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

(Jul 17, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Here are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. Read more

 

Guenst and Briggs secure over $15 million to remove PFAs from local wells, water supply

(Jul 16, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HATBORO, July 16 – State Reps. Nancy Guenst and Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, announced that Aqua Pennsylvania has been awarded $15,235,000 in funding to remove PFAs from the drinking water and improve their wells, tanks and buildings at two Montgomery County water treatment facilities. This funding will serve to make it easier to eliminate two kinds of PFAs, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate, from southeastern Pennsylvania drinking water. Testing by Aqua Pennsylvania detected PFAs, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in the water at the Cabot Well and Hall Road facilities. “This funding will be able to benefit both our public health and the health of our infrastructure,” said Guenst. “Aqua Pennsylvania will now be able to stop the emergence of a known contaminant, while also improving their ability to provide clean water to our community.” “Clean, safe drinking water is a basic necessity, and this funding is a critical step toward protecting the health of our communities,” said Briggs. “I’m pleased to see Aqua Pennsylvania taking action to eliminate harmful PFAs from the Cabot Well and Hall Road facilities. Investments like this will ensure that Upper Merion and the surrounding areas have access to water that meets the highest safety standards.” The funding will support an $8,235,000 project in Briggs’ district on the Read more

 

Kinkead introduces bipartisan bill to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis

(Jul 16, 2025) Rep. Emily Kinkead

HARRISBURG, July 16 — Reps. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Abby Major, R-Armstrong/Westmoreland, have introduced a bipartisan bill to legalize recreational cannabis for adult use in Pennsylvania. House Bill 20 would establish a stable, well-regulated cannabis market that prioritizes public safety and public health, protects children from exposure, promotes social justice and fosters economic opportunity. “By failing to legalize, Pennsylvania is sending millions in needed revenue to other states and failing to address generations of injustice done in communities as a result of the criminalization of recreational cannabis,” Kinkead said. “This bipartisan legislation was crafted with considerable input from stakeholders at every level and reflects the strong support for legalization among Pennsylvanians.” Kinkead said the bill would boost local economies and create more than 30,000 new jobs, while also creating a much-needed new revenue stream for the state. “Representative Kinkead and I have worked diligently to craft a piece of legislation that we believe both parties can get behind using lessons learned from the other 24 states that have already done so,” Major said. “Anyone who believes in personal liberty and fiscal responsibility for Pennsylvania should support the legalization of adult-use cannabis.” Key features of the bill include: Independent regulation Read more

 

Bipartisan flood risk disclosure bill advances

(Jul 15, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, July 15 – – A bipartisan group of state lawmakers from the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force -- state Reps. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, and David Zimmerman, R-Berks/Lancaster, along with state Sens. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks, and Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming -- announced the advancement of legislation that would give Pennsylvania homebuyers information regarding flood risks when purchasing residential property. House Bill 1704 , introduced by Warren and Zimmerman and approved unanimously by the House Insurance Committee, would require home sellers to disclose critical flood-related information to prospective buyers. The legislation is based on recommendations made by the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force, which was created through legislation introduced by Warren and Santarsiero and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro. “This bill would alert prospective buyers of residential real property of the existence of a potential risk of flood damage,” said Warren, who chairs the House Insurance Committee, “and would ensure that prospective home buyers are aware of a property’s history of flooding or flood insurance requirements so they can consider flood risk and the availability of flood insurance coverage.” House Bill 1704 would require sellers to disclose: Whether a property has previously Read more

 

Kenyatta:  Senate must move budget, critical bills to keep PA afloat

(Jul 15, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta released a statement regarding House passage of a General Appropriations bill as part of the state budget: “While this isn’t the complete budget – we still must approve fiscal legislation for the funding of our public schools – this portion of the budget bill shows my commitment to my constituents and the great people throughout Pennsylvania. “Now it’s the Senate’s turn to not only move this bill but other budget bills, including funding for mass transit. Even though I have voted for SEPTA funding, the bill languishes in the state Senate. We have tried to compromise, especially with the latest transit funding bill that passed the House, which could provide funding for public transit agencies and maintain our vast network of roads and bridges, all without raising taxes. “Sadly, the inaction of the state Senate has caused turmoil and uncertainty for SEPTA and Philadelphians. We are now officially two weeks behind the July 1 deadline for our state budget, and both they and schools throughout Pennsylvania are in the difficult position of making unpopular decisions to keep running. “My colleagues and I in the Pennsylvania House did our part as mandated by the constitution. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress. I will continue to fight for my constituents to ensure their voices are heard. This will require the state Senate to come back to work and do the job they were elected to do Read more

