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.
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.
Latest News
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...
Collett Announces Legislation to Cut Healthcare Costs, Improve Access to Care
Harrisburg, Pa. − April 9, 2026 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Caucus Chair) has announced a new slate of legislation to address rising healthcare costs in Pennsylvania. With skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs, crippling medical debt, and...
Housing For All: PA Senators Highlight Efforts to Ensure Fair and Accessible Housing in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA – April 1, 2026 – To mark the first day of Fair Housing Month, Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17, Montgomery/Delaware) and Senator Nikil Saval (D-1, Philadelphia) introduced Senate Resolution 260, recognizing April as “Fair Housing Month” in...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams to Introduce Data Center Legislation That Prioritizes Community Voices Over Corporate Greed
Pittsburgh, Pa. − March 25, 2026 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) announced today that she has introduced Senate Bill 724, the Data Center Fair Share Act. This legislation would require data centers to pay for grid updates made for their benefit,...
Schwank and Laughlin Reintroduce Rental Application Fee Cap Legislation
Harrisburg, PA — March 13, 2026 — Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) have reintroduced legislation to place reasonable limits on rental application fees in Pennsylvania. Rental application fees can range from $25 to $75, often higher than the...
Democrats Draw Line on Dynamic Pricing for Essential Goods
HARRISBURG, March 4, 2026 – A report published in December revealed how Instacart utilized AI-enabled pricing experiments to allow grocery retailers to charge shoppers different prices for identical goods purchased at the same time. The PA House Majority Policy Committee and Senate Democratic Policy Committee convened a joint hearing on the topic and dynamic pricing on essential goods.
Pisciottano Plan Targets Hidden Swipe Fees to Lower Costs for PA Businesses, Consumers
Monroeville, PA – February 26, 2027 − State Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) announced today that he has circulated a co-sponsorship memo for legislation to prohibit credit card companies from charging swipe fees on the sales tax portion of retail transactions...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Lauds Governor Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan, Urges Bipartisanship to Enact Priorities
PITTSBURGH, PA: Today, Governor Josh Shapiro joined members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, stakeholders, and activists in Philadelphia to celebrate his Housing Action Plan, which will expand housing access and opportunity across the commonwealth. Building on...
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Monroeville, PA – February 5, 2026 − State Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) and State Representative John Inglis (D-Allegheny) announced today they are circulating co-sponsorship memos and plan to introduce legislation that would cut Pennsylvania income taxes...
Collett Unveils Housing Affordability Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 2, 2026 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Caucus Chair) has announced a new slate of legislation to address the housing affordability crisis in Pennsylvania. The ability to establish a home in Pennsylvania has...
Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Committee Hosts Hearing Regarding Solutions for Addressing Housing Affordability
READING, PA − December 17, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine the affordability of housing within the Commonwealth. “Rising rents are making it harder for families to pursue the dream of homeownership,...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces Legislation to Prohibit Surveillance Pricing
Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 15, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) announced today that she plans to introduce legislation that will outlaw surveillance pricing in Pennsylvania. “Families are already facing higher than ever prices at the grocery...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Joins Governor Shapiro to Celebrate Child Care Worker Staff Retention and Recruitment Program
Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 3, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, joined Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, Rep. Joe McAndrew, and leaders in early childhood...