Looking to build on the continued success of the Northeast region in the Commonwealth, state Rep. Jeanne McNeill assumed the role of chair of the Northeast Democratic Delegation in the PA House of Representatives today, a role previously held by state Rep. Maureen Madden. Read more
The legislation is not going to replace employees’ ability “to find more options to invest in their retirement, but it will start them on a path to learning more about saving for retirement,” said Rep. Kyle Mullins. Read more
House Bill 158 (Rep. Pashinski) and Senate Bill 184 would increase the time in which hospitals must notify government agencies ahead of a hospital or unit closure from 90 days to 180 days. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer, Chair of the House Education Committee, highlights three important bills that passed the House this week regarding the Pa. Teacher Pipeline Scholarship Program, a tutoring program for K-12 students, and the Grow Our Own Educators program. Schweyer says these bills would help address teacher and paraprofessional shortages across the Commonwealth. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Pete Schweyer, Chair of the House Education Committee, discusses his appointment to the Basic Education Funding Commission and the important work ahead to ensure all students in Pennsylvania receive a quality education. Read more
“I’m thrilled that Gov. Shapiro has made this a priority,” state Rep. Steve Samuelson (D., Northampton), chair of the House Finance Committee and a longtime advocate for expanding the program, told Spotlight PA. “We should have done this years ago.” Read more
Pa. state Rep. Josh Siegel spoke passionately in the House of Representatives in defense of unions and American workers. Siegel pushed for the passage of H.B. 950, which proposes an amendment to the Constitution enshrining workers' rights. Read more
Rep. Tarah Probst highlighted the stress fireworks cause to pets and livestock, as well as veterans and people with post-traumatic stress disorder. Read more
In Pennsylvania,”there are an estimated 202,000 children who live in households that are headed by their grandparents or other relatives and they deserve access to support and resources just like other foster families,” Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski said. Read more
“These facilities need oversight because they are not like other businesses, they make the difference between life or death and improve the quality of life for local patients,” Pashinski said. Read more
“One malfunction or one spark could be catastrophic to that municipality,” Probst told the Pocono Record. “This comes from local fire departments, police. It’s extremely dangerous." Read more
“When hospitals and health care facilities close or significantly reduce services, patients, doctors, nurses, staff and entire communities suffer,” Pashinski said. “These facilities need oversight because they are not like other businesses, they make the difference between life or death and improve the quality of life for local patients. Even the healthiest person will at some point need help – whether that’s a visit to the emergency room, care for mental health, preventative medicine, or treatment for cancer. House Bill 158 and Senate Bill 184 would ensure that patients, doctors, nurses, staff and their communities have a voice in any major decision to close or reduce services.” Read more
Smart growth is plodding, methodical and takes time. But it works. Pennsylvania is replete with examples of cities and suburbs that have grown smartly, kept their local character and become welcoming of new populations. Read more
Having witnessed firsthand the impact of sudden hospital closures on patients, doctors, nurses, staff and the communities they serve, Pa. state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski and colleagues from the House and Senate have introduced legislation that would provide Pennsylvanians earlier notification in the event of a hospital closure. Pashinski says the legislation doubles the notification time from 90-180 days and requires a Health Equity Impact Assessment be submitted to the state Department of Health. The bill also calls for increased community input, data collection, and public hearings prior to closure. Read more
“We have a chance today to show the workers of Pennsylvania that their time has come, that the era of greed and income inequality and the death of the American dream is over,” said Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh, in encouraging members to vote for the bill. Read more
Legislation introduced in the state House by Rep. Jenn O’Mara and Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, and in the state Senate by Sen. Carolyn Comitta, D-Chester, would double the required notice to six months. Read more
Schlossberg said that he would like to introduce radon legislation to protect renters. Read more
"Pennsylvania’s persistent teacher shortage threatens the stability of our education system and deprives children of receiving a quality education – a right guaranteed in our state constitution,” Rozzi said. Read more
“Creating an easily identifiable PA Preferred Brand logo for PA-made organic products is a win for Pennsylvania’s farmers and producers as well as our consumers who know that label means their purchase was grown in PA, by PA Farmers, for PA families,” Pashinski said. Read more
“I am pleased that the Barrett Paradise Friendly Library has graciously accepted our request and will be our host each month. We look forward to seeing and serving residents for all of their state-related needs,” said Madden, D-Monroe. Read more
State Rep. Robert Freeman, the prime sponsor of the bill, said funding would come from Pennsylvania’s 18% liquor tax, also known as the Johnstown Flood Tax. Read more
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