Press Releases
Sen. Fontana Issues Statement on “Non-Answers” from VisitPITTSBURGH
Allegheny County – September 10, 2021- State Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement after the hearing held this week of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee regarding legislation authorizing new...
Senator Jay Costa Issues Statement on PA Election Investigation and Unlawful Subpoenas
Harrisburg, PA − September 10, 2021 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today issued the following statement in response to President Pro Tempore’s Jake Corman’s announcement on 2020 election investigation: "Senate Democrats stand for protecting an individual’s right...
Senate Dem Members of Intergovernmental Operations Committee Question Why Senate Republicans are Misusing Committees & State Resources
Harrisburg – September 9, 2021 – The Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee held a hearing today to allegedly examine the PA Department of State's evolving guidance to counties during the monumental 2020 general election. Testimony today from the Chairman of...
McClinton, Muth, Toohil Introduce Bipartisan Legislation for a Statewide Tracking System for Sexual Assault Evidence
HARRISBURG, PA September 9, 2021 − State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) and state Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) today introduced legislation to establish a statewide tracking system for sexual assault evidence administered jointly by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Department of Health.
Senator Muth, PA Office of Open Records to Host Virtual Right to Know Workshop
ROYERSFORD, September 3, 2021 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) today announced that she will partner with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records to host a Virtual Right to Know Workshop on Thursday, September 23 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Zoom. The...
Senator Santarsiero Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting Women’s Reproductive Rights
BUCKS COUNTY – September 3, 2021 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced today that he has signed onto an amicus brief that will be filed later this month in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org., a challenge to Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban,...
Brewster Asks Leaders to Schedule Vote on Perks Reform
McKeesport, September 2, 2021 – State Sen. Jim Brewster has written to Pennsylvania’s legislative leaders asking for a September vote on his perks reform package, including elimination of ‘per-diem’ payments. In a letter dated August 19, the key lawmaker, who has...
Sen. Fontana Statement on Statewide Mask Mandate
Allegheny County – September 1, 2021 – Sen. Wayne Fontana today released the following statement on the Wolf Administration’s action regarding masks in schools: “In ordering masking for Pennsylvania students, teachers, and staff, the Wolf Administration has taken a...
Comitta Applauds RGGI Approval
HARRISBURG − September 1, 2021 – State Senator Carolyn Comitta, Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, today issued the following statement upon the Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission’s 3-2 vote on final approval...
Senator Santarsiero Reacts to K-12 Mask Mandate
BUCKS COUNTY – August 31, 2021 – The following statement is attributable to State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), in response to the order issued today by the Pennsylvania Department of Health mandating masking in K-12 schools: “The goal we all share is for students...
Senator Muth Announces E-Recycling Event and Food Drive
ROYERSFORD, August 31, 202 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) today announced that she will host a free E-Recycling Event and Food Drive for residents of Senate District 44 on Sunday, September 19 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The event, hosted in...
Senator Collett Reintroduces Patient Safety Act to Improve Care & Support PA Nurses
Harrisburg, Pa. − August 30, 2021 − Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) announced the reintroduction of the Patient Safety Act to set safe nurse-to-patient limits in Pennsylvania hospitals. SB 240 will set appropriate staffing ratios based on...
State Senators Saval and Schwank to Introduce State Mask Legislation
Harrisburg, PA – August 30, 2021 – Today, State Senators Nikil Saval and Judy Schwank announced they will soon introduce legislation to support Governor Tom Wolf’s call for mask mandates in the state. Senator Schwank’s forthcoming bill would require general indoor...
Senator Saval’s Statement on U.S. Supreme Court’s Ruling Thrusting Millions of Renters into Precarity
Philadelphia, PA — August 27, 2021 — Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) released a statement today on the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to eliminate the only remaining protection for renters: “Hundreds of thousands of people across our state, and millions of...
Comitta: Small Businesses Can Apply for Energy Efficiency Grants
WEST CHESTER − August 26, 2021 – Small businesses and farmers who want to improve their operations through energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection can apply now for up to $5,000 in state grant funding, state Senator Carolyn...
Sen. Brewster, Rep. Benham to Hold Shredding Event
Allegheny County, August 23, 2021 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) and Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) will host a free, on-site shredding event for residents of their shared Legislative District on Saturday, August 28, from 9am– 11am. The event will...
Senator Santarsiero to Host Full Schedule of Community Events This Fall
BUCKS COUNTY – August 23, 2021 – Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) has announced a full schedule of community events this fall beginning Saturday September 25th with his annual KidsFest at Morrisville High School. The event schedule is as follows: KidsFest on...
