“This change will allow the Pennsylvania Lottery to more effectively compete with other forms of entertainment and put the lottery on better financial footing,” Shusterman said. “Reducing the profit margin ensures the continued health of the lottery, helping our aging population maintain their independence and quality of life.” Read more
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
“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
“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
My House colleagues and I continue to strongly advocate for adequate funding for SEPTA in the state budget. Negotiations continue. In June we passed a mass transit bill that would include SEPTA funding, money for roads and bridges (all without increasing taxes). This was the 4th time in 2.5 years our House leadership has sent funding bills for SEPTA to the Senate. SEPTA is crucial to our way of life and economy and I will continue to do everything I can to push for adequate funding. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 1 – State Reps. Carol Kazeem and Heather Boyd, both D-Delaware, and Andre Carroll, D-Phila., of the relaunched bipartisan House PA Youth & Public Safety Caucus on Monday announced a public safety initiative in Harrisburg. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Firearm Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Initiative Who May Apply: Units of local government, nonprofit organizations (including community-based and statewide organizations), institutions of higher education, and state government agencies. Use: To support programming that focuses on firearm-related suicide prevention. Funds: A total of $1 million in federal 2024 Byrne SCIP funds in available. PCCD expects to fund 4 to 6 grants over a 21-month period. Application Deadline: September 9, 2025 More information: PCCD 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: 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 academic Read more
HARRISBURG, June 24 – Marking the third anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which has dismantled access to abortion health care in states across the country, Pennsylvania lawmakers today introduced two packages of bills to fight back and protect reproductive health care rights in the commonwealth. Recognizing that the fight for reproductive freedom now rests with the states, the group of legislators said that codifying legal protections for patients and providers into state law is not just a policy choice – it’s now required to uphold the rights that millions lost when Dobbs was decided. "We cannot solely rely on courts to decide women’s rights, and we will not tolerate attempts to criminalize women’s health care in our commonwealth,” said Women’s Health Caucus Co-Chair state Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery . “These protections are the culmination of three legislative sessions of work since Dobbs was handed down in 2022. We listened to women, expert stakeholders, human rights lawyers, doctors and nurses to clearly identify the protections that Dobbs has threatened, and then we created bills to re-establish and enshrine each of those protections at the state level. “These laws draw a clear line: we protect our patients, our providers and their privacy – regardless of where they come from. Abortion care is legal in Pennsylvania, and it must always remain Read more
Please join me in extending gratitude and appreciation to the members of the multiple law enforcement agencies who worked quickly and professionally to investigate the individual who was charged with bringing an unlicensed firearm to West Chester on Saturday during the No Kings Rally; and who was charged yesterday for the use and concealment of explosive devices found at a residence in East Whiteland township. Read more
The Pennsylvania Lottery holds the distinction of being the only state Lottery in the nation that generates funding solely for older residents. This unique and important mission has resulted in the Lottery providing more than $36.2 billion for programs that benefit Pennsylvania seniors since its first ticket was sold in 1972. Every year, the Lottery is counted on to provide older Pennsylvanians with affordable prescription drugs, meals, free and reduced-fare transit rides, rebates on property taxes or rent paid, access to senior centers, and a host of other critical benefits. Read more
SEPTA isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline for workers, seniors, and students. I’m fighting for the funding it needs and urging YOU to speak up. Contact state Senate leadership and ask them to "fund mass transit.” You can reach out to Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman at 717-787-8724 Read more
H.B. 994, which would prohibit the trade of animal parts from protected species throughout Pennsylvania. The legislation was adopted by the House Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan vote of 25-1. Read more
Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: School Bus Safety Grant Program Who May Apply: Independent school bus contractors, school entities, and municipalities Use: To promote and increase school bus safety, education, and training, as well as pay for education, training, and other associated costs related to an individual earning their commercial learner's permit, commercial driver's license, or school bus endorsement for the purpose of driving a school bus in Pennsylvania. Funds: $1.2 million in funds are available through the School Bus Safety Grant Program. Grant awards will not exceed $100,000. Application Deadline: July 3, 2025 More information: PennDOT website Department of Environmental Protection: Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grant Program Who May Apply: An electric grid operator, an electricity storage operator, an electricity generator, a transmission owner or operator, a distribution provider, a fuel supplier, and any other relevant entity, as determined by DEP in consultation with DOE. Use: To implement resilience measures throughout PA intended to mitigate the impact of electric grid disruptive events. Funds: $8 million in grant awards is available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Application Deadline: Concept Paper submission availability will close at Read more
