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Rivera secures $125K in state grants for Stauffer Park rehabilitation

(1 day ago) Rep. Nikki Rivera

HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, helped secure $125,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to rehabilitate Stauffer Park in Manheim Township. The $125,000 grant for the Elizabeth S. Ludgate Trust for Stauffer Park will be used to renovate the internal loop trail; construct walkways and an access drive; and make ADA access, landscaping, signage and other related site improvements. “The creation and preservation of green spaces are critical to improving the quality of life in our communities,” Rivera said. “The walkway and trail improvements at Stauffer Park will make it more accessible, improve safety, increase community access and enhance recreational opportunities.” The funding comes from DCNR’s Environmental Stewardship Fund, which supports state parks, conservation and outdoor recreation. More information about the ESF and other Community Conservation Partnership Program funding sources is available here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/programs-and-services/grants/grant-funding-sources . Read more

 

‘People over profit margins’: PA House Democrats renew commitment to energy affordability with bill package to protect consumers

(1 day ago) Rep. Nikki Rivera

HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 — As electric costs and household shutoffs reached historic highs this year, PA House Democrats introduced a bold series of bills in April intended to lower costs for everyday Pennsylvanians, hold big corporations accountable and get more energy out of Pennsylvania’s existing infrastructure. On Wednesday, House members gathered again to urge action on this crisis and renew focus on their Energy Affordability bill package. The bills in the package are: H.B. 1834: Data Centers and Consumers (Matzie) H.B. 2131: Promoting Fairness in PA’s Retail Electricity Market (Boyd) H.B. 1457: Prohibiting Weather Normalization Adjustments (Probst) H.B. 2264: Establishing a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Program (Davidson) H.B. 2380: Reducing utility bills by utilizing grid-scale battery storage (Rivera) H.B. 2223: Lowering Electric Bills by Adopting Advanced Transmission Technologies (Fiedler) H.B. 2224: Saving Taxpayers Money by Limiting Excessive Profits for Utility Monopolies (Fiedler) House Bill 1457, introduced by state Rep. Tarah Probst , D-Monroe/Pike, would save consumers money by prohibiting companies from charging Weather Normalization Adjustments, which charge customers for energy they never use. “We’re talking today about energy affordability, but how can we expect Pennsylvanians to afford their utility bills when they Read more

 

Rivera raises awareness of need for funding for Duchenne muscular dystrophy at Capitol

(Oct 06, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

HARRISBURG, Oct. 6 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera held a news conference to raise awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy last week at the Capitol. Read more

 

Kosierowski kratom bill unanimously passes PA House

(Oct 05, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – Legislation that would regulate the sale of natural kratom products and prohibit the sale of synthetic kratom unanimously passed the House today, the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced. Kratom is a plant from southeast Asia used for its psychoactive properties. The Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have recommended that the Drug Enforcement Agency classify 7-OH as a Schedule 1 controlled substance – placing it in the same category as heroin and LSD. House Bill 2657 would create a statutory framework for the sale, distribution and quality control of kratom products within Pennsylvania. Retailers registered with the state would be allowed to sell natural-leaf kratom products to people 21 and over. Packaging would have to list the manufacturer's name and address, carry a warning that the products have not been evaluated by the FDA and make no medical claims. Packaging would also have to be child resistant and designed not to appeal to minors. Kratom products would be subject to the tobacco tax. The Pennsylvania Department of Health would enforce standards and collect taxes. The bill would also ban the sale of synthetic or adulterated kratom products, including those that contain more than 0.5% alkaloid composition of 7-hydroxymitragynine or 7-OH, a compound found in only trace amounts in the kratom leaf. Sellers of these illegal products Read more

 

Rivera bill to lower electricity costs, increase reliability through grid-scale battery storage passes House

