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Philadelphia House Delegation praises expanded state Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit

Kenyatta: Pass the Pa Rescue Plan

(May 06, 2021)

Pa. state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta talks about how investments in the Pennsylvania Rescue Plan would support frontline and essential workers, help kids get back to school safely, and create more jobs and opportunities for economic growth. The Pa Rescue Plan is the key to Pennsylvania's recovery after the pandemic. Read more

 

Kenyatta: Untruths About Election Fraud Have Real Consequences

(Apr 15, 2021)

Wrapping up the last of 14 hearings of the House State Government Committee, Pa. state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta spoke out against false claims of election fraud by many Republicans. He says changes to election rules should make voting easier and more accessible, not disenfranchise more voters. Read more

 

Racism on Pennsylvania high schools and college campuses creates barriers to opportunity

(Mar 26, 2021)

How far have we come, and how far do we have to go to diminish -- and possibly eradicate -- racism in high schools and college campuses? Our hearing on racism on the topic pulled the curtain on the continued systematic injustice towards minority students on high school and college campuses and the lack of diversity in educators. In some Pennsylvania school districts there is a blatant lack of effort to recruit and retain educators of color and that is problematic. The historic limited access to education for people of color is still happening. Students shared their stories of the mental, physical and emotional toll their experiences with racism and discrimination have had on their well-being. Fortunately, these students turned their painful experiences into meaningful advocacy. Their testimony showed the challenge facing educational institutions in Pennsylvania. Educators, including teachers and administrators play a large role in dispelling hate in their schools. It’s imperative that they are reflective of the communities that they represent but the statistics show, they don’t. While students of color make up 33 percent of Pennsylvania’s population, less than 5 percent of teachers are people of color. Across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education faculty, 4 percent are Black, 3 percent are Hispanic and just 6 percent are Asian. When students see a diversity that reflects them in their educators, it shows promise. It shows Read more

 

Madden, Kenyatta lead discussion on racism on high school and college campuses

(Mar 25, 2021)

HARRISBURG, March 25 -- Education and shattering social norms are key in combatting racism in high schools and colleges, as evidenced by testimony at today’s House Democratic Policy Committee hearing hosted by state Reps. Maureen Madden and Malcolm Kenyatta. The Monroe and Philadelphia County legislators led today’s discussion bringing together state officials, students and educators to brainstorm solutions that aim to help break cycles of systemic racism via policy development and implementation. “How do we start conversations that help people understand that freedom of speech should not be a free pass for racism? We all deserve to be respected and the blatant hate and disrespect for others is impacting lives. Hate has no place in our education system. Students go to school to learn, grow and often overcome any barriers the hand that life has dealt them. I’m grateful for this forum today to learn what’s happening in our education system and what lawmakers can do to overcome the racism in our schools,” Madden shared. “Terms like ‘diversity quota’ and ‘affirmative action applicant’ are just some of the covertly racist insults that disparage the merits of students and faculty of color in academia. Ultimately, these slights have devastating effects on the emotional and mental health of these students and faculty, thereby straining their likelihood to graduate and excel at these institutions,” Read more

 

Madden, Kenyatta to examine incidents of racism on high school and college campuses at Thursday’s public hearing

(Mar 23, 2021)

HARRISBURG, March 23 – Recent incidents of racism involving students at the high school and college levels will be discussed at a House Democratic Policy Committee virtual hearing hosted by state Reps. Maureen Madden and Malcolm Kenyatta. The hearing will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 25. To view the hearing, the media and public can tune in to www.pahouse.com/policycommittee or the committee’s Facebook page -- @PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Madden and Kenyatta will be joined by committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and Democratic Policy Committee members to hear from educators, state officials and advocates on how to curb racism with meaningful policy reforms. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here . Read more

 

Rep. Kenyatta applauds historic agreement to ban sale of ghost gun kits at Pa. shows

(Mar 15, 2021)

HARRISBURG, March 15 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta today issued the following statement applauding his colleagues state Rep. Amen Brown and Sen. Anthony Williams, along with the Office of the Attorney General for reaching a historic agreement with Eagle Arms, the state’s largest gun show promoter, to ban the sale of ghost gun kits at its shows. Kenyatta, who represents Philadelphia’s 181 st Legislative District, said that the ghost gun kit ban is a progressive step in quelling gun violence across the commonwealth, especially in Philadelphia. “I am proud of my colleagues from both chambers and state Attorney General Josh Shapiro for this historic agreement,” Kenyatta said. “Far too many Pennsylvanians have had their lives cut short due to gun violence. We need to make sure these untraceable guns do not end up in the hands of people who shouldn’t have them.” Ghost guns typically start as 80% receivers that are sold in kits without background checks. They can easily and quickly be put together, lack serial numbers so they cannot be traced, and, once fully assembled, can operate as fully functioning firearms. In Philadelphia, 99 ghost guns were recovered in 2019 and 250 were recovered in 2020. More than 80 have been recovered so far in 2021. “In 2020, Philadelphia experienced unspeakable carnage because of guns, particularly these undetectable ghost guns,” Kenyatta said. Read more

