Press Releases
State to Provide Big Savings to Many Workers by Not Taxing Student Loan Forgiveness
Harrisburg, Pa. – December 17, 2021 – Governor Tom Wolf announced today that Pennsylvanians will not have to pay state income tax on the student loan debt relief they get from the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program and the Pennsylvania Student Loan Relief for Nurses (SLRN) Program. The decision by the Wolf Administration will save people eligible for those programs potentially thousands of dollars in state tax.
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces Student Loan Forgiveness Programs No Longer Subject to State Income Tax
Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 17, 2021 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced today that individuals will no longer have to pay Pennsylvania state income tax on the student loan debt relief that they receive through state and federal student loan...
Senator Costa Votes for Preliminary Legislative Maps, Process Moves to Public Comment Period
Harrisburg, Pa. – December 16, 2021 − State Senator Jay Costa today voted in favor of the preliminary maps that were presented to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission (LRC). The preliminary maps were approved by the LRC and now enter a 30 day public comment...
Senator Haywood Responds to Probation Reform Vote
Harrisburg, Pa. – December 15, 2021 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement after his vote in support of Senate Bill 913, bipartisan legislation designed to reform Pennsylvania’s probation system: “This...
Senate Passes Comprehensive Probation Reform
HARRISBURG – December 15, 2021 – The Senate, today, approved probation reform measures aimed at reducing the amount of taxpayer dollars spent on the system, while better integrating probationers into society, according to Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), Senator Camera...
Senate passes bill to expand broadband access; includes responsible contractor language championed by Senator John Kane
HARRISBURG − December 15, 2021 − The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed a bill championed by Senator John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) to expand access to broadband in unserved and underserved communities. Included in HB 2071 was language Senator Kane negotiated to...
Senator Santarsiero Introduces Legislation to Help Young Pennsylvanians and Their Families Combat Eating Disorders
BUCKS COUNTY – December 15, 2021 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) has introduced SB 988, a bill to raise awareness of the devastating mental and physical effects of eating disorders. The bill would require schools to annually provide educational...
Schwank Releases Statement on Joint Fireworks Hearing
Harrisburg, PA – December 15, 2021 – After today’s joint Pennsylvania House and Senate Agricultural and Rural Affairs committee hearing on fireworks law, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th District) provided the following statement: “Today’s hearing was useful. We...
Boscola Bill to Aide Economic Recovery in Pennsylvania Approved by Senate Community, Economic, and Recreational Committee
Harrisburg − December 15, 2021 – Senator Boscola announced this morning that the Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee took action today on a piece of legislation she authored that would continue to support Pennsylvania’s economic...
Senate Passes Boscola Bill To Further Protect Bald & Golden Eagles
Harrisburg − December 14, 2021 – The Pennsylvania Senate today approved State Senator Lisa M. Boscola’s bill (Senate Bill 337) that would increase the state fine from $200 to $2,000 for killing a bald or golden eagle. “Bald and golden eagles have fought their way back...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Releases Statement on Adoption of Special Education Funding Report
Harrisburg, PA − December 15, 2021 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams released the following statement following the adoption of the General Assembly's Special Education Funding Commission report today: "We all know there is immense work to be done to support our special...
Senator Street Speaks on Gun Violence Prevention Following Philadelphia Shooting Outside His District Office
HARRISBURG – December 14, 2021 – Today, Senator Sharif Street held a press conference to address gun violence in Philadelphia and throughout the commonwealth following a shooting that took place outside his district office on Monday night, December 13th. Senator...
Boscola Bill To Further Protect Bald & Golden Eagles Reported out of Senate Appropriations Committee
Harrisburg – December 14, 2021 – The Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee today approved State Senator Lisa M. Boscola’s bill (Senate Bill 337) that would increase the state fine from $200 to $2,000 for killing a bald or golden eagle. “Bald and golden...
Wolf Administration, General Assembly Announce $11.4 Million Investment in Cold Storage Infrastructure for Food Banks
Reading, PA – December 9, 2021 − First Lady Frances Wolf joined members of the General Assembly and representatives from the charitable food network today at Mary’s Shelter in Reading to announce an $11.4 million investment in cold...
Comitta Issues Statement on Planned Closure of Jennersville, Brandywine Hospitals
WEST CHESTER − December 9, 2021 − State Senator Carolyn Comitta today issued the following statement in response to Tower Health's announcement that the sale of Jennersville Hospital and Brandywine Hospital to Canyon Atlantic will not take place. Tower Health now...
