News Center

Fiedler partners with local groups to provide food during holiday season

(Jan 11, 2022) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 11 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., recently partnered with local groups to provide delicious food to seniors citizens and families across the district. D ozens of holiday hams and groceries were provided to seniors from the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center, and to children and their families from the Discovery Place Pre-School, thanks to IBEW Local 98 and ACME . The effort helped South Philly neighbors put delicious holiday food on their table at the end of a tough year. Fiedler said, “This tradition of holiday giving is particularly meaningful as we end such a difficult year, full of hardship and loss, and continue to struggle through challenging times.” Fiedler also noted that the collaboration brought full holiday tables and joy to many neighbors. Read more

 

South Philly District Update E-Newsletter

(Dec 23, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Stay up-to-date on the latest in South Philly and Harrisburg Read more

 

Apply Now: Property Tax/Rent Program

(Dec 17, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Don't miss your chance at a rebate on your property taxes or rent paid in 2020! The deadline is fast approaching on Dec. 31. My office can help you find out if you qualify and apply. We can also help you with your heating bills. Give us a call 215-271-9190. Read more

 

Shusterman, Kenyatta and Fiedler introduce bill to reinstate emergency assistance

(Dec 13, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

HARRISBURG, Dec. 13 – State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, Malcolm Kenyatta and Elizabeth Fiedler, both D-Phila., introduced a new bill to provide emergency financial relief to help the most vulnerable. It would reinstate funding provided through the General Assistance program, which was ended last session. This new bill would once again provide $200 on average a month to those who were unable to work, those caring for loved ones who were sick or disabled, veterans, women fleeing domestic violence and adults receiving substance abuse treatment. “Many in Pennsylvania are still struggling because of COVID-19,” Shusterman said. “When the General Assistance program was ended, so too was a lifeline many people were depending on to help them. This bill would make sure we are continuing to protect those who need it the most.” "General Assistance is a lifeline for thousands of Pennsylvanians,” Kenyatta said. “Taking it away is a travesty that affects families and others in need all across our commonwealth. We must fight to protect the most vulnerable citizens of our society." “It is cruel and immoral to tear dollars out of the hands of people who are literally unable to buy food or pay for bus fare without general assistance,” Fiedler said. “Since the General Assistance program has been removed, we must provide some assistance program to help those who were receiving support Read more

 

Two state grants awarded to Passyunk Ave. Revitalization Corp.

(Nov 19, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

HARRISBURG, Nov. 19 – The Passyunk Ave. Revitalization Corp. has received two grants from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to improve recreation and transportation flow in the area. Specifically, one grant in the amount of $125,000 will be used to improve the plaza area at the town square located on S. 11 th Street in state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler’s, D-Phila., legislative district. The second grant will be used to address the traffic convergence of four streets (E. Passyunk Ave., Tasker St., S. 11 th St. and Cross St.), to highlight the Singing Fountain Plaza’s central role while also facilitating the movement of people via various modes of travel. She said this $500,000 grant will be vital in growing the bustling business corridor and supporting the surrounding community. “This is a main community meeting point, where families, friends and seniors regularly gather to rest, enjoy the weather, and enjoy food or beverages from some of the many great local businesses,” Fiedler said. Fiedler said she was glad to assist in supporting the grant applications and is looking forward to seeing the work done in her district. “These state funds will support the amazing work being done by local small business owners and by neighbors who are committed to supporting each other during good times and challenging ones,” she said. Read more

 

LIHEAP: Expanded Home-Heating Assistance is Available to PA Renters, Homeowners

(Nov 04, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

As winter approaches and we prepare to spend even more time indoors, utility bills are only going to get more expensive. Additionally, we know that the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn have made it difficult for many to keep up with home energy bills. No Pennsylvanian should ever have to worry that their heat will be shut off during the coldest and darkest months of the year. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) that provides assistance for home heating bills so Pennsylvanians can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for both renters and homeowners. LIHEAP helps some of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens — children, older Pennsylvanians, people with disabilities, and low-income families — make ends meet. Anyone who may need help, or anyone who has loved ones or neighbors who could benefit from this program, is encouraged to apply for LIHEAP today. APPLY FOR LIHEAP LIHEAP FACTS How do I apply for LIHEAP? Depending on preference, different options are available to apply for LIHEAP: Apply online: Pennsylvanians can apply at www.compass.state.pa.us . Paper applications: Call the LIHEAP Helpline at 1-866-857-7095 to request a paper application. Paper applications can also be downloaded from the DHS LIHEAP web page . County Assistance Office (CAO) services are available if clients Read more

 

2021 fall Newsletter

(Oct 25, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Rep. Fiedler's 2021 Fall Newsletter. Read more

 

Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia awarded $25,000 education grant to support inter-generational connections and early childhood education

