Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Mar 05, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Who May Apply: State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other eligible specialty crops stakeholders. Use: The purpose of the Program is to enhance, but not replace, the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by establishing a Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for specialty crops that are not currently eligible for grant payments under the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, or that are otherwise designated high-priority specialty crops by the Secretary. Funding for the Program will assist the growth, certification of seed and marketing of these eligible specialty crops. Funds: $460,000 in funding is available. Application Deadline: April 19, 2024 More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply. Use: Strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or support transition of ownership. Funds: $500,000 in funding is available. Grants shall not exceed $7,500. Application Deadline: Applications will be received until funds are exhausted. More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Local law enforcement Read more

 

Kenyatta introduces legislation to study impact of ‘benefits cliff’

(Feb 29, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 29 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., has introduced legislation to study the public assistance benefits cliff, which refers to a situation when public benefit programs phase out quickly for families as household earnings increase. This legislation would direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report on the impact of benefits cliffs in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, roughly 12 percent of all Pennsylvanians live in poverty, with eight percent living in extreme poverty. “In many instances, Pennsylvanians living in poverty become constrained to a life of poverty due to the ‘cliff effect,’ which perpetuates the poverty cycle, rather than incentivizing individuals to become self-sufficient,” Kenyatta said. “This study should give us a better idea of just how much the benefits cliff affects Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable families, and how we can ensure these families get the most out of important public benefit programs.” Kenyatta is joined by state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Roni Green, both D-Phila., and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, in introducing this bill. Cephas explained how benefits cliffs impact marginalized communities. “Not only are Black women paid less than white or male counterparts, opportunities to escape this cycle of poverty are fewer – leading to the public assistance Read more

 

Lawmaker: Welfare fraud punishment should 'fit the crime'

(Feb 28, 2024)

Mayes said that both the Shapiro administration and the Office of Inspector General support the proposal. Read more

 

Grants available as of Tuesday, Feb. 27

(Feb 27, 2024)

Grants available as of Tuesday, Feb. 27 Read more

 

Mayes’ legislation aims to address welfare fraud

(Feb 14, 2024)

“With my legislation, we have the opportunity to address welfare fraud while ensuring that the punishment fits the crime,” Mayes said. “This legislation will also assist the Office of the State Inspector General to pursue cases to recover fraudulent benefits, which we can utilize to allocate to eligible recipients.” Read more

 

Rep. Mayes' February Newsletter

(Feb 12, 2024)

Rep. Mayes' February Newsletter Read more

 

Grants available as of Thursday, Feb. 8

(Feb 08, 2024)

Grants available as of Thursday, Feb. 8 Read more

 

Mayes highlights Shapiro’s proposals for maternal health care

(Feb 07, 2024)

“With maternal mortality at its highest rates since 1965 and Black women at a higher risk of dying from complications during child birth, we must address the maternal health care crisis to reduce racial disparities in health care, as well as combat Black maternal morbidity and mortality,” Mayes said. “Even healthy women, such as U.S. Olympic sprinter Tori Bowie who died in May 2023 from pre-eclampsia, are at risk. As such, we must ensure Black women and Black pregnant people have access to equitable health care so that we may systemically combat maternal morbidity and mortality.” Read more

 

PBMHC applauds Shapiro’s proposals for investments in maternal health care

(Feb 07, 2024)

“We applaud the governor for working with us to address this crisis so we may ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to equitable health care of the highest quality.” Read more

 

SCOPA decision marks win for reproductive rights, health and justice

(Jan 30, 2024)

“Today’s decision marks a win for reproductive rights, health, and justice as now, advocates have the opportunity to defend Pennsylvanians’ ability to access reproductive health care, regardless of their income or use of public insurance,” Mayes said. “Currently, Medicaid does not cover abortions in Pennsylvania, preventing at least 28% of Pennsylvanians from accessing reproductive health care. With this decision from the state’s highest court, advocates can now challenge the Abortion Control Act of 1982 to ensure low-income patients have access to abortion and prevent Republicans from controlling the bodily autonomy of Pennsylvanians.” Read more

 

Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 30

(Jan 30, 2024)

Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 30 Read more

 

Abney: $32 million+ secured to remove lead in Pittsburgh’s drinking water, enhance water conservation

(Jan 25, 2024)

