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Consumer protection committee advances multiple bills to help consumers and ratepayers, safeguard workers

(Sep 30, 2024) Rep. Robert Matzie

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – In a voting meeting on multiple bills today, the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee approved measures to protect consumers from unfair sales and marketing tactics and reauthorize soon-to-expire protections for ratepayers and utility workers, Majority Chairman Rob Matzie announced. “We moved some common-sense bills today that address real-world problems, from the need for greater flexibility in utility payment plans to protecting consumers from unfair solicitation and subscription tactics,” Matzie said. “We also advanced bills to reauthorize some important laws that are expiring, including the PA One Call safe digging law. I’m looking forward to getting all these measures up for a full House vote and across the finish line.” The specific bills advanced include: H.B. 1077 (Matzie) , which would re-authorize and update Pennsylvania’s utility shutoff protection law to provide more flexibility to consumers. H.B. 2189 (Matzie) , which would re-authorize the soon-to-expire PA One Call law that safeguards workers and prevents major damage to underground utility lines. H.B. 116 (Ciresi) , which would give consumers signed up for recurring subscriptions a simple, one-click option to cancel. H.B. 2557 (Borowski) , which would bring greater transparency and consumer Read more

 

McNeill appointed chair of PA House Children & Youth Committee

(Sep 30, 2024) Rep. Jeanne McNeill

“It is an honor to be named the chair of the House Children and Youth Committee allowing me the opportunity to continue to fight for the maximization of our future leaders’ experiences,” said McNeill. Read more

 

Pa. House Dems hold public budget briefing in Allegheny County

(Sep 27, 2024) Appropriations

Lawmakers detail state budget process, answer questions from community Read more

 

Matzie joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis to highlight new budget resources for workforce training

(Sep 27, 2024) Rep. Robert Matzie

MONACA, Sept. 27 – State Rep. Rob Matzie joined Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Thursday at Beaver County Career & Technology Center to highlight how funding in the new state budget will strengthen workforce development for Beaver County. Matzie, who recently announced more than $1 million in new funding to expand area apprenticeships, said investments in the 2024-25 state budget will ensure those opportunities continue for area grads. “We’re fortunate here in Beaver County to have excellent schools like BCCTC, whose programs turn out talented, motivated grads,” Matzie said. “We worked hard to pass a budget that will fortify those programs by providing a $30 million increase for career and technical education and equipment. “These are dollars that ensure our schools can continue providing state-of-the-art tools and training, so our next generation of young workers have paths to success – in the skilled trades, in teaching, in nursing – in wherever their interests and talents and dreams take them.” On Monday, Matzie announced nearly $1.2 million in new funding to expand apprenticeships in the skilled trade and early childhood education fields. Read more

 

Williams announces $1.6 million in state funding for regional apprenticeship programs

(Sep 27, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

COATESVILLE, Sept. 27 – Regional southeastern Pennsylvania organizations with branches in Chester County will receive $1,596,635 in state funding to create and expand apprenticeship programs, state Rep. Dan Williams announced today. “This nearly $1.6 million in state funding will help young people gain critical workforce skills while earning a paycheck in these in-demand fields in Chester County such as the medical, biomedical and transportation industries,” Williams said. “The new and expanded apprenticeship programs are a win-win for our jobseekers and employers alike. They will provide opportunities for talented young people to be trained in lucrative, growing fields and for companies to fill critical positions with highly qualified individuals from a diverse talent pool.” The funding will be allocated to the following organizations: $600,000 to Drexel University for its existing registered apprenticeship, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, and will leverage LPN and RN bridge models to build and register an Associate of Registered Nurse program. Drexel University works in partnership with the Chester County Intermediate Unit. $596,989.70 for the Wistar Institute to expand its Biomedical Technician Training program to create a sustainable apprenticeship network for Quality Control Analysts. This program is available for students at Delaware County Community College, which serves Chester County. $399,645.26 for the Southeastern Read more

 

Rabb highlights bold legislation to crack down on school book bans during Banned Book Week

