News Center

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Phila House Delegation Chair responds to Republican attack on democracy, attempts at voter suppression

(Apr 16, 2021) Rep. Jason Dawkins

“We have watched the Republican leadership in the state House run 14 State Government Committee hearings on voting. The impetus of these hearings was clear at the outset and crystal clear at the end. The Republican majority in Harrisburg intends to push legislation that will suppress voters’ rights by making it harder to vote and intends to continue to force the big lie that the 2020 election was fraudulent while it was not." Read more

 

Ciresi: Time is now to commit to Reading-to-Philadelphia rail service restoration

(Apr 14, 2021) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

The “excuse” train has terminated its run. Let’s get this done and enhance the vitality of our state. Read more

 

Expansion of passenger rail has potential to boost Pa. economy, improve statewide commutes

(Apr 13, 2021) Policy Committee, Rep. Joseph Ciresi

The hearing featured three panels of testifiers highlighting President Joe Biden’s recent infrastructure plan and how rail connection across the state could help rural and suburban areas benefit from economic growth. Read more

 

Cephas applauds Biden administration for highlighting national Black Maternal Health Week, reintroduces maternal health package

(Apr 13, 2021) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

In an effort to raise awareness of the maternal health disparities in communities of color, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation to officially recognize this week as Black Maternal Health Week, an action applauded by Rep. Morgan Cephas, D- Phila. Read more

 

Conklin: We must protect our natural gas wells to keep our communities safe

(Apr 13, 2021) Rep. Scott Conklin

Conklin, D-Centre, said while the Marcellus Shale formation has brought well drilling operations and employment opportunities to many parts of the state, it’s also led to an increased risk of drilling-related accidents that can affect the health, safety, and property of residents. Read more

 

Rabb, Hanbidge urge measures to better understand impact of electric vehicles in Pa. before enacting legislation to charge fees

(Apr 12, 2021) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb, Rep. Liz Hanbidge

"When it comes to the fees that electric vehicle owners will be charged – specifically regarding the motor vehicle tax – Representative Hanbidge and I believe additional information is needed, and that’s why we’re urging a study." Read more

 

BioTech Innovation Organization, Pfizer share vaccine efficacy, role in COVID-19 recovery

(Apr 12, 2021) Policy Committee, Rep. Patty Kim, Rep. Darisha Parker

Testifiers included representatives from Biotechnology Innovation Organization and Pfizer, who provided details on the technology behind the development of the COVID-19 vaccines and how the United States can reach herd immunity. Read more

 

Pa. environmental protection must be strengthened

(Apr 08, 2021) Rep. Greg Vitali

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has been under-resourced for years. This is due primarily to a Republican-controlled legislature which has starved it of funding. The DEP must be provided with adequate money and staffing in the upcoming Commonwealth budget. Read more

 

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

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

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

Phila House Delegation Chair responds to Republican attack on democracy, attempts at voter suppression
Apr 16, 2021

Ciresi: Time is now to commit to Reading-to-Philadelphia rail service restoration
Apr 14, 2021

Expansion of passenger rail has potential to boost Pa. economy, improve statewide commutes
Apr 13, 2021

Cephas applauds Biden administration for highlighting national Black Maternal Health Week, reintroduces maternal health package
Apr 13, 2021

Conklin: We must protect our natural gas wells to keep our communities safe
Apr 13, 2021

Rabb, Hanbidge urge measures to better understand impact of electric vehicles in Pa. before enacting legislation to charge fees
Apr 12, 2021

BioTech Innovation Organization, Pfizer share vaccine efficacy, role in COVID-19 recovery
Apr 12, 2021

Pa. environmental protection must be strengthened
Apr 08, 2021