Press Releases
Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Committee Holds Hearing Regarding Solutions for Addressing Housing Affordability
McKees Rocks − September 16, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine housing affordability and seeking solutions to a growing issue across Pennsylvania. “Housing affordability continues to be a major issue across...
Senator Malone Joins the Suicide Prevention Alliance to Mark Suicide Prevention Awareness Day
HARRISBURG, PA – September 10, 2025 − Today, State Senator James Andrew Malone (D-36, Lancaster) joined Suicide Prevention Alliance Chair & Executive Director Govan Martin, suicide survivors, and advocates to mark Suicide Prevention Awareness Day in the...
Senator Hughes Calls on SEPTA to Cancel Planned Fare Increases
Philadelphia, PA − September 11, 2025 − Today, Senator Vincent Hughes shared a letter with SEPTA Board Members to express his disapproval of fare increases that are still planned to go into effect on September 14, 2025. A full copy of the letter is below and...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Offers a Statement on Pittsburgh Regional Transit Funding Announcement
PITTSBURGH, PA – September 11, 2025 − Today, PRT requested permission from Governor Shapiro and PENNDOT to use infrastructure dollars for operating expenses. This follows the Governor’s approval of SEPTA’s request for temporary operational support using state funds...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Shares Constituent Stories of How Budget Impasse Hurts Pennsylvanians on Senate Floor
Harrisburg, PA − September 10, 2025 − As the Pennsylvania State Budget stalemate enters its third month, Senator Lindsey M. Williams used her time on the Senate Floor this week to highlight stories of Pennsylvanians who have been hurt by this impasse. ...
Addressing Private Equity’s Destruction on Healthcare: Senator Cappelletti Joins U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Democrats for Roundtable Discussion
Washington, DC – September 10, 2025 – Pennsylvania State Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17 Montgomery/Delaware) joined the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Democrats for a roundtable discussion, “Profit Over Quality: Examining the Effects of Private...
Senators Kearney and Pisciottano Announce Legislation to Protect Pennsylvania Workers from Extreme Heat
HARRISBURG, PA – September 9, 2025 – Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), in partnership with Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny), announced new legislation to safeguard Pennsylvania workers from the growing dangers of extreme heat. With hotter summers, longer...
Senators Malone and Tartaglione Highlight Suicide Prevention Month
HARRISBURG, PA – September 8, 2025 − Today, State Senator James Andrew Malone (D-36, Lancaster) spoke on the Senate floor in support of Resolutions 138 and 144, which he introduced with Senator Tina Tartaglione (D-2, Philadelphia), to recognize September as Suicide...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Responds to SEPTA Funding Announcement, Calls for Statewide Permanent Sustainable Transit Funding
HARRISBURG, PA – September 8, 2025 – Today, Governor Shapiro and PennDOT approved SEPTA’s request for temporary operational support using state funds that are typically reserved for capital expenses that fund the purchase and maintenance of transit vehicles and...
Lawmakers Designate Portion of Route 51 as the Honorable Raymond T. Book Memorial Highway
Monroeville, PA, September 5, 2025 – State Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny), State Representative John Inglis (D-Allegheny), and State Representative Andrew Kuzma (R-Allegheny/Washington), together with representatives from PennDOT, today honored the life and...
Delaware County House & Senate Legislative Delegations Urge Senate Republicans to Return to Budget Talks to Protect Transit and Help Financially Burdened School Districts
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – September 5, 2025 – Members of the Delaware County House and Senate legislative delegations, today held a press conference at the Lansdowne Avenue Trolley Station in Drexel Hill, PA to call on Pennsylvania Senate Republicans to return to the...
Senator Cappelletti Welcomes Community to Fifth Annual Kids’ Fair
Norristown, PA – September 3, 2025 – Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery) was excited to welcome more than 400 community members to the Elmwood Park Zoo on Tuesday, September 2 for her fifth annual Kids’ Fair in the Seventeenth. Attendees of all...
Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Committee Hosts Hearing on Data Centers: Impacts, Operations, and Policy Considerations
SCRANTON, PA − September 3, 2025 − Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine pending proposals from the legislature and discuss details of data center infrastructure and technology. “As the Policy and Democratic Chair of...
Senator Vincent Hughes Releases Statement on Ongoing Public Transportation Negotiations
August 31, 2025- Philadelphia, PA - Today, Senator Vincent Hughes, state Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, issued a statement following SEPTA’s announcement that fare increases and regional rail cuts will be paused in accordance with a Common Pleas...
Innovation in Montco: Collett Highlights Tech Protecting Seniors from Fall Injuries
Conshohocken, Pa. − August 28, 2025 − PA Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery), Aging & Youth Co-Chair, visited ActiveProtective’s Conshohocken facility this week to meet with creators of the Tango Belt, a wearable device that uses motion-sensor technology to...
Yaw, Miller Introduce Bill Limiting Use of PFAS in Firefighting Foam
HARRISBURG – August 27, 2025 – State Senators Gene Yaw (R-23) and Nick Miller (D-14) recently introduced Senate Bill 980 which limits the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)...
