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State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El has Day of Action for the Unhoused

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

HARRISBURG, Nov. 18 – A longtime ally of the unhoused in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El spent Tuesday at the state Capitol advocating for his legislation to decriminalize homelessness in Pennsylvania and raise awareness of the growing prevalence of homeless students in the commonwealth. “Since my days working with the unhoused in Lancaster, I have acted out of a belief that housing is a human right,” Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, said. “The most effective remedy for homelessness is a home, not fines or incarceration that only dehumanize our fellow Pennsylvanians. Make no mistake, the criminalization of the homeless aims to make the prison-industrial complex—which has long profited off the vulnerability of poor Black and Brown people—richer. “If the U.S. Supreme Court will not do its job, if the Trump administration defunds homelessness programs instead of doing its job, then it is up to the Pennsylvania General Assembly to do ours. We will not send our neighbors to prison; we will bring them home. “The current attacks on the homeless by the U.S. Supreme Court and the Trump administration threaten the very ideals of equality on which our nation was founded. An attack on the rights of the homeless is ultimately an attack on our rights to justice and liberty for all. “At a time of skyrocketing housing and rental prices, stagnant wages and rising inflation, most Read more

 

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

(Nov 14, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Who May Apply: State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other eligible specialty crops stakeholders. Use: To assist with the growth, certification of seed and marketing of eligible specialty crops. Funds: $460,000 is available for funding Application Deadline: December 19, 2025 More information: PDA Website Department of Agriculture: Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Who May Apply: State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations and other eligible specialty crops stakeholders. Use: To enhance the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops. Funds: Approximately $1,000,000 is available for funding Application Deadline: December 19, 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. Read more

 

Curry, Smith-Wade-El to Rally for Homeless Youth at Capitol

(Nov 14, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

State Reps. Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware, and Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will hold two events on Nov. 18 in the Capitol Media Center at the state Capitol Complex in Harrisburg to raise awareness about youth homelessness in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El praises bipartisan budget’s historic investment in public education

(Nov 12, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 –As a fervent advocate for access to high-quality education for everyone and support for the vulnerable, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, is highlighting historic investments in Pennsylvania’s school districts and support for the food insecure as reasons for his support of this year’s budget, which was signed by the governor today. Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 state budget increases total funding for K-12 education by more than $700 million. Smith-Wade-El said he was extremely pleased to see that the budget is allocating $600 million to ensure that all of Pennsylvania’s students and schools have access to the resources and opportunities needed for academic success. There will also be $178 million in school district savings statewide – reflecting reforms in cyber-charter school funding that will better reflect the actual cost of teaching kids. “Access to a high-quality education is the foundation for our social health and economic success today and in the future,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This budget’s record investments in public education will help level the playing field and open up doors to academic and professional success for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable kids.” Locally, the budget increases funding for Lancaster County school districts, including over $8.2 million in increased funding and cost savings for school districts in the 49th Legislative District: Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera to rally for Lancaster Transit Nov. 12

(Nov 06, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, Nov. 6 –State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, together with Transit for All PA, will hold a rally for increased bus services in Lancaster from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the Queen Street Station at 225 N. Queen St. According to Smith-Wade-El and Rivera, the South Central Transit Authority will hit its fiscal cliff in January 2027, which will lead to service cuts and fare increases due to state funding shortfalls. “Our South Central Transit Authority, and all transit systems in PA, are at risk because Lancaster’s transit system does not have guaranteed funding in the state budget,” Smith-Wade-El said. “At our rally, local and regional elected officials, labor leaders, transit riders, advocates, and more will come together to demand a dedicated and expanded state funding stream to ensure that Lancastrians have the transit system they need and deserve.” “We're not going to accept the gradual decline of our transit systems in Lancaster,” Rivera said. “Our economy and our quality of life depends on Lancaster having a strong and stable transit system. We are coming together to fight for this essential service on which we all depend.” The rally will feature 8 to 10 people speaking about the importance of public transit in the region. Residents can sign up to attend the rally online at https://www.mobilize.us/ppt/event/862791/ . Read more

