Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein joined a bipartisan effort to crackdown on human trafficking. He talked about how legislation would help to protect victims. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 21 – Following the closure of Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia in September, state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Joe Hohenstein have introduced legislation that would help support the communities and staff impacted by sudden closures. “The closure of Hahnemann created a devasting ripple effect throughout Philadelphia and surrounding areas. For more than 170 years, the hospital served a low-income patient population and was a teaching hospital, training doctors and nurses,” Cephas said. “Since the announcement in June 2019 that Hahnemann would close its doors for good, the process that followed was swift, offering patients and employees little to no options in the aftermath.” The representatives said their bill (H.B. 2242) would help change that. It would require hospitals to provide written notice of intent to close within 180 days. Current law only requires 90 days. “I stood on the front lines in solidarity with labor unions representing the many hospital staffers who were left unemployed. I heard their grievances and I saw surrounding economically disadvantaged communities being deprived quality health care,” Hohenstein said. “Very few at the top benefit while countless people and families are left to suffer. We can no longer allow these closures to be carried out similarly to regular business dealings because there’s too much at stake. “ Read more
Materials from a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing hosted by State Rep. Joe Hohenstein. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 17 – State Reps. Jason Dawkins, D-Phila., Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., and Perry Warren, D-Bucks, announced Friday that Holy Family University has been awarded a $28,952 grant to help combat campus sexual assault through the state’s It’s On Us campaign. “When we send our children to college to get an education, neither we nor they should be in fear for their safety,” Dawkins said. “But the reality is that about 11% of all students experience rape or sexual assault. That is unacceptable, and we all have a responsibility to our children to change that statistic. This It’s On Us grant funding will help us to make a difference.” The grant awarded to Holy Family University, which is located in Philadelphia with a satellite campus in Newtown, Bucks County, was one of 36 It’s On Us grants totaling more than $996,000 awarded across the state. “This grant – and the other grants announced around the state – will better prepare university students, faculty and staff on how to report sexual violence and what programs exist to help victims,” Warren said. “Sexual violence is a life-changing event, so it’s of the utmost importance for our colleges and universities to help students, faculty and staff understand how to deal with these crimes and protect our students.” The Philadelphia campus of the University is split between Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 17 – To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, state Rep. Joe Hohenstein spearheaded a series of events held Thursday at Community Behavioral Health geared toward improving disability rights and services across Pennsylvania. The freshman legislator kicked off the series with his first Disabilities Summit, which focused on the successes of disability rights in the three decades since the enactment of the ADA and explored other progressive measures through discussions among community and business stakeholders, and federal and state elected officials. “I am excited to have this summit to initiate conversations reflecting on the progress the ADA has made for disability rights and how we as advocates from the government, the business community, and local advocacy groups, can work together to build upon that progress,” Hohenstein said. “Demanding and ensuring rights for citizens living with disabilities takes a concerted effort from all advocacy factions. I am especially grateful for our partners at SpARC and Philadelphia Autism Project who have worked tirelessly to put together the program.” To bolster disability rights through governmental policy, Hohenstein also hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing to discuss more comprehensive approaches to strengthen the ADA and ensure accessibility to services, equal rights and equal opportunities for all Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein supports legislation that would put people before profits and cap insulin prices. Hohenstein says no one should have to make a choice between paying their rent or getting the medicine they need to live. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 13 – To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., announced today he will host a series of events geared toward improving disability rights and services across Pennsylvania. Hohenstein will host his first Disabilities Summit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at Community Behavioral Heath, 801 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 . Coinciding with the summit, at 3 p.m ., the freshman legislator will also host a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on disability rights in policy. Members of the public and media are invited to attend. Hohenstein requested the hearing to discuss more comprehensive approaches to strengthen the ADA and ensure accessibility to services, equal rights and equal opportunities for all Pennsylvanians living with disabilities. He will be joined by fellow state legislators, including HDPC Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. Testifiers will include: State Senator Christine Tartaglione, D-Phila. Official from Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Karen Goss, director, Mid-Atlantic ADA Center Neil McDevitt, executive director, Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre Representative from the Pennsylvania Home Care Association Latoya Maddox, advocate and independent living specialist Liam Dougherty, advocate and member of Disabled in Action of Pennsylvania Inc. