E-Blast: PA Passes Budget

(Jul 12, 2024)

My colleagues and I are proud of the 2024-2025 state budget that we passed yesterday and sent to the Governor’s desk. Read more

 

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

(Jul 02, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Local Share Account: Monroe County Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development agencies, or redevelopment authorities within Monroe County or the five contiguous counties to Monroe (Carbon, Lackawanna, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne). Use: Public interest projects, community improvement projects, economic development projects, or roadway improvement projects. Funds: Funded by gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Share Account: Category 4 Facilities Program (Berks, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and York Counties) Who May Apply: Municipalities, counties, redevelopment authorities, or economic development agencies in a county hosting a Category 4 licensed gaming facility. Use: Projects in the public interest. Funds: Funded by gaming revenues from Category 4 licensed facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Share Account: Luzerne County Who May Apply: All Luzerne County municipalities and the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority. Use: Projects in the public interest. Funds: Funded by 2% of gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Read more

 

E-Blast: Veterans BBQ, Abortion Rights Rally & more!

(Jul 01, 2024)

Veterans, friends, and family are ALL WELCOME to my Annual Veteran’s BBQ at Wilson Farm Park Pavilion on Saturday, July 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A hearty buffet from MISSION BBQ will be served and several veterans' organizations will be on hand to answer questions about benefits and services. Read more

 

Shusterman introduces legislation to protect abortion rights

(Jun 27, 2024)

“We need to guarantee that all pregnant patients experiencing complications will be safe here in our commonwealth,” Shusterman said. “That’s why I’m introducing legislation to codify emergency abortion care protections in Pennsylvania. I’m proud to work with my colleagues as we continue to stand up to protect women's rights and reproductive health care all across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” Read more

 

Spring 2024 Newsletter

(Jun 07, 2024)

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Rep. O’Mara and Taiwan Caucus chairs welcome Ambassador Lee from Taiwan to Harrisburg

(Jun 06, 2024)

“The House Taiwan Caucus was formed last year to foster increased friendship and mutual benefits between the Commonwealth and Taiwan. Along with my caucus co-chairs, Reps. O’Mara and Rowe, I’m pleased we could welcome the Taiwan delegation to the Capitol and that my House colleagues overwhelmingly gave bipartisan support to the passage of H.R. 439 today,” said Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery. Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 15, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Wild Resource Conservation Program Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, conservation districts, and municipal authorities. Individuals, state government agencies, and for-profit businesses may be eligible depending on the project. Use: Grant applications will be accepted for species surveys, conservation, and management. Funds: Funding comes through the Wil Resource Conservation Fund and a portion of the Environmental Stewardship Fund. Grant size varies, but the average grant award is $30,000. Application Deadline: July 1, 2024 More information: DCNR website Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) The NAP is broken down into five components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit, the Special Program Priorities, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, the Charitable Food Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program Tax Credit. Please visit the link below for specific information on each component. Who May Apply: Depending on the program, eligible applicants include neighborhood organizations that hold a ruling from the IRS as nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations, and organizations operating as food banks, food pantries, or emergency food providers. Use: Use varies by program, but priorities for this funding Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 07, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Education: Public School Environmental Repairs Program Who May Apply: School districts, area career and technical schools, charter schools, and regional charter schools that operate school buildings. Use: Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, the remediation and/or abatement of lead in water sources and paint, asbestos, and mold inside school buildings of eligible school entities. Funds: Up to $75 million in state funds will be competitively awarded. There is no minimum funding request. The maximum funding request is $10 million. One application per entity will be accepted, but the application may consist of more than one project in more than one school building. Application Deadline: June 30, 2024 More information: PDE Website Department of Agriculture: Farm-to-School Grant Program Who May Apply: Any school district, school, charter school, private school, or center with pre-K classes, kindergarten classes, elementary classes, or middle school classes through 8 th grade that participates in a Federal Child Nutrition Program. Use: The purpose of the Farm-to-School Program is to educate prekindergartners through eighth graders and their families about the importance of choosing healthy, locally produced foods and increase awareness of Pennsylvania agriculture. Eligible projects will achieve this purpose. Funds: $500,000 is available for Read more

