Isaacson Speaks Out Against SCOTUS LGBTQ+ Ruling

(Jun 30, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson shares her disappointment in a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that would allow business owners to discriminate against and refuse to serve members of the LGBTQ+ community. Isaacson says now it is more important than ever for her colleagues in the state legislature to pass the #PAFairnessAct Read more

 

Pa House passes bill to counter catalytic converter thefts

(Jun 30, 2023)

“Car owners should not have to foot the bill for someone stealing from them, and for many households, the cost of replacing a stolen catalytic converter is burdensome,” Isaacson said. “For many Pennsylvanians, their car is a part of their livelihood. This legislation provides several important deterrents to ensure that consumers in the commonwealth have the highest level of protection from theft.” Read more

 

Isaacson Session Week Wrap - Budget Season Week 4

(Jun 29, 2023)

Advancements in education funding, dual enrollment, and protection of personal property, but still no budget agreement. Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson brings us up to speed on this week’s developments at the state Capitol. Read more

 

Pa. House passes bill to address inadequate school facilities

(Jun 27, 2023)

House Bill 1408 would enact PlanCon 2.0, legislation that was recommended by the Pennsylvania Public School Building Construction and Reconstruction Advisory Committee, and has not been invested in since 2016. It is a reimbursement program for school construction. Read more

 

Pa. House passes Isaacson’s legislation regarding community college

(Jun 26, 2023)

“Community college is an affordable path to a great future,” Isaacson said. “We need to embrace community college students by ensuring that they have every opportunity to transfer to a four-year college or university with ease.” Read more

 

Isaacson Session Week Wrap - Budget Season Week 3

(Jun 22, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson provides updates on progress made toward a state budget agreement and highlights a few other achievements in the House this week. Read more

 

Isaacson Session Week Wrap - Budget Season Week 2

(Jun 15, 2023)

Advancing child care tax credit legislation and a bill to address the teacher shortage, Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson takes a look at the week’s accomplishments as legislators move toward a final state budget agreement. Read more

 

Isaacson Session Week Wrap - Budget Season Week 1

(Jun 12, 2023)

House Democrats made a renewed push for education funding, healthcare reform, and a commitment to a cleaner environment in the state budget. Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson runs down last week’s developments. Read more

 

Isaacson announces local Keystone Historic Preservation grants

(Jun 07, 2023)

“2026 is right around the corner, and with such an important celebration to be hosted in our incredible city, Philadelphia, I am honored to see this funding being invested in our country’s history in the birthplace of our nation,” Isaacson said. “I am proud to support these institutions that have made it a priority to preserve our past and welcome in the future.” Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for thorough investigation on teen fatally shot by state trooper and prevention of more tragedies

(Jun 07, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, June 7 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today stated that the group is closely following the death of a teenager killed in the city Sunday by a state trooper during a drag race on I-95. The organization expressed concern about issues involved in this incident as they could develop into more tragedies. Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas indicated that it is essential that the state police and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office collaborate hand-in-hand for transparent scrutiny. The delegation also hopes for accountability and answers to many of the critical questions surrounding the deadly shooting. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim, and we are looking forward to seeing all the facts that resulted in this death,” Cephas said. “As a delegation, we see two sides of this tragedy -- the first one is a family mourning in our city, the second is an unfortunate series of issues that are prompting us to take bold action and work fast on prevention. “It is alarming to see more and more illegal drag racings on city streets and interstates, car meetups and large unregulated gatherings all over the city. The aftermath of these scenarios is always the same: property damage, assault and participants throwing objects at the police. “As we head into the summer, we need to take control of these Read more

 

Isaacson: We Must Address Outdated Charter School Laws

(May 09, 2023)

Pa. House Majority Policy Committee Vice Chair Mary Isaacson leads a hearing focused on the effect of charter schools on public school districts in the Commonwealth. Isaacson points out that laws governing charter schools in Pa. have not changed in more than a quarter century. Read more

 

Policy hearing details need for cyber, charter school reform

(May 08, 2023)

“Students and their parents will always have the choice to attend cyber or charter schools,” Policy Committee Vice Chair Mary Isaacson said. “Choice is not part of the debate. The debate is centered on why Pennsylvania allows a reimbursement process to exist that doesn’t take into account actual costs, and what can be done to create a fairer system for students and taxpayers.” Read more

