Featured News

Young presents $425,000 to Colwyn Borough to improve infrastructure

Young celebrates $80,000+ awarded to two local senior centers

(May 18, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, May 18 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., announced today that two area senior centers will receive more than $80,000 combined in state funding for capital improvements and renovations. Southwest Senior Center is set to receive $44,116, and St. Edmond Senior Community Center is set to receive $36,274. “This funding will enable these centers to update and renovate their facilities and continue to offer our seniors quality care,” Young said. “It is so important that we look out for, and take care of, our older adult populations and ensure they can thrive as pillars of our society.” The funding for both Southwest Senior Center and St. Edmond Senior Community Center was awarded by the state Department of Aging under the 2022-2023 Senior Community Center Grant program. Funding for that program comes from the Pennsylvania Lottery and the local awards were part of a larger $2 million package awarded to senior centers throughout the state announced Wednesday. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation meets with members of Philadelphia City Council Committee on Education to discuss school facilities

(May 01, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, May 1 – In light of yet another school closing due to environmental hazards, the Philadelphia House Delegation today announced that the institution held a discussion with the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Education to help address the school closings impacting hundreds of students. The meeting was prompted after a sixth school building, Universal Vare Charter School, closed Friday after asbestos was found in the building. All affected schools have shifted to virtual learning. The finding comes as the result of a districtwide inspection prompted by the discovery of asbestos in Building 21, located in West Oak Lake. That building was shut down March 1. Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas said the delegation is concerned about the ongoing situation of schools having to close, and said the delegation considered the reunion the first step in evaluating strategies and prevention measures with the school district and the board of education. “ Years of disinvested in the schools has led to this upsetting situation; underfunding has taken a toll on these buildings. This is disruptive and frustrating for the parents and students that now have been thrown into a state of disarray,” Cephas said. “We are proposing solutions, but we also have questions and concerns that we need to clarify before we go into budget negotiations. We must wonder, are there other schools slated Read more

 

Young Questions State Police Diversity, Recruitment

(Mar 28, 2023)

White men currently comprise 86% of the Pa. State Police force compared to only 7% people of color. In a House Appropriations Committee budget hearing, Pa. state Rep. Regina Young asked the State Police Commissioner about their efforts to build diversity. Read more

 

State funding for local projects

(Mar 27, 2023)

“Infrastructure is vital to the health of the local economy,” Young said. “When you invest in infrastructure you invest in the community. I’m incredibly pleased to see this funding go to so many wonderful and useful projects throughout the city.” Read more

 

Young: Over $2.4 million secured for local projects

(Mar 17, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, March 17 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., announced today that more than $2 million in funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will go toward helping fund local infrastructure projects. “Infrastructure is vital to the health of the local economy. When you invest in infrastructure you invest in the community,” Young said. “I’m incredibly pleased to see this funding go to so many wonderful and useful projects throughout the city.” The projects receiving this money include: $100,000 to the City of Philadelphia, Department of Commerce, Division of Aviation for ADA improvements at terminals A-F at the Philadelphia International Airport. $100,000 to the City of Philadelphia, Department of Commerce, Division of Aviation for South Commercial Road Rehabilitation at the Philadelphia International Airport. $350,000 to Olde Yankee Inc. for the Schuylkill River port improvement project, which will rehabilitate the marine terminal along the river. $100,000 to Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. for the Blossom at Bartram streetscape improvements project. $617,100 to Tinicum Township for replacement of the sludge heather at the Tinicum Township wastewater treatment plant. $599,719 to PIDC Financing Corp. for Blossom at Bartram, which will help with improvements to pedestrian safety Read more

 

Young Excited to See Education, Childcare in Budget Address

(Mar 07, 2023)

House Appropriations Committee Secretary Pa. state Rep. Regina Young reacted to Govenor Josh Shapiro's budget address. Young was excited to hear education, mental health, childcare and property tax rebates were among the Governor's top priorities. Read more

 

Young applauds $30 million in federal funding for Philadelphia International Airport

