Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila. is intricately involved in the response. "I'm on site with city, state and federal officials. We're assessing the situation and working with PEMA and the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management," Neilson said. "We will provide critical updates as soon as we have more details, but for now please stay away from the area." Read more
“This bill takes us in a better direction and to get those resources back to where they belong, fixing roads,” Neilson said during Monday’s committee meeting. Read more
Legislation designed to use the state’s gas tax revenue in its entirety for road and bridge work is advancing in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Read more
The leader of the House Transportation Committee this week introduced a bill to ensure more of the tax revenue already collected to fund the construction and maintenance of Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure is used for its intended purpose. The committee’s majority chairman Ed Neilson, D-Phila., said the plan outlined in HB 1162, with bipartisan sponsorship, reflects the proposal made by Gov. Josh Shapiro to gradually reduce the portion of the state’s Motor License Fund being diverted to fund the State Police. “Drivers in Pennsylvania are keenly aware of the state tax they pay on the fuel they purchase,” Neilson said. “They’ve historically understood that this money goes for keeping roads and bridges in drivable condition. But in recent years a substantial part of that money has been going to the State Police, meaning fewer roads and bridges got the attention they need. “It’s time for the legislature to fix this and rededicate all of the gas tax money to our state’s transportation needs,” he said. The decades-old Motor License Fund is a dedicated state account consisting of gas tax revenue and money from other transportation-related license and vehicle fees. In recent years, increasing amounts were diverted from the fund annually to pay for State Police operations. The transfer peaked at over $800 million in the 2016-17 budget year but was gradually reduced by the General Assembly and Read more
State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., majority chair of the House Transportation Committee, applauded Gov. Josh’s Shapiro’s designation of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in the commonwealth. According to the proclamation , there are over 807,000 licensed motorcyclists in Pennsylvania. “Motorcyclists are often our friends, neighbors and loved ones,” Neilson said. “We must keep an eye out for them while on the road to avoid losing precious lives. I encourage motorcyclists to keep spreading awareness and education amongst drivers with whom they share the road.” Neilson said he is grateful that Shapiro is recognizing motorcyclists and promoting their safety and well-being. He said that drivers must stay alert, avoid distractions and practice safe driving to keep motorcyclists and fellow drivers safe. Unfortunately, in 2021 there were over 3,000 motorcycle crashes, 266 of which were fatalities, according to the state Transportation Department. This is an increase of 5.5% from the previous year. The proclamation also states that PennDOT, the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Dealers Association will continue advocating for the safety needs of motorcyclists. Read more
“We all want Pennsylvania to have a safe and accessible transportation network,” Neilson said. “I look forward to working with Chairman Benninghoff, Chairman Langerholc, and Chairman Flynn as well as the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association to best serve the needs of all Pennsylvanians.” Read more
The House Transportation Committee on Tuesday held an hourlong hearing about the governor’s proposal to eliminate dipping into the Motor License Fund to fund anything other than transportation projects. Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: DEI in the Building and Construction Trades Grant (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Organizations that serve as sponsors or intermediaries of Registered Apprenticeship and/or Pre-Apprenticeship in the building and construction trades. Use : To develop diverse talent pipelines and reach underrepresented populations within the building and construction trades. Funds : $1 million in total program funding. Application Deadline : April 26, 2023 More Information : Click on https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/grants/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT): Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Program (Funding Source: State, Federal, & Private Funding) Who May Apply : Private companies. Use : To develop innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation, and ports. Funds : Varies by award. Application Deadline : April 30, 2023 More Information : Click on https://www.penndot.pa.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/p3forpa/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: Youth Reentry Grant (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Read more
Committee received input about Motor License Fund supporting State Police Read more
This is a huge update for SEPTA that will take the system we have now and upgrade it to run more efficiently, decrease delays and run more direct routes to get the people who rely on public transit where they need to go, when they need to be there. I look forward to working with SEPTA to implement these updates and provide support where it’s needed. Read more
