News Releases
Sens. Blake, Ward Applaud Launch of Statewide Rare Disease Needs Assessment
HARRISBURG, September 23, 2020 – State Sens. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) and Judy Ward (R-Blair) today joined members of the PA Rare Disease Advisory Council (PARDAC) to launch a first-of-its-kind statewide needs assessment that will help guide...
Blake Announces Nearly $4 Million in Regional Grant Funding
SCRANTON, August 17, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today announced nearly $4 million in state grant funding for 13 projects that address sewer, stormwater and flood control issues across the region. The grant funding,...
PA Senate Democrats & CDFI Network Announce $96 Million in Small Business Grants
Statewide, Pa. – August 10, 2020 – The Pennsylvania CDFI Network and the PA State Senator Democrats today announced $96 million in grant awards under the COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program. The small businesses that have been...
Blake: $200 Million in Small Business Grants Available Beginning Today
SCRANTON, June 30, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today announced that beginning at 9 a.m. today, small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can begin applying for $200 million in federal grants available through the COVID-19 Relief...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $225 Million for Small Business Assistance Grants Statewide
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19...
Democratic PHEAA Board Members Tout $30 Million In Cares Act Funding For PHEAA Grants
HARRISBURG — June 5, 2020 — State Senators Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), John Blake (D-Lackawanna), and Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia touted the $30 million in funding the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus was...
Sen. Blake Statement on Passage of $25.789 Billion Interim State Budget and CARES Funding
SCRANTON, May 28, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today released the following statement regarding passage of a $25.789 billion interim state budget that accounts for five months of spending for most appropriations. The interim budget fully...
Sen. Blake, Caucus Leaders Unveil Plans for $550 Million Small Business Grant Program
SCRANTON, May 22, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today joined Senate Democratic leaders to propose a $550 million Main Street Business Revitalization Initiative that will allocate grants using federal CARES Act funding to small...
Blake Announces $1.49 Million Grant for Dupont Natural Gas Project
SCRANTON, May 14, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today announced a $1.49 million dollar state Pipeline Investment Program grant for the installation of 20,600 feet of natural gas line in Dupont Borough. The project is a...
Joint Statement on Establishment of Regional Recovery Task Force
SCRANTON, May 7, 2020 – Elected officials at the state, county and local level today announced the formation of the bipartisan Regional Recovery Task Force (RRTF). The following is a joint statement from the members of the RRTF:“Across our region and around the globe,...
PA Senate Democrats Urge Action on Legislation for Working Families, Pledge to Oppose Partisan COVID Task Force
Harrisburg, PA − April 8, 2020 − The Senate adjourned Tuesday afternoon after the House Republicans indicated they would not be taking up Senate Bill 841, legislation that would have enabled local municipalities to hold their meetings remotely, permitted e-notary use;...
Sens. Hughes, Blake Introduce Bills to Help PA Manufacturers Produce Much-Needed Personal Protection Equipment
HARRISBURG – April 3, 2020 – State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) unveiled their plan to help manufacturers retrofit their facilities to begin producing much-needed personal protection...
Blake: $61 Million in State Aid Available to PA Small Businesses
HARRISBURG, March 18, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today announced that $61 million in low-interest loans will be available to Pennsylvania small businesses to deal with the effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The $61 million will...
Blake Announces Nearly $7.5 Million in Liquid Fuels Payments for Local Municipalities
SCRANTON, March 2, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today announced that communities across Lackawanna County are the recipients of $7.48 million in liquid fuels payments to help with the maintenance of roads and bridges. The announcement is...
Blake Announces Over $2 Million in School Safety Grants for Local Districts
SCRANTON, February 26, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today announced $2.08 million in School Safety and Security grants for 15 school districts across the 22nd District. The grant funding announced today was part of a $52.5 million...
Blake: Budget Prioritizes Education, Public Safety
HARRISBURG, February 4, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today released the following statement regarding Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed $36.055 billion state budget: “I appreciate the work of Governor Wolf and his administration on a...
Blake Announces Property Tax/Rent Rebate Outreach Schedule
SCRANTON, January 29, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today released his office’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Outreach Schedule for the month of February where his staff will assist residents in applying for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate...
Blake, Policy Committee Hold Hearing on Corporate Tax Fairness
Harrisburg, January 29, 2020 – At the request of Senators Katie Muth (D-Berks/Chester/Montgomery) and John Blake (D-Lackawanna), the state Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a public hearing on ways to make corporate taxes more equitable. Much of the...
Blake Announces Over $4 Million in LSA Grants for District Projects
SCRANTON, January 22, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today announced over $4 million dollars in state grants for important community and economic development projects throughout the 22nd Senatorial District. The funding was...
Blake Announces Over $3.7 Million in Regional Grant Funding
SCRANTON, November 12, 2019 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today announced over $3.7 million in state grants for 10 projects throughout the 22nd Senatorial District. The grant funding, approved earlier today, was awarded through the Pennsylvania...