“The state of reproductive health in our country has been in chaos since the Dobbs v. Jackson decision,” Shusterman said. “Pennsylvania is making it clear that we are going to protect women. We are going to uphold the privacy and safety that every mother should expect before, during and after the birthing process. Every area of reproductive health care is going to receive additional protections. I thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for coming to learn about what we are doing here in Pennsylvania and sharing the responses they have seen and heard from other states. This is a much-needed step in the right direction for us to work together in protecting reproductive health care across the United States.” Read more
Read more
“Under the best of circumstances, divorce can take two-three years to resolve in Pennsylvania,” Shusterman said. “Our antiquated laws need modernization to streamline the divorce process, making it more efficient and less adversarial for all parties involved. It's time to rewrite these convoluted laws that keep people in bad, even abusive marriages.” Read more
“Last year in the commonwealth with the expansion of our Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit, we made it a little easier for families to balance working and finding proper care for their children,” Shusterman said. “It was an honor to share the progress Pennsylvania has made when it comes to increasing access to child care. We've taken some crucial steps, but there is still more work to do, and I hope we can implement some of the successful programs created by my fellow legislators from across the country to help even more Pennsylvanians.” Read more
“This is the first time Rep. Howard and I have organized an event like this for our districts,” Shusterman said. “We are excited to offer animal lovers a wide range of resources to help them care for their pets. This event will help reduce costs for pet owners, and hopefully, some furry friends will find their forever homes!” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS 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. See program guidelines for specific eligible uses of funds. 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, 2024 More information: DCED Website Department of Education: Hunger-Free Campus Grants Who May Apply: Institutes of Higher Education. Use: Funding may be used to ensure students have access to healthy, nutritious food. Funds: Institutions with 3,000 or fewer students are eligible for $20,000 awards. Institutions with 3,001 to 7,000 students are eligible for $40,000 awards. Institutions with greater than 7,000 students are eligible for $60,000 awards. Application Deadline: September 23, 2024 More information: PDE website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR Read more
I hope you have been enjoying your summer! My colleagues and I have spent most of our time out of the sun and in the chamber of the House passing numerous pieces of legislation and a state budget that works for YOU! Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: School Safety and Mental Health Grants Who May Apply: Eligible school entities as defined under 24 P.S. §13-1314.1-B of the PA Public School Code. Use: Funding may be used to assist schools with physical safety and/or behavioral health needs. Funds: $100 million is available to be distributed via a formula that stipulates school districts are to receive $100,000 base average and an additional amount based on their 22/23 Adjusted Average Daily Membership. Other eligible school entities are to receive $70,000. Application Deadline: September 26, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools Who May Apply: Nonpublic schools as defined under Section 924.3-A of the PA Public School Code, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, or approved vendors. Use: Funding may be used to assist schools with physical safety and/or behavioral health needs. Funds: A total of $19,665,000 in state school safety and security funds is being announced to support this initiative. Application Deadline: September 26, 2024 More information: PCCD Website PennDOT: Rail Freight Assistance Program/Rail Transportation Assistance Program Who May Apply: Railroad company, transportation organization, municipality, municipal authority, user Read more
PAOLI, Aug. 5 – Beginning today, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is holding a series of five public hearings in the region to gather public input on proposed water and sewer rate hikes, announced state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester. There will be hearings in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties over the next week. Under the proposals, the average monthly bill for a residential water customer would increase by 19.9% ($16.10). For residential wastewater customers, the average monthly bill would increase 18.4% ($14.92). The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate filed with the PUC a formal complaint against these proposed rate increases . The hearing schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Aug. 7 – Delaware County 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Delaware County Community College STEM Building – Room #1403 (Auditorium) 901 S. Media Line Road Media, PA 19063 Thursday, Aug. 8 – Chester County 1 p.m. New Garden Township Municipal Building 299 Starr Road Landenberg, PA 19350 Monday, Aug. 12 – Montgomery County 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Spring-Ford Area High School (Auditorium) 350 S. Lewis Road Royersford, PA 19468 "Consumers are hit hard by rate hikes, making essential resources a financial strain," Shusterman said. "These increases turn a necessity into a growing expense, creating obstacles to access that can have wide-ranging consequences. Nonetheless, we have Read more
“I want to thank my colleagues in both the House and Senate for their support of this legislation,” said Shusterman. “I will always support initiatives to improve the lives of seniors in our Commonwealth. By encouraging communication between the Department of Health and nursing home staff, we hope that the exchange of ideas and information between these two groups will lead to a unified effort to provide the best senior care possible. I’m proud to have this bill signed in to law by Governor Shapiro.” Read more