 

PA House approves Cephas bill to protect older homeowners

(Jul 15, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the PA House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., to protect homeowners from unknowingly losing their home and generational wealth. Senior citizens and other homeowners on a fixed income often refinance their home utilizing a reverse mortgage based on the benefit of an immediate financial gain without fully understanding the long-term outcome of the agreement. House Bill 1466 would ensure that anyone entering this type of transaction receives face-to-face financial counseling to make homeowners aware of the risks associated with a reverse mortgage. Read more

 

Schlossberg: Proud of the progress this budget provides for Pennsylvanians

(Jul 14, 2025) Rep. Mike Schlossberg

“I am proud of the progress we continue to make in moving further than ever before as we secure fair funding for Parkland and Allentown schools, invest in critically needed mental health care, reduce costs for Pennsylvanians, and fight to get stuff done in Pennsylvania,” said Schlossberg. “While this is not a finished product, it takes us one step further in the budget conversation, and I hope that our passage of a budget will continue to remind our friends in the Senate of where our priorities lie – and of our ability to compromise.” Read more

 

Probst bill to increase awareness of 988 hotline passes Pa. House

(Jul 14, 2025) Rep. Tarah Probst

“Too many Pennsylvanians, especially in rural and underserved communities, still don’t know that help is just a call or text away by dialing 988 to speak to a trained counselor 24 hours a day,” said Probst. Read more

 

Shusterman’s third Juvenile Justice bill passes House

(Jul 14, 2025) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Shusterman’s three juvenile justice bills will make improvements to the Commonwealth’s juvenile detention system. The other two bills were passed by the House last week Read more

 

Venkat: Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians face higher premiums, lost insurance, medical debt & bankruptcy under federal cuts

(Jul 14, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, July 14 – State Rep. Dr. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, issued the below statement on the potential loss of health insurance for nearly a half-million people if federal Medicaid cuts impact premium tax credits currently subsidizing people who get their health insurance from Pennie and the Affordable Care Act. “As an emergency physician, I have seen what happens when people lose health insurance and fall into medical debt when they become ill. Patients fear seeking necessary health care and present later in illness and sicker than they should. I have unfortunately even seen patients die from fears of medical debt hanging over them. No one chooses to have medical debt -- it happens unexpectedly when one becomes ill at the worst time imaginable. No one thinks this is a positive feature of our health care system. “I have spoken out about the threat to Medicaid from the federal reconciliation bill. But there is a more immediate threat to the health of all Pennsylvanians from this legislation. “Nearly half a million Pennsylvanians get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act through the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange, or PENNIE. These are middle- and working-class folks who can afford health insurance because of enhanced premium tax credits from the federal government reducing their costs. This benefits all of us as when more people are insured, those costs do not get shifted onto those with Read more

 

Shusterman passes two Juvenile Justice bills in state House

(Jul 10, 2025) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

“Our children – all of our children - are our future. And that absolutely includes the children who go through our juvenile detention system,” said Shusterman. “As legislators, we are responsible for ensuring the support, development, and safety of young people who are placed in the custody of the Commonwealth. We must invest in these children to ensure they are equipped to have successful futures -- where they will participate in our economy and contribute meaningfully in their communities.” Read more

 

