HARRISBURG, JUNE 26 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today announced the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed his legislation to ensure that students in the City of Reading and across the commonwealth have access to a career path that leads to family-sustaining jobs. Guzman said this legislation would give students, especially those interested in hands-on, career-ready paths, a real opportunity to start their journey toward becoming licensed barbers while still in high school. The Barber Training Through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program has shown success, and his bill ensures that the program continues without interruption, keeping existing progress in place. “In Reading, where over 90% of public-school students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds , the transition from school to the workforce is often marked by uncertainty, limited job prospects, and financial hardship for both students and their families,” he said. “Reading students are not lacking in ambition or talent—but they are too often lacking access to career pathways that lead to family-sustaining jobs. The continuation of the Barber Training Through Career and Technical Center Program directly addresses this challenge by equipping students with professional skills that are in demand, licensable, and immediately employable,” he added. House Bill 1626 now heads to the Senate for consideration. Read more
It’s survival of the richest. I think of a budget as a statement of priorities. It’s supposed to support working families — who are the backbone of Pennsylvania — care for the poor, the sick and the vulnerable; spur economic growth; and allot for expenses necessary to carry our country smartly and soundly into the future. And it must ensure that our environment is safe for all. What stunned me about the 2025 federal budget was the absence of these priorities, which have made the United States a beacon of light to the nations. The budget does a “Reverse Robin Hood,” transferring wealth to the rich by funding tax cuts with cuts to programs for low-income Americans. It’s literally stealing from the poor to make the rich richer. The budget evisceration of Medicaid funding will put the nail in the coffin of our already overburdened health system. If Medicaid is slashed, many of our hospitals and nursing homes will buckle and close under the impossible financial strain of caring for the uninsured. None of us can afford the destruction of our health care system. The bill also takes food off the table of food-insecure Pennsylvanians, reducing federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding by hundreds of millions. If Pennsylvania can’t fund the difference, food assistance would have to be drastically cut by either removing 1 million Pennsylvanians from the food assistance program or cutting the benefit amounts Read more
Child and youth homelessness in Pennsylvania has grown to crisis proportions over the past few years, with 46,714 children and youth identified as homeless in 2023, according to a state report. Despite this unprecedented increase in need, the federal resources that allow schools, nonprofits and other institutions to support these vulnerable young people in their educational pursuits are being cut off and are at risk of disappearing entirely. If we are serious about providing every child in Pennsylvania with the education they’ll ultimately need to land stable employment and contribute to our economy, the commonwealth must dedicate targeted state dollars to support students experiencing homelessness. Although this need has never been more urgent, federal support is evaporating. In March, the U.S. Department of Education abruptly canceled spending extensions for American Rescue Plan funds, eliminating hundreds of millions in education funding for Pennsylvania schools. This funding rescission’s effects are being felt most acutely by our most vulnerable students. The U.S. Department of Education clawed back $9.2 million specifically designated to help homeless children and youth access education. That’s a whopping 29% of the initial $36 million investment meant to support these students. Even more troubling, the budget proposal that is moving through Congress would, if passed, eliminate all funding for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Firearm Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Initiative Who May Apply: Units of local government, nonprofit organizations (including community-based and statewide organizations), institutions of higher education, and state government agencies. Use: To support programming that focuses on firearm-related suicide prevention. Funds: A total of $1 million in federal 2024 Byrne SCIP funds in available. PCCD expects to fund 4 to 6 grants over a 21-month period. Application Deadline: September 9, 2025 More information: PCCD 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 Read more
This Sunday, LNP published my view on how the 2025 federal budget is an attack on America by eviscerating support for: working families; care for the poor, the sick and the vulnerable; environmental protections; and smart economic policies to drive growth and save money for the future. Instead, it’s survival of the richest. Read more
LANCASTER, June 18 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, helped secure grants totaling $2,035,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency to provide low-income and unhoused Lancastrians secure, permanent housing and give existing homeowners the resources needed to repair their aging homes. “Housing is basic human right,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But for many people due to the affordable housing crisis, it feels like an out-of-reach luxury. These PHARE grants will provide critical funding to ensure that vulnerable populations, such as individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, can find stable housing like at Dinah’s Hill Apartments, or low-income homeowners living in aging homes can make the necessary repairs to make them safe and inhabitable, as Partners with Purpose is doing. “Too often the poor are not treated with the respect they deserve as human beings, and one of the things they are forced to make do with is living in substandard public housing,” Smith-Wade-El said. “So, I am particularly thrilled that the Lancaster City’s Farnum Street East project has received $300,000 in funding to rehabilitate the public housing structure. This money will help ensure that its 169 units will be comfortable homes for some of our city's most vulnerable residents. It's what they merit as members of our community." The successful applicants receiving funding are: $35,000 for Good Read more
