Same job? Same pay. It's that simple. But in 2024 in Pennsylvania, it's not that simple. March 12th is Women's Equal Pay Day, the day a woman has to work into the next year to earn what a man made in the previous year. It's bad for women. Bad for families. Bad for our economy. It's time to close the gap. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Who May Apply: State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other eligible specialty crops stakeholders. Use: The purpose of the Program is to enhance, but not replace, the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by establishing a Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for specialty crops that are not currently eligible for grant payments under the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, or that are otherwise designated high-priority specialty crops by the Secretary. Funding for the Program will assist the growth, certification of seed and marketing of these eligible specialty crops. Funds: $460,000 in funding is available. Application Deadline: April 19, 2024 More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin 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 Read more
PHILADELPHIA, March 4 – Ghost guns are increasingly being confiscated by law enforcement during criminal investigations, and the House Majority Policy Committee examined the loopholes that allow criminals to purchase these untraceable weapons with no background checks. “Today’s hearing highlighted the frustration of law enforcement to provide justice to victims of gun violence and their families,” Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton said. “Pennsylvania is behind the curve in passing legislation to address gun violence, and it highlighted the reason we need bipartisan support for these measures.” Ghost guns are privately purchased kits that can be assembled into firearms with no traceable serial number or identifying characteristics. They do not require a background check for purchase, because kits – or firearm parts – are not considered firearms in Pennsylvania. Kits can be assembled with the use of a drill or ordinary tools, and some kits contain the drill bit needed for final assembly. “It’s infuriating to know, as I mentioned during the judiciary committee hearing on HB 777, how quickly I could use my cellphone to purchase a ghost gun without any meaningful checks,” said meeting host Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “We are talking about untraceable firearms that can be assembled with ease. They are completely untraceable, and they are legal to purchase without Read more
PA state Rep. Darisha Parker and the House Majority Policy Committee discuss the need for legislation to keep PA consumers from falling victim to misleading contracts. Read more
State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., said that Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget address highlighted priorities that she has fought for since taking office. “$300 million in funding to fix our toxic schools isn’t just a financial transaction – it’s an investment in our children to create environments where they can play, learn and grow safely,” Parker said. “It’s not just about repairing buildings but building foundations for our future leaders.” Parker, an advocate for breaking barriers to menstrual hygiene, said she is proud that Shapiro called for $3 million to provide feminine hygiene products in schools. “Access to period products is vital in maintaining a woman’s dignity,” Parker said. “With this funding, we would break barriers that have historically hindered girls and women from important milestones due to shame from a lack of menstrual hygiene products.” Parker said the governor’s budget proposal would empower students, women, minorities and businesses to stay in Pennsylvania to work, study and succeed. Read more
PA state Rep. Darisha Parker has long fought to restore dignity to Pennsylvanians who struggle to afford or obtain menstrual products. Parker says she is thrilled to see $3 million in funding to end period poverty in Governor Josh Shapiro’s state budget proposal. Read more
2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ): What You Need to Know: There are major changes to the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ) form. The new FAFSA form is now available. On average, it takes about 30 minutes to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be completed online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The 2024–25 FAFSA form will expand eligibility for federal student aid. What You Can Do Now : Watch the “2024–25 FAFSA FAQs” playlist to better for a look at what has changed on the new form. Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to get an estimate of what your aid could be once the FAFSA is completed. If you did not submit a 2023–24 FAFSA form, make sure to create your StudentAid.gov account —and remember your username and password so you can access and submit the 2024–25 FAFSA form when it’s available. Find out if your parent(s) or spouse will need to be contributors (contribute their info on your FAFSA form). If your parent(s) or spouse will need to contribute to your form, make sure each contributor creates their own StudentAid.gov account . Watch our “Preparing for the FAFSA Form” to better understand what information and documents you’ll need to complete the FAFSA form. 2024–25 FAFSA ® Deadlines : Read more
Applications are now being accepted for the PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program . The Program – administered through The Foundation for Enhancing Communities – is for graduating high school seniors who reside in the Commonwealth of PA. TFEC awards two four-year scholarships to high school seniors each year. The award consists of the value of one semester of tuition at the State System of Higher Education for each of four years. Students must maintain eligibility criteria in all four years to receive the ongoing award. Please consider sharing this opportunity with those who may be eligible. Eligibility Criteria: Graduating High School Senior Legal Residency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Attendance at a PA College, university, or career school as a full-time student Academic achievement (minimum 3.0 cumulative high school GPA) Commitment to community and leadership qualities Extracurricular activities Financial need *Children of Legislators and their staff are NOT eligible Details on how to apply and submit required documents are available online at www.tfec.org or by clicking here . The deadline to submit all materials is April 15, 2024. Read more
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program is currently accepting applications for the Summer 2024 semester. Applications are due on March 1, 2024 . The Fellowship Program is based in Pennsylvania’s magnificent Capitol Building in Harrisburg . Fellows are assigned to work in House Standing Committees or House Leadership offices, are compensated for their work (which may also include college credit) and are provided the opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces, to name a few. Qualified applicants will be: College undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or law school students; Enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university, or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution; and Pursuing any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If you know of any college students who would benefit from the Fellowship Program, please feel free to invite them to visit the website at: www.pahousefellowship.us . Applications can be submitted via email at: pahousefellowship@pabmc.net . Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PAYS Survey Design Consultant Who May Apply: Applicants must meet the qualifications listed in the program guidelines, but any non-profit, for-profit, or academic organization is eligible. Use: The primary purpose of this project is to contract with an expert in the practice of surveying youth and adolescents to help inform necessary and appropriate revisions to the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS). Funds: Funding is provided through the State Violence and Delinquency Prevention Program stream. PCCD expects to fund one grant not to exceed $200,000. Application Deadline: February 12, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Oversight of the 2025 and 2027 PAYS Administrations Who May Apply: Applicants must demonstrate their ability to conduct the tasks outlined in the program guidelines, but non-profits, for-profits, institutions of higher education, or others are eligible. Use: The primary purpose of this project is to provide direct oversight of the administration of the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) for the 2025 and 2027 survey administration periods. Funds: Funding is provided through the State Violence and Delinquency Prevention Program stream. PCCD expects to fund one grant not to exceed $125,000. Application Deadline: February 12, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2024/25 Justice Assistance Grant Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Human Services: OCDEL Keystone STARS Continuous Quality Improvement Who May Apply: Eligible childcare providers will be notified via an eligibility letter from their Early Learning Resource Center. Providers must meet the requirements outlined here . Use: Staff qualifications and professional development, early childhood education programs, partnerships with families and communities, leadership and management, and accreditation costs. Funds: Grant amounts vary by provider. Grant funding comes from $12 million of federal Childcare Development Fund funds. Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2024 More information: Keystone STARS Website Department of Transportation: State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Incentive Program Who May Apply: To be eligible for STIC Incentive funding, the STIC or other equivalent task force, committee or group must be formally established with a charter, include public and private members, meet regularly, and comprehensively consider sources of innovation. Use: The State Transportation Innovation Council Incentive Program provides funding to help STICs foster a culture of innovation and make innovations standard practice in their states. Examples of allowable activities include but are not limited to: developing standards and specifications; developing training to facilitate widespread use of innovation, developing memoranda of agreement; preparing a report summarizing the lessons Read more
These grant programs are currently open to applications Read more
Vice Chair of the PA Legislative Black Caucus Rep. Darisha Parker praises OIC Philadelphia for their dedication to helping people in need through job training and reentry services. Parker calls on her colleagues in the House and Senate to finish the state’s fiscal code to ensure valuable organizations like OIC receive the funding they need to continue to serve the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians. Read more
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NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Aging: Senior Community Center Grants Who May Apply: Pennsylvania Senior Community Centers with an existing, contractual relationship with an Area Agency on Aging. Use: To help Pennsylvania’s Senior Community Centers increase participation and programming Funds: Up to $2 million in grant funding is available. Grants vary depending on staff levels. Application Deadline: December 15, 2023 More information: Aging Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Violence Intervention and Prevention Who May Apply: Community-based organizations with 501(c)(3) designation, institutions of higher education, municipalities, district attorneys, and counties, Use: Effective local intervening and preventive measures to stop gun and group violence that is occurring across the state in both the short- and long-term Funds: $40 million in state funding is available for two tracks: VIP Grants: Applicants can request up to 50% of their operating budget up to $950,00 total. Coordinated Community Violence Intervention Strategies Projects (CCVI): Applicants can request up to $3 million in total funding over a 36-month period (funding match required). PCCD anticipates approving only 2-3 CCVI projects. Application Deadline: January 18, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Philadelphia Who May Apply: Community Development Corporations, Read more
BILL No. Title Co-Sponsorship Memo Current Status Memo Circulated for 23-24 Session? Prime Co-Sponsor HB226 Voluntary No Firearm Purchase List CSM Referred to Judiciary Yes Parker HB766 Long Gun/ Gun Show Loophole CSM Referred to Judiciary Yes Parker HB898 Raising Minimum Age to Purchase & Possess Firearms CSM Referred to Judiciary Yes Parker HB850 Accessibility to Menstrual Hygiene Products (Package) - Waviers CSM In Senate Education Committee Yes Parker & Hill-Evans HB851 Accessibility to Menstrual Hygiene Products (Package) - Grant Program CSM Referred to Education Yes Parker & Hill-Evans HB1397 Strenghtening Pennsylvanian's Guardianship Laws CSM Referred to Judiciary Yes Parker & Malagari HB1520 Local Business Forgivable Loan Program CSM Introduced Yes Parker HB993 Home Improvement Fraud Protection for Vulnerable Persons CSM Referred to Judiciary Yes Parker TBD Price Increase Notification to Consumers Read more
This was a busy session week for me in Harrisburg, but I’m so proud to be a part of the PA House Dems because we’re getting things done.We passed legislation in the House that would significantly improve the quality-of-life issues we find in our communities, spanning from incentives to hire more police to allowing municipalities to submit plans and ordinances digitally, which eliminates non-electric options and saves taxpayers money. Read more
PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Historical & Museum Commission: Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program Who May Apply: Museums that are in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind services) and at least one full-time professional staff person and that are not supported by other state agency funding programs and official County Historical Societies designated as the official historical society for the county. Use: The goal of this program is to strengthen Pennsylvania’s museums and allow applicants to determine how to use funds for operating expenses. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, salaries, benefits, insurance, food service, travel, professional development, marketing, and equipment. Funds: Grant awards range from $2,500 to $65,000. Application Deadline: November 7, 2023 More information: PHMC Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program Who May Apply: Municipality, Economic Development Organization, Redevelopment Authorities, Municipal Authorities, Industrial Development Agencies. For-profit businesses are not eligible to apply for the PA SITES Program. However, an eligible applicant may apply for a site owned and controlled by the eligible applicant or may apply in partnership with a private Read more
PA state Rep. Darisha Parker is working to ensure that all students in the commonwealth have access to a quality education in a safe environment. She and her colleagues in the PA House Democratic Caucus are fighting to expand the teaching pool, keep schools safe, reduce class sizes, and clean up toxic schools. Read more
What we should be doing is making sure that we fight for the decency, and the proper education, and making sure that our kids get the proper education that they’re supposed to be having,” Parker said. She added that reading is how she learned about her Black history and culture growing up. Read more
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