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Bizzarro, Policy Committee examine sustainable long-term care

(1 day ago)

“Pennsylvania must fix its aging services care in order to protect our older population,” said Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “My bill would update legislation that was originally intended to be a one-year fix to the growing nursing home costs about 20 years ago. It would update an antiquated system that only five states in the nation continue to use.” Read more

 

Rivera’s pre-K public policy hearing elicits a rich discussion from community education experts

(Mar 10, 2025)

State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, held a public policy hearing Thursday to explore the impact of pre-K programming in Lancaster. Education experts and stakeholders explored and discussed the impact of pre-K education on children’s K-12 educational experiences and the challenges and needs of these programs. Read more

 

Cephas, Policy Committee focus on moving PA economy forward

(Mar 05, 2025)

“With the continued uncertainty in Washington, it’s more important than ever for us to ensure our state’s economy is strong,” said Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. “Today's hearing was a great opportunity to hear from the voices of our communities – to give them a seat at the table to discuss their needs for an economically strong Pennsylvania. From SEPTA, to our teachers, health care workers and more. We heard loud and clear that we must find ways to ensure economic protections and relief for hardworking Philadelphians, as well as our small businesses and the public services that keep our economy moving.” Read more

 

Roundtable discusses importance of PA’s connection to cities

(Mar 04, 2025)

“The planning has already begun for the international events scheduled for Philadelphia during the next two years and it continues to adapt as it learns from hosting other premier events,” said Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas, who represents portions of West Philadelphia. “Philadelphia will host the sesquicentennial of the U.S. Navy and Marines, MLB All-Star games, NCAA men’s basketball tournament games, FIFA World Cup games and America’s 250th birthday during the next two years. Beyond these signature events, infrastructure across Pennsylvania needs continued investment in order for the commonwealth to thrive.” Read more

 

Powell, Policy Committee focus on increasing achievable housing

(Feb 26, 2025)

“The lack of attainable housing is a complex issue, negatively affecting workers, businesses and families,” said state Rep. Lindsay Powell, who represents a portion of Allegheny County. “The lack of attainable housing means workers are sometimes unable to accept higher paying jobs because they cannot afford to move to a new geographic location, which heightens Pennsylvania’s workforce needs. It also means an entire generation of workers have been denied one of the basic tenets in building generational wealth through home ownership.” Read more

 

Testifiers weigh in on need to combat wage theft in Pennsylvania

(Feb 25, 2025)

Wage theft is a pervasive problem in Pennsylvania and across the country responsible for roughly three times as much economic loss as all other theft combined, testifiers said Tuesday during a House Majority Policy Committee hearing on the topic. Read more

 

Fleming, Policy Committee highlight childcare crisis

(Feb 21, 2025)

“Childcare has overwhelming positive benefits, including preparing children to learn in a school setting as well as shaping expectations for behavior and interactions with adults and other children,” said state Rep. Justin Fleming, who represents portions of Dauphin County. “It’s nearly impossible for parents and guardians to make a living without childcare, so it’s important for the state to explore solutions to the childcare staffing crisis.” Read more

 

Solving the Childcare Crisis

(Feb 21, 2025)

Testimony for HDPC hearing on Solving the Childcare Crisis Read more

 

Policy hearing focuses on elevated lead levels in PA school buildings

(Feb 20, 2025)

Testifiers at a House Majority Policy Committee hearing on Thursday described the urgent need to address elevated levels of lead found in the drinking water of school buildings in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Get the Lead Out

(Feb 20, 2025)

Testimony for HDPC hearing on lead exposure in school buildings Read more

 

Lawmakers highlight need for legislation to end animal fighting

(Feb 19, 2025)

“Animal fighting still exists, and testifiers detailed how and why Pennsylvania needs to fund criminal investigations to combat animal fighting and care for its victims,” said House Majority Policy Committee Vice Chair Rep. Mary Isaacson, who represents portions of Philadelphia. Read more

 

Policy Committee announces leaders for 2025-26 legislative session

(Dec 18, 2024)

“We are committed to uplifting Pennsylvania workers, advancing bread-and-butter issues that will make life more affordable for working people across our commonwealth,” said Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. Read more

 

Lawmakers explore economic, educational significance of historic preservation

(Nov 14, 2024)

“Black history is American history, and in south-central Pennsylvania, we have a wealth of historic sites worth preserving, but many of them have been under-valued or under-developed,” said hearing host Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, who represents portions of Lancaster County. “The committee heard about the economic benefit of preserving these sites, as well as the educational benefits in telling the truth and erasing popular myths that masquerade as facts.” Read more

 

Immigration a driving force in Pa. economy, filling labor shortages

(Nov 13, 2024)

“Immigrants are small business owners, healthcare workers, educators, and laborers,” said Rep. Danillo Burgos, who served as the hearing host. Burgos also serves as the chairman on the House Majority Policy Subcommittee on Progressive Policies and is the chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus. “They support industries essential to Pennsylvania’s economy while revitalizing neighborhoods and investing in our community’s future.” Read more

 

Economic Impact of Immigration

(Nov 13, 2024)

Testimony for HDPC Hearing on Economic Impact of Immigration Read more

 

Haddock details efforts to save volunteer firefighting

(Oct 30, 2024)

“I have the utmost respect for the men and women who willfully answer the call in the middle of the night to race into a dangerous situation to save the lives of complete strangers,” said Rep. Jim Haddock, who hosted the hearing and represents portions of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. “If we cannot find a remedy to save our volunteer fire companies, our hometowns will be at a tremendous loss.” Read more

 

Testifiers detail need to bolster state support of senior citizens

(Oct 29, 2024)

The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing Tuesday morning to discuss ways the state can boost support for its senior population, hosted by Reps. Jim Haddock (D-Lackawanna, Luzerne) and Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne). Read more

 

Lawmakers highlight impact of tax credits for PA families, workers

(Oct 28, 2024)

“House Democrats are laser focused on helping working families and workers,” said state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, who hosted the hearing. “As we heard today, Pennsylvania is losing young families and young workers to neighboring states – because Pennsylvania needs to bolster its investments in its working families, its workforce and its future.” Read more

 

Hearing focuses on inclusion of disability community in PA

(Oct 10, 2024)

As part of Rep. Joe Hohenstein’s 2024 Cities of Inclusion Disability Summit, the House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing to explore ways to ensure Pennsylvania is more inclusive for those living with disabilities. Read more

 

Policy Committee highlights economic redevelopment in Erie

(Sep 10, 2024)

“This project has invested in the lives of people, not only wrapping their arms around the youth in the community but also stepping in to help young adults by providing the guidance they need in order to transition to the workforce,” said Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus chairman and hearing host Rep. Napoleon Nelson, who represents portions of Montgomery County. “We cannot expect to see success until we focus on how to improve the lives of the people in our communities.” Read more