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E-Blast: SEPTA Stories, Legislation on the Move & Vets BBQ!

(1 day ago)

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

 

Krueger bill aims to prohibit wildlife trafficking in PA

(Jun 04, 2025)

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

 

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

(Jun 04, 2025)

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

 

Shusterman’s lottery reform bill approved by House

(Jun 02, 2025)

“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

 

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

(May 22, 2025)

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

 

E-Blast: SEPTA Latest, Upcoming Veteran's BBQ & more!

(May 21, 2025)

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

 

PA House Judiciary Committee approves four measures

(May 14, 2025)

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

 

Shusterman’s Equal Pay Bill approved by House

(May 05, 2025)

“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

 

E-Blast: SEPTA Presser, Upcoming Shredding Event & more!

(May 01, 2025)

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

 

Proposed SEPTA cuts threaten Paoli/Thorndale line, anger suburban lawmakers

(May 01, 2025)

“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

 

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

(Apr 22, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Watershed Planning and Restoration Grant Who May Apply: Incorporated watershed associations, counties or municipalities, county conservation districts, council of governments or other authorized organizations including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and municipal authorities. Use: Examples of eligible projects include existing WIP revision or updates and design and construction of BMPs, including riparian forest buffers, streambank fencing, agricultural erosion and sediment control and nutrient and manure management practices; animal waste storage systems, animal concentration area/animal heavy use area protection and barnyard runoff controls; design and construction of stormwater control measures; AMD treatment systems and other projects that will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired. Funds: Funds are provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and authorized through Section 319(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Application Deadline: June 20, 2025 More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener Plus Grant Who May Apply: Counties Use: To update a county’s Act 167 plan. Funds: Funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 state budget and grants will range from $40,000 to $60,000 depending on the county’s Read more

 

E-Blast: Reproductive Rally, Session Recap & more!

(Apr 11, 2025)

Earlier this week, SEPTA announced a budget proposal that would mean sweeping service cuts across rail and bus lines along with a near 22% rate hike. In the proposed budget, the Paoli/Thorndale regional rail line will face reduced service starting in August this year and will be eliminated entirely in January 2026. Read more

 

Members of PA House Southeast Delegation respond to SEPTA's proposed service cuts & rate hikes

(Apr 10, 2025)

Pennsylvania House lawmakers who represent Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties are expressing concern in response to the budget proposal SEPTA released today that would make drastic service cuts and fare increases to address its budget deficit. Read more

 

Chester County lawmakers to introduce bill that would require approval from the Department of Health before hospitals can be purchased

(Apr 09, 2025)

HARRISBURG, April 9 – State Rep. Dan Williams is introducing legislation alongside Reps. Kristine Howard and Melissa Shusterman, all D-Chester, that would require approval from the Department of Health before a hospital or hospital system can be purchased. One in three hospital mergers and acquisitions lead to a full or partial hospital closure . In Chester County , Tower Health purchased Jennersville and Brandywine Hospitals, which both closed less than 5 years after the acquisition. These sales often lead to broken promises, unexpected closures and reduced services to customers, Williams said. “When hospitals close, jobs disappear and patients are forced to travel further distances for potentially lifesaving care. These closures create major challenges for our communities,” Williams said. “When a life is on the line, the miles and minutes matter, which is why we are introducing this bill to protect residents and frontline workers from such abrupt closures.” The bill would require the Department of Health to review applications, hold public hearings and prepare impact statements on the effect of the buying and selling of the healthcare services that the hospital or hospital system provides. We cannot allow our health to be dictated by business interests,” said Howard. “Department of Health approval will ensure continued access to quality care and keep the focus on patients, not profits.” Read more

 

Powell, Howard, Daley & Shusterman advocate for reproductive rights in Harrisburg

(Apr 07, 2025)

