Featured News

Philadelphia House Delegation Reacts to I-95 Collapse Emergency

Gallagher, Khan, Warren call for PA to update insurance laws around colorectal cancer screenings

(Mar 05, 2024)

HARRISBURG, March 5 – Today, state Reps. Pat Galagher, Tarik Khan, both D-Phila., and Perry Warren, D-Bucks, hosted a news conference at the state Capitol announcing that they plan to introduce legislation that would update state insurance laws to expand coverage for colorectal cancer screenings. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths even though it is a very treatable form of cancer when caught early. When detected in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90%. The legislators said their legislation would update Pennsylvania’s Insurance Company Law to reduce the age when colorectal cancer screenings are covered to 45 from 50. This legislation also prevents prior authorizations and advance notice for screening colonoscopies for individuals 45 and above. Current law requires health insurance coverage for routine colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 50 based on American Cancer Society standards published in 2008. Multiple other states have updated their law to reflect more recent American Cancer Society guidelines from 2018. The updated recommendations call for people to begin screening at age 45 rather than 50. Gallagher, who is a colorectal cancer survivor, said the legislation could result in more early detections and ultimately save lives. “As a survivor of colorectal cancer, I know firsthand the impact that early detection and proper care Read more

 

2023 Year in Review

(Feb 09, 2024)

A recap of 2023 and information on state government-related programs. Read more

 

Gallagher helps bring state funding for local arts and cultural organization

(Dec 19, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., has announced a state grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Arts and Culture Recovery Grants Program worth $28,343 has been awarded to Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation in his district in Northeast Philadelphia. Funds distributed through the PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program provide grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations located in the commonwealth. “I’m always glad to help bring state dollars back to the district and to see deserving organizations being awarded them,” Gallagher said. “Glen Foerd is an organization that does great work here in Northeast Philadelphia, and this funding will help them to continue doing so for our community.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth. Unique among state agencies in structure and scope, the CFA consists of seven board members: four legislative appointees and the secretaries of DCED, the Office of the Budget and Department of Banking and Securities. Project approval requires five affirmative votes, four of which must come from legislative appointees. Grants are administered by Read more

 

Philadelphia Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker names "intergovernmental roundtable"

(Dec 11, 2023)

Rep. Gallagher was appointed to serve on Philadelphia Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker's intergovernmental transition team. This team will help Parker address issues in Philadelphia before she takes office in January of 2024. Read more

 

Pa. lawmakers approve declaration to aid repair work for I-95 bridge collapse

(Oct 25, 2023)

Article on Rep. Gallagher's emergency declaration resolution's adoption in the Pennsylvania Senate. Read more

 

Emergency Disaster resolution adopted by PA Senate

(Oct 24, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 24 – A PA House resolution (H.R. 197) introduced by state Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., to extend the state’s disaster emergency declaration in Philadelphia was adopted by the Pennsylvania Senate on Monday. The disaster, which was declared on June 12, 2023, in response to the collapse of the northbound bridge and severe compromise of the southbound bridge on Interstate 95 in the Philadelphia was set to expire on Nov. 1. The resolution extends the declaration until late February of 2024. The bridge that collapsed is in Pennsylvania’s 173 Legislative District, which Gallagher represents. “While much progress has been made in such a quick time on the I-95 bridge collapse, there still remains work to be done,” Gallagher said. “I’m glad to see the General Assembly work in unison to address this disaster that affects not only Philadelphia, but the entire state of Pennsylvania and the northeast corridor of the United States.” PA House Transportation Committee Chair Ed Neilson, D-Phila., who represents part of northeast Philadelphia near where the bridge collapsed, was also very closely involved in advancing the resolution. "I-95 is a vital artery for Philadelphia and the northeast region of the country," Neilson said. "We were able to reopen the road in record time because city, state and federal agencies worked together and innovative Read more

 

