Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Rep. Darisha Parker | News Center

Working for your health and quality of life!

(Nov 03, 2025)

Check out my latest e-newsletter! Read more

 

It's time to shine a light on the state budget

(Nov 03, 2025)

Recently, I was listening to a sermon, and my pastor said something that stayed with me: Shine a light on it.So that’s what I’m going to do: shine a light on the reality of gun violence, shine it on what we’ve done, and shine it on what we need to do. Read more

 

Parker measure to support waterway commerce infrastructure to become law

(Oct 31, 2025)

State Rep. Darisha Parker announced today that the Senate-sponsored companion bill to her legislation ( H.B. 1057 ) that would better support the infrastructure for commerce along the Delaware River and Delaware Bay has passed both chambers and is expected to become law. Senate Bill 748, authored by state Sen. Frank Farry and which mirrors Parker’s bill, will adjust rates for fees paid to river pilots who navigate trade vessels along the Delaware River and its navigable tributaries. “Increasing the rate of pilotage fees will ensure that Pennsylvania is maintaining vital infrastructure along both the Delaware River and Bay,” Parker stated. “The impact of Pennsylvania’s waterway system on our state’s economy cannot be overstated, and this legislation will ensure that critical infrastructure is maintained to prevent catastrophic incidents from happening.” Parker also noted her appreciation to Farry for the bipartisan work on this important legislation that will help keep local waterways safe and continue to benefit the state’s economy. The bill passed the House Wednesday and was sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his signature. Read more

 

Get to the ballot box on Nov. 4!

(Oct 27, 2025)

96 @media only screen and (min-width:660px){.u-row{width:640px!important}.u-row .u-col{vertical-align:top}.u-row .u-col-50{width:320px!important}.u-row .u-col-100{width:640px!important}}@media (max-width:660px){.u-row-container{max-width:100%!important;padding-left:0!important;padding-right:0!important}.u-row .u-col{min-width:320px!important;max-width:100%!important;display:block!important}.u-row{width:100%!important}.u-col{width:100%!important}.u-col>div{margin:0 auto}}body{margin:0;padding:0}table,td,tr{vertical-align:top;border-collapse:collapse}p{margin:0}.ie-container table,.mso-container table{table-layout:fixed}*{line-height:inherit}a[x-apple-data-detectors=true]{color:inherit!important;text-decoration:none!important}table,td{color:#000}#u_body a{color:#00e;text-decoration:underline} Who holds the power in government? The turmoil that has surrounded the Trump administration has had profound and devestating effects throughout the country. Now, because of the federal government shutdown – two million people in Read more

 

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

(Oct 27, 2025)

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

 

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

(Oct 03, 2025)

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

 

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

(Sep 26, 2025)

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

 

Getting ready to celebrate America's 250th Birthday & other upcoming events

(Sep 22, 2025)

96 @media only screen and (min-width:660px){.u-row{width:640px!important}.u-row .u-col{vertical-align:top}.u-row .u-col-50{width:320px!important}.u-row .u-col-100{width:640px!important}}@media (max-width:660px){.u-row-container{max-width:100%!important;padding-left:0!important;padding-right:0!important}.u-row .u-col{min-width:320px!important;max-width:100%!important;display:block!important}.u-row{width:100%!important}.u-col{width:100%!important}.u-col>div{margin:0 auto}}body{margin:0;padding:0}table,td,tr{vertical-align:top;border-collapse:collapse}p{margin:0}.ie-container table,.mso-container table{table-layout:fixed}*{line-height:inherit}a[x-apple-data-detectors=true]{color:inherit!important;text-decoration:none!important}table,td{color:#000}#u_body a{color:#00e;text-decoration:underline} The Power of Community 500 Block of W. Abbottsford displayed the POWER OF COMMUNITY – I was honored to join their Block part celebration where they showed off team effort and dedication to win the title of “Super Clean Block” contest. Commissioner Shipman, Deputy Commissioner Warren, Kevin Fisher and Dawn Woods (PMBC, Sanitation and Judges for best Read more

 

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

(Sep 16, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Urban Agricultural Infrastructure Grant Who May Apply: A person may apply to the Department for a grant for an eligible project in an urban municipality. Use: To improve urban agricultural infrastructure in an urban area, improve or facilitate the aggregation of agricultural products in an urban area, entail the sharing of resources among urban agricultural entities or community organizations, and/or support community development in the project area. Funds: $500,000 is expected to be available contingent on the 2025-26 budget. Application Deadline: October 31, 2025 More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin 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 Read more

 

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

(Sep 10, 2025)

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 03, 2025)

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

 

Happy Labor Day! Updated office hours, upcoming events & more inside

(Aug 29, 2025)

The school year has officially started, and I was happy to welcome the students and families at Edward T. Steel School while helping to distribute supplies. Learn more about my work in the community and in Harrisburg in this week's email update. Read more

 

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

(Aug 28, 2025)

Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Education: Keystone Grant for Public Library Facilities Who May Apply: Grant applications are required to be submitted by a municipality on behalf of the project library. Use: Planning, acquisition, development, construction, or rehabilitation of a public library. Funds: Funding is available through the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund. This grant program is a dollar-for-dollar match, and the maximum grant award is $750,000. There is no minimum grant award. Application Deadline: October 10, 2025 More information: PDE Website Department of Environmental Protection: Coastal Zone Grant Program Who May Apply: An authority, incorporated non-profit organization, a political subdivision, or an educational institution with a project within the Delaware estuary coastal Zone or the Lake Erie Coastal Zone. Use: To protect and enhance coastal resources in this Commonwealth. Funds: Application Deadline: October 14, 2025 More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: Driving PA Forward Initiative: Pennsylvania Freight Innovations in Transportation (PA-FIT) Grant Program Who May Apply: Businesses, non-profits, state, local or tribal government agencies, air quality or transportation organizations, metropolitan or Read more

 

SEPTA Service Info, My Policy Work, Upcoming Events and More!

