Starting April 13th, everyone in Pennsylvania ages 16 and up will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 9 – The committee will hear from the biotech industry and COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers at a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing hosted by state Reps. Patty Kim and Darisha Parker. The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 12 . The media and public are invited to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy or on the committee’s Facebook page--@PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, Vice Chair Mary Isaacson and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee will join Kim and Parker to discuss how supply is catching up with demand and how vaccine distribution is meeting the needs of Pennsylvanians seeking vaccination. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here or visiting www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more
HARRISBURG, April 8 -- Schools statewide are in urgent need of upgrades for the health and safety of students and staff, and today’s meeting of the House Democratic Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People highlighted what actions the state can take to address toxic schools. The public virtual hearing, hosted by Subcommittee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler and state Sen. Vincent Hughes, brought together educators from across the state, healthcare and legal professionals, and labor experts to discuss the implications of inaction and benefits of investment in school safety. Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro explained, “Pennsylvania schools need repair. Addressing these concerns will put our skilled laborers to work at family sustaining wages and set children and educators up for good health and success now and in the future.” “Most of Pennsylvania’s schools were built in the 50s when the knowledge of safe materials was limited,” Fiedler said. “But there are plenty of schools built even before that. Those old buildings pose so many health problems to our children, teachers and the community at large where they are.” “While we are in the middle of conversations to make upgrades and accommodations to our schools because of COVID, let’s take this time to discuss what overall solutions are available to make these sick buildings healthy for our kids and everyone who Read more
HARRISBURG, April 6 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, chair of the Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People, is partnering with state Sen. Vincent Hughes to host a public hearing to discuss the current state of toxins in schools and the impacts they have on health and learning outcomes. The hearing will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 8 . The media and public are invited to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy or on the committee’s Facebook page--@PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Fiedler will be joined by Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee for members to learn more about repair and remediation options available to schools and how the General Assembly can support efforts to address the issue. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here . Read more
The least partisan thing we can imagine is the fundamental right to vote. When we talk with Republicans and Democrats — people, not politicians — there is little debate. Anyone who is lawfully registered should be able to vote, securely and conveniently. What we saw happen in Georgia this week, and what is proposed here in Pennsylvania, is the opposite of that. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 1 -- State Representative Rob Matzie, Democratic Chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, led yesterday’s House Democratic Policy Committee on bridging the digital divide. The hearing is the third in a series this week focused on net neutrality and bridging the gap to improve future outcomes for educators, students, health care access and Pennsylvania businesses. “This hearing was a great cap on the weeks’ discussions on how we can make sure Pennsylvania is digitally connected. The last year has shown us that reliable internet, computers and phone help keep us learning, working, entertained, managing health and in touch with family and friends. I thank Chairman Matzie for leading the discussion and look forward to a public-private partnership that helps close the divide,” said Ryan Bizzarro, chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee. “Quick, reliable Internet access isn’t a luxury in today’s world – it’s a necessity,” said Matzie. “Those without it face major disadvantages when it comes to competing for jobs, accessing health and education services and connecting to state programs. I’m hosting this hearing because we need to develop solutions to bridge this digital divide now, before it threatens to disenfranchise more Pennsylvanians.” The committee heard testimony from Brian Barno, Broadband Cable Association of Pennsylvania; Joseph Glinka, government Read more
ERIE, April 1 – Residents of the third legislative district can now connect with state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro via a new app aimed at connecting lawmakers and constituents. Be the Change launched as a pilot in 2020 and connects community members with their local policy makers. The app is a free and nonpartisan platform aimed to improve advocacy efforts. “I look forward to partnering with Be the Change to have another tool to talk with residents. My office already serves as one of the busiest in the state. I am always looking for ways to connect and hear from my neighbors so I can best serve them and be their voice in state government,” Bizzarro said. Users can download the free app and share causes categorized by environment, transportation, disabilities, COVID-19, legislative feedback, aging, children and youth, commerce and economic development. Legislators can comment on causes and other users can give a thumbs up or thumbs down. Keeping cause commenting to the original poster and legislator aims to keep conversations on topic and productive. Bhavini Patel, cofounder and CEO of Be the Change, said the app was created to make legislative advocacy more accessible, foster healthy civic dialogue and to help build a welcoming community for all. The app is funded by grants including the UpPrize: BNY Mellon Social Innovation Challenge and the Ascender Incubator Program. Bizzarro said he is excited to be among the first state representatives to use Be the Read more