 

House State Government Committee hearing highlights safety and security of PA voting machines

(Mar 10, 2021)

The PA House State Government Committee held its fifth of 14 hearings Wednesday on the 2020 general election, which has been settled for months now. Read more

 

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta joins Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows Cohort 7

(Mar 01, 2021)

HARRISBURG, March 1 – Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., has been selected to participate in the seventh cohort of the Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows program, an elite group of national, senior-level policy leaders who have the knowledge, skill, and desire to be effective, equity-minded education policymakers at the state level. The program is an initiative of The Hunt Institute, an education policy nonprofit founded in 2001 by former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt. Kenyatta will join 29 other senior-level elected officials from across the country in Cohort 7, bringing the total number of Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows to 141, which includes former Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale (Cohort 2). Fellows represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and the program currently boasts six sitting governors: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. "In order to ensure that our systems are supporting families, we have to strengthen our schools and classrooms to provide our children with a high-quality education,” Kenyatta said. “As I continue to fight on behalf of all working people, I look forward to learning from The Hunt Institute and engaging with this bipartisan group of policymakers from across the country." The program is named for renowned education governors Jim Hunt and Tom Kean. Read more

 

Reps. Kenyatta and Burgos to host free COVID-19 testing in North Philadelphia

(Feb 17, 2021)

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 17 – State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta and Danilo Burgos, both D-Phila, are teaming up to provide free COVID-19 testing in North Philadelphia, with the goal of offsetting the disparities in testing among Black and Latino communities in Philadelphia. The free testing will be provided in partnership with Latino Connection and funded by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, and will take place on Feb. 20 and March 6, both on a Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Norris Square Park, 2100 N. Howard St., 19122 . Spanish-speaking staff and volunteers will also be on-site. Kenyatta and Burgos pointed to a report that found that race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 cases are widely unaccounted for in Pennsylvania, especially in Philadelphia. The lag, they said, undercuts the severity of survivability outcomes of both groups. For Latinos, specifically, despite only making up 6% of the population in Pennsylvania, they disproportionately make up 11% of COVID-19 deaths when applying weighted population distributions, according to a study found on the Centers for Disease Control’s website. The lawmakers also said Blacks and Latinos not only remain severely underrepresented in data for cases — collected through testing — but also in the vaccine rollout. Kenyatta, who has put dismantling poverty and systemic racism at the forefront of his legislative agenda, said the pandemic has exacerbated Read more

 

Reps. Kenyatta and Burgos to host free COVID-19 testing in North Philadelphia

(Feb 17, 2021)

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 17 – State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta and Danilo Burgos, both D-Phila, are teaming up to provide free COVID-19 testing in North Philadelphia, with the goal of offsetting the disparities in testing among Black and Latino communities in Philadelphia. The free testing will be provided in partnership with Latino Connection and funded by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, and will take place on Feb. 20 and March 6, both on a Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Norris Square Park, 2100 N. Howard St., 19122 . Spanish-speaking staff and volunteers will also be on-site. Kenyatta and Burgos pointed to a report that found that race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 cases are widely unaccounted for in Pennsylvania, especially in Philadelphia. The lag, they said, undercuts the severity of survivability outcomes of both groups. For Latinos, specifically, despite only making up 6% of the population in Pennsylvania, they disproportionately make up 11% of COVID-19 deaths when applying weighted population distributions, according to a study found on the Centers for Disease Control’s website. The lawmakers also said Blacks and Latinos not only remain severely underrepresented in data for cases — collected through testing — but also in the vaccine rollout. Kenyatta, who has put dismantling poverty and systemic racism at the forefront of his legislative agenda, said the pandemic has exacerbated Read more

 

Rep. Kenyatta calls for bold budget proposal that targets help for working Pennsylvanians