(Sep 25, 2024) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

HARRISBURG, Sept. 25 – In line with National Banned Books Week , state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., is highlighting legislation he reintroduced in 2023 that would establish procedures to protect public school students’ right to read and learn. “Book bans are an attempt to censor educators and restrict the information and educational materials that students can have access to in school,” Rabb said. “In addition, these effectively unilateral decisions made by school boards are extremely harmful to LGBTQ+ youth and students of color, given that the subjects discussed in these so-called ‘inappropriate’ and ‘explicit’ books often discuss many serious and real issues impacting these communities.” Efforts taken to ban books are often unpopular among both teachers and students, Rabb said. However, misinformed, politically motivated members of school boards continue to run roughshod despite protests by education professionals and students themselves. Pennsylvania has the dubious distinction of being the state with the second highest number of books banned from school libraries and curriculum by school boards. And at a time when the prospects of right-wing censorship efforts loom large, such initiatives as Project 2025 would force librarians and teachers to be registered as sex offenders for making available and teaching books that extremists simply don’t Read more

 

Powell introduces bill to ensure spouses of PA’s fallen first responders receive all the benefits they deserve

(Sep 24, 2024) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, Sept. 24 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that would provide financial assistance to the spouses of Pennsylvania first responders killed in the line of duty. Powell’s legislation ( H.B. 2559 ) would clarify a provision in the state Workers’ Compensation Act and ensure surviving spouses of emergency personnel continue to receive death benefits, even if they choose to remarry. Current law does keep retirement pensions in place at 50% for surviving spouses, but death benefits cease upon remarriage. “Our first responders risk everything to protect us and some make the ultimate sacrifice. Standing with them means standing with their families,” Powell said. “It’s only right to have their backs, and my bill would help give them the financial stability to rebuild their lives.” The bill has been referred to the PA House Labor & Industry Committee. Read more

 

PA House Transportation Committee meets in Philadelphia to discuss transportation needs

(Sep 23, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee met in Philadelphia last week to hear from experts on transportation funding needs for Pennsylvania’s largest city, according to committee Chairman Ed Neilson, D-Phila. “During this informational tour, we heard experts from all over the transportation sector echo the same sentiment: this is a critical time for the vital industries that maintain Pennsylvania’s ever evolving transportation infrastructure,” Neilson said. “These experts, many from the various transit agencies that are a true economic engine for the commonwealth, explained that while they are grateful for the funding received from the 2024-2025 budget, the deficits they face will have a significant impact on our state’s economic growth and more importantly, it would limit personal mobility for thousands of Pennsylvanians.” “The final state budget that passed in July, did not include the governor's full transit funding proposal. It provided a one-time investment of $80.5 million to public transportation agencies across the state, including $46 million for SEPTA. This is less than one-fourth of the needed funding SEPTA originally requested, and less than one-third of the $161 million that Governor Shapiro's proposal would generate,” Kenneth Lawrence Jr., board chair of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, said at the hearing. “While SEPTA is Read more

 

Matzie statement on the reopening of Three Mile Island nuclear power generating station

(Sep 20, 2024) Rep. Robert Matzie

HARRISBURG, Sep. 20 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, the majority chair of the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee and the chair of the House Nuclear Energy Caucus, issued the following statement on today’s announcement that Constellation Energy will restart the idled Three Mile Island Reactor 1 by 2028: “Pennsylvania is a net exporter of power generation, but our power grid is facing demands like never before in our history. “Restarting Reactor 1 at Three Mile Island gives us more capacity and more flexibility to face demands - it’s not just clean power generation, it’s billions in tax revenue and thousands of good-paying jobs to boot, with even more jobs created in supporting industries. “What makes this even better news is knowing there’s already one of the biggest companies in the world lined up as a customer – Microsoft has agreed to purchase the emissions-free energy generated to power their data centers. “Now, the responsibility is on the industry and regulators. I am confident the permitting process will undergo the utmost scrutiny before the facility can re-start and I urge Constellation and all levels of government to be transparent with the public every step of the way.” It is estimated the TMI restart will create more than 3,000 direct jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic activity. Pennsylvania is the Read more

 

