“Our responsibility is to ensure that utility rates are fair, justified and sustainable —because at the end of the day, these decisions impact every household and every employer in our communities,” said Rep. Morgan Cephas, who represents portions of Philadelphia and co-hosted the hearing. “We need transparency, accountability and a clear understanding of what’s driving these increases—and what can be done to protect workers, working families and seniors.” Read more

Stephanie Shepard, executive director of the Last Prisoner Project, served nine years of a ten-year sentence, before returning to a community with a shifting attitude toward the substance at the heart of her conspiracy to distribute marijuana conviction.Cannabis, she said, has grown into a massive industry, though many of the people benefitting from it “really didn’t look like me or many of the people that I was incarcerated with.”And while she hailed lawmakers’ efforts to legalize or decriminalize recreational cannabis, she urged a panel of Democratic state House members Monday to stay focused on the people most affected by criminalization.Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) was also in attendance, and described her journey from skeptic to supporter of cannabis legalization.“My colleagues know it took me a while to get here when it comes to cannabis,” she said. “What really brought me to the table was both Rep. Parker and Rep. Krajewski talking about the decriminalizing of cannabis, and what does that look like for those whose communities have been targeted, whose communities have been taken advantage of, have been overpoliced, which was something that was not a part of the original conversation when they were talking about legalization here in Pennsylvania.” Read more

Some lawmakers in Harrisburg continue to press for legal cannabis, while a bipartisan measure to legalize cannabis for adults is stalled in the Pennsylvania State Senate.State Representative Morgan Cephas is asking the key question regarding House Bill 20 with what's being called the clean slate provision when it comes to non-violent marijuana offenses."I don't want to see legalization unless there is some impact on those who've been arrested, whose lives have been changed," Rep. Cephas (D) said. Read more

“The Brews to Barns Act turns waste into opportunity,” Bizzarro said. “By connecting brewers with local farms, we reduce waste, strengthen our agricultural economy, and help local businesses lift each other up. This bill is an opportunity to help Pennsylvania brewers and farmers during a difficult economic time.” Read more

“When people can work, find housing, and strive to help their families realize a better life, our communities are safer and stronger,” said Rep. Andre D. Carroll, who represents portions of Philadelphia. Read more

Education leaders and state lawmakers are encouraging more people to enter the teaching profession through a student-teacher stipend program aimed at easing financial barriers amid ongoing staffing shortages across Pennsylvania.State Rep. Morgan Cephas said those gaps underscore the importance of building a more diverse teacher pipeline. She recalled the influence of two Black teachers in her own life.“They reminded me of my father,” she said. “They were disciplined but also nurturing. They challenged and pushed me. When students see themselves in their teachers, they are able to thrive.” Cephas said financial barriers are also a key obstacle for aspiring educators.“The path to becoming a teacher has required more than just passion and purpose,” she said. “It has required sacrifice that not everyone can afford to make.”“The people who cannot afford it are often the ones we need most,” she added. “When they fall behind, we all fall behind. We lose talent at a time when we are already facing a teacher shortage, and we reinforce inequities in a system that should be rooted in opportunity and access.” Read more

In the wake of PECO’s decision to retract proposed rate hikes, state Rep. Danilo Burgos thanked Gov. Josh Shapiro, fellow legislators, and Pennsylvanians for speaking up and out. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, April 16 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, chair of the Pennsylvania House Energy Committee, issued the following response to PECO’s rate case withdrawal Thursday: “People in my district are already struggling. They’re working multiple jobs, canceling doctors’ appointments, and putting groceries back on the shelf instead of in their cart. It’s painful to think about the choices that Pennsylvanians would face if their bills shot up by another $30 a month, but that was almost their reality. “I am relieved to hear the news that PECO customers will avoid another unnecessary rate hike. The withdrawal of the proposed rate increase will save 1.7 million ratepayers a total of $510 million on their utility bills. PECO’s requested hike would have increased some household bills by up to $34 a month. “This reversal makes evident that a rate hike was never necessary to maintain safe and reliable service. It shows us that utility companies are making extraordinary profits already, at a cost to working people and families. “PECO’s CEO made more than $15 million last year. Meanwhile, utility bills are up 10 to 20 percent. The war in Iran, reckless tariffs, and big tech have worsened the affordability crisis. Pennsylvanians are making impossibly painful choices just to pay their bills and stay afloat. They deserve to thrive – not just survive. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 16 – Today, the Philadelphia House Delegation thanked Gov. Josh Shapiro, legislators, and PA residents for speaking out against PECO’s proposed rate hike. Shapiro announced today that PECO will withdraw its recently proposed rate increase that would have added over $34 per month for customers beginning in 2027. Due to the engagement of Pennsylvanians and PECO’s acknowledgement that many families are facing affordability issues, PECO withdrew its request and prevented an unreasonable rate hike for 1.7 million Pennsylvanians. After PECO initially announced its intention to pursue the increase, Philadelphia House Delegation members created a petition opposing the rate hike, which received a resounding response from the public that the proposal should not be approved. “I appreciate every single one of you who took the time to sign our petition and speak up about this issue,” Delegation Chair state Rep. Morgan Cephas said. “Our neighbors are fighting economic battles on so many fronts nowadays, and unnecessary increases to electricity and natural gas bills could very well have been a breaking point for families across Philadelphia. Due to your voice and your engagement, we’ve told PECO that we will not be taken advantage of.” PA House Energy Committee Chair state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler also thanked everyone who voiced their disapproval of PECO’s proposal. “The loud and unified response from Read more

HARRISBURG, April 15 – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation ( H.B. 1541 ) introduced by state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., that would protect construction contractors from being held liable for the negligence of others. Hohenstein said many construction contractors are forced to accept liability for another party’s negligence when entering into construction contracts under current law. His legislation would void any provision in new construction contracts in which a party is indemnified, or excused from being held liable, for damages resulting from that party's negligence. “Being held liable for the negligence of others is unfair to contractors and can also enforce a negative reputation on the contractor’s business,” Hohenstein said. “My legislation would help protect Pennsylvania construction contractors from being forced to accept liability for someone else’s negligence. This will promote fairness, better work production, and better business for contractors.” The bill now heads to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration. Read more