News Center

PA House passes Haddock bill to remember 9/11 in schools

(Jun 05, 2023) Rep. Jim Haddock

“My bill would ensure that future generations of Pennsylvanians understand the events of 9/11, as well as the impact that day continues to have on the lives of all Americans,” said Haddock. Read more

 

Rozzi joined by childhood sexual abuse victims, advocates, fellow lawmakers urge Senate to vote on statute of limitation reform

(Jun 05, 2023) Rep. Mark Rozzi

“House Bill 1 and House Bill 2 have the power to spare future children from going through what I endured. If the Senate won’t vote on these bills, they run the risk of repeating history by further denying victims a chance to seek the justice they need and deserve,” Rozzi said. Read more

 

House passes Matzie/Marshall bill to boost rail safety

(Jun 05, 2023) Rep. Robert Matzie

" ... there has been no bigger supporter of freight rail in the legislature during my tenure than me,” said Matzie, who is majority chair of the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee. “The intention is not to hurt railroads, but to enhance and strengthen rail safety for the public, the workforce and emergency responders." Read more

 

Ciresi introduces ‘Level Up’ bill to help state’s most underfunded school districts

(Jun 05, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 5 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced the introduction of legislation (H.B. 1311) to increase Level Up funding to $400 million for fiscal year 2023-2024. “Our state’s inequitable school funding system has produced severely underfunded school districts where it is a challenge for students to get a good education,” Ciresi said. “The Commonwealth Court ruling this year declaring Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutional is a call to action. We need to act by working to level the playing field for Pennsylvania’s children and ensure that every child has access to a high quality education. “Level Up has been one of our best tools for reducing inequity in education and ensuring all students have the opportunities to succeed, regardless of zip code. But without additional funding for Level Up, it will take decades or more for our underfunded school districts to reach adequate funding – too long for our children to wait.” According to Ciresi, Pennsylvania began leveling the playing field in 2016 by providing much-needed resources for public education: the enactment of a weighted formula for Basic Education Funding based on need and gradual increases in state education funding. Level Up has played a key role in providing dedicated funding for the 100 most underfunded school districts since it was implemented in FY 2021-2022 and expanded in 2022-2023. “Since its Read more

 

PA House Welcomes New Legislators Heather Boyd, Michael Stender

(Jun 05, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 5 – Today the state legislature welcomed its two newest members, Rep. Heather Boyd, D-Delaware, and Rep. Michael Stender, R-Montour/Northumberland. Boyd and Stender were elected to serve their communities in a special election last month. “Swearing in new members is always a special occasion in the state House of Representatives,” said Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “As longtime public servants, Representatives Boyd and Stender both bring valuable experience to their new roles and will contribute greatly to the policy debates in Harrisburg. “I’m confident that the more than 120,000 Pennsylvanians they collectively represent will benefit from having such dedicated elected officials as their voice in Harrisburg.” McClinton added that the new members are joining the state House at a busy time, having advanced 44 bills – all with bipartisan support – in just three weeks in late April and May. Additionally, the legislature is currently debating the state budget which is due by June 30. “The state House has been advancing legislation to strengthen our communities and help Pennsylvanians of all ages at an ambitious pace,” McClinton said. “I’m proud of the work the House has been able to achieve so far this legislative session and am hopeful about what we’ll Read more

 

Mayes: ‘Means the world to me’ to lead Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade

(Jun 03, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

"As the first out lesbian ever to serve in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and a long-time local and national LGBTQ+ rights activist, it means the world to me to lead this march and parade on the 50th Anniversary of the first Pride in the United States," Mayes said. Read more

 

Neilson introduces legislation to target speeding in Pennsylvania

(Jun 01, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

According to the AWZSE Annual Legislative Report, speeding in AWZSE enforced work zones has been reduced to 17.2% for all traffic, and excessive speeding (11+ mph over the posted speed limit) has been reduced to 2.6% since the start of the program. Read more

 

Merski introduces bill to fight student hunger, reduce food waste

(May 31, 2023) Rep. Robert Merski

“In Pennsylvania, 1 in 7 children face hunger, which means that they show up to class each day without the fuel they need to concentrate, retain information and learn,” Merski said. “At the same time, a large amount of food goes to waste every day in our schools. In a state with one of the nation’s strongest agricultural industries – and far too much food waste – we can turn this situation around." Read more

 

Key lawmaker planning bill to continue using speed cameras and add new location

(May 31, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Philadelphia, majority chairman of the House Transportation Committee, has announced plans for legislation that would expand the use of speed cameras — which have been in use since 2020 in active work zones and on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia. Read more

 

Salisbury bill bans lobbyist involvement in political campaigns

(May 30, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 30 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would prohibit lobbyists from running state candidates’ political campaigns and then lobbying those same candidates once they are elected. “Lobbyists have whispered into the ears of political candidates, shaped their agendas and gotten rich while doing so for far too long,” Salisbury said. “My bill would put campaign control back into the hands of candidates and refocus elected officials’ attention on their constituents, not on pleasing lobbyists who also run campaigns.” Salisbury’s legislation ( H.B. 1223 ) also prohibits campaign consultants from lobbying state employees who work in the candidates’ offices. Read more

 

Pennsylvania bills cover turnpike, toll concerns

(May 30, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Legislation afoot at the Pennsylvania statehouse addresses concerns about turnpike tolling from multiple angles. Read more

 

