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Our Bills Protecting Neighbors Advance!

PA Representative Tarik Khan banner image

Dear Neighbors,

With the daily chaos in Washington, I wanted to reassure you that my colleagues and I in the PA House of Representatives are committed to doing everything within our power to protect our neighbors in the commonwealth. That means defending access to healthcare like the Affordable Care Act so people living with pre-existing conditions won’t lose their coverage, young working people can stay on their parents’ plans, and our hospitals in cities and rural areas can stay open. We will also protect our vulnerable communities, including the rights of our LGBTQ+ and immigrants.

In our full first week of session, we started building on our successes from last term addressing infant and maternal mortality in our underserved communities. We also reminded the special interests we are here for every kid in every school – and always will be.

MY HOSPITAL WORKER SAFETY BILL HEADS TO FULL HOUSE

I am thrilled that one of my bills to protect healthcare workers and patients from surgical smoke has already started to move through the legislative process.

On Wednesday my bill - HB 27 - was overwhelmingly voted out of the House Health Committee and on to the full House. 

This was a bipartisan, worker-driven effort to address a critical and often overlooked issue. Surgical smoke, a byproduct of surgical burning during operations, contains dangerous particles like bacteria and viruses. These pathogens are so small they can actually go through surgical masks and bypass general ventilation and suction systems, putting healthcare workers at risk every single day.

Multiple other states have passed similar legislation, and it is my hope that Pennsylvania will soon join them. Our bipartisan bill will be voted on in the House early next week, and should it pass, it will go to the Senate for future consideration.

Please click on the image below for a brief video on how our bill will protect patients, nurses and other hospital workers.

OUR BIKE SAFETY BILL CLEARS FIRST HURDLE

I was excited this week when our bipartisan bill allowing municipalities like Philadelphia to create parking protected bike lanes was approved by the Transportation Committee! This bill is now positioned for a final vote in the House as early as next week!

Too many bicyclists in our community are seriously hurt or killed by automobiles. Some of you may know Sid Ozer and his wife Mindy Maslin who lost their son Sam on Henry Avenue in 2020 when he was killed by a car riding his bike near Barnes Street. Former Masterman teacher Kevin St. Clair was also killed on Henry Ave in 2023 while riding his bicycle. And Dr. Barbara Ann Friedes was killed last year riding her bike in Center City when a car crashed into the bicycle lane. A parking protected bike lane would have saved Dr. Friedes’ life. Unfortunately, simple interventions like parking-protected bike lanes are not permitted on state roads. 

I’m proud to co-prime sponsor HB 291, led by Rep. Mary Jo Daley that will help address this issue. Our bipartisan bill will enable lifesaving bike lanes to be put on state roads in Philadelphia and across the commonwealth. Let’s get HB 291 passed so we make our streets safer for ALL users. 

Please click on the image below for a brief video about why we need parking-protected bike lanes

Video

COMBATING BIRD FLU BY EXPANDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

With the spread of Bird Flu continuing across the nation, egg prices are through the roof. I was happy this week to see a bill by a friend of mine, Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, start to make its way through the House. Her bill - HB 324 - would update our state’s poultry law, allowing anyone able to work in the U.S. to become a certified Poultry Technician. These technicians are critical to testing and stopping the spread of bird flu. This law will also expand our available workforce.

Image: Standing with Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz at a news conference in Harrisburg last session.

Legislation like Rep. Cepeda-Freyitz’s Poultry Bill is critical to protecting our state’s robust agricultural industry, and more importantly, the people who work in these industries – regardless of their backgrounds.

Many of these jobs are filled by immigrants, and our state and nation have a long and rich history of welcoming immigrants from all over the world settling here. Immigrants — like my father who emigrated from Pakistan in the 1960s to be an engineer — raise families, grow our economy, and contribute to the economic growth and cultural fabric of our commonwealth. 

Image: Me and my dad on a trip to his birth country of Pakistan in the 90s, with (now President) Asif Ali Zardari. Go Birds!!

By welcoming immigrants, we help to keep our economy strong, bring new ideas, strengthen our workforce, and grow our communities while they pursue the American Dream. We all win. 

AS ICE RAIDS CONTINUE, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Like many others, I was heartbroken and outraged to learn about ICE raids this week in communities across the nation and in Philadelphia. These raids bring fear and chaos into people’s lives and tear families and communities apart.  

It is important for people to know their rights and be aware of resources and organizations that can help. With my colleagues we’ve compiled a list of organizations in our community that can help. Please share this information if you know anyone who could be impacted. (Click on an image for a larger version)

IN THE NEWS

My Op-Ed on the nominee for HHS secretary was published in City and State PA. As a nurse and researcher, I believe Robert Kennedy Jr. is a poor choice to lead our nation’s health and healthcare system. You can read my Op-Ed by clicking here

GO BIRDS!

I’m grateful for this team, this defense, this Jalen Hurts, and this city. One more to go!!

Image: With my parents Pat and Zia, brother Joe, and nephews Sam and Nathan at half-time last Sunday.

With Gratitude,

 

COMMUNITY UPDATES

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FB/Twitter/TikTok: @RepTarik

Insta/Bluesky: @RepTarikKhan

Jan. 31 - My bipartisan bill to protect patients and operating room workers from surgical smoke was approved by the PA House Health Committee! This is an important bill that will help ensure hospitals are healthy & healing environments. Watch a video of me discussing the bill here!

Image: Graphic announcing that HB 27 was approved by the Health Committee.

Jan. 30 - The body of evidence is overwhelming: To confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead our nation’s Health & Human Services Department is to condemn our citizens to a world of harm.

My OpEd just published today in City & State here.

Image: Graphic of a newspaper with the City & State Logo, publishing information, and a quote from the op-ed.

Jan. 29 - Proud that our bipartisan bill - led by Rep. Mary Jo Daley - allowing parking protected bike lanes was approved by the PA House Transportation Committee!

Our bill, which will make our community safer, save lives, and encourage healthy exercise, will go for a final vote in the PA House on Monday!

Image: Graphic with photos of lead sponsors on HB 291 with text “Parking Protected Bike Lanes.” 

Jan. 27 - Congrats to our #Amazon #WholeFoods workers who voted to unionize!! Your leadership will help others get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

This is a huge moment for workers in Philadelphia and around the nation!

Image: Graphic made by UFCW Local 1776 to announce the unionization.

Jan. 25 - Thank you to all the neighbors who come out every Saturday morning for a “Sandwich Mission” at Saint Bridget’s in East Falls.

These kind souls gathered to prepare a meal for those battling food insecurity in Philadelphia, and it was a pleasure to join forces with them for an hour of service!

Image: Me and volunteers at Saint Bridget’s making sandwiches for our neighbors.

 

Pennsylvania State Capitol
121-A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4945

District Office

4001 Main St., Suite 101
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(215) 482-8726