The Department of Environmental Protection awarded $3,305,011 from the Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program to replace five Class 6 and Class 7 box trucks with battery electric vehicles, install four DC fast EV chargers, and one Level 2 EV charging plug at three locations across Penn State’s campus. Read more
“With one in five women and one in 16 men being sexually assaulted while pursuing higher education, we must work to prevent sexual assault, harassment and violence on campus so that students feel safe on campus,” Conklin said. “It is on us, as state legislators, and faculty and staff at Penn State, to lead by example so that students feel supported on campus. With this funding from PDE, we’ll support sexual violence prevention and support survivors on campus. As state representative for the 77th Legislative District, I remain committed to advocating for victims of sexual violence.” Read more
The funding will make fresh produce more accessible, as well as expand the University Park Basic Needs Hub and food pantries at all Penn State campuses across the commonwealth. Read more
The Department of Agriculture awarded more than $2.2 million in funding to invest in Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry. Read more
The grant will fund two projects within watersheds in Centre County for water preservation and pollution reduction in two watersheds that directly link to waterways leading to the Chesapeake Bay. Read more
“Through Gov. Shapiro’s proposals to increase investments in public education and higher education, we have the opportunity to invest in our children’s futures, ensuring they not only succeed, but also have access to higher education that’s affordable,” Conklin said. “With a 4.2% increase in BEF and 4.3% increase in SEF for Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District, children will have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their ZIP code. More so, with a 5% increase for Penn State and consolidation of PASSHE and community colleges, we ensure the affordability of higher education, making it more accessible for Pennsylvanians.” Read more
“With $116,927 awarded to fire companies and EMS providers in the 77th Legislative District, we ensure firefighters and EMS providers have the resources to respond to emergencies in Centre County, thereby protecting the safety of our residents,” Conklin said. “While the number of firefighters and EMS providers are on the decline, calls for service have more than tripled since 1984. With increases in calls, there’s more strain on rural fire companies and EMS providers, such as those in the 77th Legislative District. As such, we must ensure that we adequately fund our fire companies and EMS providers so that they may continue their life-saving work.” Read more
“This funding to Penn State will conserve flora and fauna in Pennsylvania, as well as preserve our biodiversity,” Conklin said. “With these projects in Centre County and across Pennsylvania, we have the opportunity to preserve environmental resources that help Centre County and all of our commonwealth flourish.” Read more
Conklin’s resolution designates Wednesday, Sept. 18 as State Grange Day, as well as recognizes the 151st anniversary of the Grange. Read more
“Agriculture is one of Pennsylvania’s largest industries and a major industry in Centre County,” Conklin said. “With more than 1,023 farms that span 149,858 acres and Centre County farms selling agricultural products valued at more than $91 million, we have the opportunity to invest in the agriculture industry to ensure it continues to grow, as well as support businesses in the central Pennsylvania region.” Read more
“As we invest $613,989 to rehabilitate South Mountain Road and enhance Medical Center Drive, we build a foundation for safer journeys for drivers, as well as bridge connections throughout Centre County,” Conklin said. “This funding will allow us to build our infrastructure in Centre County back better, ensuring drivers may get where they need to go.” Read more
“With the COVID-19 pandemic amplifying the housing crisis and half of Americans describing the lack of affordable housing as a major problem, we must work to address this shortage in Pennsylvania,” Conklin said. “The funding from DCED will assist State College Borough residents in need, especially as Centre County works to address a surge in people experiencing homelessness. Now, more residents will have the opportunity to find their happiness as they make their home here in Happy Valley.” Read more
“As technology advances and cryptocurrency continues to emerge, we must protect consumers from financial collapses,” said Conklin, who serves as the majority chair of the House Commerce Committee. “With the global cryptocurrency market valued at $4.67 million in 2022 and expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 12.5% from 2023 to 2030, consumers’ finances are at risk if the market goes under. House Bill 2081 would provide protections for consumers by requiring cryptocurrency lenders to reserve collateral. By doing so, we boost consumer confidence.” Read more
The hearing heard from stakeholders about how right-to-repair laws would impact the agriculture, medical and technical industries, focusing specifically on modifying, tampering and repairing devices. Read more
“With nearly 300 wineries and Pennsylvania producing 2 million gallons of wine each year, we must support our commonwealth’s economy by allowing small games of chance, such as pull-tabs and raffles, at our wineries, just as we allow at breweries,” Conklin said. “Pennsylvania’s wineries date back to the 17th century when William Penn himself planted a vineyard in Philadelphia. By allowing wineries to offer small games of chance, we can also increase funding to programs for Pennsylvania’s seniors and other charitable purposes or public interest funds.” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements Grant Program (ARLE Program) Who May Apply: Local governments, planning organizations, or Commonwealth agencies. Use: Eligible uses include, but are not limited to, roadway safety, mobility, and capacity upgrades, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, local technical assistance program projects, and traffic signal improvements. Funds: PennDOT anticipates $32 million available with the intent of funding worthwhile projects that can be completed at a relatively low cost. Application Deadline: A pre-application scoping form is required to be submitted by April 30, 2024. Feedback will be provided by May 31, 2024. The application period will be open from June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024. More information: PennDOT Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Intermediate Punishment Treatment Program Who May Apply: Counties Use: Funds for the proposed program must be used to support restrictive conditions that are imposed as part of a county probation sentence and may be used for needed drug and alcohol-related services, and mental health treatment and supportive services for eligible individuals Funds: Funding is contingent upon the availability of funds in the FY 2024-25 budget. Application Deadline: May 1, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Read more