 

LIHEAP Delayed until Dec. 3, SNAP & WIC ending in November

(Oct 31, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Oct. 31 Read more

 

Celebrating Our Black Veterans

(Oct 30, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Celebrating Black Veterans Read more

 

Free Car Seat Check and Touch-a-Truck Event

(Oct 30, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

I will co-host, along with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and Safe Kids Lancaster, a free Car Seat Check and Touch-a-Truck event featuring Lancaster Fire Department firefighters from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, at Lancaster Township Fire, 1275 Millersville Pike, Lancaster. Call the office of Smith-Wade-El at 717-283-4218 or email RepSmithWadeEl@pahouse.net to RSVP to the event. Read more

 

Pennsylvanians are hurting because of the federal shutdown

(Oct 30, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Some GOP lawmakers have claimed they don’t know much about the impact of the federal shutdown on Pennsylvania or about how the changes to SNAP and Medicaid have affected their constituents. Well, as state representatives for the 49th and 96th legislative districts in Lancaster, let us share what we’ve heard from our constituents at a Medicaid and SNAP Town Hall this week about the hardships they are experiencing and the terror they are feeling if the federal shutdown continues much longer. (It should be noted that all Lancaster-area state lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats alike, were invited to this important discussion with residents but only state Sen. James Malone joined.) Our constituents told us that they’re not just worried about where their next meal is coming from when SNAP benefits end in early November, but they also don’t know what they are going to do when the supportive services associated with the program dry up, from transportation services, which gets them to their jobs, to extra clothing, to child care (extended through December, but no one knows what will happen in January). We heard about the transportation deserts in some areas of the county that make it impossible to get to work or a community food pantry, about the language barriers that make it difficult for people to fill out paperwork or to understand critical changes to these essential programs. One constituent who doesn’t have his GED told us he does Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El to host Black veterans event Nov. 11

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

LANCASTER, Oct. 29 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will host “Celebrating Black Veterans: Bound by Courage, Lifted by Legacy: Honoring Our Black Veterans Who Paved the Way” from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Stevens Greenland Cemetery, 1300 S. Duke St. in Lancaster. “As a proud Black Lancastrian, I am honored to lead this event recognizing our city’s often overlooked Black veterans who fought to protect American freedom and promote American ideals throughout the world, while facing discrimination in the service and at home,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This event will provide an opportunity to give our Black veterans their proper due, as true heroes of our great republic.” Program schedule: Introduction by Smith-Wade-El Chaplain’s Invocation J.P. McCaskey High School Choir National Guard presents colors/J.P. McCaskey High School Band Leroy Hopkins’s brief history of Lancaster’s Black veterans Honorees to be recognized: Alvin Gantz, Casey Jones, Toria Butcher, Celest Leslie McCaskey student essay Roll call of names of those buried in cemetery Taps played while colors lowered Lunch To register or inquire about the event, contact Smith-Wade-El’s office at 717-283-4218. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El to co-host free car seat check Nov. 8

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

LANCASTER, Oct. 29 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will co-host with Penn Medicine General Health and Safe Kids Lancaster in anticipation of holiday travels a free car seat check and Touch a Truck event with Lancaster Fire Department firefighters from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at Lancaster Township Fire, 1275 Millersville Pike. Read more

 

Resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness referred out of committee