(Feb 03, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., today reiterated the need for a bold state budget proposal and called Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2021-22 proposal an important start to the conversation about addressing the needs of working Pennsylvanians, especially in the wake of the health and economic crisis stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic “As I’ve said repeatedly, we need a budget that meets the moment, and today Governor wolf laid out a framework that we will debate over the coming months,” Kenyatta said. “The majority must work in good faith with us to create a fairer and more equitable commonwealth for all Pennsylvanians. We know what we need to do. We must focus on vaccine distribution, on supporting our small businesses, on equitably funding our schools and resourcing them to safely reopen. We must raise the minimum wage now. “These are things I’ve repeatedly called for and I am happy to hear the governor included them in his address. “Working people in the 181st District and across Pennsylvania need help right now, whether its criminal justice reform, ending gun violence, confronting the climate crisis, or being able to access the vaccine. “We can’t wait until the last minute to get this budget done. I will continue to fight to ensure that those things are prioritized in the final package. For the people I serve, this is life or death and our communities can’t Read more

 

Philadelphia Delegation members call for resignation of city health department commissioner

(Jan 29, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 29 – Members of the Philadelphia House Democratic Delegation have called for the resignation of Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley after the alleged problems with the city’s contracted vaccine organizer Philly Fighting COVID, according to the delegation’s chairman, state Rep. Jason Dawkins, D-Phila. “While in the crisis of our lifetime, the ball was dropped and left Philadelphians at risk, both for their personal information and their personal safety,” Dawkins said. “Dr. Farley has worked hard for Philadelphia, but in a moment when people’s lives are in jeopardy and when the world is watching, we cannot have such horrible decisions putting the lives and health of our citizens so at risk. The loss of the public’s trust requires that we have a change at the department. Things need to change to ensure everyone has a sense of security moving forward.” “The missteps and missed opportunities that we have seen from Philadelphia’s health department have been many,” said state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., “and in the middle of the deadliest health crisis in global history we can’t afford anymore. Commissioner Farley worked incredibly hard on testing but has unfortunately not met the moment in regard to quickly getting out the vaccine in an equitable way. And the Philly Fighting COVID debacle has become a national stain on the city. I Read more

 

Rep. Kenyatta pens letter to Pa. Dept. of Health to prohibit use of credit monitoring system to verify patient identity for vaccine

(Jan 29, 2021)

Reps. Kenyatta calls on Pa. Dept. of Health to prohibit use of credit monitoring system to verify patient identity for vaccine Read more

 

Philadelphia House Democratic Delegation responds to allegations against Philly Fighting COVID

(Jan 28, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 28 – The Philadelphia House Democratic Delegation sent a letter today to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley demanding answers to the COVID-19 vaccine problems between the city and Philly Fighting COVID, the organization tasked with administering vaccines to Philadelphia residents, according to the delegation’s chairman, state Rep. Jason Dawkins, D-Phila. “This is a completely unacceptable turn of events,” Dawkins said. “The people of Philadelphia have relied on the city to ensure they are able to access vaccines in this critical time, and if this organization is who was designated to do the job, not only did they fail to vaccinate but also failed the people of the city by then compromising their personal information. What’s worse, to then learn the organization’s CEO was allegedly taking vaccine home. If this is true, it is completely unacceptable. How did this organization even get chosen to administer the city’s plan? It is disturbing and upsetting, and answers must be given. We all have a right to know.” “People in my district are struggling to get the vaccine while this guy is taking them home,” said state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila. “I’m not a lawyer, but it seems to me that what he did was illegal, and he needs to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” Kenyatta represents the 181st Legislative Read more

 

Reps. Kenyatta and Krajewski, PLBC condemn H.B. 38

(Jan 21, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 21 – State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta and Rick Krajewski, co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus’ Subcommittee on Voting and Democracy, today condemned Republican state Rep. Russ Diamond’s dangerous proposal that would amend the state constitution to divide the state’s highest courts into over 30 districts across the state. Kenyatta and Krajewski, both D-Phila., also slammed claims made by Diamond, R-Lebanon, to bolster his proposal that these changes would allow for more Black judges in the appellate court system. “So much blood has been spilled on American streets in the fight to safeguard our democracy. It’s a fight that continues today, but state Representative Russ Diamond’s proposal spits in the faces of these slain foot soldiers for justice, making their pursuits count for naught, and stands to undo their legacy by usurping power from the people and placing it in the palm of the one-party-controlled General Assembly to gerrymander judicial districts,” Kenyatta said. “Additionally, Representative Diamond padding support for his dangerous bill with feigned concern for diversifying our courts system is an absolute disgrace. “This bill doesn’t allow for more Black justices—that’s just a ruse. It would instead minimize Black voting power in Pennsylvania’s largest and predominately Black cities to elect only three justices statewide. This bill further Read more

 

Rep. Kenyatta applauds Pa. Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine for historic White House nomination

