Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus | News Center

News Center

Consumers saved from another rate hike during affordability crisis

(19 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Our responsibility is to ensure that utility rates are fair, justified and sustainable —because at the end of the day, these decisions impact every household and every employer in our communities,” said Rep. Morgan Cephas, who represents portions of Philadelphia and co-hosted the hearing. “We need transparency, accountability and a clear understanding of what’s driving these increases—and what can be done to protect workers, working families and seniors.” Read more

Burns introduces bill to restrict decisions by PBMs

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

With a local pharmacy battling a giant third-party administrator over its ability to fill prescriptions, state Rep. Frank Burns has introduced a bill that would ensure more people can obtain medications from qualified pharmacies by preventing administrators from restricting which pharmacies can fill Medicaid prescriptions. Read more

Brewers, farmers would be helped by tax credit examined by Policy Committee

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“The Brews to Barns Act turns waste into opportunity,” Bizzarro said. “By connecting brewers with local farms, we reduce waste, strengthen our agricultural economy, and help local businesses lift each other up. This bill is an opportunity to help Pennsylvania brewers and farmers during a difficult economic time.” Read more

PA House Democratic Leaders Applaud Landmark Opinion on Reproductive Health

(Apr 20, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today’s decision reaffirms that the Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees the protection of a woman’s reproductive rights, and that any coverage ban violates those rights. Access to health care is critical to all Pennsylvanians, and this opinion is a victory for women and families seeking health care. Read more

Cannabis clean slate would provide transformative legislation

(Apr 20, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“When people can work, find housing, and strive to help their families realize a better life, our communities are safer and stronger,” said Rep. Andre D. Carroll, who represents portions of Philadelphia. Read more

Student-teacher stipend to help ease teacher shortage across Pa.

(Apr 20, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Morgan Cephas said those gaps underscore the importance of building a more diverse teacher pipeline. She recalled the influence of two Black teachers in her own life.“They reminded me of my father,” she said. “They were disciplined but also nurturing. They challenged and pushed me. When students see themselves in their teachers, they are able to thrive.”Cephas said financial barriers are also a key obstacle for aspiring educators.“The path to becoming a teacher has required more than just passion and purpose,” she said. “It has required sacrifice that not everyone can afford to make.”“The people who cannot afford it are often the ones we need most,” she added. “When they fall behind, we all fall behind. We lose talent at a time when we are already facing a teacher shortage, and we reinforce inequities in a system that should be rooted in opportunity and access.” Read more

Combating stubbornly high Black maternal mortality with ‘Justice and Joy’ in Pa.

(Apr 20, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

In a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates among wealthy nations, Black women are two-to-three times more likely to die in childbirth than their peers. Years of repeated attention have barely moved the needle, but dozens of state Capitol advocates this week were clear-eyed about how they’d change those numbers.“This is about justice, but justice is not enough to sustain us alone. We also need joy,” said Rep. La’Tasha Mayes (D-Allegheny) on Tuesday. “Because ‘justice’ is the fight and ‘joy’ is the inspiration. Joy is what keeps us going when we’re overwhelmed by the numbers. “Joy is what reminds us to keep fighting for healthy families, thriving communities and lives that are not cut short,” she added. “Every single week, we find the joy and the justice.” Justice and joy are themes for Black Maternal Health Week events across the country, where an estimated four in five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. In Pennsylvania, 129 women died in 2021 — the most recent year available — 98% of which were preventable, according to the state’s maternal mortality review committee. Black mothers shared their stories before crowds and with each other, detailing the close calls and doctor indifference that brought them into the advocacy space. Keynote speaker Mercedes Sheri Wells made national news after an Indiana hospital discharged her ten minutes before she gave birth on the side of the road in November. Read more

Inside the Shapiro administration’s ‘absolutely ambitious’ plan to prevent maternal deaths