(Oct 05, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – Legislation aimed at reducing electricity costs and increasing reliability for Pennsylvania households and small businesses by requiring electric utilities to set targets for and procure grid-stabilizing battery storage passed the House today, the bill’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, announced. “Pennsylvania’s aging electricity grid is strained by increasingly violent weather and surging energy demand from cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies,” Rivera said. “My legislation offers a practical, proven solution that will help keep our lights on and our electric bills affordable.” House Bill 2380 would require Pennsylvania’s largest electric utilities to install 3,500 megawatts of battery storage by 2035. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission would assign each utility’s share of 3,500 megawatts based on the service load and annual peak demand of each electric company with more than 600,000 customers. The bill also includes competitive procurement requirements and regulatory oversight to help ensure projects deliver value for ratepayers. Electricity costs are often driven by peak-hour demand, when electric utilities must rely on expensive “peaker” power plants that quickly ramp up to prevent grid failures. Battery storage systems store electricity when demand and prices are low and discharge it when demand is highest. Read more

 

Transportation, Agricultural, Community Development and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 01, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Who May Apply: Municipality, council of governments, business/non-profit, economic development organization, public transportation agency, port or rail/freight entity Use: The MTF provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation exists in Pennsylvania. The program is intended to provide financial assistance in order to improve public transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Funds: Project costs must be above $100,000 and no award shall exceed $3,000,000 Application Deadline: October 30, 2026 More information: PennDOT Website Department of Agriculture: Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant Program Who May Apply: A person operating under a grant of inspection that meets the definition of ''very small establishment'' in 9 CFR 381.65(g)(1)(i) Use: To support the development and expansion of current or future very small meat and poultry processing operations in this Commonwealth by offering reimbursement grants to cover the cost associated with obtaining a grant of inspection from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), opening a new very small meat and poultry processing operation, expanding the capacity of a Read more

 

Grant Memo: Transportation, Agricultural, Community Development and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District

(Sep 25, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Who May Apply: Municipality, council of governments, business/non-profit, economic development organization, public transportation agency, port or rail/freight entity Use: The MTF provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation exists in Pennsylvania. The program is intended to provide financial assistance in order to improve public transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Funds: Project costs must be above $100,000 and no award shall exceed $3,000,000 Application Deadline: October 30, 2026 More information: PennDOT Website Department of Agriculture: Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant Program Who May Apply: A person operating under a grant of inspection that meets the definition of ''very small establishment'' in 9 CFR 381.65(g)(1)(i) Use: To support the development and expansion of current or future very small meat and poultry processing operations in this Commonwealth by offering reimbursement grants to cover the cost associated with obtaining a grant of inspection from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), opening a new very small meat and poultry processing operation, expanding the capacity of a Read more

 

Pennsylvania benefits from growing Latino population

(Sep 22, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

“We heard it multiple times today: Pennsylvania has reaped incredible benefits from the Latino community, but we must do a better job serving our community and residents,” said Rep. Nikki Rivera, who represents portions of Lancaster County. “We are fighting for families like those we heard from today.” Read more

 

Grant Memo: Community Development, Fire & EMS, Environmental and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District

(Sep 18, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: 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, 2026 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2026 PACTT – PA Academic, Career and Technical Training Who May Apply: All existing residential facilities, community-based providers, and juvenile probation departments that are current PACTT Affiliates in good standing and are not on provisional status Use: To advance academic and career/technical training among adjudicated youth receiving services in either residential facilities or from community-based providers or from County Juvenile Probation Departments that are PACTT affiliates Read more

 

