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Krajewski announces birth certificate application changes for minors with DOH

Reps. Kenyatta and Krajewski, PLBC condemn H.B. 38

(Jan 21, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 21 – State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta and Rick Krajewski, co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus’ Subcommittee on Voting and Democracy, today condemned Republican state Rep. Russ Diamond’s dangerous proposal that would amend the state constitution to divide the state’s highest courts into over 30 districts across the state. Kenyatta and Krajewski, both D-Phila., also slammed claims made by Diamond, R-Lebanon, to bolster his proposal that these changes would allow for more Black judges in the appellate court system. “So much blood has been spilled on American streets in the fight to safeguard our democracy. It’s a fight that continues today, but state Representative Russ Diamond’s proposal spits in the faces of these slain foot soldiers for justice, making their pursuits count for naught, and stands to undo their legacy by usurping power from the people and placing it in the palm of the one-party-controlled General Assembly to gerrymander judicial districts,” Kenyatta said. “Additionally, Representative Diamond padding support for his dangerous bill with feigned concern for diversifying our courts system is an absolute disgrace. “This bill doesn’t allow for more Black justices—that’s just a ruse. It would instead minimize Black voting power in Pennsylvania’s largest and predominately Black cities to elect only three justices statewide. This bill further Read more

 

PLBC chairwoman Bullock announces subcommittee on voting and democracy

(Jan 13, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 – State Rep. and Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Donna Bullock, D-Phila., this week appointed state Reps. Malcom Kenyatta and Rick Krajewski, both D-Phila., as co-chairmen of the PLBC subcommittee on voting and democracy. The committee will focus on voting rights, gerrymandering, and judicial gerrymandering. “During this very turbulent time in our country and even in our own state,” Bullock said, “we need to focus on fair, free and transparent elections. We just finished what was called one of the fairest and most efficient elections in our history yet there is rhetoric floating around our state legislature to discredit that. Let’s be clear, these recent events are modern day voter suppression efforts, and a violent attack on the votes of Black and other people of color. The establishment of this subcommittee to focus on voting and democracy is an important one and I believe that Representatives Kenyatta and Krajewski have the fortitude to keep these issues at the forefront and lead this important discussion as we move into the new legislative session.” Kenyatta also serves on of the State Government Committee and introduced legislation that would modernize the voting process by allowing more time to vote in person and with mail ballots. He was also one of the 538 Pennsylvania electors and delivered the motion to declare President-elect Joe Biden’s Read more

 

Krajewski receives committee assignments for 2021-22 session

(Jan 13, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 13 – State Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., was recently appointed to three standing Pennsylvania House committees, the Sentencing Commission and the Climate Caucus. Read more

 

Otten, Guenst, Krajewski elected to lead Pennsylvania Legislative Climate Caucus

(Jan 13, 2021)

EXTON, Jan. 13 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, was elected this week to serve as House chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Climate Caucus for the 2021-2022 legislative session. House members of the Climate Caucus also elected first-term legislators Rep. Nancy Guenst, D-Montgomery, to serve as vice chair and Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., to serve as secretary. Otten will serve as co-chair of the bicameral, bipartisan caucus with senate chair Sen. Steve Santarsiero. The Climate Caucus seeks to uphold the environmental rights granted under the Pennsylvania Constitution, raise awareness on legislation, appropriations and related matters surrounding environmental justice, the need for a renewable energy future, and the urgency of climate change as our most existential threat. “I am thrilled to collaborate with this talented group of legislators on our collective goals and to elevate climate issues as they relate to public health and safety, our state and local economies and the future of our planet,” Otten said. “Climate change is a leading international issue of our time, and I am committed to the intersectional work of addressing the many areas of our state government impacted by climate change and moving Pennsylvania forward.” "It’s an honor to serve as vice chair of our Climate Caucus with the leadership of chair Danielle Friel Otten,” Guenst said. “By ensuring that legislative proposals and Read more

 

Thoughts about Senate Leadership’s attack on democracy with the denial of Sen. Brewster’s seat

(Jan 12, 2021)

I had prepared to give remarks during the House session on Jan. 12, 2021, but after I was denied the opportunity to speak during session, I wanted to share my remarks here. Read more

 

