HARRISBURG, MAY 7 – Today, state Rep. Chris Rabb congratulates students in the 200th Legislative District that received 2025-26 Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) Foundation James R Roebuck Scholarship awards. Amber S. Jones and Sincear Walter were each awarded by the Roebuck scholarship committee, and will receive the scholarship for educational purposes such as tuition, fees, books, or school-related supplies and equipment. Jones and Walter both currently attend Temple University. The prestigious scholarship is named after the Hon. James R. Roebuck, a former PLBC chair who served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1985 to 2020. The $1,000 scholarship is funded by private donations and is given to graduating high school seniors or current undergraduate college students of color. “These students represent the promise of the PLBC to uplift strong voices of color throughout the Commonwealth,” Rabb said. “I know both Amber and Sincear are dedicated students of color who make not only my district, but all of Pennsylvania, proud. This scholarship will go toward their continued education at Temple, where I taught for several years. I know they will continue to excel, and I look forward to seeing them on the graduation stage and beyond.” Jones and Walter were recognized at an awards luncheon on Thursday at Harrisburg University. Along with the presentation of scholarships, there were remarks Read more
HARRISBURG, May 5 -- State Rep. Chris Rabb made the following statements on H.B.s 910 and 2443 during the May 4 meeting of the House Judiciary Committee, following a “no” vote on both bills. On H.B. 910 , Rabb said the following: “As a descendant of Black women, men and children legally bought and sold under the imprimatur of state law, my opposition to human trafficking is unwavering. So, it goes without saying that no child should ever be bought, sold or traded -- and Pennsylvania law already treats that conduct as a serious felony. However, what H.B. 910 actually does is blur the line between organized exploitation and the desperate, often heartbreaking choices made by vulnerable parents, risking felony charges against people who need support, not a prison sentence. We can protect children without criminalizing poverty and desperation, and that’s exactly why I could not in good conscience support the current version of the bill in committee.” On H.B. 2443 , Rabb said the following: “Yesterday, I voted no on H.B. 2443 in committee because I refuse to build a house on sand. Child victims deserve our full commitment -- and full commitment means funding that actually works. This bill funds a child welfare Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener Plus Act 167 Plans Who May Apply: Counties Use: To prepare and adopt a watershed stormwater management plan. Funds: Grant awards will be at least $30,000 and not more than $50,000. Application Deadline: June 22, 2026 More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act Grants Who May Apply: Municipalities, municipal authorities, and appropriate incorporated nonprofit organizations Use: The design, construction and/or rehabilitation of treatment facilities on ABS Legacy AMD discharge sites, but grants may also be awarded for ABS bond forfeited land reclamation projects. Application Deadline: June 22, 2026 More information: DEP 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 Read more
HARRISBURG, APRIL 27 – Today, state Rep. Chris Rabb’s legislation ( H.B 99 ), which would abolish the death penalty in Pennsylvania, was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee. The bill, referred to the committee in October 2025, would make Pennsylvania the 24th state to abolish the death penalty. It will now make its way to the House floor for consideration. “I want to thank my colleagues on the committee for understanding the various negative aspects of capital punishment,” Rabb said. “Not only is the death penalty an ineffective deterrent to violent crime, but it also costs the state an incredible amount of money, time, and resources. The risk of continuing this unproductive practice far outweighs the few, if any, benefits.” Rabb added that the Commonwealth has already executed people who were innocent of the crimes for which they were sentenced to death. “Even if just one innocent life is taken at the hands of the state, that is too much for me to bear,” Rabb said. “I’m glad that my colleagues feel the same way, and I urge the House to consider this legislation.” More information about H.B. 99 and the House Judiciary Committee can be found at www.palegis.us/house/committees/60/judiciary . Read more
MT. AIRY, APRIL 15 – Today, state Rep. Chris Rabb announced that $500,000 in grant funding will be allocated to help restart Safe Steps Northwest, a violence prevention initiative in Mt. Airy, Germantown and East Germantown. The funding comes from the fiscal year 2025-26 Violence Intervention and Prevention grant under the direction of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, in order to better address community violence throughout the Commonwealth. Approximately $60 million in state funding was given toward VIP grants. Mt. Airy Community Development Corporation will receive the funding to restart Safe Steps Northwest, which aims to provide consistent litter cleanup on approximately 175 residential blocks with documented histories of shootings or proximity to recent gun-violence incidents. The project will work to maintain environmental care, increase community engagement and improve safety and neighborhood conditions. “We know that safe streets begin with clean, cared-for spaces,” Rabb said. “Safe Steps Northwest represents a meaningful investment in restoring and uplifting neighborhoods that have too often shouldered the impact of street violence. I’m encouraged by the work the Mt. Airy CDC will lead in our communities, and this funding will help bring large-scale block cleaning back in a powerful and visible way. I’m grateful to the Commission for its generous support of our district and Read more
New state grant programs accepting applications Read more
Justice reform lawmaker eager to build legal framework following state Supreme Court ruling Read more
“Yesterday, due to a miscommunication on a vote by proxy, I was incorrectly recorded as a no vote on H.B. 2189. I look forward to continuing the fight for a living wage for all.” Read more
Lawmaker urges further reforms to address root causes of hate-based crimes Read more
State grant programs currently accepting applications Read more
State grant programs now accepting applications Read more
Check out my latest Local Business Resource Newsletter Read more
New State Grant Programs Accepting Applications Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – The Pennsylvania House Communications and Technology Committee today advanced two bills aimed at supporting the development of local journalism across the commonwealth. “For the past 20 years, we’ve seen a troubling decline in the number of local newspapers and reporters covering important community issues,” said state Rep. Joseph Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Thousands of newspapers have closed, and the number of newsroom employees has dropped by more than half. Local journalism in Pennsylvania needs support. The first weeks of 2026 underscore the urgency: the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced it will shut down, the Clinton County Record ceased publication, and the LNP Media Group in Lancaster, along with Lehigh Valley Public Media, announced significant layoffs. “The decline in local news reporting is having a devastating impact on our democracy,” Ciresi added. “If residents don’t know what’s happening in their towns and cities, how can they understand what issues need attention or hold leaders accountable? An informed electorate is the foundation of an engaged one.” Ciresi noted that the proposed bills aim to reduce news deserts by placing journalists in communities where they are needed most, preserving a strong local media environment across Pennsylvania. Introduced by state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., the legislative package addresses the growing shortage of Read more
New state grant funding opportunities Read more
“Too often, our legal system measures success by severity of punishment, rather than if the victims are healed and future violence is prevented,” said Rabb, D-Phila. “Restorative justice gives victims a voice and requires those who caused harm to take responsibility in a more meaningful way. By allowing judges to use these tools, House Bill 1671 would move Pennsylvania toward a criminal legal system that is centered on reducing harm and recidivism.” Read more
“This is how authoritarianism operates. These measures reflect the escalating fascism that our current federal government continues to embrace: a regime that wields state power to suppress inconvenient truths, glorify oppressive narratives, and punish those who dare to insist on accuracy, accountability and dignity." Read more
State Grant Programs Now Accepting Applications Read more
Dec./Jan 2025-26 Local Business Resource Newsletter Read more
“Investing in green infrastructure is an investment in public health and neighborhood vitality,” said Rabb, D-Phila. “I was proud to advocate for this funding and help ensure that our community benefits from this new gathering space.” Read more
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