Gallagher bill to modernize Pennsylvania’s acupuncture law passes House

(Oct 18, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 18 – Today, House Bill 1490 , introduced by state Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., passed the House and will head to the Senate for future consideration. This bill would amend the Acupuncture Licensing Act to provide title protection for licensed acupuncturists and practitioners. It also would provide an opportunity for acupuncturists licensed in other states to attend or conduct educational events, as well as volunteer in the commonwealth in an emergency. Finally, it would require continuing education for license renewal, bringing acupuncturists in line with requirements in other states and other licensed healthcare providers in Pennsylvania. “As acupuncture has become a fast-growing therapy for people suffering from different types of pain, it’s important we modernize practices and ensure patients are getting the care they need,” Gallagher said. “Today’s House vote was a great step for this bill, now I urge my Senate colleagues to get it to the governor’s desk.” Read more

 

Gallagher applauds School District of Philadelphia increases

(Jul 06, 2023)

HARRISBURG, July 6 – State Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., applauds the passage of a $714 million increase for education funding in the bipartisan budget that’s headed to the governor with no tax increases. “This budget is far from perfect, but I’m very pleased to see an additional $119 million for the School District of Philadelphia. This is one of the largest education funding increases in history,” Gallagher said. “This budget shows that we are dedicated to our children and their future. But it also reaches beyond education, providing relief to seniors and other vulnerable neighbors through an expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.” The School District of Philadelphia will receive $1.7 billion, a $119.6 million and 7.6% increase from the previous fiscal year. “Let’s be clear, there’s still much more work to do. We must keep pushing forward to invest in crumbling infrastructure, give justice to survivors of sexual abuse, raise the minimum wage to support all workers and their families, pass commonsense gun measures to protect our communities at large, and the Fairness Act to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. This budget has gotten these difficult conversations and negotiations started. It’s time to invest in our commonwealth and improve the lives of Pennsylvanians.” More information on the budget is available by contacting Gallagher’s Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation praise reopening of I-95

(Jun 23, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, June 23 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed satisfaction on the reopening of Interstate 95 today ahead of the originally scheduled two-week timeline. Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas said that the group, which toured the site this morning, values the immediate response and leadership of Gov. Josh Shapiro and expeditious work of crews from the Philadelphia building trades. “Our tour this morning gave us an up-close look at the incredible work being done here,” Cephas said. “It's only by the hard work of our local trades, facilitated by coordination with state, city and federal officials, that we're able to get this major artery through our city re-opened so much earlier than anyone expected,” Cephas added. “Our city is in awe and gratitude of the speedy engineering and production of our Philadelphia building trades members and contractors.” Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton said that she celebrates the collective effort that made possible the reopening of six lanes of traffic that will keep the City of Brotherly Love up and running for locals and hundreds of visitors. “Philadelphia is a hub for everything from commerce to health care to recreation,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “So, today’s reopening of I-95 is great news for our neighbors, people who visit our Read more

 

Gallagher celebrates House passage of Keystone Saves

(Jun 12, 2023)

HARRISBURG, June 12 – State Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., today celebrated the passage of his legislation that would establish Keystone Saves, a voluntary employee retirement savings program that would expand access to private sector individual retirement accounts (IRA) to the over two million Pennsylvania workers who currently have no opportunity to save for retirement at their place of employment. “ Unfortunately, more and more Pennsylvanians are reaching retirement age without enough savings to age gracefully after a lifetime of hard work ,” Gallagher said. “ We’re working in a bipartisan manner to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to save for retirement. With many employees lacking employee sponsored retirement plans, there have to be more options for retirement. This is one more step to giving Pennsylvanians more independence and preparing them for life on a fixed income.” The State Treasurer’s Retirement Security Task Force Report highlighted the vast number of Pennsylvanians who are unprepared for the financial challenges of retirement. It’s a problem not just for retirees but also for the commonwealth as financially unprepared retirees are projected to cost the state an additional $14 billion in social services between 2015 and 2030, an average of nearly $1 billion per year. Additionally, lower consumer spending by retirees over this same time is estimated to cost the state Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation Reacts to I-95 Collapse Emergency

(Jun 11, 2023)

