Press Releases
Senator Kearney Applauds Proposed Updates to Nursing Home Regulation
July 22, 2021 − Senator Tim Kearney issued this statement following yesterday’s announcement from the Wolf Administration for proposed updates to nursing home regulations, including increasing the minimum direct care hours by 1.4 more hours each day to improve...
PA Senate Dems Host Policy Hearing on the Healthcare Workforce Crisis in PA
Harrisburg – July 21, 2021 - At the request of Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Sen. Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), Sen. Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), & House Representative...
Senator Haywood and PASSHE Announce DEI Funding
Harrisburg, Pa. – July 21, 2021 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) held a hybrid press conference at Kutztown University, to announce new funding for Diversity, Equity, and...
New Federal Report Highlights Exemptions for Oil and Gas Companies are Leading to Harmful Radioactivity Exposure
HARRISBURG, July 21, 2021 – The Natural Resources Defense Council released a report on the impact of hazardous, radioactive oil and gas waste that underscores the need for Congress to pass legislation and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass all three bills put forward by state Rep. Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny. Her legislation would close the hazardous waste loophole and prevent devastating health impacts on children, most notably Ewing’s sarcoma.
Brewster Recognized as ‘Sportsman of the Year’
McKeesport, July 19, 2021 – State Sen. Jim Brewster has been named “Sportsman of the Year” by the Elizabeth Township Sportsmen Association (ETSA), the group announced Saturday. Brewster, who serves as Democratic Chair of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, said...
Comitta: PUC Advances Key Pipeline Safety Regulations
WEST CHESTER (July 16, 2021) – Persistent efforts by state Senator Carolyn Comitta and others to enhance pipeline safety in Pennsylvania took a major step forward as the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) advanced important new regulations...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Issues Statement on USW Ratifying New Contract with ATI and Introduces Legislation Making Striking Workers Eligible for Unemployment Compensation
Pittsburgh, Pa. − July 14, 2021 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams issued this statement today, following the United Steelworkers (USW) member ratification of a new four-year contract with Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI). USW members began their Unfair Labor...
Bucks County Biotech Company Launches Innovative COVID-19 Vaccine Test
BUCKS COUNTY – July 14, 2021 – A COVID-19 Vaccine efficacy test created by Bucks County biotechnology firm FlowMetric got a boost from $750,000 in state funding secured by state Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10). “If the last year and a half or so has taught us...
Senator Haywood and Community Leaders Call for Permanent Child Tax Credit Payments
PHILADELPHIA – July 13, 2021 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) hosted a press conference and rally, in partnership with Women of Color in the Global Women's Strike, to call for permanent Child Tax Credit payments. The event was held...
With a Just Cause and Clear Vision, Street Joins Biden to Defend Democracy
Philadelphia, PA − July 13, 2021 − On Tuesday, July 13th Senator Sharif Street was among guests invited to join President Biden at the National Constitution Center to defend the right to vote. Senator Street offered the following statement on President Biden’s visit:...
Welcoming PA Caucus Members Demand Immediate Release of York Detainees
Harrisburg, PA − July 13, 2021 − Members of the Welcoming PA Caucus, comprising elected officials in the Pennsylvania State House and Senate committed to the development of Commonwealth-specific legislative and policy solutions to the issues and hardships faced...
Senator Street Joins Members of Congress to Discuss Improving Philly Communities & Infrastructure
Philadelphia, PA − July 13, 2021 − Senator Street joined members of Congress from Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware for a round-table discussion and tour of highway-divided neighborhoods following the recent passage of the $3 billion Reconnecting Communities bill...
Hughes, Tartaglione Mark 15th Anniversary of Minimum Wage Bill with State’s Leaders
PHILADELPHIA, July 9, 2021 – On the 15th anniversary of the signing, state Sens. Vincent J. Hughes and Christine M. Tartaglione today marked the enactment of Pennsylvania’s last minimum wage legislation with a reenactment and rally with state leaders at the site of...
Statement: Senator Santarsiero Condemns Forensic Investigation Threat
BUCKS COUNTY − July 7, 2021 − The following statement is attributable to Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), as a member of the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, in response to the actions by Committee Chair Doug Mastriano (R-33) to initiate a forensic...
Nearly $4 Billion in Unclaimed Property Waiting to be Claimed
WEST CHESTER − July 7, 2021 – State Senator Carolyn Comitta reminds Chester County residents to check with the Pennsylvania Treasury’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property to see if they have property – including military decorations – waiting to be claimed. Nearly $4...
