PA LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus holds rally for Fairness Act

(Apr 26, 2023)

HARRISBURG, April 26 – Today, the PA House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, chaired by state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., and Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, held a rally on the PA Capitol steps in Harrisburg promoting the Fairness Act (H.B. 300), anti-discrimination legislation currently moving through the state House. House Bill 300 would prohibit discrimination in PA based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression. On Monday, the bill was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee and is headed for an eventual vote by the full House. Today’s rally saw a huge turnout of legislators, advocates and the public. Kenyatta and Benham were joined by the other co-prime sponsors of H.B. 300, state Reps. Dan Frankel and Latasha D. Mayes, both D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery; to speak on their bill. “Pennsylvania is better when it’s fairer. Passing the Fairness Act is the right thing to do for our families, our commonwealth and for our economy. This legislation was first introduced 22 years ago -- leaving committee once before -- and never receiving a full vote,” Kenyatta said. “It’s time for that to change. Pennsylvanians are good and decent people. They know every single one of us should be treated with dignity and respect. We have a chance to deliver on that basic principle and we will.” “The Fairness Act is as Read more

 

‘Fairness Act’ reported out of House Judiciary Committee

(Apr 24, 2023)

HARRISBURG, April 24 – Today, The Fairness Act (H.B. 300) was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee 12-9 and will now head to the House floor for a vote. Prime sponsors of the bill, state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila; Jessica Benham, Dan Frankel and Latasha D. Mayes, all D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery; issued the following statement following the Judiciary Committee vote. “The Fairness Act has been in the works for years and never received fair consideration. With today’s vote in the Judiciary Committee, we took a huge step toward making Pennsylvania fairer for our LGBTQ+ residents. “As H.B. 300 heads to the house floor for a vote, we are ready to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians. “Most Pennsylvanians believe what we believe; Pennsylvania is better when it’s fairer. We hope our colleagues in the House can see eye to eye with us and most Pennsylvanians, so they can meet this monumental moment for our commonwealth and pass H.B 300 out of the House and to the Senate.” Read more

 

Democratic lawmakers issue statement on introduction of “Fairness Act”

(Apr 14, 2023)

HARRISBURG, April 13 – Today, the Fairness Act , whose prime sponsors are state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila.; Jessica Benham, Dan Frankel and Latasha D. Mayes, all D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery, was introduced as H.B. 300. The following joint statement can be attributed to the members listed above: “Every single Pennsylvanian deserves to live with dignity and respect. For far too long, LGBTQ+ folks across the commonwealth have faced horrific discrimination for who they love, how they identify and who they are. “In 2020, in the landmark decision of Bostock v. Clayton County, the United States Supreme Court ruled that an employer cannot discriminate against an individual because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. While this decision was a historic victory for civil rights, it does not prevent someone in our state who identifies as LGBTQ+ from being denied housing, education or access to public accommodations. These protections must be codified into law. “Lack of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law in Pennsylvania is a deterrent for workers and businesses who could help grow our economy, and its passage is long overdue. Discrimination in any form degrades us all. We can and must do better. “That is why we are introducing the Fairness Act (H.B.300) to prohibit discrimination in our state based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. “We Read more

 

Hearing explores vision for Black maternal health

(Apr 13, 2023)

“The testimony we heard today highlighted the fact systemic racism and gender-based bias play a major factor in Black maternal mortality,” said hearing co-host Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, who represents portions of Allegheny County. “Today’s hearing amplified the message that Black mamas and birthing individuals need to be heard." Read more

 

Rep. Mayes appointed to four PA House committees

(Mar 20, 2023)

Will work through nuance to better the lives of all Pennsylvanians. Read more

 

Mayes secures over $1 million in state grants

(Mar 17, 2023)

Two local projects have been awarded a combined $1,181,346 in state grants, state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, announced today. Read more

 

Mayes: more than $750,000 in state grants awarded

(Mar 17, 2023)

Will improve two public spaces in the City of Pittsburgh. Read more

 

Mayes: More than $200,000 awarded to East Hills neighborhood

(Jan 13, 2023)

State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, announced today that a $230,736 state grant has been awarded to a project in her community. Read more

 

Mayes: $50K awarded for local non-profit

(Jan 11, 2023)

State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, today announced that a local food growth non-profit, Grow Pittsburgh, has been awarded $50,000 in state funding. Read more

 

PLBC, Women’s Health Caucus create joint Subcommittee on Women and Girls of Color

(Jan 09, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 9 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and the Women’s Health Caucus have created a joint Subcommittee on Women and Girls of Color, which will bolster their legislative efforts, according to PLBC Chair Donna Bullock. The subcommittee chair is state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny. “It just makes more sense for us to combine the work of this subcommittee and the Women’s Health Caucus since there is so much crossover on issues,” said Bullock, D-Phila. “ Representative Mayes is the right person to lead this joint committee because of her experience as a champion for reproductive rights, maternal health and other issues important to Black women. I’m looking forward to the work we can tackle in the new legislative session with this reinforced legislative body.” “I’m honored to be named the chair of this joint subcommittee and am looking forward to working with my colleagues on the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and Women’s Health Caucus to help drive legislation that will have a transformative impact on the lives of women, girls and gender-expansive people of color across our commonwealth,” Mayes said. “With a new legislative session ahead of us, I am excited by this opportunity that continues my decades of work advocating for state policy and fighting for a just and equitable future toward a Read more

 

Mayes takes oath of office to represent the 24th Legislative District

(Jan 05, 2023)

State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes took the oath of office in the state Capitol Tuesday to begin representing the 24th Legislative District. Read more

 

Need help heating your home? Apply to LIHEAP this winter.

(Dec 01, 2022)

Pennsylvanians in need of energy assistance are encouraged to apply to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for 2022-2023 winter heating season. To see if you qualify, view the table via the link above, and click here to apply online using COMPASS. A paper application can also be found here . Everyone should be able to keep warm during the coldest months of the year, and LIHEAP is a true security blanket for those who are in need. Read more

 

PA Treasury could be holding your unclaimed property

(Dec 01, 2022)

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 https://www.patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property/ or call 1-800-222-2046. There is NO CHARGE to claim your unclaimed property. Read more

 

Get quality health coverage at a low cost through Pennie

(Dec 01, 2022)

Pennsylvanians can enroll in 2023 health insurance coverage through Pennie now until Jan. 15, 2023. Last year, many Pennsylvanians enrolled in health insurance through a Pennie plan and paid lower monthly premiums due to premium subsidies included in the American Rescue Plan Act. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act extended these subsidies until Jan. 1, 2026. Visit Pennie.com/connect or the Pennie Customer Service Call Center at 1-844-844-8040. Read more

 

PennDOT is hiring for winter maintenance

(Dec 01, 2022)

PennDOT is currently hiring employees for the Winter Maintenance Program. Employees hired for the Winter Maintenance Program are critical to a safe winter season, and these temporary opportunities are an excellent pathway to a permanent career with PennDOT. For more information on how to apply, click here . Read more