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Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, House Philadelphia Delegation, LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus release statement on Pennsylvania State Police traffic stop and arrest

(Mar 05, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, March 5 – Leaders of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and Philadelphia House Delegation today issued a statement in response to the traffic stop and subsequent arrest of Philadelphia’s head of LGBT affairs and her husband by a state trooper Saturday. According to news reports, Celena Morrison, the executive director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, recorded a portion of the arrest of her husband, Darius McLean, on the Vine Street Expressway. State Reps. Napoleon Nelson, chair of the PLBC, Malcolm Kenyatta, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, and Morgan Cephas, chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation, said they have been in contact with state and local authorities surrounding the incident. “The video of the traffic stop of Celena Morrison and Darius McLean was deeply troubling,” stated Kenyatta, D-Phila. “We need a full, thorough, and expedient investigation into every aspect of this stop.” “My sympathies go out to the family dealing with the trauma of this incident, and I stand in solidarity with the communities that have experienced their own traumas as a result,” Nelson, D-Montgomery, said. “The investigation that we are expecting will help us determine accountability measures needed and identify necessary policy changes that we can craft at the state level that will enhance community safety at home. Those changes may come in the Read more

 

Ghost guns: Fueling real horror in PA communities

(Mar 04, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

“It’s infuriating to know, as I mentioned during the judiciary committee hearing on HB 777, how quickly I could use my cellphone to purchase a ghost gun without any meaningful checks,” said meeting host Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “We are talking about untraceable firearms that can be assembled with ease. They are completely untraceable, and they are legal to purchase without any age requirement or background checks, and they are contributing to gun violence in all communities throughout Pennsylvania – and the nation.” Read more

 

Kenyatta introduces legislation to study impact of ‘benefits cliff’

(Feb 29, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Feb. 29 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., has introduced legislation to study the public assistance benefits cliff, which refers to a situation when public benefit programs phase out quickly for families as household earnings increase. This legislation would direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report on the impact of benefits cliffs in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, roughly 12 percent of all Pennsylvanians live in poverty, with eight percent living in extreme poverty. “In many instances, Pennsylvanians living in poverty become constrained to a life of poverty due to the ‘cliff effect,’ which perpetuates the poverty cycle, rather than incentivizing individuals to become self-sufficient,” Kenyatta said. “This study should give us a better idea of just how much the benefits cliff affects Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable families, and how we can ensure these families get the most out of important public benefit programs.” Kenyatta is joined by state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Roni Green, both D-Phila., and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, in introducing this bill. Cephas explained how benefits cliffs impact marginalized communities. “Not only are Black women paid less than white or male counterparts, opportunities to escape this cycle of poverty are fewer – leading to the public assistance Read more

 

Waxman to introduce legislation to decriminalize HIV in Pennsylvania

(Feb 28, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Feb. 28 – State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., plans to introduce legislation to eliminate a felony penalty for people with HIV charged with prostitution. In Pennsylvania, prostitution is a misdemeanor unless the person has HIV. . In Pennsylvania, people living with HIV have been prosecuted under generally applicable laws for conduct that would not be a crime, or would be a less serious crime, but for their HIV status. For example, Pennsylvania is one of nine states that still subjects people living with HIV to harsher penalties if charged with prostitution. Prostitution is typically a misdemeanor offense; however, people living with HIV in Pennsylvania who are charged with prostitution can be charged with a felony. This would happen even if transmission would not be possible, because no physical contact occurred or the nature of contact is not a method of transmission. “HIV criminalization laws have not kept up with the four decades of progress in the fight against HIV, and do not reflect current scientific knowledge around HIV prevention, transmission, and treatment,” Waxman said. “The harsher criminalization of those living with HIV only stigmatizes those who have contracted this virus as well as the marginalized communities it disproportionately affects.” Waxman said the legislation could also help prevent Pennsylvania from costly legal trouble. On Dec. 1, 2023, the Read more

 

State lawmakers highlight need to alleviate medical debt

(Feb 27, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Feb. 27 – Today, state Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, held a news conference at the State Capitol to discuss the importance of alleviating medical debt for Pennsylvanians who need it most. Last spring, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation ( H.B. 78 ) that would establish the Pennsylvania Medical Debt Repayment Program, which would target the medical debt of low-income Pennsylvanians drowning in it and in need of relief. The legislation is currently sitting in the PA Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Medical debt relief is also a top priority for Gov. Josh Shapiro who, in his state budget address for the 2024-25 fiscal year, proposed investing $4 million to wipe it out for thousands of Pennsylvanians. State officials estimate that roughly 1 million Pennsylvanians carry some amount of medical debt. As of Dec. 2020, Pennsylvanians collectively share more than $1.8 billion in medical debt in a collections stage. “The toll of medical debt is staggering, with some reports showing that nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have gone into debt due to healthcare costs,” Khan said. “Medical debt makes us sicker because it prevents people from seeking preventative care and in some cases skipping healthcare services all together. It’s time the legislature addresses this issue that plagues countless Pennsylvanians.” Read more

