Looking back on a productive week in Harrisburg: supporting safe working environments for nurses, a plan to keep more seniors in their homes and more! Plus, check out upcoming community events! Read more
Learn more about the passage of two bills that address gun violence in PA, the White House’s new strategy to counter Antisemitism, how to apply for the Whole Home Repairs Program and more in this week’s newsletter! Read more
. “I am particularly encouraged that the new plan the Biden-Harris Administration has announced is a broad one, including new action by executive agencies, calls for new legislation and outreach to mobilize every sector of society," Frankel said. Read more
“Today, the House Judiciary Committee voted for a commonwealth that stands with vulnerable communities and aspires to promote diversity and tolerance," Frankel said. Read more
“Today, for the first time in years, Pennsylvania House members were given the opportunity to take a position on legislation to protect Pennsylvanians from gun violence, and I am overjoyed to find that we have bipartisan support for serious, research-backed policy solutions that will save lives,” Frankel said. Read more
My legislation to address hate crimes, meeting with Students Demand Action, upcoming community events, and more! Read more
Gun violence forum; 2023 Disability & Mental Health Summit; voting resources! Read more
PITTSBURGH, May 11 – Six organizations will each receive up to $400,000 in state grants to establish or expand substance use disorder services, members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation to the Pennsylvania House announced today. “Addiction has destroyed the lives of individuals and families in every type of community throughout Allegheny County,” said delegation chair Rep. Nick Pisciottano. “While we can’t repair the damage done, we can invest in and expand resources available to those struggling now and help prevent future tragedies. These grants will directly aid individuals on the road to recovery in our region.” Grants awarded to organizations serving Allegheny County residents include: Crossroads Treatment Centers. Macedonia FACE. Partners for Quality Foundation. Tadiso. Three Rivers Youth. Tree of Life Bible Church. The organizations above are part of 19 organizations across Pennsylvania receiving grants of up to $400,000 for a 12-month period beginning July 1, through June 30, 2024. Funding is sourced from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and may be applied toward a range of activities, including construction, building infrastructure, staffing, and evidence-based programming. Organizations eligible to apply for this funding opportunity included organizations which provide services, outreach, and/or education to minority communities that promote access to harm reduction services, Read more
Passing the Fairness Act, making progress against gun violence; joining forces to beat breast cancer! Read more
PITTSBURGH, May 3 – Nearly $650,000 has been awarded to expand opportunities for local high school students, members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation to the Pennsylvania House announced today. “Dual credit programs are a fantastic way for students to get a head start on college and explore different career paths,” said delegation chair Rep. Nick Pisciottano. “I’m happy these awards will help more students succeed by expanding access to dual credit programs throughout our region.” Grants awarded to Allegheny County schools include: $10,000 to Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School. $75,000 to Pittsburgh School District. $75,000 to Propel Charter School in Braddock Hills. $75,000 to Propel Charter School in Homestead. $75,000 to Propel Charter School in Montour. $39,430 to Quaker Valley School District. $75,000 to South Park School District. $75,000 to Upper St. Clair School District. $75,000 to West Allegheny School District. $75,000 to West Mifflin Area School District. The Pennsylvania Department of Education awarded $6.7 million to 100 school entities across the commonwealth in this round of funding. The full list of awardees is available here . Read more
The Pennsylvania Capital-Star covers the passing of the Fairness Act out of the Pennsylvania House. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 2 – Today, the Fairness Act (H.B. 300) passed out of the Pennsylvania House and is headed to the Senate for a future vote. Below is a quote that can be attributed to the co-prime sponsors of this bill: Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila; Jessica Benham, Dan Frankel and La’Tasha D. Mayes, all D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery. “Today is a historic day, as we take a critical step to make Pennsylvania fairer. The Fairness Act is as simple as it is substantive. H.B. 300 would protect LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians from facing discrimination and allow all individuals in the commonwealth to file complaints with the PA Human Relations Commission. “Now, we call on the Senate to quickly consider and pass this legislation and send it to Governor Shapiro’s desk.” Read more
