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Smith-Wade-El praises bipartisan PA budget’s historic investment in education: ‘Historic investments in public education put Lancaster on the right track’

(Jul 12, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, July 12 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, praised the 2024-25 PA budget passed Thursday by the General Assembly for delivering historic investments in public education that will help address longstanding funding inequities existing between wealthy and lower-income school districts in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s 2024-25 budget includes $1.3 billion in funding for public schools statewide. “This budget delivers historic investments in public education, making good on our promise to address longstanding, chronic underfunding of lower-income school districts,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This state budget takes a serious step forward in fulfilling the state constitution’s requirement that Pennsylvania provide ‘a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.’ “I am proud to say that this year’s budget has increased funding for the School District of Lancaster, Penn Manor, Hempfield and Manheim Township.” The budget increases funding for Lancaster County school districts, including over $10.8 million in increased funding and cost savings for school districts in the 49th Legislative District: School District of Lancaster: $6.8 million Penn Manor: $4 million Hempfield: $2.3 million Manheim Township: $3.2 million “This year’s historic investments are a promising new start, but we need to continue on an audacious Read more

 

House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus calls for action after murder of transgender teen

(Jul 10, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Lawmakers urge state Senate to pass anti-hate crimes bill following Mercer County killing Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El’s legislation to help cut government red tape poised to be signed into law

(Jul 03, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, July 3 –State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El’s legislation (H.B. 1477) that will allow for the electronic submission of municipal plans and ordinances passed the state Senate Monday and is now on its way to the governor’s desk. The legislation will amend the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to enable municipalities to make certain transmittals and submissions -- including proposed comprehensive plans/land use ordinances and amendments to such -- through electronic means. “This bill will codify what is already current practice -- emailing plans and land ordinances -- in order to eliminate the confusion about whether such transmissions are permissible,” said Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster. “Planners and consultants within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development requested this clarification be put into law. This bill will help cut government red tape and streamline processes in DCED and other government agencies.” This bill was first introduced as H.B. 1592 in the 2021-22 session. Inquiries about the legislation can be directed to Smith-Wade-El’s office at 717-283-4218. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El’s secures $67K grant for Otterbein Emergency Shelter

(Jul 03, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, July 2 – A longtime advocate for the unhoused in Lancaster, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El secured a $67,000 state grant for the Lancaster Redevelopment Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, for the emergency shelter at the Otterbein United Methodist Church, which will open in Dec. 2024. The Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority, with support from the Lancaster Redevelopment fund, will carry out the renovations, lease, and management of the emergency clinic. The YMCA of the Roses will operate the shelter and funding of the operations will be provided in part by the Lancaster County Homeless Coalition. “We have a growing unhoused population in Lancaster, with the Lancaster County Homeless Coalition’s showing a 13.5% increase this year from 2023,” Smith-Wade-El said. “With stagnant wages and the skyrocketing cost of housing, more and more people are becoming homeless. We need to make sure our neighbors have somewhere to go until they get on their feet, particularly as the cold weather sets in.” The YMCA of the Roses’ emergency shelter at Otterbein United Methodist Church will be the county’s only low-barrier shelter in the winter, containing 80 beds. ( Low-barrier shelters offer a warm and dry place to stay without preconditions like sobriety.) “I am very glad that the unhoused in our community will have somewhere safe to stay during the Read more

 

Central PA Delegation to champion fair funding for schools at Millersville rally

(Jun 12, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, June 12 – The Pennsylvania House Central Pennsylvania Delegation today announced that the group will raise its voice on behalf of chronically underfunded schools along with advocate groups, educational organizations, legislators, community leaders, students, lawyers, and parents tomorrow, Thursday, June 13. MEDIA COVERAGE IS INVITED. State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, who serves the 49 th Legislative District where the event will take place, indicated that the rally which will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at Millersville University’s Pucillo Gymnasium, 125 Pucillo Dr., Millersville, is aimed at reinforcing the need to secure sustainable funding for public schools. “This rally will be a loud and clear call to action for colleagues on both side of the aisle and the Senate,” he said about the rally organized in coordination with PA Schools Work, a nonpartisan statewide movement that advocates on behalf of public schools. “We are determined to secure the $1.1 billion increase in Basic Education funding, as projected by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his 2024-25 budget proposal,” Smith-Wade-El added. “Now, following the House passage of a unprecedent $5.1 billion bill that fulfills the recommendations of a bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission to end funding disparities, we need to make sure that this bill crosses the finish line. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, PA House members & community leaders rally for fair housing legislation, housing budget proposals