(Mar 03, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, March 3 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., applauded the Biden Administration’s announcement of nearly $1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to 99 airports across the country, including $30 million for upgrades at Philadelphia International Airport. The $30 million, split between two $15 million grants, will fund a portion of the Terminal Energy Optimization Program. The first $15 million will replace and upgrade pre-condition air units and ground power units at 25 gates. The second $15 million will improve accessibility in the terminal, funding the construction of terminal restrooms, adult assisted care, mother's rooms and service animal relief areas. “A competitive country in the global economy is one that has good infrastructure it maintains and upgrades when necessary. I am pleased to see that the president’s administration understands this reality and is doing something about it,” Young said. “This grant funding will help Philadelphia to continue to be the economic hub it has been since its founding.” Lean more about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law here . Read more

 

Young Works to Include Youth in #America250PA Celebration

(Feb 01, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Regina Young joined her colleague state Rep. Jared Solomon to speak to students at Gilbert Spruance Elementary School about the importance of America’s upcoming 250th birthday. Young said she wants young people to have a better understanding of where we came from as a nation and to get them thinking about what part they play in America’s future. Read more

 

Young releases statement on FDR Park meeting

(Jan 27, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 27 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., said today she is both heartened and dismayed by the events of Thursday night’s meeting to discuss the future of, and improvements being made at, FDR Park. “The goal of the meeting was to hear from the constituents and inform them of the progress being made in developing the master plan for FDR Park,” Young said. “That’s why it is unfortunate that outside groups felt the need to bus in protestors to disrupt the event, who screamed and yelled profanities unbecoming of civil debate and rude to the community that makes up the 185th Legislative District. “We understand cultural competency matters and social context matters in all situations. That is why there were over 400 people in attendance and four interpreters for attendees. “The development of this park and other green spaces is vital to ensuring that Black and brown children in Philadelphia have access to safe and green spaces — a necessity of childhood far too often made unavailable. “I appreciate the many families who came to lend their voices and opinions to the meeting. Any time their voices are heard, it’s a good thing. In that sense, I think the meeting was a success. “I promise that we will continue to take into account the opinions of the constituents and will make FDR Park a positive place for Read more

 

Young: Over $100k secured for Delaware Estuary work

(Jan 12, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., today announced that the Department of Environmental Protection had awarded $106,601 in funds from its Growing Greener grant program to improving the health of shorelines in the Delaware Estuary. The funding will go toward advancing the application of living shorelines in the tidal freshwater prism of the Delaware Estuary by increasing the footprint of freshwater mussel sub-tidal living shoreline at Bartram’s Garden. The work will be based on the results of previous endeavors and will acquire permits for intertidal components of a full habitat mosaic design at Bartram’s Garden “Nurturing the health of our waterways and shorelines is vital to both our community and the local economy,” Young said. “Securing our environment is securing our future.” Growing Greener is the largest investment of state funds in the state’s history to address environmental concerns. Read more

 

Young announces signature rectification legislation

(Dec 29, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 29 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., announced today that she intends to introduce legislation in the 2023-24 legislative session that would require county boards of election to notify voters if their ballot signature does not match the signature on file. This legislation would allow voters to the opportunity to prove their identity and affirm that their signature on a ballot is accurate. “Signatures vary over time. And we should not allow something as mundane as this to disenfranchise voters who want to make their voice heard,” Young said. “The current practice of throwing out a ballot over signature discrepancies with no measure of rectification just doesn’t make sense and only serves to silence the will of the people.” Read more

 

PTRR Application Deadline Dec. 31st

(Dec 01, 2022)

The December 31st deadline to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is fast approaching and Pa. state Rep. Regina Young’s office is ready to walk you through the application process. Many older and disabled adults living in Pa. are eligible for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2021. To see if you qualify or for help applying, call Rep. Young’s district office at 215-952-3376. For more information or to apply online, check out www.mypath.pa.gov Read more

 

Young announces $1 million in funding for local project

(Nov 21, 2022)

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 21 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., announced today that $1 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant funds will be going to a project in her district. The city of Philadelphia, Department of Commerce, Division of Aviation will receive $1 million for the SEPTA Platforms Renovation project, which will improve and repair the deficient condition of several SEPTA platforms and canopies at Philadelphia International Airport. The funding will also go toward modernizing the platforms to enhance user experience for SEPTA riders coming through the airport. “SEPTA is an integral part of the Philadelphia experience and I applaud the investment in making it the best experience possible,” Young said. Read more

 

Young Can Help with Your LIHEAP Application

(Nov 02, 2022)

Winter is almost here and that means higher energy and heating bills. Pa. state Rep. Regina Young wants you to know that there is help available. Contact one of her district offices for information and assistance in applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. You can also go to LIHEAP.com for more information. Read more

