While COVID-19 continues to have an incredible impact on our lives and our area, and over 150,000 Montgomery County residents still anxiously await their turn to be vaccinated, there is a glimmer of hope in that the county’s positivity rate continues to drop Read more
Like many of you, I remain highly concerned about and dissatisfied about the vaccine distribution process in Pennsylvania and continue to fight for more equitable, easier, access to vaccine. Read more
For the last 10 months, Republicans in the General Assembly have repeatedly failed to lead the commonwealth through a crisis yet have once again voted to usurp the governor’s executive power in emergency situations. The House and Senate rushed to pass S.B. 2, which would require legislative approval to extend emergency declarations beyond three weeks. This would limit the governor's authority in the event of a disaster. Yet, over the past year these same legislators have failed again and again to show that they have any capacity to lead a commonwealth in crisis. Under S.B. 2, legislators – many of whom have repeatedly shown that they will not heed the unbiased advice of health professionals, have not put Pennsylvanians’ lives first, and frankly, cannot even be bothered to wear a mask -- would actually be in control of our crisis response. The majority party rammed this bill through the legislature for the sake of pure partisanship in a grudge match with the governor. However, the cost will be Pennsylvanians’ lives. The timing and evolution of legislation can tell one a lot about the intent behind it. We vote our values, or at least we get to vote on what the majority party values. In this instance, it’s making sure that a governor, current or future, cannot act to help the residents of Pennsylvania navigate a disaster. Multiple bills that would help Pennsylvania’s small businesses, broaden access to food assistance and Read more
I continue to share your frustration about the ongoing vaccine distribution challenges facing the commonwealth. I have family in the UK and all my aunts and uncles have all been vaccinated, in places like local movie theatres, according to age and health status. Read more
This week, the PA House of Representatives passed House Bill 55. While HB 55 is multilayered in that it includes two discrete constitutional amendments, the driving impetus behind this legislation is to hamstring Governor Wolf by limiting his powers in the event of a state emergency. Read more
Following the most recent guidance from the CDC, this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that all individuals 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, will be immediately eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Read more
The most promising news of the week for many will be that sign ups to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine are now taking place! Those in groups 1B and 1C can sign up at the link below. Read more
HARRISBURG, JAN. 12 – State Reps. Steve Malagari and Liz Hanbidge, both D-Montgomery, today announced that the Pennsylvania Northeastern railroad received a $483,000 grant to replace approximately 6,000 ties on its Stony Creek and Bethlehem branches. “The Pennsylvania Northeastern railroad operates throughout Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties, so it’s a major contributor to our regional economy,” Hanbidge said. “This $483,000 to help upgrade the Stony Creek and Bethlehem branches will ensure that employees can do their jobs safely and communities throughout the area can continue receiving essentials that this freight line delivers.” “Many Montgomery County residents not only depend on the Pennsylvania Northeastern railroad for income, but also for the delivery of goods like food, lumber and paper products,” Malagari said. “Ensuring the functionality of local freight lines is essential for both our local economy and the prosperity of our community.” Pennsylvania Northeastern railroad was one of 26 rail freight improvement projects to receive funding. The State Transportation Commission voted to approve $31.3 million for the projects through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program and the Rail Freight Assistance Program. For more information on Pennsylvania Department of Transportation rail grant programs, residents may visit the PennDOT Read more
The novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 has left its mark on the entire world. It also shined a glaring light on the shortcomings within our infrastructure on how to handle a global health crisis. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 23 – State Rep. Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and Sen. Maria Collett, D-Bucks/Montgomery, today announced that North Penn Volunteer Fire Company and the domestic violence shelter Laurel House both received $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants. “I’m proud to work with Senator Collett and help bring $2 million in state funding home,” Hanbidge said. “Both Laurel House and North Penn Volunteer Fire Company have been there to help county residents through some of the most difficult times of their lives. When people are in crisis, these two facilities are often ones to respond and provide much-needed support. Thank you to the governor for funding these essential resources that help keep Montgomery County residents safe.” “I was glad to partner with Representative Hanbidge on these two important projects. It’s easy to forget that most of our local fire companies are made up of volunteers,” Collett said. “This grant to the North Penn Volunteer Fire Company will not only help them improve their physical facilities, it will help them recruit and retain new members. The grant to Laurel House is similarly vital to our community safety. Domestic violence is widely misunderstood and often overlooked until it is too late, and any support we can lend to organizations like Laurel House and the families they serve is critical.” North Read more
