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Philadelphia House Delegation lauds passage of equitable school funding

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Cephas' bill would address implicit bias in Pa. health care

(Jun 26, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

HARRISBURG, June 26 – On the heels of a new report detailing racial biases in the U.S. healthcare system, state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., today emphasized the need for her legislation that seeks to resolve the subconscious biases of healthcare providers in the state so they can improve patient care and adapt practices for the diverse communities they serve. A lengthy report released today by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine laid out the harms of structural racism in the U.S. healthcare system to minority populations and offered solutions to combatting the problem. Cephas’ legislation ( H.B. 2178 ) to address the biases of healthcare providers in Pennsylvania was introduced in April. Under Cephas’ bill, each person applying for a license or certification issued by a health-related board within the Department of State would be required to complete training regarding implicit bias and cultural competence. Such training would, at minimum, include an understanding of implicit bias and include practical techniques to reduce unconscious bias and improve cultural competence. “There is extensive evidence and research of implicit bias in our healthcare system, resulting in the unequal treatment of patients based on race, gender, weight, age, language spoken, income and insurance status, and most often leading to negative health outcomes for poor people and communities of Read more

 

Overbrook Night Market delivers resources, family-friendly fun for nearly 10,000 residents

(Jun 21, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

PHILADELPHIA, June 21 – Nearly 10,000 people of all ages braved the heat to connect with their neighbors, support local businesses and have some family-friendly fun, according to state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., a coordinator of West Philadelphia’s annual street food festival held last night. “I am so grateful to the many community partners who make The Overbrook Night Market a great event year in and year out,” Cephas said. “Despite the heat, the people came out again this year to celebrate their neighborhood, have some fun and support local businesses, talented artists and our culture. I look forward to its continuing success.” Now in its fourth year, and co-hosted by Overbook West Neighbors Inc., the event featured 35+ food trucks and vendors, a family zone with kids’ activities and three DJs. There was a special appearance by Miss Philadelphia, Tynecia Wilson, and local leaders including City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore-Richardson, Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. and District Attorney Larry Krasner. Residents also had the opportunity to connect with resources and local businesses and organizations including PCOM, PECO and MainLine Health, along with Penn Medicine, Independence Blue Cross, Xfinity and Cobbs Creek Foundation. Cephas and her staff also were on hand to help people with state-related programs, services and issues. The mission of The Overbrook Night Read more

 

The latest UArts hearing discusses red flags before closure, a failed move to save the school, and an accusation of ‘cowards’ on the board

(Jun 18, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

High-level University of the Arts administrators tried to halt the university’s abrupt June closure, but were stonewalled and frozen out, one said Monday at a state hearing on the sudden shutdown. Read more

 

Students, faculty, alumni detail UArts closure

(Jun 17, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

“This has been a terrible time for the University of the Arts students, staff and alumni,” said Policy Committee hearing host state Rep. Ben Waxman, who represents portions of Philadelphia including the UArts campus in Center City. “They have been treated in such a way that is frankly unacceptable. The University of the Arts’ leadership has refused to provide information, even after throwing the lives of thousands of people into chaos because of their incompetence.” Read more

 

Democratic lawmakers to introduce bill increasing transparency for institutions of higher education

(Jun 13, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 13 – State Reps. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., and Bob Merski, D-Erie, announced today that they will be introducing legislation to help prevent abrupt closures of higher education institutions in Pennsylvania. This announcement comes roughly one week after the sudden closure of The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. This legislation would require colleges or universities to provide financial information yearly if they receive commonwealth funds or federal funds distributed by the commonwealth. The lawmakers believe that this proposal would ensure transparency for the commonwealth, students, and staff of higher education institutions and continued good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The University of the Arts is located in Waxman’s legislative district, covering center city Philadelphia. “When I heard about UArts’ closure, I immediately shared feelings of anger and disappointment with the students who won’t have the same school to attend and faculty who will be losing their jobs,” Waxman said. “I want to ensure no student or school faculty member in Pennsylvania has to go through what those at UArts are going through right now. By requiring these schools to regularly notify us of their financial information, we can create greater accountability and transparency across the board.” The lawmakers say that having this information from schools on a yearly Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, PA House members & community leaders rally for fair housing legislation, housing budget proposals

(Jun 12, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 12 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, hosted a rally today with other legislators, legal experts and community advocates from across the state in support of fair housing in Pennsylvania. “The lack of affordable housing in Pennsylvania has resulted in evictions and homelessness for many Pennsylvanians,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Every person has the right to a roof over their head. Our rally today called out the continuing inequities in housing in our commonwealth and the legislative and budget initiatives devised to address them. “As Democrats in the PA House, we’re fighting for a person-centered approach to fair housing, from helping the unhoused get back into a safe home, to my bill that would seal no-fault eviction records so people can find housing, to increased support for the Whole Home Repairs program so seniors can fix and stay in their homes,” Smith-Wade-El said. “We understand that having a home to call one’s own is a human right, a matter of justice. I and my colleagues will fight to make sure that every Pennsylvanian can enjoy their fundamental right to a safe and secure place in which to live.” The rally focused on the PA House budget proposal (H.B. 2324), which would increase funding for fair housing initiatives; the need for increased funding for the homelessness assistance program; a House-led proposal to increase PHARE funding to $100 million dollars; the LLC Read more

