PHILADELPHIA, May 28 – Today, state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., released the following statement after Republican leadership had been notified one of their own members tested positive for COVID-19 and failed to alert the Democratic party, Capitol staff, and Capitol police about a positive Covid-19 test. “We all need to take care of each other to get through this pandemic. It is disappointing that common decency was pushed aside, and lives were put at risk,” Hohenstein said. “Republicans have been fighting to reopen the economy, claiming that businesses will stick to CDC guidelines to keep customers safe. How can we believe that when even elected legislators are ignoring the rules? “I work closely with some of the Republicans who have been self-isolating from their families over the past week. If I’d known about the potential exposure, I would not have spent the holiday weekend with my daughter close at my side. I also fear that my participation in Memorial Day ceremonies may have risked our veterans, after they have sacrificed so much for us. My trust is shattered. “One of the core testimonies of our Quaker heritage is to act with integrity. We should be whole and undivided during this time, but we are falling prey to more partisan thinking. I pray that God has mercy on all of us if this secrecy results in an outbreak at the Capitol.” Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us, and though our immediate future remains unclear, one thing is for certain — we are all in this together. It saddens me to witness the politicization of this crisis. What should be a joint struggle for the greater good has become a contentious debate pitting lives against livelihoods. For some, the public health impact is the priority. For others, the social and economic impacts take precedence. But regardless of how we each feel, we must all recognize that we all have a stake in how we move forward. T hose of us in government have a duty to serve the public as best as we can, and to ensure that the cure – social distancing and stay-at-home orders – does not cause more harm than the disease itself. Our best policies moving forward must include input from our workers who are operating on the frontlines of this crisis: nurses, EMTs, doctors, police, firefighters, delivery and postal workers, grocery store clerks, pharmacists, transit workers, in-home and nursing home caregivers, and maintenance and sanitation workers, among others. But of all the legislation that has been up for vote in Harrisburg, almost none of it has directly addressed worker safety – and by extension public safety. The voices of frontline workers have been ignored. Instead, since Pennsylvania’s state of emergency began, our docket has been dominated by special interests whose sole focus is Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein continued his efforts to combat COVID-19 and protect Pennsylvanians by voting against legislation that would unnecessarily put lives at risk. Read more
“My support for this resolution is my way of recognizing the generosity of those who helped me. Along with Representative Hanbidge, I will continue to work for greater access to hearing aids so that people with hearing loss can have access to the opportunities with which I have been blessed.” Read more
PHILADELPHIA, April 6 – Today, state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., released the following statement in response to H.B.s 2400, 2376 and 1874, which House Republicans introduced to reopen select industries closed by Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 mitigations efforts: “I am more than simply opposed to House Bill 2400 and the others like it – I believe they make a fundamental statement that the GOP thinks company profits are more important than human life. That’s why I felt compelled to travel to Harrisburg during the stay-at-home order and give a statement during today’s House State Government Committee meeting. This flippant attitude toward worker safety shouldn’t be treated as normal. “Eventually we will have to loosen restrictions on commercial and economic activity, but right now it’s important to protect vulnerable populations from exposure by reducing points of contact between people wherever possible. There’s no possible way for workers to safely return to retail stores and construction sites without risking their safety. That’s not a risk that I’m willing to take.” Read more
With the federal response still clouded by politics, state Sen. Larry Farnese and Rep. Joe Hohenstein will introduce state legislation to provide emergency paid sick leave for Pennsylvania workers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and response. “While drastic action was necessary to stem the spread of this dangerous virus, equally aggressive action must be taken to help those who are suffering the economic consequences of our mitigation policies,” Farnese said. “We must recognize their sacrifice to public health.” The bills are designed to enhance and further the provisions of the U.S. House-passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act. “It’s time to recognize paid sick and family leave not only as sound and humane economic policy, but also as fundamental public health policy,” Hohenstein said. “While we have known this for years, this pandemic should drive home for long-time opponents the need to motivate workers to stay home when sick.” The lawmakers have begun circulating co-sponsorship memos for companion legislation in each chamber that will provide: Emergency paid sick leave for all employees not covered by the federal bill. Extended paid sick leave for an additional 4 days to cover the full two-week quarantine period as the federal bill only covers 10 days. Extended leave for those laid off or whose workplaces Read more
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
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