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My Medicaid Town Hall is THIS Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.!

(18 hours ago) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, Next week will be a busy one with events both in the Capitol and the district. These events share a common goal: making life better for people in our communities and throughout Pennsylvania. In this week’s e-newsletter: GOP-Led Government Shutdown Delays 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season to December Tell Your Senator to Act Now on the Budget Upcoming Events: Medicaid Town Hall (10/28), Trunk or Treat (10/30), Lancaster Rec's Trick or Treat (10/31), Healing Beyond Boundaries (11/3), PTRR Office Hour (11/6), Free Car Seat Check (11/8), Celebrating Our Black Veterans (11/11) In the District: Our Seniors Rock! In the Capitol: Razing Roadblocks to Immigrant Success in PA Government Programs: SNAP Will Run Out of Money Soon Apply Now: Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program State Grant Program Funding Available Community Resources Student Opportunities GOP-led government shutdown delays 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein to hold news conference Oct. 28 in support of their legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians

(Oct 22, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., will be joined by representatives of Church World Service at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the East Wing Rotunda, Harrisburg, for a news conference in support of their legislation (H.B. 1113) that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. “Our immigrant communities are an integral part of Pennsylvania’s economic growth, making up over 8% of our state’s work force and paying $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But they are facing too many roadblocks due to bureaucratic red tape and restrictive policies targeting immigrant communities. “To keep these skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers and community leaders in our state, I’ve introduced a bill that would raze the maze of bureaucratic silos by establishing an Office of New Pennsylvanians that would be a one-stop shop for benefits and resources for immigrants under the auspices of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.” “My support for immigrant rights is based on my belief in the value of all working people. Organized labor was born in immigrant communities from the coal mines in Pennsylvania to sweatshops in New York and to the grape harvests in California,” Hohenstein said. “Immigrants bring so much to our state – whether Read more

 

See You at My Senior Fair This Tuesday, Oct. 21!

(Oct 17, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Oct. 17 Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera hosting Medicaid Town Hall Oct. 28

(Oct 17, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, Oct. 17—State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, will hold a Medicaid Town Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the J.P. McCaskey High School Cafeteria, 1051 Lehigh Ave., Lancaster. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El to be panelist on addiction recovery panel Nov. 3

(Oct 17, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will be a panelist at Blueprints for Addiction Recovery’s Healing Beyond Boundaries: Understanding What Our Communities Truly Need, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3, at The Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St. in Lancaster. The free, all-ages event will bring together leaders from recovery services, law enforcement and government for an open conversation about what communities need to heal, connect and move forward. The evening will be hosted by Chris Dreisbach, founder of Blueprints for Addiction Recovery, and will feature an engaging panel including: Ben McCoy, CEO, Blueprints for Addiction Recovery State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster Bill Hickey, deputy chief, Millersville University Police Department Becca Moyer, program director, Blueprints for Addiction Recovery “This event is about more than recovery; it’s about understanding one another,” said Dreisbach. “Every community has unique challenges, but the foundation of healing always starts with empathy, connection and open conversation.” The discussion will explore the realities of recovery and public safety while emphasizing compassion, accessibility and collaboration as the cornerstones of community growth. “We can’t expect change unless we first take the time to understand what people actually need,” said McCoy. “Recovery is not just a clinical process; Read more

 

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

(Oct 17, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Fish and Boat Commission: Boating Facility Grant Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and non-profit organizations, including land trusts, conservancies, and watershed associations. Use: Planning, acquisition, development, expansion, and rehabilitation of public boating facilities Funds: Funds available may be adjusted by the commission and priority is given to projects with more than the required 50% match. Application Deadline: December 1, 2025 More information: PFBC 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 institutions, workforce investment boards, economic development organizations, and non-profit organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible. Read more

 

Rep. Rivera & Rep. Smith-Wade-El's Medicaid Town Hall

(Oct 16, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Join us to learn more about changes to benefit programs, share your cocnerns, and brainstorm community solutions. Staff from the Representatives' offices will be on hand to answer questions about state services. RSVP BY: Signing up at Rep. Smith-Wade-El and Rep Rivera's Medicaid Town Hall / Asamblea pública sobre Medicaid Emailing RepRivera@pahouse.net or RepSmithWadeEl@pahouse.net Calling 717-295-3157 or 717-283-4218 Read more

 

Protecting Our Homeless Community, The Ongoing Budget Impasse, and Upcoming Events