A new app designed to connect community members with local policy makers is now available, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced Thursday. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 30 – The House Democratic Policy Committee today hosted a virtual public hearing that challenged public officials to reimagine the education system to ensure quality, reliable internet access and equipment for students as part of an educators’ toolbox. The hearing, hosted by state Representatives Jordan Harris, Pam Snyder, Peter Schweyer, Morgan Cephas, brought together educators and communications experts on what is needed to help create a bridge that closes the digital divide. “Ultimately, a public-private partnership and investment will be needed to overcome the digital divide. Quality internet access and devices are an essential part of a quality 21st century education and Pennsylvania students and educators should be set up for success,” Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said. Hillary Linardopoulos, legislative representative for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers; Lawrence Jones, CEO of Richard Allen Prep; and Dr. Robin Cooper from the Philadelphia Principals Union, shared their experience throughout the pandemic and the challenges their educators faced before and throughout the pandemic in keeping children and educators connected for a quality education. Cooper noted broadband access and educational supports have a direct impact on student opportunities and career potential. “At the start of the pandemic, there were about 3,000 Allentown School District households that didn’t have access to the Read more
HARRISBURG, PA — Responding to the Capitol insurrection in January and the signing of new restrictions on voting rights last week in Georgia, House Democrats are taking action. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 29 -- Education, employment and healthcare outcomes are relying more on internet connectivity and access and the House Democratic Policy Committee is hosting two hearings to explore the impacts on Pennsylvania’s economy. The first hearing—with a focus on education – will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 30 and hosted by state Reps. Jordan Harris, Pam Snyder, Peter Schweyer and Morgan Cephas. The second hearing will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 31 and hosted by Rep. Rob Matzie, Democratic chairman of the Consumer Affairs Committee. The latter hearing will examine creating a more connected state for an improved business climate and healthcare access. The public and media are encouraged to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy . Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Read more
March 29 – Responding to the Capitol insurrection in January and the signing of new restrictions on voting rights last week in Georgia, House Democrats are taking action to protect American democracy. Read more
ERIE, March 29 – Pennsylvania school districts struggling financially to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to receive almost $5 billion in additional federal assistance, which includes approximately $115 million for schools in Erie County, announced state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie. Read more
The least partisan thing we can imagine is the fundamental right to vote. When we talk with Republicans and Democrats -- people, not politicians -- there is little... Read more
HARRISBURG, March 25 -- Education and shattering social norms are key in combatting racism in high schools and colleges, as evidenced by testimony at today’s House Democratic Policy Committee hearing hosted by state Reps. Maureen Madden and Malcolm Kenyatta. The Monroe and Philadelphia County legislators led today’s discussion bringing together state officials, students and educators to brainstorm solutions that aim to help break cycles of systemic racism via policy development and implementation. “How do we start conversations that help people understand that freedom of speech should not be a free pass for racism? We all deserve to be respected and the blatant hate and disrespect for others is impacting lives. Hate has no place in our education system. Students go to school to learn, grow and often overcome any barriers the hand that life has dealt them. I’m grateful for this forum today to learn what’s happening in our education system and what lawmakers can do to overcome the racism in our schools,” Madden shared. “Terms like ‘diversity quota’ and ‘affirmative action applicant’ are just some of the covertly racist insults that disparage the merits of students and faculty of color in academia. Ultimately, these slights have devastating effects on the emotional and mental health of these students and faculty, thereby straining their likelihood to graduate and excel at these institutions,” Read more
HARRISBURG, March 23 – Recent incidents of racism involving students at the high school and college levels will be discussed at a House Democratic Policy Committee virtual hearing hosted by state Reps. Maureen Madden and Malcolm Kenyatta. The hearing will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 25. To view the hearing, the media and public can tune in to www.pahouse.com/policycommittee or the committee’s Facebook page -- @PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Madden and Kenyatta will be joined by committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and Democratic Policy Committee members to hear from educators, state officials and advocates on how to curb racism with meaningful policy reforms. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here . Read more
With time running out to provide a chance at justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse through an emergency constitutional amendment, the House Democratic leadership team released the following statement calling on Republican leadership to commit to bringing the measure up for a vote on Monday:“In early February, Republican leadership made a public promise on the House floor to get an emergency constitutional amendment to the Senate and provide a chance at justice to the survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Due to their wavering and inaction this week, we’re now dangerously close to running out of time to get this in front of Pennsylvanians in the May Primary Election. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 18 – State Rep. Summer Lee today hosted a hearing of the Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People, bringing together advocates statewide to highlight the need for eliminating cash bail in Pennsylvania. The hearing’s first panel included Larry Krasner, district attorney, city of Philadelphia; Bethany Hallam, at-large member, Allegheny County Council; Jessica Lopez, community activist and Lancaster County resident; and Muhammad “MAN-E” Ali Nasir, community activist and co-founder of Jailbreak PGH. Krasner highlighted reforms Philadelphia implemented that resulted in public health and safety improvements through the pandemic and called for reforms at the state level. Hallam, Lopez and Nasir shared their personal experiences with cash bail that exposed systemic racism and traumatic practices that ignored the presumption of innocence and implemented punitive detainment practices. Lee, D-Allegheny, said, “While we must eliminate debtors’ prisons, we cannot replace it with other pre-trial practices and conditions that impose unjust and harmful physical and financial barriers for folks who -- until convicted by a jury of their peers -- are presumed innocent! We have to proceed with caution to ensure we're not replacing one harm with another. Today’s discussion clearly showed the benefits to eliminating cash bail and making the system more fair and equitable.” “Cash bail punishes Read more
HARRISBURG, March 17 – State Reps. Rick Krajewski and Summer Lee will host a virtual hearing of the House Democratic Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People where the rights of incarcerated parents will be the focus. Read more
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