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Transportation, Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(5 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Here are the latest grant opportunities that are open for applications. Read more

 

Abney introduces bill to ensure landlords are transparent with tenants on utility bills

(1 day ago) Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney

HARRISBURG, March 31 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, today introduced a bill that would require landlords to share, upon request, utility bills with tenants. The legislation ( H.B. 1034 ) would only apply to tenants who pay their landlords directly for utilities and whose fees are not determined by unit usage meters. “When paying landlords directly for utilities, tenants deserve the assurance that what they’re asked to pay is the same amount reflected on the actual utility bill,” Abney said. “My legislation would create more access and transparency and would minimize landlord tenant disputes over utility costs.” Residents in Abney’s district have been affected by this issue, which a similar law in Maryland has already addressed. Abney’s bill was referred to the Pennsylvania House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee. Read more

 

House passes Borowski bill to simplify rules for ordinances adopted by townships

(Mar 27, 2025) Rep. Lisa Borowski

“This is homegrown legislation that provides a simple fix to a pervasive issue brought to my attention by Newtown Township Supervisor Leonard Altieri,” Borowski said. “The current five-day restriction is unique to second-class townships, which are our most common local government type in Pennsylvania, and it hinders their governing effectiveness." Read more

 

State lawmakers release plans to protect PA immigrant communities

(Mar 27, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, March 26 – Today, members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s Welcoming Caucus united at the Capitol to announce legislative initiatives to support families, fortify communities, protect workers and uphold the integrity of the legal system. The Welcoming Caucus is a bicameral group of legislators dedicated to ensuring Pennsylvania remains a welcoming place of opportunity and connection. Members recognize the enormous contributions of immigrant communities and advocate for policies that promote social and economic justice and protect civil rights and freedoms. As the Trump administration ramps up attacks on immigrant communities across the country, members of the Welcoming Caucus have introduced a suite of bills that seek to uphold and protect the rights of all Pennsylvanians. The press conference to highlight the legislation was hosted by Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila, who chairs the Welcoming Caucus in the House, and Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Phila, who chairs the Welcoming Caucus in the Senate. “My support for immigrant rights is based on my belief in the value of all working people. Organized labor was born in immigrant communities from the coal mines in Pennsylvania, sweatshops in New York and the grape harvests in California,” Hohenstein said. “I consider my work for immigrants to be the same as my work on behalf of the people of my neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Everyone wants safer Read more

 

Kinkead, Munroe push DNA privacy bill amid 23andMe bankruptcy

(Mar 27, 2025) Rep. Emily Kinkead, Rep. Brian Munroe

Legislation would strengthen genetic data protections for Pennsylvanians Read more

 

Venkat and Kuzma introduce bipartisan legislation to give pharmaceutical professionals greater representation on PA board

(Mar 26, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, March 26 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat and Andrew Kuzma have introduced a bipartisan bill that would update the membership of the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy . The legislation ( H.B. 980 ) would add a second pharmacist working in hospitals and health systems and a pharmacy technician to the board, increasing professional representation from five to seven. “Adding these medical specialists to the state pharmacy board strengthens its pool of knowledge and widens its scope of perspectives. This translates into the implementation of more informed, inclusive and insightful oversight of pharmacy practice in Pennsylvania,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “Thank you to Rep. Kuzma for partnering with me on this legislation that would give pharmacists across the Commonwealth more tools and resources to meet the needs of patients.” “By adding professional representation to the board, a wider variety of viewpoints can be weighed when making decisions and implementing policies,” Kuzma, R-Allegheny/Washington, added. “I’m pleased to join with Rep. Venkat on this matter. We are committed to bipartisan efforts to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians.” House Bill 980 amends the Pharmacy Act of 1961 and has been referred to the PA House Professional Licensure Committee. Read more

 

Abney’s bill to help keep seniors eligible for state prescription programs ceremonially signed into law

