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Trans Day of Remembrance 2024

In a united front, state reps highlight new Pennsylvania budget priorities

(Feb 08, 2024)

With major increases in funding for education and SEPTA, without any tax hikes, members of the Philadelphia House delegation laid out the major aspirations of Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Read more

 

Philly Dems say boost for SEPTA just one of highlights for city in Shapiro’s budget proposal

(Feb 08, 2024)

“You are investing in the people of Philadelphia, you’re investing in people of southeastern Pennsylvania, and you’re investing in all of Pennsylvania,” said state Rep. Joe Hohenstein (D-Philadelphia). Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation encouraged by Shapiro Budget Proposal

(Feb 07, 2024)

Today, leaders of the Philadelphia House Delegation said that they are pleased with the direction of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024-25. Among the many positives, the delegation is excited about the proposed investment in SEPTA and mass transit, as well as equitable education funding for the School District of Philadelphia. Read more

 

Hohenstein: Sustainable Energy is the Future for PA

(Feb 02, 2024)

PA state Rep. Joe Hohenstein joins activists, stakeholders, and community leaders in Chester to applaud the Biden administration’s halt on permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects. Hohenstein says there is already sufficient infrastructure in place to export LNG and we should instead be looking for sustainable, non-polluting industries to build our local economies. Read more

 

Hohenstein announces new dog park, $250K in grant funding for community organizations

(Feb 02, 2024)

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 2 – State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., today announced The Bridge Clinic’s intention to open a new dog park and the awardees of $250,000 in grants provided by Bridge Industrial. “I’m thrilled to see so many of our Bridesburg community organizations receive support that will go toward continuing the wonderful work they do for our veterans, kids and seniors. And we’ll always welcome having more animal-friendly spaces where dog owners can bring their dogs to play and our community can grow,” Hohenstein said. “Today is a prime example of a community that works together to support one another.” As part of the Community Benefits Agreement, Bridge Industrial donated the parcel of land where the dog park will be developed to The Bridge Clinic. Bridesburg neighborhood organizations receiving grants are: Bridesburg Recreation - $50,000. Bridesburg Boys & Girls Club - $50,000. Riverfront North - $25,000. Bridesburg CDC/BA - $25,000. Bridge Clinic - Dog Park - $10,000. American Legion Post 821 - $7,500. VFW Post 2 - $7,500. Vietnam Veterans - $7,500. United Veterans of Bridesburg - $7,500. Stars & Stripes, Bars & Pipes - $7,500. Boy Scout Troop 120 - $5,000. Bridesburg Cougars (Athletic Club) - $5,000. Bridesburg Home & School - $7,500. Cat Collaborative - $5,000. AIDS Fund - $7,500. Read more

 

Hohenstein Works to Ban Assault Weapons in PA

(Jan 17, 2024)

PA state Rep. Joe Hohenstein shows his support for legislation that would ban future sales of assault weapons in the commonwealth. Read more

 

Hohenstein, colleagues prepare turkey dinners

(Nov 22, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 22 – State Reps. Joe Hohenstein, Pat Gallagher, Danilo Burgos, Anthony Bellmon, all D-Phila, Sen. Jimmy Dillon, Councilmember Mike Driscoll and their staffs were hosted by Caring for Friends Chair and CEO Vince Schiavone for a turkey dinner preparation event on Tuesday. “I’m proud to follow the tradition of service that my parents have given me in their time of volunteering with Caring for Friends. With so many people in need, we all must answer the call to give what we can, when we can,” Hohenstein said. Caring For Friends distributed 1,000 turkey dinners and prepared over 800 meals with the assistance of federal and state legislators and their staffs. Read more

 

Bill establishing lifetime substance abuse recovery grant program approved by PA House Human Services Committee

(Nov 16, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 16 – A bill ( H.B. 1650 ) co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., and Jim Gregory, R-Hollidaysburg, that would establish the Lifetime Recovery from Substance Abuse Grant Program was approved this week by the House Human Services Committee with bipartisan support. “This bill recognizes that the scourge of addiction is something that carries throughout the state and is impacting the lives of all of our constituents, neighbors, friends and families,” Hohenstein said. “Treatment and support for people living with addiction is something that lasts a lifetime, and we need to be able to provide people with the tools for getting and keeping jobs, getting housing and receiving peer recovery support in a way that sustains for a lifetime.” The grant program would assist in the development, expansion and improvement of the system of recovery support service delivery in the commonwealth. Recovery support providers offer critical services to those in recovery from substance abuse, including providing peer support, family support, mentoring services, housing and assistance in finding gainful employment. “This will provide support for thousands of Pennsylvanians in recovery so that they can return to their families, friends and the life they were intended to have,” Gregory said. Read more

 