Representative Pat Gallagher, D-Phila. represents the area around the emergency. “I am relieved that it appears no one was injured in the collapse of Northbound I-95, but there are still many questions about the accident and removing the rubble,” Gallagher stated. “We know it's a long road ahead to likely rebuild both sides of this bridge, so I ask our residents and neighbors to be patient as we navigate alternate commuting routes and altered daily life around this emergency.” Gallagher added, “A special thank you to the brave men and women of our Philadelphia Fire and Police Departments, OEM and the other agencies who have been involved in immediate response and recovery.” Read more

 

Gallagher to host Shred and E-Recycling event May 13

(May 08, 2023)

PHILA., May 8 – State Rep. Patrick Gallagher, D-Phila., will host a Shred and E-Recycling event from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13 at the Linden Avenue Boat Launch along the Delaware River. Residents of the 173rd Legislative District are invited to bring their old folders, documents, smaller electronics and files to be safely and sustainably shredded and disposed of. For more information, those interested can contact Gallagher’s district office at (215) 281-3414. ### Read more

 

Mullins, Gallagher introduce Keystone Saves legislation

(Apr 10, 2023)

This legislation is a win-win for everybody. It is estimated that there are more than 2 million Pennsylvanians without access to a retirement plan, and those employees would now have access to a voluntary plan that sets them on a path to a more secure retirement. Read more

 

Gallagher announces nearly $1.1 million in state dollars for projects in 173rd District

(Mar 20, 2023)

HARRISBURG, March 20 – State Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., announced nearly $1.1 million in Commonwealth Financing Authority awards for projects in the 173rd District. “This money goes to important projects that affect the lives of all our residents,” Gallagher said. “I know we will continue to see projects like this getting funding in the future through state programs.” The projects awarded are: $1 million for a new turf field at Russo Playground. $81,846 for renovations of a building within Pleasant Hill Park. The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 to administer Pennsylvania's economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania's economic growth. Read more

 

Gallagher announces 2023-24 PA House committee assignments

(Mar 13, 2023)

HARRISBURG, March 13 – State Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., announced he has been appointed to serve on these PA House standing committees for the 2023-24 legislative session: Appropriations, Finance, Gaming Oversight, and Professional Licensure. “I will be taking the opportunity to serve on the Appropriations and Finance committees very seriously,” Gallagher said. “As a member of these committees, I will have the chance to play a pivotal role in budget and fiscal related matters as we move forward in this year’s budget negotiations.” Gallagher has almost a decade of public service and small business experience. As representative of the 173 rd District, he said he is ready to negotiate and advocate for what is best for all Pennsylvanians. “The Professional Licensure Committee prioritizes the owners and employees of small businesses and I support collaboration with Governor Josh Shapiro on his most recent executive order to streamline the licensing procedure and speed up response times.” Gallagher said revenue from gaming is such a big part of moving dollars to programs that help Pennsylvania residents, and he looks forward to his role in overseeing the creation and management of that revenue on the Gaming Oversight Committee. “Our gaming dollars help everyone from seniors to firefighters and the work the committee does will be pivotal to meeting the needs of these Read more

 

Gallagher: Gov’s Budget Address Invests in Pa. Communities

(Mar 08, 2023)

Newly elected Pa. state Rep. Pat Gallagher applauds Governor Shapiro and his budget proposal emphasizing financial support for renters and homeowners, infrastructure, schools and much more. Gallagher says it’s time we start focusing on the underserved communities in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Gallagher Sworn in as 173rd District Representative

(Jan 04, 2023)

Sharing this milestone moment with his family, Pa. state Rep. Pat Gallagher took the oath of office as the new Representative for the 173rd Legislative District in Northeast Philadelphia. Public safety, economic development, and education are among his top priorities heading into this new session. Read more

 

