Press Releases
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...
State Senators Welcome Opening of Whole Home Repairs Program for Chester County Homeowners
West Chester, Pa. − September 28, 2023 − Chester County homeowners looking to make critical household repairs to improve safety, increase energy efficiency, and enhance accessibility can now apply for funding through the Whole Home Repairs Program. “No...
Senator Schwank Issues Statement on FEMA Major Disaster Declaration Denial
Reading — September 28, 2023 — Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) has issued the following statement in response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's denial of Pennsylvania's request for a Major Disaster Declaration relating to the storm and flooding on July 9, 2023....
News Digest:: September 27, 2023
Legislature PA Environment Digest Blog: Environmental Health Project: How DEP Issues Permits For Shale Gas Facilities Without Considering Cumulative Impacts - How New Facilities Will Add To Existing Pollution Loads And Impact The Area (paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com)...
Senator Muth Hosts Over 200 Local Veterans at Annual Veterans’ Expo
ROYERSFORD − September 25, 2023 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) hosted over 200 local veterans at her annual Veterans’ Expo this weekend in Montgomery County. Senator Muth’s Veterans’ Expo, held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in...
Senator Santarsiero Hosts PennDOT Road Tour Highlighting Roads in Need of Repair
BUCKS COUNTY − September 21, 2023 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) hosted PennDOT officials on a road tour around the 10th Senate District, announcing planned roadway repair projects, highlighting needed improvements, and applauding work that has recently...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Praises the Passage of HB27
Harrisburg, PA – September 20, 2023 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate advanced HB 27, a bill to distribute crucial school mental health funding and community violence prevention funding. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) personally advocated an amendment...
Pennsylvanians Fight for the Right to Read
Harrisburg, PA – September 19, 2023 – Lawmakers, Parents, Students, Teachers, Librarians, and Advocates today gathered in Harrisburg to discuss the concerning rise in censorship and book bans across the Commonwealth. Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti...
Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Children Online Passes Committee
HARRISBURG, PA – September 19, 2023 – The Senate Communications and Technology Committee unanimously approved bipartisan legislation that would take a major step to protect minors and empower parents, according to the bill’s sponsors, Sens. Vincent Hughes...
Senator Hughes Applauds Automatic Voter Registration Through PennDOT
Philadelphia, PA – September 19, 2023 – Today, Senator Vincent Hughes applauded Governor Shapiro’s announcement that PennDOT will change their voter registration system from an “opt-in” system to an “opt-out” system. Senator Hughes has introduced automatic voter...
Sen. Lindsey Williams Releases Statement on Opening of Basic Education Funding Commission Hearings
Pittsburgh, Pa. − September 12, 2023 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement after the first hearing of the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) in Allentown: “Today, the Basic...
Delaware County Seniors Come out for Sen. Kearney & Rep. Boyd’s Senior Expo in Drexel Hill
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – September 8, 2023 – The annual Senior Expo hosted by Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) and Rep. Heather Boyd (D-Delaware), in partnership with Senior Community Services brought out over 500 senior citizens from all over Delaware County on...
Senators Collett & Saval Introduce AAPI-Inclusive Curriculum Bill To Fight Anti-Asian Hate
Harrisburg, Pa. - September 7, 2023 — To expand education and confront the rise in bias crimes against people of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent, State Senators Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) and Nikil Saval (D-1...
Senators Kearney and Kane Commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day with Community Vigil
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – September 5, 2023 – Senator Tim Kearney (D–Delaware) and Senator John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) hosted their annual community overdose vigil on August 31, marking International Overdose Awareness Day. This year, the senators were joined by...
Senator Street Bill to Advance PA Primary Date Heads to Senate Floor
HARRISBURG, PA – September 1, 2023 – Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) was proud to see his legislation to move up the date of Pennsylvania’s 2024 primary election by five weeks, approved by the Senate State Government Committee this week. Currently,...
Senate Dems Discuss Skill Games at Radnor Hearing
RADNOR, August 24, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware) co-hosted a public hearing yesterday in Radnor to discuss skill games...
Sen. Fontana Statement on Legionnaires’ Disease Case in Lancaster County
Allegheny County – August 23, 2023 – Today, State Senator Wayne Fontana issued the following statement after Legionella bacteria found at Lancaster County Prison led to a positive case of Legionnaires’ disease. This follows a positive case of Legionnaires’ disease at...
Schwank Encourages Berks County Organizations to Apply for Nonprofit Security Grant Funding
Reading — August 21, 2023 — Today, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency announced that the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program application window is now open. $5 million in funding is available from PCCD for nonprofits primarily serving individuals,...
DCED Secretary Tours State-Backed Projects, Discusses Economic Development Opportunities for Reading with Local Officials
Reading − August 10, 2023 − Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) welcomed Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Sec. Rick Siger to Reading to meet with community leaders and tour projects supported by state grant funding. Siger’s visit began at...
Collett, Ward Lead Hearing on Critical Roles of Children’s Advocacy Centers
HARRISBURG – August 9, 2023 − The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by state Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Sen. Maria Collett (D-12) held a hearing on Tuesday to gather information about the critical roles played by children’s advocacy centers across Pennsylvania....
Celebrating Community at Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti’s Annual Kids’ Fair in the Seventeenth
Norristown, PA – August 8, 2023 – Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17 Montgomery/Delaware) hosted over 690 community members and 50 vendors at her third annual Kids’ Fair in the Seventeenth at Elmwood Park Zoo on Wednesday, August 2nd. “It’s an honor to host this...
Senator Hughes Celebrates Property Tax and Rent Rebate Expansion for 173K Newly Eligible Seniors
Harrisburg, PA – August 3, 2023 − Today, HB 1100, a bill that will amend the Property Tax and Rent Rebate (PT/RR) Program, completed the final step in passing the Senate and will now be sent to Governor Shapiro to sign into law. The legislation will expand...