STATE COLLEGE, June 17 – New housing resources are coming to Centre County and the region, thanks to $685,000 in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin, D-Centre, said the funding includes $550,000 to support construction on two housing projects, including $200,000 for continued work to transform the historic James Stott Building in downtown Philipsburg into affordable housing and commercial space. “The funding will build on $800,000 we helped secure earlier this year and will support the thid phase of work to create additional housing units,” Conklin said. “When it’s finished, the building will offer 14 affordable housing units plus ground-level commercial space. It’s an exciting project that’s going to help eliminate blight and bring new life to the downtown area.” Conklin also helped to secure $350,000 to support construction of a new community building for the Hillcrest Commons Apartments. “The new building will include a community room with computers, printers, a library, a kitchenette and an ADA-accessible bathroom and will also house an onsite afterschool program,” Conklin said. “The space will provide a safe, engaging environment for youth, peace of mind for their working parents and a place for residents to come together for programs and activities.” In addition to the construction Read more
Child and youth homelessness in Pennsylvania has grown to crisis proportions over the past few years, with 46,714 children and youth identified as homeless in 2023. Despite this unprecedented increase in need, the federal resources that allow schools, nonprofits, and other institutions to support these vulnerable young people in their educational pursuits are being cut off and at risk of disappearing entirely. If we are serious about providing every child in Pennsylvania the education they’ll ultimately need to land stable employment and contribute to our economy, the Commonwealth must dedicate targeted state dollars to support students experiencing homelessness. Although this need has never been more urgent, federal support is evaporating. In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Education abruptly canceled spending extensions for American Rescue Plan funds, eliminating hundreds of millions in education funding for Pennsylvania schools. This funding rescission’s effects are being felt most acutely by our most vulnerable students. The U.S. Education Department clawed back $9.2 million specifically designated to help homeless children and youth access education. That’s a whopping 29% of the initial $36 million investment meant to support these students. Even more troubling, the presidential budget proposal that is moving through Congress would, if passed, eliminate all funding for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, which Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Mixed-Use Revitalization Program Who May Apply: Developers (person or business entity with a demonstrated history of advancing commercial or mixed-use redevelopment projects Use: A community revitalization project that promotes economic growth and includes commercial assets. Eligible projects must be on at least 15 acres of land, contain at least 200,000 square feet of proposed development that has not received a certificate of occupancy as of 7/11/24, and be zoned for planned end use. Funds: Grant amount shall not exceed more than twice the amount of matching funds provided by the developer or $3,000,000, whichever is less. Application Deadline: August 31, 2025 More information: CFA Website Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Grant Who May Apply: Individuals or organizations focused on agriculture research Use: Research on topic areas listed here Funds: All funding is contingent upon 2025-2026 budget appropriations Application Deadline: July 25, 20225 More information: PDA 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: Read more
Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: School Bus Safety Grant Program Who May Apply: Independent school bus contractors, school entities, and municipalities Use: To promote and increase school bus safety, education, and training, as well as pay for education, training, and other associated costs related to an individual earning their commercial learner's permit, commercial driver's license, or school bus endorsement for the purpose of driving a school bus in Pennsylvania. Funds: $1.2 million in funds are available through the School Bus Safety Grant Program. Grant awards will not exceed $100,000. Application Deadline: July 3, 2025 More information: PennDOT website Department of Environmental Protection: Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grant Program Who May Apply: An electric grid operator, an electricity storage operator, an electricity generator, a transmission owner or operator, a distribution provider, a fuel supplier, and any other relevant entity, as determined by DEP in consultation with DOE. Use: To implement resilience measures throughout PA intended to mitigate the impact of electric grid disruptive events. Funds: $8 million in grant awards is available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Application Deadline: Concept Paper submission availability will close at Read more
LANCASTER, June 2 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, will hold a public safety fair from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at Manheim Township Fire Rescue – 1399 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster. “I wanted to offer residents of all ages resources on all aspects of public safety, from traffic to fires to bicycles to mental health and more,” Rivera said. “I am grateful that wonderful community partners like Manheim Township Fire Rescue, Penn Medicine LGH and others are going to be there to answer questions and offer resources to help people stay safe, including tips on safe driving, fire prevention and practices that support good mental health.” Safety information related to traffic, fires, bikes, mental health, fall preventions and emergency preparedness will be available along with FREE safety items while supplies last. Participating groups include Manheim Township Fire Rescue, Penn Medicine LGH, PA Fish & Boat Commission (with animal demonstrations), Mental Health America and others. Residents interested in attending are encouraged to register for this event via RepRivera@pahouse.net (include name and home address) or call 717-295-3157. Read more