(Apr 20, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG — Problem-solving at the laundromat. Prenatal nutrition advice at the pharmacy. Mental health screenings through an app.The Shapiro administration recently unveiled a five-year strategy to improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women. Already, the group helming the effort has awarded nearly $600,000 to fund initiatives targeted at year-one goals, like supporting moms with substance use disorder.After it collects data on how effectively care and education improved, the Shapiro administration plans to create a structure for the remaining years.But while maternal health advocates broadly say the plan is packed with good initiatives, some are concerned about where the money will come from for goals that require consistent investment. Read more

Lawmakers Confront Maternal Care Failures After Shocking Testimony

(Apr 20, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing efforts to address maternal health disparities after testimony revealed a woman gave birth roadside following hospital discharge while in active labor. Read more

Ciresi, Tomlinson introduce bill to require third parties to evaluate charter school students with special needs

(Apr 17, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, April 17 – Legislation to strengthen fairness, transparency and accountability in how students are evaluated for special education services in charter schools was introduced on Friday by state Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Kathleen C. Tomlinson, D-Bucks. According to the representatives, under current law, charter schools receive additional funding for students identified as needing special education services. While this funding is intended to ensure that students receive appropriate support, the Education Law Center noted in a report that the existing system can create incentives for over-identifying students with mild disabilities while underserving those with more complex or costly needs. According to reports , there are cases in which charter school operators have acknowledged using these funds to support general operations. House Bill 2424 would address this issue by requiring an independent qualified third party – specifically, the student’s school district of residence or an intermediate unit – to perform the initial special-education evaluations for charter school students. “Under the current system, there’s simply too much financial temptation for charter schools to over evaluate their students’ disabilities,” Ciresi said. “By eliminating the funding element from playing a role in evaluations, we will ensure that decisions about a student’s educational needs are made solely in Read more

Ciresi introduces legislation for free cancer screening for firefighters

(Apr 17, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, April 17 – Legislation to establish a statewide program providing free annual cancer screenings for firefighters was introduced this week by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. House Bill 2394 would ensure that firefighters can access annual cancer screening examinations at no cost when those services are not fully covered by their health insurance. The program would apply to both career and volunteer firefighters across the Commonwealth. According to Ciresi, firefighters’ repeated job-related exposure to cancer-causing chemicals has led the disease to become one of the leading causes of line-of-duty deaths. Studies by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters face a 9% increase in cancer diagnoses, and a 14% increase in cancer-related deaths, compared to the general population in the U.S. “It is morally wrong that our firefighters are being forced to choose between their health and their finances due to the high cost of deductibles, copayments, and other out-of-pocket expenses for work-related preventive care,” Ciresi said. “By removing the financial barriers to annual cancer screenings, my legislation would improve our firefighters’ health outcomes, reduce long-term health care costs, and demonstrate Pennsylvania’s commitment to protecting those who serve and protect our communities.” Read more

Friel bill to guide use of food processing residuals in Pa. passes House

(Apr 16, 2026) Rep. Paul Friel

HARRISBURG, April 16 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Wednesday passed H.B. 586, which would responsibly guide the use of food processing residuals in the state, announced the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester. Food processing residuals, also known as FPR, are the leftover products created by commercial food processing. They can include vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps, and liquid waste from cleaning processes that might contain blood, fat, hair, feathers, and a variety of other vegetable and animal byproducts, as well as chemicals used in processing. Surrounding states have heavily restricted or banned the use of these residuals, making Pennsylvania a target for the cheap disposal of this commercial waste stream. "We don't know what is coming in or how much is being applied,” Friel explained during House debate. “We have more regulation on manure in Pennsylvania than we do on this unknown waste stream coming into our state. We need these guardrails to protect our communities and, most especially, our farms and farmers." The bill passed 172–29, with broad Republican and Democratic support, underscoring just how nonpartisan concerns about noxious odors and water contamination are in Pennsylvania. “I want to thank my many colleagues who have supported this effort, including Rep. Barb Gleim and former Rep. Paul Schemel, who worked with me on this Read more

