PITTSBURGH, April 10 – State Rep. Dan Frankel joined state Sen. Jay Costa today to announce the reintroduction of a package of bills meant to strengthen law enforcement’s response to hate crimes, improve tracking, advocate for victims and prevent future hate-based crimes. This legislation is a direct response to the 2018 mass shooting at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life building, during which a white supremacist murdered eleven worshippers in three Jewish congregations. To this day, this was the single deadliest act of antisemitic violence in American history. However, since then, the instance of hate crimes has only risen against racial minorities, religious groups, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. As noted in the Senate co-sponsorship memorandum , “According to the Pennsylvania State Policy Uniform Crime Reporting System, between 2020 and 2021, hate crime incidents in Pennsylvania more than doubled statewide. Between 2021 and 2023, the Department of Justice reports hate crimes almost doubled again in Pennsylvania. Worse, hate crimes are often misreported because of a lack of training or tracking.” Already, Frankel and Costa have championed the creation and growth of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Signed into law in 2019, Act 83 directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations who principally serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime Read more

A state House bill that originally sought to relieve some Pennsylvanians’ medical debt now has a different goal: making it easier for those in need to access health care financial-aid programs. Read more

“These are former teachers who taught our kids, PennDOT workers who answered the call to keep roadways safe, human services workers who helped those in need – they’ve served our communities, and they’ve waited too long for a COLA increase,” state Rep. Dan Deasy said. “They are a small group of individuals who were not included in the new COLA formula, but they are largely in their 80s and 90s. Many can barely afford to pay for food or needed prescriptions and, after all they have done for the commonwealth, it is unconscionable that we would not do right by them and provide this increase so they can pay for necessities like groceries.” Read more

HARRISBURG, April 9 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat, Nate Davidson, Tarik Khan, Bridget M. Kosierowski, Andrew Kuzma, Jim Rigby and Tim Twardzik’s bill that would aid Commonwealth residents with avoiding medical debt was voted out of the Pennsylvania House Health Committee unanimously today. House Bill 79, originally introduced as a measure to create the PA Medical Debt Relief Program, was amended to focus on consistent transparency for hospital-based financial assistance policies and programs. “Countless individuals receive outstanding care through Pennsylvania hospitals every day, but too often, patients do not know if they might be eligible for existing hospital-based financial assistance programs -- resulting in medical debt. With this legislation, we can ensure all Pennsylvanians who might be eligible can understand how to access hospital-based financial assistance,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my co-prime sponsors for their continued support and look forward to moving this bill through the legislature to increase health care affordability in the Commonwealth.” In H.B. 79’s updated form, the PA Department of Health would develop standardized financial assistance forms. These forms, based on input from hospitals and the general public, would reflect an individual hospital’s financial assistance programs. Additionally, they would be shared with patients upon admittance and discharge at all Read more

Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted Tuesday to pass legislation that would make stalking using an Apple AirTag or other electronic tracking devices a misdemeanor offense under the state’s stalking statute as policymakers look to stem the growing misuse of such items. Read more

Proposal to recognize 911 telecommunicators as first responders clears House Read more

PITTSBURGH, April 8 – Improvements are coming to the South Craig Street business corridor thanks to new funding of $213,326 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, state Rep. Dan Frankel announced today. Frankel said the grant will fund projects to improve aesthetics, community connections and business relationships in the corridor. “South Craig Street is home to so much creative energy – in the arts and sciences, in industry and innovation, and in multicultural restaurants and events that bring us together in the best possible ways,” Frankel said. “The new funding will allow us to continue revitalizing this unique corridor to attract new visitors, boost foot traffic for area businesses and expand welcoming public spaces for commuters, students and entrepreneurs to connect and thrive.” The funding to Pittsburgh Innovation District is part of a package of $17 million awarded for 81 projects statewide under the Main Street Matters program. More information about the funding is available here: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/governor-josh-shapiro-announces-81-new-main-street-matters-inves.html . The Main Street Matters program is designed to support Pennsylvania’s downtown cores and surrounding neighborhoods with tools to create healthy, vibrant and welcoming communities. Funding is available to support revitalization efforts in Read more

“Following the loss of a loved one, many families face emotional and logistical challenges with arranging food and drink at a memorial, oftentimes on short notice,” said Deasy, who serves as the majority chair of the House Liquor Control Committee. “Current law requires businesses to give seven days’ notice to the Liquor Control Board for off-premises catering permits, a timeline that simply doesn’t work for many of these memorial events.” Read more

HARRISBURG, April 7 – State Rep. Dan Goughnour, D-Allegheny, took the oath of office at the state Capitol today to become the new state representative of Pennsylvania’s 35th Legislative District. “I’m honored and privileged to advocate for the rights and needs of western Pennsylvanians and those across the Commonwealth. I would also be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the great achievements and example set by my predecessor, Matt Gergely,” Goughnour said. “I want to honor his legacy and do my part to institute positive change. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in the House to make this goal possible.” Goughnour’s legislative priorities include strengthening public safety measures and increasing funding for them, boosting job training programs to provide more opportunities for residents, continuing to support public schools, and working to reduce the cost of everyday essentials for families. He previously served for more than 16 years as a law enforcement officer with the McKeesport Police Department and, most recently, as captain of police detectives. His public service career also includes being on the McKeesport Area School District board, and he is a current member of Teamsters Local 205. Goughnour won March’s Legislative District 35 special election, necessitated by the passing of the late Rep. Matthew R. Gergely at the beginning of the year. Read more

Pittsburgh-area state Rep. Lindsay Powell is rallying in Harrisburg today, urging lawmakers to enshrine into Pennsylvania law a federal act that protects abortion clinics from threats and damages. Powell’s bill comes on the heels of a Trump administration memo directing the Department of Justice to dismiss several cases against those accused of obstructing care at reproductive health clinics. Read more