Passing a Budget for ALL Pennsylvanians! Read more
WYOMISSING, July 17 – State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, today announced that Wyomissing Borough will receive a $2 million grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to support the construction of a new, standalone building for the borough’s police department. “This will be an exciting development for both the government and residents of Wyomissing,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “This will provide our local law enforcement with new opportunities to continue serving our community, while also expanding opportunities for the borough to support our neighbors. “I am proud to support our local police officers and ensure they have the resources they need. I look forward to seeing this new headquarters come to fruition and the new opportunities it will provide for Wyomissing.” In addition to the new police department building, there will also be renovations to house reception, offices and council chambers in the current borough hall. The building’s current parking lot will also be revised to support administrative parking, while the new police department will have a covered, police-only parking lot. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, also known as RACP, serves to support the design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects and is administered by the Office of the Budget. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 14 – State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, chair of the PA Legislative Latino Caucus, celebrated the impact that the 2026-27 state budget will have on the district she represents in Berks County, all without raising taxes . “We have achieved major wins that will help our neighbors here in Berks County and every community across Pennsylvania,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “From education funding increases and requiring transparency around AI data centers to increasing affordable housing and putting money back in Pennsylvanians’ wallets, House Democrats delivered for all Pennsylvanians in this budget.” This year’s budget will see $565 million invested into schools across the state, with districts in Cepeda-Freytiz’s community seeing the following budget increases compared to last year: Reading School District: $28.5 million (9.7% increase) Wilson School District: $2.2 million (9.7% increase) Wyomissing Area School District: $171,000 (3.6% increase) Other key highlights from the budget include: Further investments in public education, school safety, special education, career training, higher education, career and technical education, STEM programs, and after school programs. Putting $200 million back in the pockets of working Pennsylvanians through the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit. Making sure everyone can afford to see a doctor when they get Read more
Heading Back to Harrisburg, Celebrating our Nation's 250th, and more! Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program Who May Apply: Family farm corporations, family farm partnerships, farm enterprises, nonprofit education institutions Use: Reduce operating expenses through practices that are ecologically beneficial, improve soil quality and fertility, improve water quality, and reduce or eliminate the need for the purchase of off-farm inputs, such as chemical or synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides. Funds: Grants may not exceed $25,000 except as provided in this subsection. An additional amount of up to $25,000 may be granted if the grantee matches that additional amount dollar for dollar so that an individual grant may not exceed $50,000 in one calendar year. Application Deadline: August 28, 2026 More information: PDA Website Department of Transportation: Career and Technical Education Grant Who May Apply: Public, private, and cyber schools, career and technical centers, youth development centers, and institutions of higher learning Use: To develop and implement new technical training curriculum or to expand existing technical training curriculum and/or delivery, relevant to the heavy highway industry Funds: The total amount of direct grant reimbursement funding available under this program is $12 million. PennDOT intends to award a single individual grant up to $500,000 per eligible applicant. Read more
Happy Independence Day - How You Can Celebrate Locally! Read more
HARRISBURG, June 30 -- Today, the United States Supreme Court upheld the Constitution and reaffirmed the guarantee of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment—protecting thousands of Pennsylvania children born each year. Every year, over 400,000 children are born to immigrant families in Pennsylvania. Today's decision reaffirms that children born in the U.S., who are raised here and pledge allegiance to our flag, are just as American as those born to citizens. This ruling ensures that these children, along with all children born on U.S. soil, will continue to be recognized as citizens with full rights and protections. “This decision affirms what we have always known: that the Constitution does not discriminate,” said Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus . “But while we celebrate today, we must remain vigilant. The rights of our communities should never be one court case away from being taken.” “The fact that this administration saw fit to challenge a founding tenant of this nation, birthright citizenship, is an indictment of a racist, nationalist governing theology,” said Rep. Napoleon Nelson, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus . “It is also a doomed governing theology that simply doesn’t understand that to be an American and to love this country does not rely on the country loving us back. America has never loved all of its Read more
Seal of Biliteracy to Become Law, Celebrating the Arts in West Reading, and more! Read more
Recognizing Venezuelan Independence Day, Meeting with Miss Pennsylvania Contestants, and more! Read more
New Funding to Celebrate the World Cup, Making Progress in Harrisburg, and more! Read more
HARRISBURG, June 8 – The Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, aimed at helping businesses with repeated sales tax filing issues become compliant and avoid falling deeper into tax delinquency. The legislation, H.B. 2300 , would require businesses that either have three non-consecutive non-filed returns or have a delinquent sales tax balance greater than $5,000 to use an authorized service provider to report and remit their sales tax. “As a former small business owner myself, I know that balancing the books is vital for every business, regardless of how well a business owner can do that themselves,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “This legislation will ensure 100% compliance with Pennsylvania’s sales tax collection and allow businesses to get back on track to continue serving our community.” Prior to her election, Cepeda-Freytiz owned Mi Casa Su Casa Café, a breakfast and lunch café in downtown Reading. The legislation would also require the Department of Revenue to cover the costs of this program for the taxpayer’s first year of enrollment. House Bill 2300 passed the House with a vote of 153-48 and will now move to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
