According to reports, 79% of teenage students feel they need more education on menstruation. Many young students report that their first period was “embarrassing, traumatic, scary and confusing” and that they felt dirty during their period. Read more
The coal mines that once fueled Pennsylvania’s industrial growth are still impacting many communities across the Commonwealth. Recognizing the environmental and safety hazards that abandoned mines pose to their neighbors, Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson and the House Democratic Policy Committee are looking at clean, creative ways to repair these scars left on the land. Read more
State Rep. Mary Isaacson said she is elated to announce a $210,000 state grant to Neighborhood Gardens Trust. “There are not that many preserved green spaces in this part of the city because of the rapid development and construction happening on every block, which is why this project was so important to me,” Isaacson said. “I am proud to have helped bring home this funding to help purchase this garden so that it can become a permanent community backyard for all residents to enjoy today and for years to come.” This funding will help preserve the Crease Street Garden, which is operated and maintained by residents through Friends of Crease Street Garden. The proposed project includes Neighborhood Gardens Trust purchasing the 3,000 square feet of green space. The trust and Friends of Crease Street Garden will enter into an agreement for the ongoing stewardship and maintenance of the garden. “The community regularly gathers at the picnic tables, flower gardens and under the trees, and I am thrilled that they can now do so without fear of losing this vital green space to additional development,” she said. Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program funds, provided through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, can be used to develop, rehabilitate and improve public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation. The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department Read more
After hearing about a young constituent’s death by suicide, Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson introduced legislation that would help keep harmful information out of the hands of those who could use it to harm themselves. Read more
Catch up on the latest news from the 175th Legislative District Read more
State Rep. Mary Isaacson, D-Phila., is pleased to announce that two green spaces in the 175 th Legislative District have received a portion of the historic $90 million in state funding for recreational opportunities and conservation efforts from Gov. Tom Wolf. Neighborhood Gardens Trust was awarded $400,000 for the conservation of Orkney Park, while the DRWC Land Conservancy received $2 million for the acquisition of approximately 4.8 acres in Fishtown/Port Richmond for a waterfront park and a quarter-mile segment of the Delaware River Trail. “Outdoor spaces in an urban environment are an extremely important investment in our communities,” Isaacson said. “Conservation, rehabilitation and construction of green spaces throughout the city have always been a priority of mine, as they are proven to reduce violence and ensure a better quality of life. I am proud to have worked to help bring resources to our area, so constituents can enjoy lavish green spaces throughout our district.” The $90 million investment is the largest single investment in Pennsylvania recreation and conservation in agency history and will go to more than 330 projects across Pennsylvania that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources and revitalize local communities. Read more
“They call themselves crisis pregnancy centers, but let's call them what they really are: anti-abortion centers,” said Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson in a joint House and Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing. She was referring to clinics that receive state taxpayer funding but offer pregnant women little actual medical care or advice. Instead these CPCs work to spread misinformation about abortion and contraception in many of Pa.’s most vulnerable communities. Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 16 -- State Rep. Mary Isaacson, D-Phila., was appointed to become a new member of Pennsylvania’s Basic Education Funding Commission. The commission was established within the Public School Code , and is reestablished with members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly every five years. Members of the commission evaluate the distribution of basic education subsidies and the fair funding formula, used to provide public school funding, to ensure that it provides adequate public education, as enshrined in Pennsylvania’s constitution. The commission will also be charged to see if cost-saving measures can be achieved, and to rely on experts at public hearings to determine the best fiscal route for schools to take. “So much has changed economically across Pennsylvania since the Basic Education Funding Commission was convened in 2015 and it is our students who are quite literally paying the price due to the zip code they live in,” Isaacson said. “I am excited to serve on this commission to not only make the fair funding formula more equitable, but to fight to ensure that all of our education funding in Pennsylvania is actually passing through that formula. It is past time that our legislature stop shortchanging our kids.” The commission will issue their first report in November 2023. Read more
“As we heard today, and as we heard throughout this series of hearings, there’s no easy answers when it comes to restricting abortion,” Isaacson said. “If abortion is restricted, the education throughout our state for health care professionals changes and alters their experience in performing lifesaving procedures – putting our residents’ lives at risk.” Read more
Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson and the House Democratic Policy Committee speak with key players in the fusion energy industry to discuss all the ways Pa. stands to benefit from the clean energy source. Isaacson says that in the face of global climate change having technology like fusion energy would allow manufacturing and industry to continue to grow in the Commonwealth. Read more
Recognizing the importance of #firedepartments to our communities, Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson talks about what can be done at the state level to ease the financial burden on those who protect our lives and properties. Isaacson says an initiative that would offer a tax credit to firefighters who purchase their own equipment is a good place to start, but more needs to be done. Read more
