News Center

Let’s be patient; Make sure every vote counts

(Nov 05, 2020) Northeast Delegation

As of this writing, there are approximately 750,000 Pennsylvania votes that need to be counted. That is more than 750,000 Pennsylvanians who lawfully casted their vote and deserve to be heard. Counting every citizen’s legal, timely vote is imperative. As workers securely make progress on tallying the results, we must be patient. This process may take several days, but the integrity and sanctity of the vote in our state must be maintained. Last Fall, in a bipartisan showing, the Pennsylvania General Assembly agreed to allow for mail-in ballots. Since then, House Democrats have made many efforts to help clarify any confusion about the process and give local election boards the tools needed to securely and expeditiously process votes cast by mail. Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues chose political gamesmanship over a genuine effort to ensure a smooth election. Their inaction failed to allow for the early processing of ballots received – as 32 other states permit-- and, in turn, why there is a delay in knowing the outcome of this election. The ambiguity in the law did not address their local official’s concerns; nor does it protect every Pennsylvanian’s constitutional right to vote and our obligation to make sure those votes are counted. Now, more than ever, we must ensure that we uphold the freedoms guaranteed in our state and nation’s constitution. In these unprecedented times, the voters must have the final say, not the candidates or Read more

 

Madden: $125K grant to Pocono Heritage for local conservation project

(Oct 08, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

Madden: $125K grant to Pocono Heritage for local conservation project MONROE, Oct. 8 – State Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, said she was instrumental in getting the Pocono Heritage Land Trust a $125,000 conservation grant toward the acquisition of approximately 61.5 acres in Stroud and Hamilton townships for recreation and greenway connectivity. The grant was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “Outdoor recreation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, connects constituents to the outdoors while stimulating tourism in the Poconos,” Madden said. “The social benefits of our recreational land attractions improve fitness, enhance the quality of the environment, and help our families and neighbors connect with one another.” DCNR grants help communities and nonprofit organizations in Monroe County and across Pennsylvania acquire land for public parks and open space to be enjoyed by all for generations to come. DCNR supports land conservation and acquisition through several methods, including: The acquisition of lands that are added to state parks, state forests and state game lands. Grant funding assistance for acquisition of trail corridors, recreations areas, greenways, critical habitat and other open space by local government or nonprofit organizations. Grant funding assistance for the purchase of conservation easements. Read more

 

Rep. Maureen Madden's Black Lives Matter Newsletter

(Sep 17, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

Rep. Maureen Madden's Black Lives Matter Newsletter Read more

 

Rep Madden Back to School Newsletter

(Sep 17, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

This is my latest newsletter. Read more

 

Madden: Over $98K to Monroe County museum and cultural organizations

(Sep 15, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

MONROE, Sept. 15 – State Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, today announced that two cultural and historical organizations in Monroe County have been awarded a total of $98,393 in grant funding through the COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation grant program to offset lost revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. “This funding supports the great work being done by organizations in our area and it’s important to maintain them and keep the community thriving despite being hard hit with the COVID-19 crisis,” Madden said. The grants awarded are as follows: $73,393 to Fine Arts Discovery Series, Inc. Fine Arts Discovery Series, Inc. provides quality, culturally diverse entertainment from professional acts that bring patrons to the historic Sherman Theater. They also create a unique catalyst for economic development in the region by providing a community theatre, educational programming and performance opportunities that support local talent’s artistic and career development in music, dance, theatre, and the visual arts. $25,000 to Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm (QV) is a 115-acre family farm established by Johan Depper in 1770. Home to five generations of Deppers, the farm passed to a new owner in 1913 and was re-sold in 1958 to Read more

 

Madden Supports Bill Addressing Educational Continuity

(Sep 02, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

Pa. state Rep. Maureen Madden voted in favor of legislation that would allow students the option to continue their education and extracurricular activities for an additional year to make up for the loss of instruction and competition during the pandemic restrictions. Read more

 

Madden supports governor's plan to keep renters, homeowners safe during COVID-19 pandemic

(Sep 01, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

HARRISBURG, Sept. 1 -- State Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, joined Gov. Tom Wolf and fellow lawmakers at a news conference today to advocate for a Safe At Home package of bills designed to protect people in Monroe County and across Pennsylvania from evictions and home foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wolf called on the General Assembly to take legislative action to keep renters and homeowners in their homes. Madden, who provided remarks at the news conference, said no one should have to worry about losing the roof over their head during the COVID-19 pandemic. “ We were in a housing crisis before the COVID-19 pandemic,” Madden said. “All the virus has done is stripped away the façade and exposed the crumbling beams. Now, one in five renters and homeowners cannot make their monthly payments. Think about it. How many people live on your street? Now think about every fifth house empty. We must act now.” The bills in the Safe at Home package include: Extend the Moratorium on Evictions & Foreclosures – House Bill 2836, Sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, Rep. Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, and Rep. Summer Lee, D-Allegheny: Would give legislative approval granting Gov. Tom Wolf the ability to extend the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures. Expanding and Protecting the Rent & Mortgage Assistance Program House Read more

