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House Democrats touring the state to talk with the people about the Pennsylvania Rescue Plan

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

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Broadband expansion is vital, and we must move forward

(Apr 27, 2021) Rep. Pam Snyder

If we are to be successful in helping our students, attracting businesses, and providing cutting-edge medicine, we need to be truly connected, regardless of where we live. Read more

 

10 House Democrats outline rules reform legislation at news conference

(Apr 26, 2021) Rep. Steve Samuelson

Samuelson said these proposed changes to House rules will bring fairness and balance to the legislative process, improve the working of House committees, and ensure that bills with broad bipartisan support get a vote. Read more

 

Cephas seeks to establish Behavioral Health Crisis Response Units in Pa.

(Apr 26, 2021) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

Cephas’ first introduced the idea immediately following the police shooting death of Walter Wallace Jr., a 27-year-old West Philadelphia man, whose family had called 911 because he was experiencing a mental breakdown in October 2020. Responding officers fired 14 rounds at him, killing him, while he was standing in the street holding a knife. Read more

 

Starting a family is a human right. So why is it treated like a privilege?

(Apr 23, 2021) Rep. Steve Malagari, Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara, Rep. Sara Innamorato

Insurance coverage for infertility treatment can be done and it should be done. We’ve seen it happen in other states, and even in one of the largest cities in our commonwealth. Everyone deserves the opportunity to start a family, regardless of their circumstance. It’s a right, and it’s time we start treating it that way. Read more

 

Op-Ed: Shelve the theatrics and address real issues affecting Pa. women and children

(Apr 23, 2021) Women’s Health Caucus

Improving women’s health care doesn’t require news conferences designed to parrot tired and untrue talking points. To make a positive difference for all women and children of Pennsylvania, let’s instead focus our energy and attention on evidence-based policies that address bona fide issues and move Pennsylvania forward. Read more

 

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant portal reopens Saturday, April 24th

(Apr 23, 2021) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

This is a grant program established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. Read more

 

Frankel: Reproductive health highlights areas of real need amid GOP push to limit abortion access

(Apr 22, 2021) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

“I hope that we can continue those conversations about maternal health and related issues – I can think of at least a dozen bills currently being circulated that would address them.” Read more

 

Freeman, James look to strengthen Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program

(Apr 22, 2021) Rep. Robert L. Freeman

Projects that include a nonprofit partner have been part of the program and received allocations since the program’s inception in 2012. Read more

 

Davidson, Bizzarro respond to State Government Committee Election Review released by GOP

(Apr 21, 2021) Rep. Margo Davidson, Rep. Ryan Bizzarro

In more than 42 hours of testimony there was clear agreement on three bipartisan proposals -- pre-canvassing, more resources for election operations and expanded timelines for essential election processes -- that so far have been ignored in lieu of voter suppression based on false claims about the 2020 election that was in fact free, fair and accurate and upheld by almost every court in the land where actual evidence of fraud was demanded but never provided. Read more

 

Wheatley hosts roundtable to discuss legalization of adult-use cannabis

(Apr 21, 2021) Rep. Jake Wheatley

“Having this thoughtful dialogue was extremely beneficial and gave us the opportunity to hear from stakeholders across Pennsylvania, because it’s imperative we demystify cannabis,” said Wheatley, D-Allegheny. Read more

 

Kinsey, Kim and Dawkins call for ban on chokeholds following Chauvin conviction

(Apr 21, 2021) Rep. Stephen Kinsey, Rep. Patty Kim, Rep. Jason Dawkins

House Bill 870, a bill Kinsey co-introduced with state Reps. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin, and Jason Dawkins, D-Phila., would also ban police using any action that inhibits breath or the flow of blood to the brain due to physical position. Read more

 

The PA Rescue Plan tackles long-term care for our most vulnerable

(Apr 21, 2021) Rep. Melissa Shusterman, Rep. Jessica Benham

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed so many inequities in our country – from socio-economic to racial, medical conditions and age. These inequities existed long before the pandemic but have been laid bare over the past year in such a way that we can no longer refuse to address them. Our most vulnerable populations – seniors and people with disabilities – must have access to quality, affordable care. And that starts with support for the workforce charged with helping them. We know that, if given the choice, most seniors prefer to age in place from the comfort of their own homes. But as they age, the need may arise for assistance with day-to-day activities, transportation, medications and overall wellness. That’s where direct care workers make a huge difference. These workers are low-paid and often lack adequate health care and other benefits like sick or vacation leave. These jobs are also physically and emotionally demanding and are often characterized by heavy workloads, scheduling challenges, and limited training and career advancement prospects . Yet, these workers show up each day for their clients because they know someone is depending on them. In 2020, people 65 and older made up 19% of Pennsylvania’s population -- that is expected to grow to 22% by 2025 . The increase in our aging population will put additional pressure on our direct care workforce. However, the investment by the state in these important jobs remains persistently low. Read more

 

