Press Releases
House and Senate Lawmakers Announce Relief Plan for Rental Assistance Fund
HARRISBURG − February 16, 2022 − Lawmakers from the state House and Senate held a news conference today to outline plans to restore Pennsylvania’s depleted Emergency Rental Assistance Program and help thousands whose incomes were affected by the pandemic.
Senator Kearney, Rep. Curry Reach Blood Drive Donation Goal, More than 90 Lives to Be Saved
SPRINGFIELD, PA – February 15, 2022 – Senator Tim Kearney (D–Delaware/Chester) joined Rep. Gina H. Curry (D–Delaware) on Friday to host a blood drive in response to the current blood crisis facing our nation. Thanks to the overwhelming number of volunteers...
Senate Judiciary Committee Unanimously Moves Fentanyl Test Strip Bill to Full Senate
HARRISBURG −February 10, 2022 − The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) and co-chaired by Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), advanced a bill legalizing the personal use and possession of fentanyl test strips to the full Senate for...
Welcoming PA Caucus Introduces Bill to Create Office of New Pennsylvanians
HARRISBURG — February 9, 2022 — Joined by immigration advocates across Pennsylvania, members of the Welcoming PA Caucus unveiled legislation Wednesday to establish the Office of New Pennsylvanians. The bill, known as H.B. 2173, is sponsored by Reps. Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila.
Senator Street Supports Education Investment Proposed in Governor’s Budget, Calls for More Aggressive Funding for Gun Violence Prevention
Philadelphia, PA – February 9, 2022 − Senator Sharif Street (D- Philadelphia) released the following statement in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed 2022-2023 budget: “The Governor’s budget proposal highlights the many opportunities we have in Pennsylvania to...
PA Women’s Health Caucus Responds to Governor Tom Wolf’s Budget Address
Harrisburg, PA − February 9, 2022 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC) applaud Governor Tom Wolf for his budget proposal that utilizes the nearly $6 billion budget surplus and puts Pennsylvania on the path to make historic investments in...
Sen. Lindsey Williams Votes for EMS Grant Funding, Fern Hollow Bridge Emergency Declaration; Welcomes Hampton Talbots Soccer Team to Harrisburg
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 9, 2022 − Today, Senator Lindsey M. Williams was pleased to vote for the creation of the Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program as part of the amended SB 739. This bill, which passed both the Senate and House, now...
Fontana Statement on 2022-2023 Budget Proposal
HARRISBURG, February 8, 2022 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana released the following statement today regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2022-2023 state budget proposal: “I applaud Governor Wolf for a budget proposal that moves Pennsylvania forward by investing in our students,...
Brewster on State Budget: Opportunity for “Generational Change”
HARRISBURG – February 8, 2022 – State Sen. Jim Brewster released the following statement today regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2022-23 state budget and its implications for Pennsylvanians: “Since taking office seven years ago, Gov. Wolf has recognized...
Senator Haywood Responds to Governor Wolf’s Budget Address
Harrisburg, Pa. – February 8, 2022 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement in support of Governor Wolf’s 2022-23 budget: “I support the Governor’s budget to help build a stronger Commonwealth for Pennsylvanians and...
Senator Collett Reacts to Governor Wolf’s 2022-2023 Budget Address
Harrisburg, Pa. – February 8, 2022 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks, Democratic Caucus Secretary) attended Governor Tom Wolf’s budget address today. The Governor’s 2022-2023 budget proposal focuses on the Commonwealth’s ongoing pandemic recovery,...
PA Senate Democrats Strongly Support Governor’s Proposed Budget to Invest in Pennsylvanians
HARRISBURG – February 8, 2022 – Governor Tom Wolf gave his final budget address today to a joint Pennsylvania House and Senate Session. The proposed budget invests in Pennsylvanians through education, workforce development, criminal justice reform, public health...
Senator Tartaglione Praises Governor Wolf’s Vision for Pennsylvania’s 2022-23 Budget
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 8, 2022 − Senator Christine Tartaglione today praised the historic funding plan that places an emphasis on further funding education and refunding programs that have seen budget cuts in past years. “This budget proposal from Governor Wolf is...
Senator Kane Responds to Governor Wolf’s Proposed Budget
Harrisburg, February 8, 2022 – Following Governor Tom Wolf’s annual budget address to the General Assembly, Senator John Kane issued the following statement: “The Governor’s proposed budget is exactly what Pennsylvania needs right now. This budget uses our strong...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Releases Statement on Turnpike Bill Vote
Harrisburg, Pa.− February 7, 2022 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams released the following statement today: “It’s no secret that I was strongly opposed to the sudden elimination of on-site Turnpike toll collection in June 2020 and the associated unexpected...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Encourages Bold Education Investments Ahead of Gov. Wolf Budget Address
Harrisburg, Pa.− February 7, 2022 − Today, Senator Lindsey M. Williams sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf ahead of his Budget Address to the General Assembly to ask him to make critical investments in education spending in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget. Recognizing...
