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State Rep. Chris Rabb to introduce resolution that would designate Pennsylvania as a Hidden Heroes state

National Popular Vote bill introduced in PA House

(Apr 09, 2025)

Bill would move PA to join 17 other states in ensuring that every vote counts Read more

 

Rabb, Flick call for bipartisan study of problem-solving courts in PA

(Mar 19, 2025)

Study would look at problem-solving court usage across the commonwealth Read more

 

Rabb calls on House, Senate to move Juvenile Justice Reform bills

(Mar 19, 2025)

Bills proposed to protect children in the juvenile justice system, save taxpayer dollars Read more

 

PA House Dems launch CARE Package for juvenile justice reform

(Mar 18, 2025)

Bills proposed to protect children in the juvenile justice system, save taxpayer dollars Read more

 

Rabb reintroduces bill to remove DUI penalties for legal cannabis use

(Mar 12, 2025)

Bill would protect hundreds of thousands of unimpaired drivers Read more

 

Rabb Working to Fix Outdated Cannabis DUI Laws

(Mar 12, 2025)

Because detectable traces of cannabis can linger in a person’s system for weeks after consumption, medical cannabis patients in Pennsylvania remain in danger of being wrongfully arrested and convicted of driving under the influence of cannabis without any proof of actual impairment. Pa. state Rep. Chris Rabb has introduced legislation that would bring Pa.'s laws in line with other states, providing the state’s half-million medical cannabis patients the same rights as others who are approved for legal medical cannabis use. Read more

 

Rabb: REAL Environmental Justice for Pa. Communities

(Mar 06, 2025)

Pa. state Rep. Chris Rabb joined the #PAHouse Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee in Chester to hear from public health experts, local officials, and community stakeholders about the need for legislation to better protect environmental justice areas across Pennsylvania. Rabb says not enough is being done during the permitting process to consider the cumulative effects of pollution on historically burdened communities. Read more

 

Rabb, Webster introduce bill to increase transparency in electric supply

(Mar 04, 2025)

Bill would eliminate secret voting on regional energy policies Read more

 

Transportation, Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Mar 04, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Who May Apply: Municipalities, councils of government, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agency, ports (rail/freight) Use: The MTF provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation exists in Pennsylvania. The program is intended to provide financial assistance in order to improve public transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Funds: Requests must have a total eligible cost of $100,000 or more and no request shall exceed $3,000,000 for any project. Application Deadline: July 31, 2025 More information: DCED Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply. Use: Strategic business Read more

 

As anti-Black Attacks Surge, Rep. Rabb reintroduces Emancipation Day Holiday Legislation

(Feb 03, 2025)

Rabb’s legislation seeks to highlight this history and acknowledge the ongoing struggle for Black liberation in a society that still poses threats and allows barriers to persist against the advancement of Black people and allied communities of struggle. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jan 22, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Victims of Crime Act 2025-2027 Who May Apply: Agencies currently receiving federal Victims of Crime Act funding. Use: The federal VOCA guidelines classify eligible activities/costs into three categories: direct service costs, activities supporting direct services, and subrecipient administrative costs. The federal VOCA guidelines can be found in the Federal Register at: Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Program . Funds: This solicitation is for approximately $53.9 million in federal VOCA funds for the first year with year two amounts being determined at the November 2025 Victims Services Advisory Committee (VSCA) meeting. PCCD expects to fund approximately 157 grants. Applicants will be required to submit a continuation application for year two. Application Deadline: March 14, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Department of Health: WalkWorks Active Transportation Planning Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and metropolitan and rural planning organizations. Priority will be given to communities located in PA DOH State Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) priority counties or with an overall percentile rating above 60 in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) PennEnviroScreen Tool. The 10 current SPAN target counties are: Clearfield, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Northumberland, and Philadelphia. Use: Funds will be Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jan 15, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Education: Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program Who May Apply: Public institutions of higher education. Use: Funding may be used to offer college coursework to high school students enrolled in eligible school entities. Funds: $14 million in state funding was allocated through the 2024 School Code. Application Deadline: February 10, 2025 More information: PDE Website Department of Environmental Protection: Abandoned Mine Land and Abandoned Mine Draining Grant Program Who May Apply: An authority, incorporated nonprofit, political subdivision, or conservation district. Use: Funds may be used for abandoned mine land reclamation and abandoned mine drainage treatment or abatement. Funds: $75 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: April 25, 2025. Applicants must contact DEP ( ra-epamgrantprogram@pa.gov ) prior to applying for an initial project consultation. More information: DEP Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Integrated Health Solutions Who May Apply: Physical health care providers, hospitals, rural health centers, or federally qualified health clinics. Use: To promote full integration and collaboration in clinical practice between behavioral health care and primary physical health care. Funds: $3 million in funding is available from the Publicis Health Opioid Settlement. Application Deadline: January 24, 2025 More information: DDAP Website Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Dec 30, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Recovery Housing for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Other Drugs Who May Apply: Community-based organizations, community action agencies, or public health programs that focus on assisting individuals in accessing recovery housing. Use: Personnel services, consulting services, subcontract services, patient services, equipment, supplies, travel, and other costs associated with assisting individuals access recovery housing. Funds: DDAP expects to award five grants totaling $500,000 each. Application Deadline: January 10, 2025 More information: DDAP Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Integrated Health Solutions Who May Apply: Community-based organizations, community action agencies, or public health programs that focus on assisting individuals in accessing recovery housing. Use: Personnel services, consulting services, subcontract services, patient services, equipment, supplies, travel, and other costs associated with assisting individuals access recovery housing. Funds: DDAP expects to award five grants totaling $500,000 each. Application Deadline: January 10, 2025 More information: DDAP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Dec 17, 2024)

Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Community and Economic Development: Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program Who May Apply: Community-based non-profit organizations with a history of at least 3 years operating experience, educational institutions, and non-profit economic development organizations with a history of at least 3 years operating experience. Use: Creation or support of a Business Assistance Service Center for the purpose of serving small, historically disadvantaged businesses. Funds: $20 million in funding was appropriated in the 2024/25 state budget. Application Deadline: January 22, 2025 More information: DCED Website Council on the Arts: Entry to Arts Organizations and Arts Programs (EAOAP) Who May Apply: Non-profit agencies with a history of at least two years of consistent arts programming in Pennsylvania and an annual average arts revenue over $200,000. Use: Entry track is the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ (PCA) point of entry for organizations or programs to the AOAP. Applicants must apply in Entry track until recommended for AOAP, which is based on panel review and assessment totals Funds: Grants totaling $5,000 will be awarded. Application Deadline: February 15, 2025 More information: Arts Website Council on the Arts: Arts Read more

 

Rabb: Finding Family History with Government Resources

(Nov 15, 2024)

Because of slavery, it is often difficult for Black Americans to trace their ancestry. Having spent much of the last 30 years of his life researching his own ancestry in America, PA state Rep. Chris Rabb is now working to help other families uncover their heritage. Rabb assembled genealogists and historians to connect people with available government resources to help them on their journies of discovery. Read more

 

National Popular Vote Introduced in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

(Nov 12, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – A group of Republican and Democratic legislators introduced the National Popular Vote bill (H.B. 2662) in Harrisburg today. The bill would include Pennsylvania in the growing number of states who want to guarantee the presidency to the candidate who wins the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The bill is called the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. “As the lead author of the National Popular Vote bill, I think it is imperative to work across party lines and am grateful my Republican colleagues are lending their voice and support to this effort,” said state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila. “Every voter, of every party, should have an equal voice in every presidential election and the National Popular Vote bill is the only plan that credibly delivers on that promise.” The National Popular Vote bill has been enacted in 17 states and the District of Columbia, totaling 209 electoral votes. The bill guarantees the presidency to the candidate who wins the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and takes effect when states with 270 electoral votes have passed the bill. The legislation has passed Republican- and Democratic-controlled chambers in seven additional states with 74 electoral votes, more than the 61 required for the bill to be in place for the 2028 presidential elections. “One-person, one-vote is not a Read more

 

Local Business Resource Newsletter November/December 2024

(Nov 08, 2024)

Local Business Resource Newsletter Read more

 

Rep Rabb highlights wide-ranging legislation focused on honoring Native American culture

(Nov 01, 2024)

