State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., made the following statement regarding the $3 million in state funding made available for schools to purchase menstrual products: “Menstrual equity happens when barriers to obtaining products are broken,” Parker said. “The lack of access to menstrual products can cause more problems than embarrassment. When women are forced to use unhygienic products such as socks, newspaper or old t-shirts, it can cause serious and lifelong health problems. “This funding will empower students to complete their education without fear of sickness or embarrassment. I am incredibly thankful for First Lady Lori Shapiro’s advocacy for women and her willingness to listen to women’s health experts like Lynette Medley, founder of the nation’s first menstrual health hub, The Spot Period, about possible solutions to achieve menstrual equity for all. “I’m so grateful for Governor Shapiro’s $3 million allocation to help students in Pennsylvania live their lives freely and maintain their health and dignity. “This is the first step, we still have more work to do. I’m eager to return to legislative session and continue the fight for women by insisting the Pennsylvania Senate bring my Menstrual Equity legislation up to be voted on and signed into law.” Parker added that House Bills 850 and 851 both passed the House in June and urges her colleagues in the Senate to consider this Read more

HARRISBURG, Sept. 11 – State Rep. Jose Giral, D-Phila., released the following statement on the recent passing of Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime Roman, who succumbed to injuries sustained when he was shot while in the line of duty in June: “I am truly heartbroken to learn of the passing of Officer Roman, and it is with a heavy heart that I express my deepest condolences to Officer Roman’s friends, family and the entire PPD 25 th District force,” Giral said. “Every day the men and women of the Philadelphia Police Department put on their uniforms knowing their life could be on the line because they know what it means to protect and serve our community and want to see our families live safe and happy lives. “It is my sincere hope that our community can do for the Roman family and PPD 25 th District what they do every day for us — put our arms around them, embrace them and support them through this incredibly trying time.” Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Main Street Matters Who May Apply: Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use: A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Funds: $20 million was allocated for this program in the 2024/25 budget. Individual grant awards vary depending on the type of grant. Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Who May Apply: Community-based organizations (i.e., active, registered 501(c)(3)s), institutions of higher education, municipalities, counties, and district attorneys. Use: Reducing community violence through, among other things, increasing access to support services and behavioral health, providing health services and intervention strategies, providing mentoring and other intervention models, and fostering and promoting communication between schools, the community, and law enforcement. Read more

Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed their sympathies for families of the four victims in the recent school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, GA. A 14-year-old student has been arrested in the mass shooting which left two students and two teachers dead, with nine others injured. This is the nation’s 30th mass shooting in 2024. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 5 – In wake of the devastating closure of the University of the Arts, state legislators representing Philadelphia and faculty and students from the now-closed UArts met today for a news conference in front of the former UArts administrative building to discuss new higher education oversight measures to help hold colleges and universities accountable to the communities they serve. UArts suddenly and unexpectedly announced its closure on May 31 due to its precarious financial situation. This left more than 1,000 students without a school to attend, more than 300 staff members without a job, and placed the burden of uncertainty on both of their futures. State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., who represents the legislative district in the PA House where UArts was located, has spearheaded legislative efforts to enhance accountability and transparency in higher education institutions statewide. Included in this year’s state budget were provisions he worked on with state Rep. Bob Merski , D-Erie, requiring the Pennsylvania Board of Education to develop procedures by July 1, 2026, that will ensure orderly closures, teach-out plans, and preservation of student and administrative records when institutions close. Notably, institutions intending to cease operations will risk losing Commonwealth funding under these new regulations. "The sudden closure of UArts left thousands of our constituents in a state of Read more

State Rep. Ed Neilson, majority chair of the PA House Transportation Committee, released the following statement regarding proposed fare increases by SEPTA: “This is the exact scenario we wanted to avoid while we were negotiating the state budget. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania use public transit as a tool to survive. It connects them with important medical appointments, they rely on it to get their groceries, and many people rely on public transit to attend school or work. “SEPTA is not the only agency that will be affected by the budget shortfall in public transit funding; it will trickle down to all of them and have disastrous consequences for Pennsylvanians in both rural and urban communities, not to mention the damage it will do to our state’s economy. “If people do not have access to their only mode of travel and they cannot get to school or work, it sets the commonwealth up for a perilous future, where our constituents have trouble meeting their basic needs and obligations. “We’ve heard from many experts in the public transit sector during the Moving PA Forward by Investing in Roads, Bridges and Transit tour, and our tour will continue throughout the month. “My hope is that after listening to the experts on the significant impact public transit has on the entire state, we can come together and implement a solution for this funding crisis. Pennsylvanians deserve the freedom of movement, and some can only use that Read more

Gun Reform & Gun Violence Reduction Legislation sponsored by Philadelphia House Delegation members Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 4 -- State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, and House Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris, D-Phila., visited City Hall to celebrate the passage of the Solar for Schools Act . They were joined by lawmakers from both chambers of the state legislature, city councilmembers, and leaders in education, energy, and labor. Solar for Schools is a grant program designed to help school districts across Pennsylvania install solar panels on their grounds or roofs. By generating their own energy, districts can save millions of dollars over the life of a solar project -- while creating good-paying jobs, reducing environmental impact, and helping to keep costs low for taxpayers. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law on July 17. "I am excited to support the Solar for Schools grant program, a transformative initiative that not only promises to reduce energy costs but also fosters a sustainable future for our schools and communities,” said Harris . “This legislation will enable us to save significant funds -- money that can be reinvested into classrooms and educational resources. Thanks to Representative Fiedler’s dedication, we’re paving the way for a greener future for Pennsylvania’s students and communities." “The Solar for Schools grant program is good for students, taxpayers, Pennsylvania’s workforce and our environment. Not Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Statewide Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, or councils of government. Non-profits may partner with an eligible applicant to apply on their behalf. Use: Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization. See program guidelines for specific eligible uses of funds. Funds: The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest. Grant requests must be at a minimum $25,000 and no more than $1,000,000. Application Deadline: November 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Department of Education: Hunger-Free Campus Grants Who May Apply: Institutes of Higher Education. Use: Funding may be used to ensure students have access to healthy, nutritious food. Funds: Institutions with 3,000 or fewer students are eligible for $20,000 awards. Institutions with 3,001 to 7,000 students are eligible for $40,000 awards. Institutions with greater than 7,000 students are eligible for $60,000 awards. Application Deadline: September 23, 2024 More information: PDE website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR 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