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House Democrats Secure Funding, Tuition Freeze for State-Related Universities, Ensuring an Affordable World-Class Education

(Oct 31, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The House passed House Bill 612, providing a 7% increase in funding to Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University and a 25% increase in funding for Lincoln University. The bill also freezes tuition increases at the universities for the 2024-25 school year. This week the House also passed legislation with overwhelming support that would ensure greater transparency by making the state-related universities subject to certain provisions of the state’s Right to Know Law. Read more

 

Anti-hate crimes legislation passes Pennsylvania House

(Oct 31, 2023) Rep. Dan B. Frankel, Rep. Napoleon Nelson

HARRISBURG, Oct. 31 – Legislation to expand and strengthen Pennsylvania’s anti-hate crimes statutes won bipartisan passage out of the Pennsylvanian House Tuesday, putting Pennsylvania on track to take action amid a nationwide spike in criminal activity fueled by hatred. State Reps. Dan Frankel and Napoleon Nelson, sponsors of the bill package, called on the Senate to act quickly to signal to all vulnerable groups that Pennsylvania’s state government stands with them. “The conflict in Israel has Jewish and Muslim Pennsylvanians feeling afraid – afraid to leave home, afraid to practice their faith, afraid to gather with their communities at a time when such events would bring them the most comfort,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. “The vast majority of Pennsylvanians want this commonwealth to be a welcoming, diverse place for all, and that is the call legislators answered today.” Frankel noted that once the legislative package becomes law, Pennsylvania will join the majority of states that acknowledge the growing scourge of attacks on Americans for who they are, how they look or who they love. Nelson said, “Look at the headlines about what’s happening at our colleges, and you’ll see why kids don’t feel safe on campus – especially if they’re black, brown, Jewish, Muslim … the list of groups experiencing the rise in ethnic intimidation continues. I Read more

 

Bill geared toward investigating, reporting, identifying hate crimes passes House

(Oct 31, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 31 – On Tuesday, a House bill co-sponsored by state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., that would strengthen law enforcement’s ability to investigate and identity hate crimes, passed the state House. Specifically, H.B.1024 , which is part of a larger anti-hate crime bill package, would provide training geared toward accurately investigating, identifying and reporting crimes of ethnic intimidation to police departments across the state. “I’m disgusted to have to report that in 2023 hates crimes and discrimination are on the rise, especially antisemitism and Islamophobia. The worst part of all this? Experts say the actual number of hate crimes is much larger than what we’re seeing on paper,” Kenyatta said. “That’s a major problem that calls for an immediate response, which is why I supported this legislation. It’s my hope we’re able to move the remaining bills in this bill package through the state House in the near future. These numbers should be trending down – not up.” According to data obtained by the Pennsylvania State Police, the commonwealth saw a sharp increase in hate crimes in 2021. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security noted in a 2020 threat assessment that white supremacist extremists remain the “most persistent and lethal threat to the homeland.” In response to this assessment Read more

 

Cephas joins governor in ceremonial bill signing of legislation to ensure proper data collection on maternal morbidity

(Oct 31, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 31 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus , participated today in the ceremonial bill signing of Act 5 of 2023 into law, which adds “severe maternal morbidity: to the list of reportable events within the Pennsylvania Department of Health. “I am still beyond excited about seeing Act 5 signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro,” said Cephas, who also is a former chair of the Women’s Health Caucus and who has championed the issue for years. “This a collective effort to prevent maternal morbidity in the commonwealth. Act 5 will help reduce the growing and alarming number of maternal deaths,” Cephas added. “I praise the efforts of Senator Judy Schwank who is leading this remarkable win. The collected data on maternal morbidity will facilitate a better understanding of risk factors and key patterns linked to this issue,” Cephas said. Senate Bill 262 , who has Schwank as its prime sponsor, is part of a package of bills aimed at addressing maternal morbidity and mirrors legislation authored by Cephas (H.B. 1362 ) in the past two legislative sessions and is a key part of her efforts to reduce Black maternal mortality and improve Black maternal health in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Legislation ending for-profit evictions in Philadelphia reported out of House Housing & Community Development Committee

(Oct 31, 2023) Rep. Rick Krajewski

HARRISBURG, Oct. 31 – Legislation ( H.B. 287 ) introduced by state Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., that would overhaul Philadelphia’s eviction process was approved by the House Housing and Community Development Committee today and now heads to the House chamber for consideration. This legislation was introduced by Krajewski in partnership with Reps. Morgan Cephas, Tarik Khan and Roni Green following a series of shootings that occurred during evictions carried out by Philadelphia’s landlord-tenant officers. It would change Philadelphia’s eviction system by requiring that evictions be carried out by a public entity, receive oversight from a review board and involve accompanying behavioral health professionals. “Evictions are the worst day in someone’s life, and we need to do everything we can to make sure they’re carried out safely and with compassion. Philadelphia's violent, for-profit eviction system is an outlier statewide and desperately needs to be replaced,” Krajewski said. Krajewski said H.B. 287 would halt the unaccountable for-profit behavior of the LTO, the only private entity performing evictions in Pennsylvania, and provide a model for publicly accountable evictions that can be replicated statewide. The bill is supported by the Philadelphia City Council, the mayor of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office Read more