Gallagher sworn in to represent 173rd District in state House

(Jan 04, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 4 – State Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., was sworn in to the state House where he will represent the 173 rd Legislative District, which includes sections of Northeast Philadelphia. “After serving more than seven years as chief of staff to former state Representative Mike Driscoll, I’ve gotten to know so many people in the district and am looking forward to being their voice in Harrisburg,” Gallagher said. “I am always available to meet with residents to discuss any concerns or to answer any state government questions they may have. Also, I have a stellar district office staff who can help residents with a variety of issues related to state government. It is my honor to be here to serve.” Gallagher is a 1992 graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School. He went on to earn a B.A. in political science from Temple University. Gallagher said his priorities include higher wages for workers, safe working conditions, accessible and affordable health care, and public safety. His district office is located at 8760 Frankford Ave. The phone number is 215-281-3414 . His satellite office is located at 7104 Torresdale Ave. The phone number is 215-333-9760 . Read more

 

Gallagher Applauds Group Fighting Food Insecurity

(Dec 13, 2022)

Pa. state Rep.-Elect Pat Gallagher joins House and Senate colleagues to announce $1.25 million in state funding to help one community organization #fighthunger. The grant will be used to help fund a cold storage expansion at Caring for Friends, a non-profit group that distributes food to those in need across #Philadelphia and beyond. Gallagher says that with nearly 1-in-4 #Philadelphians struggling to get enough to eat, helping groups like Caring for Friends expand their capacities is vital. Read more

 

McClinton applauds, welcomes newest members to House Democratic Caucus

(Dec 08, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 7 – To kick off the new legislative session, Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus Majority Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, is welcoming the largest class of incoming legislators to the House Democratic Caucus in more than 15 years. “In January, the House Democratic Caucus will proudly swear in the largest and most diverse class of freshmen legislators in over a decade,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “These public servants are already on the ground in their communities, talking to neighbors, and prepared to be their voices in Harrisburg next month. Without a doubt, they will strengthen our legislature with their diverse experience and perspectives.” House Democrats will welcome 26 new members from communities across the state; some from districts that have never before been represented by a Democrat. New members include: Anthony Bellmon (D-Phila.) : Bellmon served in Philadelphia Congressman Brendan F. Boyle’s office for eight years, solving housing, student loan and immigration issues. As senior adviser to the congressman, Anthony worked on Capitol Hill advancing policy issues to better the lives of children and working families. Lisa A. Borowski (D-Delaware) : Borowski formerly served as vice president of the Radnor Township School District’s school board, leading the way on crafting one of the Read more

 

Gallagher, Khan, Warren call for PA to update insurance laws around colorectal cancer screenings
Mar 05, 2024

2023 Year in Review
Feb 09, 2024

Gallagher helps bring state funding for local arts and cultural organization
Dec 19, 2023

Philadelphia Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker names "intergovernmental roundtable"
Dec 11, 2023

Pa. lawmakers approve declaration to aid repair work for I-95 bridge collapse
Oct 25, 2023

Emergency Disaster resolution adopted by PA Senate
Oct 24, 2023

Gallagher bill to modernize Pennsylvania’s acupuncture law passes House
Oct 18, 2023

Gallagher applauds School District of Philadelphia increases
Jul 06, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation praise reopening of I-95
Jun 23, 2023

Gallagher celebrates House passage of Keystone Saves
Jun 12, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation Reacts to I-95 Collapse Emergency
Jun 11, 2023

Gallagher to host Shred and E-Recycling event May 13
May 08, 2023

Mullins, Gallagher introduce Keystone Saves legislation
Apr 10, 2023

Gallagher announces nearly $1.1 million in state dollars for projects in 173rd District
Mar 20, 2023

Gallagher announces 2023-24 PA House committee assignments
Mar 13, 2023

Gallagher: Gov’s Budget Address Invests in Pa. Communities
Mar 08, 2023

Gallagher Sworn in as 173rd District Representative
Jan 04, 2023

Gallagher sworn in to represent 173rd District in state House
Jan 04, 2023

Gallagher Applauds Group Fighting Food Insecurity
Dec 13, 2022

McClinton applauds, welcomes newest members to House Democratic Caucus
Dec 08, 2022