 

Equal Pay Law passes PA House

(May 06, 2024)

HARRISBURG, May 6 – A bill ( H.B. 98 ) introduced by state Reps. Donna Bullock, Melissa Shusterman and Jenn O’Mara known as the Equal Pay Law, which would expand protections against wage discrimination, was passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today. The legislation would prohibit employers from discriminating and paying workers less because of their gender, race or ethnicity. It would also add protections for retaliation and increase monetary penalties from $50-$200 to $2,500-$5,000 in cases where employers discharge or discriminate against an employee for filing a complaint. And, the legislators said, it would enhance pay transparency by requiring employers to include the expected compensation or the range for any position the employer publicly advertises as a job opening and to a prospective employee applying for employment upon reasonable request. “It’s well known that women, and especially women of color, have been insufficiently paid in the workplace. This is despite doing the same tasks, performing the same jobs, and sometimes doing them much better than our counterparts,” said Bullock, D-Phila. “This is a step toward economic justice. We moved this legislation forward to ensure all Pennsylvania workers receive equal pay for equal work and eradicate wage disparity once and for all. It's time for the Senate to do the same.” Read more

 

E-Blast: Free Shredding Event, Walk & Talk & More!

(May 02, 2024)

Residents of the 157th Legislative District are welcome to dispose of unwanted documents ecologically & securely at my FREE shredding event THIS Saturday, May 4! Read more

 

Agricultural, Educational, Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 01, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Indigent Defense Grant Program Who May Apply: Counties Use: Salaries and benefits for staff, recruiting efforts to find/retain staff, training and development courses for staff, efforts to improve data collection, and any cost associated with gaps or needs in providing indigent defense, among other things. Funds: A total of $6,750,000 is expected to fund up to 67 grants (one in each county). Application Deadline: , May 23, 202d4 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (via Department of Homeland Security): Nonprofit Security Grant Program Who May Apply: Non-profit organizations may apply as a sub applicant through PEMA. PEMA is the direct applicant to the Department of Homeland Security. Use: Funds are to be used to enhance the protection of soft targets/crowded places. Funds: $274,500,000 in federal funds are available for this national funding opportunity. $3,277,500 in funding is targeted toward Pennsylvania. Application Deadline: May 29, 2024, at 5 p.m. More information: PEMA Website Historical and Museum Commission: Historical & Archival Records Care Grant Who May Apply: Local government entities and nonprofit organizations Use: Projects must relate to some aspect of Pennsylvania’s history and funds may be used for preservation of Read more

 

Shusterman receives Humane Legislator of the Year award

(Apr 29, 2024)

“I am beyond humbled yet proud to receive this award,” Shusterman said. “It is our duty to protect the rights and humane treatment of animals across the Commonwealth and the country. I thank The Humane Society for this recognition and my colleagues in the Animal Protection Caucus for working together to protect animals.” Read more

 

Shusterman celebrates passage of H.B. 1853

(Apr 15, 2024)

“We’re always looking to improve the lives of seniors in Pennsylvania,” Shusterman said. “By encouraging communication between the Department of Health and nursing home staff, we hope that the exchange of ideas and information between these two groups will lead to a unified effort to provide the best senior care possible. I want to thank my colleagues for their support of this legislation, including my fellow state Representative Kristin Marcell for her co-sponsorship and effort in delivering this legislation.” Read more

 

E-Blast: Family Arbitration Bill, Expanded Doula Access & More!

(Apr 12, 2024)

I am excited to announce that my bill, H.B. 917, is heading to the desk of Gov. Josh Shapiro after a unanimous vote on concurrence this week in the House! The Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act will provide families with a voluntary and private process for resolving disputes with the help of an arbitrator. Read more

 

Shusterman & Davis family law arbitration bill heads to governor’s desk

(Apr 10, 2024)

“Resolving family law disputes through court proceedings can be a bitter and financially ruinous process,” Shusterman said. “The partner with deeper pockets and access to the best legal counsel often has an advantage, frequently placing children in the middle of drawn-out legal battles." Read more

 

E-Blast: Legislative Updates, Summer Internship & More!

