News Center

Sturla to host House Urban Affairs Committee roundtable on blight remediation in Lancaster on Wednesday

(Jul 15, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

LANCASTER, July 15 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that he will be hosting a House Urban Affairs Committee roundtable on blight remediation at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 21 at the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, Rooms 2E/2F,15 E. King St., Lancaster. Sturla, who serves as Democratic Chair of the committee, will be joined by Committee Chair Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe/Pike, and 10 other committee members from across the state. They will hold a discussion with local community leaders about Lancaster’s development efforts. Panelists will include: Chris Delfs , community planning and economic development director, City of Lancaster. Marshall Snively , president, Lancaster City Alliance. Dana Hanchin , president and CEO, HDC Mid Atlantic. Carlos Graupera , CEO, Spanish American Civic Association. Mike McKenna , president, Tenfold. Samuel Bressi , president and CEO, Lancaster County Community Foundation. Tammie Fitzpatrick , director of development, Community Basics, Inc. Mike Todd , vice president for finance and administration, F&M College. Larry Cohen , executive director, Lancaster Parking Authority. Joel Hendry , president, LEADS. Deborah Brandt , owner and creative director, FIG Industries and FIG Lancaster . Tim Miller , executive director, Lancaster Safety Coalition. Read more

 

Virtual Forum on Education Funding

(May 17, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

Rep. Sturla held this forum to discuss fair education funding legislation. Read more

 

Sturla to Hold Virtual Forum on Education Funding Thursday

(May 10, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, May 10 – S tate Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that he will hold a Virtual Forum on Education Funding at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at www.RepMikeSturla.com . The forum will feature presentations and discussion about how to make basic-education funding more equitable in Pennsylvania. Sturla will moderate the forum and speak about his bill to accelerate efforts behind installing a fair funding formula at the state level. State Rep. Mike Longietti, D-Mercer, will provide general comments as Democratic Chair of the House Education Committee while Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., will speak about his 100% Fair Funding legislation. Deberah Kleher, executive director of the Education Law Center, will speak about Rep. Mike Schlossberg’s Level Up for Equitable School Funding legislation. After the presentations, superintendents from Lancaster County school districts will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the bills and make comments on the fair funding issue. Members of the media and public are encouraged to watch the forum at www.RepMikeSturla.com . Read more

 

April 2021 Newsletter

(May 03, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

Newsletter for the 96th legislative district Read more

 

Sturla votes to provide COVID-19 relief

(Feb 05, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, released the following statement after voting in favor of Senate Bill 109 today: “While I did vote for and strongly support the notion of getting out as much COVID-19 relief as possible to businesses, I am disappointed that the Republicans would not allow us to include performing arts venues in this bill. I am hopeful that we will be able to include them in future grant programs if the federal government provides us with more COVID-19 relief.” Senate Bill 109 would provide $569 million for rent and utility relief funds, $145 million for small businesses, and $197 million for schools. Read more

 

Sturla named Democratic Chair of House Urban Affairs Committee

(Jan 05, 2021) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State. Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, has been named Democratic Chair of the House Urban Affairs Committee by House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Phila., for the 2021-22 legislative session. “As Democratic Chair of the House Urban Affairs Committee, I will be able to oversee critical issues that affect Lancaster and other urban areas daily, including affordable housing, redevelopment, blight and growth management,” Sturla said. “In addition to my committee responsibilities, I will continue to work hard this session for fair education funding, a healthy environment, and our state’s economic recovery from the pandemic.” Sturla joined his colleagues today in taking the oath of office to start his 16th term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Representing the 96th Legislative District since 1991, he is now the third-longest serving member. Read more

 

House Democrats fight to increase transparency and accountability, make sure the people come first

(Jan 04, 2021) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Jan. 4 – A group of 10 House Democrats announced the introduction of changes to the Operating Rules of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to reduce the impact of partisan politics, make sure ideas with broad public support get a fair hearing, and restore the people’s faith in government after the damage done by extremists in Washington, D.C., and Harrisburg. The People Before Politics plan was crafted with this central idea: lawmakers work for the people, not the other way around. It focuses on openness, transparency and citizen control of the legislative process. The People Before Politics plan includes the following proposals: Amendment 1 – The Voice of the People, sponsored by Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila. This amendment would make sure each House member has an opportunity to speak at a designated time during the first full session day of the week on any topic, similar to how the U.S. House of Representatives allows members to speak. This change would end the requirement of “unanimous consent” so often abused by extremists to silence members and prevent legislative topics bottled up in committee from being heard by the people. Amendment 2 – Let the People See, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware . This amendment would restore the rule requiring a full 24 hours before final passage of any bill, including all bills amended in the House chamber or in committee, or sent over from the state Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold virtual hearing on voting issues Thursday

(Oct 05, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla, Policy Committee

