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Philadelphia House Delegation weighs in on the impact of public education hearings in the city

(Oct 26, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 26 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today praised the ongoing joint hearings conducted by the House Appropriations and Education committees on delivering funds for schools statewide. The Pennsylvania Education Tour and hearings are part of an effort to help public schools and get a pulse of the state’s school funding structure. This week, the tour made two stops in Philadelphia: Tuesday at the School District of Philadelphia and Wednesday at the Community College of Philadelphia’s Library and Learning Commons. Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Morgan Cephas explained that it is critical to examine the issues impacting schools in the city and state in order to find effective solutions that would guarantee fair investments and infrastructure for the schools. “We needed to hear the testimonies of parents, education experts and community leaders and revisit the root of the issues affecting our schools. This is why these hearings are so important. We are committed to improving this state’s failed school funding model,” Cephas said. “Our sons and daughters deserve quality and equality in education regardless their socioeconomic status,” she said. Rep. Jordan A. Harris, House Appropriations Committee chair, indicated that the hearings in Philadelphia addressed key concerns that will drive the necessary changes. “We Read more

 

Parents of school bullies would face up to $750 fine, community service under Burns bill

(Oct 26, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Bullying is underreported and often unaddressed in any meaningful way,” said Burns, who introduced similar legislation in the past. “When it’s not addressed, bullying can escalate quickly from taunts and hurtful online posts to physical assaults and -- in worst cases -- suicide. Holding students, parents and school officials at all levels accountable is the only way to put an end to this scourge.” Read more

 

Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus ‘very disappointed’ in General Assembly’s failure to move primary election date

(Oct 26, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Despite drawing attention to the date in question well in advance, we are very disappointed that as things currently stand, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has been unable to come to an agreement and move the primary date from conflicting with Passover." Read more

 

Schlossberg recommended for Behavioral Health Council

(Oct 25, 2023) Rep. Mike Schlossberg

“I am truly honored to continue the fight for better mental health in Pennsylvania. Our nation’s mental health care system is broken, and state government plays a critical role in finding solutions," Schlossberg said. Read more

 

Union health center offers services for workers and their families

(Oct 25, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“We saw firsthand how the union has taken the proactive step of delivering fundamental needs for its workers and their families,” said event co-host Ben Sanchez, who represents portions of Upper Dublin Township and surrounding municipalities. “For over a century, we’ve stood up for unions because of the tireless work they do to improve the lives of workers in our communities, and with the opening of this facility we witnessed yet another example of their dedication.” Read more

 

Committee tours, discusses pedestrian safety options in Delco

(Oct 24, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Communities thrive when pedestrian safety improves,” said state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, who hosted the policy event and represents Media and surrounding municipalities in Delaware County. “When we have safe streets, we increase the number of environmentally friendly transportation options. If people can walk with their children down Main Street or in the neighborhood, they can drop into stores and parks they might have missed if they had been in their car – and we reduce the number of cars on clogged roadways. Pedestrian safety is a win for everyone.” Read more

 

Kim receives Legislator of the Year Award from National Association of Social Workers

(Oct 24, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 24 – State Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin/Cumberland, today received the Legislator of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers Pennsylvania Chapter in recognition of her work as chair of the PA House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee and for her advocacy of legislation to improve state services and public programs. “The work that social workers do in Pennsylvania is important and lifesaving,” Kim said. “It is an honor to receive this award from a group of professionals that have devoted their lives to helping people.” Read more

 

Pashinski and Madden’s PA Preferred Organic trademark bill passes Senate

(Oct 24, 2023) Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, Rep. Maureen E. Madden

The bill’s sponsors emphasized that the program would not compete with other state producers but instead create opportunities for residents to identify and purchase locally grown foods more easily. Read more

 

House adopts Matzie resolutions calling attention to Agent Orange impact, highlighting wine and grape industries

(Oct 19, 2023) Rep. Robert Matzie

“Nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians served during the Vietnam War era, and an estimated 172,000 directly participated in the war,” Matzie said. “Our troops faced the worst conditions imaginable, but there was another enemy they never anticipated, with deadly consequences that manifested only after the war ended." Read more

 

Bills to improve voting access for incarcerated individuals draw support from lawmakers, advocates

(Oct 19, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

With the general election weeks away, lawmakers and advocates are calling for legislation to better inform incarcerated Pennsylvanians about their right to vote and permit them to vote via absentee ballot. Read more

 