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein is hosting his 2020 Americans with Disabilities Act Summit. He explained how this event plays a critical role in finding ways to better serve individuals living with disabilities, ensuring they have a voice in Harrisburg. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein joined legislative colleagues to condemn House Republican Leadership as Scrooges and express their disappointment that a Pa. Senate bill to raise the minimum wage was not brought to a vote in the House before the holiday break. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – State Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein, D-Phila., today announced that an amendment he introduced to provide protections against assault for recreation leaders, lifeguards and librarians was passed by the full House. Hohenstein’s measure was added to H.B. 1879, introduced by Rep. Keith Gillespie, R-York, a bill that would expand existing assault statutes to include additional protections for healthcare employees. The push for the inclusion of recreation employees in the bill, Hohenstein said, was motivated by a string of assaults targeting Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation personnel, including the July assault of a lifeguard and her father at Vogt Recreation Center, located in Hohenstein’s legislative district, and his own experience previously serving as a lifeguard. "Immediately after the assault on those lifeguards at the pool at Vogt Recreation Center, I met with them and I told them would have their backs,” said Hohenstein, who represents the 177 th Legislative District. “Today, I was able to fulfill that promise, at least in part, by expanding the aggravated assault law to include them and the recreation leaders who are serving our neighborhoods every day. They put themselves on the line and they deserve to know that we value them and their work. They keep our children safe, and we need to keep them safe." House Bill 1879, including Hohenstein’s amendment, now moves to the Senate Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein took part in a roundtable discussion with legislators and service providers to talk about the obstacles that exist in connecting people with mental and physical disabilities to the services they need. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 21 – State Rep. Jason Dawkins, chairman of the House Philadelphia Delegation, along with delegation members Reps. Joseph C. Hohenstein, Danilo Burgos, Angel Cruz, and Isabella V. Fitzgerald, announced that the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation received a $100,000 state grant to launch development plans for the Tacony Creek Park. Dawkins said the city will use the grant, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Recreation and Conservation Grant Program, to prepare a master site development plan for the 300-acre park, which lies in portions of the 177 th ,197 th , 180 th , 203 rd Legislative Districts, including Dawkins’ 179 th District. “It’s imperative for public servants to shoulder responsibility in ensuring greenspaces like Tacony Creek Park remain healthy and viable,” Dawkins said. “As public servants, it is always our privilege and honor to advocate to bring funding to the district and we will continue advocating for more state dollars in the future.” Hohenstein, who represents the 177 th Legislative District, agreed. “It is certainly our responsibility as state legislators,” Hohenstein said. “We are obligated to ensure the preservation of our natural resources and this grant fulfills that obligation.” Burgos, who represents the 197 th District added, “Rich in history and biodiversity, the Tacony Creek Park is an Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 20 –State Reps. Mary Isaacson, Angel Cruz and Joseph Hohenstein, all D-Phila., today announced that $75,000 in tax credits were awarded to the New Kensington Community Development Corp., to allow NKCDC to combat the opioid crisis and gentrification in the Kensington area of Philadelphia, which spans across the 175 th , 177 th and 180 th legislative districts. The tax credits were funded by the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program. The tax credits will allow NKCDC to continue tackling poverty, joblessness and homelessness through housing advisors that provide financial coaching to increase homeownership rates and reduce foreclosure rates; and to create open space management and community engagement teams to stabilize vacant lots and convert them for community use. The community engagement teams will also help local youth and adults connect with support services. Lastly, NKCDC will create an economic development team to leverage resources from local businesses to develop self-sufficiency skills. “Kensington is the epicenter of the opioid crisis and, like a shockwave, it has crippled the community’s ability to not only thrive, but move forward,” said