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PA House Democrats wrap up ‘Save Our Schools’ tour with stop in Allegheny Co.

(Aug 03, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The House Majority leadership team and Policy Committee wrapped up the statewide “Save Our Schools” tour Thursday morning with a stop at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh to tour the building, discuss the need for fair funding for public education and rally with education advocates. Read more

 

Lawmakers hold roundtable to discuss improving education in rural areas

(Aug 03, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“This is almost historic. The first woman speaker, individuals from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Allentown, Scranton, and all across the state are here because we know how important it is that every child, no matter their zip code or where they grow up, have that equal chance,” said State Rep. Scott Conklin. Read more

 

House Dems hear from rural school admins about challenges to public education

(Aug 03, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Challenges with housing insecurity. Students struggling with homelessness and mental health challenges since the pandemic. Learning loss and the ability for our districts, especially right here, to even be able to get our younger students interested in a pathway toward becoming educators to solve our shortage. We have work to do and we recognize that by fairly funding our public schools,” McClinton said, “we will have better jobs and have better communities.” Read more

 

Frankel issues statement after Pittsburgh synagogue shooter is sentenced to death

(Aug 02, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 2 – State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, released the following statement on the Tree of Life synagogue shooter being sentenced to death today: “I’m grateful that the trial is over, so our community can move forward in recovery. I respect the wisdom of a jury who has found this act of hate and violence abhorrent and beyond the bounds of rehabilitation. “This verdict doesn’t restore the lives of the people lost to hate. We will forever mourn them, and the loss is sewn into the fabric of our community, just as the building on the corner of Shady and Wilkins avenues attests to both the tragedy – and hopefully – the path forward in healing and education. “My small part in this is to continue to fight against hate, against hate crimes, and try to compel the full force of our government against this viciousness, this antisemitism, and these attacks against targeted communities.” Today’s sentence comes after a jury found the perpetrator guilty of all 63 counts against him and deemed the death penalty to be an appropriate punishment. Frankel is the co-chair of the PA Jewish Legislative Caucus and has introduced several anti-hate bills in the state House. Read more

 

House Majority Leadership sound SOS on education in Centre County

(Aug 02, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“As we’ve visited communities around Pennsylvania, one thing is clear: every community – rural, urban or suburban – they all want the best opportunities for their students,” Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, said. “And as a state we owe them that much. It is enshrined in our Constitution. We need to start living up to the promise we make our students and the promise we’ve made in our state’s future.” Read more

 

Pa. House Reps sound the alarm for school resources

(Aug 02, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“From front-line teachers to administrators and school board members, they simply need a hand up so that they can deliver the high-quality education that their students need and deserve,” Rep. Paul Takac (D-Centre) said. Read more

 

Urban search and rescue hearing held in Coraopolis

(Aug 01, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Legislators discuss efforts to enhance capabilities of western PA search and rescue. Read more

 

PA House Democrats’ ‘Save Our Schools’ tour makes stop in Berks County

(Aug 01, 2023) Policy Committee, Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The House Democratic leadership team and Policy Committee joined students, teachers, and education advocates in Reading Tuesday morning for a tour of two local high school buildings and a discussion on education inequality in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

House Majority Leadership joins community to sound education SOS in Philadelphia

(Jul 31, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“This is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue, and it is not a city issue or a rural issue – it’s a Pennsylvania issue,” Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, said. “Equitably funding schools is about investing in Pennsylvania’s future and ensuring that every student regardless of the neighborhood they live in has the tools to thrive academically, socially, and civically. Our state’s future starts now, and it’s time to equitably and adequately fund our public schools.” Read more

 

Schlossberg, Collett rally mental health professionals and advocates for restoration of $100 million in adult mental health funding

(Jul 27, 2023) Rep. Mike Schlossberg

Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, said the event provided a space to display the importance of mental health resources and funding for people throughout Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Pisciottano, Rozzi rally with Pittsburgh UPS workers

(Jul 21, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

"I will always stand on the side of working people and am hopeful that UPS will come to the table and negotiate a fair contract with their workers," Pisciottano said. Read more

 

Fiedler, Rozzi, and House Democrats rally with Teamsters members as UPS strike looms