Rivera announces more than $1.7M in state grants for communities

(Sep 16, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

LANCASTER, Sept. 16 – Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, today announced that more than $1.7 million in state grants has been awarded for worthwhile projects and equipment purchases in the 96th Legislative District. “These state grants will help our communities address the issues they face, from increasing affordable housing stock to improving the condition of our roads,” Rivera said. “I am very glad to have advocated for these projects to ensure that our communities have the resources they need.” Grant recipients and projects are: $500,000 for HDC MidAtlantic to build affordable housing in Lancaster City. $400,062 for the Lancaster County Youth Amateur Hockey League to renovate the Lancaster Ice Rink and purchase a Zamboni to be used in Manheim Township. $250,000 to Lancaster Public Library to acquire and renovate a property for its Book ReSort Program. $243,500 for YWCA Lancaster for a renovation project. $175,000 for Lancaster City to improve Ross Street streetscape. $150,000 for Franklin and Marshall College to purchase maintenance equipment to care for multiple outdoor, publicly available spaces. The grants awarded come from Local Share Account funds, which are approved and distributed by the Commonwealth Financing Authority . Read more

 

Rivera announces $127K in state funding for local museums

(Sep 11, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

LANCASTER, Sept. 11 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, today announced more than $127,000 in Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Cultural and Historical Support Grants for four Lancaster County institutions that preserve history, inspire interest in science and nature, engage young children’s imagination, and strengthen cultural identities. “As a former high school teacher, I am so grateful for our local museums, which educate us about the world we live in – a world shaped by the past, by the natural world, and by artists’ imaginations,” Rivera said. “This funding will help these local treasures continue their vital work to sustain lifelong learning, build community, and foster cultural engagement.” The following organizations received grants: $20,000 Hands on House Children’s Museum of Lancaster $30,000 Lancaster Science Center $47,000 Lancaster History.org $30,000 North Museum of Nature and Science The PHMC grants provide state funding for the operational costs needed to maintain and preserve local heritage. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera to hold grant workshop for small business and nonprofits Sept. 2

(Aug 26, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

LANCASTER, Aug. 26 – Strong advocates for bringing state funding home, state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, will hold a workshop to help local small businesses and nonprofits unlock state grant opportunities from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the Conference Center at IU-13, 1020 New Holland Ave., Lancaster. At the workshop, representatives from local organizations and state agencies as well as fundraising professionals will speak about available funding opportunities, grant writing tips and relationship building strategies to help organizations submit successful applications. “This workshop’s goal is to give local organizations the tools to craft successful state grant applications,” Smith-Wade-El said. “We hope this workshop will help bring home our taxpayer dollars to support organizations and initiatives strengthening our community.” Rivera agreed, adding, “As a former high school Spanish teacher, I know that using the right grammar and vocabulary is essential to being understood. This workshop will help applicants speak the language of grant writing so reviewers can instantly recognize the value of local projects and organizations.” The representatives will be present to answer questions about state services and agencies. Read more

 

Grant memo: Creative Industries, School Safety, Economic Development, and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District

(Aug 20, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Pennsylvania Creative Industries (formally Council on the Arts): Spotlight Program Who May Apply: Non-profit organizations with an annual average arts revenue of $10,000 to less than $100,000 and a history of at least two years of consistent arts programming in Pennsylvania Use: To support smaller creative arts organizations that deliver services, products, or programs Funds: Grant awards shall not exceed $5,000 Application Deadline: September 14, 2026 More information: PCI Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: School Safety & Mental Health Grants Who May Apply: School Districts, Intermediate Units, Area Career and Technical Schools, Charter Schools, Regional Charter Schools, and Cyber Charter Schools Use: To provide grants to eligible school entities to support physical security enhancements and/or mental health initiatives Funds: A total of $138,779,000 in state funding is being announced to support this initiative. Funding is based on the formula included in 24 P.S. §13-1314.3-B, which stipulates school districts are to receive a $100,000 base amount for their grant, and an additional amount based on their 2024-25 Adjusted Average Daily Membership (AADM). All other eligible school entities (i.e., intermediate units, area career and technical schools, charter schools, regional charter schools, and cyber charter schools) are to receive $70,000 Read more

 

Rivera Summer 2026 NL

(Aug 20, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

Rivera Summer 2026 NL Read more

 