Isaacson, who represents the 175 th district. “This tax credit will help NKCDC to rebuild and revitalize this community by addressing substance abuse disorder, poverty, affordable housing and economic Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 15 – State Rep. Joseph Hohenstein announced that a $250,000 state grant is headed to his district to develop the Bridesburg Riverfront Park. Hohenstein said the grant, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Recreation and Conservation Grant Program, was awarded to the Philadelphia City Treasurer Department of Parks and Recreation and will go toward the construction of a comfort station, pavilion, pedestrian walkways, parking area and stormwater management measures; utilities installation; ADA access, landscaping and other related site improvements. “The development of the Bridesburg Riverfront Park, which will be 10 acres of sprawling riverfront greenspace in our area, has been in the works for years,” said Hohenstein, D-Phila. “Congratulations to the city of Philadelphia for receiving this grant that will help bring this project full circle so residents and visitors can enjoy peaceful recreation right here in the 177 th District!” Sen. John Sabatina, D-Phila., who played a critical role in securing funding for the grant, said: “I’m very happy for the residents of Bridesburg and the city of Philadelphia for receiving this grant. This project will beautify the community and connect residents to the waterfront. I look forward to seeing this project come to fruition.” DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation assists local governments and recreation and Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Joseph Hohenstein, D-Phila., announced today that six School District of Philadelphia schools in his district will each receive $10,000 in grant funding to invest in cultural education, literacy, STEM resources and supplies. “Our children are our most precious gift, and I hope this grant money shows all the children in each of these School District of Philadelphia schools and their families that we value them, we want to invest in their future and we believe in them,” Hohenstein said. “I hope these investments give our students another reason to believe in themselves, too.” School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite said the grant funding will be put to great use in the schools. “We're incredibly grateful for the support provided by state Representative Hohenstein,” Hite said. “With this grant money, principals will be able to make additional investments in resources that will ultimately aid in the success of our students. This grant speaks to the importance of teamwork and what can be accomplished when we all rally around and are invested in public education." Hohenstein announced the $60,000 in grant funding will be evenly distributed – six $10,000 awards – to each of the six public schools in the 177th Legislative District. He presented checks to Principal Bonnie Uditsky of Lincoln High School, Principal Paula Furman of Amy 5 at James Martin, Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein joined the House Democratic Policy Committee to address the issue of aging school buildings across the commonwealth. He discussed the action needed in Harrisburg to protect the health of children and teachers in the classroom. Read more
In response to the recent mass shooting in Philadelphia, Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein joined federal, state, and local leaders in standing up against gun violence. He commends the Philadelphia Police Department for their bravery and explains the actions needed to protect the commonwealth from further bloodshed. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 28 – State Rep. Joseph Hohenstein, D-Phila., today announced his support for General Assistance and denounced H.B. 33 , which would re-enact the elimination of the General Assistance cash benefit program. “I am focused on supporting the most vulnerable people in Pennsylvania,” Hohenstein said. “We need to understand that everyone has different scenarios at home. People such as emancipated minors, victims of domestic abuse, those suffering from substance abuse disorder and other mental health conditions, pregnant women, people suffering from disabilities due to military services, and even veterans in general can benefit from this General Assistance program. I think about them, and they are struggling. We shouldn’t be taking pennies away from the penniless.” Hohenstein said the General Assistance program costs about $57 million, just 0.006 percent of the total General Fund budget. He said legislation to eliminate General Assistance was introduced this year because the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned a 2012 law (Act 80) that stripped money from about 60,000 General Assistance recipients and eliminated the program. Following that court decision, the Department of Human Services began operating the program again. General Assistance provides approximately $200 a month to low-income and disabled Pennsylvanians in emergency situations who do not qualify for federally funded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein explains why the Disability and Mental Health Summit put on by Rep. Dan Miller works well to bring together legislators to talk about the needs of those with a disability or diagnosis. More at http://www.disabilitysummit.com Read more
Materials from House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing hosted by State Rep. Joe Hohenstein. Read more
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