News Center

Let’s be patient; Make sure every vote counts

(Nov 05, 2020) Northeast Delegation

As of this writing, there are approximately 750,000 Pennsylvania votes that need to be counted. That is more than 750,000 Pennsylvanians who lawfully casted their vote and deserve to be heard. Counting every citizen’s legal, timely vote is imperative. As workers securely make progress on tallying the results, we must be patient. This process may take several days, but the integrity and sanctity of the vote in our state must be maintained. Last Fall, in a bipartisan showing, the Pennsylvania General Assembly agreed to allow for mail-in ballots. Since then, House Democrats have made many efforts to help clarify any confusion about the process and give local election boards the tools needed to securely and expeditiously process votes cast by mail. Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues chose political gamesmanship over a genuine effort to ensure a smooth election. Their inaction failed to allow for the early processing of ballots received – as 32 other states permit-- and, in turn, why there is a delay in knowing the outcome of this election. The ambiguity in the law did not address their local official’s concerns; nor does it protect every Pennsylvanian’s constitutional right to vote and our obligation to make sure those votes are counted. Now, more than ever, we must ensure that we uphold the freedoms guaranteed in our state and nation’s constitution. In these unprecedented times, the voters must have the final say, not the candidates or Read more

 

Kosierowski announces more than $504,000 in COVID-19 grants for local fire, EMS agencies

(Oct 09, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – State Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, today announced that state grants totaling $504,144 have been awarded to help local emergency services organizations offset the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Act 26, Kosierowski said the state made $50 million in grants available to fire and emergency medical services organizations that were affected by the pandemic, which includes 22 in the 114 th Legislative District: Artisan Fire Co.: $23,014. Carbondale Fire Department: $24,794. Clarks Summit Fire Co. 1 Inc.: $23,562. Cottage Hose Ambulance Corps Inc.: $23,699. Cottage Hose Co. No. 2: $23,425. Crystal Fire Co. No. 1: $23,699. Eagle Hose Co. No. 1: $24,729. Eagle McClure Hose Co. No.1: $24,384. Grattan Singer Hose Co. No. 1: $22,740. Greenfield Twp. Volunteer Fire Co.: $22,603. Greenwood Hose Co. No. 1: $25,342. Justus Volunteer Fire Co.: $23,288. Mayfield Hose Co. Engine 1: $23,425. Meredith Hose Co.: $23,425. Scott Twp. Hose Co.: $23,425 (FIRE) and $15,048 (EMS). Taylor Fire & Rescue: $23,836. Taylor Hose Co. No. 1: $22,740. White’s Crossing Hose Co.: $23,562. Whitmore Hose Co.: $23,151. William Walker Hose Co.: $25,205 (FIRE) and $15,048 (EMS). “Our first responders put themselves in the Read more

 

Kosierowski encourages grant application before deadline

(Sep 11, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, is encouraging local businesses, economic development or transportation agencies, and local municipalities to apply for up to $3 million in grant funding through the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund before the Sept. 30 application deadline closes. Read more

 

Kosierowski announces more than $100K in grants to local school districts

(Aug 25, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today that two area school districts were awarded $101,665 to improve educational services students at schools designated Additional Targeted Support and Improvement under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Read more

 

Kosierowski: More than $1.4 million awarded to area school districts

(Aug 24, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today $1,468,191 federal funding has been allocated to several area schools and career and technical education centers in her district to assist with implementing public health and safety plans to resume operations and maintain a continuity of education. Read more

 

Kosierowski announces more than $104K in grant awards to multiple school districts

(Aug 20, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today more than $104,000 was awarded to seven area school districts to enhance educational services for special education students who may be negatively impacted by pandemic mitigation measures. Read more

 

Kosierowski announces $1.3 million in water and sewer grants for 114th District

(Aug 17, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

Kosierowski announces $1.3 million in water and sewer grants for 114 th District LACKAWANNA, Aug. 17 – State water and sewer grants totaling $1.3 million have been awarded for several local projects, state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today. This funding means better economic development, cleaner water, the potential for less flooding,” Kosierowski said. “An investment in our water infrastructure is an important step forward to replace our aging water and sanitary systems to better ensure public health for all our people.” Kosierowski said the projects include: $200,000 to Clark Summit Borough to complete Urban Stream Restoration to an unmade tributary to Ackerly Creek. $394,149 to Moosic Borough for sanitary sewer improvements to two sites. The proposed project will install two sanitary sewer lines at two sites where existing sewers were not properly installed at Church Street and Snyder Court. $246,313 to Clark Summit Borough to replace storm water infrastructure on West Grove Street. $400,000 to Greenfield Township to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant. $70,153 to Jermyn Borough for a sewer line replacement project. The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to administer grants and Read more