Rivera celebrates nearly $495K in state investments in traffic safety

(Aug 04, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

LANCASTER, Aug. 4 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, announced today that Lancaster received a Green Light-Go grant of $494,466 to modernize traffic signals at two key intersections to improve safety and increase traffic flow for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The funding will support upgrades to the traffic signal systems at North Duke Street and East Walnut Street and New Holland Avenue and Franklin Street to modernize aging infrastructure, increase signal reliability and accommodate increased traffic. “I’m thrilled that the City of Lancaster is receiving state funding to make these necessary investments in transportation safety,” Rivera said. “This money will make Lancaster an easier and safer place to navigate for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians while extending the traffic signals’ lifespan and supporting the city’s growing transportation needs.” The Greenlight-Go Program is a competitive state grant program designed to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals in Pennsylvania and is administered by the state Transportation Department. Applicants are required to provide a 20% match. Funding may be used for traffic signal retiming; study and removal of unwarranted traffic-control signals; monitoring of traffic signal corridors; innovative technologies; installation, upgrade or maintenance of traffic signal communication systems; upgrade or installation of detection systems and Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera note passage of sentencing reform legislation

(Jul 24, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

HARRISBURG, July 24 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, praised the actions of the PA House of Representatives in passing legislation that would end mandatory life-without-parole sentences in cases of second-degree felony murder in Pennsylvania. In 2024, Derek Lee, a Black man serving life without parole for second-degree murder, challenged the constitutionality of his sentence before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He argued that since he did not kill or intend to kill anyone in a 2014 Pittsburgh robbery , his sentence is disproportionate and cruel under both the Pennsylvania and U.S. constitutions. This March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Commonwealth v. Lee found that automatically imposing life without parole for all second-degree murder convictions violates the state constitution’s protections against cruel punishment because it does not consider individual responsibility or level of culpability. Currently only five states — Pennsylvania, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina — require mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole for second-degree felony murder convictions. The bill passed by the House (H.B. 1042) would require the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to deliver guidelines to judges while still ensuring judges can examine the facts of each case. It also would allow certain incarcerated people who served more than 30 years of their sentence before Read more

 

Rivera welcomes $6.8M for local construction projects: State grants fund affordable housing, educational and business development investments

(Jul 17, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

LANCASTER, July 17 – New funding of $6.8 million from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program makes critical investments in affordable housing, educational and business development projects the 96th Legislative District, state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, announced today. “I advocated to fund these strategic investments to help fuel our economy, expand opportunities and increase affordable housing,” Rivera said. “By helping companies grow, supporting education and creating more affordable housing options, this funding is planting the seeds for a community where residents thrive and businesses succeed. I will continue to advocate for state investments that strengthen our communities and help our district reach its full potential.” $3.4 million for Ecore International Inc. to transform a 100-plus-year-old building into a modern corporate office. $2 million for Arconic US for its warehouse expansion and replacing its water piping. $1 million for Franklin & Marshall College to construct a wellness center. $400,000 for the College Avenue Property Holding Company LLC to rehabilitate the parking garage and the former UPMC building site to create affordable housing, retail and commercial space. RACP funds design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects that have a regional impact and generate substantial Read more

 

Public Interest, Transportation, Community Development and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jul 15, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

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 14, 2026 More information: RAAC Website Commonwealth Financing Authority: Local Share Account: Monroe County Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development agencies, or redevelopment authorities within Monroe County or the five contiguous counties to Monroe (Carbon, Lackawanna, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne). Use: Public interest projects, community improvement projects, economic development projects, or roadway improvement projects. Funds: Funded by gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities. Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 More information: DCED Website Commonwealth Financing Authority: Local Share Account: Category 4 Facilities Program (Berks, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and York Counties) Who May Apply: Municipalities, counties, redevelopment authorities, or economic development agencies in a county hosting a Category 4 Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera urge Lancaster residents to get vaccinated against measles, stay informed with new dashboard