 

Isaacson Rallies Support for Community Colleges

(Apr 24, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson knows that access to higher education is a critical component to growing and retaining a strong workforce in the Commonwealth. As Democratic Chair of the Community College Caucus, she stands with legislators and advocates to allocate necessary resources in the next state budget to keep community colleges accessible and affordable for all. Read more

 

Isaacson Working for Maternal Health Equity

(Apr 13, 2023)

As a member of the Women’s Health Caucus and Vice Chair of the House Majority Policy Committee, Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson wants to fix the disparity in maternal healthcare for Black women. Currently, Black women in America are 3-5 times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than their white counterparts. Read more

 

Isaacson: Direct Support Professionals Deserve Living Wages

(Apr 13, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson took part in a hearing of the House Majority Policy Committee focusing on the need to fairly compensate Direct Support Professionals in the Commonwealth. Isaacson says that these care providers play a critical role in allowing Pennsylvanians with disabilities to live full, productive lives. Read more

 

Workforce Development, Infrastructure, and Housing Funding Opportunities

(Apr 13, 2023)

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: DEI in the Building and Construction Trades Grant (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Organizations that serve as sponsors or intermediaries of Registered Apprenticeship and/or Pre-Apprenticeship in the building and construction trades. Use : To develop diverse talent pipelines and reach underrepresented populations within the building and construction trades. Funds : $1 million in total program funding. Application Deadline : April 26, 2023 More Information : Click on https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/grants/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT): Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Program (Funding Source: State, Federal, & Private Funding) Who May Apply : Private companies. Use : To develop innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation, and ports. Funds : Varies by award. Application Deadline : April 30, 2023 More Information : Click on https://www.penndot.pa.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/p3forpa/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: Youth Reentry Grant (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Read more

 

ICYMI: Women Leading the 175th

(Mar 31, 2023)

In honor of Women’s History Month, I am honoring women leaders in our district by hosting the annual Women Leading the 175th Program. Each of these women have had significant impact not only in our neighborhoods but across the city of Philadelphia. They have received official Pennsylvania House of Representative Citations because of their outstanding contributions to our communities. The theme for Women’s History Month this year is Celebrating Women who Tell our Stories. We are honoring women who have devoted their lives to making the 175th District a great place to live, work and grow. Rep. Isaacson is honored to tell these women’s stories. Their perseverance, integrity and fight for equality will not go unrecognized. I am humbled and full of gratitude for these women and their lasting contribution to the betterment of Philadelphia. Sheri Cole is Career Wardrobe’s (also known as The Wardrobe) founding executive director and has been with the agency since 2000. Under her leadership, The Wardrobe has grown from a grassroots volunteer organization to a nonprofit social enterprise that has scaled its impact throughout the Philadelphia region and the Wardrobe’s mission is to eliminate clothing insecurity and to do that provides outfits for work or life to anyone in need throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2003, Ms. Cole was honored by The Philadelphia Business Journal as one Read more

 

Pennsylvania lawmakers, Turnpike at odds over EZ-Pass prices

(Mar 29, 2023)

Driving from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia costs $34.70 for EZ-Pass drivers, but non-EZ-Pass drivers have to pay $70.80. Although taking the same Turnpike the non-EZ Pass driver is billed more than double the EZ-Pass rate.Rep. Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia) said, “We need to get some uniformity going with regard to how people are charged.” Read more

 

Isaacson Ready for a Budget that Invests in Pennsylvanians

(Mar 08, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson is ready to work with Gov. Josh Shapiro on a budget that invests in Pennsylvanians. She says his proposed budget would make historic investments in education, childcare, mental health treatment, the environment, and still work to make PA a competitive place to do business. She's eager to invest in workers by raising the wage and creating safer work spaces. Read more

 

Isaacson Remembers Heroes of January 6th

(Jan 09, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Mary Isaacson and colleagues from the Pa. Senate met at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia to honor the sacrifices of law enforcement and security personnel who fought to defend the U.S. Capitol from seditionists on January 6th, 2021. Isaacson called the attack an attempted coup and called on all Pennsylvanians to focus on rebuilding our democracy by fighting the lies and hyper-partisanship that fueled the Jan. 6th attack in the first place. Read more