Pennsylvania will be a key battleground state in this election, and we all can agree: every citizen 18 years of age and older has the right to vote and do so safely this November, whether that be in-person or by mail. Every vote will be counted. Every vote matters, and it is both our democratic and civic duty to shape our future by exercising our right to vote. Because of COVID-19, experts anticipate a large number of mail-in ballots, which take time to count. In fact, we saw this in our primary election. This means that instead of the projected winners we are all used to seeing reported on election night, it is very likely that the results of the general election will not be known in time for the 11 p.m. news – and there is no legal requirement they have to be known on Election Day. It’s vital to be patient and allow every vote to be verified and counted as we have throughout American history. Until those votes are finished being tallied, we must respect the integrity of our democratic process and wait patiently for the final certified results. 2020 will be an election like no other, with projected historic turnout and public health challenges. Every vote cast must be counted, and the democratic will of the majority must be respected. This is the cornerstone of American democracy. Register to vote. If you choose to vote by mail, apply for your ballot as soon as you can and, when it arrives, fill it out and return it right away – Read more
Sept. 18, 2020 email. Read more
Sept. 11, 2020 email. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 8 – State Rep. Danilo Burgos, along with state Reps. Joe Hohenstein, Mary Isaacson, all D-Phila., today joined the Driving PA Forward Coalition at the Saint Francis of Assisi Church to highlight their legislation to help undocumented individuals apply for a driver's license. “Our bill is about making Pennsylvania roads safer by requiring that all residents pass the mandatory written and vision examinations and road test to obtain a driver’s license,” Burgos said. “An additional benefit is that the revenue generated from application costs to PennDOT and purchases on car insurance policies would greatly benefit Pennsylvania’s economy -- a much needed relief as our economy struggles to gain stability in the wake of the pandemic.” Concurring with Burgos, Hohenstein pointed to immigrants comprising a substantial population of Pennsylvania’s workforce, especially as essential workers during the pandemic. "It’s not an exaggeration to say that immigrants have a large role in keeping our country running," Hohenstein said. "One in six people fulfilling essential roles during the pandemic is an immigrant. Many are our doctors, nurses and healthcare providers. Others are farm workers who sow, tend and harvest our food. Others prepare and serve us our food. All should have access to an official driver's license from the state in order to continue Read more
Sept. 3, 2020 email. Read more
PHILADELPHIA , Aug. 27 – State Rep. Mary Isaacson said she is excited that Thomas Jefferson University will continue its efforts to create a COVID-19 vaccine with $508,480 in state funding announced today by Gov. Tom Wolf. According to Isaacson, T homas Jefferson University was awarded funding from COVID-19 Vaccines, Treatments, and Therapies project funds available to support the rapid advancement of vaccines, treatments and therapies by qualified biotechnology entities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is part of $10 million in funding awarded by Wolf to 23 entities in concert with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. “I am thrilled to see a quality research university like Thomas Jefferson University be given the opportunity to advance its efforts to fight a global pandemic that has dramatically changed our lives this year,” Isaacson said. “As the coronavirus began its spread, Thomas Jefferson sprang into action, working with researchers and manufacturers to join in the fight for a safe and effective vaccine that will need to be available to billions of people across the globe. “I congratulate our talented researchers at Thomas Jefferson for winning this project funding and thank Governor Wolf for his leadership in getting project funding like this into very capable hands.” Projects awarded funding through DCED include those that will study the use of cancer medications Read more
As House lawmakers prepare to return to voting session on Tuesday, Sept. 1, it’s a good time to take stock. The legislature was able to accomplish a lot and in bipartisan cooperation in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. We worked together for several weeks to set up financial programs, resources, and health and safety protections for people, businesses and our healthcare infrastructure. Now, not so much. As the summer wears on, bipartisan cooperation has given way to political posturing, effectively shutting down any kind of additional supports and protections for the people we as a collective body are meant to serve. And, that has put us on the eve of another crisis. In a few short days, scores of working people who lost their jobs as result of the COVID-19 pandemic and others will have a new burden to bear. Gov. Tom Wolf’s moratorium on evictions is set to expire on Monday, Aug. 31, and he is prohibited from renewing it with executive powers beyond that date. The legislature can and must step in. Legislation ( H.B. 2404 ) I have introduced with Allegheny County Democratic state Rep. Summer Lee is critical for giving working families a measure of security in the continuing COVID-19 health crisis. It can be voted on at any time. The only force stopping it is the majority party in Harrisburg. Under the legislation, people who are unemployed, separated from their employment or unable to find employment when an epidemic or Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 25 – Penn Treaty School has been awarded a grant to improve educational services for its students during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to state Rep. Mary Isaacson, who represents the Fishtown neighborhood in which the school resides. Isaacson said Penn Treaty is receiving $61,022 in Governor’s Emergency Education Relief program funds, which are designed to improve educational services for students at schools designated for Additional Targeted Support and Improvement under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act authorizes governors to determine the educational use of these funds. “Schools across the city are working very hard to set up online learning for the start of the school year with an eye toward in-person instruction later on, and additional funding is crucial in helping our schools achieve their goals,” Isaacson said. “It is especially critical for schools that are identified as needing extra support to ensure the needs of their students are being met. I am grateful to see this funding going to the Wolf Pack at this critical time.” Grants were calculated based on elements of the federal Title I, Part A formula, including the number of economically disadvantaged students and other school enrollment data. More information on the grants is available here . Read more
Aug. 21 email. Read more
Aug. 14 email. Read more
Aug. 7 email. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 5 – State Rep. Mary Isaacson, D-Phila., announced Wednesday that six cultural nonprofit organizations in her district that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have been awarded more than $50,000 combined in emergency relief aid. Read more
July 31 email. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 27 -- Citing the distressing impacts COVID-19 is having on Pennsylvania’s restaurant industry and a recent Yelp survey showing more than half of restaurants could close permanently due to the virus’ impact, Democrats in Harrisburg have crafted a legislative package aimed at providing relief to community business owners and the workers that cook and serve our food. The package includes nine bills that would provide grants to local restaurants, bars and clubs, reduce and eliminate specific licensing fees, extend discounts to licensees and protect businesses by guaranteeing their insurance pays out in future emergencies. These efforts will provide direct relief to an industry of Pennsylvania businesses the virus has hit hard, House Democratic leaders said. Restrictions put in place have been necessary in the state’s response to COVID-19. The leaders said they recognize the hardship the virus has continued to place on the restaurant industry. Restaurants have served as the backdrop of many life occasions and special moments and they need support more now than ever. The House Democratic package includes: Earmarking CARES grant funding from the federal government to be directed to small, community restaurants instead of national chains to ensure those dollars are invested back into the region. ( Rep. Joe Ciresi, Montgomery County & Rep. Tina Davis, Bucks County ) Earmarking CARES grant Read more
July 24 email. Read more
July 17 email. Read more
July 10 email. Read more
July 7 email. Read more
July 3 email. Read more
Email from June 26. Read more
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