(Aug 25, 2025)

96 @media only screen and (min-width:660px){.u-row{width:640px!important}.u-row .u-col{vertical-align:top}.u-row .u-col-50{width:320px!important}.u-row .u-col-100{width:640px!important}}@media (max-width:660px){.u-row-container{max-width:100%!important;padding-left:0!important;padding-right:0!important}.u-row .u-col{min-width:320px!important;max-width:100%!important;display:block!important}.u-row{width:100%!important}.u-col{width:100%!important}.u-col>div{margin:0 auto}}body{margin:0;padding:0}table,td,tr{vertical-align:top;border-collapse:collapse}p{margin:0}.ie-container table,.mso-container table{table-layout:fixed}*{line-height:inherit}a[x-apple-data-detectors=true]{color:inherit!important;text-decoration:none!important}table,td{color:#000}#u_body a{color:#00e;text-decoration:underline} Dear Neighbor, Despite the efforts of my colleagues and I in the House Democratic Caucus, we are still without a budget or legislation that would prevent catastrophic service cuts and fare increases to mass transit agencies like SEPTA, which keep PA connected and moving forward. We have fulfilled our obligation five times when it comes to funding transit. There’s nothing more we can do when the other chamber won’t act. Read more

 

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

(Aug 19, 2025)

Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Environmental Education Grant Program Who May Apply: Schools, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, businesses, and other eligible entities. Use: Delivery of meaningful environmental education projects to improve understanding of natural resources and cultivate critical thinking and environmental stewardship for sustainable resource management. Funds: 5% of the pollution fines and penalties collected annually by DEP are used for Environmental Education grants. There are three grant ranges that include grants up to $5,000, grants between $5,001 and $30,000, and grants between $30,001 and $65,000. Application Deadline: November 14, 2025 More information: DEP 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: Read more

 

The Entrepreneur’s Guide

(Aug 12, 2025)

A free publication that guides a small business owner through the process of starting and growing a business in Pennsylvania that includes expert information about writing a business plan, registering a business, receiving funding, and more Read more

 

As school nears, public transit cuts loom over students and families who rely on SEPTA

(Aug 12, 2025)

For Autumn Fingerhood, a single mother who works three jobs, public transportation is the reason her 15-year-old daughter can get to school and back every day. However, the bus her daughter relies on is slated to be cut in a matter of weeks if Pennsylvania’s Republican-led Senate doesn’t quickly pass a state budget or a separate standalone bill with funding for mass transit. Read more

 

23rd Annual Giveback, SEPTA Funding Update, Community Events and More

(Aug 08, 2025)

Stop at our 198th District resources table for information on a variety of state programs and the services my office provides. We'll also be participating in the Walk for Peace on Saturday. Hope to see you there! Read more

 

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

(Aug 05, 2025)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County: Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund Who May Apply: Municipalities, authorities, councils of government, non-profits and for-profit businesses in Allegheny County. Use: Economic development projects, infrastructure development projects, job training, community improvement projects, public safety projects, and public interest projects. Funds: Project budgets must be between $150,000 and $500,000. Application Deadline: August 22, 2025 More information: RAAC Website Department of Transportation: Rail Freight Transportation Grant Who May Apply: Redevelopment authorities, rail companies, and for profit businesses Use: Investments in rail structure to keep and/or boost economic development. Funds: $41 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: August 29, 2025 More information: PennDOT Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Endowment Act – Treatment Training Who May Apply: For-profit entity, non-profit entity, an entity affiliated with a CAC or MDIT (e.g., public agency or hospital), unit of local government, or schools including colleges and universities. Use: This funding is specifically for the training of persons who treat adult and/or child victims/survivors of child sexual abuse. Funds: A total of $250,000 in state Endowment Act funds is being announced to Read more

 

Working for you, our economy and public transit!

(Aug 01, 2025)

Read my latest email newsletter about my work with the policy committee, the fight to fund public transit, help from PECO with your utility bills and some great upcoming events. Read more

 

Working for your health and quality of life!
Nov 03, 2025

It's time to shine a light on the state budget
Nov 03, 2025

Parker measure to support waterway commerce infrastructure to become law
Oct 31, 2025

Get to the ballot box on Nov. 4!
Oct 27, 2025

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

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 03, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 26, 2025

Getting ready to celebrate America's 250th Birthday & other upcoming events
Sep 22, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 16, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 10, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 03, 2025

Happy Labor Day! Updated office hours, upcoming events & more inside
Aug 29, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Aug 28, 2025

SEPTA Service Info, My Policy Work, Upcoming Events and More!
Aug 25, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Aug 19, 2025

The Entrepreneur’s Guide
Aug 12, 2025

As school nears, public transit cuts loom over students and families who rely on SEPTA
Aug 12, 2025

23rd Annual Giveback, SEPTA Funding Update, Community Events and More
Aug 08, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Aug 05, 2025

Working for you, our economy and public transit!
Aug 01, 2025