 

Kinsey bill to update reporting requirements for DDAP heads to full PA House

(Jun 12, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 12 – Today, legislation ( H.B. 2403 ) introduced by PA House Human Services Chair state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., was approved by the committee and advanced to the full House. House Bill 2403 would update the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ existing annual reporting requirements. Kinsey said the updates are needed in response to DDAP significantly increasing its coordination with many other state departments to focus on innovations to the drug treatment system, support for grassroots recovery organizations, and emerging harm-reduction strategies with proven outcomes. “With the opioid epidemic in our state, I commend DDAP for expanding its responsibilities and efforts to help combat this epidemic,” Kinsey said. “As DDAP takes on these additional responsibilities, it’s important that we update the requirements of how they annually report to us in the General Assembly. This increased transparency and communication will facilitate meaningful input and contributions to policy discussions, increase awareness of DDAP’s efforts, and ultimately support their initiatives more effectively.” This bill now heads to the full House for consideration. Read more

 

Fiedler bill to modernize Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority unanimously approved by committee

(Jun 11, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 11 — Today, H.B. 2338 , introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila. , was approved unanimously by the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee. The bill would update the duties and powers of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, which was chartered in 1982 with the purpose of financing energy and energy-related projects. If enacted, H.B. 2338 would enable PEDA to apply for and leverage billions of federal dollars available through the Inflation Reduction Act to incentivize investments in Pennsylvania clean-energy projects. With the federal government now implementing the $550 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the $783 billion Inflation Reduction Act, Fiedler said she believes this presents an incredible opportunity for Pennsylvania. “These federal investments can jumpstart energy production in Pennsylvania, create good local jobs, and reduce energy costs for consumers, but only if we have the right vehicle to seize the funds,” Fiedler said. “PEDA, our state’s public energy financing authority, is well-suited to play this role, but first we must modernize PEDA to ensure it can maximize its role as an energy accelerator and job creator.” The legislation’s co-prime sponsor, state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, placed the legislation within the context of the state’s long history of energy production. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation lauds passage of equitable school funding

(Jun 10, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation lauded by members of the House Philadelphia Delegation that would fundamentally change the way that school districts are funded in the state to meet the constitutional mandate of equitably funding schools. Read more

 

Mayes, McClinton join advocates to rally for passage of PA CROWN Act

(Jun 04, 2024) Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes

Call for state Senate to act on legislation to fight hair discrimination Read more

 

Young Honors Marian Anderson With Day in PA

(Jun 03, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, today announced that the PA House of Representatives has approved her House resolution recognizing June 8, 2024 as Marian Anderson Day in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Community Budget Briefing in Philadelphia

(May 31, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

Majority Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Rep. Jordan Harris along with local state Representatives host a community conversation on the 2024-25 state budget in Northwest Philadelphia.More at http://www.HouseAppropriations.com Read more

 

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Stress Need for Diverse Educator Workforce

(May 29, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

State Rep. Regina Young, who represents parts of Philadelphia, hosted the hearing. “Teachers enable a pathway to a greater future for all our young people,” she said. “It was great to hear from the panelists supporting the need for more Black teachers and supporting people of color to become teachers, but it was inspiring to see so many young people in the room who could become the teachers for the next generation. Speaking from my own experience, it’s necessary for students to make that connection with the teachers and mentors who see more in you than you see in yourself.” Read more

 

Testifiers detail need to develop diversity in education workforce

(May 23, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

“Teachers enable a pathway to a greater future for all our young people,” said hearing host state Rep. Regina Young, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “It was great to hear from the panelists supporting the need for more Black teachers and supporting people of color to become teachers, but it was inspiring to see so many young people in the room who could become the teachers for the next generation. Speaking from my own experience, it’s necessary for students to make that connection with the teachers and mentors who see more in you than you see in yourself.” Read more

 

Hanbidge and Cephas bill strengthening affordability and accessibility to child care passes the House

(May 22, 2024) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

“Working parents who know that their children are in safe and quality care can better concentrate on their day-to-day work and overall careers," said state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., a co-prime sponsor of the bill. Read more

 

Waxman, prison-reform advocates push to make Scandinavian unit permanent fixture statewide