 

Kosierowski: Business awarded low-interest loan

(Aug 05, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today that a 15-year, $250,000 low-interest loan has been awarded to Protecall LLC, formerly Protecall Coatings LLC, a New Jersey-based business that modifies factory HVAC systems. Read more

 

Kosierowski announces $6,000 grant award to county library

(Aug 05, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today that the Abington Community Library was awarded a $6,000 emergency relief grant from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, via a program called PHC CARES. Read more

 

Kosierowski supports relief to restaurants, bars and clubs to help workers

(Jul 28, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

HARRISBURG, July 28 – State Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, today announced her support of a House Democratic legislative package of bills aimed to provide relief to owners and workers of Pennsylvania’s restaurants, bars and clubs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a serious financial blow to an industry that is the backbone of local economies,” Kosierowski said. “There is no doubt that the hardworking staff and owners of these businesses need our help now more than ever to prevent these businesses from facing permanent closure.” The House Democratic package includes: Earmarking CARES grant funding from the federal government to be directed to small, community restaurants instead of national chains to ensure those dollars are invested back into the region. Earmarking CARES grant funding from the federal government for Pennsylvania breweries, distilleries and wineries forced to reduce capacity to protect patrons. Most of these businesses are small and family operated and help support multiple community efforts, and this funding will help keep them in operation. Expanding access to outdoor dining for restaurants and diners, including removing limitations concerning public thoroughfares, fees and delays in approval. Scientific evidence is growing that outdoor activity is a much lower risk than indoor dining, and helping restaurants add space outdoors can Read more

 

Shusterman’s, Kosierowski’s calls for updated nursing home guidance enacted

(Jul 01, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

PAOLI, June 30 – State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, and Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, commended the release of updated guidance by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services to loosen restrictions on long-term care facilities throughout the commonwealth. According to DHS’ three-step process, long-term care facilities may return to activities, welcome visitors and hold other events for residents as long as a specific list of prerequisites are met and there are no new COVID-19 cases among staff and residents for 14 consecutive days. This is a cause that Shusterman and Kosierowski advocated for throughout the governor’s COVID-19 disaster declaration. Shusterman worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the PA House Aging Committee to ensure these facilities could reopen and resume their daily activities as quickly and as safely as possible. “Pennsylvania’s seniors were not only an at-risk population for COVID-19, but they spent the last three months separated from their loved ones, which created even more hardships for them during the pandemic,” Shusterman said. “I fought to reopen these facilities to ease this burden on our seniors while still mitigating the virus’ presence within them. I’m pleased to see that restrictions are slowly being lifted, as it’s another step closer toward reuniting families throughout the Read more

 

Renter and homeowner aid available

(Jun 30, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

Renters and homeowners who were financially impacted by the economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access applications for rent and mortgage relief beginning Monday, June 29. At that time, applications will be accessible from a red banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website at www.PHFA.org . Homeowners who became unemployed after March 1 or who suffered at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income due to reduced work hours and wages related to COVID-19 may be eligible for financial assistance to help with missed mortgage payments. To qualify for the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program, the applicant must be an owner-occupant of their residence, the dwelling must consist of one or two separate units, the mortgage must be at least 30 days delinquent, and the applicant-homeowner’s annual household income must not exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For renters to be eligible for financial assistance under the CARES Rent Relief Program, they will need to document at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income since March 1 related to COVID-19, or they must have become unemployed after March 1. If unemployed, they must have filed for Unemployment Compensation. Their household income cannot exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For more information Read more

 

Small Business Assistance grants available

(Jun 25, 2020) PA Department of Community and Economic Development

Applications are expected to be available June 30 for a new program aimed at providing critical funding to local businesses hurt by the coronavirus. Read more

 

Senate committee unanimously approves Kosierowski’s worker protection bill

(Jun 23, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

HARRISBURG, June 23 – A bill which would provide worker protections to essential workers in Pennsylvania’s food industries was unanimously reported out of the state Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today. “This bill goes beyond protecting food industry workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it will also protect all of us who are buying food for our families,” Kosierowski said. “I am pleased to see the unanimous, bipartisan support on this crucial bill and hope the full state Senate acts quickly to provide these much-needed protections.” Kosierowski authored the bill that would create a Food Establishment Pandemic Disease Remediation Cost Reimbursement Grant Program within the state Department of Agriculture to help food packers and processors pay for personal protective equipment for workers, physical barriers to help protect workers, the cost of hand washing stations, enhanced sanitation efforts and medical monitoring such as temperature checks of employees. House Bill 2435 now heads to the state Senate for further consideration. Read more

