Speaker of the House highlights Delco Health Department

(May 15, 2023)

EDDYSTONE, May 15 – Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton highlighted the positive contributions the Delaware County Health Department has accomplished and ways it has impacted the community just a year after being launched in April 2022. “From West Nile Virus to tracking Delco health trends, the Delaware County Health Department is laying the foundation for a healthier county” said Speaker McClinton, who represents portions of Delaware County and Philadelphia. “With new threats to public health emerging every day, I’m proud to support the work of the Health Department to identify, educate, and lead in protecting our community” said McClinton, who brought the House Majority Policy Committee in for a roundtable and tour Monday in Delaware County. During the first days of the pandemic in Pennsylvania, on March 6, 2020, the governor held a press conference to announce two confirmed presumptive COVID-19 cases – including one case in Delaware County. The county had not yet developed its own health department, and it relied on neighboring Chester County to help inform citizens. It exposed a weakness in Delco and for many of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Before it created its own health department, Delco was the largest county – by population – without its own health department. Even after its creation, only Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia run their own county-wide health departments. Other counties Read more

 

House Majority Policy Committee roundtable discusses local business

(May 13, 2023)

“This was a great opportunity for our members to see first-hand how successful this region is and how it can be duplicated in communities across Pennsylvania,” state Rep. Paul Friel (D-Chester) said. Read more

 

Disability Summit provides insight into areas of concern for PA

(May 12, 2023)

House majority whip hosts experts at annual event on mental health Read more

 

Dire situation: PA needs to expand access to contraceptives

(May 12, 2023)

“Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, states throughout the nation stripped the rights to access to reproductive health care and limited what had previously been readily available for nearly 50 years,” said Krueger, who represents portions of Delaware County and is a member of the House Majority Leadership Team, serving as the House Majority Caucus Administrator. “This decision not only threatens public health in states that limited access to reproductive health care, but it also threatens public health in states like Pennsylvania – where abortion is safe and legal – by overwhelming health systems with the increased demand coming from out of state to receive essential health care.” Read more

 

Expanding Access to Contraceptives

(May 11, 2023)

Submitted testimony from the House Majority Policy Committee roundtable on Friday, May 12, 2023. Read more

 

Cyber, Charter School Reform Hearing

(May 11, 2023)

"When you look at the way that our districts have to pay out cyber charter schools, it’s borderline thievery. It's taxpayer dollars going into private pockets and it's an outrage. If all rules were the same for schools, believe me when I tell you, we would have lower property taxes and school districts would thrive," says Probst. Read more

 

Roslyn’s Family Promise food pantry visited by PA House Majority Policy Committee

(May 11, 2023)

“Homelessness and its devastating aftereffects on families and children can no longer be overlooked,” said Rep. Melissa Cerrato, who co-hosted the event. “We know figures for children experiencing homelessness are under reported, so it’s promising to see the success of Family Promise, an organization that accepts and provides service to all people.” Read more

 

2023 Disability Summit Afternoon Legislative Panel materials

(May 10, 2023)

2023 Disability Summit Afternoon Legislative Panel materials Read more

 

Roundtable highlights work by Family Promise to support families

(May 10, 2023)

“The pandemic exposed some of the state’s most serious problems, including a lack of affordable housing and a lack of proper funding for numerous human services that are supposed to serve as safety nets on Pennsylvania’s worst days,” said Rep. Ben Sanchez, who co-hosted the event. “Fortunately, in Montgomery County we saw dedicated organizations, like Family Promise, help ensure that homelessness and hunger are rare and brief for many families and children.” Read more

 

Supporting Our Families

(May 09, 2023)

The annual report, recent newsletter, and descriptions of Family Promise staff and board of directors for Policy Committee roundtable and tour on May 10, 2023. Read more

 

2023 Disability Summit Morning Legislative Panel Materials

(May 09, 2023)

2023 Disability Summit Morning Legislative Panel Materials Read more

 

Policy roundtable explores link between historical preservation and economic development

(May 09, 2023)

The House Majority Policy Committee convened a roundtable discussion in Montgomery County Tuesday morning to explore how historical preservation can increase tourism and drive economic development. Read more

 

Policy hearing details need for cyber, charter school reform

(May 08, 2023)

“I have never been shy about saying exactly what is going on, and our current system is taxpayer thievery that has devastated homeowners and local businesses,” said hearing host Rep. Tarah Probst, who represents portions of Monroe and Pike counties. “In the past it has gone unnoticed, and we have had public officials blame increasing school budgets on teachers’ unions. In reality, the reimbursement formula – which isn’t based on actual costs – allows for overinflated tuition payments to cyber and charter schools and has driven school budget increases. We need to reform the law so all schools fall under the same rules.” Read more

 

Cyber & Charter School Reform

(May 08, 2023)

Submitted testimony from testifiers at the Monday, May, 8, 2023 Policy Committee hearing. Read more

 

Testifiers detail challenges facing emergency management services in PA

(May 05, 2023)

The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing Friday morning in Delaware County to discuss emergency management services in Pennsylvania and the daily challenges facing these first responders. Read more

 

Emergency Management Services

(May 05, 2023)

Submitted testimony for the House Majority Policy Committee on May 5, 2023 in Radnor hosted by Rep. Lisa Borowski. Read more

 

Lawmakers focus on growing local businesses and Main Streets across PA

(May 04, 2023)

The House Majority Policy Committee hosted a round table discussion with local businesses owners in Chester County Thursday afternoon before touring Main Street in Phoenixville to hear what members can do to grow downtown areas in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Small Business & Main Street

(May 04, 2023)

Roundtable and tour for Small Business & Main Street policy event in Phoenixville. Read more

 

State lawmakers seek to regulate all-terrain vehicle use as trail expansions continue

(Apr 24, 2023)

“ATVs and dirt bikes have taken our city hostage,” said Philadelphia State Rep. Darisha Parker. Read more

 

Roundtable examines negative impact of selling public water systems

(Apr 20, 2023)

“The sale of this public water authority is bad news for any resident of Pennsylvania who values their ability to access clean water and open green spaces,” said state Rep. Carol Kazeem, who hosted the event and represents portions of Delaware County – including the city of Chester. “For the more than 200,000 paying customers of Chester Water Authority, this sale could result in skyrocketing rate hikes. People who enjoy the outdoors can also expect access to the 2,000 acres of land currently owned by Chester Water Authority to change dramatically – including access for boaters, hikers and anglers. The bottom line is the only one who benefits from this sale is the for-profit company trying to purchase Chester Water Authority.” Read more