Lawmakers call to protect survivors, increase accountability for repeat PFA violations Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – In the wake of the state’s recent announcement that it is closing the State Correctional Institution at Rockview, state Reps. Scott Conklin and Dallas Kephart today unveiled plans for legislation to ensure that any potential sale of the nearly 5,700-acre property is conducted with fairness and transparency. Speaking at a Capitol news conference, the lawmakers said their bill would require that any sale of land associated with a former state correctional facility follow specific procedures, including publication of the sale in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and oversight by the state Attorney General, including disclosure of all bids and bidders. “When large facilities like Rockview close, it’s the region’s residents who bear the brunt of that decision. They’re also the ones most likely to feel the impact of any potential land sale,” said Conklin, D-Centre. “Despite our every effort, we were not able to stop the closure of SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp. But we can work to make sure that any sale of the underlying land happens in the fairest, most transparent way possible to prevent additional adverse impacts on residents. “Our bill would do that by bringing sunlight to the process and preventing closed-door transactions or sweetheart deals that are not necessarily in residents’ best interests.” The lawmakers are currently in the process of Read more

LANCASTER, Sept. 26 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania, will host a $CAM JAM event from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 9 at Calvary Homes by Tandem Living, 502 Elizabeth Drive, Lancaster. “As scammers are becoming more technologically savvy, the best way for residents to protect themselves from crime and fraud is to get educated,” Rivera said. “My $CAM JAM event is a great way for area residents to learn how to spot and avoid common scams.” Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities will lead the interactive event, which will educate attendees on how to safeguard their money from financial fraud and abuse. Attendees will also play Fraud BINGO, with a chance to win prizes. Rivera said she partnered with AARP Pennsylvania because seniors are the biggest targets for scams in the state. That follows a national trend, with millions of seniors targeted each year, resulting in an estimated $3 billion in losses annually, according to the FBI . Seniors are often targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, own homes and have good credit. “This fun event will especially help our senior residents learn how to spot common scams and protect their finances,” Rivera said. Light refreshments will be served. RSVPs are required, as space is limited. Residents should call Rivera’s office at 717-295-3157 or email RepRivera@pahouse.net Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP) Implementation Who May Apply: Non-profit entities and institutions of higher education Use: To assess the quality of services provided to system-involved youth, support providers in creating and implementing quality improvement plans, and measure progress through follow-up evaluations. Funds: A total of $1,400,000 in state Violence and Delinquency Prevention Programs funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $1,400,000 over the 18-month project period. Application Deadline: October 14, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Law Enforcement and Youth R/ED Training Who May Apply: Any organization that can demonstrate the ability to provide training and technical assistance to members of law enforcement interacting with youth in their communities, including, but not limited to, police, probation, and school personnel. Use: To provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement entities across the Commonwealth to improve interactions with youth in their communities. Funds: A total of $250,000 in federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $250,000 over the two-year Read more

LANCASTER, Sept. 23 – State Reps. Nikki Rivera and Ismail Smith-Wade-El, both D-Lancaster, and state Sen. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery, co-chair of the state Senate Health and Human Services Committee, last week came together to speak about the impact of SNAP changes and cuts in Pennsylvania. Representatives from over 20 organizations were in attendance. “SNAP has for decades enabled low-income Pennsylvanians to put food on their families’ tables,” Rivera said. “Not only will 550 residents in my district lose their SNAP benefits, leaving them not knowing where their next meal is coming from, but the federal budget will also have a devastating impact on our farms, our groceries and our food retailers.” According to Rivera, in December 2024, SNAP provided $366,850,460 in federally funded food assistance benefits that supported grocers, food retailers and farms in PA. “Now that money is gone, our grocery, food retailing and agricultural industries—and all the people they employ—are going to be scrambling to survive,” Rivera said. “The draconian federal budget is going to push our most vulnerable neighbors into desperate circumstances,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Over the next year, more than 144,000 individual Pennsylvanians will lose 100% of their SNAP benefits, with 1,080 of them living in my district. Everyone in our communities is going to be affected, from our schools caring for Read more