House committee unanimously approves Merski bill to fight blight

(May 25, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 25 – The House Housing and Community Development Committee yesterday unanimously approved state Rep. Bob Merski’s bill that would make it easier for local governments to fight blight. Merski, D-Erie, said his H.B. 255 would allow municipalities to enter into cooperative agreements with each other to address blight and would create a fund to strengthen enforcement efforts. "The governor has proposed new investments in community revitalization, and those projects can be transformative for Erie and other communities. But we need to lay the groundwork by eliminating the blighted, abandoned properties that invite crime and deter investment,” Merski said. “My bill would allow communities to join forces in fighting blight and would bolster those efforts by providing the additional resources needed to enforce code violations. Among other things, Merski’s bill would establish a grant program administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development to fund new code enforcement programs, including the hiring of enforcement officers, and strengthen existing efforts. The bill is now headed to the House chamber for consideration. Read more

 

Frankel, Schwank laud Biden’s creation of national plan to fight antisemitism

(May 25, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 25 – Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus Co-chairs Rep. Dan Frankel and Sen. Judy Schwank praised the White House announcement Thursday that the Biden-Harris Administration has established the first-ever U.S. national strategy to fight antisemitism. “While antisemitism is not new, we are seeing a deeply disturbing rise in incidents fueled by inflammatory political rhetoric and a digital world in which hate-based speech can be spread at the touch of a button. Those special challenges demand new solutions, including decisive action at the national level,” Frankel said. “I am particularly encouraged that the new plan the Biden-Harris Administration has announced is a broad one, including new action by executive agencies, calls for new legislation and outreach to mobilize every sector of society.” Frankel and Schwank highlighted the support and participation of the Anti-Defamation League, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Asian American Foundation, the Sikh Coalition, the National Urban League, the National Basketball Players Association and many other groups. “Antisemitism and hatred of all forms thrive in the darkness, and that's why calling it out can be so powerful," Schwank said. "The administration's new plan and call to action are essential first steps in generating the kind of broad, unified efforts that can combat the dangerous rise in intolerance Read more

 

Pielli’s fishing and hunting license bill passes out of House

(May 25, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Veterans have served all of the United States, not just one state. Their ability to enjoy the great outdoors should be enjoyed nationally with as little hindrance as possible,” said Pielli, who is an Army veteran. Read more

 

Shusterman’s family law arbitration bill passes House

(May 25, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“I am extremely grateful to have the full support of my colleagues from both sides of the House,” Shusterman said. “I thank Representative Kate Klunk for championing this bipartisan legislation during the last House session. Families settling legal disputes already have a tough time. We can help take the sting out of those proceedings by providing families more options to come to the best resolution that works for them, and House Bill 917 does just that.” Read more

 

Shusterman’s Second Stage Loan Program bill passes House

(May 25, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“I am proud to be a part of a legislature that wants to see our state economy flourish, our local businesses grow, and to see more sustainable jobs created and remain here in the Commonwealth,” Shusterman said. Read more

 

Freeman looks to bring First in Math to PA schools

(May 25, 2023) Rep. Robert L. Freeman

“What teachers are looking for are options and new ideas and First in Math is a proven, fun learning tool that could help boost math learning and interest in school,” Freeman said. Read more

 

Salisbury introduces bill to help communities apply for grants

(May 25, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 25 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would aid communities that lack grant writing capacity. The legislation ( H.B. 1216 ) would create a Municipal Grant Assistance Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development . Eligible municipalities would be able to access free grant writing services to when seeking state funding and would receive instruction in writing future grant proposals. “The current system perpetuates structural inequalities among communities by favoring those municipalities which already have the funding to pay for grant writing services,” Salisbury said. “My bill provides an escape from the chicken-egg loop wherein local governments literally cannot afford to get money from the state.” Salisbury developed the bill after receiving feedback from local elected officials in her district that they were struggling to access state funding programs. Read more

 

Legislative shift in how PSP is funded given preliminary approval in Pa. House

(May 25, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“This bill takes us in a better direction and to get those resources back to where they belong, fixing roads,” Neilson said during Monday’s committee meeting. Read more

 

House sends Burns bill to Senate; measure would provide in-state tuition for students in deployed military families

(May 24, 2023) Rep. Frank Burns

“Military families can’t control the dynamics of their lives when engaged in serving our nation,” Burns said. “Students shouldn’t be penalized for their families having to answer the call of duty. My bill would make sure they aren’t.” Read more

 

PA House passes Haddock bill to remember 9/11 in schools
Jun 05, 2023

Rozzi joined by childhood sexual abuse victims, advocates, fellow lawmakers urge Senate to vote on statute of limitation reform
Jun 05, 2023

House passes Matzie/Marshall bill to boost rail safety
Jun 05, 2023

Ciresi introduces ‘Level Up’ bill to help state’s most underfunded school districts
Jun 05, 2023

PA House Welcomes New Legislators Heather Boyd, Michael Stender
Jun 05, 2023

Mayes: ‘Means the world to me’ to lead Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade
Jun 03, 2023

Neilson introduces legislation to target speeding in Pennsylvania
Jun 01, 2023

Merski introduces bill to fight student hunger, reduce food waste
May 31, 2023

Key lawmaker planning bill to continue using speed cameras and add new location
May 31, 2023

Salisbury bill bans lobbyist involvement in political campaigns
May 30, 2023

Pennsylvania bills cover turnpike, toll concerns
May 30, 2023

House committee unanimously approves Merski bill to fight blight
May 25, 2023

Frankel, Schwank laud Biden’s creation of national plan to fight antisemitism
May 25, 2023

Pielli’s fishing and hunting license bill passes out of House
May 25, 2023

Shusterman’s family law arbitration bill passes House
May 25, 2023

Shusterman’s Second Stage Loan Program bill passes House
May 25, 2023

Freeman looks to bring First in Math to PA schools
May 25, 2023

Salisbury introduces bill to help communities apply for grants
May 25, 2023

Legislative shift in how PSP is funded given preliminary approval in Pa. House
May 25, 2023

House sends Burns bill to Senate; measure would provide in-state tuition for students in deployed military families
May 24, 2023