News Center

PA Safe Caucus praises governor’s relaunch of Office of Gun Violence Prevention

(Sep 10, 2024) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

HARRISBURG, Sept. 10 – House and Senate leaders of the PA Safe Caucus applauded Gov. Josh Shapiro’s move Tuesday to reestablish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention as part of an effort to marshal every possible resource to keep Pennsylvanians safe. “Pennsylvanians are wondering if they will be safe at a concert or a grocery store or their house of faith, or if their children might encounter an unsecured firearm at a friend’s house or will one day hide under a desk while a school shooter thunders down the hallway,” said House PA Safe Caucus Co-chair Dan Frankel. “I’m proud to partner with a governor who doesn’t find any of that OK and doesn’t think we are powerless to stop it.” The Office of Gun Violence Prevention falls under the purview of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which is led by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. It will bring together public safety and public health experts, gun violence survivors and advocates and leaders from across Pennsylvania to address and prevent gun violence. “I applaud Governor Shapiro for taking the necessary steps to ensure safety for our communities. For decades, Republicans in the Pennsylvania legislature have blocked almost every attempt to regulate firearms, and the result has been beyond tragic for our communities,” said House PA Safe Caucus co-chair Anthony Bellmon. “This renewed office will make sure that gun Read more

 

Grants: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 10, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Main Street Matters Who May Apply: Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use: A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Funds: $20 million was allocated for this program in the 2024/25 budget. Individual grant awards vary depending on the type of grant. Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Who May Apply: Community-based organizations (i.e., active, registered 501(c)(3)s), institutions of higher education, municipalities, counties, and district attorneys. Use: Reducing community violence through, among other things, increasing access to support services and behavioral health, providing health services and intervention strategies, providing mentoring and other intervention models, and fostering and promoting communication between schools, the community, and law enforcement. Read more

 

Policy Committee highlights economic redevelopment in Erie

(Sep 10, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“This project has invested in the lives of people, not only wrapping their arms around the youth in the community but also stepping in to help young adults by providing the guidance they need in order to transition to the workforce,” said Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus chairman and hearing host Rep. Napoleon Nelson, who represents portions of Montgomery County. “We cannot expect to see success until we focus on how to improve the lives of the people in our communities.” Read more

 

Roundtable discusses positive impact of Erie County wineries

(Sep 09, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“While it might shock many of my colleagues in Harrisburg, the largest and arguably best wine-making region outside California is located right here in Erie County,” said House Majority Policy chairman Ryan Bizzarro, who hosted the House Majority Policy Committee roundtable and tour with his fellow members of the House Majority Erie Delegation. “I love promoting what Erie does best, and wine making happens to be one of our hallmarks – an agricultural and economic treasure.” Read more

 

PA House Transportation Committee meets in Reading to discuss transportation’s impact on PA

(Sep 09, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee met in Reading last week to hear from experts on Pennsylvania's transportation funding needs, according to committee Chairman Ed Neilson, D-Phila. “We can properly fund public transportation agencies in all 67 counties without raising taxes,” Neilson said. “We must act now because this isn’t just a SEPTA problem or a Philadelphia problem. This is a statewide problem that affects rural and urban communities.” The committee heard testimony from Bryan Barbin, the deputy secretary of Taxation for the PA Department of Revenue; he highlighted the impact of Pennsylvania’s mass transit infrastructure on the state’s economy. “In 2022, the Berks County economy was estimated to generate $23.8 billion in gross domestic product while Philadelphia County, the largest in Pennsylvania, generated $123 billion in gross domestic product,” Barbin said. Barbin also went into great detail about Gov. Josh Shapiro’s state budget proposal regarding public transit, explaining how investing in public transit will save on road repairs from wear and tear and lead to less overall cost in the long term. “A strong investment in mass transit not only promises to save on overall operating costs but also champions a significant environmental victory. By enhancing public transportation, we can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% per trip compared to driving, making every dollar spent Read more

 

House Transportation Committee meets in Luzerne County to discuss transportation’s impact on PA

(Sep 09, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee met at the Luzerne County Transportation Authority to hear from experts on Pennsylvania's transportation funding needs, according to committee Chairman Ed Neilson, D-Phila. “We saw a real-life example in the LCTA: investing wisely in our transit systems cuts back on overall operating costs, providing less financial burden to the taxpayers and people who rely on public transportation daily,” Neilson said. “As state lawmakers, we have a responsibility to serve the people of Pennsylvania, and it’s clear that investing in our public transit system would be a great service to everyone in the commonwealth.” Bob Fiume, executive director of LCTA and vice-chair of the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association, spoke to the committee on the significant impact that public transit has on all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. “We connect people to their jobs, educational opportunities, and lots of important services,” Fiume said. “This includes access to medical care, nutrition access for seniors, access to jobs, and continued independence for transit-dependent populations.” Fiume described how the completion of LCTA’s new building, which serves as administrative offices, vehicle storage, and a maintenance facility, is crucial to the authority. “This new building now houses our administrative offices, our vehicles, a Compressed Natural Gas fueling station for Read more