Judiciary Committee advances six measures

(Jul 09, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Tim Briggs D-Montgomery County www.pahouse.com/Briggs Judiciary Committee advances six measures HARRISBURG, July 9 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, announced today that several bipartisan bills and resolutions have been reported out of the committee and are now headed to the full House for further consideration. “These measures reflect our continued commitment to transparency, equity, and the fair administration of justice,” Briggs said. “From improving access to unclaimed property for families to strengthening accountability and conditions within our corrections system, each of these proposals addresses real and pressing needs in our Commonwealth.” Legislation advancing from the Judiciary committee Includes: House Bill 1176 – Sponsored by Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, this bill would raise the threshold for filing claims on unclaimed property using a notarized affidavit from $11,000 to $20,000. The measure updates Pennsylvania’s rules to reflect current economic realities and aligns with practices in other states that have streamlined small estate claims. Senate Bill 520 – Sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming, this legislation Read more

 

Solomon legislation to improve Keystone STARS passes House

(Jul 09, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the PA House passed bipartisan legislation authored by state Reps. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., and Tom Mehaffie, R-Dauphin, to improve the Keystone STARS program. Keystone STARS is the rating system by which Pennsylvania families are informed about whether a childcare provider and employees are qualified to keep their children safe – both physically and mentally. House Bill 1600 would require an update to the Keystone STARS system to allow work experience to count in improving a provider’s STAR ranking. “Work experience should be counted when childcare employees and providers are evaluated to receive ‘STAR Status,’ Solomon stated. “Hard work and a passion for guiding children and helping them grow must be rewarded.” “Keystone STARS ratings help families make informed choices about care facilities within their communities. It is a fantastic program in need of updates,” Mehaffie said. The second component of the bill would encourage childcare providers to educate families about the program, allowing them to advertise their “STARs” on their front doors and websites. “Parents deserve to know that their children will be safe and have the highest quality of care,” Solomon said. The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration. Read more

 

Burns bill to fight fraud and protect taxpayers passes state House

(Jul 09, 2025) Rep. Frank Burns

HARRISBURG, July 9 – Those who defraud Pennsylvania and its taxpayers on a large scale should be worried about state Rep. Frank Burns' bill that passed the House today, which would allow for civil lawsuits to recoup any ill-gotten funds. A staunch advocate for rooting out financial waste, fraud and abuse, Burns, D-Cambria, is author of H.B. 1697 which seeks to enact a false claims law in Pennsylvania -- allowing the state attorney general to seek repayment of any government money obtained by submitting false information. "While the attorney general is already empowered to criminally prosecute fraudsters, my bill would add the ability to file civil suits to the AG's arsenal, providing a mechanism to recoup misappropriated taxpayer money," Burns said. "Examples would be hospitals or doctors billing Medicaid for procedures that were not performed or contractors charging for work on state projects that was never done. "It's not enough to send these bad actors to jail while leaving millions on the table," Burns said. "We need to make sure that every last nickel pilfered from the taxpayers via deception is recouped, so it can be properly spent improving the lives of Pennsylvanians." ______________________________________________________________________________ "It's not enough to send these bad actors to jail while leaving millions on the table," Burns said. "We Read more

 

Shusterman’s child custody modification bill passes House

(Jul 09, 2025) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

“This bill balances the need to protect children as well as parents involved in custody disputes,” Shusterman said. “Often, one party uses the modification process to harass the other party. This bill takes a step to protect people from having to incur the cost of responding to a serial filer that is using the legal system to abuse the other party.” Read more

 

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

(Jul 08, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the PA House Transportation Committee voted unanimously to advance H.B. 1608, bipartisan legislation authored by state Rep. Ed Neilson, chair of the Transportation Committee, and state Rep. James Struzzi, R-Indiana, for a vote on the House floor. 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 House floor for a vote. Last session, similar legislation passed the House with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 189-14, but it never received a final vote in the Senate. Read more

 

