News Center

E-BLAST: Support for RGGI, Upcoming Events, Grant Opportunities and more

(Mar 31, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Yesterday in Harrisburg, I voted no on House Bill 637. This bill is another attempt by the majority to block Pennsylvania from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Read more

 

Shusterman attends virtual event marking Legislative Education and Advocacy Day

(Mar 22, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

PAOLI, March 22 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, attended a virtual meeting today with the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers, Pennsylvania Chapter and more than 200 people studying or working in the social work field. “Social workers tend to be women, and women-run industries tend to not get the funding that other industries receive,” said Shusterman. “We must find a way to value the important work of women, caretakers and social workers. We need to get to the root of the issues that affect the lives of those that support our society, so they can go to work without concerns.” Today’s meeting was to mark Legislative Education and Advocacy Day. Shusterman was invited because of her commitment to improve the quality of life for social workers. “Social workers are critical to our society,” said Shusterman. “They come in when things are at their worst. It’s not enough for women to just work, we need to make things more equitable, so they have what they need to be able to thrive in jobs at every level.” According to the National Association of Social Workers, social workers have done extraordinary work during the pandemic, but usually go unrecognized. They work in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, health care settings, and other places where they’ve been directly at the front lines Read more

 

Now open for applications: Substance use disorder awareness, fire and emergency medical services, overdose programmatic collaboration funding opportunities

(Mar 22, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Read about the latest grant programs open for applications. Read more

 

Now open for applications: Student mental health and wildlife funding opportunities

(Mar 07, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Read about the latest state grant opportunities open for applications. Read more

 

Gov. Wolf: Strong State Finances Pave Way for Life-Changing Investments in Pennsylvanians

(Mar 03, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Governor Tom Wolf was joined by local leaders to highlight the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s strong finances and call for major investments to give Pennsylvania families, workers and businesses a brighter future. “The commonwealth of Pennsylvania is in a strong financial position right now. That’s why it’s so important for us to use this opportunity to help Pennsylvanians,” said Gov. Wolf. “People all across the commonwealth are still recovering from the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inflation is high, and everything from groceries to gas is a little more expensive than it used to be. “More than ever before, this is the time to invest in helping our people get back on their feet. That’s why I’m calling for action, and for major investments to make life a little bit easier for all Pennsylvanians.” Over the past seven years, the Wolf Administration has righted Pennsylvania’s shaky finances through sound fiscal management and smart investments. When Gov. Wolf took office, Pennsylvania was operating with a $2-3 billion structural deficit, and the Rainy Day Fund had fallen to a mere $231,800. Today, the Rainy Day Fund contains $2.8 billion to protect Pennsylvania against future emergencies, and Gov. Wolf is expected to transition a multi-billion dollar budget surplus to the next administration. Gov. Wolf will be the first governor to leave office with a budget surplus since Governor Dick Thornburgh Read more

 

E-BLAST: Ruling on Congressional Districts, At-Home Covid Tests Legislation and more

(Feb 24, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court selected a new congressional map in a 4-3 decision. Read more

 

Now Open for Applications: Workforce Development, Substance Use Prevention, and Volunteer Fire Assistance Funding Opportunities

(Feb 22, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Funds (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Accredited state, county, or local Forensic Crime Laboratories or those laboratories that will achieve accreditation within two years of receiving an award. Use : To improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services with an emphasis on the opioid crisis throughout Pennsylvania. Funds : Grants up to $150,000. Application Deadline : April 5, 2022 More Information : Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: Schools-to-Work Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Any entity that is registered with the department as a pre-apprenticeship program or connected with a registered apprenticeship program. Use : To support the establishment or enhancement of a workforce development partnership between schools, employers, organizations, or associations to create employment and training pathways. Funds : Grants up to $250,000. Application Deadline : March 15, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/grants/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Volunteer Fire Assistance Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Local firefighting entities in rural Read more

 

E-BLAST: State Budget Proposal, Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and more

(Feb 18, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

As always, I want to share information that I hope you find informative and useful. Read more

 

RELEASE: Reps. Shusterman, Williams, Howard joint statement on health care access following recent violence

