“As we’ve visited communities around Pennsylvania, one thing is clear: every community – rural, urban or suburban – they all want the best opportunities for their students,” Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, said. “And as a state we owe them that much. It is enshrined in our Constitution. We need to start living up to the promise we make our students and the promise we’ve made in our state’s future.” Read more
The House Democratic leadership team and Policy Committee joined students, teachers, and education advocates in Reading Tuesday morning for a tour of two local high school buildings and a discussion on education inequality in Pennsylvania. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 6 – State Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin/Cumberland, today issued the following statement regarding the state budget passed by the General Assembly Wednesday: “Late on Wednesday night, in a bipartisan vote, the House passed the 2023-24 fiscal budget for the Commonwealth, which includes a $717 million increase in education funding. This is a historic investment in K-12 education funding that will help provide relief to our schools that are struggling financially. “I was very proud to be part of this process -- knowing that each party succeeded in securing some of their respective efforts, including a much-needed allocation of money to help our talented students succeed in a rapidly changing world.” “They are worth it and deserve the investment.” Kim noted the following funding will be awarded to local school districts: Harrisburg City School District - $12,166,916 (15.3% increase). Camp Hill School District - $150,939 (5.9% increase). East Pennsboro Area School District - $906,876 (9.6% increase). West Shore School District - $1,619,171 (7.9% increase). Kim said she also was pleased with projected Level Up funding for two districts: Harrisburg School District: $2,718,453 East Pennsboro Area School District: $206,628 “As many are aware, this funding will help ‘level up’ school funding for our underfunded schools so their students will get the high-quality education Read more
HARRISBURG, July 6 – State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, today issued the following statement regarding the state budget passed by the General Assembly: “Last night in a bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives passed the 2023-24 state budget, which now goes to Governor Shapiro's desk for approval. I have spoken to many residents in Lower Paxton, Penbrook, and Susquehanna Township about their priorities, and I'm pleased that this budget addresses some of those priorities. While there is more to be done, this budget makes historic investments in education, public safety, health care, community and economic development, and much more. “Additionally, House Bill 1100 was sent to the governor's desk. This bill would raise the income limits for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program from $35,000 to $45,000 and provide for larger rebates for eligible participants. The passage of this bill will bring relief for thousands of seniors across the Commonwealth. Fleming noted some of the critical investments included in the 2023-24 budget: Education $567 million increase for Basic Education Funding. $50 million increase for Special Education Funding. $46.5 million for universal school breakfast. $10 million to provide annual stipends to student teachers. Economic Development $23.5 million for workforce training and career & technical education. $6 million for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. $20 Read more
Taking the first significant step toward increasing income limits for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for the first time in 16-plus years, the Finance Committee passed legislation Tuesday to do just that. Read more
STATE COLLEGE, May 11 – New funding of up to $400,000 will boost Centre County resources to fight substance use disorder, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin, D-Centre, said the funding from the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs will allow Pinnacle Treatment to expand programs for residents in Centre and Washington counties. “Although existing programs and outreach have made inroads in the fight against substance use disorder, too many residents and the families who love them still feel the devastating impact of addiction,” Conklin said. “Securing this funding will allow us to expand the kinds of evidence-based treatment programs, recovery and peer supports, education and other resources that can get more folks back on the path to productive lives.” The funding – which is provided from the opioid settlement funds appropriated to DDAP by the General Assembly – is for a 12-month period beginning July 1, through June 30, 2024. Funds may be applied to a range of activities, including building infrastructure, staffing and evidence-based programming. More about the funding is available here: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/DDAP_details.aspx?newsid=275 . Read more
"By giving election workers the time they need to tabulate votes, my bill would expedite the process and help eliminate the delays that can slow or obstruct a fair, democratic process.” Read more
State Representative Mark Rozzi, State Representative Manny Guzman and State Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz helped bring funding for the Redner's Event Center home. Read more
When there's a will, there's always a way: It's one of Cepeda-Freytiz's favorite mottos. Read more
LANCASTER, March 16 – State Reps. Mike Sturla and Ismail Smith-Wade-El, both D-Lancaster, announced today that they had secured $2,326,905 for Lancaster’s multimodal and local public improvement projects from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. “I thank the CFA for recognizing the important work of our local organizations and the City of Lancaster to our community,” Sturla said. “These vital awards will enable them to continue to enhance their services for the benefit of our residents.” “We are proud and grateful to have been able to secure these funds which will serve critical housing, social and community development needs,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Thank you to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for sharing this community’s vision of what we all deserve.” The funding will help the following projects: $200,000 to the City of Lancaster to construct an eastbound bicycle lane on Fulton Street in Lancaster City. $400,000 for South Ann Concerned Neighbors to construct a community hub where all neighborhood individuals are provided community resources. $476,905 for SACA Development Corporation to complete building renovations to their human services facility, El Centro Hispano. $250,000 for Tenfold to complete a comprehensive renovation its 112-year-old TLC shelter facility, to provide better temporary housing and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. $1,000,000 for YWCA Read more
“We look forward to partnering with the governor to expand PTRR so that our vulnerable seniors and persons with disabilities in Pennsylvania can stay in their homes,” the legislators said. Read more
Cepeda-Freytiz’s success in politics isn’t something she has accomplished on her own. In fact, it’s not even something she ever intended to pursue. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 8 – The newly formed PA House Democratic Central Pennsylvania Delegation issued its first statement today by commending Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2023-24 state budget. The delegation’s members share several top budget priorities with the governor. “I conferred with our delegation members after yesterday’s budget address by Governor Shapiro and was heartened to learn they believe he spoke on initiatives that would have a great positive impact on their constituencies,” state Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, chair of the delegation, said. “Establishing equitable funding for all our public schools became a priority for our members after the Commonwealth Court’s long-awaited ruling earlier this year,” Hill-Evans continued. “That ruling gave us the green light to finally establish a fair school funding formula that works for all students – not just those who happen to reside in Pennsylvania’s wealthier ZIP codes.” She said delegation members were also heartened to see Shapiro broach issues on which they’ve drafted soon-to-be-introduced legislation, including: Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program: Expanding the program for seniors and disabled residents would help keep these vulnerable communities safe in their homes and remove their burden of worrying about keeping the roof over their heads. Safe Read more
HARRISBURG, March 7 – State Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, said she stands behind several measures in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2023/24 state budget, including investing in education and economic development and believes that it will create opportunities for growth in the central Pennsylvania region. “We have reformed the House to make our government more responsive to all of its people, and this proposal for a commonsense budget will build on the people’s needs for a bright future,” Hill-Evans said. “I am confident in the governor’s proposals for education, support of local businesses, and safety of residents of the commonwealth from youth to our seniors. “Governor Shapiro’s proposal finds solutions to everyday problems Pennsylvanians face. We want to improve our schools and make sure that every child has the access to quality education and safe learning environment no matter the ZIP code. It would not only help people gain access to an efficient education but provide more funding for career and tech schools and continue to provide universal free breakfast for all Pennsylvanian students. “This budget would expand the Property Tax Rent Rebate Program for our seniors and disabled Pennsylvanians. Everyone deserves a roof over their head, and this program keeps our vulnerable community safe and in their homes. Raising the maximum rebate and increasing the income cap for renters will help Read more
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