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Pielli praises St. Agnes Day Room resolution

(Feb 24, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“I am extremely happy to hear that County Health Department officials and the good folks of the St. Agnes Day Room have come upon a working solution to enable the Day Room staff to continue their 32-year-old mission of providing refuge and support to many who have nowhere else to turn,” Pielli said. “As a previous program director for homeless veterans, I learned firsthand that these dedicated volunteers have worked strenuously to help alleviate the dangerous rise of food insecurity in our community, helping folks not only survive but succeed. Read more

 

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

(Feb 19, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: PA Small Water and Sewer Program Who May Apply: Municipalities or a municipal authority Use: Projects that involve the construction, improvement, expansion, repair, or rehabilitation of a water supply system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, or flood control projects that are owned and maintained by an eligible applicant. Funds: Projects must have a total cost of not less than $30,000 and not more than $500,000. A total of $50 million was allocated in the fiscal year 2024/25 Fiscal Code. Application Deadline: April 30, 2025 More information: CFA Website Commonwealth Financing Authority: Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program Who May Apply: Municipalities, Councils of Governments, Authorized Organizations, Institutions of Higher Education, Watershed Organizations, for profit businesses. Use: Planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects. Funds: Grant requests shall not exceed $250,000. Application Deadline: May 31, 2025 More information: CFA Website Commonwealth Financing Authority: Baseline Water Quality Data Program Who May Apply: Municipalities, Councils of Governments, Authorized Organizations, Institutions of Higher Education, Watershed Organizations, for profit businesses. Use: Eligible Read more

 

Pielli’s statement on possible closure of St. Agnes Day Room

(Feb 12, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“As a past Homeless Veterans Program Director, I learned and greatly appreciate that the St. Agnes Day Room has been faithfully serving and feeding the hungry for over 32 years, offering refuge and support to many who have nowhere else to turn,” Pielli said. Read more

 

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

(Feb 11, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: All-Terrian Vehicle and Snowmobile Program Who May Apply: Municipalities, non-profit and for-profit organizations Use: All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile projects include the planning, acquisition of land, development, rehabilitation, maintenance, purchase of equipment for maintenance and construction, and development of educational programs related to ATV and/or snowmobile trails and facilities. Funds: Funding comes from the ATV Management Restricted Account and the Snowmobile Restricted Account as authorized by Act 97 of 2016. There is no match requirement for this funding; however, applications that provide match funding will be given additional consideration. Application Deadline: March 31, 2025 More information: DCNR Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Medical & MH Pilots for CSA Victims Who May Apply: Any for-profit entity, non-profit entity, an entity affiliated with a CAC or MDIT (e.g., public agency or hospital), or unit of local government. Schools (including colleges and universities) are considered governmental units and are eligible to apply. Use: The goal of this specific solicitation is to support the development and implementation of innovative pilot projects that enhance or expand medical and mental health services for Read more

 

Pielli’s location-based pay resolution approved by State Government Committee

(Feb 04, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“Cost-of-living varies considerably in Pennsylvania, with southeastern Pennsylvania being particularly more expensive than the rest of the state” Pielli said. “However, wages for state government employees do not factor in these local differences. As a result, state agencies struggle with the hiring and retention of employees in regions with a higher cost-of-living, such as southeastern Pennsylvania. For example, state workers like our PennDOT road crews can't afford to live in the region with the wages we are paying. This has resulted in a significant decline of road crew personnel leaving our state roads in serious disrepair. If we want to attract the best talent, wages must remain competitive.” Read more

 

Pielli announces $200,000 in CFA Grants

(Jan 28, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“Pennsylvania has a multitude of important waterways that run through our communities, supplying millions of Pennsylvanians with clean drinking water. Unfortunately, too many of our waterways are being polluted by untreated stormwater runoff. Infrastructure upgrades are necessary to keep things running smoothly in West Chester,” Pielli said. “If one storm drain fails, it creates a domino effect of bigger problems that range from minor nuisance to major safety hazard. I thank the Commonwealth Financing Authority and state Sen. Carolyn Comitta for making these repairs possible.” Read more

 

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

(Jan 23, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Victims of Crime Act 2025-2027 Who May Apply: Agencies currently receiving federal Victims of Crime Act funding. Use: The federal VOCA guidelines classify eligible activities/costs into three categories: direct service costs, activities supporting direct services, and subrecipient administrative costs. The federal VOCA guidelines can be found in the Federal Register at: Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Program . Funds: This solicitation is for approximately $53.9 million in federal VOCA funds for the first year with year two amounts being determined at the November 2025 Victims Services Advisory Committee (VSCA) meeting. PCCD expects to fund approximately 157 grants. Applicants will be required to submit a continuation application for year two. Application Deadline: March 14, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Department of Health: WalkWorks Active Transportation Planning Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and metropolitan and rural planning organizations. Priority will be given to communities located in PA DOH State Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) priority counties or with an overall percentile rating above 60 in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) PennEnviroScreen Tool. The 10 current SPAN target counties are: Clearfield, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Northumberland, and Philadelphia. Use: Funds will be Read more