Tons of Food, Thousands of Dollars Collected in Memory of Local Teen, Bianca Roberson
WEST CHESTER (July 6, 2021) – More than three tons of food and nearly $7,500 were collected for Chester County families in need in the name of Bianca Roberson, a local teenager whose life was cut tragically short by an act of hate and gun violence in 2017. The Daisies...
Legislation Requiring Written Non-Prosecution Agreements to Be Introduced
HARRISBURG − July 2, 2021 − Senators Lisa Baker (R-20) and Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced their intention to introduce legislation requiring all future non-prosecution agreements to be in writing to be enforceable. The action comes in response to the recently...
Boscola Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Signed Into Law by Governor Wolf
Harrisburg, July 1, 2021 - - Senator Lisa Boscola’s legislation (Senate Bill 115) that would cut red tape and qualify more nurses for licensure in Pennsylvania through authorizing the Commonwealth to join the Nurse Licensure Compact was signed into law today by...
Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti Votes ‘No’ on the Pennsylvania 2021-2022 Budget
Norristown, PA. − June 30, 2021 – Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17 Montgomery/Delaware) issued the following statement on her decision to vote ‘No’ for the state budget: “Last Friday, just before midnight, I cast my ‘NO’ vote on the Pennsylvania state budget...
PA Senate Dems Hold Policy Hearing on Statewide Barriers for the Transgender Community
Harrisburg – June 29, 2021 - At the request of Senators Amanda Cappelletti (D- Delaware/Montgomery), Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware) and Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing during Pride...
Senator Kearney Votes ‘No’ for the 2021-22 State Budget
HARRISBURG, PA − June 29, 2021 − State Senator Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware) issued the following statement on his decision to vote ‘No’ for the state budget: “Last Friday, just before midnight, the Pennsylvania legislature passed the 2021-2022 state budget. While...
Uptick in Unemployment Fraud Scams
Reading, PA − June 29, 2021 − My office has seen a significant uptick in calls related to unemployment fraud since the implementation of the new Unemployment Compensation (UC) system. As many are aware, the rollout of this new system has been very difficult....
Fontana Lauds Boost for Film Industry Jobs in 2021-22 Budget
HARRISBURG – June 28, 2021 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana today praised the inclusion in Pennsylvania’s final budget changes to the Film Production Tax Credit that will recognize the popularity of short-series streaming shows and help producers apply the tax credits to...
Senator Street’s Statement on Budget Passage
Harrisburg, PA − June 26, 2021 − The Pennsylvania state budget for the upcoming year is deficient at many levels, leaving more than $5 billion of unspent American Rescue Plan funds at a time when every level of society is in desperate need. Ultimately it received my...
Sen. Street Amends PA Medical Marijuana Program Improving Patient Access and Affordability
Harrisburg, Pa. – June 26, 2021 – During budget negotiations Senator Sharif Street offered amendments to HB 1024 impacting Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program Fund (MMPF). Street also championed an amendment that allows those with felony convictions to be...
Senator Haywood Announces State Budget Funding and Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. – June 26, 2021 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) announced today that Harrisburg lawmakers approved the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. “As our communities recover from COVID-19 and its many...
Senator Boscola Votes For State Budget
HARRISBURG, PA − June 25, 2021 − State Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton) today issued the following statement on her decision to vote for the state budget: “This budget may not have included everything I wanted but without a tax increase it makes...
Hughes Statement on Budget Passage
Harrisburg, PA − June 25, 2021 − Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes issued the following statement tonight regarding the 2021-2022 state budget: “The budget that is being passed today makes progress in a number of areas. From extra school...
Senator Kane Statement on Budget Passage
June 25, 2021 − Chester, PA − Senator John Kane issued the following statement on the 2021-22 budget: "Today, I voted for the proposed budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year. This budget does some good things -- an additional $300 million for education, increased funding...
Senator Flynn Votes Yes on State Budget Funding and Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. – June 25, 2021 – State Senator Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) has voted in support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 that was approved today. “The approved budget represents a compromise between our five...
Brewster: Budget Deadline Won’t End Fight for Education Equity
HARRISBURG, June 25, 2021 – With help for pandemic-stricken Pennsylvanians falling far short of needs, state Sen. Jim Brewster said today he voted to approve Pennsylvania’s state budget because it meets one of his priorities: getting help to struggling Pennsylvanians...
Senator Collett Reacts to Pennsylvania’s 2021-22 Budget
Harrisburg, Pa. - June 29, 2021 — Late Friday night the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget and related code bills, which are currently awaiting Governor Wolf’s signature. Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks, Democratic...