HARRISBURG, April 23 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s resolution to study replacing the state song was adopted with bipartisan support Tuesday by the PA House of Representatives. “A compelling state song drives tourism,” Ciresi said. “Our state song should extoll all the things that make Pennsylvania great in a catchy, memorable way. “Think about it: Ray Charles singing Georgia is always on his mind, John Denver about West Virgina’s country roads and the millions of songs extolling New York. These songs have lodged themselves in the public’s mind about these states. And Pennsylvania? We have an utterly forgettable song that does not represent the dynamic state we are living in. With the 250th anniversary of the United States coming up in 2026, the Keystone State of our country should have a song worth singing, that represents who we are as a people.” In 1990, the state legislature adopted the current state song, “Pennsylvania” by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner. State law established this as Pennsylvania’s official song for all public purposes, and the song is often performed at public events, such as gubernatorial inaugurations. “State symbols bring us together,” Ciresi said. “When we see our state flag and hear our state song, we should be able to share our commonality and celebrate our heritage as fellow Pennsylvanians. Unfortunately, our current state song is known by few and does Read more
“This investment will not only strengthen the healthcare workforce that serves our community but also give opportunities to high school graduates who need to work while advancing their education,” Malagari said. “Medical assistants and pharmacy technicians are an essential part of a strong healthcare system, and a strong healthcare system is necessary for a community to thrive. I’m proud to see these funds make their way to Montgomery County and our neighbors.” Read more
Borowski's district includes six stops along the Paoli/Thorndale line. Wayne will host the 2026 PGA Championship at the Aronimink Golf Club. Borowski is concerned SEPTA’s funding woes will prevent it from providing special service for major events. Read more
LOWER MAKEFIELD, April 11 – State Rep. Perry Warren, D-Bucks today expressed his support for continued state funding for public transit. “Without restored state public transit funding, SEPTA’s budget would include significant fare increases and reductions in service -- cuts that would directly impact the West Trenton Regional Rail Line and the broader region,” Warren said. “Public transportation connects our communities, supports our economy, and helps reduce traffic and pollution,” Warren said. “When service is cut, it affects how people get to work, school, and vital appointments -- it impacts everyday lives.” Warren emphasized that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has repeatedly taken steps to support transit funding, including SEPTA. “I voted for, and the House passed, legislation to fund SEPTA and other mass transit systems three times over the past year,” Warren said. “The House Democratic Caucus is ready to do the right thing again, and I’m hopeful the Senate will join us in delivering the support our communities need.” Without enhanced state funding, SEPTA service cuts would include reducing service on the West Trenton Line, which serves Yardley Station -- a station that received a $5 million renovation, completed in 2018. “I was there for the dedication and ribbon cutting,” Read more
LEVITTOWN, April 10 – State Rep. Jim Prokopiak today strongly condemned SEPTA's newly released fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, which includes the elimination of the Trenton Regional Rail Line — a profitable service that connects Lower Bucks County residents to Philadelphia and New Jersey and includes the recently modernized Levittown-Tullytown Station. SEPTA's proposal also includes the elimination of bus lines 127 and 128 within Prokopiak's district. "These cuts are a direct consequence of inaction in the Pennsylvania State Senate," Prokopiak said. "House Democrats are committed to working to securing a future where public transit is expanded, not gutted. The ball is now in the Senate's court." Prokopiak joins Governor Josh Shapiro and House Democratic leaders in calling on the Pennsylvania Senate to support the governor's statewide public transit funding plan — legislation that the House has already passed three times and intends to pass again next month. "Public transportation is a public good — and it's time the legislature treats it that way. We need long-term, sustainable funding for SEPTA and transit systems across the state, not a death spiral of service cuts and fare hikes. If SEPTA's goal is to attract new riders, eliminating service is the absolute wrong way to do it," Prokopiak said. "The elimination Read more
BRISTOL, April 10 – State Rep. Tina Davis today expressed serious concern about SEPTA’s proposed elimination of the Trenton Regional Rail Line and key bus routes that serve Lower Bucks County, calling the proposal “deeply troubling” and urging state and regional leaders to work toward a sustainable funding solution. Under SEPTA’s recently released Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget proposal, the Trenton Line—which serves Levittown, Bristol, and Croydon—would be discontinued beginning Jan. 1. Bus Routes 127 and 128 are also slated for elimination, leaving only Route 129 to serve the area. “These proposed service reductions would have a significant impact on Lower Bucks County residents who rely on SEPTA to get to work, school, medical appointments, and other essential destinations,” Davis said. “The Trenton Line, in particular, is not only well-utilized—it’s also a profitable line. Eliminating it would reduce access and opportunity for thousands of commuters.” The proposed cuts come as SEPTA faces a projected $213 million structural budget deficit in Fiscal Year 2026, the result of rising operating costs and the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds. Without new state funding, SEPTA has warned it may need to eliminate five Regional Rail lines, discontinue 50 bus routes, and impose fare increases averaging 21.5%, along with a 9 p.m. Read more