(Jan 19, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 19 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., today congratulated Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Lavine for her historic nomination by President-elect Joe Biden to be national assistant health secretary. If confirmed by Congress, Levine will be the first trans person to hold a cabinet position in the White House. “Doctor Rachel Levine is the best of the best. I am thrilled that a woman of her character and professionalism will also make history becoming the first trans person to ever be confirmed by the United State Senate. In addition to her solitary milestone, she is set to become a member of an administration that truly looks like the country. This diversity spans across race, gender and now, sexual identity and expression. “Doctor Levine, a well-respected pediatrician, garnered national acclaim as the face of mitigation efforts in Pennsylvania in the pandemic. Through her knowledge and transparency, compounded by her calming voice, Doctor Levine delivered life-saving information daily to countless residents across the state, reassuring us all that we were going to get through this. “As a woman of trans experience and longtime activist for trans rights, Doctor Levine will shed light to the health disparities and discrimination in our medical system that far too often results in trans and LGBTQ people’s health not being prioritized. This has especially been evident in the wake of this Read more

 

PLBC chairwoman Bullock announces subcommittee on voting and democracy

(Jan 13, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 – State Rep. and Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Donna Bullock, D-Phila., this week appointed state Reps. Malcom Kenyatta and Rick Krajewski, both D-Phila., as co-chairmen of the PLBC subcommittee on voting and democracy. The committee will focus on voting rights, gerrymandering, and judicial gerrymandering. “During this very turbulent time in our country and even in our own state,” Bullock said, “we need to focus on fair, free and transparent elections. We just finished what was called one of the fairest and most efficient elections in our history yet there is rhetoric floating around our state legislature to discredit that. Let’s be clear, these recent events are modern day voter suppression efforts, and a violent attack on the votes of Black and other people of color. The establishment of this subcommittee to focus on voting and democracy is an important one and I believe that Representatives Kenyatta and Krajewski have the fortitude to keep these issues at the forefront and lead this important discussion as we move into the new legislative session.” Kenyatta also serves on of the State Government Committee and introduced legislation that would modernize the voting process by allowing more time to vote in person and with mail ballots. He was also one of the 538 Pennsylvania electors and delivered the motion to declare President-elect Joe Biden’s Read more

 

Miss my Tele-Town Hall with the Philadelphia Dept. of Health? Listen to the discussion here.

(Jan 08, 2021)

Hear what your friends and neighbors had to say about the issues affecting our community. Read more

 

My Year in Review

(Jan 07, 2021)

Check out my legislative record for 2020 Read more

 

Kenyatta Sworn In for 2nd Term, Lays Out Priorities

(Jan 05, 2021)

Pa. state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta officially began his second term in office after being sworn in for the 2021-22 legislative session. He explains how he will continue fighting to put hardworking families first. Read more

 

Kenyatta: Pass the Pa Rescue Plan
May 06, 2021

Kenyatta: Untruths About Election Fraud Have Real Consequences
Apr 15, 2021

Racism on Pennsylvania high schools and college campuses creates barriers to opportunity
Mar 26, 2021

Madden, Kenyatta lead discussion on racism on high school and college campuses
Mar 25, 2021

Madden, Kenyatta to examine incidents of racism on high school and college campuses at Thursday’s public hearing
Mar 23, 2021

Rep. Kenyatta applauds historic agreement to ban sale of ghost gun kits at Pa. shows
Mar 15, 2021

House State Government Committee hearing highlights safety and security of PA voting machines
Mar 10, 2021

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta joins Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows Cohort 7
Mar 01, 2021

Reps. Kenyatta and Burgos to host free COVID-19 testing in North Philadelphia
Feb 17, 2021

Reps. Kenyatta and Burgos to host free COVID-19 testing in North Philadelphia
Feb 17, 2021

Rep. Kenyatta calls for bold budget proposal that targets help for working Pennsylvanians
Feb 03, 2021

Philadelphia Delegation members call for resignation of city health department commissioner
Jan 29, 2021

Rep. Kenyatta pens letter to Pa. Dept. of Health to prohibit use of credit monitoring system to verify patient identity for vaccine
Jan 29, 2021

Philadelphia House Democratic Delegation responds to allegations against Philly Fighting COVID
Jan 28, 2021

Reps. Kenyatta and Krajewski, PLBC condemn H.B. 38
Jan 21, 2021

Rep. Kenyatta applauds Pa. Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine for historic White House nomination
Jan 19, 2021

PLBC chairwoman Bullock announces subcommittee on voting and democracy
Jan 13, 2021

Miss my Tele-Town Hall with the Philadelphia Dept. of Health? Listen to the discussion here.
Jan 08, 2021

My Year in Review
Jan 07, 2021

Kenyatta Sworn In for 2nd Term, Lays Out Priorities
Jan 05, 2021