Animal Protection Caucus lauds passage of updates to PA’s Dog Law

(Oct 19, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Members of the bipartisan, bicameral Animal Protection Caucus applauded the final passage of a bill that will help bolster Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement (BDLE). Read more

 

Kinsey bill to ban police chokeholds approved by House Judiciary Committee

(Oct 19, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

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

 

Rabb announces Fair Share Tax Plan legislation

(Oct 19, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 19 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., announced today that he is preparing to introduce legislation ( H.B. 1773 ) that would establish a fair share tax plan in Pennsylvania, changing the state’s longstanding regressive income tax. According to a 2019 report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, 20% of families with the lowest incomes pay roughly 14% of their income on state and local taxes, while those in the top 1% only pay 6%. “It’s truly absurd that the bottom 60% of income earners are, on average, paying nearly double the tax rate of what the richest Pennsylvanians pay,” Rabb said. “This legislation will not only make the tax system fairer, but it will help to reduce the overall budget deficit and raise $6.22 billion in new tax revenue. That’s a win-win-win.” Rabb said the legislation would reduce the state income tax on wages and interest to 1.9% and increase the tax on passive income to 12%, raising $6.22 billion in new revenue. “We have an opportunity to take Pennsylvania’s upside-down tax structure and turn it right side up,” Rabb said. “Everyone should pay their fair share.” Read more

 

Burns pushes for American-made products to create jobs

(Oct 18, 2023) Rep. Frank Burns

“This amendment goes hand in hand with my American Made Jobs Plan, which would require American-made products to be used in taxpayer-funded projects,” Burns said. “If taxpayers are paying for these projects, then it should be produced by American workers – and my amendment does just that.” Read more

 

Two key labor bills pass state House, head to state Senate for consideration

(Oct 18, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 18 – On Wednesday, the state House of Representatives passed two critical labor bills -- H.B. 1449 and H.B. 1465 . Both bills now head to the state Senate for consideration. House Bill 1449, sponsored by state Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh, would establish a statewide responsible contractor law, setting clear requirements that firms bidding on publicly funded infrastructure projects must meet and requiring firms to have a state or federal registered apprenticeship program and pay prevailing rate. “Investing in our infrastructure is a top priority,” said state Rep. Jason Dawkins, D-Phila., majority chair of the PA House Labor and Industry Committee. “However, investing in the right people to lead these major infrastructure projects is just as important. This legislation would ensure that the commonwealth has a skilled craft labor workforce for years to come.” House Bill 1465, sponsored by state Rep. Dave Delloso, D-Delaware, would apply the Prevailing Wage Act to investor-owned utilities, such as water, sewer and gas. The legislation would apply the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s prevailing wage rates and minimum safety standards to all contracted construction work completed on underground utility systems that are regulated by the Public Utility Commission, including water, sewer and gas. “Our neighbors rely on utilities – they need these services. It is critical that we have a Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El secures $872K to replace lead service lines in City of Lancaster

(Oct 18, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 18 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, secured $872,340 in grant and loan funding from Pennvest to replace 27 lead service lines in the City of Lancaster’s Jewels neighborhood. “Thanks to this money, 27 homes in the Jewels neighborhood will now have lead-free drinking water,” Smith-Wade-El said. “We’ve got to do everything we can to replace lead pipes as lead exposure is a public health hazard, causing developmental effects in fetuses, infants, and young children. This money will also ensure that the water delivery infrastructure is safe and performs reliably.” According to Smith-Wade-El, these line replacements will be prioritized by the city's selection model and user fees are not expected to increase because of the replacement project. Inquiries about this grant can be directed to Smith-Wade-El office at 717-283-4218. Read more

 

House passes bills to junk the junk fees & protect consumers

(Oct 18, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives took a stand for fair prices and the wallets of everyone. Read more

 

Krajewski, voting rights organizations rally for the voting rights of incarcerated individuals

