Press Releases
Senator Hughes Commits to Voting for New, Ghost Gun Legislation
Harrisburg, PA − March 28, 2024 − Today, Senator Hughes applauded new ghost gun legislation that passed in the State House. House Bill 777, sponsored by Reps. Morgan Cephas and Malcolm Kenyatta, would impose felony charges on anyone who sells or purchases a firearm or...
Senator Marty Flynn Commends House Transportation Committee for Considering Senate Bill 37, Also Known as “Paul Miller’s Law”, Which Aims to Greatly Improve Road Safety
Scranton, PA – March 28, 2024 – Senator Flynn today heralds the successful passage of Senate Bill 37, also known as "Paul Miller's Law," by the House of Representatives Transportation Committee. This legislation introduced by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers,...
Mt. Airy CDC, Senator Art Haywood Announce $818K Block Cleaning Grant to Clean Streets and Curb Gun Violence
Philadelphia, PA − March 26, 2024 − Mt. Airy CDC is excited to announce Safe Steps Northwest, a groundbreaking initiative funded by an $818,000 grant from the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency's Violence Intervention & Prevention program. Safe Steps Northwest...
Kayden’s Law Passes House, Heads to Governor for Signature
HARRISBURG − March 25, 2024 − Critical legislation to save children’s lives is heading to Governor Shapiro’s desk after final passage in the House today. Senate Bill 55, also known as Kayden’s Law, is legislation that provides urgently needed reform to...
Pa. Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Repeal Felony Charge for HIV-Related Prostitution
HARRISBURG – March 21, 2023 – State Senator Vincent Hughes and Representatives Benjamin Waxman and Malcolm Kenyatta announced legislation on March 20, 2024 that will repeal Pennsylvania’s felony sentencing enhancement for people living with HIV who are charged with...
Senator Santarsiero Announces Legislation to Jumpstart New Era of Reliable, Sustainable Energy in Pennsylvania
BUCKS COUNTY – March 20, 2024 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced today new legislation to jumpstart a new era of reliable, sustainable energy development in Pennsylvania. Following Governor Shapiro’s ambitious energy announcement last week,...
Comitta, Abney Introduce Pennsylvania Climate Emission Reduction Act
Harrisburg, Pa − March 20, 2024 – Pennsylvania will establish its own cap-and-trade program to reduce harmful emissions, lower consumers’ electric bills, and create clean energy jobs under legislation introduced today by state Senator Carolyn Comitta and state Rep....
Senator Hughes Applauds Committee Passage of HB2017, Legislation Similar to Senate Bill That Would Protect Minors on Social Media
Harrisburg, PA − March 20, 2024 − Senator Hughes applauded yesterday's passage of HB2017 out the of the House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee. The legislation proposes similar actions that were included in Senator Hughes and Senator Kristin...
Brewster’s Therapeutic Fishing Bill to Become Law
Harrisburg − March 19, 2024 – State Sen. Jim Brewster announced today that his bill, SB146, was passed unanimously by the House on third consideration. The legislation exempts veterans and others in recovery programs from fishing license fees. This bill, which...
PA Arts and Culture Caucus Celebrates Arts Advocacy Day, Features Local Artists, Calls for Continued Investments in the Arts
HARRISBURG, PA – March 19, 2024 − Today, members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus gathered to celebrate “Arts Advocacy Day” along with Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, a nonprofit advocacy group. The four co-chairs of the...
PA Senators Cappelletti and Dillon Offer Legislation to Protect Renters from Exorbitant Rent Hikes
Harrisburg, PA – March 19, 2024 – Pennsylvania Senators Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17) and Jimmy Dillon (D-5) today unveiled legislation to enforce rental rate protection measures to combat unfair and predatory rental increases. Senate Bill 1095, will cap rent increases...
State Senators Dillon and Gebhard Take a Stand for Child Safety and Responsible Gaming
Harrisburg − March 19, 2024 – State Senators Jimmy Dillon (D, Philadelphia) and Chris Gebhard (R, Berks, Lancaster, and Lebanon) are pleased to announce the successful passage of Senate Bill 1021 by the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee. With a bipartisan...
Senator Nikil Saval, Rep. Ben Waxman, Friends of Rittenhouse Square Celebrate Lawn Restoration Project
Philadelphia, PA − March 17, 2024 − Today, State Senator Nikil Saval and State Representative Ben Waxman joined the Friends of Rittenhouse Square to update and celebrate the ongoing work on behalf of one of Philadelphia’s most beloved parks. “One of the oldest...
Pennsylvania Lottery Upgrading to New Systems; Players’ Ability to Buy Tickets to be Impacted, Sen. Nick Miller Advises
March 16, 2024 − The Pennsylvania Lottery will be updating to new systems, impacting consumers’ ability to purchase tickets after midnight on Monday, March 18, until late into the day on Tuesday, March 19, Sen. Nick Miller advised residents today. “I recognize...
Schwank Applauds Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Grant Funding for the Reading School District
Reading − March 15, 2024 − Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Education announced $39 million in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act grant funding for 36 school districts, including $1,833,360 for the Reading School District. The federal Bipartisan Safer...