Burgos applauds PECO for withdrawing proposed rate hikes

(Apr 16, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

In the wake of PECO’s decision to retract proposed rate hikes, state Rep. Danilo Burgos thanked Gov. Josh Shapiro, fellow legislators, and Pennsylvanians for speaking up and out. Read more

Fiedler reacts to PECO rate case withdrawal, calls out utility price gouging

(Apr 16, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

PHILADELPHIA, April 16 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, chair of the Pennsylvania House Energy Committee, issued the following response to PECO’s rate case withdrawal Thursday: “People in my district are already struggling. They’re working multiple jobs, canceling doctors’ appointments, and putting groceries back on the shelf instead of in their cart. It’s painful to think about the choices that Pennsylvanians would face if their bills shot up by another $30 a month, but that was almost their reality. “I am relieved to hear the news that PECO customers will avoid another unnecessary rate hike. The withdrawal of the proposed rate increase will save 1.7 million ratepayers a total of $510 million on their utility bills. PECO’s requested hike would have increased some household bills by up to $34 a month. “This reversal makes evident that a rate hike was never necessary to maintain safe and reliable service. It shows us that utility companies are making extraordinary profits already, at a cost to working people and families. “PECO’s CEO made more than $15 million last year. Meanwhile, utility bills are up 10 to 20 percent. The war in Iran, reckless tariffs, and big tech have worsened the affordability crisis. Pennsylvanians are making impossibly painful choices just to pay their bills and stay afloat. They deserve to thrive – not just survive. Read more

PA House Finance Committee hears testimony to support craft beer industry

(Apr 16, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

ALLENTOWN, April 16 – Today, the state House Finance Committee heard insight from experts in the state’s craft brewing industry, including local brewers and leaders of the Brewers of Pennsylvania trade association, on legislation that would update Pennsylvania’s Malt Beverage Tax Credit program. The committee met at Sherman Street Beer Company in Allentown for a public hearing on a bill introduced by state Rep. Ana Tiburcio, D-Lehigh, that would allow more local breweries to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s Malt Beverage Tax Credit and provide flexibility to manage their credits. Tiburcio said that supporting the craft brewing industry in Pennsylvania benefits local businesses that encourage community positivity. Read more

House adopts Matzie ‘Safe Digging Month’ resolution

(Apr 16, 2026) Rep. Robert F. Matzie

HARRISBURG, April 16 – The Pennsylvania House Wednesday adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution designating April 2026 as “Pennsylvania 8-1-1 Safe Digging Month.” Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said he introduced H.R. 403 to make sure Pennsylvanians are aware that the law requires them to call 8-1-1 – the free “Call before You Dig” hotline – before embarking on any digging or excavation project. “Overhead powerlines may be easy to spot, but many of us forget that there is also a huge network of electric, gas, water and communications lines and structures buried beneath us,” Matzie said. “Any digging or excavating – even of the shallow kind – can create major safety hazards, service interruptions and damage requiring extensive repairs. It’s critically important for homeowners, business owners, contractors, excavators – anyone planning any kind of digging – to dial 8-1-1- at least three days before starting to dig, to allow utilities to mark underground structures beforehand. “It’s a free call that takes very little time and can prevent massive problems. It’s also the law.” Matzie said calling 8-1-1 is required even for shallow digging projects and those located directly on a homeowner’s private property. More information is available here: Read more

Bucks County lawmakers say public mobilization was instrumental in PECO’s decision to rescind its proposed rate hike

(Apr 16, 2026) Rep. Tim Brennan, Rep. Tina Davis, Rep. Brian Munroe, Rep. Jim Prokopiak, Rep. Perry Warren