(Feb 17, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

CHESTER COUNTY, Feb. 17 – State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, Dan K. Williams, D-Chester, and Kristine Howard, D-Chester, have released a joint statement following the violent attack that occurred at Lincoln University on Wednesday night. “We were appalled to learn this morning of the three students stabbed in a Lincoln University dorm room last night. While many details are still unknown, we do know that one of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene and that the other two victims were taken to Christiana Hospital – some 26 miles away – for treatment. “Twenty-six miles is no short ride under the best of circumstances, but when the circumstances are literally life and death, 26 miles is endless. “Until December, hospital care for Lincoln University students was just four miles away at Jennersville Hospital. Unfortunately, Jennersville closed at the end of 2021. This was followed by the closure of Brandywine Hospital in Caln Township last month. These closures were the result of a sale that fell through. “While the victim who was killed died before help could arrive, it is hard to believe a closer treatment option would not have made a difference in only slightly different circumstances, or that a timelier arrival may have changed this outcome. Whether you have a broken arm or COVID-19 symptoms or you are giving birth, time is a serious factor. “Last Read more

 

Attracting workers & families: House Democrats plan to put money back into pockets

(Feb 15, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Today, the PA House Democratic Policy Committee explored the lack of competitive tax credits in Pennsylvania and what that does to the economy. Read more

 

Shusterman applauds state grants for local fire and EMS companies

(Feb 11, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

HARRISBURG, Feb. 11 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, announced today $74,774.10 in Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services grants. “Our first responders work tirelessly to protect us while also putting themselves in danger,” said Shusterman. “However, many of these organizations are struggling with staffing and funding and they need our help more than ever. I am hopeful these grants will help them to continue serving their communities.” The grants were awarded to the following local fire and rescue departments: Friendship Diving Rescue Unit: $15,000. Paoli Fire Company: $13,124.00 (Fire) and $8,325.05 (EMS). Phoenix Hose Hook & Ladder Co No 1: $15,000. Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company: $15,000.00 (Fire) and $8,325.05 (EMS). These grants are administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and can be used for facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training, education and public outreach, recruitment and retention, construction savings account, overtime costs associated with backfilling positions while firefighters are attending training (career departments only) and revenue loss due to COVID-19 impacts. All fire companies, emergency medical service and volunteer rescue squads are eligible to apply for this annual grant program. A full list of fire and EMS Read more

 

2022 adult trout stocking schedule now available

(Feb 10, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

HARRISBURG, Pa. (February 1) – Excitement for the spring trout fishing season kicks into high gear today as the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is pleased to make its 2022 adult trout stocking schedule available using the FishBoatPA mobile app and website ( www.fishandboat.com ). "The release of our trout stocking schedule is always a welcome reminder that spring is just around the corner," said Brian Wisner, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Hatcheries. "This schedule is our roadmap for stocking millions of trout into hundreds of waterways across the state before and during the trout season, which is no small task. Anglers can review the schedule to learn which local waters will be ready for some great fishing in just a few weeks. So, buy your fishing license early, get your gear ready, and start planning your opening day adventure and fishing trips throughout the season." The trout stocking schedule is searchable by county, lists the waterways in alphabetical order, and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers, and the species of trout that will be stocked. In 2022, Pennsylvania will return to a single, statewide Opening Day of Trout Season on the first Saturday in April, which in 2022 will occur on Saturday, April 2. A single, statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day will take place on Saturday, March 26. Under this change, which will result in a longer regular season Read more

 

Shusterman: Gov. Wolf's budget proposal is an investment in Pennsylvania's future

(Feb 10, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Governor Tom Wolf’s final budget proposal comes as our commonwealth continues to deal with a global pandemic that has profoundly affected us all, impacting our health, the health of our loved ones, job prospects, care and education of our children and our access to goods and services in the economy. Read more

 

Ciresi and Shusterman introduce legislation to exempt at-home Covid tests from sales tax