(Jun 12, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, June 12 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, hosted a rally today with other legislators, legal experts and community advocates from across the state in support of fair housing in Pennsylvania. “The lack of affordable housing in Pennsylvania has resulted in evictions and homelessness for many Pennsylvanians,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Every person has the right to a roof over their head. Our rally today called out the continuing inequities in housing in our commonwealth and the legislative and budget initiatives devised to address them. “As Democrats in the PA House, we’re fighting for a person-centered approach to fair housing, from helping the unhoused get back into a safe home, to my bill that would seal no-fault eviction records so people can find housing, to increased support for the Whole Home Repairs program so seniors can fix and stay in their homes,” Smith-Wade-El said. “We understand that having a home to call one’s own is a human right, a matter of justice. I and my colleagues will fight to make sure that every Pennsylvanian can enjoy their fundamental right to a safe and secure place in which to live.” The rally focused on the PA House budget proposal (H.B. 2324), which would increase funding for fair housing initiatives; the need for increased funding for the homelessness assistance program; a House-led proposal to increase PHARE funding to $100 million dollars; the LLC Read more

 

Central PA Delegation to host a rally on basic education funding

(Jun 07, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, June 7 – Leaders of the PA House Central Pennsylvania Delegation today announced that they will host a rally on Basic Education funding at Millersville University in coordination with PA Schools Work, a nonpartisan statewide movement that advocates on behalf of public schools. The event will emphasize the need to secure a $1.1 billion increase in Basic Education funding, as projected by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his 2024-25 budget proposal. The rally, that will be led by state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, chairman of the Central PA Delegation, will include the participation of students, teachers, legislators, lawyers, education advocates and community leaders, among others. WHAT : Rally on Basic Education Funding WHEN : 10 a.m. Thursday, June 13 WHERE : Millersville University , Pucillo Gymnasium (Parking Lot area),125 Pucillo, Dr., Millersville, PA 17551 Read more

 

It's time for equitable education for all!

(Jun 06, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

State Rep. Manuel Guzman, chairman of the Central PA Delegation and State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, in coordination with PA Schools Work, invite you to rally in support of underfunded schools. Come out and stand with legislators and advocates in support of the Basic Education Funding Commission's 7-year plan to fairly fund public education in the Commonwealth. WHAT : Rally on Basic Education Funding WHEN : 10 a.m. Thursday, June 13 WHERE : Millersville University , Pucillo Gymnasium (Parking Lot area), Millersville, PA 17551 Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El and Hohenstein’s legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians reported out of committee

(Jun 05, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, June 5 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Philadelphia, announced that their bill, House Bill 1630 , that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth, was reported out of House State Government Committee on Monday. “It is thanks to our immigrant communities that Pennsylvania is the dynamic economic and cultural powerhouse it is,” Smith-Wade-El said. “It is an incredible injustice that despite foreign-born workers comprising over 8% of our state’s workforce and paying $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes, they are scapegoated and bear the brunt of punitive policies that drive them from our state. But it is Pennsylvania that’s the biggest loser when this happens—losing skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and community leaders. “I am very glad that the House State Government Committee agreed there is need for an Office of New Pennsylvanians that would support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth,” he said. “Immigration is what makes Pennsylvania strong,” Hohenstein said. “Our collective ability to come together from all different backgrounds and perspectives for the betterment of the commonwealth is truly wonderful. That’s why it’s particularly unfortunate that so often our immigrant communities face the brunt of regressive and restrictive Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El announces $500K state grant to develop ‘Prince Street Hub’ to help unsheltered Lancastrians

(May 22, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, May 22 – The Lancaster Redevelopment Fund has received a $500,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Keystone Communities Program to develop a site to address the needs of unsheltered individuals in Lancaster County. The “Prince Street Hub” will offer needed aid to unsheltered Lancastrians by providing an emergency congregate shelter, permanent affordable housing, crisis housing, and a day center. “Every Lancastrian, every Pennsylvanian, has the right to a roof over their heads, and the Prince Street Hub will help them from getting temporary shelter to permanent housing,” Smith-Wade-El said. “The housing crisis is real, and it’s time to put in the work, not just the words, to help our people get back into a home and back on their feet. We’re at our best when we work to secure rights, such as a safe, warm, dry home, for all our friends and neighbors. Alongside DCED, the Lancaster Redevelopment Fund and the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition, it’s an honor and a privilege to be a partner in this work.” Run by DCED, the KCP encourages the creation of partnerships between the public and private sectors that support the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities, social and economic diversity, and a strong and secure quality of life. Local governments, redevelopment and housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, community development Read more

