Press Releases
Senate Labor and Industry Committee Unanimously Passes Legislation to Protect Construction Workers from Misclassification
HARRISBURG, PA − June 10, 2025 − The Senate Labor and Industry Committee today unanimously passed Senate Bill 72, legislation that strengthens protections for construction workers who are misclassified as independent contractors. The bill, sponsored by Senators Kane,...
Senator Sharif Street in Partnership with the African American Male Wellness Agency Hosted Black Men’s Wellness Day at Temple University
5K Walk/Run, Health Screenings, Networking & More to Promote Black Men’s Health and Wellbeing PHILADELPHIA, PA − June 10, 2025 − Senator Sharif Street, in partnership with the African American Wellness Agency, Temple University Community Affairs and Engagement,...
Senators Jay Costa and Camera Bartolotta Reintroduce Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Legislation
HARRISBURG, PA – June 9, 2025 − Today, State Senators Jay Costa and Camera Bartolotta reintroduced legislation to prevent Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) in Pennsylvania’s docks and marinas. ESD has become the catch-all phrase to encompass all in-water shock casualties...
Senator Nick Miller and Senator Lisa Baker’s Electronic Payroll Modernization Bill Advances Out of Committee
June 9, 2025 – Today, the state Senate Labor and Industry Committee unanimously voted to move forward Sen. Nick Miller’s (D-Lehigh-Northampton) electronic payroll modernization legislation, Senate Bill 581, co-introduced by Sen. Lisa Baker...
Hundreds of Transit Riders, Advocates, Labor Leaders, and Businesses Rallied at the Capitol to Call for Dedicated State Funding to Restore and Stabilize Transit Across PA
Harrisburg, PA − June 4, 2025 − Today, as the General Assembly returned to session this week in the run-up to the passage of the 2025–2026 state budget, hundreds of transit riders, advocates, labor leaders, and businesses convened at the state Capitol to rally for full funding for transit across Pennsylvania.
Senate Santarsiero Welcomes Champion Wrestlers, Sement and Williams, to Harrisburg
BUCKS COUNTY – June 4, 2025 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) yesterday welcomed two state champion wrestlers from his district to the Capitol, Eren Sement of Newtown Township and Chase Williams of Buckingham Township. “These two incredible athletes have...
State Legislators Announce PA Home Preservation Program in Bipartisan Effort to Tackle Pennsylvania’s Housing Crisis
Responding to the enormous need revealed from the implementation of previous home repairs programs, the PA Home Preservation Program will increase the resources available to support critical health and safety repairs for low- and moderate-income homeowners. ...
Senator Nick Miller Walks-a-Day in the Life of a Homecare Worker – Advocating for Governor Shapiro’s Proposed $21 Million Investment in Participant-Directed Home Care
Sen. Miller sits with Lynn and Brandon at their home in Allentown, PA on May 28, 2025 Allentown, PA – May 28, 2025 − Senator Nick Miller joined Lynn Weidner, a consumer-directed home care worker, and her consumer, Brandon Kingsmore to get a firsthand look at the...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Responds to Trump Post on Partnership between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel
HARRISBURG, PA – May 23, 2025 − Earlier today, President Trump posted about a “partnership” between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement in response: “As soon as a deal between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel...
State Legislative Delegation, City of Harrisburg, Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, and Capital Region Economic Development Corporation Announce Downtown Revitalization Planning Effort
HARRISBURG, PA − May 23, 2025 − Today, Senator Patty Kim, and Representatives Nate Davidson, Dave Madsen, and Justin Fleming announced a partnership with the City of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA), and Capital Region Economic...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Encourage PA Senate Republicans to Speak Up as “Big Beautiful Bill” Clears US House of Representatives
HARRISBURG, PA – May 22, 2025 − This morning, Republicans in the US House of Representatives passed a budget bill that will result in 15 million Americans losing their health insurance and 3 million American families losing access to healthy food. Senate Democratic...
“Planting Seeds” with Senator Sharif Street Podcast Sheds Light on PA Cannabis Legalization Battle
PHILADELPHIA − May 22, 2025 – On a recent episode of "Planting Seeds," with Senator Sharif Street produced by Cannabis Radio and sponsored by Ethos Cannabis, the podcast interviewed Representative Rick Krajewski about Pennsylvania’s ambitious House Bill 1200,...
Vogel, Comitta Introduce Legislation to License Music Therapists in Pa
Harrisburg, Pa − May 21, 2025 – Music therapists in Pennsylvania could be professionally licensed by the Commonwealth, bringing significant economic and therapeutic benefits to families and communities under new legislation introduced by state Senators Elder Vogel and...
Sen. Collett Provides Hundreds of Seniors With Health & Wellness Resources at 2025 Senior Expo
Montgomeryville, Pa. − May 22, 2025 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) welcomed hundreds of community members to her annual Senior Expo on Friday, May 16 at the Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center. “Every Pennsylvanian deserves access to the...
Senator Nick Pisciottano Announces Extension of Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Application Deadline to December 31, 2025
Monroeville, PA, May 21, 2025 — Senator Nick Pisciottano (D–Allegheny) announced today that the application deadline for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program has been extended to December 31, 2025. This extension provides eligible Pennsylvanians with...
