Press Releases
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...
Boscola Applauds Governor Shapiro in Economic Development Programs
Harrisburg, PA − February 7, 2024 − Senator Lisa Boscola released the following statement on Governor Shapiro’s 2024-25 Budget Address: "Let’s start with what we all like to see, no tax increases. Most Pennsylvanians are struggling to get by, and the Governor’s budget...
Sen. Lindsey M. Williams Urges Historically Disadvantaged Small Businesses to Apply for State Grant Funding
Pittsburgh, Pa. − February 7, 2024 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced that a state grant program is now open for minority-owned small businesses. $10.5 million in total is available through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. This grant program will be...
Senator Sharif Street Applauds Governor Shapiro’s 2024-25 Budget Proposal, Praises Investments in Education, Violence Prevention, and Gov’s Pitch for Legalizing Recreational Marijuana
HARRISBURG, PA – February 6, 2024 – In response to Governor Josh Shapiro’s $48.3 billion budget proposal for FY 2024-25, State Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) released the following statement: “Today is a great day for Pennsylvania. What we heard from...
Brewster: Budget Proposal ‘Carries the Promise of Historic Progress’
Harrisburg, February 6, 2024 – State Sen. Jim Brewster released the following statement today on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $48 billion 2024-25 budget proposal: “The budget that the governor outlined today carries the promise of historic progress on challenges that have for...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Praise Governor Shapiro’s 2024-25 Budget
HARRISBURG, PA – February 6, 2024 – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro laid out his vision and priorities for the 2024-25 Pennsylvania Budget. In it, the Governor proposed historic increases in basic education spending, economic development, housing, community safety, and...
Senator Tartaglione’s Response to Governor Shapiro’s Budget Address
Harrisburg, PA − February 6, 2024 − Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Whip Christine Tartaglione released the following statement following Governor Shapiro’s budget address: “The Governor’s address today lays out a roadmap that moves our Commonwealth from being a...
Sen. Nick Miller Reacts to Gov. Shapiro’s 2024-2025 Budget Address
February 6, 2024 − Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) today acknowledged the investments Gov. Josh Shapiro is suggesting for the commonwealth, especially in education, public safety and economic development, in his 2024-2025 budget address. Shapiro announced...
Senator Collett Reacts to Gov. Shapiro’s 24-25 Budget Address
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 6, 2024 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Democratic Caucus Secretary) attended Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget address today and would like to share the following comments: “Here in Pennsylvania, it’s time for us to realize that we...
$50 Million for Whole-Home Repairs in Shapiro’s Budget: A Win for PA Homes
Harrisburg, PA − February 6, 2024 − Following Governor Shapiro’s announcement of $50 million for Pennsylvania’s nationally acclaimed Whole-Home Repairs Program in his proposed 2024–2025 budget, State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia), author of the program, issued...
Sen. Nick Miller Encourages Historically Disadvantaged Businesses in the 14th District to Apply for State Funding
February 5, 2024 − Small, diverse businesses in the 14th district can now apply for funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) announced. Grants will be available from $2,500 to $10,000 for businesses across the...
Policy Committee Highlights Whole-Home Repairs Program in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH − February 3, 2024 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee traveled to Pittsburgh yesterday to host two events to highlight the successes of Pennsylvania's groundbreaking Whole-Home Repairs Program. Less than a year after the distribution of funds, the...
Senator Hughes and Conshohocken Officials Celebrate $1.4M for Local Infrastructure
February 1, 2024 − Montgomery County, PA − Senator Vincent Hughes was joined by members of Conshohocken Borough Council and the Sewer Authority to celebrate a $1.4M state investment in the borough’s wastewater system. The H2O PA Grant will be used for a project...
Sen. Nick Miller to Introduce Bill Bolstering Cybersecurity Measures for Critical Infrastructure
Jan. 31, 2024 - Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) announced today the pending introduction of legislation aimed at enhancing cybersecurity measures to safeguard critical infrastructure within the commonwealth. The proposed bill is set to address and fortify...