Press Releases
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Statement on Passing of Former Senator Jim Ferlo
PITTSBURGH – May 15, 2022 – Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on the passing of former State Senator Jim Ferlo: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our former colleague Senator Jim Ferlo. Jim...
Sen. Anthony Williams Addresses Colleague’s Request to Stop Using Ballot Drop Boxes
Philadelphia − May 13, 2022 – Today, Senator Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) wrote the following letter to his Senate colleagues in response to a request from the co-chair of the state Intergovernmental Operations Committee to the...
Hughes, Fiedler, Rally with Educators for Full School Funding
PHILADELPHIA − May 12, 2022 − With Pennsylvania sitting on more than $8 billion in excess revenue, and a dismal national ranking for school equity, state Sen. Vincent Hughes and Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler held a pre-budget school funding rally in South Philadelphia today...
Senators Push Bi-Partisan Juvenile Justice Reforms
HARRISBURG – May 12, 2022 – Legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system is set for action according to Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Senator Jay Costa (D-43), who have been working to implement reforms needed to...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Statement on Women’s Health Protection Act Vote
HARRISBURG – May 11, 2022 – Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on today’s vote by the United States Senate on the Women’s Health Protection Act: “Not only is today’s vote by the US Senate disappointing but it is completely...
Senator Haywood Responds to Gun Violence Meeting with Mayor Kenney
PHILADELPHIA – May 11, 2022 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement in response to a virtual meeting with Mayor Jim Kenney (D- Philadelphia): “On 18 April, I led a sit-in with advocates outside of Mayor...
Senator Kearney Champions Gov. Wolf’s Level Up Funding Proposal, Sponsors Legislation for $300M Investment to Address Educational Inequities
HARRISBURG, PA − May 11, 2022 – Senator Tim Kearney (D – Delaware/Chester) is pleased to announce that his legislation to address educational inequities throughout the Commonwealth has been formally introduced into the Pennsylvania Senate. The Level Up School...
Sen. Anthony Williams Shares Letter Regarding Ward Leader Ballot Harvesting and Secure Election Systems
PHILADELPHIA, PA − May 10, 2022 – Today, Senator Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) wrote the following letter to his Senate colleagues regarding recent news about ballot harvesting in the 39th Ward of Philadelphia. In the letter, Sen. Williams...
Senators Costa and Hughes Issue Statements on Debate Over Whether to Spend or Sit on Billions in Surplus Budget: “We Can Do Both!”
May 5, 2022 – Senator Jay Costa, State Senate Democratic Leader, and Senator Vincent Hughes, Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statements in response to Governor Wolf’s announcement on historic state revenues in April and...
Sen. Fontana Shares Statement on Leaked Supreme Court Draft on Abortion
Allegheny County – May 4, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania State Senator Wayne Fontana shared the following statement in response to news about the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would throw out Roe v. Wade. “The leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion...
Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus: Statement on Leaked Roe v. Wade Draft Opinion
Harrisburg, PA − May 3, 2022 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC), Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery, Delaware), Representative Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and Representative Mary Jo Daley...
Schwank Issues Good Citizenship Award to Reading Virtual Academy Student Ja’Mir Rivera
Reading – May 2, 2022 – Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th) attended a ceremony at the Reading Opportunity Center to award Ja’Mir Rivera, a freshman attending Reading Virtual Academy within the Reading School District, with the Good Citizenship Award.
Senator Kearney, Rep. Curry Offices to Collect Feminine Hygiene Products during May
SPRINGFIELD, PA – May 2, 2022 – Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware/Chester) and state Rep. Gina H Curry (D-Delaware) will host a Feminine Hygiene Products Donation Drive during the entire month of May to support local women and girls.
Sen. Anthony Williams Addresses Voter Fraud in Letter to Colleagues
April 29, 2022 – Today, Senator Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) wrote the following letter to his Senate colleagues regarding voter fraud. In the letter, Sen. Williams states, "...there are attempts at voter fraud, that those incidents appear to be few,...
Senate Dems Discuss Challenges of Childcare Facing College Students at Policy Hearing
BLUE BELL, April 28, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today joined Senator Maria Collett, Senator Amanda Cappelletti, Senator Carolyn Comitta and Senator Judy Schwank to host a public...
McClinton, Muth Join Survivors and Advocates to Renew their Fight to Establish a Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System
HARRISBURG, April 27, 2022 – In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton and state Sen. Katie Muth renewed their fight today to help bring justice and resources to sexual assault survivors. McClinton and Muth’s...
Senate Democrats Hear Support for School-Based Health Centers
HARRISBURG, April 27, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) to host a virtual hearing yesterday to discuss expanding School Based Health...