Distribution for the first COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States began this week. The first vaccine in Pennsylvania is believed to have been administered to an acute care nurse practitioner in a surgical intensive care unit at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh on Monday morning. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – State Rep. Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, applauded six Montgomery County organizations and agencies for securing over $2.2 million in grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The funds, approved by the PCCD, support a variety of programs and services, including adult probation services, domestic abuse programs and more. The grants awarded in Montgomery County are as follows: Improvement of Adult Probation Services Funds Montgomery County - Improvement of Adult Probation Services - $705,061. VSAC- Federal STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grants Victim Services Center of Montgomery County - Rights and Services Act - $343,686. Montgomery County Commissioners - RASA/VOJO 2021-22 - $801,934. Women’s Center of Montgomery County - Domestic Violence Legal Advocacy Project - $91,650. Montgomery County Commissioners - VOJO JPO - $262,957. State Children’s Advocacy Center Funds Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County - NCA Accredited Services for Child Abuse Victims - $47,000. "In my work as a child advocate and attorney I worked for child victims of abuse and neglect and, on occasion, abused adults, often utilizing some of these services. I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that funding for programs like these can have in helping children and adults and setting them up for future successes,” Hanbidge Read more
As of today, COVID-19 has taken the lives of over 12,000 Pennsylvanians, and another 248 COVID related deaths were reported yesterday. Read more
In one of my recent emails, I briefly touched on the importance of our caucus leadership in the redistricting process. Frankly, I am disappointed that this issue remains in the hands of the legislature. Read more
Rep. Hanbidge's fall 2020 legislative newsletter Read more
For many of us, Thanksgiving will be different this year. While many traditions and family gatherings will have to be foregone for the sake of our friends and loved ones, we must continue to make these sacrifices to keep one another safe. Read more
As I write this, I am currently waiting for further information regarding the proposed budget so I can vote on it later today. Typically, Pennsylvania's budget comes in the form of multiple packages of "code" bills and a general "appropriations" bill. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 18 - State Reps. Liz Hanbidge and Steve Malagari said that they congratulate North Montco Technical Career Center on a $48,111 Pennsylvania Department of Education grant announced today. The Technical Education Programs Equipment Grant can go to updating or purchasing new equipment to be used by students in their course learning. “North Montco Technical Career Center excels at preparing their students for good-paying, sustainable jobs that drive Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Hanbidge, D-Montgomery. “Ensuring that these students have access to the most modern tools and equipment while in the classroom is critical to building a strong foundation for successful careers. This funding is a great investment in our youth, community and future.” “This is not the Wolf administration’s first investment in North Montco, and that reflects highly on its community of students, parents and faculty, as well as the business, industry and trades growing in our region,” said Malagari, D-Montgomery. “These technical education grants also show how government can deliver on the promise of excellent modern public education and the economy in one simple investment.” Under the program, the maximum grant is $50,000, and each grant must be matched dollar-for-dollar from a local source, which could include local school funds or contributions from business and industry partners. More Read more
This week in Pennsylvania, we had less publicized, but highly consequential elections for both Democratic and Republican caucus leadership roles. The elected leaders will determine the future of House policies and practice for the next two years. Read more
I would like to extend my appreciation to everyone who participated in 2020’s general election. Act 77, which allowed for mail-in voting, has indelibly changed the way Pennsylvanians vote and it will take us a while to get used to the new timeline and process. Read more
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