PRESS
November 18, 2025 | Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Pa. advocates push to counter the ‘criminalization of homelessness’ following SCOTUS ruling
“I want to make your streets safer, give more of our neighbors a home, and save you money that you’re currently pouring into prisons and enforcement.”
November 18, 2025 | FOX43
Lawmakers introduce legislation that moves to protect those unhoused in PA
“If we want folks to sleep inside, we need to provide them the opportunity to sleep inside,”
October 7, 2025 | The Keystone
Do local camping bans criminalize homelessness? Lancaster County lawmaker says they do
“Criminalizing individuals or families for being homeless is needlessly cruel and undermines the guiding morals of our society.”
September 9, 2025 | York Daily Record
State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El urges passage of law a protecting LGBTQ+ rights in PA
“In a passionate speech, the Lancaster Democrat urged passage of The Fairness Act at a rally in York Aug. 29 held after an alleged anti-queer attack.”
June 23, 2025 | PennLive
Pa. House OKs bill to seal some eviction records; Dauphin County has state’s highest rate
“And on a personal note, I will include that it has made several of my constituents — including survivors of domestic violence — homeless because of the structure of the commonwealth law,”
June 11, 2025 | PCNTV
On The Issues: Immigration in PA, Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El
“The office of New Pennsylvanians would streamline and organize all of the services that are accessed by our newest neighbors,”
May 29, 2025 | LancasterOnline
Pa. lawmakers to consider sealing certain eviction records, as pitched by Rep. Smith-Wade-El
“It’s not a top-flight banner housing issue, but it’s absolutely one that’s making it harder for people to access housing and, frankly, kind of being used against people to hold them back,”
May 2, 2025 | One United Lancaster
Lancaster PA faith leaders host public town hall with legislators
“.We have the understanding that we are not just talking about our kids in public education. We are literally talking about the foundation of our country, ”
April 28, 2025 | One United Lancaster
State Reps. Rivera and Smith-Wade-El plan 14th Annual Back to School Event
“The event aims to help students prepare for the school year with supplies, services and a fun day out for families.”
April 4, 2025 | Pa. House Video
Smith-Wade-El: Immigrants are the Backbone of the Commonwealth
“PA state Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El joined a handful of his legislative colleagues to introduce the PA Welcome Caucus and explain the contributions and efforts from undocumented citizens living in Pennsylvania.”
March 14, 2025 | Broadband Breakfast
Pennsylvania Introduces Bill to Restore Net Neutrality Protections
“The Internet is not a luxury but a daily necessity. All Pennsylvanians deserve a fair Internet that provides equal access,”
December 11, 2024 | One United Lancaster
Advocates push to seal Pa. eviction filings
“People are being denied housing due to ‘evictions’ that simply didn’t occur,”
November 20, 2024 | LancasterOnline
Ashton Clatterbuck, transgender Americans who died from violence, honored by officials in Harrisburg.
‘Smith-Wade-El said the “unfortunate reality” is that there are groups of people who not only don’t want to see the LGBTQ+ community “get free” and “survive,” but take it further by supporting harmful policies at all levels of government.’
July 2, 2024 | Pennsylvania Capital Star
Pa. House and Senate Democrats decry U.S. Supreme Court ruling on homelessness
“This is not only a fundamental injustice, it is not only completely wrong, but in study after study, the data shows that criminalizing homelessness, sweeping encampments without care or concern has the opposite effect, that it worsens the crisis that it claims to address”
December 13, 2023 | One United Lancaster
Immigrant, refugee advocates call for an Office of New Pennsylvanians
“In October, Smith-Wade-El and state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Philadelphia, re-introduced legislation to create an Office of New Pennsylvanians within the state Department of Community & Economic Development. On Tuesday, City Council passed a resolution in support of the proposal.”
June 28, 2023 | PennLive
A voice of representation, social justice, education equity: Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El
“Pride is a memorial for our elders, and a birthday party for our youth. It’s a wake, and an anniversary party for the Stonewall Riots. As a Black person, I’m very influenced by the idea of Sankofa, of looking back and learning how to move forward.”
February 18, 2023 | Pocono Record
Ensuring LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians have a seat at the table | Our Turn
“We will also be introducing the Protection of Minors from Conversion Therapy (with Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El), Data for LGBTQ+ Lives, and Pennsylvania protections for Marriage Equality, which we, as co-chairs, will work with Reps. Danilo Burgos, La’Tasha D. Mayes, Greg Scott, and Ismail Smith-Wade-El to enshrine into our state law.”
February 6, 2023 | ABC27 WHTM
Honoring Black History: Ismail Smith-Wade-El
“I think the win is nice, but what I see in front of me really is a duty to make sure that we keep elevating that thing. You can get into one of these seats and just feel very comfortable. ‘I’m here, I’m great.’ or you can recognize that you have an obligation to show up for your hometown,”
November 9, 2022 | LancasterOnline
Meet Izzy Smith-Wade-El, Lancaster’s first Black, queer Pa. state representative
“(Politicians) forget about the things that people need that really made them want to run for office in the beginning.”
February 4, 2022 | Touchstone Foundation
Black History Month Spotlight: Ismail Smith-Wade-El
“You need and deserve rest and play, closeness with people who care about you, and distance from spaces and people that are harmful to you. That may often be more easily said than done, but it is your right nonetheless.”
December 1, 2021 | LancasterOnline
Opposition to Hatred Remains Imperative [column]
“Lancaster belongs to all of us, and it’s going to take all of us to ensure that no matter how we look, whom we love, or how we worship, all are welcome here.”
Lanc. Co. EMS faces funding deficit, the latest in a trend of statewide EMS funding woes
‘We are in the crosshairs of no one wanting to own the problem,’ one local leader said, as he scrambles to close a funding gap.
October 27, 2021 | One United Lancaster
Lancaster City Council Approves Record Sum for Affordable Housing
Council President Ismail Smith-Wade-El congratulated his colleagues for approving the largest direct investment in affordable housing in city history, prompting a round of applause by council members and the audience in council chambers.
October 15, 2021 | Lancaster Online
Lancaster city looks to add affordable housing with $1 million lot on Marietta Ave
Lancaster city officials hope to close on the $1 million purchase of a parking lot near the former St. Joseph Hospital to build new income-restricted apartments, they revealed this week.
Lancaster city residents imagine a future without a prison on East King Street
Residents neighboring the Lancaster County Prison, which has been a fixture for decades on East King Street in Lancaster, have mixed views on its effect on the area.
September 14, 2020 | Penn Live
Lancaster police shooting: mayor calls for better mental health services, fighting inequality
The death of Ricardo Munoz by police was used as a stepping stone to address Lancaster’s issues regarding poverty and mental health at a press conference held by city officials on Sept. 14.
September 17, 2020 | Penn Live
‘These orders were, in fact, detention orders’: Lancaster activists decry $1 million bail for protesters
There aren’t many press conferences held when activists, supporters, and city government leaders can both celebrate and condemn existing judicial procedures, but that’s what happened Thursday at Faith Tabernacle in Lancaster.
May 21, 2021 | WGAL
School District of Lancaster renames two schools
Two schools in the School District of Lancaster are getting new names. The school board approved renaming Southeast Middle School to Hazel I. Jackson Middle School.