Press Releases
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...
Senator Hughes Introduces New, Pro-Union Legislation
Harrisburg, PA – June 5, 2024 – This week, Senator Hughes shared a co-sponsorship memo to introduce new legislation designed to support public sector unions in the Commonwealth. The legislation would establish the Public Employer Disclosure Act (PEDA) which would...
Session Proceedings June 4, 2024
PA Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti and Representative Mary Jo Daley Highlight Legislation to Require Proper Gluten Food and Medicine Labeling
Harrisburg, PA − June 4, 2024 – Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware) and Representative Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) today unveiled legislation to empower Pennsylvanians with Celiac Disease and gluten intolerances with the knowledge they need to make...
Bill to Assist PA Dairy Farmers Approved by Committee
HARRISBURG – June 3, 2024 – Today, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee unanimously passed Sens. Elder Vogel Jr.’s (R-47) and Judy Schwank’s (D-11) Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program Financial Assistance legislation. Senate Bill 1229 would permit the...
Senator Nikil Saval Issues Statement on Announced Closure of University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA − Saturday, June 1, 2024 — Today State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) issued the following statement in response to the sudden announcement of the closure of Philadelphia’s renowned University of the Arts: “The closure of the University of the...
Bucks Area Kicks Off Transformative Blue Zones Well-Being Initiative
BUCKS COUNTY – May 31, 2024 – A transformative initiative to improve the health and well-being of area residents, Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area, was announced today by State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership (BCHIP). ...
Senator Anthony H. Williams Hosted a Stop and Go Task Force Meeting and Tour
HARRISBURG - May 29, 2024 – Today, State Senator Anthony H. Williams and the Stop and Go Task Force members conducted a meeting and tour of local stop-and-go establishments. “My goal in organizing this highly productive Stop-and-Go Task Force meeting and tour was to...
State Senator Jay Costa Reacts to Trump Guilty Verdict in “Hush Money” Case
PITTSBURGH, PA – May 30, 2024 – Today, a jury found Donald Trump guilty on 34 counts in his criminal trial. State Senator Jay Costa offers the following statement: “Today’s thirty-four count guilty verdicts mark an enormous moment for Donald Trump and his decades of...
Sen. Miller Encourages Seniors to Apply for Farmers Market Nutrition Program
May 28, 2024 – Local residents aged 60 and older can now apply for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) announced today. Seniors in both Lehigh and Northampton counties could be eligible for five $10 vouchers that...
Tartaglione Introduces Landmark $20/hr Living Wage Legislation
Philadelphia, PA − May 24, 2024 − Today, Senate Democratic Whip Christine M. Tartaglione announced the introduction of landmark minimum wage reform legislation to create a “Living Wage” of $20 per hour for all Pennsylvanians. Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has remained...
Bill to Establish a Permanent WIC Advisory Board in Pennsylvania Set to Become Law
Harrisburg — May 22, 2024 — Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved SB 721, which establishes a permanent advisory board for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). WIC offers federal funding to states...
Senators Kearney and Kane Announce School-Based Youth Court Pilot Program Legislation
HARRISBURG, PA – May 2024 – Senators Tim Kearney (D – Delaware), and John Kane (D – Chester/Delaware) recently announced plans to introduce legislation to establish a pilot program for school-based youth courts. Schools will receive support to implement...
Sen. Fontana Statement on the NFL Draft Coming to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh – May 22, 2024 − Today, State Senator Wayne Fontana issued the following statement on the City of Pittsburgh hosting the 2026 National Football League Draft: I am thrilled that the NFL has selected Pittsburgh to host the 2026 Draft. While tens of millions...
Supporting Our Seniors: Collett Hosts 300+ at Senior Expo
Montgomeryville, Pa. − May 20, 2024 − On Friday, May 17, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) hosted her spring Senior Expo at the Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center. “As a nurse and the Democratic Chair of the Senate Aging & Youth Committee, I...