News Center

Kinkead introduces measure to help protect residents from landslides

(Mar 30, 2021) Rep. Sara Innamorato

HARRISBURG, March 30 – Landslides have devastated families across Allegheny County and are only becoming more of a problem throughout Pennsylvania, so state Rep. Emily Kinkead is spearheading a bill that would create a program to help. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, said H.B. 1054 would establish the Landslide Insurance and Assistance Program with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. The program would establish a special insurance and assistance funds to ensure Pennsylvanians are properly protected from the destructive and devastating force of landslides. “In my district, an entire house fell off the side of a hill because of landslides and because it was not caused by mine subsidence, there was absolutely no insurance coverage to help the family rebuild their lives from the loss. While landslides resulting from mining practices receive special insurance coverage, those that occur due to excessive rain or snowfall aren’t typically covered, and that leaves far too many residents vulnerable to financial ruin,” said Kinkead. “These landslides can occur anywhere if the right conditions are present. With warmer weather here, it’s vital we take action now on this issue.” Several Allegheny County representatives, including state Reps. Austin Davis, Dan Deasy, Sara Innamorato and Nick Pisciottano, have signed on in support of Kinkead’s bill. “People in my district have seen their share of disruptive landslides. Read more

 

Pisciottano supports bill to protect patients, nurses

(Mar 29, 2021) Rep. Sara Innamorato

HARRISBURG, March 29 – Ensuring patient safety and keeping nurses safe are the primary goals behind legislation supported by state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, and several members of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation. Pisciottano said the pandemic has brought serious safety concerns into the spotlight, as more nurses are being assigned an increasing number of patients, while at the same time, nurse staffing levels in hospitals continue to decline. House Bill 106, also known as the Patient Safety Act, would set appropriate nursing ratios for hospitals dependent upon the severity of the nursing unit’s patient needs. “As our state and nation begin to emerge from the pandemic, it’s critical we look at ways to improve our health systems and put procedures into place to enhance patient and workers’ safety,” said Pisciottano. “Our nurses and health care staff are doing all they can to help keep patients safe, and with the extra demands on their care during the current pandemic, we must join other states in instituting safe patient limits and create working conditions which protect the physical and mental health of our nurses. This measure would significantly raise the standards of care of patients while keeping our nurses safe.” A letter of support for the bill, signed by state Reps. Jessica Benham, Austin Davis, Dan Deasy, Emily Kinkead, Sara Read more

 

Pennsylvania House and Senate Elected Officials Strongly Urge Governor Wolf to Investigate Serious Health Impacts Associated with Fracking

(Mar 18, 2021) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Earlier today, State Senator Katie Muth (D – 44th Senate District) and State Representative Sara Innamorato (D – 21st House District) along with 33 members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, publicly requested Governor Wolf direct adequate funding to thoroughly study the full and complete health impacts of fracking, including radioactivity exposure evaluations and a source exposure analysis, to best identify the specific cause of public health harm for all Pennsylvanians near industrial oil and gas fracking. Read more

 

Allegheny County rental relief program now accepting applications

(Mar 15, 2021) Rep. Sara Innamorato

HARRISBURG, March 15 – Financial assistance is now available to help Allegheny County residents struggling to pay rent or utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a program that is partially funded by legislation members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation helped to pass. The Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance program has a total of $79.9 million to distribute to eligible county residents. Of that funding, $43 million came from Act 1 of 2021, which Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law last month. Eligibility requirements for the program include: having at least one person who qualifies for unemployment, has lost income or suffered financially due to COVID-19. being at risk of experiencing homelessness. having a total income below 80% of the Area Median Income for Allegheny County. ACDD Chairman state Rep. Austin Davis, as well as state Reps. Jessica Benham, Dan Deasy, Tony DeLuca, Dan Frankel, Ed Gainey, Sara Innamorato, Emily Kinkead, Anita Kulik, Summer Lee, Brandon Markosek, Robert Matzie, Dan Miller, Nick Pisciottano and Jake Wheatley, issued the following statement: “People living in Allegheny County have been struggling for over a year during this pandemic. This program has been a long time coming and helps provide direct relief to those who’ve been scrambling to pay their rent and bills during this Read more

 

Allegheny County Delegation announces $1.5 million in security grants for nonprofit organizations

(Mar 11, 2021) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Members of the PA House Democratic Allegheny County Delegation said $1.5 million will be awarded to nonprofit organizations across the county for security projects. Read more

 

State lawmakers and advocates call for ‘People’s Budget’

(Feb 10, 2021) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Grassroots effort focuses on equity, inclusion and transparency Read more

 

Lawmakers move to reintroduce eviction moratorium for PA

(Dec 22, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Bill would expand federal legislation, protect PA families Read more

 

Innamorato: State invests $500,000 in local projects, programs

(Dec 08, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Support ‘has never been as critical as it is today’ says local org Read more

 

State lawmakers call for end to family deportations from Berks ICE facility

(Dec 02, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Legislators ask for release of families, children in face of COVID pandemic, unsanitary conditions Read more

 

State lawmakers, workers, and business owners seek congressional action on COVID relief

(Nov 25, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Congress returns to Washington next week as cases continue to skyrocket Read more

 

10/14/20 – Radioactive and Hazardous Waste Loopholes – Virtual

(Oct 16, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Materials from a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing held virtually and co-chaired by State Rep. Sara Innamorato. Read more

 

Innamorato: Hearing underscores need to close hazardous waste loophole

(Oct 14, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Testimony illustrates dangers to communities, public health Read more

 