(Oct 10, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Hello from Harrisburg! I’m spending this week with my colleagues passing the third bipartisan budget since June and advocating for legislation that will improve our lives here in Pennsylvania. I want to keep you updated with information I hope you will find helpful: Upcoming office closures Upcoming events More than 100 days without a budget Delivering for you in Harrisburg State grant program funding Community resources Upcoming Office Closures Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El hosting Senior Health Fair Oct. 21

(Oct 10, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, Oct. 10- State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will host his annual free Senior Health Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Bright Side Opportunities Center, 515 Hershey Ave., Lancaster. Read more

 

Sen. Saval and Rep. Smith-Wade-El announce legislation to end the criminalization of homelessness

(Oct 09, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – With World Homeless Day being recognized tomorrow, state Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Phila., and state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, announced plans to introduce companion legislation in the Pennsylvania Senate and House that would decriminalize homelessness across the commonwealth. World Homeless Day, observed annually on Oct. 10, aims to raise awareness about homelessness and encourage people to come together to help the unhoused in their communities. Saval’s and Smith-Wade-El’s Shelter First Act legislation would allow people experiencing homelessness to conduct life-sustaining activity in public spaces when no reasonable, alternative options for housing are offered or available. Municipalities would be required to provide adequate indoor spaces for people experiencing homelessness before the municipality could enforce any ordinance that would criminalize living outside. “Criminalizing individuals or families for being homeless condemns the unhoused to an unending cycle of heavy fines, arrests and incarceration, perpetuating their poverty and exacerbating the larger social crisis,” said Smith-Wade-El. “We’ve introduced the Shelter First Act in a fierce rejection of the denigration of the unhoused and a profound belief that our communities are stronger and safer when everyone’s dignity and rights --including their right to a place to place to sleep -- are respected.” “The Read more

 

A Must See Movie! News from Harrisburg! Protect Yourself from Contractor Fraud!

(Oct 03, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Oct 2, 2025 Read more

 

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

(Oct 02, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Farm-to-School Grant Program Who May Apply: A school district, school, charter school, private school or center with prekindergarten classes, kindergarten classes, elementary classes or middle school classes through the eighth grade that participates in a Federal child nutrition program Use: To educate prekindergartners through eighth graders and their families about the importance of choosing healthy, locally produced foods and to increase awareness of agriculture in this Commonwealth Funds: Up to $500,000 is expected to be available for the program Application Deadline: November 14, 2025 More information: PDA 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 Read more

 

CAO Update, Fighting for Food Dignity in Lancaster, RSVP to My Senior Health Fair

(Sep 26, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, The High Holy Days, Days of Awe Our office hopes that all those who celebrated enjoyed a joyous Rosh Hashanah earlier this week. We pray your reflections on the past year will lead to the fulfillment of your dearest hopes in the coming year. We hope that you, your family and your community experience hope and renewal in this sacred time. We wish our Jewish neighbors a blessed and meaningful Yom Kippur this Wednesday and an easy fast. G’mar chatima tova. Read more

 

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

(Sep 25, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP) Implementation Who May Apply: Non-profit entities and institutions of higher education Use: To assess the quality of services provided to system-involved youth, support providers in creating and implementing quality improvement plans, and measure progress through follow-up evaluations. Funds: A total of $1,400,000 in state Violence and Delinquency Prevention Programs funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $1,400,000 over the 18-month project period. Application Deadline: October 14, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Law Enforcement and Youth R/ED Training Who May Apply: Any organization that can demonstrate the ability to provide training and technical assistance to members of law enforcement interacting with youth in their communities, including, but not limited to, police, probation, and school personnel. Use: To provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement entities across the Commonwealth to improve interactions with youth in their communities. Funds: A total of $250,000 in federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $250,000 over the two-year Read more

 

Rivera, Smith-Wade-El host Haywood’s Food Dignity Tour in Lancaster

(Sep 23, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, Sept. 23 – State Reps. Nikki Rivera and Ismail Smith-Wade-El, both D-Lancaster, and state Sen. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery, co-chair of the state Senate Health and Human Services Committee, last week came together to speak about the impact of SNAP changes and cuts in Pennsylvania. Representatives from over 20 organizations were in attendance. “SNAP has for decades enabled low-income Pennsylvanians to put food on their families’ tables,” Rivera said. “Not only will 550 residents in my district lose their SNAP benefits, leaving them not knowing where their next meal is coming from, but the federal budget will also have a devastating impact on our farms, our groceries and our food retailers.” According to Rivera, in December 2024, SNAP provided $366,850,460 in federally funded food assistance benefits that supported grocers, food retailers and farms in PA. “Now that money is gone, our grocery, food retailing and agricultural industries—and all the people they employ—are going to be scrambling to survive,” Rivera said. “The draconian federal budget is going to push our most vulnerable neighbors into desperate circumstances,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Over the next year, more than 144,000 individual Pennsylvanians will lose 100% of their SNAP benefits, with 1,080 of them living in my district. Everyone in our communities is going to be affected, from our schools caring for Read more

