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House passes bipartisan bill to reform and streamline ignition interlock program

(Oct 28, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 1862 with a unanimous vote. This bipartisan legislation, jointly authored by state Reps. Ed Neilson, majority chair of the House Transportation Committee, and Kerry Benninghoff, minority chair of the committee, would reform and streamline administrative procedures related to the ignition interlock program. Currently, certain first-time and repeat DUI offenders with high blood alcohol content have their driver’s licenses suspended and are subject to the ignition interlock program. An ignition interlock is a breathalyzer used for certain DUI offenses; it’s installed in a vehicle to prevent it from starting or running if the driver’s alcohol level exceeds certain limits. Neilson said that slow processing times and bureaucratic delays have made it common for drivers to wait months before being approved for an interlock license. As a result, these devices are often left on vehicles far past the initial court sentence costing drivers hundreds of dollars in extra fees and employment opportunities, which counters the program’s goal of prevention and rehabilitation. Neilson stressed that driving under the influence is a serious crime that can have deadly consequences: “DUI offenders know the risk they take and should be held accountable for their reckless decision with serious penalties, including an ignition Read more

 

Rivera, Neilson legislation for a teacher-supplies tax credit referred out of committee

(Oct 28, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Legislation to establish a tax credit for educators with out-of-pocket expenses, co-sponsored by state Reps. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, and Ed Neilson, D-Phila., was referred from the House Finance Committee this morning, 25-1. The legislation would provide a $100 refundable tax credit to teachers who spend their own money on classroom supplies and equipment. It would complement the $300 federal tax deduction for the purchase of unreimbursed classroom supplies. The tax credit proposal would be administered separately from the federal deduction to ensure Pennsylvania teachers always have this option available to them. “Our teachers give so much of themselves to educate our kids, and unfortunately this includes a good portion of their paychecks for necessary school supplies so their students can learn,” Rivera said. “I know from over 30 years of teaching experience in Lancaster County public schools that teaching is not a highly paid profession and school budgets don’t have enough funds to cover all the classroom expenses. This bill would recognize teachers’ financial sacrifice by establishing a $100 tax credit for unreimbursed classroom supplies.” According to Rivera, teachers across the country have reported that school budgets are insufficient to cover all classroom needs, so they’ve had to pay out of pocket for books, pens, paper, cleaning supplies, prizes, snacks, decorations, hand Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 27, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS PennDOT: Green Light-Go Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and planning organizations. Use: To improve existing traffic control signals, such as LED replacement, traffic signal retiming, and studies, among other projects. Funds: Up to $40 million is available and projects require a 20% match. Application Deadline: Pre-application scoping forms will be accepted until January 2, 2026. PennDOT will provide comments by February 28, 2026. The full application window will be between March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026. More information: PennDOT website Conservation and Natural Resources: Volunteer Fire Assistance Who May Apply: Volunteer fire companies in rural areas or communities under 10,000 in population Use: To prevent, control, and suppress the threat of wildfires through the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment, wildfire protective gear, mobile radios, installation of dry hydrants, wildfire training, or wildfire prevention and mitigation Funds: Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The maximum grant for 2025 is $15,000. Application Deadline: December 31, 2025 More information: DCNR Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, Read more

 

Neilson issues statement on fire risks in SEPTA railcar fleet

(Oct 06, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

After the National Transportation Safety Board urged the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to act on safety recommendations to reduce the risk of future fire incidents on its Silverliner IV railcars, state Rep. Ed Neilson, chair of the House Transportation Committee, made the following statement: “While I’m thankful that the NTSB identified the problem posing risks to public safety and SEPTA is acting quickly to inspect and remove affected railcars, this is the exact reason that House Democrats fought for a long-term, comprehensive funding plan for public transit across the commonwealth,” Neilson said. “We passed bipartisan legislation multiple times in the House that would have provided long-term, sustainable funding for all mass transit systems and kept SEPTA from having to use its capital funds to operate. SEPTA’s capital fund should be for situations like this – to mitigate any public safety risk – not for daily operations. “I am working closely with SEPTA, House Democratic leadership and Governor Shapiro’s office to determine the next step in fixing this crisis, but if a long-term funding solution isn’t a part of the conversation, this will continue to happen to transit agencies across Pennsylvania. “We need a long-term, comprehensive funding plan for transit agencies in all 67 counties, as well as for roads and bridges.” Read more

 

Neilson bill to speed up road and bridge projects advances with bipartisan support