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on voting issues. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. The media and public can watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, the hearing will feature testimony from county and state officials about their preparation for the general election. Testifiers and legislators will speak remotely. Testifiers will include: Jonathan Marks , deputy secretary for elections & commission , Pennsylvania Department of State. Bill Turner , acting director, Chester County Voter Services. Sara Mullen , associate director/director of advocacy & policy, ACLU PA. Lauren Cristella , chief advancement officer, The Committee of Seventy. Carol Kuniholm , vice president of government and social policy, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on Voting Issues Thursday in Capitol

(Sep 21, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, Sept. 21 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on voting issues. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in in the Capitol Complex. The media and public are invited to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by state Rep. David Delloso, D-Delaware, the hearing will feature testimony from Delaware County and state officials about their preparation for the general election. Testifiers will speak remotely, while members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon , Pennsylvania’s 5 th Congressional District. Kathy Boockvar , secretary, Pennsylvania Department of State. Christine Reuther , councilwoman, Delaware County Council. Joe Rodgers , president, National Association of Letter Carriers-Branch 157. Brynne Madway , staff attorney, Disability Rights Pennsylvania. Carol Kuniholm , vice president of government and social policy, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Kayla Cocci , high school senior and first-time voter. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

Sturla releases statement on Sunday’s police shooting

(Sep 15, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

LANCASTER, Sept. 15 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, released the following statement about Sunday’s police shooting in Lancaster: “As our community is reeling from the events of this past Sunday, we should keep a few things in mind while we process and attempt to heal from this tragedy. The grief and pain of Ricardo Munoz’s family remains foremost in our thoughts. Their lives are irreversibly altered, and their suffering must not go unacknowledged. “Although the details of this shooting are still unfolding, we know that this young man struggled for much of his life with mental illness. This, like too many other similar incidents, lays bare the imperative for developing ways of recognizing and responding in real-time to individual mental health crises. Programs like Lancaster’s Crisis Intervention exist precisely for these types of occurrences, but they currently lack the funding to respond safely and effectively. “As House Democratic Policy Committee chairman, I have held six public hearings this year on police reform, including a hearing on Aug. 13 that dealt specifically with the police approach to mental health calls. These hearings have shown the delicate balance that law enforcement has in protecting themselves and our community while handling possible suspects in a safe manner. Testimonies and videos are at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee/hearingmaterials . “As evident from the body Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold briefing about “The Vanishing Trial” Thursday in Capitol

(Sep 04, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, Sept. 4 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public briefing on “The Vanishing Trial” film and the implications of Pennsylvania’s harsh sentencing laws on plea bargaining and trials. The briefing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by state Rep. Tina Davis, D-Bucks, the briefing will feature a showing of “The Vanishing Trial” and testimony from policy experts. Presenters will speak remotely while committee members will participate in person and remotely. Speakers will include: K. Celeste Trusty , Pennsylvania state policy director, FAMM. Marirosa Lamas , former superintendent, SCI-Chester. Chester Hollman , legal assistant, Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project. Nyssa Taylor , criminal justice policy counsel, ACLU-PA. Following the briefing, testimonies and full briefing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

2020 Back to School Giveaway Photos

(Aug 28, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

Photos from Rep. Sturla's 9th Annual Back to School Giveaway. Read more

 

2020 Back to School Giveaway Video

(Aug 27, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

Video about Rep. Sturla's 9th Annual Back to School Giveaway. Read more

 

Sturla holds final day of 9th Annual Back to School Giveaway Saturday at Clipper Magazine Stadium

(Aug 21, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

LANCASTER, Aug. 21 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, said the final day of his 9th Annual Back to School Giveaway will occur from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 at Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, special activities and walk-up registration were cancelled this year while nearly 700 students registered online. To ensure proper crowd control and social distancing, the event has run from Aug. 15-22 with designated days and time slots for registered families to walk up or drive up to get their student’s backpack filled with supplies, uniforms, shoes and masks. Media coverage is invited. ### Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on Police Approach to Mental Health Calls Thursday in Capitol

(Aug 10, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, Aug. 10 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on how police approach mental health calls. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, the hearing will feature testimony from Delaware County officials and mental health experts. Testifiers and members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Jack Stollsteimer , Delaware County district attorney. Tim Boyce , director, Delaware County Department of Emergency Services. Tim Comly, lead mobile crisis specialist, Delaware County Crisis Connects Team. Cori Seilhamer, mental health program specialist and certified CIT coordinator, Franklin/Fulton County Office of Mental Health/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention. Christine Michaels , CEO, National Alliance on Mental Illness Keystone PA. Elizabeth Sinclair Hancq, director of research, Treatment Advocacy Center. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . ### Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on COVID-19 Contact Tracing Wednesday in Capitol

(Jul 28, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, July 28 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on COVID-19 contact tracing. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 29 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . The hearing was requested by State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, to investigate the challenges of contact tracing in Pennsylvania. Testifiers and committee members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Sarah Boateng , executive deputy secretary, PA Department of Health. Lindsey Mauldin , special assistant on contact tracing for Secretary Levine, DOH. Michel Masters , division director of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Montgomery County Office of Public Health. Dr. Jeff Martin , medical director, Lancaster County Contact Tracing Program. Cynthia Shields , assistant director of Office of Community Services, Allegheny County Department of Human Services. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee/PA Legislative Black Caucus to hold second hearing on Police Reform Tuesday in Capitol

