A longtime proponent of repealing PA’s death penalty, state Rep. Ben Waxman stands with advocates and colleagues to celebrate the House Judiciary Committee’s approval of legislation that would abolish the death penalty. Read more
I have reported our success in passing a $45.5 billion primary budget bill in the beginning of the month, but we still need to pass “code bills,” which outline the way that the budget is directed toward specific programming. Read more
I want to help do my part and make sure you’re notified properly about the upcoming Philly 10K race that will be returning for its tenth year! With this race showcasing some of the best areas of South Philly, please make sure you are prepared for travel on Sunday, August 27! Above are road closures and timetables to help you prepare and anticipate delays. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 6 – State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., yesterday cast his vote in favor of the 2023-24 state budget, committing to significant investment in Pennsylvania's education system, infrastructure and mental health services. The budget, passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, signals a commitment to Pennsylvania's future and a dedication to addressing immediate needs of communities. "This budget is not perfect by a long shot, but Governor Shapiro's commitment to veto the $100 million voucher portion of the budget was key in securing my vote. We need to ensure our resources are committed to public education,” Waxman said. The Philadelphia School District will receive $1.7 billion, a $119.6 million, or 7.6%, increase from the previous fiscal year. "This budget avoids a prolonged partisan standoff without compromising our core values,” said Waxman. "Our work in the Pa. House has yielded historic increases to K-12 education funding, a commitment to supporting teachers with student teacher stipends, and vital expansions in food security for our students through free breakfast and expanded lunch programs." Waxman also noted the budget's commitment to improving Pennsylvania's infrastructure and supporting local businesses, with $50 million in whole home repairs and $20 million for the Historically Disadvantaged Business Program. In addition to Read more
Below are several grant programs that are currently open for applications. PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Historical & Museum Commission: Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program Who May Apply: Museums that are in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind services) and at least one full-time professional staff person and that are not supported by other state agency funding programs and official County Historical Societies designated as the official historical society for the county. Use: The goal of this program is to strengthen Pennsylvania’s museums and allow applicants to determine how to use funds for operating expenses. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, salaries, benefits, insurance, food service, travel, professional development, marketing, and equipment. Funds: Grant awards range from $2,500 to $65,000. Application Deadline: November 7, 2023 More information: PHMC Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program Who May Apply: Municipality, Economic Development Organization, Redevelopment Authorities, Municipal Authorities, Industrial Development Agencies. For-profit businesses are not eligible to apply for the PA SITES Program. However, an eligible applicant may apply for a site owned and controlled by the Read more
HARRISBURG, June 20 – State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., today hosted a news conference on the Capitol steps to introduce his legislation that would provide local funding options for transportation . “As we have seen this past week, when a transportation crisis occurs, we lean on our public transit system,” Hohenstein said. “SEPTA has stepped up with increased services while I-95 is being repaired. Now we need to step up and give it funding flexibility and give Philadelphia and its surrounding counties the ability to fully support one of the largest people-moving transit systems in the country. Local funding options are essential to the survival of public transit, and public transit is essential for our economic growth.” "I am proud to stand with my colleagues to support increased funding for public transit,” said state Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila. “Public transportation is a critical component to our economy as well as protecting our environment. The PA House Democratic Caucus is committed to fighting to make sure our transit systems have all the resources they need." “As SEPTA works to respond to the I-95 collapse with added service, equipment and staff to meet the needs of our city and its residents, I am asking council this week to approve a resolution supporting SEPTA and urging state lawmakers to increase their investment in public transportation and enable local Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Support Families of Child Abuse Victims Who May Apply: Non-profits that specialize in providing service for child abuse victims in Pennsylvania. Use: Implementation of a research or evidence-based trauma training to support non-offending caregivers of child abuse victims. Funds: $250,000 in federal Children’s Justice Act funds. Application Deadline: July 6, 2023 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PA START/STOP Project Who May Apply: Any private non-profit agency, any private for-profit agency, public agency, or unit of local government. Use: The PA START/STOP campaigns aim to increase awareness of the dangers of Opioid abuse, as well as to provide resources to assist parents and caregivers in promoting healthy behaviors among youth to prevent substance use in the first place. Funds: $900,000 in federal State Opioid Response funds. Application Deadline: July 10, 2023 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Department of Transportation: Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Who May Apply: Local, county, and tribal governments, transit agencies, schools, school districts, nonprofits, and small Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Use: Transportation alternatives, including on- and Read more
