Press Releases
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....
Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Abortion under EMTALA in Moyle v. United States
Harrisburg — June 27, 2024 — The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus Sen. Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery), Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Rep. Gina H. Curry (D-Delaware) and Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) issued the following statement in...
Senator Nikil Saval’s Statement on His Vote Against Senate Bill 1260
Harrisburg, PA − June 27, 2024 − Today State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) issued the following statement with regard to his vote against Senate Bill 1260: “In the wake of the horror of the deadly attack on Israel on October 7, and of the ongoing devastation of...
Costa, Stefano Bill Allowing Community Service Alternatives to Driver’s License Suspension Passes Senate Committee
HARRISBURG – June 26, 2024 – The Senate Transportation Committee voted today in favor of a bill sponsored by Sens. Pat Stefano (R-32) and Jay Costa (D-43) that would provide an alternative solution for Pennsylvania drivers who are unable to pay the fees of their...
Sen. Judy Schwank to Introduce Legislation to Approve a CRIZ for Reading
Reading, PA — June 26, 2024 — Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) recently announced her intent to introduce legislation that would designate a City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) for the City of Reading and implement programmatic changes. The CRIZ program was...
Senator Lisa M. Boscola Applauds Passage of Legislation to Cover Biomarker Testing
HARRISBURG, PA – June 26, 2024 – Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton) welcomed the unanimous passage of House Bill 1754 out of the Pennsylvania Senate yesterday. The bill, based on legislation co-sponsored by Boscola and Senator Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny),...
Bill to Protect State Investments in Israel Moves Out of Senate Committee
HARRISBURG − June 25, 2024− Senate Bill 1260, a bill to protect state investments in Israel, was voted out of the Senate State Government Committee today. The bi-partisan legislation is sponsored by Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Kristin Phillips-Hill...
Sen. Lindsey M. Williams’ Career and Technical Education Funding Bill Unanimously Passes Senate Education Committee
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 25, 2024 − Today, Senator Lindsey M. Williams’ Career and Technical Education Funding Bill passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously. Senate Bill 366 is co-prime sponsored by all six Senate members of the Basic Education Funding...
Senate Democratic Leaders, Jay Costa and Vincent Hughes, Issue Statement Affirming Caucus Commitment to Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Autonomy
Harrisburg − June 24, 2024 − Today, Senator Jay Costa, Senate Democratic Leader, and Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, issued the following statements to recognize the second anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Senate...
Women’s Health Caucus and Reproductive Rights Advocates to Rally on the second-year mark of the Dobb’s Decision
Harrisburg, PA – June 24, 2024 – Members of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC) were joined by Planned Parenthood, Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh, and advocates in Harrisburg today, on the second-year mark of the Dobbs Decision that...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Becomes First PA Legislative Office Certified as Recovery Friendly Workplace
Pittsburgh, Pa. − June 24, 2024 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced that her Senate District 38 has been certified as a Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW). This is the first legislative office in Pennsylvania to receive this distinction, which is earned...
New Report Signals Community Groups are a Key Driver in the Reduction of Gun Violence in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA − June 21, 2024 − Senator Vincent Hughes brought together anti-violence community groups, gun violence advocates, and lawmakers to highlight the impactful work of community violence intervention and the need for more state funds to support their...
Sen. Lindsey M. Williams Encourages Seniors to Apply for Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Pittsburgh, Pa. − June 20, 2024 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams encourages Allegheny County seniors aged 60+ to apply for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program beginning June 25, 2024. Income-eligible seniors will receive a set of five $10 vouchers that can be used to...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Condemns Supreme Court Decision Against Workers
Pittsburgh, Pa. − June 14, 2024 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams released this statement following the Supreme Court decision restricting the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) ability to protect workers exercising their rights. "As someone who was illegally fired...