Innamorato to hold virtual House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on radioactive and hazardous waste loopholes Wednesday

(Oct 09, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 9 – State Rep. Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, announced today that she will co-chair a House Democratic Policy Committee virtual public hearing on radioactive and hazardous waste loopholes. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 via www.pahouse.com/live . The media and public are invited to watch this livestream. Requested by Innamorato, the hearing will feature testimony from state officials and policy experts about the impact of radioactive and hazardous waste loopholes on communities, worker safety and public health. She will be joined by HDPC Chair Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, and other committee members. Testifiers will include: Rebecca Franz , chief deputy attorney general for Environmental Crimes Section, Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General. Dr. John Stolz , director, Duquesne University’s Center for Environmental Research and Education. Melissa Troutman , research and policy analyst, Earthworks. Justin Nobel , investigative journalist. Veronica Coptis , executive director, Center for Coalfield Justice. Dr. Marsha Haley , radiation oncologist, Physicians for Social Responsibility. Lois Bauer-Bjornson , outreach coordinator, Clean Air Council. Industry workers. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

Cephas, Kenyatta and Innamorato hold hearing to discuss plan to help low-income tenants facing eviction amid COVID-19

(Oct 09, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – In their ongoing efforts to keep people in their homes, state Reps. Morgan Cephas, Malcolm Kenyatta and Sara Innamorato held a public hearing today to discuss legal aid for tenants facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The three brought members of the House Democratic Policy Committee and experts together to discuss legislation they are introducing to provide legal representation to low-income tenants facing an eviction hearing. "A study from the Center for American Progress shows nearly 90% of landlords and property managers across the country have access to legal representation compared to just 10% of tenants. And in most eviction cases, tenants without representation lose," said Cephas, D-Phila. "This ultimately comes down to fairness and the need to prevent our most vulnerable neighbors from being tossed out on the street. Our plan aims to connect them with the quality protection they need to help keep a roof over their head, especially during this health crisis." “The CDC’s moratorium will only stave off evictions until the end of the year, but the threat of a large-scale housing crisis still looms, so we must act now,” said Kenyatta, D-Phila. “During these uncertain and incredibly stressful times in which medical experts are urging everyone to stay at home, Pennsylvanians should be able to take solace in having a home of their own to retreat to. Read more

 

10/9/20 – Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction – Virtual

(Oct 09, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Materials from a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing held virtually and co-chaired by State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, Sara Innamorato and Morgan Cephas. Read more

 

Rep. Innamorato, state Sen. Williams announce conservation grant funding for local projects

(Oct 09, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Public investments in conservation and greenspace in our communities are a welcome move Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold virtual hearing Friday on legal aid for tenants facing eviction

(Oct 06, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

HARRISBURG, Oct. 6 – 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 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9. The media and public can 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 and legislators will speak remotely. Testifiers will include: Patrick Cicero , executive director, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. John Pollock , staff attorney, Public Justice Center. Sam Chenkin , founder, Reclaim The Sector. 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

 

Ross Twp., Girty’s Run projects awarded $155,000 in enviro grants

(Oct 02, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Projects involve creek restoration, river conservation plan Read more

 

Sharpsburg awarded $125,000 grant for Kennedy Park

(Sep 25, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

Project includes parking/pedestrian infrastructure, play equipment, other improvements Read more

 

Today’s House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing Postponed to October 9

(Sep 23, 2020) Rep. Sara Innamorato

HARRISBURG, Sept. 23 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced that the House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on legal aid for tenants facing evictions that was scheduled for 9 a.m. today has been moved to Friday, Oct. 9 due to the House being called into session on short notice. Requested by state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila, Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., and Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, the hearing will still be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg on Oct. 9. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Read more

 

Kinkead introduces measure to help protect residents from landslides
Mar 30, 2021

Pisciottano supports bill to protect patients, nurses
Mar 29, 2021

Pennsylvania House and Senate Elected Officials Strongly Urge Governor Wolf to Investigate Serious Health Impacts Associated with Fracking
Mar 18, 2021

Allegheny County rental relief program now accepting applications
Mar 15, 2021

Allegheny County Delegation announces $1.5 million in security grants for nonprofit organizations
Mar 11, 2021

State lawmakers and advocates call for ‘People’s Budget’
Feb 10, 2021

Lawmakers move to reintroduce eviction moratorium for PA
Dec 22, 2020

Innamorato: State invests $500,000 in local projects, programs
Dec 08, 2020

State lawmakers call for end to family deportations from Berks ICE facility
Dec 02, 2020

State lawmakers, workers, and business owners seek congressional action on COVID relief
Nov 25, 2020

10/14/20 – Radioactive and Hazardous Waste Loopholes – Virtual
Oct 16, 2020

Innamorato: Hearing underscores need to close hazardous waste loophole
Oct 14, 2020

Innamorato to hold virtual House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on radioactive and hazardous waste loopholes Wednesday
Oct 09, 2020

Cephas, Kenyatta and Innamorato hold hearing to discuss plan to help low-income tenants facing eviction amid COVID-19
Oct 09, 2020

10/9/20 – Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction – Virtual
Oct 09, 2020

Rep. Innamorato, state Sen. Williams announce conservation grant funding for local projects
Oct 09, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold virtual hearing Friday on legal aid for tenants facing eviction
Oct 06, 2020

Ross Twp., Girty’s Run projects awarded $155,000 in enviro grants
Oct 02, 2020

Sharpsburg awarded $125,000 grant for Kennedy Park
Sep 25, 2020

Today’s House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing Postponed to October 9
Sep 23, 2020