HARRISBURG, June 13 – State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., today celebrated the passage of his legislation that would reduce cell phone bills for families across the state. “ This is about providing financial relief to individuals and families across the entire state ,” Waxman said. “ We all rely on cell phones for communication, work, and staying connected to loved ones. They have become an essential part of our lives, and it’s only fair that we work to alleviate the excessive tax burdens placed on Pennsylvanians.” Waxman’s legislation would exempt cell phone service from the 6% sales and use tax, as well as the 5% gross receipts tax. This legislation follows Gov. Josh Shapiro’s state budget plan and would save Pennsylvania families an estimated $124 million per year. According to Waxman, Pennsylvania has the seventh highest combined rate of taxes and other government fees and surcharges on cell phone bills at 16.62%. At this time, 68% of American households do not have a landline and rely solely on cell phones for voice communication. Waxman said lower-income households and younger individuals are more likely to be wireless-only. Further, 15% of Americans use cellular data on their smartphones as their only method of accessing the internet, as these families do not have broadband internet service. For more information, those interested can contact Waxman’s Read more
Dear Neighbor, The House was not in session this week, so I was able to enjoy some time back in the district, meeting with constituents, attending policy hearings, and garnering support for my recently introduced legislation. Read more
“We are far beyond this being an economic issue, it being a political issue,” said State Rep. Ben Waxman (D., Phila.). “It is a moral issue.” Read more
HARRISBURG, May 2 – State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., today celebrated the passage of The Fairness Act in the PA House of Representatives. “ It’s still legal in PA for LGBTQ+ people to be denied housing, education, or access to public accommodations based on their sexual orientation or gender identity ,” Waxman said. “ Today, the House is extending the same protections outlined in the PA Human Relations Act to ensure no one is treated like a second-class citizen. It’s time to protect all Pennsylvanians and create a welcoming atmosphere for people from all walks of life.” The PA Human Relations Act prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, disability, age, and other aspects of an individual’s identity. The Fairness Act would extend these protections to LGBTQ+ individuals and prevent anyone from discriminating against others based on their gender or sexual identity. The landmark 2020 decision on Bostock v. Clayton County by the United States Supreme Court ruled that an employer cannot discriminate against an individual because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This bill ensures that this historic victory is codified and extends to Pennsylvanians. If signed into law, PA would join 23 other states in the nation that welcome and protect LGBTQ+ people. For more information, those interested can contact Waxman’s district office at Read more
Offering only snazzy artist renderings and grand platitudes, the developers behind this project ask us to trust them. Not so fast, I say. We need details. We need clarity. Read more
Pennsylvania Jewish legislators and their allies are coming together to fight antisemitism and other forms of hate. Read more
Dear Acting Secretary Schmidt:The published date for the upcoming Presidential Primary Election is Tuesday, April 23,2024. This is also the first day of Passover, a major religious holiday for those of theJewish faith. As you might know, observant Jewish voters refrain from work and theirregular activities to observe this religious holiday. This would include activities such asvoting in person. Read more
“It’s time to reinvest in our communities and return them to the same state they were in before the COVID-19 pandemic and disastrous flooding,” state Rep. Ben Waxman said. “This historic museum on Martin Street has been a source of pride for the area and is crucial to educating the public on local legend Marian Anderson. Her voice, concerts, radio and vision broke down barriers. Through her incredible work, she became a symbol of the fight for civil rights and desegregation. We have much to learn from her story and journey; with these funds, the public will now be able to learn about this local hero in a revitalized space.” Read more
