News Center

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction Wednesday in Capitol

(Sep 18, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

HARRISBURG, Sept. 18 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on legal aid for tenants facing evictions. The hearing will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila; Morgan Cephas, D-Phila.; and Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, the hearing will collect testimony from policy experts as they work on legislation to provide legal aid for tenants. Testifiers will speak remotely while members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Patrick Cicero , executive director, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. John Pollock , staff attorney, Public Justice Center. Rasheedah Phillips , managing attorney of housing policy, Community Legal Services, Inc. Bob Damewood , staff attorney, Regional Housing Legal Services. Kevin Quisenberry , legislative director, Community Justice Project. A. Michael Snyder , chancellor, Philadelphia Bar Association. Catherine Carr , civil Gideon and Access to Justice Task Force co-chair, Philadelphia Bar Association. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

Welcoming PA Caucus calls for investigation regarding Homeland Security practices

(Sep 17, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Lawmakers note that if true, allegations mark violation of human rights laws Read more

 

Conservation, watershed, and zoo projects receive $795,000 in state funding

(Sep 16, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Grants made possible through Allegheny County gaming grants program Read more

 

Miss my Tele-Town Hall? Listen to the discussion here.

(Sep 04, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Find out what your friends and neighbors had to say about the issues that matter to our community. Read more

 

House Democrats fight to keep renters, homeowners Safe at Home

(Aug 31, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The House Democratic Housing Working Group announced a package of bills to protect people across Pennsylvania as the state’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosures expires Read more

 

Representatives Fiedler, Lee and Innamorato to introduce legislation ensuring housing rights for PA renters and homeowners

(Aug 26, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

HARRISBURG, Aug. 26 – Today, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, Summer Lee and Sara Innamorato announced plans to introduce legislation to help keep people in their homes during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Citing concerns over Monday’s expiration of the foreclosure and eviction moratorium, the lawmakers emphasized urgent action to prevent mass evictions and foreclosures across the state. The legislation would provide Pennsylvania’s governor express powers to place a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures in the commonwealth or specific counties during a disaster emergency. “Everyone deserves a place to call home. This legislation will help keep our communities intact, and make sure our neighbors have more time to apply for financial relief programs, plan for the short- and long-term, and save money. The impact of being pushed out of your home can be traumatic, especially for children, and we need to do everything possible to prevent it from happening, especially during a pandemic.” said Fiedler, D-Phila. “The legislature must act now to prevent the man-made disaster that will unfold if the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures is lifted,” Lee, D-Allegheny, said. “Failure to do so will create a humanitarian crisis among the very people who have already been victimized by this crisis, who are asked daily to put their and their families’ health on the line for the rest of Read more

 

Miss the live virtual panel discussions? Watch them here!

(Aug 21, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Chairman Dan Miller and the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation (ACHDD) concluded their summer hearing work with five public virtual panel discussions: Health of our Hospitals, Future of Work, Update on Police Reform, COVID and Worker Safety , and Housing Crisis . Each discussion featured a presentation by relevant experts from Allegheny County and then a question and answer session with state representatives from the ACHDD. You can watch them all below: Read more

 

Reps. Dermody, Innamorato, Sen. Williams announce more than $3.1M in funding for local water, sewer projects

(Aug 18, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

PITTSBURGH, AUGUST 18, 2020 - Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Representative Frank Dermody (D-33), and Representative Sara Innamorato (D-21) announced $2,303,317 in funding for local water and sewer infrastructure programs through the Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Program and an additional $800,000 in funding through the H2O PA Program. PA Small Water and Sewer grants are available to municipalities and municipal authorities to assist with the construction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, or flood control projects. The H2O PA Program was established in 2008 and provides for single-year and multi-year grants for the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer projects; the construction or renovation of flood control projects; and the repair or rehabilitation of high-hazard unsafe dams. Both of these funds are administered through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). In Senate District 38/House District 33, funding was awarded to the following projects: Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority was awarded $200,000 for Route 908 tank improvements; Upper Allegheny Joint Sanitary Authority was awarded $150,000 for combined sewage outfall 19 reconfiguration and $175,000 for the Harrison Point sanitary sewer extension; East Deer Township was awarded $247,449 for a water improvement project; Harmar Township was awarded $100,000 for the Acme sanitary sewer Read more

 

2020 Summer Newsletter

(Aug 18, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Read Rep. Sara Innamorato's Summer 2020 Newsletter Read more

 

Innamorato, Muth propose legislation to protect health, environment

(Aug 13, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Bills would close the loophole allowing toxic drilling waste in Pennsylvania landfills Read more

 

House Democrats in Pittsburgh announce $409K in education funding for Pittsburgh School District

(Aug 07, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

HARRISBURG, Aug. 7 – House Democrats representing the city of Pittsburgh announced Friday the disbursement of $409,000 in education funding to the Pittsburgh School District. Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation members who represent the city of Pittsburgh include state Reps. Dan Deasy, Dan Frankel, Ed Gainey, Sara Innamorato, Summer Lee, Dan Miller, Adam Ravenstahl, Harry Readshaw and Jake Wheatley. “This is substantial funding for the Pittsburgh School District,” said state Rep. Dan Miller, chairman of the delegation. “The allotted funding will go toward well-needed resources, and it will ensure students in the district have a better chance of achieving academic success.” The grants may be used to purchase computer equipment, such as laptops, tablets and internet hot spots, or used toward providing instructional materials, such as paper lessons and coursework. Schools with the highest percentages of students lacking access to resources were given priority in receiving these grants. The Continuity in Education and Equity Grants are designed to help provide access and inclusion for all learners by bridging the gap for students who are currently limited in their ability to participate in continuity of education. Read more