LANCASTER, June 2 - State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter to host The Lancaster Hispanic Summit on Alzheimer’s & Dementia from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10 at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Multipurpose Activity Center, 750 E. King St., Lancaster. “I wanted to co-host this important event to provide critical information about Alzheimer’s prevention as approximately 13% of Hispanics who are 65 or older have Alzheimer’s or another dementia,” Rivera said. “This summit will be an opportunity for attendees to learn about preventative care as well as be a place where they can share their difficulties trying to get health care, from facing outright discrimination to failing to find health care practitioners who understand their racial or ethnic background and experiences. “As Alzheimer’s disease rates are projected to triple by 2060 with Hispanics predicted to have the largest increase, we need to make sure that people have critical knowledge how they can prevent developing Alzheimer’s as well as being able to recognize the signs of the onset of the disease.” Rivera said the summit will be an opportunity for attendees to learn about preventative care and learn about how the disease impacts the Hispanic community while sharing their own difficulties trying to get health care and finding health care Read more
READING, May 27 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today announced that he will host a job fair to make it easier for his constituents to connect with numerous city employers in one place, directly and safely. The job fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 30 at Tec Centro Berks, located at 450 S. 6 St. Guzman said that the event will offer job seekers a platform to learn about career paths, get familiar with local and state resources available to them and the opportunity to meet recruiters from a variety of industries. “I am proud to say that this job fair has become a staple event in our community. One of the most important aspects of this job fair is that it is designed for all skill levels. Students seeking for their very first job or people trying to find their next role in their career journey are welcome to participate,” Guzman said. “Rent, food insecurity and bills pilling up require immediate attention, but in most cases the job search is time-consuming and requires dedication. This fair brings to our neighborhood the possibility to secure a job in the most simple and practical way.” This fair will offer a business-casual atmosphere for the residents of the 127 th Legislative District and the chance to be hired on the spot. Additionally, Guzman and his staff will be there to assist with state-related questions. For more information, contact Guzman’s office at 610-376-1529. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PACTT (Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training) Grant Who May Apply: All residential facilities, community-based, and/or juvenile probation office providers that are not currently PACTT Affiliates and serve primarily adjudicated delinquent youth. Use: Applicants must ensure that the proposed program and associated expenses directly align with the PACTT affiliation areas (Academics, Job Skills Training, or Work-Related Services) the agency intends to pursue Funds: A total of $160,000 in state JRI funds is being announced to support this initiative among residential facilities, community-based providers, and juvenile probation departments. PCCD expects to fund eight grants with budgets not to exceed $20,000 over a 12-month project period. Application Deadline: July 7, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others Use: Create or obtain business plans, management strategies, transition plans, ownership plans, or plans to maintain the long-term economic viability of a farm. Funds: Up to $500,000 is available in grant funding. Individual grants shall not exceed $15,000. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until funds are exhausted. More information: PDA Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR Read more
STATE COLLEGE, May 21 – A $300,000 grant to the State College Area School District will allow the district to move forward with plans to equip the new Park Forest Middle School facility with solar technology, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin said the grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority under the Solar for Schools Grant Program will allow the school district to equip the new building with a 630 kW solar array so it can tap into the powerful benefits of cleaner energy. “Sustainability has been an important focus of the new school’s building plan, and a solar array has been a proposed part of the project,” said Conklin, who co-sponsored legislation to establish the Solar for Schools Program. “Securing this grant means that proposal can become a reality. “In addition to slashing carbon emissions, the array will save taxpayer dollars and reduce energy costs, leaving more money for classroom programs and curricula. It’s going to be exciting seeing the new technology go up and begin delivering on those benefits.” Conklin said preliminary estimates show that the solar array will produce approximately 35% to 40% of the building’s energy use, substantially lowering dependence on the electrical grid. The Solar for Schools Grant Program was established in July 2024 to reduce the cost of implementing solar energy systems into schools across the Read more