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

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 –A House resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness in Pennsylvania, introduced by state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Rep. Gina H. Curry, D-Phila., was referred out of the House Children & Youth Committee today, 25-1. House Resolution 337 would designate Nov. 17 through Nov. 21, 2025, as “Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week,” and Nov. 21, 2025, as “Red Shirt Day” in Pennsylvania. According to Smith-Wade-El and Curry, the population of homeless youth has exploded in the past 10 years from just over 19,000 students in Pennsylvania schools to exceed 50,000 today. Much of this increase is due to limited resources available to youth, including lack of access to support services, difficulty obtaining identification and family instability. As many shelters will not accept a child under 18 years of age without the presence of a parent or guardian, there is an urgent need for additional resources to help homeless students attend school and succeed, the representatives said. “We’ve introduced this resolution to raise awareness of the growing number of homeless youth in PA and the lack of resources that are targeted toward their needs,” Smith-Wade-El said. “The federal budget cuts to critical programs serving homeless youth and their families, and the ongoing federal budget impasse that is stifling funding for essential programs like SNAP, Read more

 

Resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness referred out of committee

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

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 –A House resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness in Pennsylvania, introduced by state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Rep. Regina H. Curry, D-Phila., was referred out of the House Children & Youth Committee today, 25-1. House Resolution 337 would designate Nov. 17 through Nov. 21, 2025, as “Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week,” and Nov. 21, 2025, as “Red Shirt Day” in Pennsylvania. According to Smith-Wade-El and Curry, the population of homeless youth has exploded in the past 10 years from just over 19,000 students in Pennsylvania schools to exceed 50,000 today. Much of this increase is due to limited resources available to youth, including lack of access to support services, difficulty obtaining identification and family instability. As many shelters will not accept a child under 18 years of age without the presence of a parent or guardian, there is an urgent need for additional resources to help homeless students attend school and succeed, the representatives said. “We’ve introduced this resolution to raise awareness of the growing number of homeless youth in PA and the lack of resources that are targeted toward their needs,” Smith-Wade-El said. “The federal budget cuts to critical programs serving homeless youth and their families, and the ongoing federal budget impasse that is stifling funding for essential programs Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians referred out of committee

(Oct 28, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Legislation (H.B. 1113) that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth, introduced by state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., was referred out of the House State Government Committee today, 14-12. Read more

 

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

(Oct 27, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS PennDOT: Green Light-Go Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and planning organizations. Use: To improve existing traffic control signals, such as LED replacement, traffic signal retiming, and studies, among other projects. Funds: Up to $40 million is available and projects require a 20% match. Application Deadline: Pre-application scoping forms will be accepted until January 2, 2026. PennDOT will provide comments by February 28, 2026. The full application window will be between March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026. More information: PennDOT website Conservation and Natural Resources: Volunteer Fire Assistance Who May Apply: Volunteer fire companies in rural areas or communities under 10,000 in population Use: To prevent, control, and suppress the threat of wildfires through the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment, wildfire protective gear, mobile radios, installation of dry hydrants, wildfire training, or wildfire prevention and mitigation Funds: Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The maximum grant for 2025 is $15,000. Application Deadline: December 31, 2025 More information: DCNR Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, Read more

 

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

(Oct 24, 2025) 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

 

State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El has Day of Action for the Unhoused
3 hours ago

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Nov 14, 2025

Curry, Smith-Wade-El to Rally for Homeless Youth at Capitol
Nov 14, 2025

Smith-Wade-El praises bipartisan budget’s historic investment in public education
Nov 12, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera to rally for Lancaster Transit Nov. 12
Nov 06, 2025

LIHEAP Delayed until Dec. 3, SNAP & WIC ending in November
Oct 31, 2025

Celebrating Our Black Veterans
Oct 30, 2025

Free Car Seat Check and Touch-a-Truck Event
Oct 30, 2025

Pennsylvanians are hurting because of the federal shutdown
Oct 30, 2025

Smith-Wade-El to host Black veterans event Nov. 11
Oct 29, 2025

Smith-Wade-El to co-host free car seat check Nov. 8
Oct 29, 2025

Resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness referred out of committee
Oct 29, 2025

Resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness referred out of committee
Oct 29, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians referred out of committee
Oct 28, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 27, 2025

My Medicaid Town Hall is THIS Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.!
Oct 24, 2025

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