Press Releases
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...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Questions Decision to Shift Responsibility for Public School Audits
Pittsburgh, Pa. − March 31, 2022 − Today, Senator Lindsey M. Williams sent a letter to Auditor General Timothy DeFoor and Department of Education Secretary Noe Ortega in response to last week’s announcement by the Auditor General that he will be closing the Bureau of...
Senator Street Advances Safe Cannabis Banking Bill
Harrisburg, PA − March 31, 2022 − Yesterday the Pennsylvania Senate Banking and Insurance Committee unanimously passed SB1167, our bipartisan cannabis banking bill. We moved forward with an important step in dismantling another cornerstone of cannabis prohibition by...
Senator Tim Kearney and Vision To Learn Help Upper Darby Students Focus on The Future
SPRINGFIELD, PA – March 31, 2022 – More than 3,500 of the 12,400 students that make up Upper Darby School District go to school every day without the glasses they need to see the board, read a book, or participate in class. Senator Tim Kearney and the nonprofit Vision To Learn have teamed up to bring vision services directly to students.
Senator Marty Flynn Collecting Protective Equipment, Supplies for Ukraine
Scranton, PA – March 30, 2022 – Senator Marty Flynn is coordinating with St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church of Scranton to provide much-needed medical supplies and protective military equipment to the people of Ukraine. “The Ukrainian people have shown...
Swipe Out Hunger/College Hunger Advocacy Day
Schwank and Rozzi Promote Bias Training Bills at Kutztown’s 18th Annual Community Forum
Reading, PA – March 25, 2022 – This morning Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th) and Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-126th) spoke at Kutztown University’s 18th Annual Community Forum about SB 163 and HB 1140, which would require public employees and licensed medical professionals to receive...
Comitta: Good Works Awarded $50,000 in State Grant Funding
WEST CHESTER − March 25, 2022 – Good Works, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides free home repairs to low-income residents and families, will receive $50,000 in state grant funding thanks to the work of state Senator Carolyn Comitta.
Senator Nikil Saval and Lehigh Valley Stands Up Call for Passage of Whole-Home Repairs Act
Allentown, PA − March 25, 2022 − Yesterday afternoon, State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) and Lehigh Valley Stands Up brought together residents and community leaders in a united call for the passage of Pennsylvania’s Whole-Home Repairs Act (SB1135), a...
Sen. Brewster: Eligible EMS Agencies Must Certify by April 10 for COVID Funding
McKeesport, March 24, 2022 – State Senator Jim Brewster today reminded Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies in Pennsylvania to complete the online certification to receive some of the $25 million made available by the American Rescue Plan Act to support these...
Senator Nikil Saval and Berks Stands Up Call for Passage of Whole-Home Repairs Act
Reading, PA − March 24, 2022 − Yesterday, State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) and Berks Stands Up brought together residents, community leaders, and elected officials in a united call for the passage of Pennsylvania’s Whole-Home Repairs Act (SB1135), a...
Senator Collett Among 40 PA Women Recognized by City & State for Going Above & Beyond
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. − March 23, 2022 − Last night, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) was honored by City & State PA during the award ceremony for its first-ever Above & Beyond list. Released during Women’s History Month, the list recognizes 40...
Senators Kearney and Kane Apprenticeship Fair Brings Out Local Families and Students
(L-R) David Cleary joins Senator John Kane, his son Michael Cleary, Senator Tim Kearney, and his wife Patricia Tuggle for a photo at the Apprenticeship Fair on Saturday. SPRINGFIELD, PA – March 23, 2022 – Sens. Tim Kearney (D-Chester/Delaware) and John Kane...
Sen. Muth: EMS Agencies Must Certify by April 10 For COVID Grant Funding
ROYERSFORD − March 23, 2022 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Montgomery/Chester/Berks) today encouraged all Emergency Management Services (EMS) agencies to complete online certification to receive a portion of the available $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act...
Sen. Brewster and Partners Host Drive-Up Food Distribution Event
McKeesport, March 22, 2022 – State Senator Jim Brewster partnered with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and U. S. Steel to host a drive-up food distribution event at the West Mifflin Area High School on Tuesday. “Our country grows more food than any other...
Senator Nikil Saval and Lancaster Stands Up Call for Whole-Home Repairs During Week of Action
Lancaster, PA − March 22, 2022 − Today, State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) and Lancaster Stands Up brought together residents, community leaders, and state and municipal officials in a united call for the passage of Pennsylvania’s Whole-Home Repairs Act...