 

House Democrats fight to keep renters, homeowners Safe at Home

(Aug 31, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The House Democratic Housing Working Group announced a package of bills to protect people across Pennsylvania as the state’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosures expires Read more

 

Madden: Testing is Key

(Aug 19, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

During a joint public hearing with the House and Senate Education Committees on safely reopening schools, Pa. state Rep. Maureen Madden discusses the importance of increasing our testing capacity and using additional facilities like community centers to safely educate our students this fall. Read more

 

August Episode of Monroe Matters

(Aug 17, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

In the latest episode of Monroe Matters, Pa. state Rep. Maureen Madden highlights the latest COVID-19 resources, discusses her bill that would help provide relief to renters and homeowners and gives viewers an inside look at the new Pocono Organics. Read more

 

Madden and House Policy Committee hear testimony on eviction mitigation legislation

(Aug 12, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

HARRISBURG, Aug. 12 – State Reps. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, and House Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, held a hearing on tenant eviction mitigation legislation aimed at helping renters stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Madden requested the hearing because she said people are faced with hardships due to COVID-19 and fear the possibility of losing their homes. “We are on the brink of a housing crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic and we need to do everything we can to keep people in their homes,” Madden said. “Our constituents are undergoing record levels of unemployment and hourly work reductions, and they now have to face the grueling reality of paying rent. While we work to protect our essential workers and our most at-risk people, it is our responsibility to ensure they are safe in their homes.” Madden said House Democratic leadership is hearing her concerns about the eviction mitigation dilemma in Pennsylvania. “I thank Representative Madden for requesting this important hearing about her legislative package,” Sturla said. “I agree we must do everything we can to lessen the rent burden and prevent evictions during this pandemic.” The bill package to help renters by establishing the Tenant Eviction Mitigation Program would: require landlords to create a payment plan option Read more

 

Madden: $278,970 in safety grants awarded to Monroe County schools during COVID-19 pandemic

(Aug 12, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

MONROE, Aug. 12 – State Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, said that two school districts and the Monroe County Career and Technical Institute have been awarded grants as part of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funds: $144,439 - Monroe County Career and Technical Institute. $92,200 – East Stroudsburg School District. $42,331 – Stroudsburg Area School District. Madden said the grants will help the schools continue their educational curriculum, such as summer and other expanded programming for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The grant funding will help ensure that programs are current for students and that the schools are providing a relevant curriculum in a safe environment because of the COVID-19 crisis,” Madden said. Madden said GEER funding can be used towards the safe reopening of the technical institute. This may include purchasing protective equipment, hand sanitizer/cleaning products and other educational-related equipment or technology to take classrooms online. There are 80 Career Technical Institutes in Pennsylvania that offer a combination of classes and hands-on learning in programs approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Thousands of students earn industry credentials or certifications got local jobs in high demand, so they can graduate on a path for success. According to Madden, the grants are administered by the state Department of Education, with the federal funding Read more

 

Madden Hosts Policy Hearing on Eviction Mitigation

(Aug 10, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

Pa. state Rep. Maureen Madden hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing to discuss her eviction mitigation legislation. These bills would require landlords to create a payment plan option for tenants, prohibit landlords from charging late fees on rent payments, and create a landlord-tenant mediation and counseling program. Read more

 

8/10/20 – COVID-19 Eviction Mitigation Legislation – Harrisburg

(Aug 10, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

Materials from a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing held in the Capitol and co-chaired by State Rep. Maureen Madden. Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on COVID-19 eviction mitigation legislation Monday in Capitol

(Aug 06, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on COVID-19 eviction mitigation legislation introduced by state Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in the Capitol Complex. The media and public are invited to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by Madden, the hearing will collect input on her bills that would require landlords to create a payment plan option for tenants, prohibit landlords from charging late fees on rent payment, and create a landlord-tenant mediation and counseling program. Testifiers and members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Marc Stier , director, PA Budget and Policy Center. Michael Tukeva , president and CEO, Pocono Mountains United Way. Gale Schwartz , associate director for policy and strategic initiatives, Housing Alliance of PA. Andrea Custis , president and CEO, Urban League of Philadelphia. Sue Wasserkrug , program administrator, Good Shepard Mediation Program. Rasheedah Phillips , managing attorney of housing policy, Community Legal Services Inc. Vikram Patel , staff attorney, Community Legal Services Inc. Bob Damewood , staff attorney, Regional Housing Legal Services. Erin DeRosa , landlord. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at Read more