Senator Sharif Street & FAMM Host “Road to Redemption” for Second Chance Month
Philadelphia, − April 22, 2022 – On Tuesday Senator Street hosted “Road to Redemption” at Eastern State Penitentiary, with FAMM, in recognition of National Second Chace Month. He was joined by PA Legislative Black Caucus Chair, Rep. Donna Johnson-Bullock and Pardon...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Releases Statement on the Departure of PDE Secretary Noe Ortega
PITTSBURGH − April 22, 2022 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams released the following statement today: “As the Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I have had the privilege to work closely with Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Noe Ortega....
Senator Costa Announces Millions in State Investments in Wilkinsburg
In the past six months, Senator Costa has brought nearly $8 million to the community Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 22, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of nearly $5 million in state grants for the Wilkinsburg community, adding to the major...
Senator Costa Announces $1.7 Million in Grant for Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 21, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of more than $1.75 million in state grant funding for the development of multi modal transportation along Sylvan Avenue in the City of Pittsburgh. $1.76 million has been awarded through...
Senate, House Democrats Host Roundtable Discussion on EMS Issues
PITTSBURGH – April 21, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee joined Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny), state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) and state Rep. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) to host...
Senator Collett & the Department off Aging Calls on General Assembly to Invest in Older Pennsylvanians, Individuals With Disabilities Through Property Tax Relief Program
WARMINSTER, PA – April 21. 2022 – Department of Aging Secretary Robert Torres was joined by Sen. Maria Collett, AARP Pennsylvania and community leaders today to echo Governor Tom Wolf's call for the Pennsylvania General Assembly to immediately use a portion of...
Senator Kearney Announces Legislation to Help Arts and Culture Organizations
HARRISBURG, PA – April 21, 2022– Senator Tim Kearney (D – Delaware/Chester) recently announced his plans to introduce legislation to help organizations within the arts and culture sector gain financial stability. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Dollars for Arts and...
Sen Street Issues Statement on 4.20, Pennsylvania has Fallen Behind
PHILADELPHIA – April 20, 2022 –Senator Street issued the following statement on 420 Day. "April 20, or 420 Day, is a worldwide celebration for cannabis users. More critically it is a platform for our collective efforts to end cannabis prohibition. The...
Senator Haywood Responds to Call with Mayor Kenney on Gun Violence in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA – April 19, 2022 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), State Rep. Darisha Parker (D-Philadelphia), Sister Taleah Taylor, President and Founder of the City of Dreams Coalition, and Rev. Kent Matthies of the Unitarian Society...
Senators Collett & Saval Unveil Legislation to Improve Nursing Home Transparency & Protections
Harrisburg, Pa. − April 19, 2022 − A new package of legislation proposed by State Senators Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) and Nikil Saval (D-1 Philadelphia) will bring greater transparency, accountability, and support for residents and...
Senator Haywood Leads Sit-ins at City Hall in Philadelphia to Demand Action from Mayor Kenney on Gun Violence
PHILADELPHIA – April 18, 2022 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) led an organized sit-in with gun violence prevention advocates at the office of Mayor Jim Kenney at City Hall in Philadelphia. Senator Haywood initiated the first day of...
PA Legislators Highlight Name Change Legislative Package Intended to Ease Name Change Process for Transgender Pennsylvanians
HARRISBURG – April 11, 2022 – Members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate joined advocates for the LGBTQ and Transgender Community Monday, April 11, 2022, for a press conference to discuss their package of bills to update Pennsylvania’s antiquated name change laws that will ease the burden for transgender Pennsylvanians who wish to change their given name to their chosen name.
Senator Marty Flynn Calls for Change Amid Scranton School District Bus Contract Mishandling
Scranton, PA – April 8, 2022 – Senator Marty Flynn has released a statement regarding the Scranton School District’s bus contract bidding process: “What should have been a simple and public bidding process turned into yet another insult to the Scranton taxpayers...
Senator Collett Celebrates Advancement of Students’ Hershey’s Kiss Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. - April 6, 2022 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee passed Senate Bill 1122, legislation to recognize the Hershey’s Kiss as Pennsylvania’s official state candy. The bill, sponsored by Senators Maria Collett (D-12...
Schwank and Street Announce Plan to Ban Delta-8 THC in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg – April 6, 2022 – Today, State Sens. Judy Schwank and Sharif Street issued a co-sponsor memorandum for a bill they plan to introduce that would ban the sale of delta-8 THC products in Pennsylvania. The Food and Drug Administration defines delta-8 THC as a...