Sen. Jim Brewster Statement on Death of State Troopers and a Civilian
Harrisburg, March 21, 2022 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D – Allegheny/Westmoreland), Democratic Chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, made the following statement following the deaths of Pennsylvania State Troopers Martin F. Mack III, Branden T. Sisca, and an unnamed...
Senator Nikil Saval and Advocates Call for Passage of Whole-Home Repairs Act
Philadelphia, PA − March 21, 2022 − Today, standing with residents, community leaders, housing and energy advocates, disability rights activists, and federal, state, and municipal elected officials, State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) launched his campaign for...
Schwank Hosts Second Session of Model Senate
Reading – March 18, 2022 – Sen. Judy Schwank hosted the second session of her annual model senate program today at the Muhlenberg Township Municipal Building. During the second session, over 40 high school students from local school districts participated...
Senator Costa Applauds Supreme Court Decision on LRC Maps
Harrisburg, PA – March 16, 2022 – Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the bipartisan maps for state legislative districts drawn by the Legislative Redistricting Commission and scheduled the petition period for the May primary; the maps that passed the...
Costa, Frankel Unveil ‘Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act’
PITTSBURGH − March 16, 2022 − In an effort to strengthen health protections for Pennsylvania workers, state Rep. Dan Frankel and state Sen. Jay Costa, both D-Allegheny, have introduced the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act. Currently, the state’s Clean...
Senators Baker, Santarsiero Applaud Passage of Violence Against Women’s Act, Resume Work on Kayden’s Law
HARRISBURG −March 16, 2022 − Pennsylvania could soon receive $25 million in federal funding to keep children safe through the passage of Senate Bill 78, also known as Kayden’s Law. Last week, the United States Congress passed the 2022 Reauthorization of...
Commonwealth Court Unanimously Overrules PSERS Preliminary Objections
HARRISBURG −March 15, 2022 ∧ In an opinion filed earlier today, Commonwealth Court unanimously overruled all seven of the preliminary objections filed by the Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) in their continued fight to prevent access to...
Senate Democrats Discuss Housing Scarcity and Houselessness at Policy Hearing
PHILADELPHIA, March 15, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Senators Sharif Street, Nikil Saval, Amanda Cappelletti, Tina Tartaglione and Art Haywood to host a public...
Senator Collett Presents $50,000 Grant Award to Warminster VFW for Building Upgrades
Warminster, Pa. - March 15, 2022 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) attended the Warminster Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6493’s March membership meeting to present a $50,000 state grant award. The new funding will be used for building upgrades,...
Comitta, Secretary Of Agriculture Highlight Pennsylvania’s $746 Million Mushroom Industry
West Grove, Pa — March 14, 2022 — State Senator Carolyn Comitta recently joined Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Department of Community and Economic Development Acting Deputy Secretary Mandy Book at Chester County's To-Jo Mushrooms, Inc.,...
Senator Flynn Supports Legislation to Reduce State Gas Tax by 33% through the End of 2022
Harrisburg, PA - March, 10, 2022 − Senator Marty Flynn is fighting to lower gas prices for Pennsylvanians by supporting the reduction of the state gas tax through the end of 2022. Senator Flynn realizes the financial strain the skyrocketing prices at the pump have had...
PA Women’s Health Caucus Expresses Gratitude to Abortion Providers Across the Commonwealth on Abortion Provider Appreciation Day
Harrisburg, PA − March 10, 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...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams to Introduce Legislation to Allocate $2 Million in State Funding to Support Ukrainian Refugees
Pittsburgh, Pa. − March 9, 2022 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced that she will introduce legislation to allocate $2 million in state funding to provide assistance to Ukrainians refugees fleeing war in their country who make it to Pennsylvania....
Sens. Fontana, Pittman Unveil Bipartisan Legislation to Identify Risk, Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease
HARRISBURG − March 4, 2022 − Legionnaires’ disease is on the rise across the country but especially in Pennsylvania, with the commonwealth showing some of the highest rates of infection and illness year after year, according to state and federal data.
Senate Reestablishes Bipartisan Fire & EMS Caucus
Harrisburg, PA − March 1, 2022 − A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania senators today announced the reformation of the Senate Fire & EMS (emergency medical services) Caucus to address issues and initiatives that support first responders across the...