 

Madden: $565 thousand state grant to Pocono Mountain Industrial Park Authority for local project and more jobs

(Jul 14, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

MONROE, July 14 – State Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, announced today that a $585,531 Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Pipeline Investment grant has been awarded to the Pocono Mountain Industrial Park Authority. The funding will be used to extend a natural gas pipe through the Pocono Mountain Corporate South in Coolbaugh Township and the Borough of Mount Pocono. The project is expected to create 100 jobs. “ This project is crucial to spur economic development in the 115 th district,” Madden said. The pipeline extension provides us the ability to upgrade our infrastructure, generating further business opportunity in Coolbaugh Township.” Madden said the authority plans to extend natural gas to serve lots 24-27 in the Pocono Mountain Corporate Center South which encompasses 59 acres. In addition, the project is expected to attract $25 million in private investments. The total project cost is over one million dollars. The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. Read more

 

Madden: We Need Real Environmental Protection

(Jul 08, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

Pa. state Rep. Maureen Madden spoke in opposition to House Bill 2025. Favoring stronger legislation to protect the environment, Madden believes the bill doesn't provide any real measures. Read more

 

Renter and homeowner aid available

(Jun 30, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

Renters and homeowners who were financially impacted by the economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access applications for rent and mortgage relief beginning Monday, June 29. At that time, applications will be accessible from a red banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website at www.PHFA.org . Homeowners who became unemployed after March 1 or who suffered at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income due to reduced work hours and wages related to COVID-19 may be eligible for financial assistance to help with missed mortgage payments. To qualify for the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program, the applicant must be an owner-occupant of their residence, the dwelling must consist of one or two separate units, the mortgage must be at least 30 days delinquent, and the applicant-homeowner’s annual household income must not exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For renters to be eligible for financial assistance under the CARES Rent Relief Program, they will need to document at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income since March 1 related to COVID-19, or they must have become unemployed after March 1. If unemployed, they must have filed for Unemployment Compensation. Their household income cannot exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For more information Read more

 

Madden Fighting for a Just Recovery

(Jun 26, 2020) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

Many Pennsylvanians are facing hardships related to COVID-19, including the possibility of losing their home or being evicted from their apartment due to financial issues. Pa. state Reps. Maureen Madden and Mike Schlossberg are addressing this issue with a Tenant Eviction Mitigation bill package. Read more

 

Small Business Assistance grants available

(Jun 25, 2020) PA Department of Community and Economic Development

Applications are expected to be available June 30 for a new program aimed at providing critical funding to local businesses hurt by the coronavirus. Read more

 

Let’s be patient; Make sure every vote counts
Nov 05, 2020

Madden: $125K grant to Pocono Heritage for local conservation project
Oct 08, 2020

Rep. Maureen Madden's Black Lives Matter Newsletter
Sep 17, 2020

Rep Madden Back to School Newsletter
Sep 17, 2020

Madden: Over $98K to Monroe County museum and cultural organizations
Sep 15, 2020

Madden Supports Bill Addressing Educational Continuity
Sep 02, 2020

Madden supports governor's plan to keep renters, homeowners safe during COVID-19 pandemic
Sep 01, 2020

House Democrats fight to keep renters, homeowners Safe at Home
Aug 31, 2020

Madden: Testing is Key
Aug 19, 2020

August Episode of Monroe Matters
Aug 17, 2020

Madden and House Policy Committee hear testimony on eviction mitigation legislation
Aug 12, 2020

Madden: $278,970 in safety grants awarded to Monroe County schools during COVID-19 pandemic
Aug 12, 2020

Madden Hosts Policy Hearing on Eviction Mitigation
Aug 10, 2020

8/10/20 – COVID-19 Eviction Mitigation Legislation – Harrisburg
Aug 10, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on COVID-19 eviction mitigation legislation Monday in Capitol
Aug 06, 2020

Madden: $565 thousand state grant to Pocono Mountain Industrial Park Authority for local project and more jobs
Jul 14, 2020

Madden: We Need Real Environmental Protection
Jul 08, 2020

Renter and homeowner aid available
Jun 30, 2020

Madden Fighting for a Just Recovery
Jun 26, 2020

Small Business Assistance grants available
Jun 25, 2020