PA Senate Democrats
Affordablility Action Plan
Senate Democrats Champion Affordability Action Plan to Bring Down Costs and Expand Economic Opportunities to PA Families
HARRISBURG, PA − April 21, 2026 − Today, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus were joined by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis to hold a press conference in the Main Capitol Rotunda to kick off their Affordability Action Plan, which highlights legislation and budget items meant to support working families weathering President Trump’s affordability crisis.
Over the course of the press conference, Senate Democrats drew attention to elements of Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal, delivered on February 3, as well as a series of bills that would bring down costs and expand economic opportunities for Pennsylvanians. Members spoke on key areas impacting the wallets of families, including housing, wages, healthcare, food assistance, transit, and childcare.
✓ Expand Property Tax & Rent Rebate Program
✓ Increase affordable housing access
✓ Stabilize rent prices
✓ Prohibit evictions during times of extreme weather
✓ End housing discrimination
✓ Cap rental application fees
✓ Make solar more attainable for homeowners
✓ Implement Governor Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan
✓ Implement Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Plan
✓ Establishing the Put Down Roots PA Pilot Program (Senate Bill 753)
✓ Secure universal free school breakfast and lunch to help with grocery costs (Senate Bill 180)
✓ Expand Food Bucks
✓ Increase commitment to the State Food Purchase Program and PA Ag Surplus Program
✓ Intervene on rate increases
✓ Fund Public Transit to help with gas costs
✓ Implement the Lightning Plan to modernize energy efficiency
✓ Enshrine ACA protections
✓ Protect and expanding access to healthcare (Senate Bill 322)
✓ Address nursing shortage
✓ Raising the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2029 (House Bill 2189 & Senate Bil 19)
✓ Double the Earned Income Tax Credit
✓ Prohibit junk fees
Our Affordability Action Plan
HELPING YOU GROW YOUR PAYCHECK:
Minimum wage increase – $15 by 1/1/29
HELPING YOU GET MORE BACK AT TAX TIME:
Double the Earned Income Tax Credit
HELPING YOU KEEP UTILITY COSTS DOWN AND NOT ALLOWING CORPORATIONS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU:
Utility assistance, State LIHEAP contributions, and bill rate increase intervention
HELPING YOU AFFORD TO FEED YOUR FAMILY WITH NUTRITIOUS FOODS:
Nutrition Assistance, SNAP supplement, universal school breakfast and lunch, Food Bucks, increased commitment to the State Food Purchase Program and PA Ag Surplus Program
HELPING YOU SAVE ON GAS COSTS:
Transportation assistance, fund public transit
HELPING PENNSYLVANIANS ACCESS SAFE & AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
Property Tax & Rent Rebate, Affordable Housing Access & Availability
FIGHTING CORPORATE GREED:
End surveillance pricing & prohibit junk fees
Support & Resources
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
PHFA offers home purchase and refinance loans to qualified borrowers throughout the Commonwealth.
LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) provides cash grants to help Pennsylvania families pay their heating bills.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
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