LAMPa, Partners, Advocate for Creation Care
LAMPa and partner organizations visited legislative leaders this week to advocate for a slate of budgetary proposals regarding creation care and environmental justice. Advocates urged the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds for clean water by passing Growing Greener III (SB 525 & HB 2020) and the Clean
LAMPa Supports Efforts to Address High Prescription Costs in PA
One in five Pennsylvanians has chosen not to fill a prescription because of cost, and another one in six has cut pills in half or skipped doses for the same reason, according to a study shared by the Pa. Health Access Network (PHAN). LAMPa Director Tracey DePasquale joined PHAN partners,
Legislature Approves Changes to Emergency Rental and Housing Assistance Programs as Eviction Moratorium Set to End
With the end of the national moratorium on evictions related to pandemic downturn set to end July 31, the General Assembly and governor approved measures to make it easier for counties to drive federal emergency assistance to affected renters and landlords, as well as a $350 million grant program for
Funding for Hunger, Education Equity Make Gains in State Budget
As the General Assembly passed an on-time budget before recessing in late June, LAMPa celebrated a 15 percent increase in the state’s major anti-hunger programs and an extra $300 million in basic education funding, $100 million of which is targeted to the poorest schools. “Our hunger advocates did a tremendous
General Assembly Considering Election Law Changes
States around the country are still dealing with issues that converged in the 2020 election -- from overwhelmed county elections offices and voting infrastructure to a crippled U.S. Postal Service and widespread disinformation. Pennsylvania is no exception. The General Assembly is considering proposals to revamp Pennsylvania's election system, including a
Housing Advocacy Still Needed, Even as CDC Eviction Moratorium Remains
UPDATE: "The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled on June 2 that it would continue to stay a lower court ruling seeking to overturn the CDC eviction moratorium. This latest ruling leaves the moratorium in-place, so that millions of households behind on their rent continue to
Level Up Announces Campaign for Education Funding
Level Up, a coalition of more than a dozen education advocacy organizations from across the commonwealth, launched a campaign on April 15th to increase state funding for the 100 most underfunded school districts in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania ranks 44th in the nation for state share of funding for K-12 education and has
Primary Election 2021 – What You Need to Know
Though the nation has just come out of one of the most contentious election cycles in our history, another election season is just beginning. The 2021 primary season is upon us, and there are important pieces of information for voters to know. Below you'll find information on deadlines for registration,
Panel Discussion and Resources for Worship and Wonder Wednesdays
On February 17th the Lower Susquehanna Synod partnered with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) in honor of United Nations World Day of Social Justice for a special panel discussion, in association with Worship & Wonder Wednesdays, on our baptismal call to labor for justice, examining what it means to
Act 1 Creates New Rental and Utility Assistance Program To Disburse Millions in Federal Aid
On Friday, Feb. 5, Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law SB109, now known as Act 1, directing more than $900 million in federal pandemic aid to struggling businesses, private schools, landlords and tenants unable to meet rent or utility bills because of economic downturn related to the failure to stop the spread
