Public input is essential to ensuring that Pennsylvania’s stimulus funds are invested in the projects and programs that are priorities for the Commonwealth’s taxpayers, residents and employers.

Many of the agencies that are responsible for awarding stimulus grants and making other stimulus budget decisions hold public meetings where the use of resources is discussed and where attendees have the opportunity to comment, ask questions and provide their input. To get involved, visit the links listed below or get in touch with the agency contacts.

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Funding Type: Transportation
Organization: Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Planning Organizations; Regional Planning Organizations
Public Meeting or Process: Approve highway and transit projects and have a regular process to amend their plans that includes opportunity for public input

OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE & HOUSING

Funding Type: Drinking water and wastewater improvement
Organization: PENNVEST
Public Meeting or Process: PENNVEST services the communities and citizens of Pennsylvania by funding sewer, storm water and drinking water projects throughout the Commonwealth. These projects contribute to improving Pennsylvania's environment and the health of its people, and providing opportunities for economic growth in Pennsylvania.

Funding Type: Housing
Organization: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority 
Public Meeting or Process: A public meeting on the state’s plan and project priority list was held in April of 2009.

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

Funding Type: Weatherization of homes
Organization: PA Department of Community & Economic Development
Public Meeting or Process: The agency will post the proposed weatherization state plan, collect public input and hold public hearings at dates to be determined.

EDUCATION

Funding Type: Public education
Organization: School Boards
Public Meeting or Process: Funding decisions are made by individual school districts, which typically hold monthly public board hearings.

RELIEF FOR PENNSYLVANIANS

Funding Type: Job training
Organization: Workforce Investment Boards
Public Meeting or Process: State and local boards provide guidance on the use of job training funds and hold quarterly public meetings

Funding Type: Case management, job training, food and nutrition transportation, education, housing, drug and alcohol, and economic development
Organization: PA Department of Community & Economic Development
Public Meeting or Process: The agency will post the proposed Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, collect public input and hold public hearings at dates to be determined.

Funding Type: Criminal justice
Organization: PA Commission on Crime & Deliquency
Public Meeting or Process: Criminal justice grants are approved at quarterly public commission meetings