Press Releases
Senator Haywood Demands Immediate Action from Mayor Kenney to Stop Gun Violence in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA – January 20, 2022 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) called on Mayor Jim Kenney (D-Philadelphia) to take six immediate actions to stop gun violence in Philadelphia and save lives. In an email sent to Mayor Kenney, Senator...
Senate Democrats Discuss Recovery and Treatment Issues at Virtual Policy Hearing
HARRISBURG, January 20, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) and Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) to host a...
Hughes, Wolf Announce New Funding for Gun Violence Prevention
PHILADELPHIA − January 20, 2022 − State Sen. Vincent Hughes was joined in West Philadelphia today by Governor Tom Wolf, gun violence victims and violence prevention providers to announce a $15 million increase in funding to further support grassroots prevention...
Hughes: Corman Letter ‘Cheap Political Stunt’ and Voter Suppression
Harrisburg, PA − January 19, 2022 − On the floor of the state Senate today, Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia, responded to attempts by Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre, to nullify the results of Philadelphia’s District Attorney election of ten weeks ago when the incumbent won re-election with 69 percent of the vote.
Senator Costa Appoints Senator Kearney to PA Senate Democrats’ Leadership Team
Senator Kearney has been named Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee
Harrisburg, Pa. – January 19, 2022 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today announced the appointment of Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) to Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee.
Senator Marty Flynn Appointed Democratic Chair of PA Senate Transportation Committee
Harrisburg, PA – January 19, 2022 – Yesterday, State Senator Marty Flynn was appointed as Democratic Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee. “I look forward to working with both my Democratic and Republican colleagues to ensure Pennsylvania...
Comitta, Sappey, Herrin Announce $2.1 Million for Chester County Hospital
WEST CHESTER − January 18, 2022 – State Senator Carolyn Comitta, state Rep. Christina Sappey, and state Rep. Dianne Herrin announced today that they have secured more than $2.1 million in total state funding to support expanding inpatient and emergency department...
Sen. Anthony Williams Statement on Charges of Officers Involved in the Death of Fanta Bility
Philadelphia – January 18, 2022 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) released the following statement following the announcement that the officers involved in the shooting death of Fanta Bility will be charged: “Today represents a moment of hope as we...
Senate Democratic Caucus to Continue Service to Former Senator Sabatina’s District
Harrisburg, Pa. − January 18, 2022 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announced that the constituents of now-former Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) will continue to be served by the Senate Democratic Caucus while they await the election of their new...
Press Conference on Racist Comments Made by Penn Professor Held by Sen. Anthony H. Williams & Local Officials
Philadelphia – January 13, 2022 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) and numerous local officials and activists hosted a press conference today to discuss the racist comments made by tenured University of Pennsylvania Law professor, Amy Wax. “I am...
Sen. Street’s Statement on President Biden’s Call to Defend US Democracy
Philadelphia, PA − January 11, 2022 − Today President Biden forcefully advocated for protecting the foundation of American democracy, the right to vote and have that vote counted in a free, fair, and secure election free from partisan manipulation. He stood in...
Sen. Hughes & Allies Rally to Condemn January 6th Insurrection and Defend Democracy
Philadelphia, January 6, 2022 – Today, State Senator Vincent Hughes (D- Montgomery/Philadelphia) hosted a press conference to remember and condemn the horrific events that took place on January 6, 2021 at the United States Capitol. “We are here to never forget, and to...
Sen. Wayne Fontana Commends Local Firms for Innovative Automated Vehicle Technology, Touts New Legislation
Pittsburgh – January 6, 2022 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D- Allegheny) visited Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Institute at Mill 19 to join officials in unveiling legislation to safely support the innovative technologies of automated vehicles, and to...
Senator Santarsiero Reacts on One-Year Anniversary of Insurrection at U.S. Capitol
BUCKS COUNTY – January 6, 2022 – The following statement is attributable to State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) on the one-year anniversary of the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol: “January 6, 2021, a date, like a handful of others in American...
State Sen. Anthony H. Williams Releases Statement on Deadly & Tragic Fairmount Fire
Philadelphia – January 5, 2022 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams makes a statement about the tragic fire and deaths in Fairmount. “The loss of these 13 people, seven of whom were children, is absolutely devastating to me personally and to this city as a whole. My deepest...
Sen. Street’s Statement on Tragic Fire “Housing Scarcity Must Be Addressed”
Philadelphia, PA − January 5, 2022 − Senator Sharif Street released the following statement following his visit with family at the site of this morning’s tragic fire in the Fairmount community that killed 13 people: “I, like many, am filled with remorse following this...
City & Community Leaders Honor Victims & Survivors of Gun Violence, Urge Gun Safety Ahead of New Year Celebrations
PHILADELPHIA – December 30, 2021 – City and community leaders on Thursday memorialized the lives lost and forever traumatized by gun violence in Philadelphia and urged gun owners to exercise basic common sense ahead of New Year’s celebrations. Pennsylvania...
Senator Santarsiero Highlights 2021 Service to District, Local and Legislative Achievements
BUCKS COUNTY – December 30, 2021 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) today shared a year-end recap of the 10th Senate District, highlighting his office’s commitment to supporting local businesses and municipalities, providing quality constituent services,...
Sen. Muth Announces Nearly $1.9 Million in DCNR Grants for SD44 Projects
ROYERSFORD, December 30, 2021: State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) today announced that six communities in Senate District 44 received nearly $1.9 million in state grant funding to create new recreational opportunities and conserve natural spaces. The...
Senator Kearney, Delco Elected Officials Collect More than 3K Diapers and Other Baby Items to Help Local Parenting Families
Senator Tim Kearney, and state Reps. Mike Zabel, Jennifer O’Mara, and Gina Curry delivered over 3,000 diaper donations and other baby items to the Upper Darby Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Clinic on Tuesday. SPRINGFIELD, PA – December 23, 2021 – Senators Tim...
Senator Street Applauds Signing of Bill to Expand High-Speed Broadband Internet in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG – December 22, 2021 – Today, Senator Sharif Street lauded the signing of Pennsylvania House Bill 2071, a bi-partisan piece of legislation that will establish the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA), a task force focused on expanding...
Sen. Anthony H. Williams Commends Broadband Expansion in PA
Philadelphia – December 22, 2021 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams announced today that House Bill 2071, now Act 96 of 2021, has been signed by the governor to create the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. This is the first official broadband entity in state...
Senator Tartaglione Joins State and City Officials to Celebrate New Courts and Toddler Playground at Tarken.
PHILADELPHIA – December 20, 2021 − State Senator Christine Tartaglione was joined by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR), Councilmember Cherelle Parker (9th District), and Representative Jared Solomon’s Office, to celebrate the opening of new basketball and...
Brewster: Important Deadline Looms for Property Tax or Rent Help
HARRISBURG – December 20, 2021 –The deadline to apply for relief from property tax and rent costs is quickly approaching, State Senator Jim Brewster reminded constituents today. Older adults and people with disabilities have until Friday, December 31 to apply for...
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...