Senator Marty Flynn’s Turnpike Reform Legislation Passes Senate Transportation Committee
HARRISBURG - February 7, 2022 - Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee passed legislation introduced by Senator Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) to update and improve the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s method of collecting and reporting...
Senator Kearney Pushes for More Funding for Schools, Looks to Revive PlanCon Building Program
HARRISBURG − February 7, 2022 – Senator Tim Kearney (D – Delaware/Chester), a member of the Senate Education Committee and newly-appointed Vice Chair of Appropriations, recently announced plans to restart the Planning and Construction Workbook Program, —A.K.A....
Senator Lisa Boscola Statement on Final Approval of Senate District Maps
Bethlehem − February 4, 2022 – State Senator Lisa M. Boscola released the following statement today regarding the Legislative Reapportionment Commission’s final approval of the map for Pennsylvania Senate Districts: “Disgraceful! These Senate maps are nothing...
Senator Costa Votes in Support of Final PA House and Senate Maps in LRC Hearing
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 4, 2022 − Senate Democratic Leader and Legislative Reapportionment Commission member Senator Jay Costa today voted in support of final maps for the Pennsylvania House and Senate districts. The final vote of the Commission was 4 to 1 in...
Sen Street & PA Agriculture Secretary Redding Announce Urban Agriculture Grants
Philadelphia, PA − February 3, 2022 − On Monday Senator Sharif Street joined PA Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding of the PA Department of Agriculture in awarding a $50,000 grant to LifeLeaf Organic Farms (FarmerJawn Agriculture) one of 23 grant recipients...
Despite Phil’s News, Brewster Says Spring on the Way
Harrisburg, February 2, 2022 – Despite the news delivered by Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog today, State Senator Jim Brewster said there are real signs that spring is on the way. “With due respect to Phil, for thousands of Pennsylvanians like me, this week’s...
Gov Wolf Announces $1.7 Billion Plan to Secure a Brighter Pennsylvania for Generations
Harrisburg, PA – February 2, 2022 – Governor Tom Wolf announced today his $1.7 billion plan to help Pennsylvania fully recover from the pandemic and pave the way for a successful future with support for families and workers, small businesses, the healthcare system,...
Senate Democrats Discuss School Staffing Shortages at Virtual Policy Hearing
HARRISBURG, February 1, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) to host a virtual public hearing on the staffing shortage crisis...
Sen. Schwank to Host Student Mental Health Webinar
Reading − February 1, 2022 – On Thursday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m., Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) will be hosting a virtual event on student mental health via zoom. The event is open to the public and will feature four Berks County based experts who have been working...
Brewster, Democratic Colleagues Announce Historic School Funding Plan
Harrisburg, January 31, 2022 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today stood with colleagues in the House and Senate to announce a school budget plan that would represent the largest investment in public education in Pennsylvania history. The $3.75 billion outline, dubbed the...
Hughes, Democratic Colleagues Announce Historic School Funding Plan
Harrisburg, PA − January 31, 2022 – State Sen. Vincent Hughes, along with House Democrats and education advocates, announced today a school budget plan that would represent the largest investment in public education in Pennsylvania history. The $3.75 billion outline,...
Senate Democrats Discuss Proposed Wind Farm Project at Virtual Policy Hearing
HARRISBURG, January 28, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) to host a virtual public hearing on the proposed $300 million...
Democracy On The Line
Philadelphia – January 13, 2022 – For months Senator Sharif Street, Democratic Chair of State Government, has had the shared responsibility of redrawing Congressional Districts. Please see his statement on the current process as it progresses in Pennsylvania’s...
Fontana Statement on Act 77 Ruling
HARRISBURG, January 28, 2022 – State Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny County) issued the following statement on today’s ruling by Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court that Act 77 is unconstitutional: ‘Pennsylvania voters have enjoyed no-excuse, mail-in voting for four...
Sen. Street’s Statement on Commonwealth Court’s Ruling of Act 77
Philadelphia, PA − January 28, 2022 − Senator Sharif Street, Democratic Chair of the State Government Committee and the Special Committee on Elections, released the following statement on today’s Commonwealth Court’s ruling: “Today’s attempt by the Commonwealth Court...
Leaders Announce $4.5 Million in Funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Pittsburgh, Pa. − January 27, 2022 − Community and elected leaders today joined together at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh to announce $4.5 million in funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program. The program is funded by Act 83 of 2019 and...