Senator Nikil Saval Arrested for Protesting Aramark’s Treatment of Philadelphia Stadium Workers
Philadelphia, PA − June 12, 2024 − Following his arrest at a rally in protest of Aramark’s treatment of Philadelphia stadium workers, today State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) issued the following statement: “The labor of UNITE HERE workers is a crucial part of...
Senate Approves Collett, Ward Bill to Strengthen Child Sexual Abuse Laws
HARRISBURG – June 12, 2024 − The state Senate today approved two bills introduced by Sen. Maria Collett (D-12) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) that would strengthen Pennsylvania laws related to child pornography and child sexual abuse. “The words we use in state laws...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Calls for Senate to Take Up House Education Funding Legislation
Pittsburgh, Pa. − June 12, 2024 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, is calling for the Senate to consider HB2370, landmark legislation that addresses the Commonwealth Court’s mandate to fully and constitutionally fund...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Urges PA Utility Commission to Deny Duquesne Light Company Rate Increase
Pittsburgh, Pa. − June 12, 2024 − Last week, Senator Lindsey M. Williams offered testimony in opposition to a proposed rate increase by Duquesne Light Company during a public input hearing with the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC). This proposed rate increase...
Sen. Lindsey M. Williams’ Boating Safety Legislation Advances Through Senate Committee
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 11, 2024 − Today, Senator Lindsey M. Williams’ Senate Bill 976 passed through the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee by a vote of 10-1. This legislation will allow the Fish and Boat Commission to promulgate rules that require boating...
WIC Advisory Board Bill Sponsored by Schwank and Cepeda-Freytiz Signed into Law
Reading, PA — June 11, 2024 — A bill sponsored by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Rep. Cepeda-Freytiz (D-Berks) to create a permanent advisory board for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was signed into law by Gov....
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Senator Camera Bartolotta Introduce Legislation to Prevent Instances of Electric Shock Drowning
HARRISBURG, PA – June 11, 2024 – Today, State Senators Jay Costa and Camera Bartolotta circulated a co-sponsorship memo ahead of legislation to prevent Electric Shock Drowning (ESD). ESD has become the catch-all phrase that encompasses all in-water shock...
Collett’s Paid Leave Bill Advances Through Senate Committee
Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, Senator Maria Collett’s (D-12 Montgomery) Family Care Act, SB 580, passed through the Senate Labor & Industry Committee in an 8-3 vote. The legislation would establish a statewide paid family and medical leave program.
Senator Hughes Issues Statement on House Passage of HB2370: “Necessary Step Toward Fixing PA’s Unconstitutional Education Funding System”
Harrisburg, PA – June 10, 2024 – Today, Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, issued the statement below following the House of Representatives’ passage of HB2370, landmark legislation that answers the Commonwealth Court mandate to fully and...
Pennsylvania Senate Passes Legislation to Combat AI-Generated Deepfake Images of Minors
Harrisburg – June 10, 2024 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate approved Senate Bill 1213, legislation sponsored by Senator Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Senator Jimmy Dillon (D-5), and Senator Lisa Boscola (D-18), to combat “deepfake” images of minors and child porn generated...
Sen. Muth, Chester County Library System Host Dozens of Parents, Educators at Structured Literacy Community Workshop
CHESTER SPRINGS − June 10, 2024 − State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) and the Chester County Library System hosted over 50 parents, educators, and librarians Thursday at the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library for a community event to highlight...
Senators Santarsiero and Phillips-Hill Announce Legislation to Protect State Investments in Israel
HARRISBURG - June 7th, 2024 - Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28) announced legislation to uphold Pennsylvania’s steadfast support for Israel by prohibiting holdings in the Pennsylvania State Treasury or Commonwealth pension funds from...
Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti Introduces Legislation to Provide Cost Free Telephone Calls to Incarcerated Loved Ones in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA – June 5, 2024 – Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware) introduced Senate Bill 1224, legislation that would require that a state prison, or a state or county detention center provide voice communication services free of charge to...