My colleagues and I are proud of the 2024-2025 state budget that we passed yesterday and sent to the Governor’s desk. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Local Share Account: Monroe County Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development agencies, or redevelopment authorities within Monroe County or the five contiguous counties to Monroe (Carbon, Lackawanna, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne). Use: Public interest projects, community improvement projects, economic development projects, or roadway improvement projects. Funds: Funded by gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Share Account: Category 4 Facilities Program (Berks, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and York Counties) Who May Apply: Municipalities, counties, redevelopment authorities, or economic development agencies in a county hosting a Category 4 licensed gaming facility. Use: Projects in the public interest. Funds: Funded by gaming revenues from Category 4 licensed facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Share Account: Luzerne County Who May Apply: All Luzerne County municipalities and the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority. Use: Projects in the public interest. Funds: Funded by 2% of gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Local Read more
Veterans, friends, and family are ALL WELCOME to my Annual Veteran’s BBQ at Wilson Farm Park Pavilion on Saturday, July 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A hearty buffet from MISSION BBQ will be served and several veterans' organizations will be on hand to answer questions about benefits and services. Read more
“We need to guarantee that all pregnant patients experiencing complications will be safe here in our commonwealth,” Shusterman said. “That’s why I’m introducing legislation to codify emergency abortion care protections in Pennsylvania. I’m proud to work with my colleagues as we continue to stand up to protect women's rights and reproductive health care all across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” Read more
“The House Taiwan Caucus was formed last year to foster increased friendship and mutual benefits between the Commonwealth and Taiwan. Along with my caucus co-chairs, Reps. O’Mara and Rowe, I’m pleased we could welcome the Taiwan delegation to the Capitol and that my House colleagues overwhelmingly gave bipartisan support to the passage of H.R. 439 today,” said Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Wild Resource Conservation Program Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, conservation districts, and municipal authorities. Individuals, state government agencies, and for-profit businesses may be eligible depending on the project. Use: Grant applications will be accepted for species surveys, conservation, and management. Funds: Funding comes through the Wil Resource Conservation Fund and a portion of the Environmental Stewardship Fund. Grant size varies, but the average grant award is $30,000. Application Deadline: July 1, 2024 More information: DCNR website Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) The NAP is broken down into five components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit, the Special Program Priorities, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, the Charitable Food Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program Tax Credit. Please visit the link below for specific information on each component. Who May Apply: Depending on the program, eligible applicants include neighborhood organizations that hold a ruling from the IRS as nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations, and organizations operating as food banks, food pantries, or emergency food providers. Use: Use varies by program, but priorities for this funding Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Education: Public School Environmental Repairs Program Who May Apply: School districts, area career and technical schools, charter schools, and regional charter schools that operate school buildings. Use: Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, the remediation and/or abatement of lead in water sources and paint, asbestos, and mold inside school buildings of eligible school entities. Funds: Up to $75 million in state funds will be competitively awarded. There is no minimum funding request. The maximum funding request is $10 million. One application per entity will be accepted, but the application may consist of more than one project in more than one school building. Application Deadline: June 30, 2024 More information: PDE Website Department of Agriculture: Farm-to-School Grant Program Who May Apply: Any school district, school, charter school, private school, or center with pre-K classes, kindergarten classes, elementary classes, or middle school classes through 8 th grade that participates in a Federal Child Nutrition Program. Use: The purpose of the Farm-to-School Program is to educate prekindergartners through eighth graders and their families about the importance of choosing healthy, locally produced foods and increase awareness of Pennsylvania agriculture. Eligible projects will achieve this purpose. Funds: $500,000 is available for Read more
Residents of the 157th Legislative District are welcome to dispose of unwanted documents ecologically & securely at my FREE shredding event THIS Saturday, May 4! Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Indigent Defense Grant Program Who May Apply: Counties Use: Salaries and benefits for staff, recruiting efforts to find/retain staff, training and development courses for staff, efforts to improve data collection, and any cost associated with gaps or needs in providing indigent defense, among other things. Funds: A total of $6,750,000 is expected to fund up to 67 grants (one in each county). Application Deadline: , May 23, 202d4 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (via Department of Homeland Security): Nonprofit Security Grant Program Who May Apply: Non-profit organizations may apply as a sub applicant through PEMA. PEMA is the direct applicant to the Department of Homeland Security. Use: Funds are to be used to enhance the protection of soft targets/crowded places. Funds: $274,500,000 in federal funds are available for this national funding opportunity. $3,277,500 in funding is targeted toward Pennsylvania. Application Deadline: May 29, 2024, at 5 p.m. More information: PEMA Website Historical and Museum Commission: Historical & Archival Records Care Grant Who May Apply: Local government entities and nonprofit organizations Use: Projects must relate to some aspect of Pennsylvania’s history and funds may be used for preservation of Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Melissa Shusterman.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
42 E. Lancaster AveUnit APaoli, PA 19301-1455
P*: (484) 200-8260
F*: (484) 200-8272
Hours of Operation - 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Need to meet outside of regular hours? Call (484)200-8260.
To access parking, turn on to Darby Rd from Lancaster Ave, then make the 2nd left into the parking lot. There’s a sign with my name and state seal on the office door. Park anywhere even though the spots are numbered and signs say bank parking only.
720 First AvenueBerwyn, PA 19312-1769
Hours of Operation - Third Tuesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
111 Valley Park RoadPhoenixville, PA 19460-5700
Hours of Operation - Fourth Tuesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
114 Irvis Office BuildingPO Box 202157Harrisburg, PA 17120-2157
P*: (717) 787-7524
F*: (717) 772-3074