HARRISBURG, March 17 – State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., today announced that $400,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority has been approved for a Local Share Account grant. “It’s time to reinvest in our communities and return them to the same state they were in before the COVID-19 pandemic and disastrous flooding,” Waxman said. “This historic museum on Martin Street has been a source of pride for the area and is crucial to educating the public on local legend Marian Anderson . Her voice, concerts, radio and vision broke down barriers. Through her incredible work, she became a symbol of the fight for civil rights and desegregation. We have much to learn from her story and journey; with these funds, the public will now be able to learn about this local hero in a revitalized space.” The CFA approved funding for this project: $400,000 for PIDC Financing Corporation’s Marian Anderson Museum Repair Restoration Project to restore the historic museum located on Martin St. after sustaining flood damage during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Renovations include the complete exterior and interior restoration of the property on all three floors. Renovations for this project will include replacement of the roof, windows, doors, electrical system, install sprinkler systems on all floors and a new HVAC system. Lastly, plumbing, restorative design and protective museum and artifact enclosures Read more
HARRISBURG, March 7 – State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., today announced that he has been appointed to the Pa. House Appropriations Committee. This announcement came the Monday before Gov. Josh Shapiro’s planned budget address for the 2023-24 fiscal year. “I’m ready to get to work and make sure we get the most out of our tax dollars,” Waxman said. “Let’s make sure that every child has an education we can be proud of. We need to give our children and workers more opportunities to succeed. I plan on forging a budget that holds larger corporations accountable while providing Philadelphians and their families with the resources and services they need.” In accordance with House rules, the Appropriations Committee evaluates legislative proposals for fiscal implications prior to voting a bill out of committee. The committee also plays a pivotal role in forming recommendations for budget and fiscal-related matters and is integrally involved in the annual budget process. In addition to the state budget, the committee also has jurisdiction over the offices of Auditor General and State Treasurer and the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. Waxman has experience from serving as Director of Communications to Pa. Sen. Vincent Hughes and the Pa. Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee for nearly four years. In addition, he’s worked at multiple levels of state and Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 28 – State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., issued a statement celebrating the election of state Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, as speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives: “It was my pleasure and honor to cast my vote for state Representative Joanna McClinton to take on the position of speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,” Waxman said. “Speaker McClinton has been at the forefront of change and leadership since she has entered the political sphere. Today, she continues to make history as the first woman speaker of the House. I know that she will keep the people and their interests at the forefront of her thoughts. I know that she will lead us as a person first who seeks justice and policies that help everyday individuals. This is a victory for families across the state. McClinton is the first woman elected to the position of speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and the second African American. She made history as the first woman and African American to be elected as PA House Democratic Caucus chair in 2018, and again in 2020 when she was elected as the first woman House Democratic leader. More information is available by contacting Waxman’s office . ### Read more
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PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 8 – State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., issued a statement in response to the Feb. 7 decision by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court on William Penn School District v. Pennsylvania Department of Education. “One of the duties outlined in the Pennsylvania Constitution is that every student receive a meaningful education that allows them to succeed academically, socially and civically,” Waxman said. “This Commonwealth Court ruling gives power back to the students and educational institutions. All children deserve a fair and equitable education, and Pennsylvania Democrats have been at the forefront in fighting to resolve the education funding disparity for decades. I continue to call for fair and equitable education, and I hope that more of our education dollars can flow through the new funding formula to better every district across the Commonwealth, not only the wealthy few.” Commonwealth Court Judge Renee Cohn Jubilerer ruled that Pennsylvania schools don’t have the resources to adequately educate all students, and the gaps between richer and poorer school districts has rendered the system unconstitutional. Waxman said this decision is a landmark case that could reshape education throughout the state. The Public Interest Law Center and the Education Law Center , which helped represent the William Penn School District , hailed the decision as a “historic victory for Read more
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