 

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure

(Oct 30, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s, D-Montgomery, legislation that would help create more EV charging stations throughout Pennsylvania at no cost to the Pennsylvania taxpayer passed the House today. House Bill 1474 would add electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects as an eligible project type under Pennsylvania’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy program (C-PACE). C-PACE, which was created by Act 30 of 2018 , has facilitated over $250 million in investments in energy efficiency, clean energy, conservation, and other projects by connecting property owners with long-term financing. The investments are funded entirely through private capital, so it would not impose any financial burden on the commonwealth or local governments, according to Ciresi. “My House Bill 1474 would help develop Pennsylvania’s EV charging infrastructure at no cost to the taxpayer at a time when electric vehicles are becoming more prevalent on our roads and highways,” Ciresi said. “This legislation would unlock financing to install charging stations throughout the commonwealth—from places of employment, restaurants, apartments, hotels, shopping centers to tourist attractions. More charging stations makes it easier for everyone to operate these energy-efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles in Pennsylvania, whether you’re a resident running errands or business traveler or tourist visiting our state.” The bill has Read more

 

Schweyer: House Education Committee addressing real needs of students and their families, not culture wars

(Oct 30, 2023) Rep. Peter G. Schweyer

As chair of the Education Committee, we will continue to focus on ensuring that our students have equal access to a top-quality system of education, in buildings that won’t poison our kids, and with the right number or qualified teachers. We will work to make college and career and technical school more accessible. Read more

 

Cephas to participate in ceremonial signing of bills aimed at addressing maternal morbidity

(Oct 30, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus , announced today that she will join the ceremonial signing of Act 5 into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The package of bills would help create better reporting of maternal morbidity data. Senate Bill 262 , sponsored by state Sen. Judy Schwank, is part of a package of bills aimed at addressing maternal morbidity and mirrors legislation (H.B. 1362 ) authored in the state House by Cephas in the past two legislative sessions. WHAT : Ceremonial bill signing of Act 5 . WHO : Gov. Josh Shapiro, State Rep. Morgan Cephas , and state Sen. Judy Schwank . WHEN : 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. WHERE : Governor’s Reception Room, PA Capitol. Media coverage is invited. Read more

 

Gergely introduces bill to enhance quality of donated plasma in PA

(Oct 30, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, introduced a bill today that would ensure plasma donated throughout the state is suitable for subsequent use in health and medical forums. The legislation (H.B. 1795 ) would require that source plasma, specifically, undergoes extensive testing upon donation and before it is ultimately integrated into essential pharmaceuticals. Gergely’s bill, co-sponsored by state Rep. Tim Briggs of Montgomery County, would also allow more focus to be devoted to developing such pharmaceuticals by eliminating a signification portion of subsequent testing conducted in labs during the clinical development phase. “Plasma is vital for treating rare diseases, chronic conditions, and emergencies like trauma and burns,” Gergely said. “My bill would help ensure that PA has a safe and sustainable plasma supply necessary for bettering and saving countless lives.” “In a world where plasma can mean the difference between life and death, we cannot afford to hinder the flow of this precious resource,” Briggs added. “By proposing legislation to align Pennsylvania's laws with federal standards for source plasma donation centers, we are taking a crucial step toward ensuring a reliable plasma supply for our state.” In 2017 alone, approximately 30 million liters of source plasma were collected in approximately 40 million procedures in the United States, per a work published Read more

 

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

 

House Democrats Secure Funding, Tuition Freeze for State-Related Universities, Ensuring an Affordable World-Class Education
Oct 31, 2023

Anti-hate crimes legislation passes Pennsylvania House
Oct 31, 2023

Bill geared toward investigating, reporting, identifying hate crimes passes House
Oct 31, 2023

Cephas joins governor in ceremonial bill signing of legislation to ensure proper data collection on maternal morbidity
Oct 31, 2023

Legislation ending for-profit evictions in Philadelphia reported out of House Housing & Community Development Committee
Oct 31, 2023

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure
Oct 30, 2023

Schweyer: House Education Committee addressing real needs of students and their families, not culture wars
Oct 30, 2023

Cephas to participate in ceremonial signing of bills aimed at addressing maternal morbidity
Oct 30, 2023

Gergely introduces bill to enhance quality of donated plasma in PA
Oct 30, 2023

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