(Jul 21, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

PHILADELPHIA, July 20 -- State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Phila) welcomed House Democrats to the UPS facility in her district today to stand in solidarity with union members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 623. Local 623 represents UPS workers at the Oregon Avenue location and the workers at the Philadelphia Airport. The event was the second in a three-event series of labor rallies hosted by Pa House Democrats. Fiedler, Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-Berks County), and House Democrats rallied at the Oregon Ave. facility today with Teamsters who are demanding a fair bargaining agreement by August 1. UPS has approximately 5,000 employees in the Philadelphia region, and over 340,000 nationwide. “Let’s get one thing straight: UPS doesn’t work because of the CEOs or executives. It works because of the sweat and the muscle, the labor of the workers!” Fiedler said to a crowd of over 50 Teamsters members, allied union members, elected officials, and community members. “We see that UPS has agreed to return to the bargaining table, a reflection of the power of the workers.” Fiedler committed to supporting the Teamsters both through contract negotiations, and if a strike occurs. “House Democrats will stand with you today, tomorrow, and every day until a contract is reached. If August 1st comes with no contract settled, we will be right back out here with you!” “UPS saw record profits in 2022. Meanwhile, their delivery Read more

 

Schlossberg & Kinsey: State needs to make a greater investment in mental health

(Jul 20, 2023) Rep. Mike Schlossberg, Rep. Stephen Kinsey

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

 

Rozzi and Madsen rally support for UPS Teamsters

(Jul 20, 2023) Rep. Mark Rozzi

“UPS saw record profits in 2022. Meanwhile, their delivery drivers didn’t even have air conditioning in their trucks and part-time employees are denied full-time opportunities, leaving them out to dry when it comes to steady income and benefits,” Rozzi said. Read more

 

Salisbury introduces bill to permit remote work capabilities

(Jul 20, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, July 20 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would allow employees of licensees in the sales finance industry to work remotely. The legislation, H.B. 1580 , would apply to workers at licensees who qualify under the Consumer Discount Company Act and the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act. “COVID-19 forever changed the landscape and approach that businesses take to maximize their productivity and stay competitive,” Salisbury said. “My bill would foster job retention amongst licensees by offering this flexibility option and allow their employees to deliver the same optimal quality and quantity of service from any offsite location they choose.” State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, is co-sponsoring Salisbury’s legislation, which does not change any requirements pertaining to licensing, examination or regulation by the Department of Banking and Securities. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for bold changes in eviction process

(Jul 20, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, July 20 – After the third eviction-related shooting since March in Philadelphia, members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today said the organization is determined to help end the practice of private contractors performing eviction services in the city to avoid more violent incidents. “The imminent threat of being displaced from home can put anybody into a rage and despair mode. If you add to this scenario people without the proper training, carrying guns to handle evictions, the outcome can be fatal,” said Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas, who is organizing upcoming hearings in August about the evictions with state Rep. Mike Sturla, chair of the PA House Housing & Community Development Committee. “Philadelphia’s landlord-tenant officer has temporarily stopped evictions, but this is a turning point: evictions must be handled by public officials and our delegation will be working to introduce legislation to regulate this process. We are ready to establish policies that would support critical demands in this system, like proper protocol and de-escalations practice to protect the safety and integrity of the tenants,” she added. State Rep. Rick Krajewski, who will be introducing a bill addressing the subject, explained that the mercenary mentality of private contractors working for the city's landlord-tenant officer serves no public good. Krajewski indicated that Read more

 

No Signs of Compromise Between Pa. House Lawmakers Over Funding for State Related Universities

(Jul 19, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Putting restrictions on any sort of funding from the state- where we should be making these investments in our institutions- is not what our role in government is. They’re premier universities, and we are very lucky to have them in our communities being a workforce as well as an education force and setting Pennsylvania aside as a place of excellent higher learning,” said Rep. Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia). “We can have our debates about different issues, but we certainly shouldn't be dictating to higher education institutions what they should and should not be doing,” Isaacson added. Read more

 

Ciresi introduces downtown revitalization bill to bring older buildings up to code

