Press Releases
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Lauds Passage of Funding for State Related Universities
Pittsburgh, PA – November 15, 2023 − Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed HB 1461, a bill to fund state-related universities, by a vote of 45-5. This was well above the constitutionally required two-thirds vote necessary to fund Penn State, the University of...
Brewster Reappointed to Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
Harrisburg, November 15, 2023 – State Senator Jim Brewster today thanked Senate leadership for his reappointment to a term on Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC), which conducts a range of research activities pertaining to the operation and...
Senator Boscola Takes a Stand for Homeowners in the Lehigh Valley, Amid Passage of Omnibus School Code Bill in the Senate
HARRISBURG, PA – November 15, 2023 – Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton) took a stand during session today, as the Omnibus School Code bill, HB301, was considered for final passage by the Senate. Despite supporting critical elements such as School Safety,...
Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti Calls on Biden Administration to Adopt Strong Standards to Cut Pollution from Coal- and Gas-Fired Power Plants
Norristown, Pennsylvania − November 15, 2023 – Yesterday, Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware) joined state and local officials from around the country to call on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt the strongest possible carbon pollution standards for coal- and gas-fired power plants to protect public health, slash climate pollution, and move closer to 100 percent clean power generation.
Tartaglione, Kane, & Dillon Announce Legislative Package to Aid Addiction Recovery
Harrisburg, PA − November 14, 2023 – Today, State Senators Christine Tartaglione (D-2), John Kane (D-9), and Jimmy Dillon (D-5) announced a package of legislation aimed at overhauling Pennsylvania's addiction recovery system. States across the...
Senate Approves Ward and Collett Bill to Enable Better Service in Long-Term Care Facilities
HARRISBURG – November 14, 2023 − The Senate today approved a bill introduced by Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Sen. Maria Collett (D-12) that would enhance the availability and quality of service at long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania. “The workforce...
Senate Takes Steps to Advance Bipartisan Sexual Harassment Legislation
HARRISBURG – November 14, 2023 − Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) along with Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), and Sen. Maria Collett (D-12), today issued a co-sponsorship memo announcing the Senate’s intent to advance a bipartisan legislative package consisting of two bills to increase measures when addressing matters of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Scaring Off Scammers: PA Sen. Collett & US Sen. Casey Host Halloween Scam Prevention Seminar
Horsham, Pa. − October 31, 2023 − This Halloween morning, PA Senator Maria Collett and U.S. Senator Bob Casey’s office hosted their “Spooky ScamJam,” an interactive scam prevention seminar in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking &...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Lauds Passage of Increased Nonprofit Security Grant Funding in House, Calls on Senate to Finish the Job
Harrisburg, PA - October 31, 2023 - Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 1772, which increases the total funding for the hugely successful Nonprofit Security Grant Program from $5 million to $10 million. Senator Costa and Representative Dan...
Senator Kearney Issues Statement, Calls for Full Investigation After Fatal Carjacking Outside Upper Darby Islamic Center
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – October 31, 2023 – On October 29, a 65-year-old member of the Masjid Al Madinah Upper Darby Islamic Center was shot and killed during a carjacking. Below, you can find Senator Tim Kearney’s (D-Delaware) statement regarding the incident: My...
Schwank Announces Plans to Introduce Bills to Aid School Mergers
Reading − October 31, 2023 − Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced today she plans to introduce two bills that would aid Pennsylvania public school districts seeking a merger. The first bill would provide funding from the commonwealth to offset increased...
Senate Dems Discuss Need for Universal Background Checks at Philly Hearing
PHILADELPHIA − October 30, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) to co-host a public hearing on the need for universal...
Friel, Muth Joined by PennDOT Secretary Carroll to Announce St. Peters Road Project
ELVERSON, October 27, 2023 – State Rep. Paul Friel and state Sen. Katie Muth were joined Thursday by state Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll to announce a project to reconstruct areas of St. Peters Road (SR 4041) in St. Peters Village that have been destabilized...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, State Government Committee Chair Amanda M. Cappelletti Call for Continued Negotiation on Primary Election Day to Accommodate Observers of Passover
Harrisburg, PA - October 26, 2023 – Today, State Senator Jay Costa joins calls from Jewish constituents in his district and across the commonwealth to adjust the date of Pennsylvania’s 2024 primary election to respect Passover. If the primary date remains April 23,...
Sen. Nick Miller Encourages Local Law Enforcement to Apply for State Grants for Recruitment and Training
October 26, 2023 – Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) today encouraged local law enforcement entities to apply for recruitment and training incentive grants, now available via the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. “Supporting public safety...
Respect the Whistle Act Passes the Pennsylvania Senate with Overwhelming Bipartisan Support
Harrisburg, PA – October 25, 2023 – State Senator Jimmy Dillon (D, Philadelphia) is pleased to announce the successful passage of Senate Bill 842, known as the Respect the Whistle Act, by the Pennsylvania Senate. With a bipartisan majority of 48 to 2, this vote is a...
