Hearing: Raise the Wage

(Mar 10, 2023)

HDPC hearing on raising the minimum wage Read more

 

South Side businesses renew calls to end neighborhood violence

(Feb 09, 2023)

"This is an awesome and vibrant neighborhood, and we need some help from you guys to make it to continue to be so," Lou Kroeck of the South Side Chamber of Commerce said. Read more

 

Residents, business owners and leaders meet to discuss South Side safety

(Feb 09, 2023)

State Rep. Jessica Benham hosted the gathering and says the state is investing in solving the issues, like the PennDOT project in the East Carson corridor and $8 million towards preventing youth violence. Read more

 

Policy Committee addresses needs for South Side neighborhood

(Feb 08, 2023)

“Those of us who live here know the challenges that we have faced, recently and stretching into the past, and I know – from my conversations with my colleagues – that many of these challenges are shared by other communities throughout Pennsylvania,” state Rep. Jess Benham said. Read more

 

Public Safety & Nightlife

(Feb 08, 2023)

The Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee convened a hearing on improving public safety and nightlife, specifically in the South Side neighborhood. Read more

 

Public Safety and Nightlife

(Feb 08, 2023)

Submitted testimony for a policy hearing on Public Safety and Nightlife, hosted by state Rep. Jessica Benham on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2003. Read more

 

Policy roundtable: Committee talks green construction and innovation

(Feb 06, 2023)

“I’m always proud to introduce colleagues and friends to some of the great resources located in the heart of my legislative district,” co-host Rep. Dan Frankel said. “Phipps has been a leader in green innovation, opting to make changes 20 years ago that some organizations and businesses are finally accepting today, including the creation of three of the greenest buildings in the world.” Read more

 

Green Innovation: Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

(Feb 06, 2023)

Information submitted by Phipps Conservatory for a Policy Committee roundtable and tour on the grounds of facility, which it city owned but managed by a nonprofit organization. Read more

 

Policy Roundtable: Union leaders discuss importance of organizing

(Feb 03, 2023)

“Unions are part of the fabric and history of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania,” said state Rep. Dan Miller, who co-hosted the roundtable discussion. “The history of our state can’t be written without recognizing the contributions unions have delivered for Pennsylvania workers – and Pennsylvania’s economy. Unions not only help put food on the tables for the families of workers, but they have also been the driving force behind innovation, setting prevailing fair wages and securing worker safety. Unions’ lasting legacy, however, continues to be their ability to provide a better way of life for millions of workers and their families.” Read more

 

Union Organizing

(Feb 03, 2023)

In the wake of a union resurgence – including widespread public support not seen in more than 50 years – union leaders from Allegheny County and across the state met with members of the PA House Democratic Policy Committee for a roundtable discussion today in Pittsburgh. Read more

 

Labor Organizing

(Feb 03, 2023)

Testimony for the House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on union organizing Read more

 

Election Reform

(Feb 02, 2023)

Policy Hearing: In search of election solutions, not political games Read more

 

Election Reform

(Feb 02, 2023)

Testimony for the House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on election reform Read more

 

Policy Hearing: Misclassification hurts workers, taxpayers and state

(Jan 27, 2023)

“This is a widespread, multimillion-dollar illegal practice happening across Pennsylvania in numerous industries and career fields,” Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said. “It’s robbing our workers, it’s hurting our families, and – quite honestly – it’s creating a greater tax burden on the citizens and employers who are living by the rules and paying their fair share. The testimony we heard today should motivate responsible lawmakers to support a multi-faceted response, including several of the recommendations put forth by the task force.” Read more

 

Health care staffing at 'crisis' level

(Jan 27, 2023)

"A patient my age who came in for abdominal surgery that was pretty simple died because there were not enough staff," Michelle Boyle, a union nurse with SEIU Healthcare PA, told the panel. "Those nurses (involved in that patient's care) no longer work in nursing" because of the personal impact of the case." Read more

 

Worker Misclassification

(Jan 27, 2023)

Armed with the findings and calculations by a joint task force, the PA House Democratic Policy Committee heard detailed testimony on how the misclassification of workers in Pennsylvania illegally denies worker protections while also denying valuable revenue to the state. Read more

 

Worker Misclassification

(Jan 27, 2023)

Testimony for the House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on worker misclassification Read more

 

Policy Hearing: Testifiers detail issues affecting health care staffing

(Jan 26, 2023)

“While the pandemic did not cause these issues, it crystalized the problem in a way where the public became acutely aware of its importance,” said Rep. Arvind Venkat, an emergency physician and the first physician to serve in the PA General Assembly in about 60 years. “Unfortunately, no silver bullet – or magical solution – exists to fix this complicated problem. As we saw when we peeled back layers of the issue today, addressing one issue often calls for the need to find a solution to several more related issues." Read more

 

Health Care Staffing Crisis

(Jan 26, 2023)

Physicians, hospital administrators, nurses, and paramedics detailed their numerous staffing challenges at the House Democratic Policy Committee hearing held Thursday at McCandless Town Hall. Read more

 

Health Care Staffing Crisis

(Jan 26, 2023)

Submitted and written testimony for the Thursday, Jan. 26 Policy Committee hearing on the Health Care Staffing Crisis. Read more