The Reality of Pennsylvania’s Need for Transportation Funding

(Sep 19, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The Reality of Pennsylvania’s Need for Transportation Funding Pennsylvania’s transportation policy touches every facet of our lives. From the roads, bridges, rails, ships and planes we ride on to the packages we pick up on our porch, transportation policy created at the federal, state and local levels is ever-present. As chairman of the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee, I take that reality seriously, whether we’re voting on legislation in Harrisburg or gathering information in the field. The only way we can generate solutions for our transportation problems and elevate Pennsylvania’s reputation as a leader in transportation is to reach across the political aisle and work together to have these important conversations with leading industry experts. It’s why the committee I lead is holding several public meetings across the state this summer and fall. We face significant challenges. Pennsylvania has more roads and bridges than New York, New Jersey, and all the New England states combined. We have roads that we must police, plow and pave. Currently, PennDOT is facing an annual budget shortfall of $9.4 billion. This doesn’t include all the local roads and bridges that are maintained by local governments, which need relief as well. But we’re not just talking about roads and bridges. This series of public meetings is focusing on all aspects of Read more

 

Prokopiak testifies in support of property tax freeze

(Sep 18, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Jim Prokopiak D-Bucks County www.pahouse.com/ Prokopiak Prokopiak testifies in support of property tax freeze HARRISBURG, Sept. 18 – State Rep. Jim Prokopiak today testified before the House Finance Committee in support of legislation aimed at freezing property taxes for longtime homeowners. House Bill 2536 , which Prokopiak sponsored, would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to enable the legislature to pass legislation that gives property tax relief to homeowners who have lived in their homes for at least 10 years. This is known as a Longtime Owner-Occupant Program or LOOP. A LOOP gives property tax relief to homeowners who have lived in their homes for at least 10 years by exempting or deferring property tax increases even if their home assessment values increase in future years. The state constitution currently allows for Philadelphia and Allegheny counties to offer a LOOP. Prokopiak's bill would make it possible for the General Assembly to allow LOOPs statewide. “Property tax reform is one of the biggest needs throughout the state and within my district in Bucks County,” Prokopiak said. “LOOPs help longtime homeowners stay in their homes, especially in areas where housing Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 17, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program Who May Apply: All fire companies, emergency medical services, and volunteer rescue squads Use: Eligible projects include but are not limited to facility renovations, equipment purchases, debt reduction, training, education, and recruitment and retention. Funds: Awards may range from $2,500 to $20,000 for fire/rescue companies and $2,500 to $15,000 for EMS companies. Application Deadline: October 20, 2024 More information: OSFC Website Drug and Alcohol Programs: Substance Use Disorder Drop-In Centers Who May Apply: Applicant must have at least two years of experience as of July 1, 2024, in providing SUD prevention, intervention, harm reduction, treatment, or recovery support services, drop-in center services or relevant services and shall have the capacity to provide SUD drop-in center services to individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent SUD. Use: DDAP will provide funds from the Opioid Settlement to drop-in centers or other human service organizations looking to expand their community-driven harm reduction support services to increase overdose prevention and linkage to SUD treatment and recovery support services. The goal is to provide hope, support, and resources to assist those on their road to recovery Funds: DDAP expects to award approximately 14 grants totaling $1,875,000 each. Application Read more

 

House Consumer Protection Committee hears testimony on Matzie bill to reauthorize PA One Call System

(Sep 17, 2024) Rep. Robert Matzie

HARRISBURG, Sept. 17 – The Pennsylvania House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee heard testimony today on Majority Chairman Rob Matzie’s bill to reauthorize the state’s soon-to-expire PA One Call System . Matzie, D-Beaver, said he hopes to expedite getting H.B. 2189 through committee and up for a House vote because the legislation – set to expire in December 2024 – is critical for safeguarding workers and preventing major damage to underground utility lines. “PA One Call requires landowners to dial 8-1-1 at least three days before starting any digging project to alert utilities, so they can mark underground pipes and cables before excavation begins,” Matzie said. “It’s a system that has kept workers safe and prevented major damage to underground equipment for nearly 50 years, and we can’t allow it to lapse. “Our committee has brought stakeholders to the table to review my bill, and our priority now is to get it reported out of committee and brought up in the House for a full vote as soon as possible, so we can keep these critical protections in place.” Matzie’s bill would reauthorize One Call for an additional seven years and add needed updates to the law. Rep. Matzie’s comments on the bill are available here: 091724 Matzie Consumer Hearing AM.mp4 Read more