Senator Hughes and Pennsylvania Leaders Mark Historic Milestone for PA Public Defense and Criminal Justice
Philadelphia, PA – March 15, 2024 − Senator Hughes hosted a press conference with fellow lawmakers and legal leaders from across Pennsylvania to recognize a historic milestone for Pennsylvania public defense and the overall equality of the Commonwealth’s criminal...
Sen. Fontana Statement on Threat of Tax Reassessment Lawsuit
Pittsburgh – March 15, 2024 − Today, State Senator Wayne Fontana issued the following statement regarding Pittsburgh Public Schools threat to take legal action against Allegheny County to force a property tax reassessment: I understand the budget situation that...
Democratic Leader Jay Costa Applauds Governor Shapiro’s Energy Plan
PITTSBURGH − March 13, 2024 − Today, Governor Josh Shapiro outlined his new Energy Plan, which is intended to cut costs and create jobs. In response, Democratic Leader Jay Costa releases the following statement: “I applaud the Governor for restarting a...
Sen. Fontana to Introduce Bill to Enhance Local Revitalization Efforts
Harrisburg - March 12, 2024 - Today, State Senator Wayne Fontana said he will soon be introducing a bill to allow municipalities to further incentivize building construction, improvements, or conversions by granting tax abatement for up to 20 years. “So many of our...
Sen. Wayne Fontana to Introduce Bill Banning Credit Cards for Online Gambling in PA
Harrisburg – March 8, 2024 − Today, State Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny County) said that he will soon be introducing a bill in the Pennsylvania Senate to prohibit the use of credit cards for online casino games, sports betting and fantasy games, as well as for...
Legislators Aim to Expand Dolly Parton’s Free Children’s Book-By-Mail Program in Pa
West Chester, PA − March 5, 2024 – In honor of Read Across America Week, state legislators are teaming up to expand a free book-giving program started by country music legend Dolly Parton to children across Pennsylvania. State Senator Carolyn Comitta, state...
3rd Annual Black & Diverse Business Forum Highlights Free Resources for Local Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – February 29, 2024 – On Saturday, Senator Tim Kearney and state Rep. Gina H. Curry hosted a free resource fair for local minority entrepreneurs and business owners at Delaware County Community College (DCCC). As in years past, the 3rd Annual Black...
Senator Lindsey Williams Calls for Moratorium on Cyber Charter Schools in PA
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 28, 2024 − Following the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Senate Appropriations Hearing today, during which PDE struggled to meaningfully answer questions about the Department’s recent approval of a deficient cyber charter...
Senator Hughes, Fellow Lawmakers, Leaders, and Education Advocates Discuss Solutions to Pennsylvania’s Teacher Shortage Crisis
February 24, 2024 − Philadelphia, PA – Today, Senator Hughes brought together a large coalition of fellow lawmakers, education leaders, and teacher advocates to address Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage crisis. The press conference was held following recent reports of...
Sen. Muth, Sen. Comitta, Rep. Otten Release Joint Statement on Marsh Creek Lake
DOWNINGTOWN, PA − February 23, 2024 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), state Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), and state Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten (D-Chester) released the following statement in response to news that what appears to be bentonite...
Senator Art Haywood Holds Special Conversation on Constitutional Protection of Dignity for All Pennsylvanians
Philadelphia, PA – February 22, 2024 – Senator Art Haywood (D-4) convened a special conversation with national and international guests to explore the impact of human dignity on constitutional frameworks. This conversation is a starting point for Senator Haywood’s aim...
Senator Art Haywood Presents 10 Recommendations in Response to his 2023 State of Black PA Tour
Philadelphia, PA − February 22, 2024 – Senator Art Haywood (D-4) released a follow-up report to his 2023 State of Black PA Report. This new report lays out ten critical recommendations to improve the quality of life for black Pennsylvanians across the...
State Senator Jay Costa Praises PA Supreme Court Decision in Favor of Voter Data Privacy
PITTSBURGH, PA – February 22, 2024 – Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a per curium order, dismissing the appeals in Pa. Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee v PA. Department of State. This action was initiated by the...
Collett, Ward Announce 10-Year Plan to Support PA Seniors, Opportunity for Public Comment
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 20, 2024 − Pennsylvania Senators Maria Collett (D-12) and Judy Ward (R-30), Chairs of the Senate Aging & Youth Committee and Registered Nurses, announced the publication of Aging Our Way, PA: A Plan for Lifelong Independence, a...
Antietam School District, Mt. Penn Borough, Sen. Schwank and Rep. Rozzi Issue Joint Statement
Reading — February 19, 2024 — Officials from Antietam School District, Mt. Penn Borough and Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) issued the following statement following this morning’s mediation meeting regarding the traffic study required before...
News Digest:: February 16, 2024
Legislature Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania appears to have a chance | News | bradfordera.com Main Street Matters: Governor Shapiro Visits West Philadelphia Small Businesses to Highlight How Proposed Budget Investments Will Create Opportunity & Help Pennsylvanians...
Senator Fontana Unanimously Re-elected Chairman of PHEAA Board of Directors
Harrisburg – February 15, 2024 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today was unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Created in 1963 by the Pennsylvania General...