(Apr 05, 2024)

We were off and running in our return to legislative sessions in Harrisburg! We wasted no time getting legislation that would improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians out of committee, to the floor of the House, and on to the state Senate! I wanted to share some highlights along with other helpful information! Read more

 

Shusterman announces $843,000 for multimodal transportation improvements

(Mar 28, 2024)

“Thanks to this funding, the people of Easttown Township will soon be able to walk a little easier, and the people of Schuylkill Township will soon be able to drive a little easier," Shusterman said. Read more

 

Bullock, Shusterman, O’Mara Equal Pay Law approved by PA House Labor & Industry Committee

(Mar 27, 2024)

HARRISBURG, March 27 – A bill ( H.B. 98 ) introduced by state Reps. Donna Bullock, Melissa Shusterman and Jenn O’Mara, known as the Equal Pay Law, which would expand protections against wage discrimination, was approved by the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee today. This legislation would prohibit employers from discriminating and paying workers less because of their gender, race or ethnicity. It would also add protections for retaliation and increase monetary penalties from $50-$200 to $2,500-$5,000 in cases where employers discharge or discriminate against an employee for filing a complaint. “It’s well known that women and people of color, and especially women of color, have been insufficiently paid in the workplace. This is despite doing the same tasks, performing the same jobs, and sometimes doing them much better than our counterparts,” said Bullock, D-Phila. “Enough is enough. The time for economic justice is now. We must move forward and ensure all Pennsylvania workers receive equal pay for equal work and eradicate wage disparity once and for all.” "We could add a staggering $482 billion to the U.S. economy by ensuring equal pay for equal work. We're talking billions in lost wages for women that they could spend on basic necessities, like food and clothing for their families,” said Shusterman, D-Chester. “Simply by Read more

 

Shusterman announces “It Should Be A Law” essay contest for local students

(Mar 27, 2024)

"I am eager to read the thoughtful and innovative ideas our young minds will put forward," Shusterman said. "This contest is not just an opportunity for our fourth-graders to showcase their writing skills, but also a chance to instill a sense of civic responsibility. I am passionate about nurturing creativity and civic engagement in our youth. This contest provides an excellent platform for our budding changemakers to have their voices heard in the 157th Legislative District." Read more

 

Shusterman touts bicameral food safety legislation

(Mar 19, 2024)

“The citizens of PA should be able to trust that the food at the grocery store is safe. Worrying about health risks contained in the additives in foods, and scouring the fine print of labels, should not be something consumers have to add to their grocery lists,” Shusterman said. “I hope these food safety bills will be ones that legislators can come together in a bipartisan manner to support, and I want to thank Rep. Mihalek for taking the lead on this issue in the House.” Read more

 

E-Blast: PA Passes Budget
Jul 12, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
Jul 02, 2024

E-Blast: Veterans BBQ, Abortion Rights Rally & more!
Jul 01, 2024

Shusterman introduces legislation to protect abortion rights
Jun 27, 2024

Spring 2024 Newsletter
Jun 07, 2024

Rep. O’Mara and Taiwan Caucus chairs welcome Ambassador Lee from Taiwan to Harrisburg
Jun 06, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 15, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 07, 2024

Equal Pay Law passes PA House
May 06, 2024

E-Blast: Free Shredding Event, Walk & Talk & More!
May 02, 2024

Agricultural, Educational, Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 01, 2024

Shusterman receives Humane Legislator of the Year award
Apr 29, 2024

Shusterman celebrates passage of H.B. 1853
Apr 15, 2024

E-Blast: Family Arbitration Bill, Expanded Doula Access & More!
Apr 12, 2024

Shusterman & Davis family law arbitration bill heads to governor’s desk
Apr 10, 2024

E-Blast: Legislative Updates, Summer Internship & More!
Apr 05, 2024

Shusterman announces $843,000 for multimodal transportation improvements
Mar 28, 2024

Bullock, Shusterman, O’Mara Equal Pay Law approved by PA House Labor & Industry Committee
Mar 27, 2024

Shusterman announces “It Should Be A Law” essay contest for local students
Mar 27, 2024

Shusterman touts bicameral food safety legislation
Mar 19, 2024