Press Releases
Schwank Applauds Senate Vote to Expand Absentee Voting Rights
Harrisburg, October 30, 2019 – All Pennsylvania voters would be able to vote by mail under legislation approved Monday by the Pennsylvania Senate. The bill includes language proposed by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district), who has been a leading advocate for...
Senate Approves Major Boscola Voting Reform Bill that Includes No Excuse Mail-in Option
Harrisburg, PA − October 29, 2019 − The state Senate today voted 35 to 14 in favor of a Senator Lisa Boscola’s bill (Senate Bill 421) that modernizes Pennsylvania’s antiquated voting laws and provides greater access for voters. The omnibus bill, which Boscola...
A. Williams Introduces Legislation to Allow Municipalities to Authorize Supervised Injection Sites
Harrisburg – October 29, 2019 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (Delaware/Philadelphia) has introduced Senate Bill 933 which would allow municipalities to authorize by ordinance or resolution the operation of a supervised injection site. The legislation also lays out...
Senator Costa to Introduce Legislation Reforming Campaign Finance, Improving Transparency
Harrisburg, Pa. − October 25, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today circulated a memo to his colleagues in the Senate seeking cosponsors on legislation that would reform Pennsylvania’s campaign finance laws and ensure better transparency and...
Dinniman, Kearney Discuss Support for Brain Injury Community
HARRISBURG − October 23, 2019 – Pennsylvanians living with traumatic and acquired brain injuries came to the state capitol this week to share their stories of survival, recovery, and hope. State Senator Andy Dinniman, who serves as co-chair of the Senate Brain...
Senator Hughes announces Senate Bill 913 aiming to create a housing trust fund for abuse victims, survivors
HARRISBURG – October 24, 2019 – State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) unveiled his bill that would create a housing trust fund to increase resources for programs that provide housing access to victims fleeing abusive situations, such as domestic...
Leach Introduces Bail Reform Legislation
HARRISBURG – October 22, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today introduced legislation that would end pretrial detention for those who fail to post bail. “There are nearly half a million Americans who are in jail even though they haven’t been...
Legislators Introduce Local Solar Program in House and Senate
Harrisburg, Pa − October 22, 2019 − A bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators along with advocates and utility providers came together in Harrisburg today to announce plans for a local solar program. “In my district, I have seen a huge spike in folks interested in...
Dinniman Shares Results of Study on Delayed School Start Times
HARRISBURG (October 17, 2019) – State Senator Andy Dinniman shared today the results of a comprehensive sleep study advocating for the delay of secondary school start times. The study was conducted by a special Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission...
Senators Santarsiero, Iovino, Hughes and Brooks to Introduce Legislation to Protect Healthcare Rights of Pennsylvanians
HARRISBURG − October 15, 2019 − In an effort to protect the healthcare rights of Pennsylvanians in the event the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is overturned through judicial actions at the federal level, state Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10), Pam Iovino (D-37), Vincent...
Senator Iovino To Introduce Legislation To Improve PA School Safety By Restoring School Police Officer Authority
Harrisburg, PA – October 8, 2019 − Today, Pennsylvania State Senator Pam Iovino (D - Allegheny & Washington) expressed her intention to introduce legislation that would make Pennsylvania schools safer by restoring arrest, detention, and citation powers to school...
Climate Caucus Praises Governor’s Proposal to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
HARRISBURG − October 3, 2019 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representative Steve McCarter (D-154), co-chairs of the bipartisan, bicameral Climate Caucus, along with vice-chair state Representative Carolyn Comitta (D-156) offered praise for Governor...
Senator Costa Applauds Governor’s Move on Environmental Protection, Pledges to Continue the Fight in the Legislature
Pledges to Continue the Fight in the Legislature
Harrisburg, Pa. − October 3, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. applauded Governor Tom Wolf’s move today to instruct the PA Department of Environmental Protection to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
RGGI is a market-based collaboration among nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change while generating economic growth.
Leach Proposes Constitutional Ban on Fracking
HARRISBURG – October 1, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today announced legislation to create a constitutional amendment banning hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania. “My staff and I have toured fracking sites all over this commonwealth and...
Senator Anthony H. Williams Named to Special Council on Gun Violence
Harrisburg, PA – September 18, 2019 – Governor Tom Wolf this week appointed Senator Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia) to serve as a member of the Special Council on Gun Violence. The Special Council was established by the Governor’s Executive Order...
Muth Hosts Hearing on Ending the Rape Culture Epidemic
Phoenixville – September 20, 2019 – Sen. Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) joined victim-survivors, advocates, and lawmakers for a Democratic Policy Hearing on ending the rape culture epidemic. Muth requested and hosted the hearing with Sen. Tim Kearney...