 

Health advocates speak out in support of Smith-Wade-El’s Legionnaires disease legislation

(May 17, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, May 17 – Local and state health experts joined state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, at a news conference on Thursday to support his legislation (H.B. 2145) aimed at preventing Legionnaires disease. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella bacteria, which is naturally occurring in freshwater, including water that supplies public water systems. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal. Pennsylvanians who are at increased risk for complications with this disease include people over 50, those who smoke or have lung disease, and those who live with cancer or are otherwise immunocompromised. “All Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to clean water, but too many people in low-income housing are drinking water contaminated by the Legionella bacteria,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This bill seeks to a public good ensuring that everyone in Pennsylvania can enjoy their right to clean, healthy water.” Smith-Wade-El’s legislation would establish guardrails to ensure public safety and prioritize root cause solutions to ensure water is properly tested and treated before it enters homes and buildings for human use. The legislation also aims to equip consumers with the information and tools necessary to manage their risk of the disease through notifications of water system disruption events that can lead to greater Legionella bacteria exposure. State Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El speaks in support of eviction reform at Philly Town Hall

(May 17, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, May 17 – On Wednesday evening, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El joined Philadelphia Councilwoman Kendra Brooks and state representatives from the city—Jordan Harris, Elizabeth Fiedler and Rich Krajewski—and over 60 community members in South Philadelphia to speak about his eviction sealing bill, H.B. 1769 and other legislative eviction reform initiatives. “Home is where life begins for Pennsylvania families – for all of us,” said Smith-Wade-El. “When our children get up in the morning to go to school, they should do so from a bed in a home that is safe, warm and dry. Real educational equity would ensure that all children have a home to go home to so they have the stability needed to grow and flourish socially and academically. Inaccurate, unscrupulously distributed eviction records haunt families and make children homeless, even in cases when the judge found in the tenant’s favor. It’s time to put a stop to that.” “The harm of eviction records falls most heavily on Black women and their children, and the damage ripples out into our classrooms, our schools and our communities,” said Councilwoman Kendra Brooks of Philadelphia City Council. “We can’t expect our young people to succeed in school during the day if they don’t have a safe place to lay their head at night.” State legislators spoke in support of H.B. 1769, which would increase access to affordable housing Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 17, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Grants, May 14 Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 07, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

May 7 grants Read more

 

LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus praises state boards for new policy to protect LGBTQ+ youth

(May 03, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Celebrating the five state boards -- the state boards of Nursing, the Medicine, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors, Psychology and Osteopathic Medicine -- who all voted recently to adopt new statements of policy opposing the use of conversion therapy on minors in Pennsylvania, members of the Pennsylvania House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus issued the following statement: “The LGBTQ+ community often faces a troubling disparity, where accessing appropriate health care can be tainted by discrimination, misunderstanding and systemic barriers. This new policy, adopted throughout the state, validates what advocates have been saying for decades about the dangers of conversion therapy, and sends a clear message that we will not let hatred masquerade as medical treatment here in Pennsylvania.” The new policies notify licensees that all five boards consider the use of conversion therapy to be unprofessional, harmful conduct that may subject any licensee engaging in it to administrative discipline. They said that conversion therapy refers to any practice that seeks or purports to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. “The LGBTQ+ community's experience with health care must reflect inclusivity, respect, and understanding, ensuring every individual receives the quality care they deserve, free from discrimination or bias." Read more

 

Agricultural, Educational, Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 01, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

May 1 grants Read more

 

Fiedler, Green join legislators, coalition of community and labor organizations to oppose private school vouchers

(Apr 29, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

PHILADELPHIA, April 29 -- On Friday, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Roni Green, both D-Phila., attended a news conference at City Hall to voice their support for investing in public education and rejecting voucher schemes in the 2024 state budget. Organized labor, education advocates, and community organizations were in attendance to support fully funding Pennsylvania’s public schools. The event followed the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission’s recommendations to address Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional K-12 school funding system, recommendations that included $300 million for facilities upgrades last year. Private school vouchers divert tax dollars that could be used to repair school buildings, instead affording them to the elite (more than half the time to families making over $200,000 ) to support institutions that openly discriminate against students, the legislators said. “Every tax dollar given to voucher programs is another tax dollar diverted from our neighborhood public schools,” said Fiedler. “At a time when so many of our schools are struggling to stay open due to toxins and overdue repairs, our priority must be fully funding public schools and their buildings. As Democrats, we cannot allow vouchers to have a place in our state budget.” "We can't afford entitlement programs. We must first fix what's broken," said Green. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El and Sturla help secure $3 million grant for Lancaster’s Water Street bike project

