Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation held a press conference at Abraham Lincoln High School in Northeast Philadelphia, calling on the PA Senate to pass funding for public transit. Read more

Beginning Aug. 4, PECO customers will be able to apply for assistance through the temporary PECO Customer Relief Fund. Read more

Legislation establishing consortium, fellowship to strengthen community news Read more

“Our systems are meeting the moment and addressing every single concern that Republicans are bringing up. The one thing that I need them to shift on is actually funding the actual system like it should be funded,” (Cephas) said. Read more

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

The SEPTA senior fare cards have a shelf life from the manufacturer, SEPTA says. Read more

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

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

HARRISBURG, July 8 - Today, the Pennsylvania House passed legislation ( H.B. 1668 ) introduced by state Rep. Anthony Bellmon, D-Phila., which would permit Philadelphia to establish a property tax abatement program for the retrofitting of fire sprinkler systems in residential high-rises. All residential high-rise buildings in Philadelphia built after 1991 must have fire sprinkler systems, and all commercial buildings must be retrofitted with sprinkler systems. However, this requirement does not exist for residential high-rise buildings that were built before 1991. “When there's a fire, sprinkler systems can save lives and protect property. Unfortunately, older residential high-rise buildings in Philadelphia aren't required to have these systems, putting thousands of residents at risk,” Bellmon said. “The safety of a building and its residents shouldn’t be determined by the year it was built, and for that reason, I am glad to see my bill pass the House.” It is estimated that over 26,000 Philadelphians live in residential buildings greater than six-stories high that are not equipped with fire sprinkler systems. The program would allow the city to establish the timelines and define which residential high-rise structures within the city are eligible for the abatement. House Bill 1668 now heads to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration. Read more