“Today, elected officials and everyday Pennsylvanians can stand together knowing their voices were not only heard, but truly listened to. Our delegation is thrilled that PECO backed down from its proposal, and we are incredibly proud of the Bucks County residents who signed the petition, stood with their neighbors, and made their voices count. We fight for working families, lower costs and the people of Bucks County,” they said. “We also extend our thanks to Governor Josh Shapiro for his support — without his leadership, this outcome would have been far more difficult to achieve.” Read more

Human Services Committee examines impacts of H.R. 1 on SNAP

(Apr 16, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, held an informational hearing to discuss the impacts of federal legislation, H.R. 1, on Pennsylvania’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Read more

Smith-Wade-El: Nearly $500K to expand Lancaster’s Bench Mark Program

(Apr 15, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, April 15 –The Bench Mark Program will receive $499,000 in grant funding to expand its after-school mentoring program for high-risk youth in Lancaster City, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El announced today. The competitive grants, approved today by the School Safety and Security Committee under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, is part of more than $64 million awarded to organizations across the state. The Bench Mark Program’s “Back to School” initiative uses mentoring to stop high-risk adolescents in Lancaster from slipping from chronic absenteeism into school disengagement, juvenile justice involvement, and community violence. The project targets approximately 180 students each year, ages 13-18, who are truant or trending toward chronic absenteeism and are referred by McCaskey High School or Magisterial District Court at the early stages of school withdrawal. “More of Lancaster City’s vulnerable youth will be able to benefit from Bench Mark Program’s holistic mentorship program thanks to this funding,” said Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster. “Kids need to know someone has their backs and is there to help them build the skills they need to handle life’s challenges. Bench Mark’s team of dedicated mentors have repeatedly proven that they’ve been there for our kids since 2014. “I am grateful to the PCCD for recognizing and supporting Bench Mark’s Read more

Kazeem announces nearly $1 million in state funding approved for local youth programs

(Apr 15, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

CHESTER, April 15 –Two Chester City organizations, the Chester Education Foundation and the Make a Change Group, were awarded a total of nearly $1 million to expand their after-school programs for at-risk youth in the city, state Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, announced today. Read more

Consumers saved from another rate hike during affordability crisis
19 hours ago

Burns introduces bill to restrict decisions by PBMs
1 day ago

Brewers, farmers would be helped by tax credit examined by Policy Committee
1 day ago

PA House Democratic Leaders Applaud Landmark Opinion on Reproductive Health
Apr 20, 2026

Cannabis clean slate would provide transformative legislation
Apr 20, 2026

Student-teacher stipend to help ease teacher shortage across Pa.
Apr 20, 2026

Combating stubbornly high Black maternal mortality with ‘Justice and Joy’ in Pa.
Apr 20, 2026

Inside the Shapiro administration’s ‘absolutely ambitious’ plan to prevent maternal deaths
Apr 20, 2026

Lawmakers Confront Maternal Care Failures After Shocking Testimony
Apr 20, 2026

Ciresi, Tomlinson introduce bill to require third parties to evaluate charter school students with special needs
Apr 17, 2026

Ciresi introduces legislation for free cancer screening for firefighters
Apr 17, 2026

Friel bill to guide use of food processing residuals in Pa. passes House
Apr 16, 2026

Burgos applauds PECO for withdrawing proposed rate hikes
Apr 16, 2026

Fiedler reacts to PECO rate case withdrawal, calls out utility price gouging
Apr 16, 2026

PA House Finance Committee hears testimony to support craft beer industry
Apr 16, 2026

House adopts Matzie ‘Safe Digging Month’ resolution
Apr 16, 2026

Bucks County lawmakers say public mobilization was instrumental in PECO’s decision to rescind its proposed rate hike
Apr 16, 2026

Human Services Committee examines impacts of H.R. 1 on SNAP
Apr 16, 2026

Smith-Wade-El: Nearly $500K to expand Lancaster’s Bench Mark Program
Apr 15, 2026

Kazeem announces nearly $1 million in state funding approved for local youth programs
Apr 15, 2026