(Mar 26, 2025) Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney

HARRISBURG, March 25 – State Rep. Aerion Abney’s bill that excludes a portion of a person’s potential revenue when determining their financial eligibility for senior prescription programs was ceremonially signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro at the state Capitol today. Act 118 of 2024 , formerly H.B. 2378, went into effect October 2024 and does not count the total dollar amount, including face value and interest earned, of redeemed savings bonds as part of older Pennsylvanians’ income when they apply for either the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly or PACE Needs Enhancement Tier, otherwise known as PACE and PACENET. “Older Pennsylvanians need to stay connected to the medications they need to maintain and improve their health and well-being. Excluding savings bond earnings also allows them to get the most out of such a proactive investment by keeping more money in their pockets,” said Abney, D-Allegheny. “I want to thank Governor Shapiro, my colleagues in the House and Senate, and all other stakeholders for helping to support PA’s seniors through my legislation.” PACE is funded entirely by the Pennsylvania Lottery and has helped more than 1.6 million Pennsylvania seniors pay for more than 360 million prescriptions. PACE and PACENET serve more than 250,000 older Pennsylvanians. Act 118 of 2024 is Abney’s first bill as a state representative to become law. Read more

 

House passes Freeman bill to allow more land banks to revitalize communities

(Mar 25, 2025) Rep. Robert L. Freeman

“Land banks help affected neighborhoods and business districts to be revitalized. We should be doing everything we can at the state level to encourage economic development, transform communities and improve quality of life in municipalities of all sizes,” said Freeman. Read more

 

PA House Passes Affordable Care Act Protections

(Mar 25, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

House Democrats voted unanimously for the bills, which would ensure that these essential protections remain in place for Pennsylvanians despite threats to dismantle the ACA at the federal level. Read more

 

Bills aimed at helping businesses, people impacted by Northeast Philly jet crash advance in PA House

(Mar 25, 2025) Rep. Jared G. Solomon

HARRISBURG, March 25 - Two bills that would help people and businesses impacted by the medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia cleared the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee today, according to the bills’ sponsor, state Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Phila. On Jan. 31, Med Jets Flight 056 crashed in and around the Castor Gardens neighborhood, immediately reshaping the lives of many residents. Solomon, who serves as the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee’s chairman, introduced legislation ( H.B. 1001 and H.B. 877 ) in response to the tragic crash. House Bill 877 would provide targeted grants and loans to businesses impacted by the crash. Under the bill, the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority would issue grants to community development financial institutions to provide technical assistance, training and other support to affected businesses. CDFIs would also be able to provide loans to those businesses to help them repair and reopen. “As we look to rebuild a thriving thoroughfare of our city, we are focused on many recovery efforts, including ensuring our businesses can reclaim their footing and reopen as quickly as possible,” Solomon said. Additionally, H.B. 1001 would exclude recovery payments related to the Med Jets Flight 056 crash from state income for tax purposes. “It’s important that impacted residents Read more

 

With Pittsburgh's Powell as co-chair, Housing Caucus seeks affordability, zoning reform

(Mar 25, 2025) Rep. Lindsay Powell

Pittsburgh state House member Lindsay Powell on Monday launched a bipartisan pro-housing caucus in Harrisburg, with aims of lowering home costs by creating more residential units across the state. Read more

 

Powell, Twardzik, and fellow legislators launch PA Housing Caucus

(Mar 25, 2025) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, March 25 – State Reps. Lindsay Powell and Tim Twardzik joined a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers at the state Capitol Monday to launch the Pennsylvania Housing Caucus. Powell said the caucus has three main initiatives for housing in PA: Producing more housing to meet demand by alleviating zoning burdens, ensuring permits do not slow down development, investing in new and affordable housing options, and enabling state funding for land banks and land trusts. Preserving existing housing by increasing repair funding for senior homeowners, offering flexible loans for small landlords, and keeping existing subsidies with properties. Protecting Pennsylvanians’ access to housing by preventing institutional investors from purchasing houses on the market and increasing funds and resources for eviction assistance and first-time homeowners. “Without stable housing, everything else, no matter how well designed, rests on a shaky foundation. That foundation, in many parts of the Commonwealth, is showing cracks, cracks that too many of our neighbors are falling through,” Powell, D-Allegheny, said. “Let’s do what Pennsylvanians sent us here to do – let’s listen, let’s compromise and, most importantly, let’s act.” “Housing is not a partisan issue – it’s a fundamental need. This caucus is committed to finding real solutions that work for all Read more

