I hope this note finds you well as we start August! Where has this summer gone?

Last Thursday, the House went back to session to take up some important unfinished business, to address the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling to end mandatory life without parole for second-degree murder convictions. I agreed with the court that this is too harsh of sentencing as a mandatory minimum, especially for those convicted of it who didn’t cause the death, was an accomplice, or even just had knowledge of a planned event.

House Bill 1042 does not establish a set minimum sentence for individuals convicted of second-degree murder. It preserves life without parole as a maximum but asks the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to establish guidelines the courts can use going forward. This bill would create a review process for parole eligibility after 30 years for people already serving a life sentence and would also create medical parole for incarcerated people who have a life-threatening illness and need to leave prison to seek treatment.

While HB 1042 is not perfect and represents a compromise in my caucus, it is much better than the version that passed the Senate which set a mandatory minimum of 35 years with few exceptions. As of now, there’s no indication of a compromise between the two proposals, but it is important to continue the negotiations and get to the mandated court directive. I will keep you updated on any progress that is made.

Have a great weekend and happy August!

Sincerely,

According to PennDOT, the ramp from Morris Street to southbound Interstate 95 will be closed and detoured 24/7 through Friday, October 2, due to a project to perform high-priority repairs on interstate bridges across the region. Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling near the work area or along the detour route. You can visit the PennDOT website to keep track with planned and active construction projects.

This week, it was announced that the amount of funding available for highway and bridge maintenance projects undertaken and offered for bid by county maintenance districts will increase by an additional $775 million over the next two fiscal years.

These projects will be selected by Secretary Carroll in consultation with PennDOT district executives, with the intention to immediately put these dollars to use on the roads. If there’s a project in the district that you feel should be included in this initiative, please contact your PennDOT District Executive, which you can find on the PennDOT website.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has launched Caregiver Connection, a new free online resource specifically designed to support the families of loved ones with substance use disorder. The website contains resources such as locating a local or online support group, connecting with others who understand what they’re going through, how to find the closest county drug and alcohol office and more.

Families often need support themselves as they help their loved ones in crisis. With Caregiver Connection, families can find the knowledge, perspectives and personal experience reflecting their needs as they help on the road to recovery.

South Street’s incredibly popular Night Out on Ninth: Night Market returns tonight, July 31, from 5-9 p.m. on the 900 and 1000 blocks of South Street! Join for an evening celebrating the residents, businesses and civic leaders who work together to make South Street one of Philadelphia’s most unique neighborhoods. Enjoy shopping from local artisan vendors, delicious food and drinks, family-friendly activities, games and more!

The Northern Liberties Arts & Commerce Alliance’s 2nd Street Festival returns on Sunday, August 2 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., spanning several blocks in Northern Liberties and drawing thousands of people! Enjoy lots of local food and drink fare, plenty of music and entertainment, and shopping from over 100 local merchants and artists. Visit the festival website to learn more.