Testimony for the Anthracite Ridge Wind Project Presentation Read more
SCRANTON, Oct. 20 – The labor market in northeast Pennsylvania needs workers, and a two-day hearing in Tunkhannock and Scranton focused on how the region prepares students for success. Read more
Testimony from Rep. Kosierowski's October 20th Hearing on CTC's Read more
STROUDSBURG, Oct. 18 – Hospital systems consolidate for various reasons and, as they continue adapting to the changing market, communities are impacted. COVID-19 accelerated changes in ways that forced community hospitals like St. Luke’s University Health Network and other hospitals serving the Northeastern Pennsylvania region to change their business model. The Northeast Delegation Chairwoman, Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing in Stroudsburg Monday afternoon discussing corporate consolidation of health care facilities so that elected officials can learn more about the issue. “I’m so grateful to those who testified today so that we can learn and understand how we as a legislature can support our communities and health systems,” Madden said. “As a state representative, I have partnered with St. Luke’s to create a level of medical care that has not been available here in the mountains. It’s so important that when consolidation happens, we do it with this in mind so that we can maintain the high quality of care that residents here receive.” House Members in attendance heard testimony from two panels. The first panel consisted of three professionals who work in or closely with hospitals who commented on market pressures and why systems are forced to consolidate. Testifiers in the first panel included John Nespoli, President, St. Luke’s University Health Network; Read more
Testimony for Rep Madden's October 18th Hearing on Hospital Consolidation Read more
PHOENIXVILLE, Oct. 13 – At the top of the legislative agenda for House Democrats is helping Pennsylvanians stay safe and recover from the pandemic. That means prioritizing small, community businesses like those in Phoenixville. “The Borough of Phoenixville provides a rich case study for how a community of business owners, non-profit organizations, and residents came together to preserve its main street through the challenges of COVID-19,” said Rep. Shusterman, D-Chester. “I am pleased to host this event and invite the public, press, and my fellow legislators to hear their stories. I believe these insights will be critical to our Commonwealth's ongoing economic recovery.” House members participated in a hearing on the business impact of Covid prior to a tour of Phoenixville. During the formal hearing municipal leaders and small business owners spoke of operating through the pandemic, despite hardships. During a tour of downtown Phoenixville small businesses, House members spoke with owners who worked with local government to make sure that the pandemic restrictions didn’t lead to closure. “We need policy that prioritizes small businesses and communities throughout Pennsylvania,” said Chair of the Democratic Policy Committee, Rep. Bizzarro, D-Erie. “The legislature has the ability to deploy funds allocated to communities like Phoenixville, and serve as liaisons for municipal leaders to work together with Read more
EAST BRANDYWINE, Oct. 12 -- Last month, Tower Health announced that it will sell Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia and close Jennersville Hospital in West Grove, Pa. With the fate of Tower’s Brandywine, Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading hospitals up in the air, local healthcare workers, first responders, administrators and advocates addressed concerns and impacts on quality and access to health care, and township services. The event, called Saving Community Hospitals: Keeping Care Close, took place at 11 a.m. today at East Brandywine Township Building, 1214 Horseshoe Pike, Downingtown. “The pandemic has exposed how badly people need close and affordable healthcare,” said Rep. Dan Williams, D-Sadsbury Township. “Discussion today emphasized that we need to keep healthcare facilities open and improve care. Hospital consolidation can be a good thing if healthcare workers are respected and services to patients are upgraded.” Hospital administrators, Andrew Wigglesworth, vice president of Wojdak Government Relations, and Bill Ryan, vice president of Einstein Health Network/Urban Health Care Coalition, described how hospitals are dependent on Medicare or Medicaid, sharing that more than 62% of payers use that public funding mechanism. The funding mechanism results in strains on hospitals and could lead to more consolidations, such as those happening in the region. “Closures and consolidations impact our seniors and put stress Read more
The Policy Committee is holding a hearing at the Scranton Campus of Lackawanna College to talk about training students to fill in-demand careers. Read more
The Policy Committee is holding a hearing on the changing landscape of healthcare consolidation, hosted by Rep. Madden. Read more
The Policy Committee is holding a hearing on COVID-19's impact on downtown business districts, hosted by Rep. Melissa Shusterman, on Thursday, October 14th. Read more