HARRISBURG, April 7 – State Reps. Lindsay Powell, Kristine C. Howard, Mary Jo Daley and Melissa Shusterman rallied for reproductive rights today in the state Capitol Rotunda, alongside Planned Parenthood PA advocates. “In this post-Roe era, the blurred lines between legality and restriction have dangerously entangled law, politics and human life,” Powell, D-Allegheny, said. “Elected officials take an oath of office to defend the rights of the people, not strip them away for the sake of political agendas. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.” “While abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania, it is heavily regulated by the Abortion Control Act, a Reagan-era law that became the playbook for abortion restrictions nationwide,” Howard, D-Chester, added. “My legislation, the Reproductive Freedom Act , would eliminate this law and replace it with a much more perfect statutory scheme, a more rational and compassionate model positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in reproductive rights.” "Our state must be a place where personal freedoms are protected and where every resident can access health care without interference," Daley, D-Montgomery, and co-chair of the PA Women's Health Caucus, said. "By supporting these safeguards, we affirm our shared commitment to personal liberty, civil discourse and the protection of every Pennsylvanian’s right to seek care safely and freely." “We Read more

 

E-Blast: Childcare Rally, Healthcare Protections & more!

(Mar 27, 2025)

It's been another busy week in Harrisburg, this week I joined my colleagues in advocating for legislation to put children first in the Commonwealth. We’ve already had success with the expansion of the Childcare tax credit, but now we look to keep fighting for an additional $55 million in the state budget to recruit and keep child care programs in Pennsylvania! This investment combined with my early childhood education legislation will provide families with great access to quality care and education for their children. Read more

 

E-Blast: Coffee & Conversation, Equal Pay Rally & more!

(Mar 21, 2025)

The turnout for my Coffee & Conversation event at Tredyffrin Public Library was incredible, with nearly 100 people attending to share their concerns about government at all levels. It is an honor to represent such an engaged community. Our next event is coming in April! Read more

 

PA House Dems launch CARE Package for juvenile justice reform

(Mar 18, 2025)

Bills proposed to protect children in the juvenile justice system, save taxpayer dollars Read more

 

Shusterman rallies for equal pay in Harrisburg

(Mar 17, 2025)

“Creating equal pay means increasing economic gains in the Commonwealth,” said Shusterman. “That is a commonsense win for everyone but most importantly, for women and their families. When you get paid less, that means less money for household expenses, retirement, or children’s clothing and food.” Read more

 

E-Blast: SEPTA Stories, Legislation on the Move & Vets BBQ!
1 day ago

Krueger bill aims to prohibit wildlife trafficking in PA
Jun 04, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jun 04, 2025

Shusterman’s lottery reform bill approved by House
Jun 02, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 22, 2025

E-Blast: SEPTA Latest, Upcoming Veteran's BBQ & more!
May 21, 2025

PA House Judiciary Committee approves four measures
May 14, 2025

Shusterman’s Equal Pay Bill approved by House
May 05, 2025

E-Blast: SEPTA Presser, Upcoming Shredding Event & more!
May 01, 2025

Proposed SEPTA cuts threaten Paoli/Thorndale line, anger suburban lawmakers
May 01, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Apr 22, 2025

E-Blast: Reproductive Rally, Session Recap & more!
Apr 11, 2025

Members of PA House Southeast Delegation respond to SEPTA's proposed service cuts & rate hikes
Apr 10, 2025

Chester County lawmakers to introduce bill that would require approval from the Department of Health before hospitals can be purchased
Apr 09, 2025

Powell, Howard, Daley & Shusterman advocate for reproductive rights in Harrisburg
Apr 07, 2025

E-Blast: Childcare Rally, Healthcare Protections & more!
Mar 27, 2025

E-Blast: Coffee & Conversation, Equal Pay Rally & more!
Mar 21, 2025

PA House Dems launch CARE Package for juvenile justice reform
Mar 18, 2025

Pennsylvania lawmakers rally for equal pay; Where does PA rank nationally?
Mar 17, 2025

Shusterman rallies for equal pay in Harrisburg
Mar 17, 2025