“Family members and survivors of the Oct. 27th attack live with those events every single day, and the court proceedings and media attention they generate stand to intensify those painful memories,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. “We can’t erase the trauma for those hurting, but by wearing this ribbon, we can let them know that we stand with them and wish them strength." Read more
Learn more about the bipartisan bills we passed this week, the laws we introduced to combat hate crimes, the steps we took to strengthen LGBTQ+ rights, the commonsense gun regulation measures we advanced, and more! Read more
“Under Democratic leadership, we can finally have research-based conversations and actual votes about life-saving measures that would allow our constituents to move through their lives without fear for themselves and their children," Frankel said. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 26 – Today, the PA House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, chaired by state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., and Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, held a rally on the PA Capitol steps in Harrisburg promoting the Fairness Act (H.B. 300), anti-discrimination legislation currently moving through the state House. House Bill 300 would prohibit discrimination in PA based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression. On Monday, the bill was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee and is headed for an eventual vote by the full House. Today’s rally saw a huge turnout of legislators, advocates and the public. Kenyatta and Benham were joined by the other co-prime sponsors of H.B. 300, state Reps. Dan Frankel and Latasha D. Mayes, both D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery; to speak on their bill. “Pennsylvania is better when it’s fairer. Passing the Fairness Act is the right thing to do for our families, our commonwealth and for our economy. This legislation was first introduced 22 years ago -- leaving committee once before -- and never receiving a full vote,” Kenyatta said. “It’s time for that to change. Pennsylvanians are good and decent people. They know every single one of us should be treated with dignity and respect. We have a chance to deliver on that basic principle and we will.” “The Fairness Act is as Read more
HARRISBURG, April 25 – As part of his ongoing effort to increase access to health care, Health Committee Chairman Dan Frankel began gathering support Tuesday for legislation that would establish teledentistry and require insurance plans to cover it. “Adults and children throughout this commonwealth are not getting the dental care they need, which sets them up for years of pain and additional health consequences,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. “My legislation would ensure that dental providers are able to use every tool to get that care to the patients most at risk for unmet dental needs, including rural and low-income populations.” Frankel announced the legislation in an address to the Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health, which brings together individuals from schools of public health, philanthropic organizations, businesses, dental organizations, health insurance firms, advocacy organizations and state agencies to advocate for improved oral health care in Pennsylvania. His memo to legislators, seeking cosponsors, can be found here . Read more
“Every single district in Pennsylvania has LGBTQ+ people living there, and many more who want to live in an inclusive and fair commonwealth.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 24 – Today, The Fairness Act (H.B. 300) was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee 12-9 and will now head to the House floor for a vote. Prime sponsors of the bill, state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila; Jessica Benham, Dan Frankel and Latasha D. Mayes, all D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery; issued the following statement following the Judiciary Committee vote. “The Fairness Act has been in the works for years and never received fair consideration. With today’s vote in the Judiciary Committee, we took a huge step toward making Pennsylvania fairer for our LGBTQ+ residents. “As H.B. 300 heads to the house floor for a vote, we are ready to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians. “Most Pennsylvanians believe what we believe; Pennsylvania is better when it’s fairer. We hope our colleagues in the House can see eye to eye with us and most Pennsylvanians, so they can meet this monumental moment for our commonwealth and pass H.B 300 out of the House and to the Senate.” Read more
“Pennsylvania cannot address the growing danger of hate crimes with 40-year-old laws. It’s long past time for this commonwealth to use every tool out to there to deter and identify these crimes, and to stop them before they start,” Frankel said. Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Dan B. Frankel.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
2345 Murray Avenue, Suite 205Pittsburgh, PA 15217
P*: (412) 422-1774
F*: (412) 420-2011
326 Main Capitol BuildingPO Box 202023Harrisburg, PA 17120-2023
P*: (717) 705-1875