READING, July 28 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, has asked President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to terminate the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract at the Berks County Residential Center. Guzman said that the unprecedented move was needed because Harrisburg has been slow or ineffective in acting on behalf of families there. Guzman was joined in the letter by more than 50 state and local elected officials. In it , Guzman states that it has been nearly five months since the most previously detained families were freed to their loved ones and sponsors, adding that the facility must permanently end those egregious practices once and for all. “This is the first time in many years that the Berks County Residential Center has stood without detained immigrant families within its walls,” Guzman wrote. “We believe that this decision is only the first step toward ending family detention once and for all in this country. Incarcerating immigrants – whether they are families, children or single adults – is cruel, inhumane, abusive, unnecessary and immoral. “It is a violation not only of American civil liberties but also of international human rights.” The letter, signed by a vast coalition of state senators and representatives, makes an unwavering case against new plans to detain, process, incarcerate or subject immigrants to federal actions within the facility. “I am honored and Read more
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HARRISBURG, June 26 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, on Friday voted to pass a state budget that will bring $176,767,992 in vital basic, special, and Ready to Learn block grant education funding, including more than $6 million in “Level Up” funds that invest in the poorest school districts, back to Reading School District. “Investments in communities like the beautiful, burgeoning city of Reading will undoubtedly ripple beyond our city limits,” Guzman said. “And that is especially so when it comes to funding that will help our schools and invest in the children in our community and their education.” A new initiative called “Level Up,” through which $100 million will be allocated to each of the 100 poorest schools in Pennsylvania, will provide Reading School District with $6.5 million in funding. That’s on top of more than $150.7 million in Pennsylvania’s Basic Education Funding, more than $14.7 million in Special Education Funding and $4.7 million in Ready to Learn Block Grants. The Level Up money can be used to hire more educators, upgrade schools that were built more than a century ago and provide students and faculty with 21 st century technology. “The children in our community and their education must be a top priority,” Guzman said. “For too long, our schools haven’t received the funding they need to meet students’ needs. I Read more
Interest form for college students looking to intern with Rep. Guzman's office. Read more
"I remain committed to fighting for criminal justice reform and ending mass incarceration, and while much more work still needs to be done, I’m pleased to see that one of these grants will allow the Berks County Jail System to decrease its incarcerated population,” Rep. Guzman said. Read more
As a former member of the Reading School Board, I’m well aware of the inequities in funding schools such as Reading face. It’s a relief to see state funds going to a quality program that provides teachers and students with information they can use to improve and grow. Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries: Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities (Funding Source: Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund) Who May Apply : Local public libraries (state-aided). Must partner with a sponsoring municipality. Use : To plan, acquire, construct, or rehabilitate public library facilities including, but not limited to: ADA upgrades, new roof, replacement windows, energy efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, facility expansion and new construction. Funds : Funding limits not yet announced. Grants require a dollar-for-dollar match; match may include cash, in-kind contributions, federal funds, and other state funds. Letter of Interest : As soon as possible. Letters of interest are currently being accepted in anticipation of opening an application round this summer. The dates of the next application round are still being finalized. More Information : Click on https://www.statelibrary.pa.gov/libraries/subsidies-and-grants/pages/keystone-recreation-park-and-conservation-funds.aspx . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: FY 2021 Gun Violence Reduction Grants (Funding Source: General Fund ) Who May Apply : Community-based organizations and local units of government across the Commonwealth with the highest rates of gun violence. Use : Projects that lead to immediate impacts. Read more
Send questions to RepGuzman@pahouse.net. Read more
READING, May 10 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Reading, and the Reading Redevelopment Authority showed the House Democratic Policy Committee how an infusion of investment could benefit Reading and how that success could be duplicated in communities across the state. Overcoming post-pandemic concerns for public safety was a point of concern from Reading Economic Development Director Jamal Abodalo. Alvernia University President John Loyack discussed the university’s renovation and small business incubator investments in Reading. “We have the potential to help lift people out of poverty with investments that would revitalize communities, encourage private investment and put people to work, said Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro. “We must capitalize on federal funding to help people across the state recover from the hardships of the pandemic.” “Our PA Rescue Plan would get money to local businesses, working people and schools to help them recover and thrive as we make our way through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Guzman said. “In the absence of any plan on the part of the majority party in Harrisburg to direct federal pandemic relief funds to these areas, I am happy to welcome my colleagues to the heart of Reading’s Keystone Opportunity Zone so that we can show the public how the plan I am working to enact would improve cities like Reading and communities throughout the state.” The PA Rescue Plan proposes a $475 Read more
READING, May 6 – The media is invited to join Rep. Manny Guzman and the House Democratic Policy Committee for a tour of how the PA Rescue Plan would deliver for downtowns. The tour will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, May 10 at Reading City Hall, 815 Washington St., near the heart of Reading’s Keystone Opportunity Zone. Immediately following the tour at 2 p.m., the committee will host a media opportunity for press to discuss the PA Rescue Plan with legislators and participants. The PA Rescue Plan aims to ensure federal American Rescue Plan funding is invested for immediate impact and long-term success. Additional information about the plan is available at www.pahouse.com/parescueplan . READING, 6 de mayo – Se invita a los medios de comunicación a unirse al representante Manny Guzmán y al Democratic Policy Committee de la Cámara de Representantes para una gira sobre cómo el Plan de Rescate de Pennsylvania podría funcionar en los centros urbanos. El recorrido comenzará a la 1 p.m. el lunes 10 de mayo en Reading City Hall, 815 Washington St., cerca del corazón de la Zona de Oportunidades de Reading. Inmediatamente después de la gira a las 2 p.m., el comité presentará una oportunidad para que la prensa discuta el Plan de Rescate de la Pennsylvania con legisladores y participantes. El Plan de Rescate de PA tiene como objetivo garantizar que los fondos del Plan de Rescate Estadounidense Read more
Shots are available; Governor Wolf visits Reading; Hay vacunas disponibles; El gobernador Wolf visita Reading Read more
“I’m thrilled to see the state make this important and valuable investment in the Latino community in Berks County.” Read more
In this week's update, learn about a walk-up vaccination clinic in Reading, the expansion at Mary's Shelter, the opening of a new business and more. Read more
This is a grant program established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, and is administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. Read more
The Buttonwood Gateway West project has long been a goal for city officials and business leaders. More projects like this are needed, where community development projects like this one deliver access to affordable housing, schools, health care and jobs. Read more
Here are the latest state grant programs that recently opened for applications, as well as a federally funded American Rescue Plan grant opportunity available to humanities organizations. Read more
In this week's update, learn about legislation I'm supporting and what's happening in our district. Read more
In this week's community update, find a link to my latest town hall, news on vaccines and a note about Reading's state championship run. Read more
Click here to watch. Email your questions ahead of or during the live web event to RepGuzman@pahouse.net. Read more
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645 Penn St.5th FloorReading, PA 19601-3543
P*: (610) 376-1529
F*: (610) 378-4406
Hours of Operation - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The office has staff ready to assist you in Spanish and English.
32 East WingPO Box 202127 Harrisburg, PA 17120
P*: (717) 787-3525