After statements made by Mayor Jim Kenney regarding the shooting at the Welcome America festival, state Rep. Amen Brown, D-Phila., is demanding that the mayor step down because of dereliction of duty. “As someone who made the decision to run for office and be elected by the people, it is his responsibility to do all he can to address the issues plaguing our communities.” Brown said. In an interview after the shooting at the Welcome America festival, Kenney stated that he “can’t wait until he’s not mayor anymore.” Brown said that if the mayor feels that way, he should step down immediately. “Philadelphia is in a state of chaos and lawlessness,” Brown said. “Not everyone has the luxury or privilege to just pick up and leave and go enjoy some stuff. His statement was beyond tone deaf and a slap in the face to the families and communities that have been impacted by gun violence. And, if Mayor Kenney doesn’t want to do his job and lead this city, then he should resign and let someone take the lead that actually cares about what’s happening to our people and wants to see and be a part of change.” Brown maintained that no matter how little time Kenney has left in his term, he should remain dedicated until the end of it. “We need a leader who cares about us, not one who is checked out and lacking empathy.” Brown said. “He Read more

HARRISBURG, July 1 – To help combat crime and violence and reduce the number of guns sold on the streets, state Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Phila., said he plans to advance legislation that would allow civilians to sell legal and illegal firearms to law enforcement agencies without prosecution for possession. “I am proposing legislation requiring the Office of Attorney General to establish a statewide gun buyback program in conjunction with the commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police,” Cruz said. “Under the program, anyone surrendering a firearm would be able to do so anonymously, without the threat of prosecution and also receive an incentive.” According to the lawmaker, gun buyback programs have served communities by decreasing gun suicide risks, providing opportunities for safe storage education, and aiding localities in identifying guns used in unsolved crimes. Cruz pointed out that despite these benefits, gun buyback programs are often sporadically available and under- or inconsistently funded. “Given the broad, bipartisan support for these programs -- 87% of Democrats support such a program, as do 73% of independents and 66% of Republicans -- we must work together to ensure their sustainability.” Read more

HARRISBURG, July 1 -- State Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., said today he worked closely with state Rep. Martina White, R-Phila., and House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton to pass bipartisan legislation to renew the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Philadelphia. The bill passed the Senate on Thursday and is headed to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk for his signature. Solomon said PICA has been effective in stabilizing the economic health of Philadelphia that led to balanced budgets for 25 years. It borrows funds on the city’s behalf and in exchange, oversees Philadelphia’s finances. “Economic conditions in Philadelphia affect the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Solomon said. “We must renew PICA in order to keep Philadelphia fiscally sound and, as a result, the entire commonwealth will benefit. Today, we all worked together to ensure not only the financial health of Philadelphia but, through transparency, establish trust in the city’s financial decisions from taxpayers and legislators alike.” “This is important legislation that will help the city as it continues to face financial uncertainty with its budget projects and limited choices,” White said. “Philadelphia is an economic engine for our commonwealth, and by renewing the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, we can ensure that the city continues on the path of economic viability benefitting our residents Read more

HARRISBURG, June 30 -- The PA Senate has passed legislation introduced by state Reps. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., and Wendi Thomas, R-Bucks, that would set up legacy infrastructure projects for all regions of the commonwealth in anticipation of the 250th birthday of the U.S. in 2026. “We on the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semi quincentennial -- America250PA -- want to both preserve the legacy of our heritage and invest in the commonwealth’s future by repairing, restoring and revitalizing historic state landmarks that do exactly that,” Solomon said. “This legislation would seek to provide the framework and identify valuable projects for all 67 counties in Pennsylvania to celebrate 250 years of excellence.” House Bill 1952 would set the foundation for projects throughout the commonwealth, such as monuments, trails, and veterans memorials that need revitalization, which would both improve our state and commemorate our heritage. “This legislation will engage all the citizens of the Commonwealth, from all 67 counties, in the celebration of America250PA,” Thomas said. “Pennsylvanians will be involved in selecting a lasting project for their region, and in this way be a part of the national celebration while celebrating Pennsylvania’s contribution to the past and the future.” The bill passed the Senate on Thursday and is headed to the governor’s desk to be signed. Read more

“We have a state budget due in one day. Let’s focus on that. Let’s focus on getting money to our schools and to our communities. We must end this absurd political theater that’s meant to distract from the real issue – which is that the legislature must do something about gun proliferation and gun violence and not tie the hands of cities like Philadelphia when it comes to enacting sensible gun reforms.” Read more

