NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Firearm Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Initiative Who May Apply: Units of local government, nonprofit organizations (including community-based and statewide organizations), institutions of higher education, and state government agencies. Use: To support programming that focuses on firearm-related suicide prevention. Funds: A total of $1 million in federal 2024 Byrne SCIP funds in available. PCCD expects to fund 4 to 6 grants over a 21-month period. Application Deadline: September 9, 2025 More information: PCCD 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 Read more
Check out my latest e-newsletter to read about how we're working to fund public transit; rallying for Black maternal health; boosting access to speech & hearing services – and more! Read more
Check out my latest e-newsletter to read about the state Capitol rally for food allergy safety; how the House voted to raise the minimum wage; mandating defibrillators in schools – and more! Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Mixed-Use Revitalization Program Who May Apply: Developers (person or business entity with a demonstrated history of advancing commercial or mixed-use redevelopment projects Use: A community revitalization project that promotes economic growth and includes commercial assets. Eligible projects must be on at least 15 acres of land, contain at least 200,000 square feet of proposed development that has not received a certificate of occupancy as of 7/11/24, and be zoned for planned end use. Funds: Grant amount shall not exceed more than twice the amount of matching funds provided by the developer or $3,000,000, whichever is less. Application Deadline: August 31, 2025 More information: CFA Website Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Grant Who May Apply: Individuals or organizations focused on agriculture research Use: Research on topic areas listed here Funds: All funding is contingent upon 2025-2026 budget appropriations Application Deadline: July 25, 20225 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: Read more
“As an emergency physician, I have treated hundreds of patients with life-threatening allergic reactions, including many food-based reactions that could have been prevented,” Venkat said. “As a lawmaker, I know we can do more to reduce that risk.“One important way is by mandating changes in higher-risk settings like restaurants and other food retail facilities, where cross-contamination during food preparation, failing to notify customers about the need to convey their food allergies, or a patron’s failure to alert staff of food allergies accounts for many incidents. Earlier this year, the House passed our bill that would require these businesses to increase food allergy awareness among employees and customers. It’s an important step that would save lives.” Read more
Check out my latest e-news letter to read about our rally against the "Big Terrible Bill," reforming cyber charters, a new scam alert, an upcoming Safer PA event – and more! Read more
Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: School Bus Safety Grant Program Who May Apply: Independent school bus contractors, school entities, and municipalities Use: To promote and increase school bus safety, education, and training, as well as pay for education, training, and other associated costs related to an individual earning their commercial learner's permit, commercial driver's license, or school bus endorsement for the purpose of driving a school bus in Pennsylvania. Funds: $1.2 million in funds are available through the School Bus Safety Grant Program. Grant awards will not exceed $100,000. Application Deadline: July 3, 2025 More information: PennDOT website Department of Environmental Protection: Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grant Program Who May Apply: An electric grid operator, an electricity storage operator, an electricity generator, a transmission owner or operator, a distribution provider, a fuel supplier, and any other relevant entity, as determined by DEP in consultation with DOE. Use: To implement resilience measures throughout PA intended to mitigate the impact of electric grid disruptive events. Funds: $8 million in grant awards is available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Application Deadline: Concept Paper submission availability will close at Read more
Check out my latest e-newsletter to read about our recent community town hall, student talent, the new distracted driving law, and more! Read more
Speak your mind at my May 29 town hall! Read more
Check out my latest e-newsletter to read about my upcoming town hall, a way to honor our fallen heroes, my visit with smart scouts, fireworks safety tips -- and more! Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PACTT (Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training) Grant Who May Apply: All residential facilities, community-based, and/or juvenile probation office providers that are not currently PACTT Affiliates and serve primarily adjudicated delinquent youth. Use: Applicants must ensure that the proposed program and associated expenses directly align with the PACTT affiliation areas (Academics, Job Skills Training, or Work-Related Services) the agency intends to pursue Funds: A total of $160,000 in state JRI funds is being announced to support this initiative among residential facilities, community-based providers, and juvenile probation departments. PCCD expects to fund eight grants with budgets not to exceed $20,000 over a 12-month project period. Application Deadline: July 7, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others Use: Create or obtain business plans, management strategies, transition plans, ownership plans, or plans to maintain the long-term economic viability of a farm. Funds: Up to $500,000 is available in grant funding. Individual grants shall not exceed $15,000. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until funds are exhausted. More information: PDA Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR Read more
“In my door-knocking, I hear from so many engaged residents who tell me about their hopes and priorities for our community,” Venkat said. “With dangerous policies being proposed at the federal level that will have a direct impact upon our community and state, I also hear a lot of questions and concerns. Now, more than ever, it’s important for people to have a chance to speak out and for elected officials to listen. “My upcoming town hall will be an opportunity for us to gather as a community, for residents to discuss the issues on their minds, and for me to hear more about what messages need to resonate in Harrisburg. I urge everyone to attend.” Read more
Check out my latest e-newsletter to read about my May 29 town hall, a bill to ensure patients can access GLP-1 drugs; how we voted this week in the House – and more! Read more
“Our military men and women sacrifice so much when they commit to serve, and their families also sacrifice each time they say goodbye to a loved one leaving for duty,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “The Military Family Education Program is an excellent way of giving back to these families while also boosting Guard recruitment and retention. “As written, the existing law leaves some uncertainty regarding whether the education benefit is renewable. By making clear that the benefit is available each time a Guard member reenlists or renews their service commitment, our bill would give greater effect to this powerful program.” Read more
“Hospital-based financial aid can help patients avoid life-altering medical debt, yet many patients are unaware that these programs even exist or how to access them,” said Venkat, an emergency physician and legislator who sits on the House Health Committee. “Our legislation would make sure patients receive this information in a standardized, easily understandable format so they can reap the benefits of these programs. Our bill would also require hospitals to suspend billing pending a decision on the patient’s application. Making the system more accessible and user-friendly for patients will help prevent all Pennsylvanians from accumulating medical debt.” Read more
“GLP-1 drugs that treat obesity can also help patients avoid serious and costly diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and potentially others,” said Venkat, a physician and legislator who is a member of the House Health and Human Services committees. “For the state, healthier outcomes for Medicaid patients translate to significant cost savings.“The challenge is that these medications are costly to the state now, while the savings from lower disease rates won’t be realized until future years. By implementing a subscription model, our bill would help the state significantly reduce upfront costs without limiting the number of patients who can receive needed treatment for obesity.” Read more
Check out my latest e-newsletter to read about our bills to fight unfair finance charges and protect health professionals; welcoming an astronaut to the Capitol – and more! Read more
“Far too many Pennsylvanians – especially seniors, those on fixed incomes, and people without reliable internet – rely on paper statements to manage their finances,” said Venkat, the prime sponsor of the bill. “Charging a fee just to access basic account information and manage one’s finances is an unnecessary expense for consumers. This legislation puts an end to that.” Read more
The PA Department of Human Services is alerting SNAP recipients who lost food as a result of the recent storms and power outages that they may be eligible for replacement benefits. Read more
Power Recovery Efforts Continue throughout Community Utility workers continue efforts to restore power from the severe storm that swept through our region Tuesday evening. Please visit my Facebook page here for periodic updates on progress. Read more
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