School is back in session, along with the excitement that comes with the beginning of a new school year. As chairman of the PA House Appropriations Committee, I’m excited too about the historic investments we made for education in this year’s state budget. Read my weekly email full of information on state-related and local issues that impact you. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Endowment Act – Treatment and Training Who May Apply: Eligibility of these funds is open to any for-profit entity, non-profit entity, an entity affiliated with a CAC or MDIT (e.g., public agency or hospital), or unit of local government. Schools (including colleges and universities) are considered governmental units and are eligible to apply. Use: To support the training of medical and mental healthcare providers who treat children and adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Funds: A total of $200,000 in Endowment Act funding is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately four projects with budgets not to exceed $50,000 over the 2-year project period. Application Deadline: October 4, 2024 More information: PCCD Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply. Use: Strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or support transition of ownership. Funds: $500,000 in funding is available. Grants shall not exceed $7,500. Application Deadline: Applications will be received until funds are exhausted. More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Local law enforcement agencies, campus or university police, railroad or street Read more
My 9th Annual Soul School Festival held this summer was a day of fun and fellowship as neighbors came together to sing, dance, eat, play, get important health screenings and gather information on state and local programs. I enjoyed every minute of being with the people of our community and look forward to next year! Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County: Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund Who May Apply: Municipalities, authorities, councils of government, non-profits and for-profit businesses in Allegheny County. Use: Economic development projects, infrastructure development projects, job training, community improvement projects, public safety projects, and public interest projects. Funds: Project budgets must be between $150,000 and $500,000. Application Deadline: August 30, 2024 More information: RAAC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2024-25 Advanced Law Enforcement Training Initiative Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to non-profit organizations with experience in facilitating and hosting in-person law enforcement trainings in Pennsylvania. Use: To support advanced comprehensive evidence-based training courses for law enforcement. Funds: A total of $80,000 in Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $80,000 over the one-year project period. Application Deadline: August 29, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Project Safe and Smart 2025 Who May Apply: Community-based organizations that can successfully demonstrate their reach and partnership with K-12 school entities. Preference will be given to applicants that demonstrate that they Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: School Safety and Mental Health Grants Who May Apply: Eligible school entities as defined under 24 P.S. §13-1314.1-B of the PA Public School Code. Use: Funding may be used to assist schools with physical safety and/or behavioral health needs. Funds: $100 million is available to be distributed via a formula that stipulates school districts are to receive $100,000 base average and an additional amount based on their 22/23 Adjusted Average Daily Membership. Other eligible school entities are to receive $70,000. Application Deadline: September 26, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools Who May Apply: Nonpublic schools as defined under Section 924.3-A of the PA Public School Code, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, or approved vendors. Use: Funding may be used to assist schools with physical safety and/or behavioral health needs. Funds: A total of $19,665,000 in state school safety and security funds is being announced to support this initiative. Application Deadline: September 26, 2024 More information: PCCD Website PennDOT: Rail Freight Assistance Program/Rail Transportation Assistance Program Who May Apply: Railroad company, transportation organization, municipality, municipal authority, user Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program Who May Apply : Applicant must be a nonprofit organization based in the Commonwealth designated as a 501(c)(3) and principally serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in its Hate Crime Statistics Publication under the Uniform Crime Reporting program. Use : Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, safety and security planning, purchase of safety and security equipment, purchase of security related technology (metal detectors, protective lighting, deadbolts, etc.), safety and security training, upgrades to existing structures that enhance safety and security, and more. Funds : $10 million has been appropriated by the General Assembly to the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund. Applicant requests must be between $5,000 and $150,000. Application Deadline : August 27, 2024 More information : PCCD Website Historical & Museum Commission: Cultural and Historical Support Grants Who May Apply: Museums and official county historical societies. Use: Funds are intended to strengthen the museum community and provide operating support to museums and historical societies. Funds: Nearly $2 million in funds are available. Application Deadline: August Read more
In Harrisburg I fight for every Pennsylvanian. I fight even harder for the kids who go to school in the South Philly schools I represent. For too many years, the state wasn’t getting the job done when it comes to fairly and properly funding our schools. That’s why under the House Democratic majority we fought to make a significant down payment on getting resources where they should be and leveling the playing field for our young people in this year’s state budget. Read more
This budget delivers a win for all Pennsylvanians. It builds a better future for all of us Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Local Share Account: Monroe County Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development agencies, or redevelopment authorities within Monroe County or the five contiguous counties to Monroe (Carbon, Lackawanna, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne). Use: Public interest projects, community improvement projects, economic development projects, or roadway improvement projects. Funds: Funded by gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Share Account: Category 4 Facilities Program (Berks, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and York Counties) Who May Apply: Municipalities, counties, redevelopment authorities, or economic development agencies in a county hosting a Category 4 licensed gaming facility. Use: Projects in the public interest. Funds: Funded by gaming revenues from Category 4 licensed facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Share Account: Luzerne County Who May Apply: All Luzerne County municipalities and the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority. Use: Projects in the public interest. Funds: Funded by 2% of gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Broadband Development Authority: COVID-19 ARPA Capital Projects Fund Digital Connectivity Technology Program Who May Apply: Libraries, community schools, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and other community anchor institutions. Use: Acquisition of digital connectivity technology that facilitates broadband internet access and promotes digital literacy and skills training. Funds: $20 million in federal ARP money is available for this program. Application Deadline: August 19, 2024 More information: DCED Website Department of Agriculture: Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Program Who May Apply: Applicants must meet the federal definition of a very small meat and poultry processing operation and currently be operating under a grant of inspection or planning to get a grant of inspection upon completion of project. Use: Grant reimbursement is available for eligible costs associated with meeting the requirements to obtain a grant of inspection, opening a new very small meat and poultry processing operation, expanding the capacity of a current very small meat and poultry operation, or a combination of those purposes. Funds: Funding is limited to no more than $100,000 per applicant. Application Deadline: August 2, 2024 More information: PDA Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Read more
