HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., will be joined by representatives of Church World Service at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the East Wing Rotunda, Harrisburg, for a news conference in support of their legislation (H.B. 1113) that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. “Our immigrant communities are an integral part of Pennsylvania’s economic growth, making up over 8% of our state’s work force and paying $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But they are facing too many roadblocks due to bureaucratic red tape and restrictive policies targeting immigrant communities. “To keep these skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers and community leaders in our state, I’ve introduced a bill that would raze the maze of bureaucratic silos by establishing an Office of New Pennsylvanians that would be a one-stop shop for benefits and resources for immigrants under the auspices of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.” “My support for immigrant rights is based on my belief in the value of all working people. Organized labor was born in immigrant communities from the coal mines in Pennsylvania to sweatshops in New York and to the grape harvests in California,” Hohenstein said. “Immigrants bring so much to our state – whether Read more

LANCASTER, Oct. 17 —State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, will hold a Medicaid Town Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the J.P. McCaskey High School Cafeteria, 445 Reservoir St., Lancaster. “We are offering this Medicaid Town Hall to answer residents’ questions regarding Medicaid, especially the recent changes to the program’s eligibility requirements, and explain how our offices can help them navigate the program to get the coverage they need,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As your state representatives, we want to be there for residents during this time of uncertainty as a resource by providing informational events like this town hall to answer any questions residents may have and afterwards through the constituent services our offices offer,” Rivera said. Residents are encouraged to RSVP by signing up at tinyurl.com/49-96-TownHall . Residents in Rivera’s district can also RSPV by calling the district office at 717-295-3157 or emailing them at RepRivera@pahouse.net . Those residing in Smith-Wade-El’s district can call the office at 717-283-4218 or email RepSmithWadeEl@pahouse.net . Read more

LANCASTER, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will be a panelist at Blueprints for Addiction Recovery’s Healing Beyond Boundaries: Understanding What Our Communities Truly Need, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3, at The Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St. in Lancaster. The free, all-ages event will bring together leaders from recovery services, law enforcement and government for an open conversation about what communities need to heal, connect and move forward. The evening will be hosted by Chris Dreisbach, founder of Blueprints for Addiction Recovery, and will feature an engaging panel including: Ben McCoy, CEO, Blueprints for Addiction Recovery State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster Bill Hickey, deputy chief, Millersville University Police Department Becca Moyer, program director, Blueprints for Addiction Recovery “This event is about more than recovery; it’s about understanding one another,” said Dreisbach. “Every community has unique challenges, but the foundation of healing always starts with empathy, connection and open conversation.” The discussion will explore the realities of recovery and public safety while emphasizing compassion, accessibility and collaboration as the cornerstones of community growth. “We can’t expect change unless we first take the time to understand what people actually need,” said McCoy. “Recovery is not just a clinical process; Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Fish and Boat Commission: Boating Facility Grant Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and non-profit organizations, including land trusts, conservancies, and watershed associations. Use: Planning, acquisition, development, expansion, and rehabilitation of public boating facilities Funds: Funds available may be adjusted by the commission and priority is given to projects with more than the required 50% match. Application Deadline: December 1, 2025 More information: PFBC Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce investment boards, economic development organizations, and non-profit organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible. Read more