News Center

Roundtable discusses positive impact of Erie County wineries

(4 hours ago) Policy Committee

“While it might shock many of my colleagues in Harrisburg, the largest and arguably best wine-making region outside California is located right here in Erie County,” said House Majority Policy chairman Ryan Bizzarro, who hosted the House Majority Policy Committee roundtable and tour with his fellow members of the House Majority Erie Delegation. “I love promoting what Erie does best, and wine making happens to be one of our hallmarks – an agricultural and economic treasure.” Read more

 

Takac highlights need for jobs, economic development in rural PA

(Aug 27, 2024) Policy Committee

“The lack of good-paying jobs and opportunities is leading to a falling population, as young people move away, with a corresponding decrease in local small businesses and services such as grocery stores, banks and even health care,” said Rep. Paul Takac, who hosted the House Majority Policy Committee tour and roundtable discussion. Read more

 

Burns highlights need for Harrisburg to cut red tape for municipalities

(Aug 26, 2024) Policy Committee

“The officials we heard from today do not have dedicated attorneys or grant writers sitting on their boards,” said Rep. Frank Burns, who represents portions of Cambria County. “State grant money is a lifeline for many of these communities, it can help provide the money they need to upgrade water lines or purchase the equipment first responders need. But we know there are headaches, and we want to be able to cut the red tape for these smaller municipalities.” Read more

 

McClinton, Policy Committee emphasize need for workplace safety

(Aug 14, 2024) Policy Committee

“Everyone deserves to be safe at work – that means free from physical harm as well as mental or psychological abuse,” said McClinton, who represents portions of Delaware County and Philadelphia. “While there are laws on the books to protect workers from environmental hazards, we need to do more to protect people from workplace psychological hazards like bullying and oppressive treatment that create toxic work environments and cause undue stress and anxiety for workers.” Read more

 

Improving health care includes expanding abortion access

(Aug 13, 2024) Policy Committee

“A right to have an abortion, but no access to an abortion is no right at all,” said Rep. Heather Boyd, who represents portions of Delaware County and hosted the hearing. “Reproductive health care and abortion access needs to be protected in Pennsylvania. We know reproductive health care saves the lives of patients in the 21st century, and the last thing a patient needs is a lawmaker determining what health care is appropriate for others – especially absolute strangers.” Read more

 

Testifiers detail negative health, economic impacts of gun violence in PA

(Aug 12, 2024) Policy Committee

Gun violence intervention took center stage at Monday’s House Majority Policy Committee hearing as members gathered testimony to understand what more can be done to reduce gun violence in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Kinkead highlights community work at formerly closed hospital

(Jul 31, 2024) Policy Committee

“I wanted to bring lawmakers to my district to highlight the incredible and transformative work being done at what was formerly a closed hospital,” said Rep. Kinkead, who hosted the hearing and represents portions of Allegheny County. “Communities aren’t dealing with one challenge, but a multitude of issues, and AHN Suburban illustrates why it’s important not to silo these issues but address all of the numerous inner-related issues.” Read more

 

Steele, committee hears testimony on manufacturing job creation

(Jul 30, 2024) Policy Committee

“We know clean energy manufacturing is a tremendous opportunity in this commonwealth that has never existed before,” said Rep. Mandy Steele, who hosted the hearing and represents portions of Allegheny County. “We have the potential for unbelievable job creation and business growth, and we learned more about the thousands of jobs being created and the potential to bring manufacturing jobs back to Pennsylvania from Asia – but it’s important the state continues to support these efforts to maximize this moment.” Read more

 

Clean Energy Manufacturing

(Jul 30, 2024) Policy Committee

Submitted testimony from Policy Committee hearing on Clean Energy Manufacturing on July 30, 2024 in Allegheny County. Read more

 

Testifiers shed light on need for short-term rental regulation in PA

(Jul 29, 2024) Policy Committee

The number of short-term rental properties are on the rise in Pennsylvania, and testifiers at Monday’s House Majority Policy Committee hearing on the topic detailed the need to introduce regulations to address ongoing concerns. Read more

 

Short-Term Rentals

(Jul 29, 2024) Policy Committee

Submitted written testimony from Short-Term Rentals hearing on July 29, 2024 in Allegheny County. Read more

 

Students, faculty, alumni detail UArts closure

(Jun 17, 2024) Policy Committee

“This has been a terrible time for the University of the Arts students, staff and alumni,” said Policy Committee hearing host state Rep. Ben Waxman, who represents portions of Philadelphia including the UArts campus in Center City. “They have been treated in such a way that is frankly unacceptable. The University of the Arts’ leadership has refused to provide information, even after throwing the lives of thousands of people into chaos because of their incompetence.” Read more