(Jul 15, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

HARRISBURG, July 15 – As Lancaster County experiences the largest measles outbreak in Pennsylvania in 2026, state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, are encouraging residents to get vaccinated against the disease and to stay informed about outbreaks through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s new measles online dashboard. “We urge residents to protect themselves against the measles outbreak by getting vaccinated if they are unvaccinated and by staying informed about outbreaks using the Department of Health’s new online dashboard,” Smith-Wade-El and Rivera said in a joint statement. “We are grateful to the Department of Health for expanding public access to information and increasing transparency about measles cases in Pennsylvania.” Since the beginning of the year, Pennsylvania has reported 105 cases of measles. More than half of those cases — 63 — have been reported in Lancaster County. The new online dashboard provides up-to-date information on measles outbreaks across Pennsylvania, including case details by county, age and hospitalizations. The dashboard is updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon with the latest available data. The Department of Health currently provides school vaccination data at the county and state levels. In August, school-level vaccination information will be available online, giving families additional information to guide personal Read more

 

Rivera applauds historic investments in education and support for working families in 2026-27 state budget

(Jul 13, 2026) Rep. Nikki Rivera

HARRISBURG, July 13 – Drawing on her 30 years as a public high school teacher, state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, highlighted the 2026-27 state budget’s historic investments in education and support for working families as making Pennsylvania a more equitable place to live today and in the future. “I know from my own experience and that as a teacher, a high-quality education opens doors long after graduation,” Rivera said. “This budget will ensure that historically all Pennsylvania’s students have access to the skills and knowledge that will enable them to adapt and thrive in an increasingly competitive global workforce.” The budget makes a $670 million investment statewide in education, which includes a $565 million increase to help rectify historic funding discrepancies and a $58 million increase in basic education and $47 increase in special education funding, to ensure every student can succeed. Rivera said the school districts in the 96 th Legislative District will benefit from significant funding increases: Lancaster School District $4.2 million (4% increase) Manheim Township School District $1.9 million (11.7% increase) Hempfield School District $900,000 (3.6% increase) Rivera was pleased with the budget’s protections of cyber charter school students. “This budget would ensure that cyber charter schools are accountable for student safety by Read more

 

Rivera secures $125K in state grants for Stauffer Park rehabilitation
1 day ago

‘People over profit margins’: PA House Democrats renew commitment to energy affordability with bill package to protect consumers
1 day ago

Rivera raises awareness of need for funding for Duchenne muscular dystrophy at Capitol
Oct 06, 2026

Kosierowski kratom bill unanimously passes PA House
Oct 05, 2026

Rivera bill to lower electricity costs, increase reliability through grid-scale battery storage passes House
Oct 05, 2026

Transportation, Agricultural, Community Development and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 01, 2026

Grant Memo: Transportation, Agricultural, Community Development and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District
Sep 25, 2026

Pennsylvania benefits from growing Latino population
Sep 22, 2026

Grant Memo: Community Development, Fire & EMS, Environmental and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District
Sep 18, 2026

Rivera announces more than $1.7M in state grants for communities
Sep 16, 2026

Rivera announces $127K in state funding for local museums
Sep 11, 2026

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera to hold grant workshop for small business and nonprofits Sept. 2
Aug 26, 2026

Grant memo: Creative Industries, School Safety, Economic Development, and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District
Aug 20, 2026

Rivera Summer 2026 NL
Aug 20, 2026

Rivera celebrates nearly $495K in state investments in traffic safety
Aug 04, 2026

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera note passage of sentencing reform legislation
Jul 24, 2026

Rivera welcomes $6.8M for local construction projects: State grants fund affordable housing, educational and business development investments
Jul 17, 2026

Public Interest, Transportation, Community Development and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 15, 2026

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera urge Lancaster residents to get vaccinated against measles, stay informed with new dashboard
Jul 15, 2026

Rivera applauds historic investments in education and support for working families in 2026-27 state budget
Jul 13, 2026