PA 2024-25 Budget Passed; Hunger Remains Underfunded
Late Thursday, July 11, the Pennsylvania General Assembly voted on a $47.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2024-25. The final compromise was about $860 million below what Governor Josh Shapiro had initially proposed in February but maintained commitments to key programs Lutherans in Pennsylvania have diligently advocated for this cycle
Kindling Faith Holds Election-Year Series on ELCA Social Teachings
Consider joining our partners at Kindling Faith as they--and we--engage with the question "What does it mean to be Lutheran in a crucial election year?" The series will focus on ELCA social teachings and how we might learn and engage in with one another around social issues in this
Help Shape Priorities for Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking comments and input from Pennsylvanians around the Commonwealth in order to plan and implement policies that address climate pollution in our local communities. As Lutherans, we have a duty to be responsible caretakers of God's creation. God calls us to action
A Call to Act as Church Begins 2023 Season of Creation: Let Justice and Peace Flow
The Prophet Isaiah proclaims: “Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43: 19). The Season of Creation is an international,
PA Launches Statewide Food Policy Council
Pennsylvania's first statewide Food Policy Council launched May 25 with its inaugural meeting at the state Department of Agriculture. Advocates, including LAMPa, have been working for years toward the creation of such a council to foster coordination, collaboration and a holistic vision to the commonwealth's food system. "I am thrilled
Help Inform DEP About Environmental Justice Impacts of Climate Change in Your Community
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) wants to hear from you about current and future climate change impacts on your community and is holding a series of listening sessions plus an online survey to help prepare a guide to climate action for environmental justice communities. Pennsylvania’s climate is
Draft Social Message on Climate Crisis Ready for Comments
A “Draft of a Social Message on Earth’s Climate Crisis” now is posted for public comment and feedback. You can read the social message draft here and then use this survey to share your input by Dec. 2. Public input helps inform revision of the draft that is sent then
LAMPa Policy Council Gathers to Learn, Grow Community
The Laurel Highlands served as a beautiful backdrop for LAMPa's Policy Council retreat at Camp Sequanota in September. The council, which began a new term Sept. 1, heard updates on legislative action and began discussion of possible policy priorities for the next term, based on what they are witnessing in
Housing, Education and Creation Care Get Boost in State Budget
The 2022-23 Pennsylvania budget includes significant gains for education, housing and creation care, but only a modest increase for anti-hunger programs. A $1.8 billion increase in education funding makes strides toward decreasing the funding gap in what has been one of the least equitable school funding systems in the country.
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