 

Committee highlights House steps to address public safety

(Feb 27, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

“The Safe Communities Grant Program is another tool in our toolbox to improve public safety and keep our children and young people safe by directly addressing crime and gun violence in our communities,” Green said. “I am grateful the House supported and passed my bill in July, because this program could help all communities by ensuring public spaces are safe spaces.” Read more

 

Pa. lawmakers extend emergency declaration to keep fixing where I-95 collapsed

(Feb 27, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

News story about Rep. Bellmon's concurrent resolution extending the emergency declaration to keep fixing the overpass in Northeast Philadelphia that collapsed in June 2023. Read more

 

Neilson applauds historic federal investment to upgrade SEPTA’s aging trains on Market-Frankford Line

(Feb 23, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

State Rep. Ed Neilson, chair of the House Transportation Committee, said he is excited that SEPTA will be receiving $317 million in federal funding to replace its aging Market-Frankford Line fleet. SEPTA was awarded $317 million for the project and is evaluating bids from different rail car manufacturers to build new cars for the Market-Frankford Line. The award is the largest competitive federal grant SEPTA has won for a project. “The Market-Frankford Line is a vital route that makes almost 15 million trips per year,” Neilson said. “The trains haven’t been upgraded in 25 years which leads to delays for passengers who rely on this route and even cancellations.” The Market-Frankford Line needs approximately 96 cars to maintain levels of ridership, according to SEPTA. They said they are currently operating with 85. “This investment is a big deal and is long overdue,” Neilson said. Neilson said that as one of the largest cities in the United States, elected officials on all levels of government need to work together with local agencies to ensure that Philadelphians can travel safely and on time throughout the city using SEPTA. Read more

 

Bellmon appointed to Stop-and-Go Legislative Task Force

(Feb 23, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Feb. 23 – State Rep. Anthony Bellmon, D-Phila., has been appointed to the Stop-and-Go Legislative Task Force. Stop-and-Go establishments are convenience stores or delis that also sell beer and liquor. People who purchase the alcohol can consume it right outside of the establishment. This Task Force is comprised of members of the state House and Senate, an appointee of the governor and an ex-officio member of the PLCB, that is tasked with addressing issues around stop-and-go establishments in Philadelphia. “Stop-and-go stores have contributed to many problems in neighborhoods across Philadelphia, which is why we must provide better oversight for them,” Bellmon said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on this task force to address this issue and work to improve the quality of life of all Pennsylvanians.” Read more

 

Khan Celebrates Grant Funds for Roxborough Community

(Feb 23, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan presented a grant of $75,000 to the Roxborough Development Corporation. Khan says that these funds will be used to help repair sidewalks and parking lots, expand parking lanes and improve the tree line on streets in the community. Read more

 

Pa. House Housing & Community Development Committee approves Bullock, Cephas homeowner-protections legislation

(Feb 20, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Feb. 20 – During a voting meeting today, the Pennsylvania House Housing & Community Development Committee approved legislation, H.B. 657 , co-sponsored by state Reps. Donna Bullock and Morgan Cephas, which would provide consumer protection against unfair realty agreements for homeowners in the commonwealth by establishing prohibitions and requirements for these agreements. “All too often, I hear the horror stories of unscrupulous realty companies preying on unsuspecting homeowners and vulnerable neighborhoods by trapping them in questionable realty agreement contracts and then suing them should they try to cancel the agreement,” Bullock said. “It’s our hope with this legislation that we can ensure that homeowners are no longer subjected to these unsavory and underhanded practices.” Unlawful agreements that include certain forbidden content would be deemed unenforceable and in violation of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act, should this legislation become law. “Companies seeking to swindle home equity from Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable homeowners must be stopped,” Cephas said. “Pennsylvanians deserve protections from such unsavory realty companies, and should they fall victim to such companies then they deserve to have the damages recovered.” The legislation will now go to the full House, where Read more

 

Committee hearing focuses on improving public transportation

(Feb 20, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

“Public transportation is a critical lifeline for residents in my district, it is the one thing that connects us as a community,” said Rep. Waxman, who requested and hosted the hearing. “What makes my district in Philadelphia unique is we have more residents that rely on public transit to get to work and their daily needs like doctor appointments, but we also have one of the most active districts for visitors traveling into our district through public transportation.” Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation praises expanded state Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit

(Feb 15, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

Today, members of the Philadelphia House Delegation held a news conference at the Early Learning Literacy Academy highlighting the expansion of the state Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit. Read more

 

Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal wisely looks toward the future | Editorial

(Feb 08, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

The state — which now sits on a $14 billion surplus — has the fiscal cushion it needs to make these investments, and in Shapiro, a governor with the ambition to get it done. Read more

 

In a united front, state reps highlight new Pennsylvania budget priorities

(Feb 08, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

With major increases in funding for education and SEPTA, without any tax hikes, members of the Philadelphia House delegation laid out the major aspirations of Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Read more