(Oct 01, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – Today, the PA House voted 191-12 to pass H.B. 1608, bipartisan legislation introduced by state Rep. Ed Neilson, chair of the PA House Transportation Committee, and state Rep. James Struzzi, R-Indiana. The bill would allow PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission to use Design-Build Best Value procurement to allow these agencies to complete road and bridge projects faster and more efficiently throughout Pennsylvania. Design-Build Best Value procurement is an innovative tool that awards contracts to firms that would provide the “best value” in terms of saving costs and time. Currently, because of a 2011 Commonwealth Court decision, all contract construction work must be completed by the lowest bidder, even if they are the least qualified for the project. Neilson stated: “As the cost of maintaining our vast transportation infrastructure continues to rise, we need to find innovative ways to ensure these projects are completed by the most qualified team and in a timely manner to avoid frustrating drivers with long construction projects. “DBBV is used successfully in many states and has shown to speed up construction and reduce costs,” the lawmaker continued. House bill 1608 now moves to the PA Senate for consideration. Last session, similar legislation passed the House with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 189-14, Read more

 

Neilson bill to protect consumers’ personal information online passes Pa. House

(Oct 01, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

“Many people who shop online or even just browse the internet don’t realize that with each click, they could be giving away sensitive data that is sold to a third party or used nefariously. Consumers have a right to privacy, and online shopping shouldn’t be exempt from that,” Neilson said. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 16, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Urban Agricultural Infrastructure Grant Who May Apply: A person may apply to the Department for a grant for an eligible project in an urban municipality. Use: To improve urban agricultural infrastructure in an urban area, improve or facilitate the aggregation of agricultural products in an urban area, entail the sharing of resources among urban agricultural entities or community organizations, and/or support community development in the project area. Funds: $500,000 is expected to be available contingent on the 2025-26 budget. Application Deadline: October 31, 2025 More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin 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 Read more

 

Neilson statement on continued inaction from PA Senate on mass transit funding

(Sep 10, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

“Today’s transit bills approved by the Senate only affect the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Agency and Pittsburgh Regional Transit without providing any additional funding to them or the other mass transit systems across the commonwealth. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 10, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Who May Apply: All fire companies, emergency medical services, and volunteer rescue squads Use: Facility improvements, equipment purchases, debt reduction, training, education, and recruitment and retention Funds: Grants will be not less than $2,500 and not more than $20,000 per applicant fire company and no more than $15,000 per applicant emergency medical service. Application Deadline: October 20, 2025 More information: OSFC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Who May Apply: Counties, county jails/county work release centers, Single County Authorities, and/or County Behavioral Health Administrators. Use: To support counties seeking to increase opportunities to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in combination with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to individuals in county jails and work release centers and upon release to the community. Funds: A total of $1,130,905 in federal Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds is being announced to support this initiative. RSAT funds require a 25 percent cash or in-kind match. The applicant’s source for the cash match must be state or local funds. Federal funds may not be used to meet the match requirement. PCCD expects to fund approximately five grants with budgets not to Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 03, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the Budget: Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Who May Apply: Applicants must have been previously itemized in a Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Use: Applicants can use funds for the purposes prescribed in the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Funds: Varied. Application Deadline: September 23, 2025 More information: OB website Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Statewide Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, or councils of government. Non-profits may partner with an eligible applicant to apply on their behalf. Use: Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization. Funds: The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest. Grant requests must be at a minimum $25,000 and no more than $1,000,000. Application Deadline: November 30, 2025 More information: DCED Website Department of Agriculture: Agriculture and Youth Organization Grant Program Who May Apply: Agriculture and youth organizations, Read more

 

SEPTA Service Impacts to our community

(Aug 22, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

See how SEPTA's service cuts will impact your commute Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Aug 19, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Environmental Education Grant Program Who May Apply: Schools, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, businesses, and other eligible entities. Use: Delivery of meaningful environmental education projects to improve understanding of natural resources and cultivate critical thinking and environmental stewardship for sustainable resource management. Funds: 5% of the pollution fines and penalties collected annually by DEP are used for Environmental Education grants. There are three grant ranges that include grants up to $5,000, grants between $5,001 and $30,000, and grants between $30,001 and $65,000. Application Deadline: November 14, 2025 More information: DEP 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: Read more

 

How will your SEPTA route be impacted?

(Aug 12, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

How will your route be impacted? The map and tables below show how service will be modified on each route in August 2025 and January 2026 if funding is not obtained. Read more

 

As school nears, public transit cuts loom over students and families who rely on SEPTA

(Aug 12, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

For Autumn Fingerhood, a single mother who works three jobs, public transportation is the reason her 15-year-old daughter can get to school and back every day. However, the bus her daughter relies on is slated to be cut in a matter of weeks if Pennsylvania’s Republican-led Senate doesn’t quickly pass a state budget or a separate standalone bill with funding for mass transit. Read more

 