 

Williams announces $74K grant for Octorara School District

(Sep 09, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

COATESVILLE, Sept. 9 – Octorara Area School District has been awarded $74,171 to make its schools more environmentally safe thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, announced today. “Children in the Octorara School District will be able to learn in a safer and healthier educational environment thanks to this funding brought to them by a Democratic budget,” Williams said. “As a community activist and as a state representative, I have fought long and hard so our children get what they need to succeed, and that begins with learning in a clean and safe facility. Thanks to this funding, the Octorara School District will receive the funding they need to make critical improvements to protect the welfare of students and staff.” The money comes from the state’s Public ?School Environmental ???Repairs Program , made possible by funding Williams voted for in the 2023-24 state budget. Grants under the program can be used by schools to fix environmental hazards in their buildings, including removing lead in water sources and in paint, as well as asbestos and mold removal and remediation. A total of $75 million was available for the competitive grant program, and 109 school districts and technical centers across the state received grants in this round. Projects require a cash match of 50% of total eligible project costs. More information is available on the Department of Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for additional state funding for public transit following SEPTA’s announced plan for fare adjustments

(Sep 05, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 5 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today called on state lawmakers to work in earnest this fall to shore up public transit systems across the state, especially in Philadelphia where SEPTA is facing a $240 million annual budget deficit and is planning to increase fares. SEPTA officials today announced a plan to increase fares on Dec. 1 and is planning a public hearing on the proposal for Oct. 16. “Today’s decision proves two facts: SEPTA is doing everything they can to prevent a true fare increase, and the PA Senate has to stop holding funding for transit systems hostage to political games,” said Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. “We know this decision by SEPTA wasn’t made lightly. The Senate’s reckless refusal to accept the importance of public transit during this year’s budget negotiations is going to impact so many working people. “We’re ready to work with the Senate and all stakeholders to support not just SEPTA riders, but people in every county in Pennsylvania who count on transit to get to work, to school, to shop, to the doctor and more. It must be addressed now, before it is too late,” she said. In March, the delegation played an integral part in passing legislation that would provide recurring funds for public transportation in Pennsylvania. The measure would have significantly increased the transfer of revenue Read more

 

PA House Transportation Committee met at the State Capitol to discuss transportation’s impact on PA

(Sep 05, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee today met at State Capitol to hear from experts on Pennsylvania's transportation funding needs, according to committee Majority Chairman Ed Neilson, D-Phila. The committee heard from Mark Markosky, president of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania, who explained how funding transportation is vital to Pennsylvania’s long-term economic well-being. “Funding for infrastructure projects provides high quality stable and good paying jobs for thousands of highly educated Pennsylvania residents – not just in the urban areas,” Markosky said. He said that even in rural areas, a small bridge replacement requires experts from all different sectors to determine the impact the bridge will have on the community, from engineers and environmental scientists to construction inspectors. “Funding for infrastructure projects provides high quality, stable and good paying jobs for thousands of educated Pennsylvanians,” Markosky said. David Heath, a consultant for the Aviation Council of PA, spoke of the importance of Aviation on Pennsylvania’s economy and the critical need to increase state funding for aviation infrastructure in the state. “With an annual economic impact that exceeds $34 billion, the aviation industry in Pennsylvania contributes more than 4% to our state’s Gross Domestic Read more

 

Neilson responds to SEPTA’s announced fare increases

(Sep 05, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Ed Neilson, majority chair of the PA House Transportation Committee, released the following statement regarding proposed fare increases by SEPTA: “This is the exact scenario we wanted to avoid while we were negotiating the state budget. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania use public transit as a tool to survive. It connects them with important medical appointments, they rely on it to get their groceries, and many people rely on public transit to attend school or work. “SEPTA is not the only agency that will be affected by the budget shortfall in public transit funding; it will trickle down to all of them and have disastrous consequences for Pennsylvanians in both rural and urban communities, not to mention the damage it will do to our state’s economy. “If people do not have access to their only mode of travel and they cannot get to school or work, it sets the commonwealth up for a perilous future, where our constituents have trouble meeting their basic needs and obligations. “We’ve heard from many experts in the public transit sector during the Moving PA Forward by Investing in Roads, Bridges and Transit tour, and our tour will continue throughout the month. “My hope is that after listening to the experts on the significant impact public transit has on the entire state, we can come together and implement a solution for this funding crisis. Pennsylvanians deserve the freedom of movement, and some can only use that Read more

 

