WYOMISSING, March 19 – State Reps. Emily Kinkead, Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, and Napoleon Nelson congratulated the workers of Teamsters Local 429 and their president, Bill Shappell, along with the leadership at Sunnyside Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Wyomissing, on reaching a labor agreement on Tuesday, March 17. The labor agreement comes as the future of cannabis access, employment, and entrepreneurship remains a legislative priority in Harrisburg. Such agreements between labor and cannabis operators are a central component to legislation the legislators said they hope will finally legalize adult-use cannabis in PA, achieving Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget priority and bringing the Commonwealth in line with neighboring states. House Bill 20 , offered by Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Rep. Abby Major, R-Armstrong, presents a bipartisan path to legalizing adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania and includes a requirement that dispensaries execute labor peace agreements in order to receive licenses. These contracts between the employer and a union require employers not to interfere with efforts of employees to organize in exchange for concessions like avoiding labor disruptions through strikes, picketing, or lockouts. “Cannabis legalization in Pennsylvania is estimated to create around 30,000 family-sustaining jobs in our Commonwealth and ensuring that those workers have access to a union if they want one, free from any employer interference, only makes Read more

LANCASTER, March 18 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, today highlighted new “It’s On Us PA” funding awarded to combat sexual violence and support survivors on college campuses in their districts. Millersville University in Smith-Wade-El’s district received $40,000 and Franklin and Marshall College in Rivera’s district received $21,795. “Sexual violence is a human rights abuse , a form of discrimination, and a manifestation of unequal power,” Smith-Wade-El and Rivera said. “The ‘It’s On Us’ program plays a critical role in making Pennsylvania a more equal commonwealth by raising awareness among students about consent as a basic human right and providing healing support to survivors. This money helps to ensure that the ‘It’s On Us’ program will continue to help make our higher educational learning environments safe spaces for everyone.” The Shapiro administration awarded more than $1.7 million in this round of funding to 43 institutions statewide. Since 2023, nearly $5 million has been invested in “It’s On Us PA” initiatives focused on education, prevention, and survivor support. The “It’s On Us PA” program builds on a national initiative launched to raise awareness about sexual assault, promote consent education, and encourage bystander intervention. The state-level campaign brings together Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS PennDOT: Automated School Bus Enforcement Grant Program Who May Apply: School entities, independent school bus contractors, and municipal governments Use: To cover costs associated with the issuance of CDL licenses to operate school buses within the Commonwealth or to increase school bus safety, education, and training Funds: The total amount of funding available is $1.2 million. Grants can be awarded up to $100,000 per applicant Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 More information: PennDOT Website Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Product Promotion, Education and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate engagement in market research, product development or promotion of agricultural products grown, raised or produced in the Commonwealth Use: To provide matching funds to nonprofit organizations engaged in market research, development or promotion of agricultural products Funds: Up to $381,810.50 is available for grants under the Program Application Deadline: April 10, 2026 More information: PDA Website Department of Environmental Protection: Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant Program Who May Apply: Municipalities Use: To develop and implement recycling programs Funds: Grants are available up to $250,000. Application Read more

STATE COLLEGE, March 2 – Fullington Auto Bus Company, which provides student bus transportation for Centre County schools, has secured a $42,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to train new school bus drivers, state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, announced today. Conklin said the grant, which was awarded under the newly established School Bus Safety Grant Program, will cover initial training, trainee wages, and testing and permit fees associated with training 25 new operators to obtain their Commercial Driver’s License. “The new funding will help ensure Fullington has the resources to train more than two dozen new drivers,” Conklin said. “Having those additional trained staff will make it easier to keep buses running safely and on time, and it will give parents and caregivers the peace of mind that goes with knowing their students are as safe as possible on the road.” Conklin said the School Bus Safety Grant Program is funded through a portion of the fines assessed for violation of the state’s school bus stopping law, which is enforced through automated cameras. Of the $300 fine assessed for each violation, PennDOT receives $25 for the grant program. More information about the awards is available here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/news-and-media/newsroom/statewide/2026/shapiro-administration-invests-in-safer--more-reliable-school-tr . Read more

STATE COLLEGE, Feb. 17 – Fire and EMS companies in the 77 th Legislative District are slated to receive nearly $114,350 in funding from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, announced today. Conklin said the grants will allow area fire and EMS companies to upgrade equipment, replace supplies, make facility repairs, and cover other operational expenses. “As our brave first responders answer the call 24/7, their departments are constantly juggling expenses to cover personal protective gear, equipment, fuel, facility repairs, and myriad other expenses,” Conklin said. “The new funding will help departments cover more of these costs, to help our frontline heroes carry out their lifesaving work.” Conklin said the funding includes: Alpha Fire Company, State College – $16,137. Hope Fire No. 2, Philipsburg – $14,900. Moshannon Valley Emergency Medical Service, Philipsburg – $15,000. Mountain Top Fire Co. (EMS), Sandy Ridge – $15,000. Mountain Top Fire Co. (fire), Sandy Ridge – $12,633. Port Matilda Emergency Medical Services, Port Matilda – $15,000. Port Matilda Volunteer Fire Company Inc., Port Matilda – $13,457. Reliance Volunteer Fire Company, Philipsburg – $12,220. The funding was secured through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant program, which is Read more