HARRISBURG, March 27 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, was joined by state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., and community stakeholders in a Capitol news conference yesterday to call for an increase in the 2024-2025 budget to address the upcoming shortfall in supports for homeless youth in Pennsylvania. “Today, there are over 40,000 students without housing in our state, struggling to go to school and learn despite not having a home of their own,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Though our school districts have been able to provide some needed support thanks to the American Rescue Plan for Homeless Children and Youth, they will no longer be able to do so when this aid runs out January 31st, 2025. With evictions still on the rise since the COVID pandemic and affordable housing at a minimum, we should be doing everything we can to provide support to this vulnerable population, but right now there are no plans to make up for this shortfall in the proposed 2024-2025 budget. “I am calling on the state to step up and ensure that these vulnerable members of our society get the supports they need to feel safe and secure so they can succeed in school in the 2024-2025 state budget,” Smith-Wade-El said. “If we do not do this, I promise you that Pennsylvania will be plagued for years to come from the effects of our abandonment of these kids.” “Housing insecurity knows no boundaries. It spans rural townships and cities and Read more
HARRISBURG, March 26 – State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, announced today that $318,750 in state funding was awarded to make safety improvements at the Prince Street and Houcks Road intersection with Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township. The grant was awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund. “Jonestown Road is the lifeline of Lower Paxton Township, serving as both home to many small businesses as well as serving as residents’ connector to Harrisburg and beyond,” Fleming said. “I am therefore very glad to see this nearly $319,000 in state funding awarded so the township can make critical roadway improvements on Jonestown Road, making the road easier and safer for motorists and pedestrians to travel to get groceries for the week or commute to family-sustaining jobs.” The CFA’s Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure the commonwealth has a safe and reliable system of transportation. Funds may be used to develop, rehabilitate, and enhance transportation assets to existing communities, including streetscape, lighting, and sidewalk enhancement; implement pedestrian safety projects; improve the connectivity of transportation assets; and foster transit-oriented development. The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Read more
HARRISBURG, March 25 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Elizabeth Fiedler, Rick Krajewski and Majority Appropriations Committee Chairman Jordan Harris, all D-Phila., today introduced H.B. 1769 that would seal some records in certain cases such as no-fault evictions. “Millions of renters across the commonwealth are struggling to find housing because one mistake or emergency had led to an eviction on their records,” Smith-Wade-El said. “After these no-fault evictions, households often struggle -- sometimes for months -- to find housing, which can result in devastating consequences, including the breakup of families, the loss of employment, and even ending up homeless. This legislation would help give Pennsylvania renters a fair chance at finding housing by establishing procedures for limited access to eviction records. Our Fair Housing Access legislation is a commonsense step that would make it easier for working-class Pennsylvanians to access housing.” According to the legislators, as soon as an eviction is filed, it becomes a permanent mark on someone’s background, making harder to find housing. The record remains even if the case was withdrawn, the tenant endured domestic violence, or the court found in favor of the tenant. Smith-Wade-El said that evictions disrupt workforce development for large swaths of communities and strain existing social support systems throughout the state. These records can put vulnerable Read more
READING, March 21 – The PA House Central Pennsylvania Delegation today announced that the group will team up with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to tour small business in West Reading on Thursday, March 21. Central PA Delegation Chairman Manuel Guzman explained that the tour, which will begin at 11. a.m. today, Thursday at Say Cheese! Restaurant , 600 Penn Ave. in West Reading, will help connect business owners with support services and provide information about the Main Street Matters program. Main Street Matters, introduced by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his 2024-25 state budget proposal, would support small businesses, downtowns and main streets across the state and build on the current Keystone Communities Program. “The Central PA Delegation is focused on reenergizing our communities and encouraging new business in the region,” Guzman said. “We are championing vibrant neighborhoods and competitive commercial corridors.” Guzman emphasized the importance of engaging with small business owners to successfully implement revitalization efforts in downtown areas in the commonwealth. “It is essential to hear directly from business owners about their concerns. Their feedback is fundamental to our work in the legislature,” he said. “This tour will help them voice and amplify their needs.” Read more
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