(Oct 18, 2023) Rep. Rick Krajewski

HARRISBURG, Oct. 18 – State Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., joined The PENNfranchise Project, All Voting is Local, Human Rights Coalition, Healing Communities PA, NAACP Philadelphia Branch, Abolitionist Law Center, Black Voters Matter, The Philadelphia Sun, West End Power and fellow advocates to participate in a rally in support of voting rights for the incarcerated Wednesday on the Capitol steps. “The ability to vote is not a privilege nor something to be taken away at the state’s discretion; it is a civil right and one of the load-bearing pillars of freedom, equality and democracy,” Krajewski said. “The injustice inflicted every time it’s not treated as such should be apparent to all. Yet, often incarcerated individuals in our state are barred and denied this very right. Expanding voting access not only strengthens our democracy but recognizes the humanity of people involved in our criminal legal system and helps them stay on a path of rehabilitation.” Krajewski has introduced legislation this session that would permit all incarcerated individuals in correctional institutes to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot and require the PA Department of State to create a uniform policy for civic education in correctional institutions and to provide correctional institutions with information pertaining to voter registration, absentee ballots and eligibility requirements, as well as all Read more

 

House passes Matzie bill to ban ‘speculative ticketing’

(Oct 17, 2023) Rep. Robert Matzie

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – The House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie that would prohibit “speculative ticketing” – a practice that allows ticket resellers to list event tickets for resale even though they have not yet obtained – and may never obtain – those tickets. Matzie, who is majority chairman of the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee, said he introduced H.B. 1658 to eliminate a predatory practice that is hurting consumers and businesses alike. “When a consumer pays for a ticket, they have a right to assume the seller has that ticket in hand,” Matzie said. “That’s not always the case because of speculative ticketing – a deceptive practice that allows resellers to sell tickets they don’t yet have but are ‘betting’ they can obtain. If the reseller fails to obtain the ticket, it’s the consumer who loses out. At best case, they may get a refund. At worst case, they’re out the price of the ticket and any other money they’ve laid out on travel, hotels, and other expenses. “Area businesses lose, too. When the promised ticket fails to materialize, the venue loses credibility in the eyes of the public, and businesses like restaurants, bars and parking garages lose vital income.” Matzie’s bill would deter speculative ticketing by barring resellers from selling tickets unless they actually have them Read more

 

Ciresi bill to outlaw early termination fees for deceased people passes House

(Oct 17, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s bill that would protect a deceased person’s family or estate from being charged early termination fees for canceling certain service contracts and vehicle leases passed the PA House today unanimously. “It’s hard enough to lose a family member, but it is just salt in the wound for a grieving relative to have to pay an early termination fee because the customer has died,” Ciresi said. “ Death shouldn’t come with fees, and companies shouldn’t be making money off a customer’s death. My legislation would prohibit cable, phone, telecommunication, utility and other companies from imposing early termination fees on a recently deceased person’s family for services that would no longer be used.” The bill would require that written notice along with a death certificate be provided to end such leases or contracts without financial penalty. Ciresi has championed the legislation in previous sessions. This session, the bill had 24 co-sponsors, including both Democrats and Republicans. The bill is on its way to be considered by the Senate. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation weighs in on the impact of public education hearings in the city
Oct 26, 2023

Parents of school bullies would face up to $750 fine, community service under Burns bill
Oct 26, 2023

Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus ‘very disappointed’ in General Assembly’s failure to move primary election date
Oct 26, 2023

Schlossberg recommended for Behavioral Health Council
Oct 25, 2023

Union health center offers services for workers and their families
Oct 25, 2023

Committee tours, discusses pedestrian safety options in Delco
Oct 24, 2023

Kim receives Legislator of the Year Award from National Association of Social Workers
Oct 24, 2023

Pashinski and Madden’s PA Preferred Organic trademark bill passes Senate
Oct 24, 2023

House adopts Matzie resolutions calling attention to Agent Orange impact, highlighting wine and grape industries
Oct 19, 2023

Bills to improve voting access for incarcerated individuals draw support from lawmakers, advocates
Oct 19, 2023

Animal Protection Caucus lauds passage of updates to PA’s Dog Law
Oct 19, 2023

Kinsey bill to ban police chokeholds approved by House Judiciary Committee
Oct 19, 2023

Rabb announces Fair Share Tax Plan legislation
Oct 19, 2023

Burns pushes for American-made products to create jobs
Oct 18, 2023

Two key labor bills pass state House, head to state Senate for consideration
Oct 18, 2023

Smith-Wade-El secures $872K to replace lead service lines in City of Lancaster
Oct 18, 2023

House passes bills to junk the junk fees & protect consumers
Oct 18, 2023

Krajewski, voting rights organizations rally for the voting rights of incarcerated individuals
Oct 18, 2023

House passes Matzie bill to ban ‘speculative ticketing’
Oct 17, 2023

Ciresi bill to outlaw early termination fees for deceased people passes House
Oct 17, 2023