 

Nearly $40K for Pottstown Borough to provide critical law enforcement upgrades and support for crime victims

(Sep 16, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sept. 16 – Pottstown Borough has received $39,935 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to provide for critical law enforcement equipment upgrades and support crime victims, state Rep. Joe Ciresi said. The funds can be used to address the following: improve crime reporting, help law enforcement upgrade equipment, support victims of crime and victim service providers, and support county jail-based medication-assisted treatment for individuals with substance use. “This state funding will address two critical needs: the necessity for better crime reporting and funding to support victims of violent crimes. The FBI has a fantastic reporting system that enables local and state police to track and therefore crack down on crime trends,” Ciresi said. “Thanks to this grant, Pottstown Borough will be able to upgrade its law enforcement equipment so it can report its data to the FBI to get more accurate data so the Pottstown Borough police can do their jobs more efficiently and effectively and Pottstown will be a safer place to live and work.” By upgrading its law enforcement system so it can report crime statistics to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, Pottstown Borough will be able to accurately capture and track jurisdiction and state-specific crime trends. Pottstown Borough can use the funding to support victim service providers who aid Pennsylvanians Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El’s statement on Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan

(Sep 13, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, Sept. 13 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, today issued this statement on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s executive order creating Pennsylvania’s first Housing Action Plan: “It is my guiding belief that having a home is a human right and a matter of justice, and so I wholeheartedly support Governor Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan, which puts at the forefront many of the issues I have fought for, first on the Lancaster City Council and now as state representative: the need to expand affordable housing options and provide support to the unhoused in Pennsylvania. “Housing insecurity has had a wide-ranging, devastating impact on our communities, from unemployment to educational disparities to the gun violence epidemic. “Though we have made historic investments in education in the past two budgets, all of that work will be undermined if parents and their kids don’t have a home to call their own. All of our work to build a work force will come to nothing if workers can’t afford to live in Pennsylvania. “Shapiro’s plan will provide a roadmap to increase housing availability, affordability, and quality through a coordinated, multi-agency, data-driven approach to effectively address Pennsylvania's current housing challenges. “Affordable housing is the keystone to Pennsylvania’s future success. “I applaud Governor Shapiro for taking this step to provide for the Read more

 

Rep. Parker applauds Gov. Shapiro for closing gap in women’s healthcare

(Sep 13, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., made the following statement regarding the $3 million in state funding made available for schools to purchase menstrual products: “Menstrual equity happens when barriers to obtaining products are broken,” Parker said. “The lack of access to menstrual products can cause more problems than embarrassment. When women are forced to use unhygienic products such as socks, newspaper or old t-shirts, it can cause serious and lifelong health problems. “This funding will empower students to complete their education without fear of sickness or embarrassment. I am incredibly thankful for First Lady Lori Shapiro’s advocacy for women and her willingness to listen to women’s health experts like Lynette Medley, founder of the nation’s first menstrual health hub, The Spot Period, about possible solutions to achieve menstrual equity for all. “I’m so grateful for Governor Shapiro’s $3 million allocation to help students in Pennsylvania live their lives freely and maintain their health and dignity. “This is the first step, we still have more work to do. I’m eager to return to legislative session and continue the fight for women by insisting the Pennsylvania Senate bring my Menstrual Equity legislation up to be voted on and signed into law.” Parker added that House Bills 850 and 851 both passed the House in June and urges her colleagues in the Senate to consider this Read more

 

