Press Releases
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights State Budget’s Investments to Make Pennsylvania Communities Safer
Norristown, PA – July 17, 2024 – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders in Montgomery County today to highlight how the newly signed bipartisan state budget will make Pennsylvania communities safer, through more investments in violence intervention and prevention programs that are working, funding for afterschool programming and funding for an additional 400 state troopers.
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Urges PA Public Utilities Commission to Deny FirstEnergy Rate Increase
Pittsburgh, Pa. − July 17, 2024 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams offered testimony in opposition to a proposed $503 million rate increase by FirstEnergy Pennsylvania during a public input hearing with the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC). This proposed rate...
Policy Hearing Highlights Issues with PA Property Reassessment System
PITTSBURGH, July 16, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) yesterday in Pittsburgh to co-host a public hearing highlighting Pennsylvania’s...
Sen. Miller Joins Gov. Shapiro in Highlighting New Budget’s Major Economic Development Investments
JULY 16, 2024 – BETHLEHEM, PA: Today, Senator Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) joined Governor Josh Shapiro, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger, Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), and other state and local officials at the...
Schwank and Rep. Cepeda-Freytiz’s Non-U.S. Citizen Teacher Certification Bill Approved as Part of the School Code
Reading, PA — July 16, 2024 — Last week, as a part of the state budget, the Pennsylvania General Assembly approved Senate Bill 700, the School Code bill for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill contains language sponsored by Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Johanny...
Senator Art Haywood’s Statement on the Passage of the 2024-25 PA Budget
Harrisburg, PA. July 12, 2024 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement on the passage of the 2024-25 PA Budget: Our state budget passed with $47B for historic changes to public education, higher education, housing...
Brewster Praises Bi-Partisan Budget with Historic Education Investment
Harrisburg, July 12, 2024 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today issued the following statement regarding the new Pennsylvania budget plan that passed the General Assembly late last night with strong bipartisan support. The budget will be Brewster’s last as he is retiring...
Sen. Miller Applauds Investments in the State Budget in Education, Economic Development and Public Safety
July 12, 2024 –Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) announced that he is confident that investments promised in this year’s state budget, which passed Thursday night, will be crucial to the commonwealth. “We are seeing historic investments in public education,...
Senator Nikil Saval Responds to Lack of Funding for Whole-Home Repairs in State Budget
Harrisburg, PA − July 12, 2024 − Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 state budget passed late yesterday evening, and in response to the lack of additional funding for Pennsylvania’s wildly popular Whole-Home Repairs Program, State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) issued the...
Senator Collett Reacts to 2024-25 Budget
Harrisburg, Pa. − July 12, 2024 − On Thursday, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed SB 1001, the FY 2024-2025 budget bill, which was then signed by Governor Shapiro for enactment. Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Senate Democratic Caucus Secretary) voted in...
Senator Jimmy Dillon Applauds Historic Pennsylvania State Budget
Harrisburg, PA − July 12, 2024 – Pennsylvania State Senator Jimmy Dillon (D, Philadelphia) today hailed the passage of the state budget. Governor Josh Shapiro signed the $47.6 billion budget into law last night, marking a major step forward for the...
Senator Judy Schwank Applauds Child Care Tax Credit and Economic Development Tools Included in State Budget
Reading — July 12, 2024 — Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) touted the budget passed by the General Assembly for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which includes an employer child care contribution tax credit and key investments in economic development programs. Senate Bill...
Senate Democratic Leaders Share Statement on Passing of FY24-25 Budget
Harrisburg, PA − July 11, 2024 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate and House passed a $47.59B dollar budget that makes significant investments in basic education, higher education, public safety, health and human services, and economic development.
Senator Flynn Praises the Inclusion of 529 Plan Employer Tax Credit Legislation in the Budget
Harrisburg, PA − July 11, 2024 − Senator Marty Flynn is excited to announce the creation of a tax credit for employer contributions to 529 tuition savings accounts. This initiative aims to incentivize employers to support their employees' educational goals, thereby...
Senator Flynn Celebrates Major Wins in New Budget for Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA - July 11, 2024 - Senator Marty Flynn is proud to announce the passage of a historic budget that delivers significant investments in education, economic development, public safety, and support for vulnerable populations in Pennsylvania. This budget...
Session Proceedings :: July 11, 2024
Senator Sharif Street Lauds Passage of “Historic” 2024-25 Pennsylvania Budget
Philadelphia, PA, July 11, 2024 — Today, the Senate passed the 2024-25 PA Budget, which Senator Sharif Street (SD-3) lauded as "historic" in its investments in the people of Pennsylvania. Despite missed opportunities to increase the minimum wage, end cannabis...
