“This budget reflects our priorities for the city of Philadelphia through historic fair, adequate and equitable funding for the School District of Philadelphia; addressing affordable housing and homeless assistance; investments in health care and maternal health, while infusing one-time funding to keep SEPTA moving,” said Cephas. Read more
“In Philadelphia, Right to Counsel has overwhelmingly helped Black women -- who disproportionately experience eviction -- get access to invaluable legal services. When you don’t know your rights and don’t have the funds available to afford legal counsel, the courts can often feel like a bulldozer,” said state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila, chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation. “By providing access to quality legal representation for free, our city has helped to level the playing field and ensured that people’s rights aren’t trampled over. Our delegation has been a leader in Harrisburg fighting for statewide eviction reforms and changing the way that Philadelphia handles evictions to reduce violence during the evictions process.” Read more
Chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation, Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., has been working to end nuisance establishments in her community her entire legislative career. “We have had success in limited and localized situations, but we need a citywide solution with state-level assistance that brings all parties to the table for a multipronged solution to these nuisance establishments that drain the quality of life in our neighborhoods.” Read more
"This tax incentive will go a long way in having more employers include financial assistance for child care in their strategic business plans, creating a more stable workforce in Pennsylvania while continuing to help families re-enter the job market,” Cephas said. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 2 – As Pennsylvania lawmakers work to finalize the state budget and tuition bills are hitting mailboxes for the fall semester, two state lawmakers are looking to provide needed financial relief to student borrowers. State Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, and Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., have introduced legislation ( H.B. 2476 ) that would exempt tuition reimbursement from the personal income tax, as well as codify that student loan forgiveness is not taxable income. According to the lawmakers, current and former college students in the U.S. have taken out approximately $1.75 trillion in student loans. Pennsylvania borrowers have an average of $39,375 in debt, making the state the third-highest average for student loan debt. The cost of both public and private four-year colleges has tripled since 1980, even when accounting for inflation, contributing to the need for students to take out more loans. “Pennsylvania is a state where borrowers struggle with student loans more than most,” O’Mara said. “It’s even more disheartening when they are handed a tax bill for what relief they do get from their employers in the form of tuition reimbursement. Students are constantly evaluating their career and financial paths to include ways to make college more affordable. When they find an employer who wants to help with those costs in exchange for getting a great employee, they shouldn’t be Read more
HARRISBURG, June 26 – On the heels of a new report detailing racial biases in the U.S. healthcare system, state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., today emphasized the need for her legislation that seeks to resolve the subconscious biases of healthcare providers in the state so they can improve patient care and adapt practices for the diverse communities they serve. A lengthy report released today by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine laid out the harms of structural racism in the U.S. healthcare system to minority populations and offered solutions to combatting the problem. Cephas’ legislation ( H.B. 2178 ) to address the biases of healthcare providers in Pennsylvania was introduced in April. Under Cephas’ bill, each person applying for a license or certification issued by a health-related board within the Department of State would be required to complete training regarding implicit bias and cultural competence. Such training would, at minimum, include an understanding of implicit bias and include practical techniques to reduce unconscious bias and improve cultural competence. “There is extensive evidence and research of implicit bias in our healthcare system, resulting in the unequal treatment of patients based on race, gender, weight, age, language spoken, income and insurance status, and most often leading to negative health outcomes for poor people and communities of Read more
As co-chair of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus, state Rep. Morgan Cephas knows the important role paid family leave can play in pregnancy outcomes. She says the ability to provide and receive care without loss of jobs or income would go a long way in lowering PA’s high maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, June 21 – Nearly 10,000 people of all ages braved the heat to connect with their neighbors, support local businesses and have some family-friendly fun, according to state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., a coordinator of West Philadelphia’s annual street food festival held last night. “I am so grateful to the many community partners who make The Overbrook Night Market a great event year in and year out,” Cephas said. “Despite the heat, the people came out again this year to celebrate their neighborhood, have some fun and support local businesses, talented artists and our culture. I look forward to its continuing success.” Now in its fourth year, and co-hosted by Overbook West Neighbors Inc., the event featured 35+ food trucks and vendors, a family zone with kids’ activities and three DJs. There was a special appearance by Miss Philadelphia, Tynecia Wilson, and local leaders including City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore-Richardson, Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. and District Attorney Larry Krasner. Residents also had the opportunity to connect with resources and local businesses and organizations including PCOM, PECO and MainLine Health, along with Penn Medicine, Independence Blue Cross, Xfinity and Cobbs Creek Foundation. Cephas and her staff also were on hand to help people with state-related programs, services and issues. The mission of The Overbrook Night Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Labor and Industry: PAsmart Pathway Innovations to Registered Apprenticeships Grant Program Who May Apply: Organizations that serve as sponsors or intermediaries of new Registered Apprenticeships including businesses, community-based organizations, economic development organizations, industry associations, labor organizations, local education agencies, local workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, post-secondary institutions, public libraries, and STEM ecosystems. Use: To support the creation and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs that offer earn-as-you-learn opportunities. Funds: $5,000,000 in funding is available. Application Deadline: July 12, 2024 More information: L&I Website Historical and Museum Commission: Historical and Archival Records Care Grant Who May Apply: Nonprofits and local government entities that have been in existence for two years prior to grant request submission. Use: To assist with preservation of historically valuable original documents. Funds: Single organizations can apply for up to $5,000. Projects with multiple organizations involved can apply for up to $5,000 for each organization (2 organizations can apply for $10,000, 3 organizations can apply for $15,000, etc.). Application Deadline: July 8, 2024 More information: PHMC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Act Read more