 

Testifiers detail need to develop diversity in education workforce

(May 23, 2024) Policy Committee

“Teachers enable a pathway to a greater future for all our young people,” said hearing host state Rep. Regina Young, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “It was great to hear from the panelists supporting the need for more Black teachers and supporting people of color to become teachers, but it was inspiring to see so many young people in the room who could become the teachers for the next generation. Speaking from my own experience, it’s necessary for students to make that connection with the teachers and mentors who see more in you than you see in yourself.” Read more

 

Abney, Policy Committee review alarming trend limiting voter access

(May 22, 2024) Policy Committee

“If we actually care about democracy, we must lead the charge in safeguarding all residents have equal access to the ballot,” state Rep. Aerion Abney said. “Promoting measures to eliminate voter intimidation and opening up access – like other states have already done, including same-day registration and early voting – are proven methods to guarantee diversity in the democratic process and all people have an opportunity to have their voice heard.” Read more

 

Donahue highlights fiscal challenges for independent pharmacies

(May 15, 2024) Policy Committee

“Pharmacy benefits managers are pocketing taxpayer dollars, underpaying our family-owned local pharmacies and shortchanging seniors,” said House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “It’s sickening behavior, and it’s one reason reform is needed.” Read more

 

House, Senate Dems Discuss Access to Health Care

(May 14, 2024) Policy Committee

“As a nurse, I saw too many patients arrive at our hospital with advanced disease because they didn’t have access to preventable care earlier. We have to fix this because we deserve better here in the Commonwealth,” Kosierowski added. “We have many challenges to work through, but I’m confident we can find solutions and reduce healthcare deserts in Pennsylvania.” Read more

 

Committee examines patient outcomes, nursing home care

(May 13, 2024) Policy Committee

“My heart breaks for an aging and vulnerable population caught in a current health care crisis,” said Rep. Kyle Mullins, who hosted the hearing and represents portions of Lackawanna County. “Expert testimony detailed the many challenges, and they explained why they hope positive action at the state and federal levels can be made to help our residents.” Read more

 

Committee examines Keystone Saves Retirement Accounts

(May 08, 2024) Policy Committee

“The reality is, roughly 2 million Pennsylvania workers don’t currently have access to a retirement savings plan through their place of employment,” said Mullins, who represents portions of Lackawanna County. “If we act now, this plan will not cost taxpayers a single dollar. But if we don’t address the retirement security crisis, it will cost the state nearly $20 billion in social safety net programs by 2040. This legislation not only provides help for retiring workers, but it also takes a major burden off our small business owners.” Read more

 

Disability & Mental Health Summit Legislative Panel - Friday

(Apr 12, 2024) Policy Committee

Disability & Mental Health Summit Legislative Panel - Friday Read more

 

Disability & Mental Health Summit Legislative Panel - Thursday

(Apr 12, 2024) Policy Committee

Disability & Mental Health Summit Legislative Panel - Thursday Read more

 

Roundtable discusses positive impact of Erie County wineries
4 hours ago

Takac highlights need for jobs, economic development in rural PA
Aug 27, 2024

Burns highlights need for Harrisburg to cut red tape for municipalities
Aug 26, 2024

McClinton, Policy Committee emphasize need for workplace safety
Aug 14, 2024

Improving health care includes expanding abortion access
Aug 13, 2024

Testifiers detail negative health, economic impacts of gun violence in PA
Aug 12, 2024

Kinkead highlights community work at formerly closed hospital
Jul 31, 2024

Steele, committee hears testimony on manufacturing job creation
Jul 30, 2024

Clean Energy Manufacturing
Jul 30, 2024

Testifiers shed light on need for short-term rental regulation in PA
Jul 29, 2024

Short-Term Rentals
Jul 29, 2024

Students, faculty, alumni detail UArts closure
Jun 17, 2024

Testifiers detail need to develop diversity in education workforce
May 23, 2024

Abney, Policy Committee review alarming trend limiting voter access
May 22, 2024

Donahue highlights fiscal challenges for independent pharmacies
May 15, 2024

House, Senate Dems Discuss Access to Health Care
May 14, 2024

Committee examines patient outcomes, nursing home care
May 13, 2024

Committee examines Keystone Saves Retirement Accounts
May 08, 2024

Disability & Mental Health Summit Legislative Panel - Friday
Apr 12, 2024

Disability & Mental Health Summit Legislative Panel - Thursday
Apr 12, 2024