READING, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, today announced that four local projects will benefit from $249,195 in grant funding from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program. The funds are aimed at enhancing and fostering cultural initiatives in the region. The grants were awarded to: Barrio Alegria Co. - $13 ,551 for operating expenses. Berks Arts Council - $55 ,715 for operating costs and establishing new programs for the arts organization located in Reading. Berks Arts Council - $132,000 to distribute pandemic recovery payments to arts and culture professionals as the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts regranting organization for Region 7 that includes Berks, Lancaster and Schuylkill counties. Reading Symphony Orchestra Association - $37,929 for operating costs for the Orchestra located in Reading. Berks Youth Chorus - $10,000 for operating and marketing expenses for the arts organization located in Reading. “I am excited about these grants. This funding ratifies my commitment to the city’s local art setting,” Guzman said. “I praise these investments because they will help cover operating costs and support our artists. The arts are necessary in our lives not only as an opportunity to distract ourselves or help us reflect and Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, today announced more than $4.3 million in state grants for local water and sewer projects, with the lion’s share going toward the Calder Way infrastructure improvement project. Read more
READING, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, today announced that two municipalities within her legislative district will benefit from nearly $1 million in grant funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development and distributed through the state’s H2O PA Program. The H2O PA Program provides single-year or multi-year grants to municipalities or municipal authorities to assist with the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer, and storm water projects. The grants were awarded to: Spring Township – $250,000. Funds to replace gravity sanitary sewer main within Highland Avenue, Intervilla Avenue, Noble Street, Reading Avenue, Morwood Avenue, and Park Road. Wyomissing Borough – $700,346. Funds to demolish an existing pump station and construct a new pipe and manhole system. “I praise the significant funding awarded to these municipalities. These grants will be used to improve infrastructure, purchase necessary equipment, and provide safety upgrades,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. Read more
“These grants will go a long way to improving stormwater drainage and set our region up for continued success,” Madsen said. “'This funding will not only fortify the reliability of our infrastructure but also pave the way for essential upgrades, promoting sustainable growth and development in our communities.” Read more
READING, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, today announced that four local arts projects will benefit from more than $155,668 in grant funding from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program. The grants were awarded to: Foundation for The Reading Public Museum – $40,000. Funds will establish new programs and marketing for the General Museum located in the city of Reading, Berks County. Goggleworks Center for the Arts – $56,258. To establish new outreach and marketing programs for the Art Museum located in Reading, Berks County. Reading Musical Foundation – $23,688. Operating expenses for this arts organization located in Reading, Berks County. Yocum Institute for Arts Education – $36,688. Operating expenses for this arts organization located in Spring Township, Berks County. “I am excited to see these important arts institutions in our community to receive state support,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “I am proud to have secured this funding that will be used to boost current programs and support much-needed operating expenses. I will continue advocating for the awarded organizations to help further advance and uplift their invaluable work in our community. Read more
Chair Carol Hill-Evans joined her colleagues at the Keystone Early Learning Center to talk about the increase to state child tax credits that will be available to all families starting this year. Hill-Evans says this extra money will help families across the Commonwealth. Read more
"There are seven districts within central Pennsylvania that have a higher than state percentage of families making under $43,000," said Rep. Carol Hill Evans, D-95, (which covers York County) at the event. "Personally, in my district, 34% of families can receive up to $2,100 maximum tax credits for dependent care." Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, announced that he helped secure $3,360,383 in state grants for the 49th District. “I am very proud to have helped to secure $3,360,383 in state grants to assist with projects to improve our infrastructure and water quality and support the arts in our communities,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This is a great example of our tax dollars being brough back into the community to improve quality of life—from improving the quality of the water we drink to expanding opportunities to utilize our creativity.” Funds distributed through the Small Water and Sewer program provide for small water, sewer, and storm system water infrastructure projects. Act 54 of 2022 appropriated $105.6 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the PA Small Water and Sewer Program. $149,715 for the Low and High Service Pumping Station-DCED Water-DPW for equipment upgrades at the pump station located at 150 Pitney Road, Lancaster. Funds distributed through the H20 PA Program provide for single-year or multi-year grants to municipalities or municipal authorities to assist with the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm water projects. Act 54 of 2022 appropriated $205.4 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the H2O PA – Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Projects Program. $3,132,000 for Phase 2 transmission line installation for the replacement Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 14 – The Pennsylvania Senate made history Wednesday by unanimously passing state Rep. Justin Fleming’s legislation ( H.B. 1289 ) that would help rectify the legacy of biased housing practices by making it easier for property owners to repudiate discriminatory deed covenants. “The progress of racial, ethnic, and religious minority groups has been stifled by restrictive deed covenants and practices like redlining, resulting in massive inequality in wealth and home ownership rates,” Fleming said. “My legislation would help rectify this historic wrong by making it easy and affordable to repudiate discriminatory language from these documents.” A covenant stipulates what existing or future owners can and cannot do to a property. Racially discriminatory real estate covenants were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1948 under the Shelley v. Kraemer decision, ruling that these covenants are unenforceable under the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. In addition, the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited deed covenants that discriminate against protected classes. Although these covenants are no longer enforceable, Fleming said this harmful and discriminatory language still exists in many property deeds. Fleming’s bill impacts all restrictive covenants for classes of individuals covered under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and would allow a property owner – should they Read more