(Feb 09, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

HARRISBURG, Feb. 9 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, have introduced H.B. 2327, which would exempt at-home COVID-19 tests from the state sales tax. “As the pandemic rages on, we need all the tools in our arsenal to fight the virus,” Ciresi said. “By exempting at-home COVID-19 tests from the sales tax, we can help our residents and improve access to convenient diagnostic testing by removing this financial barrier. These tests are vital to public health and should not be taxed when Pennsylvanians are fulfilling their duty to their neighbors by testing themselves for the virus.” “Accessing at-home COVID-19 tests allows people to quickly get results so they do not put others at risk,” Shusterman said. “These important medical devices should be exempt from sales tax because they serve the greater good of the community.” Read more

 

Now open for applications: Homeowner assistance, nonprofit security, Act 13, and clean energy funding opportunities

(Feb 07, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

Learn about grant programs that are accepting applications. Read more

 

Now open for applications: Violence prevention, economic development, and learning center funding opportunities

(Feb 01, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency: Violence Intervention & Prevention Technical Assistance Project (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Institutions of higher education (public and/or not-for-profit only), nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations. Use : To support the design, launch, and management of a new Statewide Community of Practice technical assistance, training, and capacity-building initiative. Funds : Grants up to $750,000 over a two-year project period. Application Deadline : March 10, 2022 More Information : Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development: Statewide Local Share Account (Funding Source: State Gaming Fund) Who May Apply : Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, and non-profits (if they partner with any of the previous entities) . Use : To support projects that improve the quality of life of individuals in the commonwealth. Funds : Grant awards between $25,000 and $1,000,000. Application Deadline : March 15, 2022 More Information : Click on https://dced.pa.gov/programs/local-share-account-lsa-statewide/ . Pennsylvania Read more

 

Shusterman applauds passage of H.B. 253, help for health care workers

(Jan 27, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

HARRISBURG, Jan. 27 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, said she applauds the unanimous passage of Pennsylvania H.B. 253 . The bill was signed into law as Act 2 of 2022 by Gov. Tom Wolf and delivers $225 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding to help nurses and health care workers who have been on the front lines battling COVID-19 for two years. The House Appropriations Committee estimates $1,282,271 of that funding would go directly to facilities in Chester County. Paoli Hospital would receive $657,651, Phoenixville Hospital would receive $409,964, and The Devereux Children’s Behavioral Health Institute would receive $214,656. The Department of Human Services will make the final determinization of funding. “This money is going where it is needed most, to our overworked health care workers here in Chester County,” Shusterman said. “I am proud the state House was able to come together and pass this important bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to seeing these funds invested in our local health care facilities.” Per Act 2, $100 million will be provided to hospitals in the state to provide much needed retention and recruitment funds; $110 million would be provided to hospitals that provide behavioral health services, serve a high amount of Medical Assistance clients, or are in some of our most rural parts of the state; an additional $15 million will be Read more

 

Kinsey seeks solutions for problems in Pa. prison system

(Jan 26, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

HARRISBURG, Jan. 26 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., held a news conference today with House and Senate colleagues and prison-reform advocates to discuss legislation to help address systemic problems in Pennsylvania’s prison system. Kinsey was joined by House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Phila., House Minority Whip Jordan Harris, D-Phila., state Reps. Amen Brown, Danilo Burgos, Joe Hohenstein, Darisha Parker and Brian Sims, all D-Phila.; Tim Briggs, Napoleon Nelson, Ben Sanchez and Joe Webster, all D-Montgomery; Bob Brooks, R-Westmoreland/Allegheny; Gina Curry, D-Delaware; Manuel Guzman, D-Berks; Dianne Herrin, D-Chester; Carol Hill-Evans, D-York; Patty Kim, D-Dauphin; Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny; Maureen Madden, D-Monroe; Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery; and Regina Young, D-Delaware/Phila.; along with state Sen. Sharif Street, D-Phila. and Anton Andrew from PA Prison Society. “Right now, in Pennsylvania and the entire United States, we have a prison system that does not work,” Kinsey said. “We must pass legislation to reform this system, so that those incarcerated have a chance to live dignified lives when they’re serving their sentence and when they’ve completed it.” The lawmakers are seeking enactment of several bills that would improve the prison system for incarcerated people and their families as well as save taxpayer dollars, including: Probation and Parole Reform: Earned Compliance Read more

 