The PSP performs an invaluable service to our Commonwealth and must continue to be fully funded. However, every dollar taken from the MLF is one less dollar spent on our aging roads and bridges. Read more
Neilson, chair of the Transportation committee, is dedicated to making sure our airports are running safe and efficiently. Read more
Harrisburg, PA — With the tax filing season underway, the Department of Revenue is encouraging Pennsylvanians to be on the lookout for scams that are designed to trick people into turning over sensitive data and personal information. One recurring scam that has been reported to the department involves phony letters that are sent to taxpayers through the mail . The “Final Demand for Payment” letters threaten wage garnishment and the seizure of property or assets unless the recipient calls a phone number to satisfy a lien. “We want Pennsylvanians to remember four simple words — don’t take the bait. Take a moment to think over the situation and make sure that you’re taking the proper steps to ensure that any notice you receive in the mail is legitimate,” said Acting Revenue Secretary Pat Browne. “We have received many reports on this scam that involves fraudulent notices. This is a common time of the year for scam artists to impersonate a government agency to victimize hard-working Pennsylvanians.” Understanding the Scam The scam notices are sent through the mail from phony entities that closely resemble the name of a collection agency or a state taxing agency. Keep an eye out for dubious claims or suspicious details, such as: The phony letters come from “Tax Assessment Procedures Domestic Judgment Registry.” No such entity exists. The letters do not include a return address. A notice from Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 -- State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., has reintroduced legislation designed to save children’s lives by requiring automated speed cameras in school zones to “Give our kids a break.” “The city is plagued by being unable to hire police and bus drivers, and it has reduced the number of bus routes and crossing guards in our neighborhoods,” Neilson said. “The calls about these dangerous situations keep coming to my office and if the city isn’t able to fix it, as public servants, it’s our duty to introduce legislation that protects and enhances the life of our constituents, and that’s exactly what this legislation would do.” Former Gov. Tom Wolf invested $14.5 million to install these cameras along Roosevelt Boulevard, a main corridor in Neilson’s district – Neilson said he wants to have the program expanded into the neighborhood because the death of just one child from carelessness is too many. “Every day, we see people speeding through school zones, endangering the lives of children and the crossing guards in a place where they are supposed to be safe,” Neilson said. “We need to give our kids a break.” Neilson said he wants to see the same automated speed cameras in school zones across the commonwealth. This is not the first kind of legislation introduced in the country that puts speed cameras in school zones. Neilson said that similar sized cities Read more
State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., said he extends his appreciation to Gov. Tom Wolf for investing in the safety of Northeast Philadelphians by awarding $14.5 million for Automated Speed Enforcement along Roosevelt Boulevard. “People in our community have been asking for changes to enhance safety along the boulevard for some time now,” Neilson said. “This will include the enforcement of fines for speeding vehicles and new engineering solutions to reduce accidents.” The approved projects are as follows: $10 million for the design of intersection modifications related to the Roosevelt Boulevard Route for Change program in the city of Philadelphia. These modifications include curb extensions to shorten pedestrian crossing distances, realigned crosswalks, realigned lane configurations and turn lanes, upgrades to traffic signals and timing, changes to traffic movements, and new or upgraded transit shelters and stations. $1.5 million for the Roosevelt Boulevard Parallel Corridor Intelligent Transportation Systems and Emergency Preemption Program, which includes design and construction of emergency preemption along corridors as well as make-ready signal upgrades needed for the introduction of red-light running cameras by the Philadelphia Parking Authority at select intersections on Roosevelt Boulevard corridors in the city of Philadelphia. $1.5 million for Roosevelt Boulevard to support 2040 alternatives analysis for Roosevelt Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 6 – State Reps. Chris Rabb and Ed Neilson, both D-Phila., today announced they are drafting legislation that would establish an observance of Jan. 6 Day in the Commonwealth’s schools. The legislation is a companion bill to one that state Sen. Art Haywood, D-Phila./Montgomery, has proposed. “The January 6th insurrection is a stark reminder that democracy is only as effective as the sum effort of its parts and that it takes our collective will toward being an inclusive and honest society to function,” Rabb said. “We must commit to reshaping America into a country that lives up to the creed: liberty and justice for all.” On Jan. 6, 2021, members of the U.S. Capitol Police Department and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department faced an unprecedented situation when insurrectionists attacked the U.S. Capitol building intent on violently attacking members of Congress to stop them from carrying out the electoral college process. “Two years ago on Jan. 6, after 9,400 rioters invaded the U.S. Capitol, five Capitol Police officers gave the ultimate sacrifice in trying to protect our democracy," Neilson said. "This legislation would honor their heroism, bravery and devotion to the rule of law, the U.S. Constitution and our country." This legislation would honor the five police officers who lost their lives due to the events of their hours-long battle with more than 9,000 rioters that day. Read more