House Passes fifth funding package for public transit and roads

(Aug 11, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

Today, the House passed H.B. 1788, authored by state Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila. This is the fifth time that the House has passed legislation that would fund public transit across Pennsylvania and repairs for our roads and bridges. The bill would require new oversight and accountability requirements for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, which Senate Republicans demanded be included in any bill. Both authorities have agreed to enhanced safety measures and increased penalties for fare evasion. State Rep. Ed Neilson , majority chair of the House Transportation Committee, said the following: “This bill has everything that Senate Republicans have been demanding for them to move transit funding. This isn’t about dollars and cents, this is about the hardworking people of Pennsylvania – it’s about the parents who use SEPTA to get to their jobs, it’s about their kids who use public transit to get to school. “It’s about the seniors who will lose access to transportation for important medical appointments and medicine. SEPTA alone moves a million people a day – this isn’t about us – it’s about the people who elected us to be their voice in Harrisburg. “We need Senate Republicans to get the message that this won’t just hurt cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, it will affect their districts and the Read more

 

House Transportation Committee OKs public transit funding for fifth time

(Aug 07, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

The bill would increase the existing allocation of Sales and Use Tax to the PTTF from 4.4% to 6.15% to provide approximately $292.5 million for public transit throughout the commonwealth while authorizing the bonding of $325 million for PennDOT, through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, to maintain roads and bridges. Read more

 

Pa. House Democratic statement on SEPTA service cuts

(Aug 06, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

The only issue remaining is: will senators allow their leaders to hold Pennsylvania’s economy and the livelihoods of millions hostage? Read more

 

Transportation Chairs Reach Across the Aisle to Warn Pennsylvanians About Scam Messages

(Jul 29, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

“If you are suspicious about any message, email or phone call you receive,” House Transportation Committee Transportation Chairman Ed Neilson said. "Make sure you err on the side of caution and verify the legitimacy of the call before making a payment, clicking a link or giving away personal information.” Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jul 22, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Broadband Development Authority: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Who May Apply: Cooperative organizations, non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, private companies, public or private utility companies, public utility districts, municipalities or units of local government, internet service providers registered through the FCC Use: Deploying and/or upgrading broadband network facilities, data collection, broadband mapping and broadband planning Funds: Pennsylvania received $1,161,778,242 in federal funding pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This is the second round of BEAD funding. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount for any project Application Deadline: August 1, 2025 More information: PBDA Website Historical & Museum Commission: Cultural and Historical Support Grants Who May Apply: Museums located in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person or an official county historical society. Use: To strengthen Pennsylvania’s museums and allow applicants to determine how to use funds for operating expenses Funds: Grant awards range from $2,500 to $65,000 Application Deadline: August 22, 2025 More information: PHMC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Sequential Intercept Model Training Initiative (SIM) Read more

 

Small Business Funding and Support Opportunities in Philadelphia

(Jul 18, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

Small Business Funding and Support Opportunities in Philadelphia Below is an overview of several programs offered by the Department of Commerce to support small businesses in Philadelphia. The Mayor’s Business Action Team within the Department of Commerce offers personalized guidance for any business in Philadelphia who wants to be connected to resources and programs. The Mayor’s Business Action Team can be contacted by emailing business@phila.gov or calling (215) 683-2100. The Mayor’s Business Action Team also provides personalized assistance in multiple languages to entrepreneurs for all aspects of doing business in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund is a recent $5 million investment designed to accelerate the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the city. Support includes funding and strategic guidance. Grants of up to $50,000 per business are awarded based on demonstrated need, growth potential, and economic impact. Eligibility: Businesses that generated no more than $2 million in revenue in 2024 Business must be located in Philadelphia and registered and licensed with the City of Philadelphia Business must be up to date on City taxes or have an approved tax payment agreement with the City Business must be able to accelerate business goals with targeted funding and support Must show strong growth potential Read more

 

House passes bipartisan bill to reform and streamline ignition interlock program
Oct 28, 2025

Rivera, Neilson legislation for a teacher-supplies tax credit referred out of committee
Oct 28, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 27, 2025

Neilson issues statement on fire risks in SEPTA railcar fleet
Oct 06, 2025

Neilson bill to speed up road and bridge projects advances with bipartisan support
Oct 01, 2025

Neilson bill to protect consumers’ personal information online passes Pa. House
Oct 01, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 16, 2025

Neilson statement on continued inaction from PA Senate on mass transit funding
Sep 10, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 10, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 03, 2025

SEPTA Service Impacts to our community
Aug 22, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Aug 19, 2025

How will your SEPTA route be impacted?
Aug 12, 2025

As school nears, public transit cuts loom over students and families who rely on SEPTA
Aug 12, 2025

House Passes fifth funding package for public transit and roads
Aug 11, 2025

House Transportation Committee OKs public transit funding for fifth time
Aug 07, 2025

Pa. House Democratic statement on SEPTA service cuts
Aug 06, 2025

Transportation Chairs Reach Across the Aisle to Warn Pennsylvanians About Scam Messages
Jul 29, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 22, 2025

Small Business Funding and Support Opportunities in Philadelphia
Jul 18, 2025