Hello John,

We hope this edition of the New Pennsylvania Project eBlast finds you well.

Please take a few moments to check out all the important news you can use, events happening in your neighborhood, career opportunities, and other updates.

The New Pennsylvania Project, in partnership with The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, as well as POWER, will be hosting a community conversation on the current state of our federal judiciary on Wednesday, August 23rd from 6:00PM-8:00PM in Philadelphia.

This event will feature elected officials and will be MC'd by WHYY's Cherri Gregg.

Event Details

• When: Wednesday, August 23rd from 6:00PM-8:00PM
• Where: United Lutheran Seminary (7301 Germantown Ave, Phila., PA 19119)
• Light refreshments will be served
• Free and open to the public

To RSVP for this event, click here.

The New Pennsylvania Project was on the ground in Harrisburg this past Saturday at The Roots concert, talking with attendees to get them registered to vote and make sure they're ready to head to the polls to vote in this November's crucial odd year election.

A huge thanks to HU Presents for not only allowing us to participate in Saturday's concert but for inviting us back for every remaining show in the summer concert series. You can find us at Harrisburg's Riverfront Park on the following dates, so if you'll be at any of these events swing by our table to check your voter registration status and grab some free NPP swag.

• Aug. 26th: The Head and the Heart
• Sept. 16th: Mt. Joy
• Sept. 17th: Trey Anastasio

Make sure you're following us on Facebook so you can stay up-to-date on all the work we're doing across Pennsylvania!

Our CEO Kadida Kenner was recently named to City & State's 2023 Power of Diversity: Women 100. From City & State:

Last year, Kadida Kenner’s New Pennsylvania Project registered more than 20,000 voters. Kenner, who founded the voting rights nonprofit, maintains that momentum as she looks to upcoming elections – advocating for a higher state minimum wage, rallying with the League of Women Voters and reaching out to the many Pennsylvanians of color who remain underserved and underrepresented. On Twitter, she regularly reminds voters of the importance of the judiciary as co-chair of Why Courts Matter - Pennsylvania.

To see the full list and read the full article, click here.

It was a busy week for the New Pennsylvania Project and we just so happened to bump into a few notable figures, include Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro!

Philly is suing three local gun stores for allegedly selling firearms to ‘straw purchasers’

(Philadelphia Inquirer)

The lawsuit is the latest attempt by the city to gain some leverage over the issue of gun control through the courts, because Pennsylvania doesn't allow cities to pass their own gun control measures.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that $14.3 million in grants will flow to Pennsylvania farmers

(York Daily Record)

This "once-in-a-lifetime" investment will look to improve water quality and help the state meet its obligation to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

Climate adaptation carries a $15 billion price tag for Pa. towns, study says

(NPR)

A new study says the commonwealth’s cities and towns will need to spend more than $15 billion by 2040 to protect residents from the effects of climate change.

Democrats worry their most loyal voters won’t turn out for Biden in 2024

(Washington Post)

“When you think about election cycle to election cycle, [Black voters] have been telling us for a long time what matters,” Smith added. “They want to put food on the table, a roof over their head, send kids to good schools, live in neighborhoods that are safe. I don’t think the issues are new, it’s the way we talk about them and the way we’re centering the voice of the people who live in these communities.”

On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Josh Shapiro received Pennsylvania’s main budget bill from the state Senate and signed it into law.

“The people of Pennsylvania have entrusted me with the responsibility to bring people together in a divided legislature and to get things done for them – and with this commonsense budget, that’s exactly what we’ve done,” said Shapiro.

Some highlights of what is included in this budget:

• Historic investment in K-12 public schools, including the largest increase in Basic Education Funding in Pennsylvania history.
• Universal free breakfast for every public-school student
• $112 million to improve our parks and forests, including the creation of an Office of Outdoor Recreation
• $23.5 million in workforce training and vocational-tech programs
• $20 million to increase county mental health funding

While there is still work to be done and the budget isn't perfect, it contains so many things that will have a positive impact across Pennsylvania. This wouldn't be possible without the tremendous work done in 2022 and serves as a reminder of what's at stake in 2023 and beyond.

If you'd like to dive into additional reading on the PA budget, you can find links below:

What’s Delivered In PA’s Newly Signed State Budget, And What Needs More Work.

(Penn Live)

“All sides agree a certain number of new line items, or line items that are being funded for the first time with state tax dollars, need completion of accompanying enabling legislation before they can be released.”

Shapiro Signs Budget Bill, Vetoes School Voucher Funding, Billions In Allocations Still Unsettled

(CNHI News)

“Pennsylvania’s state budget was signed into law Thursday, seemingly ending a month-long standoff over the commonwealth’s $45.5 billion spending plan. Except, the process still isn’t completed in full and partisan divides over Republican-backed school vouchers that precipitated the delay could jeopardize at least $1.1 billion in spending prioritized by Democrats.

Shapiro Administration To Allow State Contract With CPC Organization To Expire

(PoliticsPA)

“Following Governor Josh Shapiro’s signing of the 2023-2024 budget, Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh announced the Commonwealth’s contract with Real Alternatives – an organization that purports to provide counseling, referrals, and other services through partnerships with crisis pregnancy centers – will come to an end by December 31, 2023.” 

August is Black Philanthropy Month and we'd be remiss not to acknowledge the crucial role our donors play in allowing us to reach our centered-communities. It's the continued support of donors like you that provides us the opportunity to fulfill our organizational mission and provide a voice for those who have been voiceless for far too long.

Help us register more voters by donating to the New Pennsylvania Project today! Donations of any size can be made at the following link: click here to donate

The New Pennsylvania Project is a voting rights organization with a primary focus of registering communities of color and the youth to vote. We are looking for passionate individuals to join our team and help defend democracy by expanding the electorate.

• Regional Organizing Director (Allegheny)
• Community Engagement Associate
• Part-Time: Education & Engagement Associate (via c3 organization New PA Project Education Fund)

To learn more about how to apply and review job descriptions with requirements and disclosed salary ranges, please click here.

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed. We'll be back in two weeks with the latest edition.

In solidarity,

#TeamNPP

Municipal/Local/Judicial Election: November 7, 2023
Last day to register to vote: October 23, 2023
Last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot: October 31, 2023

Help us prepare for the upcoming municipal, judicial, and local elections in 2023!

The New Pennsylvania Project is a 501(c)(4), contributions are not for charitable purposes and are not tax-deductible.

Paid for by the New Pennsylvania Project

 New Pennsylvania Project
PO Box 443
West Chester, PA 19381
United States  

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