(Jul 13, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, July 13 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced legislation this week that would create a two-year pilot program administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development to help renovate and redevelop historic and older buildings across the commonwealth. “Pennsylvania is rich in history,” Ciresi said. “Just walk down a neighborhood street, you can find historic homes and older buildings recalling our commonwealth’s storied past. Unfortunately, as too many of them require expensive renovations to bring them up to code, many people have been forced to abandon them and leave our downtowns filled with vacant buildings.” House Bill 1573 would create a two-year pilot program administered by DCED to help renovate and redevelop historic and older buildings across Pennsylvania. The program, the “Historic and Older Building Redevelopment Assistance Grant Program,” would address the greater challenges and higher costs involved in bringing older buildings up to code. Grant funds could be used to bring mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems up to code through the installation of modern equipment such as sprinklers, efficient HVAC systems, elevators, and extra stairs, as well as to make entryways and other building features more accessible for people with disabilities. These improvements would be intended for and evaluated based on their ability to Read more

 

Opinion: A million reasons to open up primaries in Pennsylvania

(Jul 12, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

In these divided times, it feels increasingly difficult to find common political ground on just about anything. But we – a conservative Republican from Lawrence County and a Democrat from Philadelphia – have come together to support a commonsense proposal whose time has come. It’s time to end closed primaries and bring back independent voters to primary elections. Read more

 

Ciresi cyber charter reform bill passes the House

(Jul 08, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, July 8 – In a bipartisan vote, the PA House yesterday passed state Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation (H.B 1422) that would modernize Pennsylvania’s charter school law to specifically address cyber charter schools to ensure transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility. “The vast majority of the commonwealth’s elected school boards have told legislators PA’s charter school law is in desperate need of reform,” Ciresi said. “Today we passed a comprehensive reform bill that holds cyber charter schools to the same standards we expect of anyone who receives public funds, including transparency, ethical standards and greater oversight of spending. By ending $455 million in overpayments and making sure that taxpayer dollars are being properly spent on their intended purpose – educating students – this reform bill will help all our students and taxpayers.” In 2015, the General Assembly passed a law to create an education funding formula based on actual student enrollment and cost factors to address an outdated, flawed and inequitable system of funding school districts. However, the bill did not address cyber charter schools, which continue to receive the same funding as brick-and-mortar charter schools despite having materially lower costs, leading Ciresi to sponsor H.B. 1422 to address this issue. Ciresi’s legislation would set a single statewide tuition rate for non-special Read more

 

PA House Democrats wrap up ‘Save Our Schools’ tour with stop in Allegheny Co.
Aug 03, 2023

Lawmakers hold roundtable to discuss improving education in rural areas
Aug 03, 2023

House Dems hear from rural school admins about challenges to public education
Aug 03, 2023

Frankel issues statement after Pittsburgh synagogue shooter is sentenced to death
Aug 02, 2023

House Majority Leadership sound SOS on education in Centre County
Aug 02, 2023

Pa. House Reps sound the alarm for school resources
Aug 02, 2023

Urban search and rescue hearing held in Coraopolis
Aug 01, 2023

PA House Democrats’ ‘Save Our Schools’ tour makes stop in Berks County
Aug 01, 2023

House Majority Leadership joins community to sound education SOS in Philadelphia
Jul 31, 2023

Schlossberg, Collett rally mental health professionals and advocates for restoration of $100 million in adult mental health funding
Jul 27, 2023

Pisciottano, Rozzi rally with Pittsburgh UPS workers
Jul 21, 2023

Fiedler, Rozzi, and House Democrats rally with Teamsters members as UPS strike looms
Jul 21, 2023

Schlossberg & Kinsey: State needs to make a greater investment in mental health
Jul 20, 2023

Rozzi and Madsen rally support for UPS Teamsters
Jul 20, 2023

Salisbury introduces bill to permit remote work capabilities
Jul 20, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for bold changes in eviction process
Jul 20, 2023

No Signs of Compromise Between Pa. House Lawmakers Over Funding for State Related Universities
Jul 19, 2023

Ciresi introduces downtown revitalization bill to bring older buildings up to code
Jul 13, 2023

Opinion: A million reasons to open up primaries in Pennsylvania
Jul 12, 2023

Ciresi cyber charter reform bill passes the House
Jul 08, 2023