My Bill for Natural Gas Transparency Passes Unanimously - and other Harrisburg updates! Read more
HARRISBURG, June 3 – The Pennsylvania House has unanimously passed legislation that would provide greater transparency in the release of Public Utility Commission records in response to the 2023 West Reading R.M. Palmer chocolate factory explosion that killed seven people, announced state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks. After the explosion, the PUC, under Act 156 of 2006 , was unable to give inspection reports with confidential security information to federal investigators who were seeking to find out the cause of the accident. The new proposal, H.B. 306 , would authorize the PUC to share records containing such confidential information with federal agencies investigating safety issues. “We should take every step to ensure that a tragedy like what occurred in my district in West Reading never happens again,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “Statutory obstacles delayed the creation and release of the federal report into this tragedy, and we should not have to face any delays of this manner when we are working to solve a life-or-death issue. “I am thankful to my House colleagues for taking action on this legislation, and several other natural gas safety bills I have introduced, so that families in my community are not just given words of support, but action so the loss of their loved ones are not in vain. I hope the Senate takes swift action to bring these bills to the governor’s desk.” The Read more
Touring local businesses with Governor Shapiro, Stay informed on the budget, and more... Read more
WEST READING, May 27 – State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, joined Gov. Josh Shapiro and local leaders yesterday for a tour of West Reading to announce millions of dollars in funding for main streets across Pennsylvania, including $60,000 for the West Reading Community Revitalization Fund. This funding will serve to improve the façade of the West Reading Motor Club , a restaurant based in a building that has stood at 416 Penn Ave. since 1914. The funding for the project comes from the Main Street Matters program, which serves to revitalize downtowns, support small businesses and strengthen local economies. “As a former small business owner, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to run a business. It comes with sacrifices, stress, and risks every single day,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “This investment is bringing crucial funds back into our community and shows the true impact our neighbors have made in making West Reading a destination. “I am grateful to see this funding come back to West Reading, and I will continue to advocate for more funding to support our small business community.” Cepeda-Freytiz’s full remarks at the event with the governor can be found here . Read more
Election Day approaching, Learning about urban agriculture, and more... Read more
Welcoming my Youth Council to Harrisburg, Supporting Women's Health, and more... Read more
HARRISBURG, May 4 – The Pennsylvania House has passed legislation that would establish a Commission on Children’s Vision to ensure that all students have access to eyeglasses, according to the bill’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks. House Bill 1077 would establish a commission within the Department of Health, made up of the secretaries of Education and Health, along with several healthcare and community representatives, to create a statewide plan to ensure that all students who need follow-up vision examinations have glasses and ensure this comes at little to no cost for the student or their family. “Vision problems can have lifelong impacts, especially on our students,” said Cepeda-Freytiz, who wears glasses herself. “Unaddressed vision problems can cause headaches and a lack of focus in class and can even impact grades. Many students are misidentified as having behavioral issues or are placed on IEPs when all they need are eyeglasses. “The benefits of glasses in the classroom translate to success outside of the classroom. We are working to ensure that our students have access to the resources they need to see a successful future.” The legislation is similar to the Children’s Vision Strike Force launched in Ohio in 2024, which brings together health and education professionals to ensure that students have access to eyeglasses. The bill Read more
HARRISBURG, April 29 – As Pennsylvania prepares for a busy tourism season, including major celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary, recognition of the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, and hosting several World Cup games, state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, has introduced legislation that would allow all municipalities across Pennsylvania to expand their event permits during this period. The bill, H.B. 2471 , would replicate on a statewide level similar bipartisan legislation, Act 8 of 2026 , which allows bars in Philadelphia to continue serving alcohol until 4 a.m. from June 11 to July 20, 2026. Act 8 was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro two weeks after being introduced. “Between the World Cup and America 250 celebrations, southeastern Pennsylvania alone is expected to generate $2 billion to $3 billion,” said Cepeda-Freytiz, “However, tourism will not just be contained in Philadelphia – tourists will be visiting World Cup Fan Zones in Reading, Scranton and Pittsburgh, while also visiting landmarks such as Valley Forge and Gettysburg. “If we are providing one municipality with the tools to expand its local economy, I believe every municipality should be able to prime their local events and businesses accordingly. We are set for a tourism season that will welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors, so we should act to provide the greatest experience that every part of Read more
How You Can Help Push for Natural Gas Safety - and Other Legislative Updates Read more
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1111 Penn AvenueWyomissing, PA 19610-2033
P*: (484) 577-2756
Hours of Operation - Monday through Fridays 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
We also host D.A.V Services (Disabled American Veterans) in my office every other Monday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
2850 Windmill Rd.Sinking Spring, PA 19608-1668
Hours of Operation - 1st and 3rd Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
880 Avenue AReading, PA 19601
Hours of Operation - 2nd and 4th Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
25 N. 2nd St.Reading, PA 19601-4037
Hours of Operation - every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
104A East WingMain CapitolHarrisburg, PA 17120
P*: (717) 772-1858