(Apr 26, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, April 26 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Mike Sturla, both D-Lancaster, helped the city of Lancaster secure a $3 million state grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to support the Water Street bike project. “Being on a bike offers the opportunity to see the world differently,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Having learned to ride a bike at the late age of 29, I can say it changed my life. I am thrilled that PennDOT has awarded Lancaster City $3 million to help execute the Water Street bike project. A city that is safer for cycling is safer for pedestrians, safer for people pushing strollers, safer for accessing public transit. This a smart investment in our city and in our future.” Sturla added, “I thank PennDOT for awarding this grant to enable the city of Lancaster to continue their successful strategy in making our community even more friendly to bike riders.” The Water Street bike project extends from Fairview Avenue up to Harrisburg Pike and includes a mixture of shared on-street bike facilities and a half-mile portion that will be off-road. According to Smith-Wade-El and Sturla, the project will include intersection improvements along the length of Water Street with raised intersections, speed humps, bump-out curb extensions, ADA compliant ramps, piano key crosswalks and rapid flashing beacons. Three intersections and one segment along Water Street are in the High Injury Network as Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El congratulates area school districts for receiving $480K in safety grants

(Apr 25, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, April 25 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, today announced that $480,760 in state grants have been awarded to public schools in the 49th District by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to reduce gun and group violence in Lancaster County schools. The following public school districts have received funding: School District of Lancaster $ 269,655 Penn Manor $ 211,105 “All Pennsylvanians deserve to be safe, especially our kids and especially when they are at school,” Smith-Wade-El said. “These grants, which were funded by our votes in Harrisburg, will give our schools the tools they need to increase school security, provide mental health resources for students, and reduce violence. Thanks to this funding, our kids will be able to focus on what they should be doing at school — learning.” View a full list of awards, including dollar amount and school entities approved for funding, here: School Safety Awards . Nonpublic School Awards . Funds will advance the School Safety and Security Committee’s goal of ensuring that all Pennsylvania students can learn in safe, healthy school environments by helping school entities address basic safety needs and mental health services identified in the Committee’s recently adopted Revised Baseline Criteria Standards . Read more

 

Grants, April 22

(Apr 22, 2024) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

April 22 grants Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El praises bipartisan PA budget’s historic investment in education: ‘Historic investments in public education put Lancaster on the right track’
Jul 12, 2024

House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus calls for action after murder of transgender teen
Jul 10, 2024

Smith-Wade-El’s legislation to help cut government red tape poised to be signed into law
Jul 03, 2024

Smith-Wade-El’s secures $67K grant for Otterbein Emergency Shelter
Jul 03, 2024

Central PA Delegation to champion fair funding for schools at Millersville rally
Jun 12, 2024

Smith-Wade-El, PA House members & community leaders rally for fair housing legislation, housing budget proposals
Jun 12, 2024

Central PA Delegation to host a rally on basic education funding
Jun 07, 2024

It's time for equitable education for all!
Jun 06, 2024

Smith-Wade-El and Hohenstein’s legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians reported out of committee
Jun 05, 2024

Smith-Wade-El announces $500K state grant to develop ‘Prince Street Hub’ to help unsheltered Lancastrians
May 22, 2024

Health advocates speak out in support of Smith-Wade-El’s Legionnaires disease legislation
May 17, 2024

Smith-Wade-El speaks in support of eviction reform at Philly Town Hall
May 17, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 17, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 07, 2024

LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus praises state boards for new policy to protect LGBTQ+ youth
May 03, 2024

Agricultural, Educational, Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 01, 2024

Fiedler, Green join legislators, coalition of community and labor organizations to oppose private school vouchers
Apr 29, 2024

Smith-Wade-El and Sturla help secure $3 million grant for Lancaster’s Water Street bike project
Apr 26, 2024

Smith-Wade-El congratulates area school districts for receiving $480K in safety grants
Apr 25, 2024

Grants, April 22
Apr 22, 2024