Hohenstein bill protecting public from wild animals passes House

(Nov 13, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 13 – A bill ( H.B. 1451 ) sponsored by state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., which would protect the public from unsafe encounters with wild animals, passed the House today by vote of 109-94. The legislation was proposed following a decision by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to move away from a safety measure that prohibited direct contact between the public and wildlife, particularly exotic wildlife. This legislation would protect the public and exotic animals by preventing the public from feeding or having direct physical contact with exotic animals without having a sufficient barrier in place. “We have to remember that wild animals are wild, and their intrinsic instincts are going to make them unpredictable,” Hohenstein said. “Scratches, bites and such from exotic animals can be very harmful to individuals and to the public at large by spreading viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections.” Read more

 

Hohenstein introduces LNG Task Force minority report

(Nov 01, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 1 – State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., introduced a minority report as part of his membership on the Philadelphia LNG Task Force during a meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The task force was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly last year and tasked with examining and making recommendations regarding obstacles, economic feasibility, economic impact and security that would be involved with making the Port of Philadelphia a liquified natural gas export terminal. When authorizing the task force, the General Assembly allowed for the submission of a rebuttal to the task force’s majority report by any member of the task force. Hohenstein said he was glad that head of the task force, state Rep. Martina White, R-Phila., accepted the minority report into the official record. “This is a complex topic with many stakeholders holding a variety of views and strong opinions,” Hohenstein said. “And it is my belief that this report accurately addresses the concerns with placing an LNG facility within the geographical area covered by the Philadelphia Port, resulting in the conclusion that there is simply no suitable location for an LNG facility in Philadelphia or Southeastern Pennsylvania. “The commonwealth should be engaged in a transition away from fossil fuels because of the need to address climate change. As such, I plan to propose the formation of a task force to review the state’s energy policy Read more

 

Philadelphia LNG Task Force Minority Report

(Nov 01, 2023)

LNG Task Force Minority Report Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El and Hohenstein introduce legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians

(Oct 17, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Philadelphia, today outlined their new legislation, House Bill 1630 , that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. The lawmakers were joined by representatives from CASA, Church World Services, Lancaster City Council, IU13 Lancaster-Lebanon Refugee Center and Nationalities Service Center–Philadelphia at a Capitol news conference to discuss the bill. “Immigrants have made Pennsylvania the powerhouse it is,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Yet, despite foreign-born workers comprising over 8% of our state’s workforce and paying $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes, they are scapegoated and bear the brunt of punitive policies that drive them from our state. We’re the ones who lose out the most—at the expense of losing skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and community leaders. “Our bill would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians that would support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth,” he said. “Immigration is what makes Pennsylvania strong,” Hohenstein said. “Our collective ability to come together from all different backgrounds and perspectives for the betterment of the commonwealth is truly wonderful. That’s why it’s particularly unfortunate that so often our immigrant communities face the brunt Read more

 

Legislators, PA Coalition for Trans Youth, TAKE, NEPA Stands Up rally for safe and equal schools

(Oct 17, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Reps. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila.; Nancy Guenst, D-Montgomery; Paul Takac, D-Centre; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; Tarik Khan, D-Phila.; the PA Coalition for Trans Youth; Transgender Advocates Knowledgeable Empowering; NEPA Stands Up and allies held a rally for safe and equal schools on the state Capitol steps in Harrisburg on Tuesday. Speakers highlighted a package of bills that would protect students from gender-based discrimination, bullying and harassment, and provide inclusive accommodations and curriculum. The package includes: Legislation introduced by Guenst that would create a statewide policy for all public schools to prohibit student discrimination and harassment based on actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression through anti-discrimination and harassment prevention and early intervention policies to create a supportive and equal opportunity learning environment. “Our children deserve to step into their learning environments across the commonwealth feeling safe and respected. No child should be made to feel less than their peers due to the real or perceived distinction of belonging to classes that do not currently hold statewide protections,” Guenst said. “This legislation would bridge the gaps currently being filled by individual school districts through policies that cover a wide spectrum; Read more

 

Hohenstein: Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

(Sep 22, 2023)

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month and Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein wants everyone to know that help is just a phone call away. Anyone suffering a mental health crisis can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Helpline. It’s free and available 24/7. #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth #SuicidePreventionMonth Read more

 

Hohenstein Working to Move Pennsylvanians

(Sep 21, 2023)

As a member of the House Transportation Committee, Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein knows how vital transit systems are to social and economic prosperity in the Commonwealth. Hohenstein is proposing legislation that would give counties and municipalities more options to fund their local mass transit systems. Read more

 

Hohenstein: Mass Transit Investments = Investments in Safety

(Sep 18, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein speaks at House Transportation Committee public hearing in Philadelphia about his experience with SEPTA and public transportation, and why it is so important to invest in safe and accessible mass transit across Pennsylvania. The committee took testimony from urban and rural transit providers looking for a solution to the expected shortfall of funding in the near future. Read more

