foster entrepreneurship in Central Pennsylvania by helping CIE assist innovators in their entrepreneurial ventures through programming designed to provide infrastructure and access to resources for startups with a focus on minority- and women-owned businesses. “The partnership between M&T Bank and CIE will provide a major investment in often-overlooked entrepreneurial talent pools -- minorities and women,” Kim said. “This money will help these groups get access to the critical resources they need for their businesses to thrive. Economic equity in Central Pennsylvania is the foundation for a thriving business economy and greater social equality in our region.” Read more
To support the 103rd district’s senior community, Representative Kim is holding a senior fair on Friday, Oct. 27 th . This free senior fair will bring resources and services under one roof so our community’s seniors and their caregivers can easily get their questions answered. With over 20 different vendors, offering everything from refreshments and door prizes to blood pressure screenings, vision checks, stress management and fall risk assessments, we hope residents who need assistance can take advantage of this valuable community resource. Read more
We need the Senate to pass our bill to allow our 3rd class cities to create strong and enforceable ordinances to crack down on ATV/Dirt-bike riding on city streets. Read more
The Central PA Delegation supports stronger ordinances for enforcement of ATV/Dirt Bike off-road vehicle use on city streets. Read more
State legislators from Pennsylvania's urban areas – including Harrisburg – are hoping a bill that would allow cities to pass their own, stricter rules regarding dirt bikes and ATVs will help curb the problem of off-road vehicles ridden by thrill-seekers on city streets. Read more
We are experiencing an alarming shortage of teachers in our communities, and we know for certain that this can be fixed, that there is an effective way to get us out of this educational crisis. I introduced a bill that would bring more teachers to the classrooms, this would address PA’s teacher shortage AND get more teachers of color on the job! I had the pleasure to talk about this bill on detail on Visions, hosted by Alyana Gomez on ABC 6. Read more
Rep. Carol Hill-Evans said the punitive responses to school misbehavior are not imposed equitably with incidents involving black girls and students with Individualized Education Plans are far more likely to involve law enforcement notification. Read more
The Community Diaper and Incontinence Products Act would establish a grant program that would improve and expand access to clean diapers for infants, children and incontinent adults through outreach programs, volunteer training and help with fundraising. Read more
Collection boxes outside of the offices of Representatives Davis, Hill-Evans, Pashinski, and Mullins. Local collections are encouraged to donate to your neighborhood resource center or one of the state diaper banks. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 26 – Pennsylvania House Aging and Older Adults Committee Majority Chair Patty Kim was joined by fellow Democratic state representatives and grandparents’ rights advocates in the Capitol on Tuesday to introduce a legislative platform to support grandparents and kin caregivers raising young relatives in Pennsylvania. “In Pennsylvania today, grandparents or other relatives are the primary caregivers for an estimated 202,000 children whose parents are absent for a number of reasons,” said Kim, D-Dauphin, Cumberland. “These grandparents and relatives are doing truly heroic work taking care of these vulnerable children, but they need critical financial, educational, and health care supports from the state to help them raise their grandkids. Our legislative package will go far in ensuring that caregivers have short term emergency help and that children remain with their grandparent and kin caregivers.” The legislative program includes: Kim’s H.B. 1688, which would establish a grant program to allow Area Agencies on Aging to assist in specific instances where grandparents need short-term emergency help to address the personal care needs of the grandchild who is living with them. Many grandparents supporting grandchildren are low-income households depending upon social security, Medicare and Medicaid. They aren't always equipped to address emergency personal needs of the child or children for whom they are caring. Read more
Sunday, October 29, 11AM-3PM Jewish Federation of Reading, 1100 Berkshire Blvd, Ste. 125, Wyomissing, PA 19610 Health Testing Bring the whole family for FREE health and wellness info. COVID vaccine/booster Flu shots Health screenings Some health services may require an insurance card. Please bring yours. 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
Join me and the Attorney General’s office to gain information on protecting yourself from online threats and scams. This seminar will inform constituents about learning the best practices for securing their digital presence, using strong passwords, identifying phishing attempts, and safeguarding sensitive data as well as provide you with information on your legal obligations and rights regarding data protection. Constituents will also have an opportunity to network with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies which can be valuable for constituents to establish contacts for seeking assistance in case of cyber incidents. Read more
Restaurant owner and former Reading City Council president Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz last year became the only Latina in the Legislature and the first Democrat elected to represent Berks County’s District 129. Read more
"We understand that we need equitable education. We need affordable housing, available housing. We need opportunities for our communities to be homeowners," said state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D-129). Read more
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