 

Kosierowski calls on Wolf to allow retail businesses to open for curbside sales

(May 21, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

TAYLOR, May 21 – State Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today she has joined others in asking Gov. Tom Wolf to allow curbside transactions for retail businesses still shuttered by the administration’s closure order, including those in Lackawanna County. Read more

 

Kosierowski, Day working together across aisle

(May 13, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

A bill that would protect people working in Pennsylvania’s long-term care facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been introduced in the PA House, according to prime co-sponsor state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna. Read more

 

Kosierowski encourages schools to apply for emergency funding

(May 08, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

TAYLOR, May 8 – State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, is encouraging area school districts to consider applying for funds to assist them in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Education submitted an application to the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Once the state’s application is approved, school districts will need to apply for the funding. “We’ve already observed the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our educational system, and, as we move forward, our schools will need the ability to properly face any additional challenges that come their way,” Kosierowski said. “Funding like this will aid our districts in ensuring quality education in a safe environment.” Locally, it is anticipated that school districts would receive the following funding: Abington Heights School District: $226,310 Carbondale Area School District: $629,788 Forrest City Regional School District: $187,215 Lakeland School District: $196,233 Mid Valley School District: $486,487 Old Forge School District: $186,968 Riverside School District: $323,316 The U.S. Department of Education is expected to approve the application within a week and is working on a streamlined application process to ensure Read more

 

Kosierowski COVID-19 worker protection bill unanimously passes House

(Apr 30, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

HARRISBURG, April 30 – A bill that would protect Pennsylvania’s food supply chain workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic unanimously passed the House today, according to prime sponsor Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna. “If our hardworking food packing and processing workers contract COVID-19, that can create a serious disruption of available food for families to put on their tables,” Kosierowski said. “I am pleased to see my colleagues working in a bipartisan way to recognize the seriousness of this issue and voting not only to protect our food processing workers, but also to ensure our food supply will also be protected.” Her legislation would create a Food Establishment Pandemic Disease Remediation Cost Reimbursement Grant Program within the state Department of Agriculture to help food packers and processors pay for personal protective equipment for workers, physical barriers to help protect workers, the cost of hand washing stations, enhanced sanitation efforts and medical monitoring such as temperature checks of employees. House Bill 2435 now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more

 

Kosierowski Food Worker Safety Bill Advances

(Apr 29, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

Pa. state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski speaks about her bill that would help food processing plants pay for personal protective equipment for workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

 

Kosierowski Working to Track CARES Act Funding

(Apr 27, 2020) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

Pa. state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski discusses her legislation which would require the state's Independent Fiscal Office to track funding from the federal CARES Act going directly to local entities and not flowing through the state. Read more

 

Let’s be patient; Make sure every vote counts
Nov 05, 2020

Kosierowski announces more than $504,000 in COVID-19 grants for local fire, EMS agencies
Oct 09, 2020

Kosierowski encourages grant application before deadline
Sep 11, 2020

Kosierowski announces more than $100K in grants to local school districts
Aug 25, 2020

Kosierowski: More than $1.4 million awarded to area school districts
Aug 24, 2020

Kosierowski announces more than $104K in grant awards to multiple school districts
Aug 20, 2020

Kosierowski announces $1.3 million in water and sewer grants for 114th District
Aug 17, 2020

Kosierowski: Business awarded low-interest loan
Aug 05, 2020

Kosierowski announces $6,000 grant award to county library
Aug 05, 2020

Kosierowski supports relief to restaurants, bars and clubs to help workers
Jul 28, 2020

Shusterman’s, Kosierowski’s calls for updated nursing home guidance enacted
Jul 01, 2020

Renter and homeowner aid available
Jun 30, 2020

Small Business Assistance grants available
Jun 25, 2020

Senate committee unanimously approves Kosierowski’s worker protection bill
Jun 23, 2020

Kosierowski calls on Wolf to allow retail businesses to open for curbside sales
May 21, 2020

Kosierowski, Day working together across aisle
May 13, 2020

Kosierowski encourages schools to apply for emergency funding
May 08, 2020

Kosierowski COVID-19 worker protection bill unanimously passes House
Apr 30, 2020

Kosierowski Food Worker Safety Bill Advances
Apr 29, 2020

Kosierowski Working to Track CARES Act Funding
Apr 27, 2020