More than 1,300 participate in Cephas’ telephone town hall to address gun violence, other critical issues facing Philadelphia

Philadelphia County Delegation    February 21, 2020 | 10:42 AM

 

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 21 – Amid recent shootings in Philadelphia, more than 1,300 people took part in state Rep. Morgan Cephas’ telephone town hall meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue of gun violence as well as other critical issues facing their neighborhoods.

“We can’t let ourselves become numb and simply accept deadly shootings like the one that just happened last month on 54th Street,” said Cephas. “However, finding a viable solution will take a multi-pronged approach that must involve input from the community. This telephone town hall is just another way I’m working to make sure our middle neighborhoods are part of the conversation.” 

As part of her effort to end this public health crisis, Cephas talked about the importance of passing commonsense gun safety legislation, like universal backgrounds checks, as well as investing in small businesses to create local jobs while ensuring workforce training is available to help fill those open positions.

Cephas also fielded questions about mental health and affordable housing, while pinpointing concerns that participants wanted to see addressed in the 2020-21 state budget. 

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’ve been in Harrisburg this week to begin a series of hearings to ensure we create a state budget plan that works for all Pennsylvanians,” Cephas explained. “From reducing crime and enacting anti-gun violence initiatives to investing in early education and maternal health resources, I will make sure the issues that matter most to our middle neighborhoods are part of the budget discussion.”

A recording of her telephone town hall can be heard in its entirety here.