 

District Deliberations: January 2025 Edition

(Jan 23, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

Hi Folks, We hope this January edition of District Deliberations finds you all doing well despite the chilling temperatures and snow. January is the month of dreams where the possibilities of new endeavors abound. As Taylor Swift sang, “This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.” And so, I along with others are hoping for a positive change in the upcoming year and a continuation of working hard for the hard-working citizens of our District. Read more

 

Is AI Deceiving You? New Bill Aims to Expose Hidden AI Content and Protect Consumers

(Jan 17, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

H.B. 95 shines a light on these issues, seeking to thread the needle between harnessing AI’s potential and curbing its misuse. “Everyone deserves the right to know,” Pielli affirmed. “This is about securing trust as we enter uncharted waters with AI.” Read more

 

Chester County legislator offers bill to disclose AI uses to consumers

(Jan 17, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“As legislators, we have to set a commonsense baseline helping our consumers make informed decisions and not be misled. This bill helps to set those guidelines. I thank my colleagues in the House for their support of this legislation in the last session and I hope to get this important bill the governor’s desk.” Read more

 

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

(Jan 16, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Education: Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program Who May Apply: Public institutions of higher education. Use: Funding may be used to offer college coursework to high school students enrolled in eligible school entities. Funds: $14 million in state funding was allocated through the 2024 School Code. Application Deadline: February 10, 2025 More information: PDE Website Department of Environmental Protection: Abandoned Mine Land and Abandoned Mine Draining Grant Program Who May Apply: An authority, incorporated nonprofit, political subdivision, or conservation district. Use: Funds may be used for abandoned mine land reclamation and abandoned mine drainage treatment or abatement. Funds: $75 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: April 25, 2025. Applicants must contact DEP ( ra-epamgrantprogram@pa.gov ) prior to applying for an initial project consultation. More information: DEP Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Integrated Health Solutions Who May Apply: Physical health care providers, hospitals, rural health centers, or federally qualified health clinics. Use: To promote full integration and collaboration in clinical practice between behavioral health care and primary physical health care. Funds: $3 million in funding is available from the Publicis Health Opioid Settlement. Application Deadline: January 24, 2025 More information: DDAP Website Read more

 

Pielli re-introduces artificial intelligence content disclosure bill

(Jan 13, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“The bill is simple. If it’s AI, it has to say it’s AI,” Pielli said. “People deserve to know if what they’re looking at is real or not when making purchases. This disclosure will be clear and conspicuous in the same medium as the content generated to help consumers make better-informed and more secure purchases. We also hope to curb possible misinformation by malicious authors who knowingly or recklessly generate and spread this content with the goal of fooling the public." Read more

 

Pielli re-introduces bill to help seniors stay in their homes

(Jan 13, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“As a former court-appointed guardianship attorney, I saw clients who lost their homes as a result of unpaid property taxes,” Pielli said. “Too often, these were individuals with cognitive impairment or those who were otherwise incapacitated and could not pay tax bills without assistance. Tragically, these same individuals sometimes had the financial means but were so impaired that they were unable to keep up with payments. It is simply unfair to have these folks lose their homes. This bill helps avoid the sad occurrence of missed property tax payments for those who are aging and might be suffering from any number of conditions that hinders their ability to regularly pay bills.” Read more

 

Pielli to host ‘Scam Jam’ event for West Chester seniors

(Jan 10, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“As technology continues to advance at a blinding pace, scammers and fraudsters gain new tools in their efforts to steal from vulnerable people,” Pielli said. “Thankfully, our police and legal departments are on top of these constantly changing tactics and know how to warn seniors who are overwhelmingly targeted by scammers. I thank the Housing Authority of Chester County for bringing all these experts together to keep folks safe and informed.” Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jan 08, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Education: Parent Pathways Grant Who May Apply: Postsecondary institutions that award an associate degree or higher and private licensed schools. Use: To provide funding to institutions to directly support parenting students through tuition assistance, emergency funding, and wrap-around services. Funds: $1.6 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: February 3, 2025 More information: PDE Website Historical & Museum Commission: Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program Who May Apply: Certified local governments, colleges and universities, conservancies, historic preservation organizations, historical societies, local governments, museums, religious institutions, and other historical organizations. Use: Applications may apply for one construction-related or planning-related grant (not both) for sites that are listed in or eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Construction related grants are available for rehabilitation, preservation, and restoration activities for historic resources that are publicly accessible and under nonprofit or local government ownership. Planning related grants are available for planning and development initiatives that enhance historic preservation in communities. Please note, special consideration will be given to projects that promote the United States Semiquincentennial celebration in 2026 . Funds: Construction grants are available Read more

 

Pielli sworn in for second term as state representative

(Jan 08, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“It is truly an honor to take the oath of office for a consecutive term,” Pielli said. “I look forward to getting even more done for the people of the 156th Legislative District and the commonwealth with the next legislative session.” Read more

