Press Releases
Brewster’s Effort to Expand Restaurant Seating Capacity Wins Senate Committee Approval
McKeesport – Sept. 8, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster’s (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) effort to safely increase indoor and outdoor seating for bars and restaurants moved forward today as the Senate Law and Justice Committee approved legislation to expand...
Boscola Advises UC Claimants that Federal Lost Wage Assistance Program to Begin Making Payments Starting September 10th
Bethlehem (September 4, 2020) − State Senator Lisa M. Boscola stated today that the Commonwealth will begin making payments through the federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program to claimants on Thursday, September 10, 2020. Individuals who apply and qualify will...
Sen. Muth Supports Ensuring Mortgage Servicers’ Compliance with Federal Cares Act to Protect Homeowners
Royersford, PA, September 3, 2020 – Sen. Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) Minority Chair of Housing and Urban Affairs, and the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, fully...
Senator Collett Introduces Legislation Toughening Penalties for Attacks on Employees Enforcing Public Health Guidance
Harrisburg, Pa. - August 28, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has introduced a bill memo for co-sponsorship to upgrade the assault of an employee enforcing public health guidance, such as wearing a mask or practicing social distancing, to...
PA Senate Democrats & Small Businesses Rally Behind Legislation Supporting Business Interruption Insurance Claims
Harrisburg, PA – August 27, 2020 – Today, State Senators Iovino, Street, Brewster, Schwank, and Hughes joined members of the Commonwealth’s small business community via Zoom to advocate for bipartisan legislation that would help Pennsylvania businesses file claims on...
Senator Katie Muth Asks for Pause in all Drilling Near Marsh Creek Lake, Allow for Comprehensive, Independent Investigation
Royersford, Pa. − August 27, 2020 − Senator Katie Muth called for all drilling near the spill site at Marsh Creek Lake to be halted while the Department of Environmental Protection undergoes a comprehensive, independent investigation. Calls from residents in...
Kearney Introduces “Breonna’s Law” to Ban No-Knock Warrants
HARRISBURG (August 19, 2020) – Senator Tim Kearney (D – Delaware, Chester) today introduced "Breonna's Law" to ban no-knock warrants, which allow law enforcement to forcibly enter a person's home without warning. The bill is named after Breonna Taylor, a...
Sen. Hughes announces $440K in COVID-19 small business relief grants awarded in the 7th Senatorial District
PHILADELPHIA — August 18, 2020 — A total of $440,000 in pandemic relief grants have been awarded to the businesses in the 7th Senatorial District, State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced Tuesday. The grants were awarded...
Sen. Hughes touts $50 million in hazard pay grants awarded to PA’s front-line businesses
PHILADELPHIA – August. 17, 2020 — State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced that $50 million in hazard pay grants had been recently awarded to Pennsylvania businesses through the Department of Community and Economic Development...
Legislators Call on Wolf Administration to Revoke Mariner East Pipeline Permits in Chester County
Harrisburg – August 2020 – State legislators representing five House districts and three Senatorial districts in Chester County have signed a letter to Secretary Patrick McDonnell of the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine of...
Muth, Innamorato Proposes Legislation to Protect Health, Environment
Bills would close the loophole allowing toxic drilling waste in Pennsylvania landfills Harrisburg, PA − August 13, 2020 − In the wake of a scathing Grand Jury report on the public health and environmental harms of fracking in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Sara Innamorato,...
Democratic State Legislators Host Virtual Hearing on Maternal Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg – August 12, 2020 – At the request of state Senator Judy Schwank (D- Berks) and state Representatives Morgan Cephas (D- Philadelphia) and Mary Jo Daley (D- Montgomery), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a joint virtual public hearing with...
Senator Muth Calls for Mariner East Permits to be Withdrawn, Following Multiple Dangerous Spills
Upper Uwchlan Township, Pa. − August 11, 2020 − Late yesterday afternoon, drilling fluid from a Mariner East horizontal directional drilling (HDD) site upstream of Marsh Creek State Park spilled into a tributary of Marsh Creek Lake and ultimately into the lake...
Delaware County lawmakers call for investigation into violence against Black Lives Matter supporters
HARRISBURG – August 7, 2020 – Today, a group of state lawmakers from Delaware County called for District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer to investigate violence and intimidation aimed at Black Lives Matter supporters during a march in Ridley Township on Saturday, August...
Senators Santarsiero and Yaw Ask Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to Include Funding for Well Plugging in Next Stimulus Bill
BUCKS COUNTY – August 6, 2020 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Gene Yaw (R-23), as chairs of the Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, sent a letter to all members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation requesting...
Senator Costa to Pilot Civic Engagement App, “Be the Change”
Pittsburgh, Pa. − August 4, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr will be the first elected official to participate in the civic engagement mobile application “Be The Change.” Senator Costa will be part of a several month pilot period on the new app. “Even...