High-level University of the Arts administrators tried to halt the university’s abrupt June closure, but were stonewalled and frozen out, one said Monday at a state hearing on the sudden shutdown. Read more
“Even though these universities are private institutions, we believe we have a moral responsibility as elected leaders to have oversight to ensure tax dollars are being spent correctly and responsibly,” said House Majority Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “When a tragedy like this happens, the students, faculty and staff turn to their leadership – whose presence has been lacking. The House is looking to have more involvement on the front end, so a tragedy like this never happens again in Philadelphia or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Labor and Industry: PAsmart Pathway Innovations to Registered Apprenticeships Grant Program Who May Apply: Organizations that serve as sponsors or intermediaries of new Registered Apprenticeships including businesses, community-based organizations, economic development organizations, industry associations, labor organizations, local education agencies, local workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, post-secondary institutions, public libraries, and STEM ecosystems. Use: To support the creation and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs that offer earn-as-you-learn opportunities. Funds: $5,000,000 in funding is available. Application Deadline: July 12, 2024 More information: L&I Website Historical and Museum Commission: Historical and Archival Records Care Grant Who May Apply: Nonprofits and local government entities that have been in existence for two years prior to grant request submission. Use: To assist with preservation of historically valuable original documents. Funds: Single organizations can apply for up to $5,000. Projects with multiple organizations involved can apply for up to $5,000 for each organization (2 organizations can apply for $10,000, 3 organizations can apply for $15,000, etc.). Application Deadline: July 8, 2024 More information: PHMC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Act Read more
I had the privilege of giving the commencement address at the Kensington Creative and Performing Arts graduation ceremony. It was an evening filled with celebration, hope and possibility. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 13 – State Reps. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., and Bob Merski, D-Erie, announced today that they will be introducing legislation to help prevent abrupt closures of higher education institutions in Pennsylvania. This announcement comes roughly one week after the sudden closure of The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. This legislation would require colleges or universities to provide financial information yearly if they receive commonwealth funds or federal funds distributed by the commonwealth. The lawmakers believe that this proposal would ensure transparency for the commonwealth, students, and staff of higher education institutions and continued good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The University of the Arts is located in Waxman’s legislative district, covering center city Philadelphia. “When I heard about UArts’ closure, I immediately shared feelings of anger and disappointment with the students who won’t have the same school to attend and faculty who will be losing their jobs,” Waxman said. “I want to ensure no student or school faculty member in Pennsylvania has to go through what those at UArts are going through right now. By requiring these schools to regularly notify us of their financial information, we can create greater accountability and transparency across the board.” The lawmakers say that having this information from schools on a yearly Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: PA Statewide Drug and Alcohol Toll-Free Call Center Who May Apply: Applicant must be able to manage a statewide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year Drug and Alcohol (D&A) Toll-Free Call Center. Use: DDAP will enter into a grant agreement with one entity to manage and oversee all aspects of the D&A Call Center to provide confidential referral services to consumers and their families seeking drug and alcohol treatment and who are experiencing difficulty as a result of substance use disorder (SUD). Funds: Up to $6,788,000 for five years for one grantee through DDAP’s Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant federal funding. Application Deadline: June 18, 2024 More information: DDAP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply. Use: Strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or support transition of ownership. Funds: $500,000 in funding is available. Grants shall not exceed $7,500. Application Deadline: Applications will be received until funds are exhausted. More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Read more
Safe, affordable and accessible housing should not be a luxury for the well off but a human right for all people in our community. It’s why I am constantly working as your state representative to enact public policy that opens housing to more people, including those who have been evicted, often because of financial hardships caused by low wages and childcare issues in an economy that is not fair for everyone, especially for Black mothers and their children. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Wild Resource Conservation Program Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, conservation districts, and municipal authorities. Individuals, state government agencies, and for-profit businesses may be eligible depending on the project. Use: Grant applications will be accepted for species surveys, conservation, and management. Funds: Funding comes through the Wil Resource Conservation Fund and a portion of the Environmental Stewardship Fund. Grant size varies, but the average grant award is $30,000. Application Deadline: July 1, 2024 More information: DCNR website Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) The NAP is broken down into five components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit, the Special Program Priorities, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, the Charitable Food Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program Tax Credit. Please visit the link below for specific information on each component. Who May Apply: Depending on the program, eligible applicants include neighborhood organizations that hold a ruling from the IRS as nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations, and organizations operating as food banks, food pantries, or emergency food providers. Use: Use varies by program, but priorities for this funding Read more
The House passed and sent to the governor legislation that would require the State Police and larger police departments to collect profiling data during traffic stops and report any searches conducted. This data is important to ensure all drivers are treated equally under the law and to end racial profiling. Read more
On March 4 the House Appropriations Committee met with the Pennsylvania State Police for their budget hearing. This hearing immediately followed high-profile incidents with the State Police in our region. At the hearing, PSP Commissioner Christopher Paris assured me and the committee that they would expedite resources to have body camera operations for Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania troopers in the next few weeks. Read more
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