 

Young announces additional $4 million in funding for local projects

(Oct 31, 2022)

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 1 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., announced today that an additional $4 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant funds will be going to two projects in her district. “I’m enthused to see the continued investments in our community,” Young said. “Projects like these ensure that we have the tools necessary to uphold our commitment to build better schools, better jobs and a better community.” The projects receiving grant funding are: $3 million to Rhoads Industries for the Rhoads Industries Building 57 Defense Manufacturing Facility II project, which will help with the further development of a state-of-the-art renovation to Building 57 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard to deliver an in-demand manufacturing center for both government and commercial purposes. The project will specifically enhance the facility to handle the needs of the U.S. Navy Submarine Program by upgrading security, engineering presence, ability to handle material and ship completed modules. $1 million to the City of Philadelphia, Department of Commerce, Division of Aviation, for Wetlands Mitigation at FDR Park 2. This project will create wetlands at FDR Park to mitigate the impacts of airfield improvements by excavating soil and debris, grading, improving the drainage system, removing invasive species, planting and establishing wetland vegetation. Read more

 

Young: $8.75 million in state grants awarded to local projects

(Oct 27, 2022)

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 27 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., today announced that four local projects will receive more than $8.75 million in state grant funding. “The projects these grants fund will have an immense impact on our community and will serve to lift our friends and neighbors by improving the very infrastructure used in everyday life,” Young said. “These grants are an investment in the people that make up the fabric of District 185.” The grants awarded include: $5 million to Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining and Marketing LLC for Bellwether District South Philadelphia Revitalization for Industrial Growth Phase 1, which is a comprehensive redevelopment of The Bellwether District. The improvements include earth moving to raise portions of the site out of floodplains and facilitate future goals of the program to provide vehicular and pedestrian access to the eventual economic hub. $1.5 million to the Fairmount Park Conservancy for FDR Park - Picnic and Play Phase I, which will enable the conservancy to complete its multitude of upgrades. The updated site will include a new shared park road with parking and bike lanes, associated green stormwater management and ADA-accessible pathways and parking. The new utilities will run the gamut, including water and wastewater lines, electrical service, lighting and broadband. There will also be concessions and vending space, gender neutral Read more

 

This Week in Harrisburg and Around the District

(Oct 03, 2022)

Plus, Sankofa Harvest Fest on Oct. 16 Read more

 

Young: What will it take for action in the PA General Assembly?

(Oct 03, 2022)

As a mother of children who attend public schools and travel by three modes of transportation, as a wife of a black man who also travels throughout the city for work and as a woman of color who is often the only person in the room who looks like me – something that I notice all the time when traveling throughout the commonwealth, I want to say that I understand the concerns that plagues our streets in and around Philadelphia. I know the mental and emotional toll of not being able to exhale until everyone, myself included, is home safe. That’s when I breathe a sigh of relief and give thanks for another day of making it home safely. This is one of the reasons why my role as a legislator is so important. I can speak from the disenfranchised community perspective because I was born and raised in it – a community that is often frustrated by the politics of how systems work. My team in my district office is often afraid for their children and families – like me, they see firsthand the inaction of the House Republicans. With that being said, it is disheartening to see how some of my colleagues are attempting to grey the area when it comes to portraying their “concerns” regarding Philadelphia. Despite controlling the legislature for nearly 30 years, Republicans have done next to nothing of substance to help curtail gun violence in Pennsylvania. I have witnessed firsthand how proposed legislation cannot even be heard by the full Read more

 

Summer 2022 NEWSLETTER

(Sep 21, 2022)

Newsletter Read more

 

Young announces grant for Colwyn Borough

(Sep 21, 2022)

State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, said she is proud to announce that Colwyn Borough will receive $110,000 to convert the basin at 5 th Street and Ellis Avenue into a bio-retention basin. “We only have one planet to live on,” Young said. “It is a huge undertaking, and we need to make every possible step to protect it. I am always proud to bring back money to the district that makes such a positive impact on both our community and environment.” These Watershed Restoration and Protection funds, provided through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, can be used for projects which involve the construction, improvement, expansion, repair, maintenance or rehabilitation of new or existing watershed protection Best Management Practices. The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 to administer Pennsylvania's economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania's economic growth. Read more