PA Safe Caucus praises governor’s relaunch of Office of Gun Violence Prevention

(Sep 10, 2024) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

HARRISBURG, Sept. 10 – House and Senate leaders of the PA Safe Caucus applauded Gov. Josh Shapiro’s move Tuesday to reestablish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention as part of an effort to marshal every possible resource to keep Pennsylvanians safe. “Pennsylvanians are wondering if they will be safe at a concert or a grocery store or their house of faith, or if their children might encounter an unsecured firearm at a friend’s house or will one day hide under a desk while a school shooter thunders down the hallway,” said House PA Safe Caucus Co-chair Dan Frankel. “I’m proud to partner with a governor who doesn’t find any of that OK and doesn’t think we are powerless to stop it.” The Office of Gun Violence Prevention falls under the purview of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which is led by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. It will bring together public safety and public health experts, gun violence survivors and advocates and leaders from across Pennsylvania to address and prevent gun violence. “I applaud Governor Shapiro for taking the necessary steps to ensure safety for our communities. For decades, Republicans in the Pennsylvania legislature have blocked almost every attempt to regulate firearms, and the result has been beyond tragic for our communities,” said House PA Safe Caucus co-chair Anthony Bellmon. “This renewed office will make sure that gun Read more

 

Grants: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 10, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Main Street Matters Who May Apply: Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use: A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Funds: $20 million was allocated for this program in the 2024/25 budget. Individual grant awards vary depending on the type of grant. Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Who May Apply: Community-based organizations (i.e., active, registered 501(c)(3)s), institutions of higher education, municipalities, counties, and district attorneys. Use: Reducing community violence through, among other things, increasing access to support services and behavioral health, providing health services and intervention strategies, providing mentoring and other intervention models, and fostering and promoting communication between schools, the community, and law enforcement. Read more

 

Policy Committee highlights economic redevelopment in Erie

(Sep 10, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“This project has invested in the lives of people, not only wrapping their arms around the youth in the community but also stepping in to help young adults by providing the guidance they need in order to transition to the workforce,” said Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus chairman and hearing host Rep. Napoleon Nelson, who represents portions of Montgomery County. “We cannot expect to see success until we focus on how to improve the lives of the people in our communities.” Read more

 

Roundtable discusses positive impact of Erie County wineries

(Sep 09, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“While it might shock many of my colleagues in Harrisburg, the largest and arguably best wine-making region outside California is located right here in Erie County,” said House Majority Policy chairman Ryan Bizzarro, who hosted the House Majority Policy Committee roundtable and tour with his fellow members of the House Majority Erie Delegation. “I love promoting what Erie does best, and wine making happens to be one of our hallmarks – an agricultural and economic treasure.” Read more

 

Consumer protection committee advances multiple bills to help consumers and ratepayers, safeguard workers
Sep 30, 2024

McNeill appointed chair of PA House Children & Youth Committee
Sep 30, 2024

Pa. House Dems hold public budget briefing in Allegheny County
Sep 27, 2024

Matzie joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis to highlight new budget resources for workforce training
Sep 27, 2024

Williams announces $1.6 million in state funding for regional apprenticeship programs
Sep 27, 2024

Rabb highlights bold legislation to crack down on school book bans during Banned Book Week
Sep 25, 2024

Powell introduces bill to ensure spouses of PA’s fallen first responders receive all the benefits they deserve
Sep 24, 2024

PA House Transportation Committee meets in Philadelphia to discuss transportation needs
Sep 23, 2024

Matzie statement on the reopening of Three Mile Island nuclear power generating station
Sep 20, 2024

The Reality of Pennsylvania’s Need for Transportation Funding
Sep 19, 2024

Prokopiak testifies in support of property tax freeze
Sep 18, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 17, 2024

House Consumer Protection Committee hears testimony on Matzie bill to reauthorize PA One Call System
Sep 17, 2024

Nearly $40K for Pottstown Borough to provide critical law enforcement upgrades and support for crime victims
Sep 16, 2024

Smith-Wade-El’s statement on Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan
Sep 13, 2024

Rep. Parker applauds Gov. Shapiro for closing gap in women’s healthcare
Sep 13, 2024

PA Safe Caucus praises governor’s relaunch of Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Sep 10, 2024

Grants: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 10, 2024

Policy Committee highlights economic redevelopment in Erie
Sep 10, 2024

Roundtable discusses positive impact of Erie County wineries
Sep 09, 2024