Press Releases
Senator Cappelletti Shares Resources For Constituents In Senate District Seventeen Following Hurricane Ida
Norristown, PA − September 17, 2021 − Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D, Montgomery, Delaware) shared the following with her constituents today. Following Hurricane Ida, which has caused significant damage to the homes, assets, and other property of constituents,...
Senator Tartaglione Hosts Governor Wolf in Kensington to Discuss New Strategies for Fighting Opioid Crisis
Philadelphia, PA – September 16, 2021 – At the request of state Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), Governor Tom Wolf, state leaders, and local stakeholders visited Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood today to assess the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic and to discuss new strategies for ending the crisis while revitalizing the community.
Senator Kearney Issues Statement Opposing PA GOP’s Election Investigation & Subpoena Requests
SPRINGFIELD, PA – September 16, 2021 – As a public official entrusted with protecting your voice and your vote, I do not support the PA GOP’s most recent election inquiry or subpoenas that provide access to and put at risk Pennsylvania voters’ private information,...
Senate Democrats to Take Legal Action Against Overreaching Republican Subpoena and Corrupt Election Investigation
Harrisburg – September 15, 2021 – Following today’s Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee hearing, of which had one agenda item- Consideration of a motion to authorize the issuance of subpoenas- Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Chair of the Intergovernmental Operations Committee, Anthony H. Williams, and committee members Vincent J. Hughes and Steve Santarsiero held a press conference to discuss legal action they will take to challenge Republican members’ call for confidential data from the Department of State, including a complete list containing the names, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and last four digits of social security numbers of all registered voters within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as of May 1, 2021.
Sen. Fontana Issues Statement on “Non-Answers” from VisitPITTSBURGH
Allegheny County – September 10, 2021- State Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement after the hearing held this week of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee regarding legislation authorizing new...
Senator Jay Costa Issues Statement on PA Election Investigation and Unlawful Subpoenas
Harrisburg, PA − September 10, 2021 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today issued the following statement in response to President Pro Tempore’s Jake Corman’s announcement on 2020 election investigation: "Senate Democrats stand for protecting an individual’s right...
Senate Dem Members of Intergovernmental Operations Committee Question Why Senate Republicans are Misusing Committees & State Resources
Harrisburg – September 9, 2021 – The Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee held a hearing today to allegedly examine the PA Department of State's evolving guidance to counties during the monumental 2020 general election. Testimony today from the Chairman of...
McClinton, Muth, Toohil Introduce Bipartisan Legislation for a Statewide Tracking System for Sexual Assault Evidence
HARRISBURG, PA September 9, 2021 − State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) and state Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) today introduced legislation to establish a statewide tracking system for sexual assault evidence administered jointly by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Department of Health.
Senator Muth, PA Office of Open Records to Host Virtual Right to Know Workshop
ROYERSFORD, September 3, 2021 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) today announced that she will partner with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records to host a Virtual Right to Know Workshop on Thursday, September 23 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Zoom. The...
Senator Santarsiero Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting Women’s Reproductive Rights
BUCKS COUNTY – September 3, 2021 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced today that he has signed onto an amicus brief that will be filed later this month in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org., a challenge to Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban,...
Brewster Asks Leaders to Schedule Vote on Perks Reform
McKeesport, September 2, 2021 – State Sen. Jim Brewster has written to Pennsylvania’s legislative leaders asking for a September vote on his perks reform package, including elimination of ‘per-diem’ payments. In a letter dated August 19, the key lawmaker, who has...
Sen. Fontana Statement on Statewide Mask Mandate
Allegheny County – September 1, 2021 – Sen. Wayne Fontana today released the following statement on the Wolf Administration’s action regarding masks in schools: “In ordering masking for Pennsylvania students, teachers, and staff, the Wolf Administration has taken a...
Comitta Applauds RGGI Approval
HARRISBURG − September 1, 2021 – State Senator Carolyn Comitta, Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, today issued the following statement upon the Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission’s 3-2 vote on final approval...
Senator Santarsiero Reacts to K-12 Mask Mandate
BUCKS COUNTY – August 31, 2021 – The following statement is attributable to State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), in response to the order issued today by the Pennsylvania Department of Health mandating masking in K-12 schools: “The goal we all share is for students...
Senator Muth Announces E-Recycling Event and Food Drive
ROYERSFORD, August 31, 202 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) today announced that she will host a free E-Recycling Event and Food Drive for residents of Senate District 44 on Sunday, September 19 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The event, hosted in...