 

Lawmakers: Time to close Amazon sales tax loophole

(Jul 20, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Proposed change would level the playing field between local businesses and online retailer Read more

 

Innamorato: Grants available to help nonprofits, businesses and organizations

(Jul 16, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

State Rep urges groups to apply, says relief critical to helping COVID affected communities Read more

 

Shusterman authors legislation to help small businesses strengthen online presence

(Jul 13, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

PAOLI, July 13 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman has drafted legislation (H.B. 2535) to help local businesses strengthen their online sales capabilities as Pennsylvania continues social distancing practices. Shusterman said her legislation would require the Department of Community and Economic Development to provide technical support and guidance to Pennsylvania businesses with five or fewer employees. Shusterman said her bill would particularly help micro-businesses survive the economic shutdown brought on by COVID-19 as well as help them expand their reach, allowing them to better compete against big-box stores. “The survival of small businesses throughout the Commonwealth is an integral part of our overall economic prosperity,” Shusterman said. “My bill aims to help these businesses thrive as they’re working to get back on their feet and if we experience a second wave of COVID-19 in the fall. If businesses are once again ordered to close, it’s the legislature’s job to implement creative, tangible solutions to ensure that they can stay afloat.” House Bill 2535 has gained bipartisan support from legislators throughout the Commonwealth, including state Rep. Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny. “I hear from our Main Street business owners on how hard it can be, even under normal conditions, for them to be financially successful,” Innamorato said. “At a time when social Read more

 

Innamorato: Putting people first as we reopen PA

(Jun 02, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

PITTSBURGH, June 2 – As Allegheny County moves towards the green phase of Pennsylvania’s pandemic response, state Rep. Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, said she will continue to put people – and not politics – first as the state moves towards its new normal. “Over the last two months, all of us have been asked to make great sacrifices to protect our communities, our neighbors and our loved ones,” Innamorato said. “And the good news is that our sacrifices and hard work have not been in vain – together we have slowed the spread of the coronavirus in Pa., saving, by some estimates, tens of thousands of lives. “As summer approaches, I too want to return to normal. I too want to go out to the farmers’ markets on the weekend, to visit the Bloomfield pool, and to spend time with my family and friends. I too want to see our Main Streets open and bustling. And every day brings us one step closer to that – by working with medical professionals, researchers, and public health experts, I think we will soon be in a place where we can all finally get back to work and enjoy our summer. “But what I will not do is risk my neighbors’, friends’ or relatives’ lives and health. I have advocated for worker protections so that we can safely reopen every business, rather than make people choose between their lives and livelihoods. “House Resolution 836, which was pushed through the Read more

 

Innamorato: More than $1 million in funding awarded to county food pantries

(May 26, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Emergency funding to help with equipment, other costs Read more

 

Pennsylvania at a crossroads – We must reforge our social compact

(Apr 27, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

We live in a commonwealth – a society that is supposed to exist for the common good, with a government that is supposed to look out for the health, safety and welfare of the people. Read more

 

Lawmakers to introduce legislation to address maternal/infant health crisis in PA

(Apr 23, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Coronavirus crisis underscores need for material, infant supports Read more

 

Urging Safe Food Purchasing Options for SNAP Recipients

(Apr 21, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Legislators urge state to address serious challenges to the public health regarding the SNAP program Read more

 

State Reps. Fiedler, Innamorato, Lee and Otten to introduce legislation freezing rents and mortgages during pandemic

(Mar 31, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Proposed legislation would implement a rent and mortgage freeze Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction Wednesday in Capitol
Sep 18, 2020

Welcoming PA Caucus calls for investigation regarding Homeland Security practices
Sep 17, 2020

Conservation, watershed, and zoo projects receive $795,000 in state funding
Sep 16, 2020

Miss my Tele-Town Hall? Listen to the discussion here.
Sep 04, 2020

House Democrats fight to keep renters, homeowners Safe at Home
Aug 31, 2020

Representatives Fiedler, Lee and Innamorato to introduce legislation ensuring housing rights for PA renters and homeowners
Aug 26, 2020

Miss the live virtual panel discussions? Watch them here!
Aug 21, 2020

Reps. Dermody, Innamorato, Sen. Williams announce more than $3.1M in funding for local water, sewer projects
Aug 18, 2020

2020 Summer Newsletter
Aug 18, 2020

Innamorato, Muth propose legislation to protect health, environment
Aug 13, 2020

House Democrats in Pittsburgh announce $409K in education funding for Pittsburgh School District
Aug 07, 2020

Lawmakers: Time to close Amazon sales tax loophole
Jul 20, 2020

Innamorato: Grants available to help nonprofits, businesses and organizations
Jul 16, 2020

Shusterman authors legislation to help small businesses strengthen online presence
Jul 13, 2020

Innamorato: Putting people first as we reopen PA
Jun 02, 2020

Innamorato: More than $1 million in funding awarded to county food pantries
May 26, 2020

Pennsylvania at a crossroads – We must reforge our social compact
Apr 27, 2020

Lawmakers to introduce legislation to address maternal/infant health crisis in PA
Apr 23, 2020

Urging Safe Food Purchasing Options for SNAP Recipients
Apr 21, 2020

State Reps. Fiedler, Innamorato, Lee and Otten to introduce legislation freezing rents and mortgages during pandemic
Mar 31, 2020