PHILADELPAHIA, Nov. 1 -- In celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Heritage Month, state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., is highlighting a series of wide-ranging legislation focused on honoring Native American culture and history while protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples. In 2021, Rabb authored a resolution that would have amended the rules of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to include a formal land acknowledgment at the beginning of each legislative week. He will be reintroducing the resolution in this upcoming legislative session. “Symbolism matters -- particularly when it’s tethered to substantive action around land back measures and other related matters. That’s why rhetoric must be followed by redress,” Rabb said. Last week, President Joe Biden formally apologized to the Native peoples for the U.S. policy that forced Native children into federally backed boarding schools where they were ethnically cleansed and forced to assimilate to American culture, a first for a U.S. President. The most flagship example of one of these schools was located in Carlisle, PA, just over 20 miles from the Capitol. Rabb says now is the time to push harder than ever for legislation that would enhance the rights of Native peoples and their culture. Rabb recently reintroduced legislation to protect Native American trademarks by preventing the use of Pennsylvania state Read more

 

Rabb condemns Penn’s use of police to raid students; calls for investigation

(Oct 31, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 31 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., release the following statement on the University of Pennsylvania’s recent use of the university police force to raid the homes of students: “As a Penn alumnus, I was horrified to learn that such a shocking and aggressive display of force occurred on Oct. 18. “I stand firmly in support of a formal and public investigation into the actions taken by the Penn Police, particularly those of Kathleen Shields Anderson, vice president of the Division of Public Safety, Detective Paul Guercio, and the officers involved in the raid. The alarming use of excessive force against these students is unacceptable and demands accountability. “The escalation to armed tactical units in a situation involving nonviolent student protestors is deeply concerning to me, especially as this police brutality seems to have been authorized due to ideological motives. As we near the 40-year anniversary of the tragic MOVE bombing -- where excessive force and a lack of accountability led to devastating consequences for the West Philadelphia community -- we must learn from the misdeeds and missteps of the past to inform appropriate policies and protocols that protect all those who wish to express their First Amendment rights without fear of reprisal. “We must ensure that our law enforcement agencies operate with transparency, oversight and respect for the community they Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District

(Oct 29, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Mixed-Use Housing Development Pilot Program Who May Apply: Municipalities, Economic Development Organizations, Redevelopment Authorities, Municipal Authorities, Industrial Development Authorities, For-Profit organizations. Use: Mixed-use site development, conversion projects, rehabilitation projects, a combination of the three afore-mentioned projects. Funds: $10 million in PA Sites funding has been allocated for this program. There is no limit on the amount of grant funding that may be awarded to an applicant. Application Deadline: December 6, 2024 More information: DCED Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Recovery Support Services (RSS) Who May Apply: Applicant must have at least two years of experience as of July 1, 2024, providing RSS and demonstrate the capacity to provide RSS to individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent substance use disorder (SUD). Use: Expand or enhance RSS to individuals in recover from OUD and other concurrent SUD. Funds: Approximately six grants totaling $1,500,000 each will be awarded. Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 More information: DDAP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic Read more

 

National Popular Vote bill introduced in PA House
Apr 09, 2025

Rabb, Flick call for bipartisan study of problem-solving courts in PA
Mar 19, 2025

Rabb calls on House, Senate to move Juvenile Justice Reform bills
Mar 19, 2025

PA House Dems launch CARE Package for juvenile justice reform
Mar 18, 2025

Rabb reintroduces bill to remove DUI penalties for legal cannabis use
Mar 12, 2025

Rabb Working to Fix Outdated Cannabis DUI Laws
Mar 12, 2025

Rabb: REAL Environmental Justice for Pa. Communities
Mar 06, 2025

Rabb, Webster introduce bill to increase transparency in electric supply
Mar 04, 2025

Transportation, Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Mar 04, 2025

As anti-Black Attacks Surge, Rep. Rabb reintroduces Emancipation Day Holiday Legislation
Feb 03, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jan 22, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jan 15, 2025

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 30, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 17, 2024

Rabb: Finding Family History with Government Resources
Nov 15, 2024

National Popular Vote Introduced in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Nov 12, 2024

Local Business Resource Newsletter November/December 2024
Nov 08, 2024

Rep Rabb highlights wide-ranging legislation focused on honoring Native American culture
Nov 01, 2024

Rabb condemns Penn’s use of police to raid students; calls for investigation
Oct 31, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
Oct 29, 2024