The PA Rescue Plan invests in technology and a healthier future

(Apr 21, 2021) Rep. Steve Malagari, Rep. Tim Briggs

Our Pennsylvania Rescue Plan invests in technology, including making sure the commonwealth grows our already robust biotechnology research industry into a global leader. Read more

 

Rulemaking to protect people’s health and safety is latest target of Republican majority power grab

(Apr 20, 2021) Rep. Margo Davidson

The notion that regulatory policy should be based on the number of regulations that exist rather than on the public purpose of those regulations is foolish, if not dangerous. Adding this cost to the state budget and to government while programs and services to help people hang in the balance shows us exactly where Republican majority priorities lie. Read more

 

Rabb introduces package of bills to protect medical cannabis patients, dispensaries from eviction, discrimination

(Apr 20, 2021) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

“Medical cannabis is medicine, and we must ensure that people who are prescribed medicine don’t have that held against them by their landlords or by their employers, and we must ensure that the providers of that medicine will not be discriminated against by commercial landlords,” Rabb said. Read more

 

House unanimously passes Longietti/Nelson bill to help save drug rehab patients who leave facilities against medical advice

(Apr 20, 2021) Rep. Mark A. Longietti

House Bill 944, co-authored by Longietti, D-Mercer, and state Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Westmoreland, would require inpatient rehabilitation facilities to notify a patient’s designated emergency contact – a move that is already considered best practice but is not mandatory under current law – when a patient leaves addiction treatment against medical advice. Read more

 

Cephas, Klunk advance bipartisan sexual harassment bill through Labor and Industry Committee

(Apr 20, 2021) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas, Rep. Kate Klunk

House Bill 938, a bipartisan bill Cephas co-introduced with state Rep. Kate A. Klunk, R-York, would ban the requirement of nondisclosure agreements related to sexual harassment as a condition of getting a job. The bill, however, would not prohibit nondisclosure agreements if both parties voluntarily agree to participate. Read more

 

To celebrate Earth Day, Rabb calls for support of 100% renewable energy in PA by 2050, urges Pennsylvanians to contact their legislators

(Apr 20, 2021) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

“Earth Day was founded in 1970 to bring awareness to environmental issues, and I could not think of a better way to truly honor the day than to take action to literally save our environment and our planet,” said Rabb, D-Phila. Read more

 

House Democratic Leadership continues to push Pennsylvania Rescue Plan to reimagine Pennsylvania’s recovery

(Apr 20, 2021) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“The time is now to move forward with investing in Pennsylvania’s success. We can do that with the Pennsylvania Rescue Plan. We urge our fellow legislators across the aisle to reimagine the possibilities of what we can achieve to lift our state and our constituents up and create a better tomorrow.” Read more

 

Now open for applications: Farm Vitality, Communities That Care, substance abuse, and recycling grant programs

(Apr 19, 2021) Appropriations

Find information on several state grant programs that are now open for applications. Read more

 

Broadband expansion is vital, and we must move forward
Apr 27, 2021

10 House Democrats outline rules reform legislation at news conference
Apr 26, 2021

Cephas seeks to establish Behavioral Health Crisis Response Units in Pa.
Apr 26, 2021

Starting a family is a human right. So why is it treated like a privilege?
Apr 23, 2021

Op-Ed: Shelve the theatrics and address real issues affecting Pa. women and children
Apr 23, 2021

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant portal reopens Saturday, April 24th
Apr 23, 2021

Frankel: Reproductive health highlights areas of real need amid GOP push to limit abortion access
Apr 22, 2021

Freeman, James look to strengthen Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program
Apr 22, 2021

Davidson, Bizzarro respond to State Government Committee Election Review released by GOP
Apr 21, 2021

Wheatley hosts roundtable to discuss legalization of adult-use cannabis
Apr 21, 2021

Kinsey, Kim and Dawkins call for ban on chokeholds following Chauvin conviction
Apr 21, 2021

The PA Rescue Plan tackles long-term care for our most vulnerable
Apr 21, 2021

The PA Rescue Plan invests in technology and a healthier future
Apr 21, 2021

Rulemaking to protect people’s health and safety is latest target of Republican majority power grab
Apr 20, 2021

Rabb introduces package of bills to protect medical cannabis patients, dispensaries from eviction, discrimination
Apr 20, 2021

House unanimously passes Longietti/Nelson bill to help save drug rehab patients who leave facilities against medical advice
Apr 20, 2021

Cephas, Klunk advance bipartisan sexual harassment bill through Labor and Industry Committee
Apr 20, 2021

To celebrate Earth Day, Rabb calls for support of 100% renewable energy in PA by 2050, urges Pennsylvanians to contact their legislators
Apr 20, 2021

House Democratic Leadership continues to push Pennsylvania Rescue Plan to reimagine Pennsylvania’s recovery
Apr 20, 2021

Now open for applications: Farm Vitality, Communities That Care, substance abuse, and recycling grant programs
Apr 19, 2021