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 25 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of $32,058,100 was secured by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority for lead remediation and water conservation measures across multiple Pittsburgh neighborhoods. The state funds, facilitated by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority , will be used to replace approximately 1,375 public and 1,260 private lead service lines in the areas of Millvale Borough, Mount Washington, South Side Slopes, Garfield, Upper Lawrenceville, Central Northside, Manchester, Perry North, Perry South and Spring Hill. Many of these communities are at a disproportionately higher risk for lead contamination. Consumers will also be able to save water, as they are currently required to flush their systems each morning prior to use. Abney, whose legislative district includes four of the localities in the service area, said, “Ensuring the health of the neighbors I represent and preserving the local environment are paramount. These efforts will also help keep more dollars in the pockets of individuals and families who need them the most.” “Safe drinking water is a basic necessity that must be available to everyone,” state Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, said. “Investing monies in these critical infrastructural improvements is an investment in the health and safety of citizens and the environment.” Powell represents the citizens of Millvale, Upper Read more

 

Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 23

(Jan 23, 2024)

Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 23 Read more

 

PA Black Maternal Health Caucus recognizes Maternal Health Awareness Day

(Jan 23, 2024)

“Before my daughter’s birth, I worried about my partner’s health due to the severity of Black maternal morbidity and mortality,” Mayes said. “That’s why I, along with my co-chairs and members of the caucus, will work to enhance maternal health care. Now, with legislation such as Act 5 of 2023 and Act 32 of 2023, we have the opportunity to draft legislation, such as the PA MOMNIBUS, with more data on maternal mortality and more critical resources available to mothers, postpartum individuals and babies. Our resolution will ensure that we work to address barriers for residents trying to access maternal health care.” Read more

 

State lawmakers roll out legislation to facilitate safe abortion access

(Jan 22, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – Today, on the 51st anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Roe v. Wade , state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia, hosted a news conference at the state Capitol announcing the introduction of legislation regarding abortion rights. Rep. Khan was joined by fellow legislators and abortion-rights advocates. The legislation aims to remove unnecessary obstacles to safe abortion access by eliminating the requirement that abortion facilities meet the same regulations as ambulatory surgical centers. It would also remove the excessive mandate that abortion providers maintain admitting privileges or have transfer agreements at hospitals, which only blocks access to care. The legislators who have also prime-sponsored Khan’s bill are state Reps. La'Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny; Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery; Mary Issacson, D-Phila.; Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware; Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester; Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester; Tara Probst, D-Monroe/Pike; Heather Boyd, D-Delaware; Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery; Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware; and Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia. "As a nurse, I know that restrictive abortion laws do not lower abortion rates — they just make them less safe," Khan said. "We must remove any unnecessary requirements from facilities that provide this care. Our bill increases access to safe abortion by increasing people's access to safe abortion Read more

 

Mayes affirms commitment to reproductive health, rights, and justice

(Jan 22, 2024)

“The U.S. Supreme Court advanced a right-wing agenda when it overturned Roe v. Wade and today, Republicans continue to attack Pennsylvanians’ rights to access an abortion,” Mayes said. “Now, 21 states restrict access to abortions, but in the Pennsylvania House, we introduced legislation to enshrine access to reproductive health care into the state’s Constitution, passed legislation to prohibit states from using the resources of Pennsylvania’s legal system to prosecute people in civil and criminal lawsuits from other states if they access reproductive health care services in Pennsylvania, and proposed legislation by state Rep. Tarik Khan to finally remove onerous restrictions on abortion clinics that were required to become ambulatory surgical centers in 2011. Read more

 

More than $1.22 million awarded to invest in Pittsburgh’s economy

(Jan 17, 2024)

“These grants from the GEDTF will allow us to invest in Pittsburgh’s economy by supporting recreation, community services and affordable housing throughout Allegheny County,” Mayes said. “While Pittsburgh continues to attract more tourists, we have the opportunity to enhance recreational activities, diversify Pittsburgh’s services to better represent marginalized communities, and address the high cost of living with more affordable housing for our residents, as well.” Read more

 

Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 16

(Jan 16, 2024)

Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 16 Read more

 

Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 9

(Jan 09, 2024)

Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 9 Read more

 

Allegheny County lawmakers: more than $575,000 awarded to improve stormwater management

(Jan 05, 2024)

, "This funding will invest in the city of Pittsburgh for planning to ensure that our communities have the strong stormwater management they need. Those efforts will help ensure that the city is able to protect residents in the event of flooding, while also protecting our environment.” Read more