 

Philly Dems say boost for SEPTA just one of highlights for city in Shapiro’s budget proposal

(Feb 08, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

Funding for SEPTA represents a sizable chunk of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget for transit spending in Pennsylvania, but Philadelphia lawmakers say it’s not the only way the budget would benefit the region. Read more

 

I-95 disaster emergency proclamation extended until May

(Feb 07, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Feb. 7 – A concurrent resolution of the House and Senate, which extends the disaster emergency proclamation for the I-95 overpass in Philadelphia that collapsed in June 2023 until May 29 took effect today. The disaster declaration allows the state to continue to access emergency funding and follow streamlined rules for repair work. “Interstate 95 is a critical highway for not only Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, but the entire Northeast United States,” said Rep. Anthony Bellmon, who authored the most recent extension (H.R. 279). “It is important that we cut as much red tape as possible to let PennDOT finish the job of rebuilding the highway so it is safe to travel on for years to come.” Bellmon’s measure is the latest of several resolutions used to extend the governor’s original proclamation. The first extension was contained in S.R. 136, introduced by state Sen. Jimmy Dillion, D-Phila., which extended the proclamation until Nov. 1, 2023. That was followed by another extension (H.R. 197), offered by state Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., which extended the proclamation until the end of February 2024. The Senate adopted Bellmon’s resolution on Monday after the House approved it in December. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation encouraged by Shapiro Budget Proposal

(Feb 07, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

Today, leaders of the Philadelphia House Delegation said that they are pleased with the direction of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024-25. Among the many positives, the delegation is excited about the proposed investment in SEPTA and mass transit, as well as equitable education funding for the School District of Philadelphia. Read more

 

Kinsey, Cooper ‘dual enrollment’ bill ceremoniously signed

(Jan 30, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – On Monday, state Reps. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., and Jill Cooper, R-Westmoreland, joined Gov. Josh Shapiro at the state Capitol for a ceremonial bill-signing of their legislation, H.B. 1258, which was officially signed into law on Dec. 14 as Act 52 of 2023. The bill improves the funding mechanism for dual enrollment programs by removing the requirement that students enrolled in such programs be removed from the school’s average daily membership count. Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to take college-level courses and earn college credit while still in high school. In the funding mechanism for public schools prior to this bill’s passage, schools would lose out on funding if a student chooses to take a college level course – even if they remain physically at the school. The signing of this bill ensures this will no longer happen. “ School districts should not lose out on funding because their students enroll in one of these courses that propels their academic career while still at the high school,” Kinsey said. “Governor Shapiro has ensured to us that he is committed to providing Pennsylvania students with pathways to advance their education. We thank him for taking the necessary action to make this important bill an official law.” “Programs like these excite students and parents, and schools shouldn’t Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation encouraged by public transit funding proposal

(Jan 29, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

Today, leaders of the Philadelphia House Delegation said that they are encouraged by the announcement by Gov. Josh Shapiro that he will include a major investment in public transportation in his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024-25. Shapiro said that he will include a proposal to increase of the state’s share of public transit funding by 1.75%, which would be an investment of nearly $300 million into transit companies across the state. Read more

 

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, House Philadelphia Delegation, LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus release statement on Pennsylvania State Police traffic stop and arrest
Mar 05, 2024

Ghost guns: Fueling real horror in PA communities
Mar 04, 2024

Kenyatta introduces legislation to study impact of ‘benefits cliff’
Feb 29, 2024

Waxman to introduce legislation to decriminalize HIV in Pennsylvania
Feb 28, 2024

State lawmakers highlight need to alleviate medical debt
Feb 27, 2024

Committee highlights House steps to address public safety
Feb 27, 2024

Pa. lawmakers extend emergency declaration to keep fixing where I-95 collapsed
Feb 27, 2024

Neilson applauds historic federal investment to upgrade SEPTA’s aging trains on Market-Frankford Line
Feb 23, 2024

Bellmon appointed to Stop-and-Go Legislative Task Force
Feb 23, 2024

Khan Celebrates Grant Funds for Roxborough Community
Feb 23, 2024

Pa. House Housing & Community Development Committee approves Bullock, Cephas homeowner-protections legislation
Feb 20, 2024

Committee hearing focuses on improving public transportation
Feb 20, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation praises expanded state Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit
Feb 15, 2024

Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal wisely looks toward the future | Editorial
Feb 08, 2024

In a united front, state reps highlight new Pennsylvania budget priorities
Feb 08, 2024

Philly Dems say boost for SEPTA just one of highlights for city in Shapiro’s budget proposal
Feb 08, 2024

I-95 disaster emergency proclamation extended until May
Feb 07, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation encouraged by Shapiro Budget Proposal
Feb 07, 2024

Kinsey, Cooper ‘dual enrollment’ bill ceremoniously signed
Jan 30, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation encouraged by public transit funding proposal
Jan 29, 2024