Op-ed by Senator Jay Costa
From the moment that President Trump was sworn into office, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus has sounded the alarm about how he and his cronies would enrich themselves by making backroom deals and at the same time, enact heartless policies that ravage the pocketbooks of working families right here in Pennsylvania.
Op-ed by Senator Amanda Cappelletti
For the first time—regardless of their political party, background, or identity—many fellow Americans are exercising their right to protest.
Op-ed by Senator Steve Santarsiero
For the third time in four years, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed legislation to raise the minimum wage. For the third time, this bill now sits in the Senate awaiting action.
Op-ed by Senator Steve Santarsiero
The Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 1014 last week, a bill to create cellphone-free classrooms from bell-to-bell in K-12 schools across our Commonwealth. As Senator Devlin Robinson (R–37), Senator Vincent Hughes (D–7), and I were writing the bill, we worked with many stakeholders to address concerns from parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members. This policy did not originate in Harrisburg, but in the lived experiences of parents, educators, and students who have seen firsthand how constant access to cellphones is reshaping the school day.
Op-ed by Senator Patty Kim
The famous proverb “when elephants fight, the grass suffers” means the weak get hurt in conflict between the powerful. It is an apt way to assess the ongoing state budget impasse and the partisan gridlock that has affected our political system. Finger pointing and blame is not a constructive way to resolve the issue, and there are far too many everyday Pennsylvanians that will suffer as a result.
Op-ed by Senator Lisa Boscola
One of my primary goals as an elected official has been to improve the lives of middle- and working-class families in Pennsylvania. As a proponent of job creation and economic development, I have worked with the private sector to cut red tape and ensure that government incentives make Pennsylvania businesses competitive. Working across the aisle to implement common sense reforms, help eliminate waste and create a more efficient government is a hallmark of my time in Harrisburg.