(Jul 24, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, July 24 –State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, and state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus will hold a second hearing on police reform. Requested by state Rep. Pete Schweyer, D-Lehigh, HDPC Chair Sturla and PLBC Chair Kinsey said this hearing will focus on the Allentown region. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Testifiers will participate remotely while members participate in-person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Chief Glenn Grantiz, Jr., Allentown Police Department Justan Parker, founder, Black Lives Matter to the Lehigh Valley Maegen Lierena, executive director, Make The Road Pennsylvania Nasheera Brown, student, Louise E. Dieruff High School Adrian Shanker, founder and executve director, Bradbury-Sullivan LBGT Community Center Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on essential workers Monday in Capitol

(Jul 23, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, July 23 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on essential workers. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 27 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Capitol Complex. The media and public are invited to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . The hearing will feature the testimonies of workers across several fields , including food service, public services, health care, security and hospitality. They will talk about their experiences working during the pandemic, economic well-being, racial justice, and worker health and safety. Policy Committee Chairman Sturla said t hese essential workers deserve a voice in conversations around how people return to workplaces and public spaces, as well as a long-term voice about their jobs and communities. T estifiers will participate remotely while members will there both in-person and remotely. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . ### Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on Building Inclusive Disability Curriculum Thursday in Capitol

(Jul 21, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, July 21 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on Building Inclusive Disability Curriculum as part of Disability Pride Philadelphia’s Virtual PA 2020. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 23, in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . The hearing was requested by State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., to explore how educational curriculums can be more inclusive of the disability community. Testifiers and members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Jamie Ray-Leonetti , Associate Director of Policy, Temple Institute on Disabilities Alan Holdsworth , Director, Disability Equality in Education Dr. Thomas Neuville , Professor and Disability Studies Advisor, Millersville University ShaVon Savage, Elementary School Principal , School District of Philadelphia Lisa Aquila, Home Care Worker and Disability Advocate Nadine Silber, Autistic Activist and Disability Educator Nancy Ostroff, Disability Advocate Shawn Aleong, Student, Temple University Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . ### Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee-PA Legislative Black Caucus start series of joint hearings on Police Reform Tuesday in Capitol

(Jul 20, 2020) Rep. Mike Sturla

HARRISBURG, July 20 –State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, and State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus will start a series of hearings to build on the success of recent police reform laws. HDPC Chair Sturla and PLBC Chair Kinsey said each hearing will focus on a region of the state to collect input on additional reform ideas from local stakeholders via virtual testimony. The first hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Focusing on the Philadelphia region, testifiers will include: Danielle Outlaw , commissioner, Philadelphia Police Department Marcel Pratt , Philadelphia City solicitor Keir Bradford-Grey , chief public defender, Defender Association of Philadelphia Katherine Gilmore Richardson , Philadelphia City councilwoman at-large Zion Brooks , member, Philadelphia Student Union Rev. Mark Tyler , community activist, POWER Kevin Harden, Jr , attorney Alphonse Gerhardstein , board member, National Police Accountability Project The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and the Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission have also been invited to testify. Following the hearing, Read more

 

Sturla to host House Urban Affairs Committee roundtable on blight remediation in Lancaster on Wednesday
Jul 15, 2021

Virtual Forum on Education Funding
May 17, 2021

Sturla to Hold Virtual Forum on Education Funding Thursday
May 10, 2021

April 2021 Newsletter
May 03, 2021

Sturla votes to provide COVID-19 relief
Feb 05, 2021

Sturla named Democratic Chair of House Urban Affairs Committee
Jan 05, 2021

House Democrats fight to increase transparency and accountability, make sure the people come first
Jan 04, 2021

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold virtual hearing on voting issues Thursday
Oct 05, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on Voting Issues Thursday in Capitol
Sep 21, 2020

Sturla releases statement on Sunday’s police shooting
Sep 15, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold briefing about “The Vanishing Trial” Thursday in Capitol
Sep 04, 2020

2020 Back to School Giveaway Photos
Aug 28, 2020

2020 Back to School Giveaway Video
Aug 27, 2020

Sturla holds final day of 9th Annual Back to School Giveaway Saturday at Clipper Magazine Stadium
Aug 21, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on Police Approach to Mental Health Calls Thursday in Capitol
Aug 10, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on COVID-19 Contact Tracing Wednesday in Capitol
Jul 28, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee/PA Legislative Black Caucus to hold second hearing on Police Reform Tuesday in Capitol
Jul 24, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on essential workers Monday in Capitol
Jul 23, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on Building Inclusive Disability Curriculum Thursday in Capitol
Jul 21, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee-PA Legislative Black Caucus start series of joint hearings on Police Reform Tuesday in Capitol
Jul 20, 2020