Senate Dems Discuss Water, Sewer, Stormwater Infrastructure at Capitol Hearing
HARRISBURG, October 25, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) and Senator Maria Collett (D-Montgomery) to co-host a public...
Bill to Name Penn Street Bridge in Honor of Reading Police Officer Scott A. Wertz Signed into Law
Reading − October 24, 2023 − Last night, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 621 into law. The bill included language to rename the Penn Street Bridge the Police Officer Scott A. Wertz Memorial Bridge. Wertz dedicated 20 years of his life to public service and...
Senator Lindsey Williams Denounces Senate Education Committee Vote on Book Ban Bill
Pittsburgh, Pa. − October 18, 2023 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, released this statement today, following a Senate Education Committee vote on the book ban bill, Senate Bill 7, which passed along party...
Kayden’s Law Unanimously Voted Out of Senate Judiciary Committee
HARRISBURG − October 17, 2023 − Senate Bill 55, known as Kayden’s Law, was unanimously voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today. The bi-partisan legislation is sponsored by Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Lisa Baker (R-20), and is named...
Pennsylvania Senate Unanimously Passes Resolution Condemning Hamas Attack, Supporting Israel
HARRISBURG − October 17, 2023 − The Pennsylvania Senate today passed a resolution on unanimous consent sponsored by Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Judy Schwank (D-11) condemning the unprovoked terrorist attack launched by Hamas against the State of Israel on...
Sen. Lindsey Williams Hosts Pittsburgh Basic Education Funding Commission Hearing
Pittsburgh, Pa. − October 11, 2023 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, hosted the Basic Education Funding Commission for their Pittsburgh hearing, the first in the series of state-wide hearings to be held in...
Sen. Schwank and Rep. Cepeda-Freytiz Host Panel Discussion to Promote Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Connect Community with Local Resources
Reading — October 11, 2023 — Last night, state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D-Berks) hosted United Against Abuse: A Domestic Violence Panel Discussion in conjunction with SAFE Berks at Reading Area Community College's Miller...
State Senate Democratic Caucus Members Announce Build Better PA
PHILADELPHIA – October 10, 2023 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10), Tina Tartaglione (D-2), Jimmy Dillon (D-5) and John Kane (D-9), and representatives from the building trades announced Build Better PA, a package of bills to promote fairness, quality, and...
Senate, House Dems Discuss Troubling Increase in Book Bans at Capitol Hearing
HARRISBURG, PA − October 6, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and state Rep. Ryan Bizarro (D-Erie), chair of the House Majority Policy Committee, joined Senator Amanda...
Pennsylvania Senate Approves Bill to Name Penn Street Bridge in Honor of Fallen Reading Police Officer Scott A. Wertz
Harrisburg − October 4, 2023 − Today, the Pennsylvania Senate advanced Senate Bill 621, which designates the Penn Street Bridge as the Police Officer Scott A. Wertz Memorial Bridge. Wertz dedicated 20 years of his life to public service and law enforcement. A...
Senator Boscola’s Bill to Tackle Unpaid Turnpike Tolls Unanimously Passes Senate
HARRISBURG − October 4, 2023 – Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton) announced the advancement of her legislation, SB473, which goes after drivers with unpaid tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Senate, in a 50-0 vote, favorably passed SB473 on final...
Bill to Rename Part of Lehigh Street After the Late Chief Christopher Kiskeravage Approved by Senate
Harrisburg, PA − October 4, 2023 – Senate Bill 621, which would rename part of Lehigh Street in front of the Allentown Fire Training Academy after their late Chief Christopher Kiskeravage, was approved by the Senate today, Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton)...
Sen. Muth, Sen. Williams Join Veterans, Elected Officials to Urge Support for MST Survivors
HARRISBURG − October 4, 2023 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) and Sen. Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) joined state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D-Berks), several veterans and other elected officials in the Capitol yesterday to urge the Senate to...
“20 Men Project” Traveling Portrait Exhibition Visits Harrisburg
West Chester, PA − October 4, 2023 – A Chester County-based project that aims to overcome negative stereotypes of black men and boys by sharing their portraits and stories recently visited the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg at the invitation of...
Respect the Whistle Act Gains Bipartisan Support to Protect Pennsylvania’s Sports Officials
Harrisburg, PA – October 3, 2023 – State Senator Jimmy Dillon (D, Philadelphia) is pleased to announce the successful passage of Senate Bill 842, known as the Respect the Whistle Act, by the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee. With a bipartisan majority of 13 to...
Schwank, Cepeda-Freytiz and SAFE Berks to Host Domestic Violence Awareness Month Event
Reading — October 2, 2023 — Sen. Judy Schwank, Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, and SAFE Berks will host United Against Abuse: A Domestic Violence Panel Discussion on Tuesday, October 10, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Area Community College Miller Center...