Philadelphia Progressive Electeds issue Joint Public Statement on the January 6 Insurrection and the Challenge to Democracy in Pennsylvania and Across the United States

(Jan 07, 2021)

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 7 -- On Thursday, progressive elected and movement elected officials from Philadelphia released the following statement. They include: Philadelphia Councilmember Helen Gym (D-At Large), Philadelphia Councilmember Kendra Brooks (WFP-At Large), Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-District 3), Senator Nikil Saval (D-PA SD 1), Representative Chris Rabb (D-PA HD 200), Representative Elizabeth Fiedler (D- PA HD-184), Representative Rick Krajewski (D-PA HD 188). “What we saw Wednesday in Washington D.C. was insurrection. Its perpetrators marched Confederate battle flags through the halls of Congress and threatened our country’s elected representatives. They were stoked by hate, lies, and misinformation and steeped in white supremacy. They were led by Donald Trump and his enablers across this country, including a sitting Pennsylvania state senator who joined the insurrection and seven Pennsylvania congress members who voted to overturn the presidential election. Just the day before, in Harrisburg, Republican state senators denied a duly-elected Democratic senator from taking his seat, in flagrant disregard of the state constitution. “In this time of resurgent mass movements and popular politics, the right is attempting to upend our constitution and democracy. This is an attack on all of us. And it is up to us to win the struggle, not just for our politics but for our future. “It is no accident that this particular armed Read more

 

Krajewski takes oath for first term

(Jan 05, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State Rep. Rick Krajewski took the oath of office at the state Capitol today to begin his first?term representing the 188 th Legislative District in Philadelphia. The noon swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of the 2021-22 session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Washington County Judge Brandon Neuman, a former House member, administered the oath of office. Krajewski joins 24 other first-term members. There are 11 new Democrats and 14 new Republicans. Among his priorities, Krajewski said he will focus on transforming the criminal justice system, fair funding for public education, living wages and union rights for workers, a Green New Deal for Pennsylvania and combatting the housing crisis in PA. He will receive committee assignments later in the month. “I see myself as a voice for the people, specifically the working people of west and southwest Philadelphia,” Krajewski said. “The 188 th district is a beautiful and unique place; however, like many other districts across PA our people are struggling to recover from the continuing crisis of COVID-19 on top of the decades of divestment from our communities and public goods. I am grateful for the opportunity and the responsibility to represent the 188 th in Harrisburg.” Krajewski said his office can help with a variety of state-related services, including home heating, children’s health insurance, prescription drug and property tax/rent rebate Read more

 

State Rep.-elect Krajewski urges Gov. Wolf, state officials to provide compassionate release for elderly, vulnerable prisoners as COVID-19 crisis worsens

(Dec 21, 2020)

State Rep.-elect Rick Krajewski recently penned a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine and Corrections Secretary John Wetzel urging them to provide compassionate release for inmates across the state.  Read more

 

Letter to Gov. Wolf, Secretary Levine and Secretary Wetzel urging compassionate release for elderly, vulnerable prisoners as COVID-19 crisis worsens

(Dec 21, 2020)

On Dec. 18, 2020, Rep.-Elect Rick Krajewski drafted a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine and Corrections Secretary John Wetzel urging compassionate release for elderly and vulnerable prisoners as the COVID-19 crisis worsens Read more

 

State Rep.-Elect Krajewski’s first bill says families should not be separated by mass incarceration

(Dec 17, 2020)

State Rep.-Elect Rick Krajewski will introduce his first bill in the new legislative session aimed at criminal justice reform to better protect the children of incarcerated people.   Read more

 

Pa. Treasury could be holding your unclaimed property

(Dec 01, 2020)

Each year, the Pennsylvania Treasury receives millions of dollars of unclaimed property. It is estimated that roughly one in 10 Pennsylvanians has unclaimed property. Unclaimed property may include: Closed bank accounts; Uncashed checks, including paychecks; Lost stocks and bonds; Contents of safe deposit boxes; Proceeds from the demutualization of insurance companies; Expired gift cards/gift certificates. To find out if you have unclaimed property, search your name in the Unclaimed Property database at www.patreasury.gov/Unclaimed/Search.html , call 1-800-222-2046, or contact my office . There is NO CHARGE to claim your unclaimed property. Read more