CHESTER, Jan. 23 –State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, announced today that Conrail had been awarded $1.7 million in state grants for rail freight improvements to its Stoney Creek Yard in Chester. “This state funding will increase our region’s identity as a critical freight connector in the Northeast and will create and sustain family-sustaining jobs in our district,” Kazeem said. “This strategic infrastructure investment will energize our own local economy’s growth for a long time to come.” The funding will be used to replace 11 turnouts within Stoney Creek Yard and includes replacements with steel timbers. The Conrail project was one of 30 projects selected to receive Rail Transportation Assistance Program and Rail Freight Assistance Program funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. According to PennDOT, Pennsylvania is the only state with a dedicated rail freight grant program in the country. Read more
YEADON, Jan. 22 – Just weeks before Gov. Josh Shapiro unveils his 2026-27 budget proposal, state lawmakers and school officials gathered today at the William Penn School District’s Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy to highlight historic investments made in the district since 2023. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, today announced that nearly $2.8 million in state funding was approved for infrastructure projects in the 159th Legislative District. “I am proud to advocate in Harrisburg for state funding that will make our communities safer and healthier for all,” Kazeem said. “Thanks to this funding, the quality of life in our communities will improve. Pedestrians and motorists will both benefit from pedestrian safety, roadway and streetscape enhancements, and all residents will have peace of mind knowing their drinking water is healthy thanks to significant infrastructure improvements.” Funding from the Multimodal Transportation Fund includes: $750,000 to the City of Chester to construct a multi-use trail on the south side of W. 2nd Street (Route 291) from Highland Avenue to Norris Street located in Chester City. $71,857 to Everest PACE Center Inc. for pedestrian safety improvements at Silvercare Senior Housing, located in the City of Chester. $600,000 to Upper Chichester Township to execute Phase 4 of the roadway and streetscape improvements on Chichester Avenue in the township. Funding from the Small Water and Sewer Program includes: $275,000 to Upper Chichester Township to execute Phase I of the Boothwyn Town Center storm sewer infrastructure project. $452,653 to the Chester Economic Development Authority for the Parker Manor Trail Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 21 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced that $2.9 million has been awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority to local transportation and sewer projects to improve public safety and quality of life in the 185th Legislative District. Read more
ROYERSFORD, Jan. 20 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced that over $1.3 million in state funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for infrastructure projects in the 146th Legislative District. “As our communities’ advocate in Harrisburg, I worked with the Shapiro administration and the CFA to explain how these grants would enable our municipalities to make critical improvements on the roads we travel and the streets we walk that otherwise might not be possible,” Ciresi said. “I am very pleased that we’ve also received funding to improve our water infrastructure without raising local taxes.” Funding from the Multimodal Transportation Fund includes: $550,000 to Limerick Township for Phase 2 of improving Lightcap Road. $139,025 to Royersford Borough for streetscape improvements along Main Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue Funding from the Small Water and Sewer Program includes: $190,283 to North Coventry Water Authority for its Riverside Drive water main relocation project $424,589 to Pottstown Borough Authority for Phase 3 of its lead service replacement project The grants were approved Tuesday by the Commonwealth Financing Authority from the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund and Small Water and Sewer program . Read more
State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced that nearly $3.5 million in state grants has been awarded for 10 projects in the 165th Legislative District. Read more
ROYERSFORD, Dec. 30 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, applauded the $246,559 in grant funding from PennDOT’s Green Light Go program, which will be used to upgrade the Traffic Management Center in Limerick Township. The Traffic Management Center, connected to Ridge Pike, actively monitors, synchronizes and manages traffic signals and cameras along the corridor to improve traffic flow and safety. It serves as a central hub for controlling field devices, providing real-time traffic data. “With the new funding, our area will be better equipped to monitor and improve traffic conditions by optimizing flow and reducing congestion,” Ciresi said. “The funding will help enhance roadway safety and reduce response time to traffic incidents in our area. This is a needed investment in our roadway safety.” Green Light-Go is a reimbursement grant program, and applicants are required to provide a 20% local match. Grants may be used for operational improvements such as LED technology, traffic signal retiming, developing special-event plans and monitoring traffic signals, as well as upgrading traffic signals to the latest technologies. More about the statewide funding is available here: https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/penndot-details.aspx?newsid=897 . Read more
HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers unanimously approved legislation Wednesday that would require human trafficking awareness training for workers across the hospitality industry, a move supporters say is urgently needed as the state prepares for a wave of global events and increased travel.House Bill 1286, sponsored by state Rep. Regina Young, a Democrat representing Philadelphia and Delaware County, would mandate state-approved trafficking awareness training for employees at hotels, motels, short-term rentals, and online lodging and reservation platforms. The bill now advances to the state Senate.Young said the legislation reflects harsh realities on the ground, particularly in regions crisscrossed by major highways and transportation hubs. Read more