Sen. Kearney Announces Plans to Protect Children from Being Confronted by Their Abusers
SPRINGFIELD – September 16, 2019 – Sen. Tim Kearney (D – Delaware, Chester) will introduce legislation to fix a serious oversight in state agencies' administrative proceedings that allows accused child abusers to cross-examine their victims. The proposed...
Leach Statement re. Mariner East Pipeline
HARRISBURG, PA – August 23, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today issued the following statement regarding the Mariner East Pipeline following Governor Wolf’s Thursday visit to a part of the pipeline route: “Hearing from the...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces Appointment to the Public Higher Education Funding Commission
Pittsburgh, Pa. – August 20, 2019 – Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced her appointment to the Public Higher Education Funding Commission on the recommendation of Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) earlier this month. This Commission was created as a...
Senator Santarsiero Calls for Legislative Action After Governor Wolf Signs Executive Order to Address Gun Violence Epidemic
HARRISBURG − August 16, 2019 −After Governor Wolf signed an executive order aimed at curbing gun violence in Pennsylvania, state Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), co-chair of the PA Safe Caucus, called on legislative leaders in the state...
Sen. Hughes releases statement supporting Gov. Wolf’s executive order to reduce gun violence, calls for majority leaders to act on existing gun legislation
Philadelphia, PA − August 16, 2019 − State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement supporting Gov. Tom Wolf’s executive order to reduce gun violence: “As a result of some excellent policing along with a few miracles, no police...
Senator Street Offers Legislation to Restrict Military Grade Weapons in wake of Philadelphia Shooting
Philadelphia, PA − August 15, 2019 – Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), today joined Philadelphia Mayor Ji Kenney, Senator Bob Casey, Congressman Evans and Philadelphia Police Commissioner Ross along with a host of elected officials from every level of government...
Brewster Welcomes Gov. Wolf’s Charter Reform Initiative
Harrisburg – August 15, 2019 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that he welcomed Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal to change Pennsylvania’s charter school law and institute reforms through administrative action. “The governor has...
State Senator Larry Farnese Statement on Philadelphia Police Officers’ Shooting
Philadelphia, PA − August 15, 2019 − Senator Larry Farnese released the following statement on police officers' shooting last night in North Philadelphia: “Last night's shooting in North Philadelphia was devastating and we were reminded those who serve in our police...
Muth Joins PA Safe Caucus, Continues Call for Special Session on Gun Violence Epidemic
Royersford, August 7, 2019 – Sen. Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) is continuing her call for the governor and legislators to return to Harrisburg to address the gun violence epidemic. On Wednesday, Muth joined the bicameral PA Safe Caucus and supported a...
Sen. Tim Kearney Calls for Special Session on Gun Violence, Extremism
SPRINGFIELD − August 6, 2019 − Members of the PA SAFE Caucus, a bicameral group of legislators dedicated to reducing all types of violence, today sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf to call for a special joint session to address gun violence and violent ideology. “The...
Senator Farnese Echoes Call of PA SAFE Caucus, Asks For Special Session
Philadelphia, Pa. − August 6, 2019 − Following the weekend’s rash of gun violence across the nation, and the epidemic of gun deaths plaguing Pennsylvania, Senator Larry Farnese has joined a bicameral group of legislators calling for a special session to address...
Sen. Hughes joins Gov. Wolf at announcement for $4.3 million to improve conditions at Philadelphia school buildings
PHILADELPHIA – July 31, 2019 – Governor Tom Wolf is providing $4.3 million in state funding for lead paint stabilization at Philadelphia school buildings. The governor was joined by members of Philadelphia’s legislative delegation, School District of...
Joint Statement On Wolf Administration Efforts To Increase Protection of Vulnerable Populations
HARRISBURG — July 31, 2019 — In response to Governor Wolf’s announcement of Executive Order 2019-05 and directives intended to increase protection of vulnerable populations, Senator Lisa Baker (R-20th) and Senator Judy Schwank (D-11) said they were pleased the...
Amazon Announces New Fulfillment Center in Findlay Township
Pittsburgh, PA − July 30, 2019 − Today, Senator Pam Iovino applauded and welcomed Amazon’s expansion into the 37th Senatorial District – a 1,000,000 square-foot non-sortable fulfillment center in Findlay Township, Allegheny County. The $30 million investment will bring to the 37th Senatorial District 800 full-time jobs with a starting wage of $15 per hour and comprehensive benefits.
Hughes Submits Comment on U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Proposed Changes to SNAP program
July 26, 2019 – Philadelphia – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) wrote the U.S. Department of Agriculture Friday to oppose a proposal to end automatic eligibility requirements that could cut Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)...
Sen. Iovino Brings State Senate Committee to Pittsburgh for Veterans’ Services Hearing
PITTSBURGH, July 23, 2019 – At the request of Senator Pam Iovino (D-Allegheny/Washington), the state Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a public hearing on the coordination and delivery of veterans’ services in Pennsylvania. “Those of us serving in...