HARRISBURG, June 13 – State Reps. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., and Bob Merski, D-Erie, announced today that they will be introducing legislation to help prevent abrupt closures of higher education institutions in Pennsylvania. This announcement comes roughly one week after the sudden closure of The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. This legislation would require colleges or universities to provide financial information yearly if they receive commonwealth funds or federal funds distributed by the commonwealth. The lawmakers believe that this proposal would ensure transparency for the commonwealth, students, and staff of higher education institutions and continued good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The University of the Arts is located in Waxman’s legislative district, covering center city Philadelphia. “When I heard about UArts’ closure, I immediately shared feelings of anger and disappointment with the students who won’t have the same school to attend and faculty who will be losing their jobs,” Waxman said. “I want to ensure no student or school faculty member in Pennsylvania has to go through what those at UArts are going through right now. By requiring these schools to regularly notify us of their financial information, we can create greater accountability and transparency across the board.” The lawmakers say that having this information from schools on a yearly Read more
HARRISBURG, June 12 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, hosted a rally today with other legislators, legal experts and community advocates from across the state in support of fair housing in Pennsylvania. “The lack of affordable housing in Pennsylvania has resulted in evictions and homelessness for many Pennsylvanians,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Every person has the right to a roof over their head. Our rally today called out the continuing inequities in housing in our commonwealth and the legislative and budget initiatives devised to address them. “As Democrats in the PA House, we’re fighting for a person-centered approach to fair housing, from helping the unhoused get back into a safe home, to my bill that would seal no-fault eviction records so people can find housing, to increased support for the Whole Home Repairs program so seniors can fix and stay in their homes,” Smith-Wade-El said. “We understand that having a home to call one’s own is a human right, a matter of justice. I and my colleagues will fight to make sure that every Pennsylvanian can enjoy their fundamental right to a safe and secure place in which to live.” The rally focused on the PA House budget proposal (H.B. 2324), which would increase funding for fair housing initiatives; the need for increased funding for the homelessness assistance program; a House-led proposal to increase PHARE funding to $100 million dollars; the LLC Read more
Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation lauded by members of the House Philadelphia Delegation that would fundamentally change the way that school districts are funded in the state to meet the constitutional mandate of equitably funding schools. Read more
Majority Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Rep. Jordan Harris along with local state Representatives host a community conversation on the 2024-25 state budget in Northwest Philadelphia.More at http://www.HouseAppropriations.com Read more
“Working parents who know that their children are in safe and quality care can better concentrate on their day-to-day work and overall careers," said state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., a co-prime sponsor of the bill. Read more
“Chairman Roebuck served his West Philadelphia district with distinction for 35 years as state representative and was involved in his community his entire life. His leadership extended beyond the 188th District as the longtime chairman of the House Education Committee, fighting for Pennsylvania students and ensuring opportunity for higher education for all. His service and tenure are unparalleled in our delegation, as he continued to be a source of inspiration and insight beyond his days in the legislature. Our condolences stretch to his family, colleagues and the people of West Philadelphia who knew him best.” Read more
PHILADELPHIA, May 10 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today said they were grateful to the Pennsylvania State Police for conducting a thorough investigation into the State Police traffic stop and arrest of Celena Morrison and Darius McLean on I-76 in March and reiterated the need for transparency in community policing. The unnamed PSP trooper involved in the incident was placed on administrative leave two months ago pending an internal investigation and is now no longer employed with the State Police, according to a PSP spokesperson. Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas said that while the investigation likely remains ongoing, she is grateful that Pennsylvania State Police officials took the matter seriously and handled the matter swiftly and professionally. "As chair of the delegation, I'm glad that the State Police have heard our concerns and took the time to hold a fair and impartial internal investigation into this matter, which has led to the officer involved no longer being employed by them,” Cephas said. “I also commend the State Police for speeding up their commitment to make sure all officers working in Philadelphia have active body cameras. This will go a long way in protecting the citizens of Philadelphia as well as the hardworking members of the Pennsylvania State Police who serve and protect us day in and day out. This kind of transparency is critical when incidents like the Read more
The federal legislation follows the passage of a similar bill that passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to cover doula services for expectant and new mothers here. Read more
The bill, introduced by state Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) is part of a package of legislation on Black maternal health — nicknamed the “Momnibus” by supporters — that includes a requirement for Medicaid to pay for blood pressure monitors, which also passed Monday in the state House with a 164-37 vote. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 6 – PA House lawmakers today passed legislation authored by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., that would extend Medicaid coverage to doula services in the state. Under Cephas’ bill ( H.B. 1608 ), Medicaid would reimburse certified doulas for providing childbirth education and support services, including physical and emotional support, during pregnancy, labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum. “Research has shown that doula support leads to improved birth outcomes, including reduced rates of cesarean sections, shorter labor durations and higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. By providing continuous support throughout and after pregnancy, doulas contribute to safer and more positive birth experiences for families," Cephas said. "Lack of health coverage for these services in Medicaid leads to a vast disparity in care for women who are already statistically at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with Black birthing people at the highest risk of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This legislation would give these parents a proven network of support needed to produce better mental and physical health outcomes during their birthing journey. I appreciate that my House colleagues understood the wisdom of providing this to moms who receive their health care under Medicaid.” The bill also would establish a Doula Read more
Amid continued calls for increased police accountability and transparency, the Pennsylvania State Police announced that it has issued body cameras to all troopers in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties. Read more
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