HARRISBURG, May 12 – In a move to level the playing field for Pennsylvania’s public school athletes, the Pennsylvania House Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations Committee today approved state Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill that would allow the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to create separate playoffs and championships for boundary and non-boundary schools. Conklin, D-Centre, said he introduced H.B. 41 because reforming the current PIAA playoff system – which jeopardizes the health and safety of public school athletes – is an urgent priority. “The current system isn’t just putting public school athletes at a disadvantage, it’s endangering their health and safety,” Conklin said. “It’s forcing students from public schools, which must recruit from within district boundaries, to compete against students from private schools, which can recruit from anywhere and amass teams that are larger and stronger. “The system is also depriving public school students of scholarship and recruitment opportunities and teaching them the wrong lessons. K-12 sports are supposed to be about building confidence and reinforcing concepts of fair play and good sportsmanship. We can’t be doing that with a system that puts some students on an unlevel playing field before they even walk out onto the field.” Conklin emphasized that his bill Read more
HARRISBURG, May 6 -- State Rep. Nikki Rivera’s bill that would update Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Program statutory language with recovery-oriented terminology passed the House today with overwhelming bipartisan support, 201-2. “Words matter. Too many people suffering from substance use disorders don’t seek the help they need due to stigmatizing language surrounding the condition,” Rivera said. “Though positive, recovery-oriented programs in treatment and prevention are the standard, DDAP’s archaic and negative statutory language is perpetuating negative stereotypes about substance abuse. The department should be leading the way in discussing substance abuse in today’s evidence-based and recovery-focused terms. Substance use is a treatable disease and should be discussed as such to promote treatment. “As DDAP plays a central role in the commonwealth’s response to the substance use crisis, I’ve worked with the agency to introduce this legislation that updates the language defining the department’s duties with recovery-oriented language that promotes dignity, respect, and greater access to care and substance abuse disorders as chronic but treatable conditions. “The commonwealth needs to model the supportive approach to treating substance abuse disorders so that families and communities can provide the necessary support to those struggling with substance abuse,” Rivera said. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 5 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El’s legislation that would seal eviction records for the millions of Pennsylvanians whose records prevent them from being able to secure adequate housing was reported out of committee today with overwhelming bipartisan support, 23-3. “Pennsylvania’s families deserve access to safe and affordable housing where they can raise their children and our workers deserve the opportunity to secure career-advancing jobs,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But millions of Pennsylvanians, who have eviction records, can’t find housing because of a past eviction, creating instability in family life and disrupting workforce development for entire communities.” Smith-Wade-El introduced H.B. 1095 to protect communities and ensure fair housing access by instituting a statewide policy that would establish procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions. In cases where the tenant has been determined to be at fault by a judge, the records would remain accessible to the public for seven years, bringing them into line with policies related to bankruptcies and foreclosures. According to Smith-Wade-El, most landlords and property managers now use automated tenant screening measures that deny the application of anyone with a single eviction record. That’s even the case if the motion to evict was withdrawn, the court found in favor of the tenant, or the tenant Read more
LANCASTER, May 1 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El held a news conference Wednesday to draw attention to the critical importance of state investments in small businesses as drivers of local economies. The news conference at ASSETS in Lancaster specifically highlighted the role that the PA Department of Community & Economic Development’s Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program has played in helping minority-owned businesses succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. Historically disadvantaged small businesses are defined under this program as minority businesses generating annual revenues of $1 million or less and employing fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees. According to DCED, disadvantaged businesses on average have less access to capital, are three times more likely to be denied loans, are more likely to pay a higher interest rate and are more likely to receive lower loan amounts than non-minority owned firms. To rectify this historical economic inequity, Gov. Josh Shapiro secured $20 million in state funds for historically disadvantaged small businesses for the first time in the 2023-24 state budget. The new state-funded Historically Disadvantaged Business program opened in 2024, disbursing microgrants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to qualifying minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses. “As we prepare to pass another budget — a moral statement of Read more
READING, April 30 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, today announced that Alvernia University will benefit from nearly half a million dollars through the PAsmart Advancing Grants for Career and Technical Education programs and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Guzman explained that the funds are aimed at supporting efforts to improve STEM education and workforce development in Berks County. The funding comes as part of a $10.35 million investment that expands access to computer science and science, technology, engineering and math education for learners across Pennsylvania. The grant was awarded to: Alvernia University. - $450,000 for innovative projects to expand access to CTE computer science and STEM experiences for both students and adults. “I welcomed these grants with great enthusiasm. This state funding will create more opportunities for professional development in our community and help students keep pace with a constantly evolving job market,” Guzman said. “I believe it is crucial to equip students with the necessary tools and skills to match industry needs and these high-demand careers paths,” he said. Read more
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