(Oct 04, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 4 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., joined the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia to announce a PA Department of Education grant. The grant will help to fund the Refugee Legacies: Community-Driven Education Initiative, which will allow CAGP to expand its inter-generational programming and enhance its innovative after-school programming with community partners to respond to the evolving educational landscape. “I’m excited that these grant dollars are already making a difference in the lives of CAGP families in South Philadelphia,” Fiedler said. “It’s exciting to see the work CAGP is doing to bring different generations together and to connect each to their shared heritage and culture.” Rex Yin, children and youth director of CAGP, agreed that the grant dollars are vital. “This grant shows the commitment Representative Fiedler and our community have to work together to support refugee and immigrant communities that have been impacted and further marginalized during the pandemic,” he said. During the last 20 years, the Cambodian community has grown in both South Philadelphia and North Philadelphia. As the number of families with young children increased in South Philadelphia, CAGP has responded by locating their pre-kindergarten and after-school programming there. CAGP brought on a Refugee Legacies Program coordinator to Read more

 

Philadelphia Parents and Caregivers Unite Around Demands for District Accountability, School Safety, and Parent Voice

(Oct 01, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29 – Last night, hundreds of parents from across the city joined together over Zoom and Facebook Live to demand increased accountability and transparency from the School District of Philadelphia. As unfinished asbestos remediation efforts, piles of trash, and poor communication plagued the start of this year’s historic return to school, the Philadelphia Home and School Council brought together local leaders, caregivers, and advocacy organizations, including Parents United for Public Education and the Our City Our Schools Coalition , to organize for real change for the city’s public schools. The meeting took place on the heels of Dr. William Hite’s announcement that he would be ending his tenure as Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia after nearly a decade in the role, further energizing the conversation around changes that parents hope to see across the district. “We’re here tonight to ring the alarm on school conditions, student safety, workers’ rights, and District accountability,” said Shakeda Gaines, president of the Philadelphia Home and School Council. “No announcement about a change in leadership will make us forget about the asbestos, mold, and lead that remain in our schools. No announcement will make us forget that food is not being delivered on time and our kids are going hungry while parents are being pushed out of their Read more

 

Senior Services Information

(Sep 29, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

My office is available to help with many state services for seniors. Contact us for more information and to see how we can help you! Read more

 

Philly’s first week of school marred by inconsistent expectations and a lack of transparency | Opinion

(Sep 03, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Our kids deserve a culture change to stop the repeated mishandling of crises. Read more

 

Brooks and Fiedler Demand Accountability in Response to District’s Mishandling of Flood Response

(Sep 02, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

“The events this morning were not a trivial matter. As elected officials, and as parents and grandparents of Philadelphia public school students, we were extremely frustrated and disappointed at the District's mishandling of this morning's two-hour delay of school openings in response to widespread flooding. Like caregivers across the District, we received a notification at 8:40 a.m. that schools would be delayed by two hours. Start times vary across the district, with some starting at 7:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m., and others at 9 a.m. This notification came not only after many schools had already started, but after many families had dropped their children off at school and gone to work. This flagrant disregard for caregivers — many of whom are already juggling multiple schedules, school start-times, and jobs — unnecessarily threw so many lives into further chaos during an already difficult time. “This last-minute decision made by the District is just one example of a pattern of disrespect for our school communities, poor planning, and poor communication with families across the city. This gross mishandling of a natural disaster comes on the heels of the District’s attempt to send students back into SLA Beeber, where active asbestos remediation efforts posed serious health risks to children and active construction would have required students to use portable, outdoor toilets. While SLA Beeber families organized and won a plan for a Read more

 

South Philly Update & Community Resources

(Jul 23, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Gun buyback, recreation and community centers, city pools, utility assistance and community resources. Read more

 

Prescription drug pricing reforms essential for public health, and economy

(Jul 12, 2021) Policy Committee

HARRISBURG, July 12 -- State Representatives Emily Kinkead and Eddie Day Pashinski today hosted a public hearing to discuss the need for drastic reforms to drive down the costs of prescription drugs for the well-being of Pennsylvanians who rely on medications for an improved quality of life. The hearing, a meeting of the Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People, included testimony on how prescription drug pricing is calculated, some of the cost drivers and legislative action needed to regulate pricing. Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, chair of the subcommittee, and legislators from across the state joined both in person and online for the discussion. Sean Zmenkowski, a constituent services advisor for Rep. Kinkead, shared his experience as a type one diabetic reliant on insulin to survive and the career choices he has had to make in order to maintain access to life-sustaining medication. “Far too many Pennsylvanians have to make painful choices regarding life-saving medications – going without or rationing their medicine – either option is inexcusable,” said state Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “I remain committed to working with my colleagues to come up with solutions, including a prescription drug importation program, to ensure the prescription drugs our residents need are accessible and affordable. It’s clear we need long-term solutions to help our residents, and we can make it happen.” Read more

 

South Philly Update & Community Resources

(Jul 09, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Highlights from Harrisburg, work at home in the District, utility and other assistance, community calendar, and more. Read more