City, state leaders convene in City Hall to applaud passage of Solar for Schools

(Sep 04, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 4 -- State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, and House Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris, D-Phila., visited City Hall to celebrate the passage of the Solar for Schools Act . They were joined by lawmakers from both chambers of the state legislature, city councilmembers, and leaders in education, energy, and labor. Solar for Schools is a grant program designed to help school districts across Pennsylvania install solar panels on their grounds or roofs. By generating their own energy, districts can save millions of dollars over the life of a solar project -- while creating good-paying jobs, reducing environmental impact, and helping to keep costs low for taxpayers. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law on July 17. "I am excited to support the Solar for Schools grant program, a transformative initiative that not only promises to reduce energy costs but also fosters a sustainable future for our schools and communities,” said Harris . “This legislation will enable us to save significant funds -- money that can be reinvested into classrooms and educational resources. Thanks to Representative Fiedler’s dedication, we’re paving the way for a greener future for Pennsylvania’s students and communities." “The Solar for Schools grant program is good for students, taxpayers, Pennsylvania’s workforce and our environment. Not Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 04, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Statewide Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, or councils of government. Non-profits may partner with an eligible applicant to apply on their behalf. Use: Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization. See program guidelines for specific eligible uses of funds. Funds: The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest. Grant requests must be at a minimum $25,000 and no more than $1,000,000. Application Deadline: November 30, 2024 More information: DCED Website Department of Education: Hunger-Free Campus Grants Who May Apply: Institutes of Higher Education. Use: Funding may be used to ensure students have access to healthy, nutritious food. Funds: Institutions with 3,000 or fewer students are eligible for $20,000 awards. Institutions with 3,001 to 7,000 students are eligible for $40,000 awards. Institutions with greater than 7,000 students are eligible for $60,000 awards. Application Deadline: September 23, 2024 More information: PDE website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR Read more

 

Central PA Delegation to host public information meeting on transportation needs, priorities and funding in Berks County

(Sep 03, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

READING, Sept. 3 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr., chair of the Central Pennsylvania House Delegation, today announced that the group will team up with the House Transportation Committee to discuss public transportation priorities and investments in the City of Reading and Berks County. The public information meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6 in City Council Chambers, City Hall, 815 Washington St. , Reading. “Public transit systems and infrastructure development plans are critical factors for economic development and top priority of our delegation,” Guzman said. “We want to ensure that residents in urban and rural areas get equal access to convenient ways of transportation.” Guzman said the meeting’s agenda will include discussion on the proposed Schuylkill River Train to re-establish passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia for the first time in more than 40 years, along with updates on road & bridge repair, public transit, and how investments can be funded. Organizations presenting include: PennDOT, the South Central Transit Authority, and the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Michael Carroll has confirmed his participation in the meeting. The Reading stop is one of eight Moving PA Forward informational meetings the committee is holding in communities of all sizes to get the facts Read more

 

Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus expresses disappointment over administrative stay by a Texas federal court (Versión en español)

(Aug 29, 2024) PA Legislative Latino Caucus

HARRISBURG, Aug. 29 – Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus today voiced their disappointment over a federal court order that is preventing the Biden administration from moving forward with its program to keep immigrant families together. On Aug. 26, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, in Texas v. Department of Homeland Security, issued an administrative stay, preventing the Department of Homeland Security from granting parole in place under its Keeping Families Together program. DHS in June announced a key step toward fulfilling President Joe Biden’s commitment to promoting family unity in the immigration system and on Aug. 19 it implemented Keeping Families Together, a process for certain noncitizen spouses and noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens to request parole in place under existing statutory authority. While specific numbers for Pennsylvania aren’t readily available, DHS estimates that around 500,000 noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens nationwide would have been eligible for this program. Rep. Danilo Burgos, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus, conveyed his frustration over what he considers a purely political move in a volatile election year. “Far too often, the livelihoods of millions of hard-working immigrant families in Pennsylvania are jeopardized for scoring cheap political points,” Burgos said. Read more

 

PA House Transportation Committee meets in Pleasant Gap to discuss area’s transportation funding needs

(Aug 29, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee on Wednesday continued its statewide Moving PA Forward by Investing in Roads, Bridges and Transit tour at the Central PA Institute of Science and Technology in Pleasant Gap, according to committee Majority Chairman Ed Neilson, D-Phila. “Often when we think about public transit, we often think of big and bustling cities, but a lack of public transit in rural areas like Centre County can be devastating to the local economy and has a lasting effect on people’s health and well-being,” Neilson said. David Rishel, executive director and CEO of the Centre Area Transportation Authority, testified before the committee about the benefits that the agency provides for Centre County’s economy and even the environment. “CATA provides more than 200 people in Centre County with secure jobs and, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, we remove more than 13,000 cars from the road in the region every day, eliminating 250,000 tons of CO2 and reducing other greenhouse gas emissions,” Rishel said. Rishel noted that CATA delivers a massive amount of service to the region with efficiency and that ridership is returning to pre-pandemic levels. He said the agency if facing significant financial challenges and will not be able to fulfill the needs of its ridership if the state does not increase funding for and make a better commitment to public transportation. Read more

