HARRISBURG, April 13 – State Rep. Brian Sims announced Tuesday that he has been invited to join the Council of State Governments’ new two-year Healthy States National Task Force to assist states with a variety of health and well-being challenges, all of which have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am honored to have been selected to serve on this task force and to work with my colleagues across the United States, as well as with thought leaders who are experts in their field, to determine best practices for policies surrounding health,” said Sims, D-Phila. “I look forward to digging into this work to outline real policy solutions to impact many facets of public and fiscal health to improve life for people in Pennsylvania and beyond.” The national task force will develop public policy resources and solutions to address state policy challenges in the areas of fiscal health, human health, economic and workforce health, and civic health. It will be composed of approximately 60 state leaders from all three branches of government across the country. Sims was selected to join the group because of his expertise and commitment to policy change and improvement. Beginning this year, members of the CSG Healthy States National Task Force will work for two years to oversee research and analysis on selected policy areas, identify bipartisan policy solutions, develop case studies and provide an outline of recommendations Read more

HARRISBURG, April 12 — State Reps. Chris Rabb and Liz Hanbidge have reintroduced legislation to study the costs and benefits of electric vehicles to better understand the impact of the vehicles in Pennsylvania. “Studies have shown that electric vehicles emit significantly less greenhouse gas than gasoline-powered vehicles,” Rabb, D-Phila., said. “With climate change upon us, we know electric vehicles offer a huge benefit in that they mean cleaner air and less pollution. 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.” “Studying the impact of electric cars on our commonwealth allows us deeper insight into how we can best utilize this exciting technology to create better and cleaner transportation opportunities for our communities." Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, said. Despite their positive environmental impact, electric vehicles do not pay the state motor vehicle tax, which is attached to gasoline prices. Because the funds from the motor vehicle tax are used to repair and maintain state roads and bridges, the state legislature has considered proposals to create an annual electric vehicle road use fee to alleviate any discrepancy in this funding. Rabb and Hanbidge have reintroduced a resolution that would direct the Legislative Read more

HARRISBURG, April 12 – As Pennsylvania expands vaccine eligibility, the House Democratic Policy Committee heard from the manufacturers tirelessly working to develop safe and effective vaccines for global use. At a Policy Committee hearing today, 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. Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and state Reps. Patty Kim and Darisha Parker facilitated the hearing, where Amy Walker, director of Infectious Diseases Policy for Biotechnology Innovation Organization and Lisa Coen, senior director, Vaccine Public Affairs with Pfizer, shared insight into the science behind the creation of COVID-19 vaccines, ongoing research, development and trials. Walker shared that five presidents, both Democratic and Republican, have been vaccinated, highlighting that the vaccines have received bipartisan support. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have conversations based on science and fact. These vaccines will save lives and I encourage everyone eligible and interested to take the advice of scientists and medical professionals and help put this pandemic behind us,” Bizzarro implored. “It is important for us to hear this testimony today, especially for my constituents,” Parker said. “Communities of color have battled COVID extra Read more

HARRISBURG, April 9 – The committee will hear from the biotech industry and COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers at a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing hosted by state Reps. Patty Kim and Darisha Parker. The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 12 . The media and public are invited to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy or on the committee’s Facebook page--@PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, Vice Chair Mary Isaacson and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee will join Kim and Parker to discuss how supply is catching up with demand and how vaccine distribution is meeting the needs of Pennsylvanians seeking vaccination. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here or visiting www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

HARRISBURG, April 8 -- Schools statewide are in urgent need of upgrades for the health and safety of students and staff, and today’s meeting of the House Democratic Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People highlighted what actions the state can take to address toxic schools. The public virtual hearing, hosted by Subcommittee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler and state Sen. Vincent Hughes, brought together educators from across the state, healthcare and legal professionals, and labor experts to discuss the implications of inaction and benefits of investment in school safety. Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro explained, “Pennsylvania schools need repair. Addressing these concerns will put our skilled laborers to work at family sustaining wages and set children and educators up for good health and success now and in the future.” “Most of Pennsylvania’s schools were built in the 50s when the knowledge of safe materials was limited,” Fiedler said. “But there are plenty of schools built even before that. Those old buildings pose so many health problems to our children, teachers and the community at large where they are.” “While we are in the middle of conversations to make upgrades and accommodations to our schools because of COVID, let’s take this time to discuss what overall solutions are available to make these sick buildings healthy for our kids and everyone who Read more