Senator Collett Reintroduces Patient Safety Act to Improve Care & Support PA Nurses
Harrisburg, Pa. − August 30, 2021 − Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) announced the reintroduction of the Patient Safety Act to set safe nurse-to-patient limits in Pennsylvania hospitals. SB 240 will set appropriate staffing ratios based on...
On the One-Year Anniversary of Sunoco Spill, Sen. Muth & Rep. Friel Otten Condemn Sunoco, DEP for Lack of Remediation at Marsh Creek Lake
CHESTER COUNTY − August 11, 2021 - Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of Sunoco’s massive spill of drilling fluid at its Mariner East 2 pipeline construction site near Marsh Creek State Park. On August 10, 2020, Sunoco spilled approximately 8,000 gallons of...
PA Senate Dems Host Policy Hearing on Solitary Confinement in PA
Harrisburg – August 10, 2021 - At the request of Senator John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware) and Representative Tina Davis (D- Bucks), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hybrid in person and virtual public hearing to discuss the use of solitary...
PA Senate Dems Host Policy Hearing on the Healthcare Workforce Crisis in PA
Harrisburg – July 21, 2021 - At the request of Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Sen. Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), Sen. Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), & House Representative...
With a Just Cause and Clear Vision, Street Joins Biden to Defend Democracy
Philadelphia, PA − July 13, 2021 − On Tuesday, July 13th Senator Sharif Street was among guests invited to join President Biden at the National Constitution Center to defend the right to vote. Senator Street offered the following statement on President Biden’s visit:...
PA Senate Dems Hold Policy Hearing on Statewide Barriers for the Transgender Community
Harrisburg – June 29, 2021 - At the request of Senators Amanda Cappelletti (D- Delaware/Montgomery), Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware) and Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing during Pride...
Senator Kearney Votes ‘No’ for the 2021-22 State Budget
HARRISBURG, PA − June 29, 2021 − State Senator Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware) issued the following statement on his decision to vote ‘No’ for the state budget: “Last Friday, just before midnight, the Pennsylvania legislature passed the 2021-2022 state budget. While...
Fontana Lauds Boost for Film Industry Jobs in 2021-22 Budget
HARRISBURG – June 28, 2021 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana today praised the inclusion in Pennsylvania’s final budget changes to the Film Production Tax Credit that will recognize the popularity of short-series streaming shows and help producers apply the tax credits to...
Senator Street’s Statement on Budget Passage
Harrisburg, PA − June 26, 2021 − The Pennsylvania state budget for the upcoming year is deficient at many levels, leaving more than $5 billion of unspent American Rescue Plan funds at a time when every level of society is in desperate need. Ultimately it received my...
Senator Haywood Announces State Budget Funding and Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. – June 26, 2021 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) announced today that Harrisburg lawmakers approved the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. “As our communities recover from COVID-19 and its many...
Senator Boscola Votes For State Budget
HARRISBURG, PA − June 25, 2021 − State Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton) today issued the following statement on her decision to vote for the state budget: “This budget may not have included everything I wanted but without a tax increase it makes...
Hughes Statement on Budget Passage
Harrisburg, PA − June 25, 2021 − Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes issued the following statement tonight regarding the 2021-2022 state budget: “The budget that is being passed today makes progress in a number of areas. From extra school...
Senator Kane Statement on Budget Passage
June 25, 2021 − Chester, PA − Senator John Kane issued the following statement on the 2021-22 budget: "Today, I voted for the proposed budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year. This budget does some good things -- an additional $300 million for education, increased funding...
Senator Flynn Votes Yes on State Budget Funding and Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. – June 25, 2021 – State Senator Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) has voted in support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 that was approved today. “The approved budget represents a compromise between our five...
Brewster: Budget Deadline Won’t End Fight for Education Equity
HARRISBURG, June 25, 2021 – With help for pandemic-stricken Pennsylvanians falling far short of needs, state Sen. Jim Brewster said today he voted to approve Pennsylvania’s state budget because it meets one of his priorities: getting help to struggling Pennsylvanians...
Senator Collett Reacts to Pennsylvania’s 2021-22 Budget
Harrisburg, Pa. - June 29, 2021 — Late Friday night the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget and related code bills, which are currently awaiting Governor Wolf’s signature. Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks, Democratic...
Senator Tartaglione Votes for New $38 Billion PA Spending Plan, Opposes Administrative & School Code Bills
Philadelphia, PA – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) voted in support of the $38 billion Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget adopted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly today, but voted against accompanying Administrative Code and School Code legislation....