 

How the SNAP Cuts are Going to Affect You and Lancaster County

(Sep 19, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, Budget Update It’s been 12 weeks since the end of the fiscal year, and we still don’t have a budget. Without a state budget, the School District of Lancaster is being forced to find a $35 million line of credit j ust to keep schools operating and to ensure employees are paid on time. Those borrowed dollars come with interest and fees, money that could otherwise support teachers, counselors Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El receives award recognizing his leadership in advancing patient safety

(Sep 19, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HERSHEY, Sept. 19 – SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania Tuesday evening awarded the Thomas J. Zuber Memorial Patient Safety Award to state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, in recognition of his leadership in passing legislation that protects the safety, dignity and well-being of health care workers, and advancing patient safety. "It’s real simple: nurses take care of our neighbors and the entire commonwealth at every stage of our lives," said Smith-Wade-El. "It’s my honor to fight in Harrisburg and in Lancaster for folks who are fighting for us in delivery rooms, in hospice hallways and in and out of heart surgery." Recipients of the award also included state Rep. La'Tasha Mayes, D-Allegheny; Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato; and UPMC Magee nurses who just won their union. The award is named after Thomas Zuber, a registered nurse whose advocacy efforts led to Act 102 of 2008, the Ban on Excessive Overtime in Health Care. The award is presented by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania for exemplary solidarity with nurses organizing for a voice in health care and advancing the profession of nursing. Read more

 

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

(Sep 11, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Who May Apply: All fire companies, emergency medical services, and volunteer rescue squads Use: Facility improvements, equipment purchases, debt reduction, training, education, and recruitment and retention Funds: Grants will be not less than $2,500 and not more than $20,000 per applicant fire company and no more than $15,000 per applicant emergency medical service. Application Deadline: October 20, 2025 More information: OSFC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Who May Apply: Counties, county jails/county work release centers, Single County Authorities, and/or County Behavioral Health Administrators. Use: To support counties seeking to increase opportunities to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in combination with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to individuals in county jails and work release centers and upon release to the community. Funds: A total of $1,130,905 in federal Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds is being announced to support this initiative. RSAT funds require a 25 percent cash or in-kind match. The applicant’s source for the cash match must be state or local funds. Federal funds may not be used to meet the match requirement. PCCD expects to fund approximately five grants with budgets not to Read more

 

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

(Sep 02, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the Budget: Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Who May Apply: Applicants must have been previously itemized in a Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Use: Applicants can use funds for the purposes prescribed in the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Funds: Varied. Application Deadline: September 23, 2025 More information: OB website 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. 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, 2025 More information: DCED Website Department of Agriculture: Agriculture and Youth Organization Grant Program Who May Apply: Agriculture and youth organizations, Read more

 

Labor Day and the Mentor-Protégé Program

(Aug 29, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Happy Labor Day and the Mentor-Protégé Program Read more

 

My Medicaid Town Hall is THIS Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.!
18 hours ago

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein to hold news conference Oct. 28 in support of their legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians
Oct 22, 2025

See You at My Senior Fair This Tuesday, Oct. 21!
Oct 17, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera hosting Medicaid Town Hall Oct. 28
Oct 17, 2025

Smith-Wade-El to be panelist on addiction recovery panel Nov. 3
Oct 17, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 17, 2025

Rep. Rivera & Rep. Smith-Wade-El's Medicaid Town Hall
Oct 16, 2025

Protecting Our Homeless Community, The Ongoing Budget Impasse, and Upcoming Events
Oct 10, 2025

Smith-Wade-El hosting Senior Health Fair Oct. 21
Oct 10, 2025

Sen. Saval and Rep. Smith-Wade-El announce legislation to end the criminalization of homelessness
Oct 09, 2025

A Must See Movie! News from Harrisburg! Protect Yourself from Contractor Fraud!
Oct 03, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 02, 2025

CAO Update, Fighting for Food Dignity in Lancaster, RSVP to My Senior Health Fair
Sep 26, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 25, 2025

Rivera, Smith-Wade-El host Haywood’s Food Dignity Tour in Lancaster
Sep 23, 2025

How the SNAP Cuts are Going to Affect You and Lancaster County
Sep 19, 2025

Smith-Wade-El receives award recognizing his leadership in advancing patient safety
Sep 19, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 11, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 02, 2025

Labor Day and the Mentor-Protégé Program
Aug 29, 2025