Saving Community Hospitals: Keeping Care Close, will be held at 11 AM on October 12 at East Brandywine Township Building, 1214 Horseshoe Pike, Downingtown, PA 19335. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 6 -- Pennsylvania has laws on the books that criminalize or control behaviors through HIV-specific statues and regulations. During a hearing today, PA House Democrats heard testimony from a victim of these laws and those advocating for change. “HIV is not a crime but there are outdated laws that make it a crime in Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia. “We cannot have people losing lives and livelihoods because of this.” The victim who spoke at the hearing was Julie Graham, a resident of Cumberland County, who described the impact of these laws on her life after she was charged with four crimes, including two felonies, based on allegations by a man she had dated who claimed she didn’t disclose her HIV status. Due to these allegations, she faced personal and professional consequences that forever impacted the trajectory of her life. “I support and applaud your courage and advocacy to testify here today,” said Rep. Mary Isaacson, D-Philadelphia, who was the Co-Chair of the Policy Committee and host for the hearing today. “Being HIV positive is not a crime and we must do better in supporting those in Pennsylvania who are living with HIV.” PA House Democratic Policy Committee Chair, Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, was also in attendance and added: “HIV decriminalization is important to the entire Democratic Caucus and I am grateful to the testifiers who came today to speak on Read more
Agenda and testimony for the Decriminalizing HIV hearing. Read more
Pennsylvania is one of 22 states that have laws that criminalize or control behaviors through HIV-specific statutes and regulations. This has serious consequences for Pennsylvanians that Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta will explore as he hosts a hearing about decriminalizing HIV in Pennsylvania. The hearing will be held October 6 at 9:30 a.m. in 414 Main Capitol in Harrisburg. The media and public are invited in-person or to watch online here. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net. The agenda and written testimony can be found here. Read more
BETHLEHEM, Sept. 1 – Citing that only a small portion of overall education is run through the Fair Education Funding Formula, state Rep. Steve Samuelson held a virtual hearing to learn more from educators and advocates on how Pennsylvania can fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth. “Adequate state funding can make education resources more equitable based on the way we choose to allocate money,” Samuelson said. “The Fair Funding Formula was approved in 2016 but has not yet been fully implemented. We made progress this year with $100 million in Level Up funding distributed to underfunded districts like the Bethlehem Area School District. We need to continue efforts to fully implement the Fair Funding Formula.” Sean Brandon, Budget Analyst for the House Appropriations Committee began his presentation noting the importance of that constitutional commitment and shared how the Fair Funding Formula and budget practices allocate funds to school districts across the state. Joseph Roy, Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent and Karen Beck-Pooley, Bethlehem Area School District Director, shared from a district-level perspective of how they use the state funds received, noting challenges with charter school reimbursements and rising special education costs. Communities of color are disproportionately Read more
A hearing on fair funding formula hosted by state Rep. Steve Samuelson. Read more
Bethlehem, Aug. 31 – Pennsylvania regularly falls at the bottom nationally when it comes to adequately funding basic education and state Rep. Steve Samuelson is hosting a public hearing to discuss how the fair funding formula can help better serve students and the economy. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 online at www.pahouse.com/policy . The public and media are welcome to tune in online. Media inquiries may be submitted to policy@pahouse.net . Samuelson, D-Northampton, will be joined by Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee, to further discuss how education investments ultimately result in economic returns to the state in the form of a more prepared workforce and productive citizens. Level Up funding from the current fiscal year will also be discussed. Read more
Testimony from Rep. Steve Samuelson's hearing on education and fair funding. Read more
LEHIGH, Aug. 30 – The benefits of Pennsylvania’s Neighborhood Improvement Zone program will be on display for policy makers at a Democratic Policy Committee tour hosted by state Rep. Peter Schweyer. The tour -- from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31 -- will begin at the IBEW Local 375, 101 S. 7 th St., Allentown. The media is encouraged to attend. Lawmakers from across the state, including Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, will join Schweyer for a look at how the NIZ -- currently funded by 97% state tax revenue and 3% local revenue -- has worked to attract developers and revitalize downtown Allentown. Media inquiries may be submitted to policy@pahouse.net . Read more
Testimony from Rep. Jeanne McNeill's hearing on the impact of fireworks legalization on the community. Read more
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