Sen. Lisa Boscola Applauds Budget Investments in Economic and Workforce Development, Disappointed in Lack of Significant School Property Tax Relief
HARRISBURG, PA – July 11, 2024 – Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) shared her views on the passage of the State budget as it heads to the Governor’s desk. A longtime advocate for school property tax reform, Boscola said, “while every school district in the 18th...
Governor Shapiro Signs Act 53 of 2024, Senator Jay Costa’s LOOP Legislation, into Law
HARRISBURG, PA − July 11, 2024 − Today, Governor Josh Shapiro signed SB 219, State Senator Jay Costa’s Longtime Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program (LOOP), into law. Now Act 53 of 2024, this program will allow Pittsburgh’s mayor and city council to exempt or defer...
Sen Tartaglione, Senate Democrats Fight Senate Subpoena Overreach
Harrisburg, PA − July 10, 2024 − Today, Senator Christine Tartaglione and Senate Democrats voted along party lines in the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee to oppose a motion to have the Senate’s Secretary issue a subpoena to the Secretary of...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Applauds Senate Passage of Pharmacy Reform Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. −July 10, 2024 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) released this statement today following Senate passage of HB 1993: “I was happy to vote for HB 1993, which will reform Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). This legislation will save...
State Senator Jay Costa’s LOOP Legislation Passes House, Awaits Governor’s Signature
HARRISBURG, PA − July 10, 2024 − Today, State Senator Jay Costa celebrates the passage of the Longtime Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program (LOOP) in the House of Representatives, which will protect homeowners living in areas with rapidly...
Brewster Blight Legislation Heads to Governor’s Desk
Harrisburg, July 8, 2024 – A bill aimed at helping local communities battle blighted and abandoned properties has been approved by the state House and now heads to the governor’s desk, state Sen. Jim Brewster announced today. Brewster’s Senate Bill...
State Senator Jay Costa’s LOOP Legislation Passes Senate, Heads to the House
HARRISBURG, PA − July 3, 2024 − Today, State Senator Jay Costa celebrates the passage of the Longtime Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program (LOOP), which will protect homeowners living in areas with rapidly increasing property values that increase property taxes....
Senators Saval, Hughes, Cappelletti, and Kearney Announce Intention to Introduce Bill Preventing Criminalization of Homelessness
Harrisburg, PA − July 2, 2024 − Today State Senators Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia County), Vincent Hughes (D–Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties), Amanda Cappelletti (D–Delaware and Montgomery Counties), and Tim Kearney (D–Delaware County) announced their intention...
Senator Lisa M. Boscola Welcomes Passage of Legislation to Aid Local Restaurants
HARRISBURG, PA – July 2, 2024 – Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton) was joined by a nearly all members of the Pennsylvania Senate today to pass legislation that will make updates to the state Liquor Code. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Matthew...
Senator Hughes’ Community Garden Legislation Heads to Governor Shapiro’s Desk for Signature
Harrisburg, PA – July 2, 2024 − Yesterday, Senator Hughes’ Senate Bill 645 passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The bill passed in the Senate on June 27, 2024. The legislation will now head to Governor Shapiro for signature and final passage....
Senator Kane: Property Tax and Rent Rebate Payments will begin July 1st
June 27, 2024 – Beginning Monday, thousands of additional Pennsylvania senior citizens are getting more money back in their pockets through the expanded Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program. The first batch of payments through the program, which assists eligible...
Senator Anthony Williams’ Bill to Eliminate Licensing Prerequisites for Natural Hair Braiding in PA Passes Senate
HARRISBURG – June 27, 2024 – This week, Sen. Anthony Williams’ bill, SB1031, passed through the Senate during an afternoon session. Sen. Anthony Williams has spearheaded the effort to eliminate excessive and burdensome licensing requirements for natural hair braiding....
Senator Haywood’s Statement on Stand with Israel Act
HARRISBURG – June 27, 2024 − Senator Haywood releases this updated statement on his vote against SB 1260 that would prohibit the PA State Treasury or Commonwealth pension funds from boycotting or divesting from Israel and companies doing business with Israel. The bill...
Bi-Partisan Bill to Protect State Investments in Israel Passes Senate
HARRISBURG − June 27, 2024 − Senate Bill 1260, a bill to protect state investments in Israel, passed the Senate today. The bi-partisan legislation is sponsored by Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28) and seeks to send a strong...
Senator Hughes’ Legislation to Support Philadelphia Community Gardens Passes in the Senate
Harrisburg, PA− June 27, 2024 – Today, Senator Hughes’ Senate Bill 645 passed in the Senate with a final vote of 42-7. The bill makes it easier for Philadelphia residents to eventually own vacant and blighted land that is being used as a community garden....