 

Caregiver workforce crisis discussed in latest House Majority Policy hearing

(Sep 14, 2023)

People living with disabilities, their caregivers and advocates testified about the current caregiver workforce crisis to members of the House Majority Policy Committee during a hearing Thursday afternoon. Read more

 

Pa. could pass a ‘lemon law’ for homes to protect residents from shoddy construction

(Sep 11, 2023)

State lawmakers from Philadelphia are trying to pass new legislation that would help prevent rowhomes from being damaged by adjacent demolitions and reduce defects in newly built houses. Read more

 

PA House Housing & Community Development Committee hosts residential construction protections hearing

(Aug 30, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30 – State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., today hosted a PA House Housing & Community Development Committee public hearing at Philadelphia City Hall on residential construction protections. During the hearing, the committee heard from three panels of testifiers. On the first panel was Ralph DiPietro, commissioner of Licenses and Inspection, city of Philadelphia; Jennifer Horn, founding partner, Horn Williamson LLC; and Daryn Edwards, co-chair of the Housing and Community Development Task Force, American Institute of Architects Pennsylvania. The second panel consisted of Venise Whitaker, founder, Riverwards L+I Coalition; Tamica Tanksley, an impacted resident; Michelle Gaffney, an impacted resident; Dr. Terrie Lewine, an impacted resident; and Drew Miller, paralegal for Homeownership and Consumer Rights Unit, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia. The final panel was made up of Annette Stevens, financial officer, Code Administrators; Shawn Strausbaugh, director of technical services, Code Administrators; and Mary Collins, co-chair of the Government Affairs Committee, Building Industry Association of Philadelphia. “It’s vital that we pass legislation that protects what is many families’ most valuable asset and possession -- their homes,” Hohenstein said. “I’ve heard numerous heartbreaking stories of families in Philadelphia who have spent thousands on residential Read more

 

Hohenstein, Chester community rally against Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force plan

(Aug 22, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 22 – State Reps. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., and Carol Kazeem, D-Chester, and environmental justice organizations and concerned residents of Chester held a news conference at Lathem Hall on Widener University campus following a Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force public hearing. The task force met for a public hearing on its plan to promote a liquefied natural gas processing plant and export terminal in the Delaware River. Zulene Mayfield, chairperson of Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living, and Stefan Roots, a Chester City Council member, testified during the hearing for everyone who would be negatively impacted by the task force’s plan. Hohenstein, Kazeem, Mayfield and Roots spoke during the news conference, along with Earl Wilson, president of the Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition in Philadelphia, and Shawmar Pitts, co-managing director of Philly Thrive, Grays Ferry, Philadelphia, who were both denied participation in the public hearing by the Republican chair of the task force. “This task force has been, in my opinion, inadequate in upholding its duty to ensure that the facts are transparently displayed and that a representative proportion of the commonwealth’s voices and opinions on the matter have been heard, which is unfortunate as it was authorized by the legislature and is being paid for with taxpayer dollars,” Hohenstein said. A Read more

 

In a united front, state reps highlight new Pennsylvania budget priorities
Feb 08, 2024

Philly Dems say boost for SEPTA just one of highlights for city in Shapiro’s budget proposal
Feb 08, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation encouraged by Shapiro Budget Proposal
Feb 07, 2024

Hohenstein: Sustainable Energy is the Future for PA
Feb 02, 2024

Hohenstein announces new dog park, $250K in grant funding for community organizations
Feb 02, 2024

Hohenstein Works to Ban Assault Weapons in PA
Jan 17, 2024

Hohenstein, colleagues prepare turkey dinners
Nov 22, 2023

Bill establishing lifetime substance abuse recovery grant program approved by PA House Human Services Committee
Nov 16, 2023

Hohenstein bill protecting public from wild animals passes House
Nov 13, 2023

Hohenstein introduces LNG Task Force minority report
Nov 01, 2023

Philadelphia LNG Task Force Minority Report
Nov 01, 2023

Smith-Wade-El and Hohenstein introduce legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians
Oct 17, 2023

Legislators, PA Coalition for Trans Youth, TAKE, NEPA Stands Up rally for safe and equal schools
Oct 17, 2023

Hohenstein: Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
Sep 22, 2023

Hohenstein Working to Move Pennsylvanians
Sep 21, 2023

Hohenstein: Mass Transit Investments = Investments in Safety
Sep 18, 2023

Caregiver workforce crisis discussed in latest House Majority Policy hearing
Sep 14, 2023

Pa. could pass a ‘lemon law’ for homes to protect residents from shoddy construction
Sep 11, 2023

PA House Housing & Community Development Committee hosts residential construction protections hearing
Aug 30, 2023

Hohenstein, Chester community rally against Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force plan
Aug 22, 2023