$11.4 Million for Statewide Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Announced by Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Reps. Innamorato and Kinkead, Wolf Administration, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and North Hills Community Outreach
Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 9, 2021 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) joined representatives from Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, North Hills Community Outreach, and other elected officials today for an announcement that food banks across Pennsylvania...
Muth, Saval Host Virtual Hearing on Home Repair Issues Facing PA Families
ROYERSFORD, December 8, 2021 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) to host a virtual public hearing on the need to improve,...
Senator Marty Flynn’s Inaugural Student Ambassador Program Launches Tomorrow
Scranton, PA – December 7, 202 – Senator Marty Flynn’s inaugural Student Ambassador Program begins tomorrow, bringing together 27 of the brightest, most driven students from each high school in the 22nd Senatorial District. The session starts at 9:30am at Lackawanna...
Secretary Jennifer Smith Joins Senator Kane, Delaware County Officials to Highlight Pennsylvania’s Good Samaritan Law
Media, PA – December 7, 2021 − Today, Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) Secretary Jennifer Smith joined Senator Kane, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, Representative Craig Williams, and representatives from Delaware County agencies and...
Senate Dems Discuss Evaluating and Improving Drug Treatment Centers at Policy Hearing
READING, December 6, 2021 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senators Judy Schwank and Christine Tartaglione to host a public hearing on evaluating and improving drug...
Senator Nikil Saval Announces Fair Records for Renters Legislation
Harrisburg, PA − November 29, 2021 − Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) today announced Fair Records for Renters legislation, which would rectify false eviction records data and thus eliminate a major barrier that currently prevents tens of thousands of...
Senator Collett Condemns Anti-Asian Attack on Philadelphia Students
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. − November 23, 2021 − In response to last week’s attack on four Asian American high school students on the Broad Street Line, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) would like to share the following statement: “I am deeply...
Senate Republicans Renege on Election Investigation Agreement, Hire Partisan Third Party Firm
Harrisburg, Pa. – November 19, 2021 − In direct opposition to a statement made three weeks ago, Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have hired a third-party firm to conduct its sham election investigation. In an October 20 article in Penn Capital Star, Senate Republicans...
Sen. Tartaglione Joins Gov. Wolf in Calling on the Legislature to Pass Pro-Worker Legislation
Philadelphia, PA − November 19, 2021 − State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione joined Gov. Tom Wolf as well as legislative colleagues and labor leaders today in Philadelphia to highlight the governor’s recent executive action and to call upon the legislature to...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Releases Statement Supporting Striking UPMC Workers
Pittsburgh, PA – November 18, 2021 – Senator Lindsey M. Williams released the following statement today: I’m proud to stand with the striking workers of UPMC. These Healthcare Heroes have gone far too long without fair pay, safe working conditions, affordable...
Senator Kearney to Host Diaper Drive for Local Families
SPRINGFIELD, PA – November 17, 2021 – Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), in partnership with Maternity Care Coalition, will host a diaper drive this holiday season to help local families in need. Now through December 17, people can drop off new and unused...
Senator Collett Reacts to DEP PFAS MCL Plan Announcement
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. − November 16, 2021 − Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) approved its plan to set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of two forms of Perfluoroalkyl and...
Senate Dems Discuss Worker Misclassification Issues at Policy Hearing
PHILADELPHIA − November 15, 2021 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senators Nikil Saval, John Kane, Christine Tartaglione and Lindsey Williams to host a public hearing...
Sen. Schwank to Host Telephone Town Hall on Fraud
Reading, PA – November 15 - State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) will host a telephone town hall on Thursday, November 18 at 7 P.M. on fraud prevention. The event will give constituents an opportunity to ask questions they may have about how to protect themselves...
Senator Muth Presents Local Veterans with Korean Ambassador for Peace Medals
ROYERSFORD, November 11, 2021: State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) today presented four Korean Ambassador for Peace Medals at a Veterans Day event at Tel Hai Retirement Community in Honey Brook. The veterans that were honored with the Korean Ambassador...
Schwank Comments on Senate Passage of Capital Budget Project Itemization Act
Harrisburg - November 10, 2021 - State Senator Judy Schwank (D-11th district) today announced that the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 915, the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act of 2021-2022, which includes potential funding for...
Boscola Bill To Further Protect Bald & Golden Eagles Reported out of Senate Committee
Harrisburg – November 9, 2021 – The Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries Committee today unanimously approved State Senator Lisa M. Boscola’s bill (Senate Bill 337) that would increase the state fine from $200 to $2,000 for killing a bald or golden eagle. “My bill...