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This afternoon fired union workers from 2116 Chestnut Street were arrested after refusing to leave the building lobby. With almost no notice, building cleaners, security officers and maintenance workers—members of 32BJ SEIU—were terminated from their jobs at 2116 Chestnut Street on Friday after the 319 unit residential apartment building was sold to CBRE Global Investors for $160 million. CBRE’s property manager, Greystar, refused to hire them

Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, has joined 105 other members of the House of Representatives in requesting an investigation as to whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) violated the Anti-Lobbying Act in promoting and seeking support for its “Waters of the United States” rule.  The lawmakers sent a letter to the EPA’s Inspector General asking that he determine if the EPA wrongfully used taxpayer funds to generate grassroots support for its regulatory agenda, and if the agenda violated the “publicity or propaganda” restrictions in federal law.

“The evidence of climate change is overwhelming and there’s no doubt that human activities are a major factor. Addressing climate change is key for our nation’s economic security, national security, public health and the health of our environment. Today, the President laid out a substantial plan to address the challenges of climate change.

U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) today said new power plant emission standards released by the Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) and President Barack Obama would have a devastating effect on the energy industry across Pennsylvania and on local communities. The Clean Power Plan seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. States will be required to meet specific carbon emission reduction standards, based on their individual energy consumption

Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-13) continued his efforts to fight for the environment by celebrating Climate Action Day today. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is scheduled to release its final Clean Power Plan to modernize our energy sector and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Congressman Boyle fully supports federal action to address climate change.

In a recent story, Money magazine recognized Pennsylvania as the state with the most assistance programs to help homebuyers and homeowners. The article draws on data posted online by mortgage website HSH.com, which ranks the 50 states and Washington, D.C., with Pennsylvania coming out on top.

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the Coal Royalty Fairness and Communities Investment Act of 2015, a bill that would provide $100 million to struggling coal communities to help build economic resilience, diversify industries, and promote new job creation opportunities; ensure fair returns on publicly owned coal; and improve the transparency of the federal coal program.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced three brownfields grants for a total of $600,000 - $400,000 to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development and $200,000 to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. The grants will support efforts underway in assessing brownfields sites that are potentially contaminated with petroleum and hazardous substances so they can be cleaned up and redeveloped into beneficial spaces. Brownfields are properties where real or suspected environmental contamination has prevented productive reuse.

Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02), a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced today that three organizations in his Philadelphia-area district have received new grant awards from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). In total, $822,136 was awarded to support new exhibitions and the conservation and preservation of current museum holdings

Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-13) signed on as an original co-sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation to ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in public accommodations, housing, employment, and other core areas of daily life.

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded two Mahanoy City fire companies each with Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced today that the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has awarded two Schuylkill County communities $763,390 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) grant funding. HOME funds are awarded as formula grants to states and municipalities by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; the program’s flexibility allows communities and nonprofit organizations to execute a wide range of activities, such as building, buying and refurbishing low-income housing. It is the largest Federal block grant to state and local governments designated exclusively to creating affordable housing for low-income households

Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02) announced today that Philadelphia has been selected for a new federal pilot program that seeks to accelerate high speed broadband adoption in communities across the United States. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) ConnectHome initiative will develop collaborations between local governments, private companies, nonprofit organizations, and other interested stakeholders to produce locally-tailored solutions for narrowing the digital divide and bringing affordable, high-speed internet access to more low-income Americans. Philadelphia was one of five Promise Zones chosen for the program.

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded two Schuylkill County fire departments each with Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFGs). The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Governor Wolf announced today the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) approved the allocation of more than $12,772,180 in gaming funds to support 54 community and economic development projects in Luzerne County

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the Rural Development arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $48,400 Community Facility grant and $39,700 loan to Pleasant Valley Manor, Monroe County’s long-term care facility.

Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin today announced that new state investments approved by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) will support the continued growth of Pennsylvania businesses that are projected to create at least 105 new jobs and retain 171 jobs

Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today issued a statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on a case involving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its restrictions on certain power plant emissions. The court ruled that the EPA failed to take into consideration the cost for energy producers to comply with the new limits before enforcing the new rules

Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin continues his “Jobs that Pay” tour with the announcement that Apio, Inc., a specialty food processor, will expand its manufacturing and distribution plant in Penn Township, York County. The expansion will create 256 new jobs over three years

Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] issued the following statement in support of House passed legislation that halts implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s [EPA’s] Clean Power Plan