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Testifiers urge sustainable state support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

(4 hours ago) Policy Committee

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have faced years of chronic underfunding, prompting the Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee and PA Legislative Black Caucus to convene a joint policy hearing Thursday to discuss how the state can provide sustainable support to these institutions of higher education. Read more

 

Lawmakers, workers rally for PA to Raise the Wage

(May 05, 2025) Policy Committee

“It’s time! We must raise the wage,” said state Rep. Roni Green, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “We know we have to raise our voices and rain doesn’t stop us. Our six neighboring states have raised the wage and if lawmakers don’t know how they can vote for this, maybe they should visit one of our neighboring states to find out.” Read more

 

Arts and culture breathing new economic life into PA communities

(Apr 30, 2025) Policy Committee

“Too often conversations about economic development overlook the arts and cultural sector, a sector that is deeply woven into the fabric of our community,” said Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Fretiz, who hosted the roundtable and represents portions of Berks County. “The arts and culture sector is a powerful economic engine, breathing life into our community by generating more than $25 billion annually in Pennsylvania.” Read more

 

Local communities ask for state, federal help after devastating floods

(Apr 29, 2025) Policy Committee

“Our community suffered incredible damage to homes, businesses and schools in recent years, and our residents continue to pick up the pieces from the devastating losses that continue to affect all the families touched by recent floods,” said state Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock, who represents portions of Berks County. “Experts attempting to repair and alleviate flood risks acknowledged this problem is bigger than they can solve at the local level, and they are asking for more help at the state and federal level.” Read more

 

Funding remains a challenge for in-demand career training

(Apr 28, 2025) Policy Committee

“I am encouraged by the fact we heard about a growing number of students and families desperately seeking training for in-demand careers,” said state Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, who represents portions of York County and hosted a House Majority Policy Committee hearing on community-based workforce centers. “I called for this hearing to highlight our community workforce centers and explore their vital role. Investing in workforce development is an investment in people, and it’s clear based on the testimony we heard today, that supporting programs like these across the state will lead to economic resiliency for people and communities.” Read more

 

Beverly’s PGH illustrates need for help in PA communities

(Apr 16, 2025) Policy Committee

“We are so happy to be able to partner with the Maternal Black Health Caucus and the work they are doing to bring issues to the forefront,” said House Majority Policy Chairman Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “We will continue the work needed to get these bills moving and improving lives across the state.” Read more

 

Advocating for Black maternal health remains focus of lawmakers

(Apr 15, 2025) Policy Committee

“My district in Erie is just one of many counties across the state with limited maternal health resources,” House Majority Policy Chairman Rep. Ryan Bizzarro said. “Testifiers hammered home the fact more needs to be done to protect lives across the commonwealth.” Read more

 

McAndrew, committee examine importance of life sciences

(Apr 14, 2025) Policy Committee

“We heard firsthand about the benefits of developing a place where the classroom and workplace intersect,” said House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “The Digital Foundry empowers students, educators, workers and employers, providing many people with their first look at new technologies, but it also has been extremely effective in attracting investment and helping create jobs in the region.” Read more

 

Rep. Kenyatta, Policy Committee examine chaotic federal maneuvers

(Apr 02, 2025) Policy Committee

“Thousands of Pennsylvania workers have had their lives turned upside down, and the loss of the critical services they provide will have devastating consequences for Pennsylvania,” Kenyatta said. “DOGE continues to try and hide its many errors through dishonest and messaging about what it’s doing to eliminate ‘fraud.’ What they are really doing is trying to find any way to slide billionaires more tax cuts at the expense of working people.” Read more

 

House lawmakers hold hearing on long-term care crisis

(Mar 21, 2025) Policy Committee

“Sounds to me like we’ve got a crisis. It’s that simple,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Rob Matzie said. Read more

 

Bizzarro, Policy Committee examine sustainable long-term care

(Mar 19, 2025) Policy Committee

“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) Policy Committee

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) Policy Committee

“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) Policy Committee

“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) Policy Committee

“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) Policy Committee

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) Policy Committee

“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) Policy Committee

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) Policy Committee

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) Policy Committee

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

 

Testifiers urge sustainable state support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
4 hours ago

Lawmakers, workers rally for PA to Raise the Wage
May 05, 2025

Arts and culture breathing new economic life into PA communities
Apr 30, 2025

Local communities ask for state, federal help after devastating floods
Apr 29, 2025

Funding remains a challenge for in-demand career training
Apr 28, 2025

Beverly’s PGH illustrates need for help in PA communities
Apr 16, 2025

Advocating for Black maternal health remains focus of lawmakers
Apr 15, 2025

McAndrew, committee examine importance of life sciences
Apr 14, 2025

Rep. Kenyatta, Policy Committee examine chaotic federal maneuvers
Apr 02, 2025

House lawmakers hold hearing on long-term care crisis
Mar 21, 2025

Bizzarro, Policy Committee examine sustainable long-term care
Mar 19, 2025

Rivera’s pre-K public policy hearing elicits a rich discussion from community education experts
Mar 10, 2025

Cephas, Policy Committee focus on moving PA economy forward
Mar 05, 2025

Roundtable discusses importance of PA’s connection to cities
Mar 04, 2025

Powell, Policy Committee focus on increasing achievable housing
Feb 26, 2025

Testifiers weigh in on need to combat wage theft in Pennsylvania
Feb 25, 2025

Fleming, Policy Committee highlight childcare crisis
Feb 21, 2025

Solving the Childcare Crisis
Feb 21, 2025

Policy hearing focuses on elevated lead levels in PA school buildings
Feb 20, 2025

Get the Lead Out
Feb 20, 2025