Ciresi’s ‘Click to Cancel’ legislation passes House

(Jul 08, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, July 8 – Legislation aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania consumer protections for online subscriptions, sponsored by Rep. Joe Ciresi, overwhelmingly passed the House today (181-22). “My House Bill 1299 would empower Pennsylvania’s consumers by creating a ‘click to cancel’ rule to make it easy for them to cancel unwanted subscriptions online instead of having to speak with a customer service representative and listen to lengthy sales pitches when they just want to terminate an unwanted subscription quickly,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would also require clarity and transparency in online subscription contracts, so consumers know about the ‘strings’ attached to free gifts and trial periods.” Ciresi’s bill would amend the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by requiring businesses which offer automatic renewals to: Provide renewal terms, cancellation policy, and how to cancel in a “clear and conspicuous Manner.” Provide a clear and conspicuous explanation of the price that will be charged after a free trial ends and the deadline by which a consumer must cancel to avoid being charged. Allow a customer who signs up online to cancel online (“click to cancel”). Disclose any material changes in the automatic renewal in a clear and conspicuous manner that can also be retained by the consumer. Not intentionally misrepresent automatic Read more

 

How the Big Bad Bill hurts you and every Pennsylvanian

(Jul 08, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Lawmakers with expertise in health care, food aid, school funding, energy costs and other topics talk about how defunding those core government functions to pay for tax breaks for billionaires will bust the state’s budget and lead to massive cuts in services. Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee approves fraud, waste and abuse bill

(Jul 08, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, July 7 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the PA House Judiciary Committee, announced today that the committee has approved H.B. 1697 along partisan lines, the Taxpayer Protection Against Fraud Act. The legislation, introduced by state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria), now moves to the full House for further consideration. “This is a commonsense, taxpayer-first bill that will finally give Pennsylvania the tools we need to crack down on fraud and recover millions in misused public funds,” Briggs said. “This legislation empowers both the Attorney General and private whistleblowers to expose fraud against the Commonwealth and hold bad actors accountable.” Pennsylvania remains the largest state in the nation without a state-level false claims law. This legislative gap has cost the Commonwealth untold sums in unrecovered taxpayer dollars and limited its ability to fully participate in federal fraud recoveries. Modeled after the federal False Claims Act, H.B. 1697 would allow private individuals—whistleblowers with direct knowledge of fraud—to file lawsuits on behalf of the Commonwealth. It includes strong legal protections against retaliation and incentivizes individuals to come forward by allowing them to share in any financial recovery. The House Judiciary Committee will hold its next meeting at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 9 in Room 60 East Wing of the state Capitol. Read more

 

House passes Freeman bill to create factory/mill revitalization tax credit

(Jul 08, 2025) Rep. Robert L. Freeman

"Repurposing an old factory or mill for retail, office or arts space, or transforming them into dwellings, encourages economic development and improves the quality of life of a community,” Freeman said. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 17, 2025

Guenst and Briggs secure over $15 million to remove PFAs from local wells, water supply
Jul 16, 2025

Kinkead introduces bipartisan bill to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis
Jul 16, 2025

Bipartisan flood risk disclosure bill advances
Jul 15, 2025

Kenyatta:  Senate must move budget, critical bills to keep PA afloat
Jul 15, 2025

PA House approves Cephas bill to protect older homeowners
Jul 15, 2025

Schlossberg: Proud of the progress this budget provides for Pennsylvanians
Jul 14, 2025

Probst bill to increase awareness of 988 hotline passes Pa. House
Jul 14, 2025

Shusterman’s third Juvenile Justice bill passes House
Jul 14, 2025

Venkat: Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians face higher premiums, lost insurance, medical debt & bankruptcy under federal cuts
Jul 14, 2025

Shusterman passes two Juvenile Justice bills in state House
Jul 10, 2025

Judiciary Committee advances six measures
Jul 09, 2025

Solomon legislation to improve Keystone STARS passes House
Jul 09, 2025

Burns bill to fight fraud and protect taxpayers passes state House
Jul 09, 2025

Shusterman’s child custody modification bill passes House
Jul 09, 2025

Neilson bill to speed up road and bridge projects advances with bipartisan support
Jul 08, 2025

Ciresi’s ‘Click to Cancel’ legislation passes House
Jul 08, 2025

How the Big Bad Bill hurts you and every Pennsylvanian
Jul 08, 2025

House Judiciary Committee approves fraud, waste and abuse bill
Jul 08, 2025

House passes Freeman bill to create factory/mill revitalization tax credit
Jul 08, 2025