Pennsylvania House lawmakers who represent Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties are expressing concern in response to the budget proposal SEPTA released today that would make drastic service cuts and fare increases to address its budget deficit. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 10 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Dan Williams to improve the annual report that the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs submits to the General Assembly passed the Pennsylvania House Wednesday. Williams said that since its inception, DDAP has played a critical role in advancing education, intervention, treatment and recovery initiatives across Pennsylvania. As the state continues to fight the opioid crisis and other emerging drug threats, DDAP has strengthened its collaboration with the departments of Health, Corrections, Human Services and other key agencies. Given DDAP’s growing responsibilities and evolving initiatives, H.B. 640 would update the department’s annual reporting requirements. “Enhancing reporting would allow the General Assembly to better assess program effectiveness, allocate resources where they are most needed and explore new strategies for addressing substance misuse, treatment and recovery,” Williams said. Williams said updating the reports would improve communication and collaboration with the public, advocacy organizations and service providers, providing greater transparency and informed public policy. “With uncertainties surrounding health initiatives and data collection on the federal level under a new administration that does not seem particularly concerned about those things, having the Department of Drug and Alcohol Read more
HARRISBURG, April 9 – State Rep. Dan Williams is introducing legislation alongside Reps. Kristine Howard and Melissa Shusterman, all D-Chester, that would require approval from the Department of Health before a hospital or hospital system can be purchased. One in three hospital mergers and acquisitions lead to a full or partial hospital closure . In Chester County , Tower Health purchased Jennersville and Brandywine Hospitals, which both closed less than 5 years after the acquisition. These sales often lead to broken promises, unexpected closures and reduced services to customers, Williams said. “When hospitals close, jobs disappear and patients are forced to travel further distances for potentially lifesaving care. These closures create major challenges for our communities,” Williams said. “When a life is on the line, the miles and minutes matter, which is why we are introducing this bill to protect residents and frontline workers from such abrupt closures.” The bill would require the Department of Health to review applications, hold public hearings and prepare impact statements on the effect of the buying and selling of the healthcare services that the hospital or hospital system provides. We cannot allow our health to be dictated by business interests,” said Howard. “Department of Health approval will ensure continued access to quality care and keep the focus on patients, not profits.” Read more
“When military installations are under exclusive federal jurisdiction, military children who find themselves in trouble are often forced through a federal justice system that does not offer as many rehabilitative options as does our Commonwealth,” Pielli said. “This system lacks appropriate juvenile-focused resources and may result in military-connected juveniles being tried more harshly while their peers off-base may be steered into more appropriate channels. Read more
“We’ve been listening to firefighters, chiefs, and EMS workers not only in our own communities, but traveling to others across the commonwealth to hear their most pressing concerns. From those serving our cities to our townships, one message was consistent: fire and EMS systems are stretched thin,” Borowski said. Read more
Legislation would prohibit paying voters to vote or register to vote Read more
“This is homegrown legislation that provides a simple fix to a pervasive issue brought to my attention by Newtown Township Supervisor Leonard Altieri,” Borowski said. “The current five-day restriction is unique to second-class townships, which are our most common local government type in Pennsylvania, and it hinders their governing effectiveness." Read more
Today, the PA House of Representatives approved legislation introduced by state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, that would increase the fines for violations of the state child labor law. As state legislatures nationwide are weakening their child labor laws, H.B. 118 would ensure that Pennsylvania employers are held accountable for exploiting children by doubling the penalties for a first offense to $1,000, and $3,000 for each subsequent offense. “Our highest duty as legislators should be to protect our most vulnerable people who are unable to protect themselves, especially our children,” said Young following the vote. “Child labor violations are still too common in our state, with too many employers chalking it up to ‘the cost of doing business.’ That is straight up exploitation and unacceptable as we should work to guide and mentor our young people toward gainful employment. These fines have remained unchanged for over a decade as violations increase, so it’s clear they are an insufficient disincentive. Exploitation of children in any circumstance should be abhorrent to all Pennsylvanians. I’m hopeful that these doubled penalties will act as a stronger deterrent to the illegal employment of Pennsylvania’s children.” The bill was approved in the House by a 117-85 vote and now heads to the state Senate for its consideration. The 185th Legislative District is comprised of communities in South and Southwest Philadelphia, along with Tinicum Township and Colwyn Borough... Read more