State Senate Committee Holds Online Hearing on Strategies to Safely Reopen Schools
Harrisburg – August 3, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Tim Kearney (D-Chester/Delaware), Maria Collett (D-Bucks/Montgomery), Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) and Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held an online...
Senator Tartaglione and Congressman Boyle Fight for Nonprofits Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
The legislators jointly authored a letter to U.S. House leadership calling for 100% federal reimbursement of unemployment insurance costs that nonprofits incur. Philadelphia, PA – August 3, 2020 − Pennsylvania State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia),...
Senators Collett, Kearney, Muth, L. Williams Announce Bill to Suspend Per Diem Pay for Legislators During COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, Pa. - July 30, 2020 — Senators Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks), Tim Kearney (D-26 Delaware/Chester), Katie Muth (D-44 Berks/Chester/Montgomery) and Lindsey M. Williams (D-38 Allegheny County) have introduced a bill memo for co-sponsorship to suspend...
Senator Costa to Introduce Cap and Invest Bill For Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa. − July 30, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today introduced Senate Bill 15, creating a “Cap and Invest” program for the state’s electric power sector, along with the support of 17 cosponsors. “The federal government has...
Senator Santarsiero Announces Elcon Will Not Pursue Hazardous Wastewater Processing Facility in Falls Township
BUCKS COUNTY – July 24, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced today that Elcon Recycling Services will be withdrawing its applications for a proposed hazardous wastewater processing facility in Falls Township, ending a years-long fight in the...
Senators Jim Brewster & Pam Iovino Propose $100 Million COVID-19 Grant Program & Financial Relief Package for PA Restaurants & Taverns
Allegheny County, PA – July 23, 2020 – Today, State Senators Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino announced a comprehensive proposal to provide emergency relief to Pennsylvania’s restaurants and taverns, which have seen significant financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown. The seven-point plan includes a $100 million grant program to retail liquor licensees using federal CARES Act funds, as well as a suite of policy changes to financially benefit these struggling businesses.
Senator Anthony H. Williams Hosts Racial Equity Solutions Tour Kickoff Event with Special Guest Van Jones
Harrisburg – July 22, 2020 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) hosted a kickoff event for the Senate Democrat’s Racial Equity Solutions Tour. The event was held via Zoom for safety as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Van Jones, Reform...
Democratic State Legislators Host Virtual Joint Policy Committee Hearing on Worker Protections during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg – July 22, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny) and state Representatives Elizabeth Fiedler (D- Philadelphia), Patrick Harkins (D- Erie) the Senate Democratic Policy Committee...
Senator Lindsey Williams to Introduce Legislation Increasing Health Inspectors, Supporting Bar and Restaurant Industry
Pittsburgh, Pa. − July 17, 2020 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced that she will soon introduce legislation to support the hiring of COVID-19 health inspectors dedicated to ensuring compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines, allowing compliant...
Boscola Brings Redistricting Reform Proposal Before PA Senate
Bethlehem, July 16, 2020 - - Yesterday, State Senator Lisa Boscola attempted one final time to put the issue of the creation of an independent commission for legislative redistricting before the voters of Pennsylvania by offering an amendment to Senate Bill 1166,...
Senator Hughes announces $50 million hazard pay grant program for front-line workers
Philadelphia — July 16, 2020 — State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) proudly announced a $50 million fund to provide hazard pay increases to front-line workers in health care, social assistance, transit, food manufacturing, food retail,...
Senator Collett Announces $50M in Hazard Pay Grant Funding for Pennsylvania Workers
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - July 16, 2020 — Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) joins Governor Tom Wolf in announcing $50 million for the COVID-19 PA Hazard Pay Grant Program, funded by federal CARES dollars allocated by the Pennsylvania General Assembly...
Senator Lindsey Williams Announces Hazard Pay Grant Program for Front-Line Workers
Pittsburgh, Pa. − July 16, 2020 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams joined Senator Maria Collett and Governor Tom Wolf today in announcing the introduction of the COVID-19 Hazard Pay Grant Program. This Program will distribute $50 million of CARES Act funding to help...
Leach Proposes Constitutional Ban on Fracking
HARRISBURG – July 2, 2020 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today announced legislative language to create a constitutional amendment banning hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania. Leach’s announcement comes days after Attorney General Josh Shapiro...
Sens. Hughes, Haywood join PHFA to announce upcoming financial assistance program for renters and homeowners hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic
PHILADELPHIA— July 1, 2020 — State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) and Director Robin Wiessmann from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) announced a new program that will help renters and...
State Legislators Discuss a Just Recovery for Pennsylvania in Telephone Town Hall
Harrisburg – July 1, 2020 – State Senators Jay Costa (D- Allegheny) and Art Haywood (D- Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined Pennsylvania House Representatives Summer Lee (D- Allegheny) and Liz Hanbidge (D- Montgomery) for a telephone town hall hosted by the State...