In a hearing of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson voices her opposition to a resolution that would put Pa. out of compliance with the federal #CleanAirAct. She says the clean #environment promised to Pennsylvanians by their state constitution is not the only thing at stake. Federal funding already earmarked for interstate highway improvements around Philadelphia could be lost if Pa. refuses to comply with federal standards. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson continues the conversation on access to abortion care in today's Pa. House Democratic Policy Hearing. She is working to make sure that everyone understands the current state of abortion and healthcare for women in Pa. She was honored to have Planned Parenthood's executive director speak to the committee about all of the services and healthcare they provide. Read more
The House and Senate Policy Committees convened a hearing Tuesday morning to explore what the future of healthcare looks like in Pennsylvania after the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 30 – State Rep. Mary Isaacson, D-Phila., issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to slash emissions oversight : “Access to clean air is a constitutional right, but the Supreme Court clearly hasn’t shown any regard to such things lately. Climate change is not something ‘new and big,’ but apparently the understanding of it and the EPA’s responsibilities are bigger than the Supreme Court’s comprehension and grasp. “This decision is a grave mistake with even worse consequences we cannot recover from. Addressing the climate crisis is a fight we showed up to late and this court ruling now ties our hands behind our backs. “Credible scientists have been sounding the alarm about this crisis for decades, and the EPA has been using its granted powers to successfully lower greenhouse gas emissions these past few years. The ability to fight global warming is directly linked to the ability to regulate and curb carbon emissions – and doing so has not only saved our country money but has helped save the planet. “As a member of the PA House Environmental Resources Committee, I am appalled.” Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Assessing Racial & Ethnic Disparities (R/ED) in PA’s Criminal Justice System (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Higher education institutions (public/not-for-profit), nonprofit organizations, and for-profit institutions (i.e., consulting firms). Use : To develop and implement a statewide research initiative to identify current R/ED levels using quantitative methods, understand potential drivers using qualitative methods, and make recommendations to chart a path forward. Funds : Up to $250,000. Application Deadline : July 12, 2022 More Information : Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Victim Advocacy – School District of Philadelphia (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply: Organizations that provide direct services to crime victims and may be operated by a non-profit organization or public (governmental) agency, or a combination of such agencies or organizations. Use : To support students and their families who are victims of violence within the School District of Philadelphia. Funds : Up to $375,000 over three years. PCCD expects to fund one (1) applicant over a three-year project period. Application Deadline : Read more
HARRISBURG, June 13 – The Fishtown District has been awarded an $80,500 grant through the Department of Community and Economic Development for the Front Street and Cecil B. Moore Plaza portion of the Vision Plan, according to state Rep. Mary Isaacson and state Sen. Nikil Saval, both D-Phila. According to the Fishtown Kensington Area Business Improvement District, the new community plaza will be a public meeting space highlighting, amplifying and expanding the existing cultural, creative and commercial personality of the neighborhood, as well as connecting the Kensington portion of the district with the commercial corridor. “I am proud to throw my support behind this important neighborhood endeavor,” Isaacson said. “This project is the result of many hours of planning and lays out a vision for our community that provides so much opportunity for the residents who live here, connecting us to the commercial corridor that is important to our everyday lives.” "Vibrant public spaces cultivate community engagement, foster collective safety and support local businesses,” Saval said. “Together, the Fishtown and Kensington communities have forged a comprehensive and coherent vision for residents and visitors alike to better access and enjoy all the region has to offer. These communities deserve deep investment from their government, and it’s been my honor to ensure that they received it!" Fishtown Kensington Area Read more
Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson learns more about the state and national transition to Electric Vehicles or EVs. She wants to make sure the state has the charging stations and infrastructure in place to support the growth of this industry and hire skilled workers to help install and maintain these stations. Read more
Isaacson is working to pass commonsense gun laws, like locking up guns in your home when they are not in use. Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Eligible practitioners with the capacity to provide SUD treatment or SCA-funded case management services at approved practice site(s) and can demonstrate a minimum of two prior years of experience in the SUD field as well as a service commitment of two additional years. Use : To support the supply, distribution and retention of individuals delivering SUD treatment and SCA funded case management services. Funds : Varies by award. Application Deadline : May 26, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.ddap.pa.gov/Documents/Funding%20documents/GIFA%2022-02%20LoanRepayment_applicationguidance.pdf . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Enhancing Services to Culturally Specific Populations Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : A nonprofit organization for which the primary purpose of the organization as a whole is to provide culturally specific services to one or more of the following racial and ethnic communities: 1) American Indians (including Alaska Natives, Eskimos, and Aleuts); 2) Asian Americans; 3) Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders; 4) Blacks; and 5) Hispanics. Use : To establish, expand, or Read more
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