HARRISBURG, April 7 – Pennsylvania’s self-storage facility owners now have more power to protect their business, thanks to legislation introduced by state Rep. Scott Conklin and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro. At a ceremonial bill signing today in the governor’s office, Conklin said that Act 51 of 2025 will help solve a persistent problem that plagues many of the state’s small self-storage businesses. “One of the best ways we can support our small businesses is by making sure they have the tools to help themselves,” said Conklin, who is majority chairman of the state House Commerce Committee. “In the case of small self-storage facilities, that includes making sure these business owners have the enforcement power they need to deal with defaulting customers. “Self-storage facility owners often face a costly problem when a defaulting customer fails to sign or pay their rental agreement. With no timeframe in place to enforce the unsigned or unpaid agreement, the owner’s hands are tied as the unit sits occupied and unrentable, draining income and causing financial hardship. “The new law solves the problem by allowing for the electronic delivery of a rental agreement. This makes the agreement enforceable against the occupant within 30 days of the document’s delivery – the same as if it had been signed. If the occupant fails to sign or pay the agreement, the Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Business in Our Sites Who May Apply: Municipalities, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development authorities, private developers (construction loans only) Use: The acquisition and development of key sites for future use by businesses, private developers, and others Application Deadline: June 30, 2026 More information: CFA Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Please note, the NAP is broken down into 5 programs (The Neighborhood Assistance Program, the Special Program Priorities, the Charitable Food Program, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program.) Please visit the DCED website for specifics on each program. Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations Use: The goals of the Programs are to promote community participation and collaborations among the residents, nonprofits and businesses while producing outcomes by assisting a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood. Eligible neighborhood nonprofits apply for tax credits based on pending contributions from for-profit companies. Funds: The total available NAP tax credit amount is $72 million. Application Deadline: May 29, 2026 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Juvenile Read more

HARRISBURG, March 26 – Legislation to create a campaign to educate Pennsylvanians about the potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence was introduced as H.B. 2314 this week by the House Communications & Technology Committee chairs, state Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Jason Ortitay, R- Washington/Allegheny. “AI is a double-edged technology offering opportunities for greater productivity while requiring the knowledge to know when it’s misused,” Ciresi said. “Pennsylvania residents, from the very young to our seniors, need to be educated about this constantly evolving technology so that they can leverage its capabilities and protect themselves from being misled or manipulated by it.” According to the chairs, the legislation would create a campaign that would aim at educating the general public and vulnerable populations such as seniors and children about the uses and misuses of AI. The campaign would address various topics, including how to identify AI-generated content, avoiding scams that use AI, understanding responsible behavior when engaging with AI chatbots, protecting personal data when using AI, being aware of bias and misinformation ingrained in AI programs, and protecting children from AI misuses. “Many people do not fully understand AI,” Ortitay said. “This legislation will increase knowledge as it is becoming part of everyday life. While AI has many benefits, it can also be used Read more

HARRISBURG, March 25 – Patient advocates, disease experts, and water management officials joined state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Ed Neilson, D-Phila., at a news conference Monday at the Capitol in support of the legislators’ H.B. 2085, which is aimed at stopping the spread of a severe type of pneumonia, Legionnaires’ disease, that is on the rise in Pennsylvania. The disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which are found in freshwater, including water that supplies public water systems. Disease symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, headaches, and diarrhea. Smokers, the elderly, those with asthma, and those with chronic lung disease or suppressed immune systems are particularly vulnerable to the disease. “Pennsylvania has one of the highest rates of Legionnaires’ infection and illness in the country, with case rates increasing over 65% over a five-year period and claiming 10% of the lives of those infected, according to the CDC,” Smith-Wade-El said. “It’s time for Pennsylvania to step up to protect its residents’ water sources, so we’ve introduced legislation that would require government agencies, public water systems and some building owners to maintain new minimum standards to better prevent, detect, and control cases of Legionnaires’ disease.” At the press conference, Neilson spoke about his personal experience contracting the disease and Gwen Read more

HARRISBURG, March 23 – State Rep. Scott Conklin today introduced a resolution calling on Pennsylvania’s Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to research the feasibility of providing a property tax exemption for seniors. Conklin said he introduced H.R. 457 to address a growing problem facing older Pennsylvanians. “Aging in place—in the homes and communities they love—should be a realistic expectation for Pennsylvania’s more than 2.5 million residents who are 65 or older,” Conklin said. “Yet that future is far from certain for the growing number of seniors on fixed incomes, who face the risk of losing their cherished homes as property taxes increase. “A number of other states currently offer some form of property tax exemption for qualifying seniors. Pennsylvania should investigate whether it would be feasible to do the same, which is why I am calling on the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to research the feasibility of providing such an exemption. “Our seniors have built our businesses, shaped our communities, and helped lay the groundwork for younger generations. They shouldn’t have to fear losing their homes because of the burden of property taxes if there is a way we can prevent that from happening.” Read more