Senators Saval, Costa, Hughes, Haywood Announce New Legislation to Keep Struggling Pennsylvanians Housed
Harrisburg, PA − August 23, 2021 − Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia), Senator Jay Costa (D–Allegheny), Senator Vincent Hughes (D–Philadelphia/Montgomery), and Senator Art Haywood (D–Philadelphia/Montgomery) today announced their plans for legislation to keep...
Brewster Congratulates McKeesport’s Swin Cash for Induction Into the WNBA Hall of Fame
McKeesport – August 22, 2021 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today said he is thrilled with McKeesport’s Swin Cash’s induction into the WNBA Hall of Fame. Cash, who starred at McKeesport High, was an integral member of the University of...
Sen. Muth, Rep. Hill-Evans Propose Property Tax Relief for Recent Veterans
Legislation Introduced in Senate and House Today HARRISBURG, August 20, 2021 − State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) and state Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (D-York) today introduced legislation to establish a property tax and rent relief rebate program...
Rep. Kenyatta, Sen. Muth Aim to Modernize TANF Program on 25th Anniversary in New Bills
HARRISBURG, August 20, 2021 – On the 25th anniversary of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) and state Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) announced that they are seeking to introduce...
$20 Million Now Available to Help Image/Hair Care Businesses
PHILADELPHIA, August 19, 2021 – Image and hair care businesses that were hit hard by the pandemic are now eligible for $20 million in relief funding, state Sen. Vince Hughes, House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton and other state leaders announced today. At a news...
Senator Santarsiero Urges Local Schools to Require Masks
BUCKS COUNTY – August 18, 2021 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) today urged six Bucks County school boards to adopt the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance and require all students, teachers, staff and visitors to K-12 schools to wear masks. In letters...
Brewster Launches Mobile Veterans Assistance Initiative
Allegheny County − August 12, 2021 – State Sen. Jim Brewster announced today a comprehensive new effort to deliver services and support to veterans across the 45th Senate District. The initiative will provide face-to-face guidance at five locations, supported by a...
On the One-Year Anniversary of Sunoco Spill, Sen. Muth & Rep. Friel Otten Condemn Sunoco, DEP for Lack of Remediation at Marsh Creek Lake
CHESTER COUNTY − August 11, 2021 - Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of Sunoco’s massive spill of drilling fluid at its Mariner East 2 pipeline construction site near Marsh Creek State Park. On August 10, 2020, Sunoco spilled approximately 8,000 gallons of...
PA Senate Dems Host Policy Hearing on Solitary Confinement in PA
Harrisburg – August 10, 2021 - At the request of Senator John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware) and Representative Tina Davis (D- Bucks), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hybrid in person and virtual public hearing to discuss the use of solitary...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Introduces Legislation Requiring Online Posting of All Legislature Expenses
Pittsburgh, Pa. − August 9, 2021 − Today, Senator Lindsey M. Williams introduced legislation that would require that all legislative expenses be published online in an easily searchable format. This legislation is part of Senator Williams’ continued push for greater...
Gov. Wolf Joins Sen. Flynn, Rep. Kosierowski to Discuss COVID Relief
Old Forge, PA – August 5, 2021 − Governor Tom Wolf today visited Cafe Rinaldi in Old Forge to highlight $2.3 million in state grants awarded to Lackawanna County restaurants adversely affected by the pandemic. The governor secured $145 million for the COVID-19...
Senator Costa Statement on Passing of Richard Trumka
PITTSBURGH – August 5, 2021 – Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released a statement today on the passing of Richard Trumka, head of the AFL-CIO: “I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Richard Trumka after his passing today. Not only is this their...
Senators Kane, Kearney, and A. Williams Urge Extension of Federal Eviction Moratorium
Chester, PA − August 3, 2021 − In a letter to Senators Casey and Toomey and Representatives Scanlon and Houlahan, Senators Kane, Kearney, and Anthony Williams urged Congress to extend the federal eviction moratorium, which ended July 31st. The eviction...
Local Legislators Announce $475K in Grant Funding for Berks
READING, PA − August 2, 2021 − State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) and Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-126th district) announced three Berks County organizations received a total of $475,000 in Keystone Communities Program (KCP) grant funding from the Pennsylvania...
Brewster Urges Landlords, Tenants to Apply for Available Assistance
McKeesport, July 29, 2021 – With the federal eviction moratorium expiring at the end of the week, state Sen. Jim Brewster is urging local renters and landlords whose income was affected by the pandemic to immediately file for federal funds made available through the...