“This change will allow the Pennsylvania Lottery to more effectively compete with other forms of entertainment and put the lottery on better financial footing,” Shusterman said. “Removing the profit margin ensures the continued health of the lottery, helping our aging population maintain their independence and quality of life.” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PACTT (Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training) Grant Who May Apply: All residential facilities, community-based, and/or juvenile probation office providers that are not currently PACTT Affiliates and serve primarily adjudicated delinquent youth. Use: Applicants must ensure that the proposed program and associated expenses directly align with the PACTT affiliation areas (Academics, Job Skills Training, or Work-Related Services) the agency intends to pursue Funds: A total of $160,000 in state JRI funds is being announced to support this initiative among residential facilities, community-based providers, and juvenile probation departments. PCCD expects to fund eight grants with budgets not to exceed $20,000 over a 12-month project period. Application Deadline: July 7, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others Use: Create or obtain business plans, management strategies, transition plans, ownership plans, or plans to maintain the long-term economic viability of a farm. Funds: Up to $500,000 is available in grant funding. Individual grants shall not exceed $15,000. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until funds are exhausted. More information: PDA Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR Read more
My House colleagues and I continue to fight for adequate SEPTA funding. This week, there was a press conference in Philly to talk about how vitally important SEPTA transit is to our region – for our communities, our workers, our students, and our economy. How do YOU use SEPTA? How is SEPTA valuable to your business or household? Please share your SEPTA Story with my office by replying to this email or by calling us at 484-200-8260. I look forward to hearing from you! Read more
HARRISBURG, May 14 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, chaired by state Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery), advanced bills today aimed at strengthening public safety, supporting working families, and protecting vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth. The legislation addresses compassionate release for seriously ill incarcerated individuals, parental rights, child exploitation laws and oversight of illicit vapor products. “Today’s committee action reflects our commitment to practical, thoughtful and bipartisan solutions that respond to real needs in our communities,” Briggs said. “These bills tackle everything from criminal justice reform to public health and safety, and I’m proud to move them forward with support from both sides of the aisle.” House Bill 150 , sponsored by state Reps. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., and Torren Ecker, R-Adams/Cumberland, would reform Pennsylvania’s current compassionate release program. It would establish an expanded process for seriously ill incarcerated individuals to petition the court for sentence modification modeled after the federal First Step Act. The bill includes strong public safety measures and would relieve strain on state correctional medical resources. House Bill 526 , introduced by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, would update Pennsylvania’s law that protects parents who breastfeed in public by making it clear Read more
“To attract and keep our workforce, Pennsylvania must ensure we are competitive with our neighbors,” Shusterman said. “Currently, the pay gap in the Commonwealth trails not only behind the national average, but also behind five of our six neighboring states. The pay gap leads to less income for women to support their families. It also means women experience higher rates of poverty, lower financial earnings over a lifetime, and less money saved for retirement than their male colleagues. It’s past time that our Commonwealth ensures all Pennsylvania workers receive equal pay for equal work.” Read more
Yesterday, I joined my colleagues from the legislature for a press conference on the crucial need to properly fund SEPTA. SEPTA is vitally important to the lives of the residents of Chester County. Our economy depends on SEPTA's regional rail line to attract and keep families and businesses in our community. Residents depend on SEPTA to travel to medical appointments, work, school and entertainment events. It’s unfathomable to think of life in our area without the Paoli-Thorndale line, and we must do absolutely everything we can to adequately fund SEPTA. Read more
“The Senate leadership is refusing to protect our jobs, our hospitals, our businesses and our property values,” state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, said at Wednesday’s press conference at Paoli Station. “Yet they are fine with collecting our taxes.” 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.
1536 E. Lancaster AveSuite 200Paoli, PA 19301-1504
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.
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 12:00 p.m.
114 Irvis Office BuildingPO Box 202157Harrisburg, PA 17120-2157
P*: (717) 787-7524
F*: (717) 772-3074