 

Philadelphia, Southeast House members call on WHYY board of directors for fair collective bargaining agreement, fair wages

(Jun 29, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

PHILADELPHIA, June 29 – Twenty members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Philadelphia and Southeast delegations sent a letter in support of the workers at public media station WHYY. The letter, sent to the CEO and the WHYY board of directors, called for a fair collective bargaining agreement, fair wages and predictable, fair work schedules. As public media consumers, lawmakers and Philadelphia region residents, the House members said WHYY clearly is a valuable piece of local community journalism for the region that needs to support its workers. A former WHYY reporter and producer, state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., said, “As a reporter at WHYY for a decade prior to being elected in 2018, I saw firsthand many of the conditions that workers are talking about. It’s unacceptable and troubling. Many of the current workers were my colleagues when I started as a freelance reporter at WHYY years ago. Today, my state House colleagues and I stand in solidarity with them. They are important, valuable parts of the news and information that consumers receive. It is their labor that has helped build WHYY’s brand; they deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully.” The letter, which was emailed to the WHYY leadership on Tuesday, and which Fiedler, the Philadelphia Delegation secretary, will hand deliver on Wednesday, can be found here . In the letter, members of the Philadelphia and Southeast delegations outline low Read more

 

Letter to WHYY in support of workers, fair wages

(Jun 29, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

A letter to the leadership of WHYY in support of workers, fair wages. Read more

 

South Philly Update & Community Resources

(Jun 25, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Highlights from Harrisburg, working at home in the District, utility assistance, and community calendar. Read more

 

Rep. Fiedler, colleagues host No More Excuses, End Toxic Schools rally

(Jun 16, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

HARRISBURG, June 16 -- Labor leaders and lawmakers from across Pennsylvania took to the steps of the Capitol in Harrisburg on Wednesday morning to hold a Labor for Schools Rally. The group called for the legislature to take bold, job-creating, life-saving action and remediate the lead, asbestos and other toxins currently in schools across the commonwealth. Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila, who organized the rally, joined with nearly four dozen colleagues from the House and Senate to demand action and to push back on the excuse that Pennsylvania does not have the funds to fix schools. “We can use just a portion of the $7 billion in federal funding that has already been sent to PA to this substantive investment in public buildings from Philly to Scranton to Allegheny County,” Fiedler said. “We could create thousands of jobs — good paying, union jobs!” The lawmakers were joined by Rosemary Boland, Scranton Federation of Teachers; Arthur Steinberg, American Federation of Teachers; Nicole Hunt, Unite HERE 634; Aaron Chapin, PSEA; Darrin Kelly, Allegheny-Fayette County Central Labor Council; Frank Snyder and Sarah Hammond, PA AFL-CIO. Fiedler was joined at the rally by 33 House members from across PA, including Rep. Austin Davis, D- Allegheny, and Rep. Kyle Mullins, D- Lackawanna. Nine senators joined the rally, led by Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Phila., and Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny. Hughes spoke powerfully on the issue, Read more

 

South Philly Update & Community Resources

(Jun 15, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Shredding event and community resource fair, mobile office hours, highlights from Harrisburg and updates from at home in the District, community calendar and other resources. Read more

 

Fiedler partners with local groups to provide food during holiday season
Jan 11, 2022

South Philly District Update E-Newsletter
Dec 23, 2021

Apply Now: Property Tax/Rent Program
Dec 17, 2021

Shusterman, Kenyatta and Fiedler introduce bill to reinstate emergency assistance
Dec 13, 2021

Two state grants awarded to Passyunk Ave. Revitalization Corp.
Nov 19, 2021

LIHEAP: Expanded Home-Heating Assistance is Available to PA Renters, Homeowners
Nov 04, 2021

2021 fall Newsletter
Oct 25, 2021

Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia awarded $25,000 education grant to support inter-generational connections and early childhood education
Oct 04, 2021

Philadelphia Parents and Caregivers Unite Around Demands for District Accountability, School Safety, and Parent Voice
Oct 01, 2021

Senior Services Information
Sep 29, 2021

Philly’s first week of school marred by inconsistent expectations and a lack of transparency | Opinion
Sep 03, 2021

Brooks and Fiedler Demand Accountability in Response to District’s Mishandling of Flood Response
Sep 02, 2021

South Philly Update & Community Resources
Jul 23, 2021

Prescription drug pricing reforms essential for public health, and economy
Jul 12, 2021

South Philly Update & Community Resources
Jul 09, 2021

Philadelphia, Southeast House members call on WHYY board of directors for fair collective bargaining agreement, fair wages
Jun 29, 2021

Letter to WHYY in support of workers, fair wages
Jun 29, 2021

South Philly Update & Community Resources
Jun 25, 2021

Rep. Fiedler, colleagues host No More Excuses, End Toxic Schools rally
Jun 16, 2021

South Philly Update & Community Resources
Jun 15, 2021