Rep. Kinsey joined PA Dept. of Drug & Alcohol Programs Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones as she brought DDAP's statewide stakeholder engagement tour to northwest Philadelphia. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 1 – This week, two House resolutions (H.R. 125 and H.R. 225) introduced by state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., were adopted by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. H.R. 125, which designates the week of Nov. 4-11, 2023, as “Veterans Week of Service” in Pennsylvania, recognizing the work of veterans who continue to lead and serve by forming nonprofit veterans’ organizations in the Commonwealth, with the primary mission of improving the lives of their peers. “For many veterans, their service continues when they’re out of the Armed Forces,” Kinsey said. “While we must always show appreciation to our veterans for their service to our country, it’s also important we recognize the contributions they make to their communities and other veterans in the present day.” H.R. 225, which designates Oct. 19, 2023, as “Purple Thursday,” aims to bring awareness to domestic violence by encouraging Pennsylvanians to participate in educational events and campaigns, wear purple as a visible symbol of their commitment to ending domestic violence, and support organizations that help those affected. “Many individuals are affected by domestic violence -- it’s important that we continue raising awareness on this issue so we can work to prevent further cases of it and help victims recover,” Kinsey said. Read more
Harrisburg, Oct. 30 – State House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware testified before the PA House Judiciary Committee today about H.B. 1410 , a bill she introduced to amend the state Constitution to create greater opportunities for incarcerated Pennsylvanians to receive a pardon or have their sentences commuted. McClinton, a former public defender, has introduced the measure during several legislative sessions. She said her bill would change the unanimous vote requirement of the Pardon Board to a three-out-of-five votes requirement, which would save taxpayer resources by reducing the burden on the state’s correctional institutions while contributing to overall reform of the criminal justice system. “As a legislature and a commonwealth, we’ve made tremendous progress on reforming the justice system by implementing meaningful -- and bipartisan – updates, including Clean Slate and state funding for indigent defense,” McClinton said. “But there is more to be done including reconsidering the standards for recommending a pardon or commutation. “There is no proper, good, or just reason to continue to overburden our correctional system or detain people when they no longer pose a threat to society.” McClinton added that updating the law to require a three-fifths vote would return Pennsylvania to its historical standard. The commonwealth implemented the unanimous pardon vote requirement in the 1990s when, like Read more
PHILADLEPHIA, Oct. 26 – This morning, a SEPTA bus driver operating a Route 23 bus was fatally shot in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., who represents Germantown in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, issued the following comments on this shooting: “First and foremost, I want to send my condolences to the family and friends of the SEPTA bus driver who senselessly had his life taken today. “SEPTA bus drivers provide an excellent public service that benefits many in our community; they shouldn’t have to fear for their lives when on the job. “We must continue working in Harrisburg to help prevent these tragedies from occurring; saving lives must be our top priority. “When we reconvene in Harrisburg in the coming weeks, I will urge my colleagues to work diligently to move sensible gun-safety legislation that can save lives and prevent tragedies like this from continuing to occur.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 19 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., to ban police chokeholds was approved by the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday and heads to the full House for future consideration. House Bill 462 would outlaw the use of the standard chokehold in making an arrest as well as any action that inhibits breath or the flow of blood to the brain due to physical position. Kinsey originally introduced this bill in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd, who died due to asphyxiation brought about by sustained pressure on the neck by law enforcement officers. “We’ve seen far too many cases where individuals senselessly lose their life due to chokehold during an arrest- whether it be George Floyd, Eric Garner or anyone else, it must stop,” Kinsey said. “To clarify, this bill still allows police to take the necessary steps in making an arrest or dealing with a civilian, it just eliminates the dangerous and unnecessary tactic of chokeholds.” Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6 – Today, state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., presented a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission to Grumblethorpe. Grumblethorpe is a historic landmark in the Germantown section of Philadelphia (part of the 201 st Legislative District, which Kinsey represents) and part of the Colonial Germantown Historic District. “Grumblethorpe is an iconic landmark here in Germantown that does such a great job representing our community’s history, traditions and culture,” Kinsey said. “I was proud to present them this check today, and I can’t wait to see how they use these funds to better this wonderful establishment.” Kinsey was joined by Kayla Anthony, executive director of the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks; Tuomi Forrest, executive director of Historic Germantown; and Norman Marcus, Grumblethorpe House committee chair, PhilaLandmarks Board, Historic Germantown Consortium Board. Read more
PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy (JJSES) Initiative Who May Apply: Any private non-profit agency, any private for-profit agency, public agency, or unit of local government. Applicants must: Have experience in implementing statewide initiatives in collaboration with state agencies. Demonstrate a long-term commitment to the JJSES implementation process. Agree to work collaboratively with the Pennsylvania Council of Chief Juvenile Probation Officers, the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission, and PCCD to support county JJSES efforts and the coordination and planning of training opportunities. Use: This project is meant to be statewide and not specific to local service areas. Funds for the proposed project may be used to support any of the following: Training, technical assistance, and materials on evidence-based practices; Conferences, regional forums, etc. related directly to JJSES; strategic plan development; data collection and analysis; victim accountability strategies; reducing racial and ethnic disparities strategies; and more. Funds: Federal Title II Formula Grant funds are being announced to support this initiative over a two-year project period. PCCD expects to fund one grant. Matching funds are not a requirement of this funding opportunity, but a sustainability plan must be included as part of the Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 4 – Today, H.B. 1258 , introduced by state Reps. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., and Jill Cooper, R-Westmoreland, passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This legislation would improve the funding mechanism for dual enrollment programs by removing the requirement that students enrolled in such programs are removed from the school’s average daily membership. Commonly referred to as the “ADM,” the average daily membership impacts state funding to local school districts. Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to enroll in college-level classes, earning college credits while still enrolled in high school. In some cases, college classes are taught by certified high school teachers and in the high school facility. “Dual enrollment programs provide excellent opportunities for students; however, those currently participating in them aren’t able to get the full credit they deserve for their work,” Kinsey said. “It’s important that we allow students to have as many pathways to a successful education as possible, and today’s passage of our bill in the House is a great step toward making this happen!” “Harrisburg shouldn’t be hindering innovation; we should be fostering it. If schools are being penalized for providing these programs, they would likely cancel them and deny students access to a great advantage,” Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 3 – Today, H.B. 587 , introduced by state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., was approved with bipartisan support (15-10 vote) in the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee and will head to the full House for future consideration. This legislation would create a medical parole process authorizing a court that imposes a sentence to modify a term of imprisonment in a number of cases. Those eligible for this type of parole would be inmates with serious health issues, such as a chronic and debilitating physical or medical condition, as well as individuals 55 or older who have served the lessor of 25 years in prison or one half of their imposed minimum term and do not pose a danger to others if released. There are currently more than 1,900 individuals 55 years old or older who have served at least 25 years in Pennsylvania’s prisons. Pennsylvania’s compassionate release program has been in use for 13 years and only 31 individuals have successfully petitioned for medical release due to serious illness. Medical parole is an issue Kinsey has advocated for throughout his tenure as a legislator. “I’m not a doctor or a lawyer, but as legislators, it’s our job to ensure all Pennsylvanians are treated by law with dignity,” Kinsey said. “It’s clear that our current corrections system has failed and that we need to do right by incarcerated individuals, particularly Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 27 – Today, H.R. 178 , introduced by state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., to designate September 2023 as ‘Emergency Preparedness Month” in Pennsylvania, was adopted by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. “I can’t stress enough the importance of strengthening the security and resiliency of our nation through systemic preparation for the wide range of hazards that threaten the United States,” Kinsey said. “With this resolution’s adoption, I urge Pennsylvanians to check out resources that can help educate them on how to prepare for and handle various disasters.” Those resources include websites for the Federal Emergency Management Agency: Plan Ahead for Disasters | Ready.gov , and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency: Ready PA Home . Individuals can also take precautions by having emergency preparedness kits on hand. Read more
PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: COVID Mitigation for Counties Who May Apply : This funding is available to 66 Pennsylvania counties. Each county’s Criminal Justice Advisory Board will be responsible for coordinating the application for their county and local confinement facilities, as funding is limited to that purpose. Use : Per the requirements of the CDC’s award, this grant has 15 allowable activities which are designed to detect, diagnose, trace, and monitor SARS–CoV–2 and COVID–19 infections, and mitigate the spread of COVID–19 in confinement facilities. These activities include hiring personnel related to testing/mitigation efforts, purchasing laboratory equipment used for COVID-19 testing, purchasing supplies, test kits, and other tools related to rapid identification of COVID-19, contracting with testing agencies, purchasing software and technology to track COVID-19, and other related activities. Funds : A total of $9,624,626 is available to 66 counties. Application Deadline : September 19, 2023 More information : PCCD Website Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2024-25 Medical Marijuana Act Enforcement Who May Apply : Eligibility for these funds is open to municipalities and regional police departments proposing to implement projects and programs Read more
PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Regional Policing Assistance Program Who May Apply: Applicants for the Regional Policing Assistance Program may be any municipality – a city, borough, township, home-rule municipality, or county. Applicants may also be a public or quasi-public body, or its representative, duly authorized to act on behalf of one or more municipalities. All applications must be accompanied by fully executed Articles of Agreement or an Intergovernmental Agreement that establishes a Regional Police Department. Use: Funding will support efforts in establishing or expanding regional police departments that would improve the following: uniformity and consistency of enforcement across municipalities; recruitment; distribution and deployment of police personnel; training and personnel efficiency; career enhancement opportunities; enhanced professionalism; and reduction of costs. Funds: A total of approximately $1,000,000 in federal funds is being announced to support this initiative. Applicants may apply for up to $150,000 for the formation of a new regional police department or up to $50,000 for the expansion of an existing regional police department by adding a chartered municipality(ies). Application Deadline: September 6, 2023 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Legal Standing Video Read more
PA state Rep. Stephen Kinsey joins more than 2,000 SEIU 32BJ Union workers as they march through Philadelphia demanding a fair contract. Kinsey reminds us that these are the same union cleaners who showed up for work during the pandemic and continue working harder than ever today. Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 24 – The state budget signed into law earlier this month plans to invest heavily into Pennsylvania’s agriculture sector . This plan includes $2 million to fund the Fresh Food Financing Initiative. State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., introduced H.B. 580 to re-establish the Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which operated from 2004 to 2010. This program provided grants and low-interest loans for the construction, rehabilitation or expansion of grocery stores, farmers’ markets and other healthy food retail establishments in low- to moderate-income areas in need and other underserved communities. House Bill 580 passed the House in June and is currently sitting in the Senate. If this bill is voted out of the Senate and signed into law, this program would be reauthorized and the $2 million allocated for it in the budget can be utilized. “I’m glad to see the governor prioritizing bringing fresh and nutritious foods to communities across Pennsylvania that need them the most,” Kinsey said. “We took the necessary steps here in the House to make this program’s resurgence a reality. Now, we need our colleagues in the Senate to do right by these desperate communities and pass House Bill 580 so we can re-establish this crucial program and bring healthier eating options to our communities.” Read more
PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development: Keystone Communities Program Who May Apply : Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofit organizations to include economic development organizations, housing corporations, etc., community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use : Multiple uses, including: Planning grants (address a particular need or circumstance within a community, undertake a study relevant to an identified need, or study the results of implementing a specific activity) Implementation grants (assist designated KC program communities in implementing critical components of their approved Five-Year Strategy) Façade grants (to stimulate private investment in properties, foster an attractive environment, and preserve the architectural heritage of properties and communities. The grant funds may be used for primary street-facing, exterior building improvements in a defined target area of a downtown or neighborhood such as storefront signs, exterior façade painting, design assistance, etc.) Development grants (available to fund a variety of physical improvements, see program guidelines for full list) Public improvement grants (available to assist communities in a variety of development projects to help Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 8 – The Pennsylvania State Police on Monday announced the commencement of a pilot program designed to ensure department readiness for implementing body-worn cameras. State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., has introduced legislation in the Pennsylvania House to direct law enforcement agencies using body-worn cameras to develop official policies governing when cameras are activated and disabled, accessing the recordings, retention of recordings and redaction of recordings. Kinsey offered the following statement on this initiative: “It’s important that the public understands what practices and policies police officers have to follow during their duty and to be able to see it in a real-life situation can help create transparency to prevent police interactions from escalating,” Kinsey said. “I believe this initiative that the state police are taking on is a great step in the process of implementing body-worn cameras across the commonwealth.” He added the following on how his legislation could help set policies to ensure the use of body-worn cameras works. “My legislation would help create the necessary policies on the use of body-worn cameras and how they go about recording interactions and display them to the public,” Kinsey said. “As legislators it is our duty to ensure that all Pennsylvanians, including our law enforcement and Read more
This article discusses how the House Bi-Partisan Caucus can be critical in moving Pennsylvania forward with the PA House being split by a one-seat majority. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, July 21 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., last night hosted a community prayer vigil in the East Germantown community. Kinsey hosted the Williams/Brister family who lost their 12-year-old son to gun violence, along with Ivory Bethune and Jeannine Shaw, who both lost young sons to gun violence. This peace prayer vigil was part of Kinsey’s “Third Thursday” Initiative, which he started in 2022 in efforts to making families and the community at large aware of the supports and resources available to them as our communities deal with the violence that has plagued them over the recent years. At last night’s event, Kinsey was joined by state Reps. Darisha Parker and Anthony Bellmon, along with Councilmembers Cindy Bass and Anthony Phillips. Also attending were his community partners, which included EMIR Healing Center, Chew & Chelten CDC, Men Who Care of Germantown, the Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network, clergy, the Pennsylvania State Police, 14 th and 35 th Police Districts, 14 th and 35 th Police District Chaplains, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, LaSalle University, the City of Philadelphia and community members. “My heart goes out to the brave, strong mothers who were able to join me and speak up last night. As a father, my deepest condolences are with them during what is an unimaginable time they must be going Read more
In our state, 1.8 million adults struggle with a mental health condition – and the overwhelming majority of those people (1.7 million) do not live in a community with enough mental health professionals. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, July 13 – Today, state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., hosted a roundtable discussion on gun violence with Lt. Gov. Austin Davis at Grace Baptist Church of Germantown. Kinsey and Davis were joined by local organizations that provide support and services for victims of gun violence, including Cease Fire, Every Murder is Real, Men Who Care of Germantown, 7G’s, New Journey and Mothers in Charge. Other Philadelphia Delegation members and local officials who participated in the roundtable included state Reps. Darisha Parker, Morgan Cephas, Anthony Bellmon, and Ben Waxman; City Councilmembers Cindy Bass and Anthony Phillips; staff from state Sen. Art Haywood's office and state Rep. Chris Rabb's office; Sheriff Rochelle Bilal; School District of Philadelphia Chief Safety Officer Kevin Bethel; 35th District Police Captain Myesha Massey; police officers from the 14th District; and Adara Coombs for the city of Philadelphia managing director's office. Today’s roundtable was part of Davis’s statewide safer communities tour, highlighting local efforts -- funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency -- that are working to address gun violence and make Pennsylvania’s communities safer. “Governor Shapiro and I believe that government can and should be a force for good in our lives, that we can do big things – if we work together,” Davis said. “As public Read more
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