Sen. Fontana Statement on Highmark Stadium Expansion
Pittsburgh – August 19, 2025 - State Senator Wayne Fontana issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement by the Pittsburgh Riverhounds that they will be expanding Highmark Stadium: "Pittsburgh is a sports town. It has been great to watch as the...
Senator Nick Miller’s Response to Mack Defense’s New Five-Year Contract for M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks with U.S. Army
August 14, 2025 − Senator Nick Miller issues the following statement in response to Mack Defense’s New Contract: “For generations, Mack Defense has established itself as a trusted and reliable provider for our national defense. This awarded contract will allow...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Urge Senate Republicans to Return to Negotiations as House Votes Down Unserious Budget and Transit Bills
HARRISBURG, PA – Today, the House Rules Committee and the House Appropriations Committee voted down HB 257 and SB 160, respectively. Passed in the Senate yesterday evening, these bills represented unserious and unagreed-to budget proposals that were roundly condemned...
Senator Saval Votes NO on HB257, a Bill that Robs PA Transit Agencies of Crucial Safety and Maintenance Funds
Harrisburg, PA (Wednesday, August 12, 2025)—Today, with Pennsylvania’s state budget six weeks late and transit agencies across the Commonwealth racing toward imminent financial cliffs, the Republican-led Senate advanced House Bill 257, a bill that would rob transit...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Issues Statement Criticizing Senate Republicans for Playing Games with State Budget & Public Transit
Harrisburg, PA (August 12, 2025) — Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Pittsburgh Regional Transit Board Member, issues the following statement following today’s Senate votes on transit funding and the FY2025-26 budget: “Transit authorities and advocates across the state...
Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti calls out the Senate’s continued failure to deliver for Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg, PA – August 12, 2025 – Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17 Montgomery/Delaware) released the below statement following today’s session activities in Harrisburg: “Today, the Senate failed – once again – to deliver for Pennsylvanians. As the deadline to pass...
Senator Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Express Frustration, Urgency as Senate Republicans Fail to Meaningfully Advance Budget Negotiations, Transit Funding
HARRISBURG, PA – Today, the Senate of Pennsylvania convened for session. Instead of advancing bills to bring the 2025-26 budget process to a close and to fully fund public transit, roads, and bridges, Senate Republicans chose to advance HB 257, a bill that would...
Philly-Area State Senators, Transit Riders, and Labor Leaders Call on Senate Republicans to Fund Transit
Philadelphia, PA − August 6, 2025 − With SEPTA just days away from implementing devastating service cuts, today Democratic State Senators, transit riders and advocates, and labor leaders joined hundreds of people at Philadelphia City Hall to call on Senate Republications to swiftly pass a budget that invests in communities across the Commonwealth, including full funding for public transit.
Sen. Schwank Calls on Berkshire Mall Owner to Invest in Property or Sell It
Reading, PA – August 5, 2025 – State Sen. Judy Schwank has sent a formal letter to the owner of the Berkshire Mall requesting an update on the condition of the property and their long-term plans for the site. Since Namdar Realty Group purchased the mall in 2020, the...
DCED Secretary Rick Siger and Sen. Judy Schwank Visit East Penn Manufacturing
Reading, PA — August 1, 2025 — This week, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Sec. Rick Siger joined state Sen. Judy Schwank for a tour and meeting with leaders at East Penn Manufacturing in Lyons Station, Berks County. Siger and Schwank...
Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Committee Roundtable Regarding Emergency Service and First Responder Recruitment
EPHRATA, PA − July 30, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a secondary roundtable discussion of the current challenges emergency service and first responders are facing in their communities. “We have heard a clear and...
Dignity in Death: Legislators Take Action After Pet Cremation Scandal
Harrisburg, PA, July 22, 2025 – In response to disturbing allegations and criminal charges involving the mishandling of pet remains at Vereb Funeral Home, State Senators Nick Pisciottano, Rosemary Brown and Camera Bartolotta, along with State Representative Brandon Markosek, announced the introduction of bipartisan companion legislation to strengthen oversight of pet cremation and burial service providers.
Sen. Tim Kearney to Introduce Scooter Safety Legislation After Tragedy in Delaware County
Delaware County, PA – July 22, 2025 – Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), has announced plans to introduce Abby’s Law, legislation to create safety regulations for electric scooters. This legislation honors Abigail Gillon, a 12-year-old girl who tragically passed after...
Senator Santarsiero & Representative Warren Inaugurate Newtown Township Crosswalks
BUCKS COUNTY – July 21, 2025 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Perry Warren (D-31) joined today with Newtown Township elected officials and residents to celebrate two important pedestrian safety improvements in the township, highlighting the...
Senator Malone Hosts Grand Opening of District Office in Lititz
LITITZ, PA – July 21, 2025 − On Friday, July 18, State Senator James Andrew Malone (D-36, Lancaster) welcomed constituents and community members to the official grand opening celebration for his district office in downtown Lititz. Senator Malone is the first Democrat...
Senator Nick Miller Announces the Former Lehigh Valley Dairy Site’s RFP is Live
July 18, 2025 – Senator Nick Miller (D-Lehigh-Northampton) announces request for proposals (RFP) is now live of the former Lehigh Valley Dairy Site in Whitehall, PA. In April, Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County approved this site to move forward for future...