10 best places to retire in the U.S. in 2024 include Harrisburg, Reading, Lancaster, and York. That is our Central PA. Read more
The future can be written now, right here in the city of Reading, driving Berks County toward new heights. Let’s seize this opportunity for a brighter and more prosperous future for our city. Read more
On December 2nd, we came together to celebrate National Special Education Day, a day that holds deep significance in recognizing the efforts and milestones in providing equal access to education for all. At the School District of Lancaster, our incredible teachers and staff go above and beyond every day, creating dynamic and positive learning spaces for all students. They tirelessly dedicate themselves to helping learners unlock their potential, thrive, and shine! We were honored to have Rep. Ismail-Smith-Wade-El stop by Carter & McCrae to learn more about the incredible work being done. His visit reflects a shared commitment to fostering understanding and collaboration in the realm of special education.Rep. Ismail-Smith-Wade-El's proactive interest in our Special Education program is a testament to the positive impact it's making in the lives of students. It's moments like these that remind us of the importance of collaboration and advocacy in ensuring every student has the chance to thrive.Let us celebrate the progress made, acknowledge the challenges ahead, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every child receives the education they deserve. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 28 – State Rep. Justin Fleming today presented a $100,000 check from the PA Department of Human Services to Joe Arthur, CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, to support its efforts to eliminate food insecurity in the region. “Despite the fact we live in the richest country in the world, thousands of Pennsylvanians don’t know where or when their next meal is coming from,” Fleming said. “This state grant money will support the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in its life-supporting mission ensuring everyone in our region has access to the food needed to lead a healthy, productive life. With the expiration of pandemic funding, our charitable organizations like the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will be struggling to meet demand for the basic necessities of life like food. I strongly encourage residents to donate their time and money this holiday season so that their neighbors and their families don’t go hungry this winter.” Central Pennsylvania Food Bank CEO Joe Arthur thanked Fleming for the check, saying, “There is a huge demand for food from the charitable network right now, with many of our agency partners now serving more neighbors than they were at the height of the pandemic.” Arthur added, “Rep. Fleming’s strong leadership and this additional support from DHS helps us to advance our mission and continue to provide healthy meals for our neighbors in needs in Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 15 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El’s H.B. 1477 passed the House yesterday. The bill would amend the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to enable municipalities to make certain transmittals and submissions, including proposed comprehensive plans/land use ordinances and amendments to such, through electronic means. “This bill would codify what is already current practice—emailing plans and land ordinances—in order to eliminate the confusion about whether such transmissions are permissible,” said Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster. “The bill is in response to a request for clarification from planners and consultants within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. I believe this bill, when passed, will help cut the red tape and streamline processes in DCED.” This bill was introduced as H.B. 1592 in the 2021-22 session. Inquiries about this legislation can be directed to Smith-Wade-El’s office at 717-283-4218. Read more
Pennsylvania saw a nearly 50% increase in Hispanic-owned businesses between 2012 and 2019, according to Census data. Non-Hispanic businesses increased by 9.3%, which means Latinos are creating businesses at a higher rate than their non-Hispanic peers. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, has been appointed by House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila., to the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee. The committee oversees issues involving sports and athletic competitions sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. The committee also receives an annual report from the PIAA with recommendations for the General Assembly. Fleming said he brings a unique perspective to the committee as a lettered high school athlete in baseball at Susquehanna Township High School. “Athletics offers kids opportunities to learn critical physical, emotional and intellectual skills that will serve them their whole lives,” Fleming said. “As a former student-athlete and the father of two children who participate in athletics, I have an interest in the committee’s issues and look forward to working with my colleagues, as well as the PIAA to ensure all student-athletes are competing safely and fairly.” The six-member committee consists of two members appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the House minority leader, two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one appointed by the Senate minority leader. Read more
Articles of Confederation Day and Snack Foods of York County Read more
"It's an opportunity for both our policy committees as well as our tourism and economic development committees to get together to see different places of the commonwealth," said Rep. Hill-Evans. Read more
In addition to learning about tourism efforts in York, the committee discussed Rep. Hill-Evans’ proposed legislation (H.R. 161) to acknowledge Nov. 15 as Articles of Confederation Day in Pennsylvania. Congress adopted the Articles while in session in the York County Courthouse on Nov. 15, 1777. Read more
“For long-time residents of York County, the presence of iconic brands and businesses throughout our region might not seem all that unusual,” said Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, who represents portions of York County and hosted the Policy Committee tour and discussion. “When you travel outside central Pennsylvania, however, you quickly realize how fortunate we are that so many iconic brands have either called York home or continue to call York home. It’s an impressive list of businesses and brands.” Read more
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