New law will help combat human trafficking in PA by requiring training for hospitality workers Read more

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., announced $2.45 million in funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for three projects in the 192nd Legislative District. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, July 16 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced today that six projects in her legislative district have been awarded grants totaling $10.2 million from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, July 15– State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., has partnered with Uber, ACHIEVEability, and state and local legislators to offer free rides for West and Southwest Philadelphia families affected by the July 11 microburst storms, many of whom experienced damage to their vehicles.Cephas said this partnership will ease transportation access for these families, offering support to help them get to temporary housing options, to and from work, and to reach essential services. The program begins today and runs through July 29.Families interested in transportation vouchers should contact Philadelphia Delegation Chair Cephas’ office or their area legislator to learn more about eligibility and be referred to ACHIEVEability. Participating offices include Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, Rep. Regina Young, Rep. Rick Krajewski, City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson, City Council Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas, and City Council Members Jamie Gauthier (3rd Council District) and Curtis Jones Jr. (4th Council District). Read more

HARRISBURG, July 15 – Pennsylvania’s popular Solar for Schools grant program was renewed for a third year in a row as part of the 2026-27 state budget, with $25 million in new funding allotted for it this year. The program represents a major public investment in clean energy that also delivers financial savings for schools, intermediate units and community colleges. It was introduced by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., in 2024 and enjoys bipartisan support. "I’m so thrilled that more school districts will soon be able to bring home the transformational benefits of solar energy! This would not be possible without the support of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and many, many advocates,” Fiedler said. “Our schools are not exempt from the affordability crisis facing Pennsylvania. My hope is that Solar for Schools offers a tool to help them combat rising, unpredictable energy costs and put the money toward what matters most: educating our young people.” More than 45 school districts across the commonwealth have already received funding to construct solar panels. The earliest awardees are now preparing to break ground as early as this summer. For the first time, school districts will be permitted to enter into power-purchase agreements (PPAs) with solar developers, which will allow schools to pursue solar arrays quickly and without up-front costs. The developer then installs and maintains Read more

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., emphasized her support for the 2026-27 state budget, which invests more than $50 billion in Pennsylvanians without raising taxes. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, July 8 – Today, state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, state Sen. Nikil Saval, and Councilmember Mark Squilla joined staff and campers to unveil a new, fully redesigned playground at the East Passyunk Community Center (EPCC). The renovation was funded by a joint $75,000 state grant supported by Saval and Fiedler and by the City of Philadelphia. “It’s always a good day when we get to see the impact of public funding right here in our neighborhoods. These dollars, that were once just numbers on a page, are now visible in EPCC’s long-awaited new playground. I’m thrilled that EPCC will continue to create lifelong friendships and strengthen our community for years to come!” Fiedler said. “East Passyunk Community Center is growing and changing just like the people who transform a recreation center into a community. I'm so proud to put public dollars into action to improve the splendid outdoor playground area for the benefit of all the neighborhood’s children. Now equipped with room to crawl, slide and climb, this beloved community anchor is ready to support our youngest neighbors through all stages of development,” Saval said. The East Passyunk Community Center has established itself as a service leader for South Philadelphians of all ages through its many free or low-cost programs and dedicated staff, they said. The playground sits in the front of the Read more

Rep. Roni Green (D., Philadelphia), one of 12 co-sponsors on Dawkins’ current bill, said in an interview that she “can't think of anything better or quicker that would impact working families and the lives of working families more than raising the minimum wage.”“I hear from my constituents how a minimum wage increase of at least $15 an hour … will allow them to continue to put food on the table, pay for housing, expenses, pay for gas that has increased, pay for childcare that is increasing,” she said.Green started her minimum wage advocacy while working as a Philadelphia human services caseworker and serving as a shop steward for her then-union, SEIU Local 668. The union represents about 20,000 workers in Pennsylvania, many of whom work for state, county, and local government. Read more

HARRISBURG, July 2 – The House Communications & Technology Committee held an informational meeting on Tuesday on space exploration and Pennsylvania’s leadership in space technology, scientific research, and airspace security. “Today’s meeting stressed the need for increased technological development to protect our airspace,” state Rep. Joe Ciresi, House Communications & Technology Committee Majority Chair, said. “Pennsylvania has the talent and the resources to lead the charge in developing technology to explore space and protect our airspace.” The committee heard from three speakers: Dr. Jason Wright, Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Penn State University on astronomical and scientific research, Ryan Graves, Founder/Executive Director, Americans for Safe Aerospace on aerospace and aviation perspectives, and Chris Mellon, Chairman of the Board, The Disclosure Foundation; Former Deputy Secretary of Defense; and Former Minority Staff Director, US Senate Intelligence Committee. “Exploration begins with curiosity,” state Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila. said. “Pennsylvania has the talent and institutions to help push the boundaries of scientific discovery, and today's hearing was an important step in that direction — wherever the evidence leads" Wright said that the search for the means to find extraterrestrial intelligence is leading the development of detection technology, Read more