 

District Deliberations: December 2024 Edition

(Dec 20, 2024) Rep. Chris Pielli

Hi Folks,We hope this December edition of District Deliberations finds you all doing well. Ethicist Michael Josephson once wrote, “December is a month of enormous potential. It’s a time when we can all give and receive, a time when the spirit of humanity shines brightest.” If you look hard enough, no farther than our own community, you can see this spirit shining brightly from all walks of life and from all corners of our District. It is important to remember that although Chester County, and West Chester in particular, enjoys more affluence, education, and health than many of our fellow Americans, there is still those among us struggling with financial, medical, and mental challenges. Perhaps our neighbors suffering from want feel the pain even more living in a place of plenty. Read more

 

Pielli commemorates 80th anniversary of Battle of the Bulge

(Dec 17, 2024) Rep. Chris Pielli

“The many stories of bravery and sacrifice exhibited by our Pennsylvania soldiers, to include our own 28th Infantry Division, has often been untold and underappreciated,” Pielli said. “There never would have been a Battle of Bastogne had it not been for these units giving their all, often wiped out, to provide the allies four crucial days to consolidate and strengthen the western front. As a veteran, I greatly appreciate the sacrifices made in order to preserve our freedoms and way of life. The tens of thousands of men who fought in this battle knew that the mission was going to be difficult, but was also absolutely necessary in defeating the Third Reich and securing peace for the world. We can never do enough for these Veterans, but this commemoration will honor the memory of those who fought for freedom when our world was at its most vulnerable.” Read more

 

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

(Dec 12, 2024) Rep. Chris Pielli

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: WIIN 2107: Voluntary School and Childcare Lead testing and Reduction Grant Who May Apply: Childcare facilities and schools located in Pennsylvania with lead in drinking water sample results within 36 months of the application date showing water fixtures exceeding the remediation trigger level of 5 ppb (parts per billion). Use: Reduction activities may include purchasing and installing hydration stations, point-of-use devices designed to remove lead or replacement of faucets. The primary goal of this grant program is to reduce children's exposure to lead in drinking water. Funds: Funding under this grant has been appropriated under 1464(d) of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Funding provided will be up to $3,000 per hydration station per 100 students in one building. Up to $30,000 may be awarded per building/childcare facility or $100,000 per school district. Application Deadline: Applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss their lead reduction plans to ensure they meet applicable program criteria. Meetings can be scheduled by emailing RA-EPWIINLEAD@pa.gov . 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, Read more

 

Chester County lawmakers laud grant funding to clean up rivers and streams in Chesapeake Bay Watershed

(Dec 12, 2024) Rep. Chris Pielli

HARRISBURG, Dec. 12 – Members of the Chester County state legislative delegation are pleased to report a state and federal investment in keeping the Chesapeake Bay Watershed clean from its tributaries in Chester County. The Chester County Conservation District was awarded more than $67,000 in funding directed by the Department of Environmental Protection. "Investing in cleaning the waterways that flow into the Chesapeake Bay is more than an environmental effort – it's a commitment to safeguarding a vital ecosystem, supporting local economies and preserving a legacy of natural beauty and abundance for generations to come," said state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester. The DEP awarded grants through the 2025 Countywide Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Grants to county teams across Pennsylvania’s share of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. “Stormwater runoff and agricultural runoff remain leading sources of water quality impairment in Chester County and Pennsylvania,” said state Sen. Carolyn Comitta, minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “These investments will help prevent pollution and restore and protect the local watersheds that are crucial to environmental health, public health, and the strong quality of life in our communities.” Pennsylvania has made historic progress in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Earlier this year, the Read more

 

Pielli praises St. Agnes Day Room resolution
Feb 24, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Feb 19, 2025

Pielli’s statement on possible closure of St. Agnes Day Room
Feb 12, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Feb 11, 2025

Pielli’s location-based pay resolution approved by State Government Committee
Feb 04, 2025

Pielli announces $200,000 in CFA Grants
Jan 28, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jan 23, 2025

District Deliberations: January 2025 Edition
Jan 23, 2025

Is AI Deceiving You? New Bill Aims to Expose Hidden AI Content and Protect Consumers
Jan 17, 2025

Chester County legislator offers bill to disclose AI uses to consumers
Jan 17, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jan 16, 2025

Pielli re-introduces artificial intelligence content disclosure bill
Jan 13, 2025

Pielli re-introduces bill to help seniors stay in their homes
Jan 13, 2025

Pielli to host ‘Scam Jam’ event for West Chester seniors
Jan 10, 2025

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jan 08, 2025

Pielli sworn in for second term as state representative
Jan 08, 2025

District Deliberations: December 2024 Edition
Dec 20, 2024

Pielli commemorates 80th anniversary of Battle of the Bulge
Dec 17, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 12, 2024

Chester County lawmakers laud grant funding to clean up rivers and streams in Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Dec 12, 2024