 

Frankel: Auditor General’s report on pharmacy benefit managers misses mark

(Aug 28, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“I’m embarrassed for the auditor general, but he’s not the first person to struggle to understand our health care system. It’s far too complicated, and these massive companies intentionally use that fact to fleece health care consumers," Frankel said.“Those of us working on this issue understand that spread pricing is a specific way that pharmacy benefit managers make money – by collecting the difference between how much they pay for drugs and how much they charge. Our Department of Human Services banned spread pricing in Medical Assistance years ago, and it is prohibited in contracts." Read more

 

Benham disputes findings of PBM audit, accuses auditor general of acting in bad faith

(Aug 28, 2024) Rep. Jessica Benham

HARRISBURG, Aug. 28 – In response to state Auditor General Timothy L. Defoor’s latest audit being announced this afternoon, state Rep. Jessica Benham released the following statement: “I dispute the findings of the Auditor General’s audit because they are rooted in a lack of understanding of key terms. Had the Auditor General engaged with me at any point on the issue of Pharmacy Benefits Managers, an issue I’ve been working on for quite some time, he would perhaps have a better grasp of the issues. “This audit appears to view ‘spread pricing’ and ‘transmission fees’ as synonymous and uses this as the foundation for its conclusions. However, these are not the same, and as prime sponsor of the most significant PBM reform law in the Commonwealth’s history, I would know. “Spread pricing has been banned in DHS contracts since 2019. And, in response to concerns already raised by pharmacists, DHS will be banning transmission fees starting in 2025. “In my original legislation, I proposed banning spread pricing entirely, but this was amended out of the legislation by the Senate Republicans. Perhaps the Auditor General should have conversations with members of his own party, both so they can help him understand what ‘spread pricing’ is and so they can get on the same page with banning it. “This audit is deeply unserious and misleading. PBM reform is a significant issue, one we have taken a big step to address, and the Auditor General’s problematic approach here detracts from the... Read more

 

Benham closes out statewide pharmacy tour with stops in southeastern PA

(Aug 27, 2024) Rep. Jessica Benham

Celebrates new law to reform pharmacy benefit manager policy Read more

 

Takac highlights need for jobs, economic development in rural PA

(Aug 27, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“The lack of good-paying jobs and opportunities is leading to a falling population, as young people move away, with a corresponding decrease in local small businesses and services such as grocery stores, banks and even health care,” said Rep. Paul Takac, who hosted the House Majority Policy Committee tour and roundtable discussion. Read more

 

Burns highlights need for Harrisburg to cut red tape for municipalities

(Aug 26, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“The officials we heard from today do not have dedicated attorneys or grant writers sitting on their boards,” said Rep. Frank Burns, who represents portions of Cambria County. “State grant money is a lifeline for many of these communities, it can help provide the money they need to upgrade water lines or purchase the equipment first responders need. But we know there are headaches, and we want to be able to cut the red tape for these smaller municipalities.” Read more

 

PA Safe Caucus praises governor’s relaunch of Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Sep 10, 2024

Grants: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 10, 2024

Policy Committee highlights economic redevelopment in Erie
Sep 10, 2024

Roundtable discusses positive impact of Erie County wineries
Sep 09, 2024

PA House Transportation Committee meets in Reading to discuss transportation’s impact on PA
Sep 09, 2024

House Transportation Committee meets in Luzerne County to discuss transportation’s impact on PA
Sep 09, 2024

Williams announces $74K grant for Octorara School District
Sep 09, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for additional state funding for public transit following SEPTA’s announced plan for fare adjustments
Sep 05, 2024

PA House Transportation Committee met at the State Capitol to discuss transportation’s impact on PA
Sep 05, 2024

Neilson responds to SEPTA’s announced fare increases
Sep 05, 2024

City, state leaders convene in City Hall to applaud passage of Solar for Schools
Sep 04, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 04, 2024

Central PA Delegation to host public information meeting on transportation needs, priorities and funding in Berks County
Sep 03, 2024

Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus expresses disappointment over administrative stay by a Texas federal court (Versión en español)
Aug 29, 2024

PA House Transportation Committee meets in Pleasant Gap to discuss area’s transportation funding needs
Aug 29, 2024

Frankel: Auditor General’s report on pharmacy benefit managers misses mark
Aug 28, 2024

Benham disputes findings of PBM audit, accuses auditor general of acting in bad faith
Aug 28, 2024

Benham closes out statewide pharmacy tour with stops in southeastern PA
Aug 27, 2024

Takac highlights need for jobs, economic development in rural PA
Aug 27, 2024

Burns highlights need for Harrisburg to cut red tape for municipalities
Aug 26, 2024