Sen. Fontana Announces New Solar for Schools Grants Awarded
Allegheny County – May 20, 2025 – Today, Senator Wayne Fontana announced two schools in the 42nd senatorial district have been awarded grants to install solar panels on their buildings, which will lower energy costs and save taxpayers money. “With electricity costs...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Two Solar for Schools Grant Recipients in the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – May 20, 2025 − Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $376,995 in Solar for Schools Grant money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district. “Today’s Solar for Schools grant announcement is cause for much celebration,” said Senator Costa. “I am delighted that...
Elected Officials, Transit Riders, and Community Leaders Kicked Off SEPTA’s Public Hearings with a Rally and a Call for Full Transit Funding
Philadelphia, PA − May 19, 2025 − State lawmakers from Philadelphia and the surrounding counties rallied today outside of SEPTA’s headquarters in Center City as the transit agency began a series of public hearings on its proposed 2025–2026 budget, including the severe service cuts and steep fare hikes it will be forced to implement without crucial state funding.
Senator Hughes Convenes Second Roundtable to Address Looming Federal Health Insurance Cuts and the Impact on Black Pennsylvanians
Philadelphia, PA – May 19, 2025 – Last week, Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, held a roundtable at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church with lawmakers and healthcare leaders to discuss how Black Pennsylvanians could be impacted by proposed...
Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing Regarding the Worker Protections
PHILADELPHIA, PA − May 14, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine ways to protect Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and economy with a skilled, protected, and reliable workforce. “The testimony we heard today from...
Senate Democrats Jay Costa, Nick Pisciottano Celebrate Passage of EDGE Tax Credit in PA House, Call for Swift Movement in the Senate
PITTSBURGH, PA – May 14, 2025 – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 500, a critical part of Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Plan which updates the Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) Tax Credit Program to bring...
Sen. Tim Kearney & Rep. Lisa Borowski Introduce Legislation to Safeguard Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Systems
HARRISBURG, PA – May 14, 2025 – State Senator Tim Kearney (D – Delaware), and state Representation Lisa Borowski (D – Delaware) yesterday formally introduced companion legislation aimed at protecting Pennsylvania healthcare services and facilities from the harmful...
Pa. Senators Collett & Pisciottano Introduce Worker Protection Legislation with the Pa. PRO Act
Harrisburg, Pa. — Senator Maria Collett (D-12, Montgomery) and Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-45, Allegheny) announced their introduction of the Pennsylvania Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act on Wednesday, May 13, which would strengthen workers' rights and...
Senator Tartaglione Applauds Senate Passage of School Safety Transparency Bill
Harrisburg, PA, May 13, 2025 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 246 with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 45–4 vote. The legislation, sponsored by Senators Christine Tartaglione (D–2) and Jarrett Coleman (R–16), will ensure that parents and school...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Issues Statement Applauding PUC Review and Investigation of Storm Response
Pittsburgh, PA − May 9, 2025 − Today, Senator Lindsey M. Williams issued this statement applauding the announcement that the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission is launching a review following last week’s storm that left more than half a million customers...
Hughes’ and Robinson Bold Literacy Initiative Passes Education Committee
Bill Aims to Help All PA Children Learn to Read by Grade 3 HARRISBURG – May 6, 2025 − The Senate Education Committee today approved a bipartisan measure sponsored by Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37) and Vincent Hughes (D-7) to ensure all Pennsylvania...
Steel Valley’s Senator Pisciottano Introduces “FORGES” to Revitalize Steel Industry, Create Jobs
Harrisburg, PA − May 7, 2025 – State Sen. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) today announced the introduction of landmark legislation designed to strengthen Pennsylvania’s steel industry, protect and create jobs, and reestablish the Commonwealth’s leadership in American...
James Malone Sworn in as First Democratic State Senator from Lancaster County in Over 130 Years
HARRISBURG, PA – May 5, 2025 − Today, Senator James Malone was officially sworn in to represent Pennsylvania’s 36th Senate District in Lancaster County. Senator Malone is the first Democrat to win a State Senate election in Lancaster in over 130 years. “Lancastrians...
Mayor Ed Gainey, State Sen. Williams, and Rep. Abney Advance Legislation to Prohibit Price Gouging During Local Emergencies
Pittsburgh, PA – May 5, 2025 – In the wake of last week’s deadly storm, today, Mayor Ed Gainey is leading an effort in partnership with County Executive Sara Innamorato, State Senator Lindsey Williams, State Representative Aerion Abney, and other members of the state legislative delegation to protect Pittsburghers against exploitative businesses, contractors, and corporations engaged in price gouging essential goods and services after disasters.
Senator Santarsiero Statement Calling for Head Start Funding
BUCKS COUNTY− May 2, 2025 − The following statement is attributable to Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in support of the Federal Government funding Head Start and Early Head Start Programs: “Hundreds of young children in Bucks County are at risk of losing critical...
Bucks Democratic Lawmakers Call for Full SEPTA Funding
BUCKS COUNTY – May 2, 2025 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) yesterday called on Republicans in the General Assembly today to fully fund SEPTA in this year’s state budget. Joined at the Levittown SEPTA station by Representatives Tina Davis (D-141),...
Senators Nikil Saval and Lindsey Williams Announce Transit for All PA Funding Package
HARRISBURG, PA − April 29, 2025 −Today State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) and State Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D–Allegheny) announced the Transit for All PA Funding Package, a suite of legislative proposals to help secure full funding for transit agencies across Pennsylvania.