Press Releases
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...
State Senator Jay Costa Issues Statement in Response to Robert Bowers’ Death Penalty Verdict
Pittsburgh − August 2, 2023 − Today, a jury sentenced Robert Bowers to death for his 63 charges related to the Tree of Life massacre. State Senator Jay Costa, whose district includes Squirrel Hill, offers the following statement in response: "Legally, today closes the...
Schwank Introduces Renter’s Protection Package
Reading – August 2, 2023 – Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) has introduced a package of renter’s protection bills in the Pennsylvania Senate. SB 859 would establish criteria for the voluntary acceptance of reusable tenant screening reports. Landlords use tenant...
Senator John I. Kane Celebrates Launch of Governor Shapiro’s Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program
Delaware County − August 1, 2023 − Senator John I. Kane, minority chair of the Labor & Industry Committee, announced his support for Governor Shapiro’s signing of an Executive Order which focuses on expanding workforce development, spurring economic growth,...
Senator Lindsey Williams Issues Statement Calling for General Assembly to Fulfill Constitutional Obligation to Fully and Fairly Fund Public Education
Pittsburgh, Pa. − July 28, 2023 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement today calling on legislators to complete the FY2023-24 budget and continue the work of the Basic Education Funding...
Collett, Schlossberg Rally Mental Health Professionals and Advocates for Restoration of $100 Million in Adult Mental Health Funding
HARRISBURG − July 27, 2023 – Sen. Maria Collett and State Rep. Mike Schlossberg today joined mental health professionals, advocates and fellow legislators at a Capitol news conference to address restoring the $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for mental...
Collaboration Between State and City Lawmakers Leads to Over $1M Investment in West Philadelphia Recreation Center
Philadelphia, PA – July 26, 2023 – Senator Vincent Hughes, Representative Morgan Cephas, and Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. came together to present over $1 million dollars in grants from the state and city of Philadelphia to the Friends of Granahan for improvements to...
Brewster Calls on Legislature to Adequately Fund Education
Harrisburg – July 25, 2023 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today called on lawmakers to return to Harrisburg to address a now-final court ruling that Pennsylvania’s education funding system is unconstitutional, unfair and inequitable. “Since the deadline to file an appeal...
Senator Hughes Shares Statement on Republican Lawmakers Accepting Ruling on Unconstitutional Public School Funding by Commonwealth Court
Harrisburg, PA – July 24, 2023 − “Time is up! No more delays; no more stalling. We must do right by our students and begin immediately to address the court order to adequately and equitably fund our public schools,” said State Senator Vincent Hughes, following the...
Senator Hughes and PA Senate Democrats Remind Pennsylvanians We Are ONE Step Away from Commonsense Gun Laws
Philadelphia, PA – July 21, 2023 – Senator Hughes was joined by Senators Jimmy Dillon, Art Haywood, Tim Kearney, the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, and community leaders to call attention to two commonsense gun bills that are one step away...
Senator Art Haywood Joins Phila. Ceasefire for Joint Press Conference on Northwest Peace Plan
Philadelphia, PA − July 19, 2023 − Senator Art Haywood (D-4) announces the activities, programs, and current partners involved in one of the first city-wide efforts to increase public safety by means of the Safe Summer 2023 campaign in partnership with Philadelphia...
Senators Cappelletti and Schwank to Introduce Abortion Protections Package in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA – July 18, 2023 – Today, Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Mongomery/Delaware) and Senator Judith Schwank (D-Berks) circulated a co-sponsorship memo detailing their intent to introduce a legislative package called the Abortion Protections Package....
Seventeen Years and Counting – Senate Democrats Continue to Fight to Raise PA’s Minimum Wage
Harrisburg, PA – July 7, 2023 − Sunday, July 9th, marks seventeen years since Pennsylvania lawmakers last raised the minimum wage. On July 9th, 2006, Governor Ed Rendell was joined by Senator Christine Tartaglione, Senator Vincent Hughes, and Senator Jay Costa, to...
Senator Nikil Saval Praises State Commitment to Whole-Home Repairs, Calls for Continued Public Investment
Harrisburg, PA − July 5, 2023 − Today State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) released the following statement on the passage of the state budget: “Pennsylvanians deserve investment—in our homes, in our labor, in our schools, and in our public spaces. A thriving...
Senator Hughes Shares Statement on Recent Supreme Court Decisions
Harrisburg, PA – July 3, 2023 − Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement in response to recent Supreme Court decisions that end affirmative action, support the discrimination of LGBTQ individuals, and strike down President...
Senator Hughes Applauds Bipartisan Support to Expand Pennsylvania’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program
Harrisburg, PA– On Friday, the Pennsylvania Senate passed HB 1100, a bill that would amend the Property Tax and Rent Rebate (PT/RR) Program to expand eligible income thresholds to include an additional 173,000 individuals and to increase the maximum rebate amount for...
Senator Tartaglione’s Budget Reaction
Senate Democratic Whip Christine Tartaglione released the following statement regarding her no vote on the Commonwealth’s budget today: “The budget is supposed to reflect our Commonwealth’s moral priorities and aspirations for the future. The bill we voted on today...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Statement on Senate-Passed Budget Proposal
Harrisburg, PA – June 30, 2023 − Today, State Senator Jay Costa, D-43, released the following statement on House Bill 611: “The plan we voted on today is not a final agreement and is just one more step in negotiations. “As we move through the process, it is imperative...
State Senator Jay Costa Applauds Property Tax Rent Rebate Bill Passage
Harrisburg, PA – June 30, 2023 − Today, State Senator Jay Costa, D-43, proudly voted Yes on HB1100, a bill amending the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program to increase income thresholds to qualify for the program to expand eligibility and to increase the amount of...