“House Bill 410 eases the burden of renewal for those with persistent health conditions and military families, allowing them to maintain their licenses or IDs from home and continue their daily lives without interruption,” O'Mara said. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 20 – This week, state Rep. Nate Davidson was appointed by Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton to serve on the Canada-United States Relations Committee of the Council of State Governments and welcomed the Canadian Consul General Tom Clark and a delegation of Canadian representatives to the Pennsylvania state Capitol. “It is a great honor and responsibility to be appointed to serve on the Canada-United States Relations Committee, especially at a time when our relationship is being tested by the reckless tariffs imposed by our federal government in Washington,” said Davidson, D-Cumberland/Dauphin. “In spite of the harm that will be inflicted on American consumers by those actions, I am eager to work with colleagues from across the nation to reinforce our bilateral relationship with Canada. As Consul General Clark reminded us, our ‘bond is built on friendship, trust and shared values,’ and we must be steadfast in our pledge to our Canadian neighbors that they will always have a friend in Pennsylvania.” The U.S. and Canada share one of the world’s most prosperous trade relationships, and Davidson emphasized the need for continued collaboration to support innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic development. “Canada is Pennsylvania’s No. 1 export partner, surpassing the next four largest export markets -- Mexico, China, the Netherlands and Japan -- Read more
The PA House unanimously passed legislation today authored by state Rep. Lisa Borowski and co-sponsored by fellow Southeast Delegation Reps. Boyd, Cerrato, Curry, Guenst, Hanbidge, Howard, Pielli, & Sanchez that would simplify prescription transfers between pharmacies and align Pennsylvania law with federal regulations, saving time and money for patients, doctors, and pharmacies. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 19 – State Rep. Napoleon Nelson is spearheading a bipartisan initiative to safeguard Pennsylvania’s government systems from the risks posed by foreign adversary-controlled artificial intelligence and is circulating a co-sponsorship memorandum for legislation that would protect state data and information technology infrastructure from these growing threats. Artificial intelligence platforms have proven effective in numerous public and private sector applications, often relying on vast amounts of proprietary data to optimize decision-making, enhance operational efficiency, and facilitate complex processes. However, when these AI platforms are developed and controlled by foreign adversaries, such data becomes a potential weapon in the hands of those who seek to exploit it for malicious purposes. Contracts, financial records, and personal or corporate documents used by state agencies could be manipulated, contributing to harmful disinformation, unauthorized data collection, and the compromise of both commonwealth and national security. “Securing the integrity of Pennsylvania’s data is critical,” said Nelson, who serves on the House Communications and Technology Committee. “Allowing foreign adversary-controlled AI into our state-owned systems is a risk we cannot afford. This legislation will ensure that we protect sensitive information and technology infrastructure, safeguarding the privacy of Read more
HARRISBURG, March 17 — In a pivotal moment for health insurance reform, the Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee, chaired by state Rep. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, reported out of committee four significant bills that safeguard health insurance in Pennsylvania in the event the federal government repeals protections of the Affordable Care Act. House Bill 404 , sponsored by Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, would allow parents to keep adult children on their health insurance plans until they turn 26. Before the Affordable Care Act became law, many kids turned 18 and were dropped from their parent’s insurance plan. Losing health insurance coverage led to many young health individuals leaving the health insurance market entirely. Because of the lack of healthy individuals to balance out the high-need policyholders, insurance premiums became unaffordable for many young people. “Ensuring young Pennsylvanians can stay on their parents’ health insurance plan until 26 will provide them with stability and peace of mind should the Republican Congressional majority repeal the Affordable Care Act,” Pashinski said. “That stability means they can begin pursuing their careers and building their lives without worrying about having the insurance needed to stay healthy and help in an emergency at a critical time in their lives.” House Bill 618 , sponsored by Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Lackawanna/Luzerne, would Read more
“Elon and Trump don’t get it. We are not suckers and losers. This isn’t a business. This isn’t about profit margins. This is about people. True American patriots who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country, if necessary, who now need our help. As a U.S Army soldier, I swore to support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. I made this pledge with my fellow veterans to the republic for which it stands, not to a king. Not to billionaires for their tax breaks and not to Russian dictators. As a PA state representative, I swear and pledge the same," Pielli said. Read more
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