HARRISBURG, June 29 – In an effort to support Pennsylvania homeowners who struggle to make expensive property repairs, state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Jordan Harris, both D-Phila., plan to introduce legislation that would address the issue and reduce financial distress for many households. “The state must partner with and empower municipalities to create neighborhood infrastructure repair programs to support the people we serve,” Cephas said. “Our legislation would do that with an investment of state funding and a match in municipality funding.” According to the lawmakers, homeowners are often left responsible for alleyways, sidewalks and other community infrastructure that the public uses, and the repairs and maintenance to these pathways can be overwhelming. They said the legislation would allow applicants whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines to have their repair projects fully funded. Those above the threshold could have their portion of the costs spread out over 15 years and applied to their tax bill without interest. “Since the public is using this infrastructure, we can help homeowners make these spaces safe, accessible and built better for future generations.” Read more

HARRISBURG, June 27 -- State Rep. Amen Brown, D-Phila., has called for all attendees to present valid government-issued identification to enter gun shows in Pennsylvania. Brown has proposed this change in the wake of recent mass shootings and the proliferation of unregulated “ghost guns,” such as the one used in the mass shooting on South Street on June 4. The proposal also comes in response to the nonstop gun violence happening in Philadelphia that has been ravaging communities. “I have attended these gun shows, and all the components are available to leave and assemble an unregistered firearm,” Brown stated after attending last week’s gun show in Allentown. “Contrary to what vendors of ghosts gun kits at guns shows say, these are not adult Legos. These ghost guns have a deadly impact on our community, and something needs to be done.” According to Brown, unlike normal handguns, ghost gun kits are unregistered, and can be sold to anyone without any ID. Purchasers assemble the parts themselves. Brown has introduced legislation that would require all attendees at Pennsylvania gun shows to provide ID prior to entry and to require show operators to maintain records of attendees for at least five years. Under Brown’s bill, the records would be made available for review to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, as well as to any country prosecutor or municipal police department upon request of the Read more

State Rep. Amen Brown, D-Phila., has called for Mayor Kenney to immediately work with Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw to restore the 90th and 92nd Police Districts in East and West Fairmount Park. According to Brown, these districts were eliminated as part of a package of severe budget cuts during the financial crisis of 2008 by then-Mayor Michael Nutter, which also included eliminating libraries and recreation centers. Brown said the time has come for these districts to be restored. "Fairmount Park had dedicated policing and security since the original Park Guard was created in 1868 and consolidated into the Philadelphia Police Department in 1972," Brown said. "These dedicated police patrolled the largest urban park in America and maintained it as an urban oasis for all Philadelphians until severe budget cuts forced the elimination of these Park Police Districts. “The time has come to restore them,” Brown said. Brown said that police were consolidated into neighboring high crime districts, including the 16th and 19th in West Philadelphia, and the 22nd, 23rd and 39th in North Philadelphia, which have no officers to spare for park patrols. This has left the park without any police. "With the elimination of the Park Police Districts, I am not surprised that even after they called to report a $2 million vandalism and burglary, there was no police response,” Brown said. Read more

HARRISBURG, June 14 -- State Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., said he worked closely with state Rep. Martina White, R-Phila., and House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton to pass bipartisan legislation to renew the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Philadelphia. PICA was effective in stabilizing the economic health of Philadelphia, which led to balanced budgets for 25 years. “Economic conditions in Philadelphia affect the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Solomon said. “We must renew PICA in order to keep Philadelphia fiscally sound and, as a result, the entire commonwealth will benefit. Today we all worked together to ensure the financial health of Philadelphia.” “Philadelphia is an economic engine for our commonwealth, and by renewing the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, we can ensure that the city continues on the path of economic viability benefitting our residents and our state,” McClinton said. The bill passed the House on Monday and now moves to the PA Senate for its consideration. Read more

HARRISBURG, June 13 -- State Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., along with state Rep. Wendi Thomas, R-Bucks, have introduced bipartisan legislation that would set up legacy infrastructure projects for all regions of the commonwealth in anticipation of the 250th birthday of the U.S. in 2026. “We on the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial -- America250PA -- want to both preserve the legacy of our heritage and invest in the commonwealth’s future by repairing, restoring and revitalizing historic state landmarks that do exactly that,” Solomon said. “This legislation would seek to provide the framework and identify valuable projects for all 67 counties in Pennsylvania to celebrate 250 years of excellence.” House Bill 1952 would establish a foundation for projects throughout the commonwealth such as monuments, trails and veteran memorials that need revitalization to both improve the state and commemorate our heritage. “Our 250th birthday celebration will be an important opportunity to show the world the many historic treasures of our Commonwealth as well as our commitment to investing in our future,” Thomas said. “Celebrating by completing these merit-worthy infrastructure projects will engage each region of our Commonwealth in an effort to chart a lasting legacy of our 250th celebration in all 67 counties.” Read more