Now open for applications: Justice assistance, regional policing, and community conservation funding opportunities

(Jan 25, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency: Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Local Initiatives Funding (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Local units of government and non-profit organizations. Use : To implement projects and programs that directly address the PCCD Objectives and Goals outlined in PCCD’s 2021-2025 Strategic Framework. Funds : Grants up to $250,000 over a two-year project period. Application Deadline : March 31, 2022 More Information : Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency: Regional Policing Assistance Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Any municipality – a city, borough, township, home-rule municipality, or county. Applicants may also be a public or quasi-public body, or its representative, duly authorized to act on behalf of one or more municipality. Use : To assist in the formation of new regional police departments or for the expansion of established regional police departments by adding an additional municipality(s). Funds : Grants up to $150,000 for the formation of a new regional police department or up to $50,000 for the expansion of an existing regional police department. Application Deadline : April 5, 2022 Read more

 

Shusterman applauds $622K investment in watershed restoration and protection projects

(Jan 21, 2022) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

HARRISBURG, Jan. 21 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, announced three Growing Greener grants totaling $622,038 for watershed projects in Chester County, more than $350,000 of that is heading to projects in Tredyffrin Township. “Over the past couple years, I’ve developed a great relationship with Tredyffrin Township officials in working on Stormwater issues throughout the township,” Shusterman said. “I applaud everyone involved in the application process for grants for these two projects.” $12,740 was awarded to Tredyffrin Township for their rain garden program. This project will educate residents about the value of rain gardens by building two public rain gardens, organizing educational events and building 13 residential rain gardens. $340,000 was awarded to Tredyffrin Township for the Bair Road/Trout Creek infiltration, water quality and flood mitigation project. This project will manage stormwater runoff of upstream residential drainage areas. The funds will help build two subsurface storage and infiltration beds, which will be able to store nearly 110,000 gallons of stormwater runoff. “Tredyffrin Township’s commitment to prioritizing stormwater projects made supporting their application a no-brainer,” Shusterman said. “I am happy to announce this funding as it’s a step in the right direction, and I look forward to continuing to work Read more

 

E-BLAST: Support for RGGI, Upcoming Events, Grant Opportunities and more
Mar 31, 2022

Shusterman attends virtual event marking Legislative Education and Advocacy Day
Mar 22, 2022

Now open for applications: Substance use disorder awareness, fire and emergency medical services, overdose programmatic collaboration funding opportunities
Mar 22, 2022

Now open for applications: Student mental health and wildlife funding opportunities
Mar 07, 2022

Gov. Wolf: Strong State Finances Pave Way for Life-Changing Investments in Pennsylvanians
Mar 03, 2022

E-BLAST: Ruling on Congressional Districts, At-Home Covid Tests Legislation and more
Feb 24, 2022

Now Open for Applications: Workforce Development, Substance Use Prevention, and Volunteer Fire Assistance Funding Opportunities
Feb 22, 2022

E-BLAST: State Budget Proposal, Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and more
Feb 18, 2022

RELEASE: Reps. Shusterman, Williams, Howard joint statement on health care access following recent violence
Feb 17, 2022

Attracting workers & families: House Democrats plan to put money back into pockets
Feb 15, 2022

Shusterman applauds state grants for local fire and EMS companies
Feb 11, 2022

2022 adult trout stocking schedule now available
Feb 10, 2022

Shusterman: Gov. Wolf's budget proposal is an investment in Pennsylvania's future
Feb 10, 2022

Ciresi and Shusterman introduce legislation to exempt at-home Covid tests from sales tax
Feb 09, 2022

Now open for applications: Homeowner assistance, nonprofit security, Act 13, and clean energy funding opportunities
Feb 07, 2022

Now open for applications: Violence prevention, economic development, and learning center funding opportunities
Feb 01, 2022

Shusterman applauds passage of H.B. 253, help for health care workers
Jan 27, 2022

Kinsey seeks solutions for problems in Pa. prison system
Jan 26, 2022

Now open for applications: Justice assistance, regional policing, and community conservation funding opportunities
Jan 25, 2022

Shusterman applauds $622K investment in watershed restoration and protection projects
Jan 21, 2022