 

House approves measure to double penalties for child labor law violations

(Mar 25, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the PA House of Representatives approved legislation introduced by state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, that would increase the fines for violations of the state child labor law. As state legislatures nationwide are weakening their child labor laws, H.B. 118 would ensure that Pennsylvania employers are held accountable for exploiting children by doubling the penalties for a first offense to $1,000, and $3,000 for each subsequent offense. “Our highest duty as legislators should be to protect our most vulnerable people who are unable to protect themselves, especially our children,” said Young following the vote. “Child labor violations are still too common in our state, with too many employers chalking it up to ‘the cost of doing business.’ That is straight up exploitation and unacceptable as we should work to guide and mentor our young people toward gainful employment. These fines have remained unchanged for over a decade as violations increase, so it’s clear they are an insufficient disincentive. Exploitation of children in any circumstance should be abhorrent to all Pennsylvanians. I’m hopeful that these doubled penalties will act as a stronger deterrent to the illegal employment of Pennsylvania’s children.” The bill was approved in the House by a 117-85 vote and now heads to the state Senate for its consideration. The 185th Legislative District is comprised of communities in South and Southwest Philadelphia, along with Tinicum Township and Colwyn Borough... Read more

 

O'Mara bill advances, expanding photo ID access for Pennsylvanians with disabilities and active-duty military families

(Mar 24, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“House Bill 410 eases the burden of renewal for those with persistent health conditions and military families, allowing them to maintain their licenses or IDs from home and continue their daily lives without interruption,” O'Mara said. Read more

 

Venkat, Friel, Kosierowski, and Mehaffie introduce bipartisan legislation to hold health insurers accountable for denying reimbursement claims

(Mar 24, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat, Rep. Paul Friel, Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

HARRISBURG, March 24 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat, Paul Friel, Bridget M. Kosierowski and Tom Mehaffie have introduced a bipartisan bill that would hold health insurance companies accountable if they systematically fail to reimburse Pennsylvanians receiving medically necessary care. The legislation ( H.B. 966 ) would require health insurers to issue a public report on the frequency of rejected claims that are overturned on appeal and pay escalating fines if more than 50% of their claim denials are overturned on appeal. “A denial rate of over 50% suggests a disturbing pattern of systematically denying coverage for medically necessary care. Not only that, these entities are assuming Commonwealth residents will be deterred by the mountain of red tape necessary to file an appeal,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “Collaborating with bipartisan colleagues on this legislation means more than holding insurers accountable. As an emergency physician, it’s my duty to help patients across the state receive coverage for which they have already paid to maintain and improve their health and well-being.” “An increasing number of people are aware that they can challenge denied health care claims through their insurer and, if necessary, the Insurance Department. However, the appeals process can be lengthy and complex, leading many to forgo it due to the administrative burden involved,” Friel, D-Chester, added. “The potential for Read more

 

Schweyer responds to executive order to gut U.S. Dept. of Education

(Mar 20, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

We’ve spent a lot of time undoing the mistakes and malice of the Trump administration already, and we’re ready to continue the work of fighting for every kid in every school and for every taxpayer here in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, legislators hold news conference to highlight reintroduction of legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians

(Mar 20, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, March 20 – In the face of the Trump administration’s vilification of immigrants and unlawful deportations of immigrants , state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., and Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, held a news conference on Wednesday to highlight the reintroduction of their legislation to create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. “Pennsylvania welcomed William Penn from religious persecution in the 17 th century, Blacks fleeing slavery in the 19 th century, and today Afghans, Bhutanese, Ukrainians and others that are fleeing persecution, ethnic cleansing and war,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Instead of keeping to its values, Pennsylvania is scapegoating immigrant communities with punitive policies that are driving them out of the state. “Economically, we can’t afford to lose them as they make up over 8% of our state’s workforce and pay $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes. As our population ages and many residents leave our state for other opportunities, we need skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers and community leaders to make sure that Pennsylvania continues to grow and thrive economically, culturally and socially and retains its electoral power at the federal level. But even more than that, we can’t afford to betray the values on which our commonwealth was founded. Read more

