“I believe the current system for collecting state income, property, sales and corporate taxes does not do enough to provide financial stability at the local level,” Shusterman said. “We need a different approach to address the constant funding disparities in our communities and help residents see the direct impacts of their hard-earned tax dollars. I have been listening to my Republican colleagues for years. I understand they do not want to invest in Southeastern PA, so this is a solution that honors those goals, whereby each region funds their own schools, roads, police and other projects.” Read more
"The people of Schuylkill Township have been looking forward to these improvements for a long time,” Shusterman said. “Route 23 has been left neglected for far too long. I am relieved that these federal funds were secured and look forward to the people of Chester County benefiting from these safer roads at no additional cost to them." Read more
“I’d like to thank Speaker McClinton for giving me this opportunity to further serve my constituents and the Commonwealth,” said Shusterman. “The work of the BFTDA and its regional partner centers is critical to Pennsylvania’s economic development and the ongoing creation of quality job opportunities right here in PA. We must continue to ensure that we are investing in our future.” Read more
Today I joined my Chester County legislative colleagues in West Chester for a press conference on our fight to provide adequate funding for SEPTA. My House colleagues and I have voted FOUR times to properly fund SEPTA and roads and bridges – without raising taxes. We continue to wait on the Senate to come back to Harrisburg to put a transportation funding bill to a vote. Read more
“The Paoli-Thorndale line runs through my district, and it is the heartbeat of our community,” said state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester. “I want to emphatically echo the voices of my neighbors who have shared with me that public transit is not a luxury, it is a lifeline. If transit stops, we all stop.” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County: Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund Who May Apply: Municipalities, authorities, councils of government, non-profits and for-profit businesses in Allegheny County. Use: Economic development projects, infrastructure development projects, job training, community improvement projects, public safety projects, and public interest projects. Funds: Project budgets must be between $150,000 and $500,000. Application Deadline: August 22, 2025 More information: RAAC Website Department of Transportation: Rail Freight Transportation Grant Who May Apply: Redevelopment authorities, rail companies, and for profit businesses Use: Investments in rail structure to keep and/or boost economic development. Funds: $41 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: August 29, 2025 More information: PennDOT Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Endowment Act – Treatment Training Who May Apply: For-profit entity, non-profit entity, an entity affiliated with a CAC or MDIT (e.g., public agency or hospital), unit of local government, or schools including colleges and universities. Use: This funding is specifically for the training of persons who treat adult and/or child victims/survivors of child sexual abuse. Funds: A total of $250,000 in state Endowment Act funds is being announced to Read more
In June, my PA House colleagues and I voted YES on H.B. 1364 that delivers vital dollars to transit systems in all 67 counties in PA while also making record investments in rebuilding roads & bridges all across the commonwealth – without raising taxes. This marks the fourth time in the last two years that my House colleagues and I have voted to adequately fund mass transit, which has included adequate funding for SEPTA. 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. “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
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1536 E. Lancaster AveSuite 200Paoli, PA 19301-1504
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114 Irvis Office BuildingPO Box 202157Harrisburg, PA 17120-2157
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