State House lawmakers have unanimously passed a bill that would require lodging operators to ensure workers undergo training meant to improve recognizing and reporting human trafficking. The vote comes just before the start of 2026, when several major events – including the FIFA World Cup, America250 and the NFL draft – promise to draw “record-breaking numbers of visitors” to the state, noted Zakary Pyzik, senior director of public affairs for the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association. Bill sponsor Rep. Regina Young’s district includes the Philadelphia International Airport, in addition to an adjacent section of Delaware County. “This is bigger than 2026, but the time really is now,” said Young, a Democrat who introduced a similar proposal during the last legislative session as well. Young and Pyzik spoke during a press conference Wednesday along with state Rep. Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia) and Philadelphia City Councilwoman Nina Amad before the House took up the measure for third and final consideration. It now goes to the Senate, which reconvenes on Jan. 6. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, on Thursday announced more than $2.1 million in state funding for community projects and infrastructure improvements in the 185th Legislative District, awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Read more
“Central Montco is home to so many important resources, from community buildings and safety equipment to recreational spaces. Our local municipalities and organizations are working to ensure that we can enjoy these resources for years to come,” Bradford said. “I’m pleased that these local projects are receiving financial support from the state, and I’m grateful to the Shapiro Administration for investing in our community.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – On Wednesday, the state House of Representatives passed legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s efforts to combat human trafficking. House Bill 1286, sponsored by state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., would equip hospitality workers with the training and tools to recognize and respond to trafficking activity. House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee Chair Mary Jo Daley said that it was an honor to see the bill pass unanimously and head to the Senate, where she hopes it’s met with fast approval. “Hospitality workers are often on the front lines, interacting regularly with guests and observing day-to-day activity in lodging environments,” Daley said. “By ensuring these workers are properly trained, the legislation seeks to improve early identification and reporting of suspected trafficking, helping prevent exploitation and protect victims, guests and staff. “Thank you to Representative Young for her tireless efforts on the bill, and to all of my House colleagues who took a stand for trafficking victims across the state.” House Bill 1286 would require lodging establishments, third-party listing platforms, and operators of short-term rentals across the commonwealth to provide human trafficking awareness training to their workers. The training would educate employees on what human trafficking is, how to identify common warning signs, and the Read more
State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced that nearly $1.5 million in grants has been awarded for eight projects that will benefit the 165th Legislative District. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced nearly $1.9 million in state funding for public safety and infrastructure projects within his legislative district. Ciresi advocated for grants awarded from the Statewide Local Share Account, which is funded by the PA Race Horse Development Gaming Act. “These state grants are smart investments in both public safety and our infrastructure,” Ciresi said. “Residents will feel safer walking the streets or traveling around Pottstown and Royersford thanks to new security improvements. First responders will reach people in distress more quickly with the addition of two ambulances and a firetruck. The water our residents use to drink and cook with will be safer thanks to upgraded service lines. And our community will have a refreshed space to connect and gather in a renovated community center. “As a long-time advocate for resuming commuter rail service from Philadelphia to Reading, I am especially thrilled that this funding will allow the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority to enter its final phase of construction and soon restore passenger rail service,” Ciresi said. “Our community will see significant benefits from this project, including greater access to jobs, higher property values, and stronger local businesses. “These grants will help us achieve the future we’ve planned for.” Projects awarded LSA funding in Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, today announced nearly $1.9 million in state funding for community improvement projects in her legislative district. Kazeem advocated for grants awarded from the Statewide Local Share Account, which is funded from the PA Race Horse Development Gaming Act, along with the Act 13 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, which supports projects involving the development, rehabilitation and improvement of public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation. “I went to Harrisburg to advocate for my community’s needs, and I am honored to bring back funds this year that will protect the health and safety of the district’s residents by replacing failing city vehicles with 23 new ones, purchasing an ambulance to help improve response times, rehabilitating a decaying fire house, and improving a locality’s sewer system. This nearly $1.9 million I’ve brought home will build up our infrastructure, making the 159th District safer for everyone.” The projects awarded LSA funding in Kazeem’s legislative district are: $882,050 to Chester for City of Chester Multi-Departmental Fleet to purchase 23 vehicles and upfitting costs to replace 14 failing vehicles. The replacement will reduce financial strain, increase public safety, and streamline operations for the municipality. The vehicles will serve a multitude of purposes throughout the municipality. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today approved a joint resolution sponsored by state Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would allow Pennsylvania residents to add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the state constitution. The Otten, Hanbidge and Mayes bill, H.B. 1957 , proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution that would reaffirm and protect every Pennsylvanians’ right to privacy and ensure that the state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate personal decisions. The amendment would ensure that every individual has a right of privacy with respect to personal, sexual and reproductive health care decisions, including the right to choose or refuse an abortion, the right to choose or refuse contraceptives, and the right to choose or refuse fertility care, all without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion or relationship status. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support by a vote of 102 to 101. Today’s action represents a significant step toward advancing the legislation, which could ultimately appear on a future ballot for Pennsylvania voters to decide whether fundamental reproductive rights should be explicitly protected in the state constitution. For the first time in recent legislative history, Pennsylvania is taking proactive steps to protect Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 -- Today, the Pennsylvania House Environmental & Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue recommendations on litter law enforcement in Pennsylvania. The legislation, H.R. 352, was introduced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. The resolution stems from the Pennsylvania Litter Research Study (2018–19) and the subsequent Litter Action Plan (2021). Conducted by DEP, PennDOT, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, these initiatives urged the Commonwealth and the General Assembly to evaluate the effectiveness of Pennsylvania’s litter ordinances, laws, statutes, and regulations, and to take steps to enhance enforcement. “The Pennsylvania Litter Research Study found more than 500 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania roadways. While 90% of Pennsylvanians believe litter is harming the state in every possible way -- damaging the environment, polluting waterways, depressing property values, reducing tourism, and hurting businesses -- the overwhelming majority feel it’s unlikely that anyone will actually be caught or fined for littering,” Ciresi said. “We need to strengthen our litter laws and improve their enforcement.” Described as a 'first step in this process,' PalmettoPride and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful completed a joint study on litter law enforcement in 2023, highlighting key issues raised Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – Today, state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware hosted a news conference to celebrate House passage of her bill that would mandate human trafficking awareness training for Pennsylvania workers in the hospitality industry, including online lodging and reservation companies.House Bill 1286 would amend Act 197 of 2012 to include training requirements approved through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for employees of public lodging establishments who have contact with guests or access to guest rooms, and for operators of short-term rentals. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced the approval of $67,050 in funding through the Neighborhood Assistance Program to support educational initiatives for at-risk students and public safety improvements in Pottstown. The funding was approved this week by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Through NAP, businesses can receive tax credits of up to 95% for contributions made to qualifying community projects. “These investments in Pottstown’s youth and public safety will go a long way toward improving the quality of life,” Ciresi said. “Together, these state awards look to the future by supporting young learners and helping protect downtown Pottstown for everyone’s enjoyment.” The approved funding includes: • $51,300 to RSVP Volunteers to provide critical math and reading support to at-risk and vulnerable students in the Pottstown and Norristown school districts. The funding will also support family literacy programs for Pre-K MCIU Head Start students and essential digital literacy training across Montgomery County, both directly and in collaboration with community partners. • $15,750 to Pottstown Area Industrial Development Inc. to enhance public safety and strengthen community trust in the 300 block of East High Street in Pottstown. The project includes installing a new security camera to complete the police department’s monitoring Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced his opposition to President Donald Trump’s executive order which would override states’ authority to regulate artificial intelligence. Ciresi serves as the majority chair of the House Communications & Technology Committee. According to The New York Times , the order gives the U.S. attorney general immense authority to sue states and overturn laws that the Administration views as not in alignment with its goal of global domination of the AI industry. Trump has directed federal regulators to withhold funds for broadband and other projects if states keep their laws in place. Trump’s argument is that his order would provide a federal regulatory framework that would override the patchwork of state regulations that might limit technological innovation and give China a competitive edge, according to The Hill . Some critics contend that Trump’s order is a “carve-out for Big Tech” as it both fails to offer a strong national standard on AI regulations and blocks states from regulating the technology. The Trump executive order is the latest move in Washington to limit regulation of AI, including the president’s previous executive orders allowing access to federal data and making it easier for companies to build AI infrastructure. Congressional Republicans have twice this year tried to pass moratoriums on state AI laws, with both efforts Read more
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