 

Bizzarro, Policy Committee examine sustainable long-term care

(Mar 19, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Pennsylvania must fix its aging services care in order to protect our older population,” said Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “My bill would update legislation that was originally intended to be a one-year fix to the growing nursing home costs about 20 years ago. It would update an antiquated system that only five states in the nation continue to use.” Read more

 

Bipartisan bill to attract health care workers to rural PA passes House

(Mar 19, 2025) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

HARRISBURG, March 19 – Republican and Democratic chairs of the House Health Committee Kathy Rapp and Dan Frankel joined forces Wednesday to celebrate the passage of legislation aimed at reducing health care disparities in rural areas by providing grants to health care facilities for the payment of health care workers’ education debt. “Our rural health care providers are in crisis, facing persistent shortages that make it harder for Pennsylvanians to get the care they need,” said Rapp, R-Crawford/Forest/Warren. “This bill is a common-sense solution that benefits both medical professionals and the communities they serve. By easing the financial burden on providers, we can encourage more of them to bring their skills to rural areas, ensuring better access to quality care.” The bill, H.B. 157 , sponsored by Rapp and Frankel, received unanimous approval by the committee on Feb 5, 2025. “When hospitals and clinics in rural areas can’t hire enough health care workers, entire communities suffer,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. "Patients shouldn’t have to drive long distances just to see a doctor or receive emergency care. This bill prioritizes the people who make health care possible – our frontline providers – so they can continue serving the communities that need them most.” Eligibility for the Rural Health Care Grant Program Under the proposal, Read more

 

House OKs Neilson resolution to honor transit workers

(Mar 19, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today adopted a resolution recognizing March 18 as National Transit Worker Appreciation Day in Pennsylvania, according to author House Transportation Committee Chair Rep. Ed Neilson. Read more

 

Transportation, Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
5 hours ago

Abney introduces bill to ensure landlords are transparent with tenants on utility bills
1 day ago

House passes Borowski bill to simplify rules for ordinances adopted by townships
Mar 27, 2025

State lawmakers release plans to protect PA immigrant communities
Mar 27, 2025

Kinkead, Munroe push DNA privacy bill amid 23andMe bankruptcy
Mar 27, 2025

Venkat and Kuzma introduce bipartisan legislation to give pharmaceutical professionals greater representation on PA board
Mar 26, 2025

Abney’s bill to help keep seniors eligible for state prescription programs ceremonially signed into law
Mar 26, 2025

House passes Freeman bill to allow more land banks to revitalize communities
Mar 25, 2025

PA House Passes Affordable Care Act Protections
Mar 25, 2025

Bills aimed at helping businesses, people impacted by Northeast Philly jet crash advance in PA House
Mar 25, 2025

With Pittsburgh's Powell as co-chair, Housing Caucus seeks affordability, zoning reform
Mar 25, 2025

Powell, Twardzik, and fellow legislators launch PA Housing Caucus
Mar 25, 2025

House approves measure to double penalties for child labor law violations
Mar 25, 2025

O'Mara bill advances, expanding photo ID access for Pennsylvanians with disabilities and active-duty military families
Mar 24, 2025

Venkat, Friel, Kosierowski, and Mehaffie introduce bipartisan legislation to hold health insurers accountable for denying reimbursement claims
Mar 24, 2025

Schweyer responds to executive order to gut U.S. Dept. of Education
Mar 20, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, legislators hold news conference to highlight reintroduction of legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians
Mar 20, 2025

Bizzarro, Policy Committee examine sustainable long-term care
Mar 19, 2025

Bipartisan bill to attract health care workers to rural PA passes House
Mar 19, 2025

House OKs Neilson resolution to honor transit workers
Mar 19, 2025