Make sure you take advantage of all the grant resources that Pennsylvania has to offer Read more
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency/Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training Innovative Solicitation (Funding Source: Justice Reinvestment Fund) Who May Apply : Existing PACTT Affiliates. Use : To improve services for delinquent youth receiving academic and career/technical training services. Funds : Awards up to $75,000 for 24-month projects. Application Deadline : December 23, 2022 More Information : Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx . Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission: Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Pumpout Grant Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Local governmental entities and private businesses that own and operate boating facilities. Use : To fund the construction, renovation, and maintenance of pumpout and dump stations to service pleasure boats. Funds : Reimburse up to 75% of the installation cost of pumpout and dump stations. Application Deadline : December 30, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.fishandboat.com/Transact/Grants/Pages/PumpoutGrantProgram.aspx . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2022-23 School Safety and Security Training and Technical Assistance Program (Funding Source: FY 2022 School Safety and Security Grant Program Fund) Who May Apply : Non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education (not-for profit), and for-profit organizations. Use : To Read more
State Rep. Ed Neilson said he stands in solidarity with the workers at Home Depot, 4640 Roosevelt Blvd., in their efforts to form a collective bargaining agreement with their employer. “Unions achieve historical rights for workers across both the commonwealth and the whole country,” Neilson said. “We must stand with workers who want to ensure their rights are not violated. Workers have a right to protection from predatory workplace practices and only unions can provide that.” Workers at the Home Depot have filed paperwork with the National Labor Relations Board, under the name Home Depot Workers United, according to an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer. If successful, the Philadelphia location would be the first Home Depot store in the U.S. where workers organized a collective bargaining unit. Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: ?Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : An individual, partnership, association, firm, corporation, cooperatives or any other legal entity. Use : To support projects that grow agricultural infrastructure in urban food deserts to improve access to fresh, local food and provide opportunities for hands-on learning, community-building, and for people to become social entrepreneurs. Community gardens are eligible projects. Funds : $2,500 micro grants or up to $50,000 for collaboration grants. Application Deadline : September 16, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Funding/Farmbill/Pages/Urban-Ag-Grant.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: ?Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : An individual, partnership, association, firm, corporation or any other legal entity. Use : To support the development and expansion of current or future very small meat and poultry processing operations. Funds : Grants are limited to no more than $100,000 per applicant. Application Deadline : September 26, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Funding/Farmbill/Pages/Very-Small-Meat-Processor-Grant.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: ?Agriculture and Youth Grant Program Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 16 -- With schools opening in the next few weeks, state Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., has introduced legislation (HB 2276) that would establish a pilot program to expand automated speed traffic cameras into school zones within the City of Philadelphia. “I have traveled throughout the city and state,” Neilson said. “The blinking school zone lights do not slow traffic down for children to cross the street safely. Many in the City of Philadelphia have been in disrepair for years and blink when they want and are not maintained.” According to the Philadelphia Police Department, there were 63 traffic fatalities in the first six months of 2022. Neilson maintains that this expansion of the automated traffic program would be the best protection for children making their way to school. “As public servants, it’s our duty to enact legislation that keeps people safe, healthy and improves their quality of life,” Neilson said. “The proof is the success of the current automated traffic cameras – expanding the program to protect children is the next logical step in making Philadelphia safe for pedestrians – especially our children. I call on all elected officials to protect our children that are going to and from school each day. Either fix it locally or we will fix it in Harrisburg.” Since the original automated traffic camera program, along Roosevelt Boulevard, violations have dropped 91%, Read more
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