HARRISBURG, April 8 — State Reps. Rick Krajewski and Mary Jo Daley have introduced legislation that would protect the privacy of insured dependents by allowing them to opt-in to privately receive confidential health information. “Imagine forgoing pursuit of potentially life-saving health care simply because you're worried that information you want kept private might get shared," said Daley, D-Montgomery. "That's a sad reality in Pennsylvania right now, and it's why Representative Krajewski and I are hopeful this bill to protect the medical information of insured dependents across the commonwealth receives the attention it deserves." Krajewski, D-Phila., said the need to protect insured dependents’ privacy was brought to his attention from a constituent who is a medical student and has seen firsthand the consequences of leaving dependents vulnerable. “This constituent had patients who chose to not seek sensitive care, like sexually transmitted infection or HIV testing and mental health treatment, for fear their insured parent or guardian would find out,” Krajewski said. “Health care is a human right, and any barrier to health care needs to be addressed and resolved so that no one is left unable to get the care they need. “I think this also has implications for people who are LGBTQ+, specifically trans people who may seek hormone replacement therapy that’s covered by insurance,” Read more

Noting that capital punishment is not only an ineffective way to deter crime, but is also very costly to taxpayers and deeply flawed because people sentenced to death have later been exonerated, state Rep. Chris Rabb has reintroduced legislation that would repeal the death penalty in Pennsylvania. Read more

House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton partnered with Walmart to secure and present $2,000 grant checks this afternoon outside of her office in Southwest Philadelphia to four local nonprofits. McClinton said the funding was made possible through Walmart’s Local Community Grants program and went to the following organizations: The Common Place. African Cultural Alliance of North America. Greater Hope Ministries. The Black Brain Campaign. “My top priority is and has always been the health and safety of my neighbors, and I’m blessed to have local organizations who share my commitment – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “From critical resources and mental health help to educational and emotional support, these nonprofits are the boots on the ground working tirelessly to put our most vulnerable communities first. Investing in their success is investing in the success of Southwest Philly.” “The Walmart Foundation is proud to support these organizations in Philadelphia,” said Jason Klipa, director of public affairs and government relations for Walmart. “They are doing excellent work in their communities and one of the core pillars of Walmart is to help give back in the communities we serve.” McClinton previously worked with Walmart to present $6,000 in grant funding in December to Read more

How far have we come, and how far do we have to go to diminish -- and possibly eradicate -- racism in high schools and college campuses? Our hearing on racism on the topic pulled the curtain on the continued systematic injustice towards minority students on high school and college campuses and the lack of diversity in educators. In some Pennsylvania school districts there is a blatant lack of effort to recruit and retain educators of color and that is problematic. The historic limited access to education for people of color is still happening. Students shared their stories of the mental, physical and emotional toll their experiences with racism and discrimination have had on their well-being. Fortunately, these students turned their painful experiences into meaningful advocacy. Their testimony showed the challenge facing educational institutions in Pennsylvania. Educators, including teachers and administrators play a large role in dispelling hate in their schools. It’s imperative that they are reflective of the communities that they represent but the statistics show, they don’t. While students of color make up 33 percent of Pennsylvania’s population, less than 5 percent of teachers are people of color. Across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education faculty, 4 percent are Black, 3 percent are Hispanic and just 6 percent are Asian. When students see a diversity that reflects them in their educators, it shows promise. It shows Read more

HARRISBURG, March 25 -- Education and shattering social norms are key in combatting racism in high schools and colleges, as evidenced by testimony at today’s House Democratic Policy Committee hearing hosted by state Reps. Maureen Madden and Malcolm Kenyatta. The Monroe and Philadelphia County legislators led today’s discussion bringing together state officials, students and educators to brainstorm solutions that aim to help break cycles of systemic racism via policy development and implementation. “How do we start conversations that help people understand that freedom of speech should not be a free pass for racism? We all deserve to be respected and the blatant hate and disrespect for others is impacting lives. Hate has no place in our education system. Students go to school to learn, grow and often overcome any barriers the hand that life has dealt them. I’m grateful for this forum today to learn what’s happening in our education system and what lawmakers can do to overcome the racism in our schools,” Madden shared. “Terms like ‘diversity quota’ and ‘affirmative action applicant’ are just some of the covertly racist insults that disparage the merits of students and faculty of color in academia. Ultimately, these slights have devastating effects on the emotional and mental health of these students and faculty, thereby straining their likelihood to graduate and excel at these institutions,” Read more