Op-ed
When Will Leaders Act on Guns?
Op-ed by Senator Wayne Fontana
This weekend, our country will be “celebrating” Memorial Day. A day to honor those who have died in our nation’s wars. At the same time, our country will also be mourning the innocent young lives lost because they were ruthlessly gun down by an 18-year-old mad man in Uvalde, Texas. When and why has the United States become so tolerant of this sickening violence?
Open Access to the Ballot Box: Allow Independents to Vote in Primary Elections
Op-ed by Senator Lisa Boscola
With primary election season upon us, it is apropos to talk about our Independent voters who are disenfranchised from these elections. For nearly 25 years, I have been a leading voice, unrelenting advocate, supporter and prime sponsor of bills to give voters unaffiliated with any party the right to participate in our primary elections. Membership in a political party (or the decision to avoid joining a political party) should not dictate whether a voter can vote in a primary.
PA Voters Deserve a Say in who Becomes Lieutenant Governor
Op-ed By State Senator Katie Muth
Elections are the one way that you — the voters and taxpayers of Pennsylvania — can make your voices heard and impact the direction of your communities, your counties, and your commonwealth.
Senator John I. Kane Reflects on First Year in Office
OpEd by Senator John I. Kane
Its been just over a year since I was sworn in as the state Senator for the 9th Senatorial District, representing parts of Delaware and Chester Counties. During that time, I’ve met with business owners, community leaders, veterans, educators, nurses, and neighbors. I’ve connected with you at district events and open houses, via phone call and over Zoom. And its been an honor to learn about the issues that matter most to you and connect with you and your families about the work I’m doing right here in the district and back in Harrisburg.
The change Philadelphia needs
Op-ed by Senator Art Haywood
There were 499 homicides in Philadelphia in 2020. That grim number was surpassed in 2021 when 562 were murdered in the city. We are only a month into 2022, and the City of Philadelphia has reported another 44 murders. However, in Boston, Dallas, Jacksonville, Fla., Kansas City, Mo., Miami, Seattle and St. Louis, murders declined in 2021.
To honor Dr. King’s legacy, raise the minimum wage
OpEd by Senator John I. Kane
59 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his historic “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He asked the audience of 250,000 how, a century after the end of slavery, Black Americans still “live[d] on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.” For Dr. King, the protesters were at the capital to “cash a check”, and to finally make the promise of the American Dream a reality for everyone, regardless of the color of their skin.
It’s time to help women get back to work
Op-ed by Senators Amanda Cappelletti and Maria Collett
Recently, we watched in dismay as Sen. Joe Manchin pulled his support for President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan, a historic and popular bill that would, among other things, lower child-care costs for working families and increase wages for child-care workers. These policies could dramatically improve the lives of millions of Americans, particularly women.
Pennsylvania’s digital divide is two distinct problems. It’s time to solve both
Op-ed By Senator Sharif Street
Political tribalism is tearing at America’s seams. The fabric binding our increasingly blue cities and suburbs with our increasingly red rural communities frays more with each passing news cycle, spurred on by political media pundits and social media platforms that reap huge profits from conflict and division.
It’s time to Free the Funds
OpEd by Senator John Kane
About six months ago, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, a historic investment in the working families and communities who had been hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, I applauded that bill – it was proof of what good government can do, of how we can invest in working people to build our economy back.
Stop the New Steal
Op-ed By Senator Tim Kearney
In the days and weeks leading to the violent January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol, ex-president Trump’s most ardent supporters believed they were fighting to “stop the steal” of the US Presidency. Suddenly, many months later, the Republican Party of safety and security wants to share your private information, steal your freedom to vote, and reverse the voice of the American people.
Help is Here
OpEd by Senator John Kane
It’s been a challenging month for working Pennsylvanians: the Supreme Court struck down the federal eviction moratorium; expanded pandemic unemployment benefits are ending; Hurricane Ida devastated our communities. But there are also still an unprecedented number of support programs available to help families get back on their feet. This is what we, as elected officials, should be doing right now: supporting working families as best we can. I wanted to take a few minutes and highlight some of the resources available to Pennsylvanians.
It’s time to change solitary confinement in Pennsylvania
OpEd by Senator John Kane
“I can emphatically say I have more trauma from six months in solitary than four combat tours in the Marines.”
This is what we heard from a solitary confinement survivor, Reverend Dr. Chris Kimmenez, at our policy hearing this past Tuesday in the city of Chester. Over the past year, each of us has experienced the effects of isolation, separated from friends, family, and loved ones by the pandemic.
GOP Senators, Accept Reality, Move on
OpEd by Senator Marty Flynn
I must address the call for an investigation into the results of the 2020 Election made by Pennsylvania Senate Republicans. To be honest, folks, I had a hard time deciding if I should even write this. It’s frustrating to have to respond to claims so absurd. The Republicans are living in a fantasy world, and they want us to pay for their room and board. This is beneath us. It should be beneath them, too.
Protecting the People Who Protect Pennsylvania
Op-ed by Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti
There’s a common perception that first responders – police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and veterans are tough. We see first responders as thoroughly trained experts, ready to handle a multitude of high stakes, stressful scenarios. In a similar vein, we perceive veterans as strong, selfless individuals who can handle extreme situations with discipline and fearlessness. In many instances these generalizations can be true, but I think they rarely tell the whole story.
NYC’s primary should inspire Philly to change our votes | Opinion
Op-ed by Anthony H. Williams
New York City has become the first major American city to complete a primary election through ranked choice voting. This alone is a historic win for the Black, brown and marginalized people of New York City. The candidates who received 50% of the vote in this primary now go on to become the Democratic and Republican nominees for Mayor of New York City.
OpEd: ‘Sweet Swag’ A Gross Reward for Mocking Philly Gun Violence Deaths
Op-ed by Senator Sharif Street
Every day in America over three hundred people are shot. On Tuesday night 18-year-old Nasir Marks was fatally shot multiple times in West Philadelphia at around 7:30 p.m. A half-hour later, just before 8 p.m., a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed in my district in North Philadelphia. On Wednesday morning a mass shooting left a total of 10 people dead in California. Gun violence dominates the news cycle and threatens to numb us to routine reporting of loss of life comparable only to the pandemic in its infancy.