Philadelphia House Delegation

Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to adoption of state budget

On Thursday, all Philadelphia House Delegation members voted to approve the state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Chairwoman of the delegation, state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., said that the budget is far from perfect, but is a solid compromise that will see historic school funding thanks in large part to the recommendations of the Basic Education Funding Commission, housing assistance, support for public safety and one-time funding to bolster SEPTA. Read more

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Philadelphia LNG Task Force Minority Report

(Oct 31, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

LNG Task Force Minority Report Read more

Philadelphia House Delegation weighs in on the impact of public education hearings in the city

(Oct 26, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 26 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today praised the ongoing joint hearings conducted by the House Appropriations and Education committees on delivering funds for schools statewide. The Pennsylvania Education Tour and hearings are part of an effort to help public schools and get a pulse of the state’s school funding structure. This week, the tour made two stops in Philadelphia: Tuesday at the School District of Philadelphia and Wednesday at the Community College of Philadelphia’s Library and Learning Commons. Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Morgan Cephas explained that it is critical to examine the issues impacting schools in the city and state in order to find effective solutions that would guarantee fair investments and infrastructure for the schools. “We needed to hear the testimonies of parents, education experts and community leaders and revisit the root of the issues affecting our schools. This is why these hearings are so important. We are committed to improving this state’s failed school funding model,” Cephas said. “Our sons and daughters deserve quality and equality in education regardless their socioeconomic status,” she said. Rep. Jordan A. Harris, House Appropriations Committee chair, indicated that the hearings in Philadelphia addressed key concerns that will drive the necessary changes. “We Read more

Pa. lawmakers approve declaration to aid repair work for I-95 bridge collapse

(Oct 25, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Article on Rep. Gallagher's emergency declaration resolution's adoption in the Pennsylvania Senate. Read more

Kinsey bill to ban police chokeholds approved by House Judiciary Committee

(Oct 19, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 19 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., to ban police chokeholds was approved by the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday and heads to the full House for future consideration. House Bill 462 would outlaw the use of the standard chokehold in making an arrest as well as any action that inhibits breath or the flow of blood to the brain due to physical position. Kinsey originally introduced this bill in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd, who died due to asphyxiation brought about by sustained pressure on the neck by law enforcement officers. “We’ve seen far too many cases where individuals senselessly lose their life due to chokehold during an arrest- whether it be George Floyd, Eric Garner or anyone else, it must stop,” Kinsey said. “To clarify, this bill still allows police to take the necessary steps in making an arrest or dealing with a civilian, it just eliminates the dangerous and unnecessary tactic of chokeholds.” Read more

Gallagher bill to modernize Pennsylvania’s acupuncture law passes House

(Oct 18, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 18 – Today, House Bill 1490 , introduced by state Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., passed the House and will head to the Senate for future consideration. This bill would amend the Acupuncture Licensing Act to provide title protection for licensed acupuncturists and practitioners. It also would provide an opportunity for acupuncturists licensed in other states to attend or conduct educational events, as well as volunteer in the commonwealth in an emergency. Finally, it would require continuing education for license renewal, bringing acupuncturists in line with requirements in other states and other licensed healthcare providers in Pennsylvania. “As acupuncture has become a fast-growing therapy for people suffering from different types of pain, it’s important we modernize practices and ensure patients are getting the care they need,” Gallagher said. “Today’s House vote was a great step for this bill, now I urge my Senate colleagues to get it to the governor’s desk.” Read more

Cephas, Curry, Mayes launch Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus

(Oct 18, 2023) PA Black Maternal Health Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Reps. Morgan Cephas , D-Phila.; Gina H. Curry , D-Delaware; and La’Tasha D. Mayes , D-Allegheny, today launched the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus at a news conference in the Capitol Media Center. Joining the launch event were advocates from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Community Health Workers and AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone First, along with a series of other stakeholders from across the state. The Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus seeks to address disturbing trends of Black maternal mortality and morbidity and pass the Pennsylvania MOMNIBUS, a legislative package modeled after the federal MOMNIBUS legislation to change the trajectory of maternal health outcomes in Pennsylvania. “I am thrilled to be a part of the Black Maternal Health Caucus as this is a subject close to my heart, a cause that I have been championing for years,” Cephas said. “We join forces to bring visibility to Black maternal health as a critical issue and cause of action. We want to advance legislation and solutions by working with our colleagues in both the House and Senate. One of the keys focuses of our work will be proper data collection, as initiated with Act 5 of 2023 signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro. Accurate and regular tracking is essential for comprehensive research on medical issues linked to Black maternal health. We need Read more

Smith-Wade-El and Hohenstein introduce legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians

(Oct 17, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Philadelphia, today outlined their new legislation, House Bill 1630 , that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. The lawmakers were joined by representatives from CASA, Church World Services, Lancaster City Council, IU13 Lancaster-Lebanon Refugee Center and Nationalities Service Center–Philadelphia at a Capitol news conference to discuss the bill. “Immigrants have made Pennsylvania the powerhouse it is,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Yet, despite foreign-born workers comprising over 8% of our state’s workforce and paying $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes, they are scapegoated and bear the brunt of punitive policies that drive them from our state. We’re the ones who lose out the most—at the expense of losing skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and community leaders. “Our bill would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians that would support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth,” he said. “Immigration is what makes Pennsylvania strong,” Hohenstein said. “Our collective ability to come together from all different backgrounds and perspectives for the betterment of the commonwealth is truly wonderful. That’s why it’s particularly unfortunate that so often our immigrant communities face the brunt Read more

Philadelphia House Delegation hails grants awarded to hydrogen hub to further advance Biden’s clean energy plan in PA

(Oct 13, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13 – The Philadelphia House Delegation lauded today the announcement of federal grants awarded through the Department of Energy to a hydrogen hub located in Philadelphia and emphasized the importance of using renewable energy sources as a path to an environmentally friendly state and country. Two hydrogen projects, Philadelphia area Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub and Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, based in West Virginia, will receive part of $7 billion in federal grants. It is anticipated that President Joe Biden would make the official announcement during a visit to the City of Philadelphia on Friday. Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Rep. Morgan Cephas explained that these grants will play a crucial role in the production and processing of clean hydrogen which would accelerate President Biden’s target of a 100 percent clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. “Our delegation applauds the selection of our city to generate and distribute hydrogen fuel. We fully support the President’s energy plan. By generating hydrogen energy not only will we access a more efficient fuel and eliminate unnecessary costs, but we would also improve air quality across our city, affect environmental justice, as well as several other benefits,” Cephas said. “These are significant investments that would help decarbonize the Read more

Philadelphia House Delegation advocates for increase in Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program in light of events in Israel

(Oct 10, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 10 – The Philadelphia House Delegation lauded today the deadline extension of the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, operated by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and advocated for an increase in funds to address hate crimes in the state. The deadline for the program solicitation has been extended to Oct. 30 . Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Rep. Morgan Cephas explained that it is critical to increase funds allocated for the program. “Current tragic events around the world have proven more than ever that we must fund security upgrades at our religious institutions. Our delegation’s top priority is public safety of our city and state, but we need the collaboration of all eligible organizations. We are determined to combat antisemitism and racism in Pennsylvania. “We urge nonprofits included in the categories of race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, among others, to take advantage of the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program,” Cephas said. The grants are aimed to protect the safety and security of the users of facilities located in the commonwealth that are owned or operated by nonprofit organizations and primarily serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias drive category for hate crime as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication . Qualified expenses Read more

Philadelphia House Delegation, PLBC respond to independent report on alleged racial bias in charter school authorization practices

(Oct 06, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6 – Leaders of the Philadelphia House Delegation and Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus today received an independent report commissioned by the Philadelphia Board of Education nearly two years ago that examined alleged racial bias in the charter school application process. In late 2021, the Philadelphia Board of Education commissioned an independent investigation concerning allegations of racial bias in charter school authorizing practices as alleged by some Black charter leaders, and whether the charter renewal process caused discriminatory effects on Black-led and Black-founded charter schools. Philadelphia-based law firm Ballard Spahr LLP led the investigation, and the Ballard firm engaged the Center for Urban and Race Equity, or CURE, to assist in its analysis. The 190-page report was released at 5 p.m. today. Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Rep. Morgan Cephas said that while the report does not appear to reveal evidence of intentional, overt racially discriminatory acts by the school district or its leaders or find racially discriminatory effects of the charter renewal process, the report does include a series of recommendations based on the work of the investigation and is encouraging the school district to engage quickly with state lawmakers, local officials and the public to ensure a better path forward. “The Philadelphia House Delegation is committed to Philadelphia Read more

Kinsey, Cooper bill to foster dual enrollment passes House

(Oct 04, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Oct. 4 – Today, H.B. 1258 , introduced by state Reps. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., and Jill Cooper, R-Westmoreland, passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This legislation would improve the funding mechanism for dual enrollment programs by removing the requirement that students enrolled in such programs are removed from the school’s average daily membership. Commonly referred to as the “ADM,” the average daily membership impacts state funding to local school districts. Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to enroll in college-level classes, earning college credits while still enrolled in high school. In some cases, college classes are taught by certified high school teachers and in the high school facility. “Dual enrollment programs provide excellent opportunities for students; however, those currently participating in them aren’t able to get the full credit they deserve for their work,” Kinsey said. “It’s important that we allow students to have as many pathways to a successful education as possible, and today’s passage of our bill in the House is a great step toward making this happen!” “Harrisburg shouldn’t be hindering innovation; we should be fostering it. If schools are being penalized for providing these programs, they would likely cancel them and deny students access to a great advantage,” Read more