(May 21, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, May 21 – Today, state Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., was joined by multiple prison-reform advocates for a Capitol news conference to discuss State Correctional Institute Chester’s Scandinavian unit, also known as “Little Scandinavia.” Little Scandinavia is a pilot project modeled after prisons in Scandinavia, where the core values are safety, transparency and innovation, with a focus on normality and reintegration into the community upon release. The unit provides a quiet environment where residents live in single-person cells with a shared kitchen surrounded by outdoor green space and plants. Waxman spoke on the importance of permanently funding this unit so that it can become a fixture at state correctional facilities across Pennsylvania. “It's time for a shift in how we handle corrections in PA. Little Scandinavia isn't just a program, it's a new horizon in rehabilitation and human rights. This model focuses on transformative care, not just incarceration. In the next state budget, I will strongly advocate for us to include funding that would make the Scandinavian Unit a permanent fixture in our state’s corrections system.” Bryan Widenhouse, senior policy associate for Families Against Mandatory Minimums, stated his belief that Little Scandinavia can help lower the recidivism rate in Pennsylvania. "For decades I sat in prison and listened Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to passing of former Rep. James Roebuck

(May 16, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

Chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., released the following statement on behalf of the delegation on the passing of former state Rep. James Roebuck, who represented the 188th Legislative District in West Philadelphia from 1985-2020. Read more

 

Young announces over $53,000 in grants for senior community centers

(May 15, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, today announced that a combined $53,551 has been awarded to two local senior community centers in the 185th Legislative District by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Read more

 

Kinsey welcomes more than $132,000 in state funding for Center in the Park senior community center

(May 14, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, May 14 – Today, state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., announced that $132,250 in state funding is coming back to his district for Center in the Park improvements and renovations. Center In the Park is a nonprofit senior community center in Germantown. The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s 2023-24 Senior Community Centers Grant program. The funding is appropriated by the General Assembly with proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery. “Throughout my tenure, I’ve been privileged to work with Center in the Park on multiple occasions, and every time, I’m blown away by what they do to help seniors living here in Northwest Philadelphia,” Kinsey said. “I was proud to advocate for these well-deserved state dollars, and I can’t wait to see how CIP uses them to continue offering excellent services and opportunities to seniors in our community.” CIP was founded in 1968 as a traditional senior center and overtime has evolved into a wellness center, providing seniors opportunities to engage their minds, bodies and spirits. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation leadership reacts to PSP trooper now off force

(May 10, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, May 10 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today said they were grateful to the Pennsylvania State Police for conducting a thorough investigation into the State Police traffic stop and arrest of Celena Morrison and Darius McLean on I-76 in March and reiterated the need for transparency in community policing. The unnamed PSP trooper involved in the incident was placed on administrative leave two months ago pending an internal investigation and is now no longer employed with the State Police, according to a PSP spokesperson. Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas said that while the investigation likely remains ongoing, she is grateful that Pennsylvania State Police officials took the matter seriously and handled the matter swiftly and professionally. "As chair of the delegation, I'm glad that the State Police have heard our concerns and took the time to hold a fair and impartial internal investigation into this matter, which has led to the officer involved no longer being employed by them,” Cephas said. “I also commend the State Police for speeding up their commitment to make sure all officers working in Philadelphia have active body cameras. This will go a long way in protecting the citizens of Philadelphia as well as the hardworking members of the Pennsylvania State Police who serve and protect us day in and day out. This kind of transparency is critical when incidents like the Read more

 

Cephas' bill would address implicit bias in Pa. health care
Jun 26, 2024

Overbrook Night Market delivers resources, family-friendly fun for nearly 10,000 residents
Jun 21, 2024

The latest UArts hearing discusses red flags before closure, a failed move to save the school, and an accusation of ‘cowards’ on the board
Jun 18, 2024

Students, faculty, alumni detail UArts closure
Jun 17, 2024

Democratic lawmakers to introduce bill increasing transparency for institutions of higher education
Jun 13, 2024

Smith-Wade-El, PA House members & community leaders rally for fair housing legislation, housing budget proposals
Jun 12, 2024

Kinsey bill to update reporting requirements for DDAP heads to full PA House
Jun 12, 2024

Fiedler bill to modernize Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority unanimously approved by committee
Jun 11, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation lauds passage of equitable school funding
Jun 10, 2024

Mayes, McClinton join advocates to rally for passage of PA CROWN Act
Jun 04, 2024

Young Honors Marian Anderson With Day in PA
Jun 03, 2024

Community Budget Briefing in Philadelphia
May 31, 2024

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Stress Need for Diverse Educator Workforce
May 29, 2024

Testifiers detail need to develop diversity in education workforce
May 23, 2024

Hanbidge and Cephas bill strengthening affordability and accessibility to child care passes the House
May 22, 2024

Waxman, prison-reform advocates push to make Scandinavian unit permanent fixture statewide
May 21, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to passing of former Rep. James Roebuck
May 16, 2024

Young announces over $53,000 in grants for senior community centers
May 15, 2024

Kinsey welcomes more than $132,000 in state funding for Center in the Park senior community center
May 14, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation leadership reacts to PSP trooper now off force
May 10, 2024