Press Releases
Senate Dems Discuss Nursing Home Reforms at Virtual Policy Hearing
HARRISBURG, November 5, 2021 – Today, Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and state Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Caucus Chair, hosted a virtual public hearing today on several nursing...
Senator Flynn, Local State Representatives Show Their Support for Scranton Teachers and Paraprofessionals
Lackawanna County − November 5, 2021 − Senator Marty Flynn was joined by local state representatives today outside of the Lackawanna County Courthouse to discuss the ongoing strike of the Scranton Federation of Teachers. Flanked by a raucous crowd of Scranton School...
Senate Dems Virtual Hearing Focuses on Ending Lifetime Parole in PA
HARRISBURG, November 4, 2021 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined state Sens. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) and Judy Schwank...
Sen. Schwank Visits Berks WIC Facility, Touts the Importance of Boosting Enrollment
Reading, PA − November 4, 2021 − Yesterday, State Senator Judy Schwank (D-11th district) toured and met with the staff at the Berks Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Nutrition Center at 1110 C Rockland Street, Reading, PA 19604. WIC has improved the nutrition and...
Senator Saval Moves to End Housing Discrimination Against Pennsylvanians with Criminal Records
Harrisburg, PA − November 3, 2021 − Building from the work of generations of organizers and activists fighting housing discrimination around the country, State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) today announced the introduction of his Fair Chance Housing...
Local Leaders Gather at Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center to Call Environmental Infrastructure Funding
PHILADELPHIA – November 3, 2021 – Senators Anthony H. Williams (D-Delaware/Philadelphia), Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), and Amanda Cappelletti (D-Delaware/Montgomery) joined state Rep. Regina Young (D-Delaware/Philadelphia), the Overbrook Environmental Education...
Schwank, Adams Announce Pardon Project of Berks County
Reading, PA- November 1, 2021- Today, State Senator Judy Schwank (D-11th district) and Berks County District Attorney John Adams announced the beginning of the Pardon Project of Berks County. Pardon Projects pair individuals seeking a pardon for a past crime with a...
Senate Passes Wilding’s Law with Bipartisan Support
Harrisburg, October 26, 2021 − The Pennsylvania Senate passed Officer John Wilding’s Law (Senate Bill 814) today, which creates a new offense of “evading arrest or detention on foot.” Introduced by Senator Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) and Senator...
Bill Would Expand Access to Solar Power
Harrisburg, PA − October 26, 2021 − Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) have introduced legislation that would expand access to solar power through a local voluntary program, while ensuring adequate ratepayer protection. Senate Bill 919,...
Sen. Schwank and Sen. Vogel Announce Legislation to Protect Pennsylvania Grain Farmers
Harrisburg – October 22, 2021 – This week Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) and Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47th district) announced plans to introduce legislation that would protect farmers from grain handlers that become insolvent. Pennsylvania currently has no...
Sen. Tartaglione Praises Gov. Wolf’s Action on State Employee Protection and Wages
Philadelphia, Pa - October 21, 2021- Senator Christine M. Tartaglione, chairwoman of the PA Senate Labor and Industry Committee, today shared praise for Governor Wolf’s pro-worker agenda. The governor signed an executive order this morning calling for...
Fontana Announces Financing to Replace More Lead Tainted Water Lines
HARRISBURG, October 20, 2021 – A nearly $3 million state grant along with a low-interest loan will be used to replace hundreds of aging and lead-tainted water lines in the 42nd Senate District, Sen. Wayne Fontana announced today. The Pennsylvania Infrastructure...
Senator Kearney, Rep. Delloso to Host Free E-Waste & Shredding Event on Oct. 30
SPRINGFIELD, PA – October 20, 2021 – Senator Tim Kearney and state Rep. Dave Delloso today announced that they will jointly host a free E-Waste and Shredding Event on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Interboro High School in Prospect Park, PA from 9 a.m. until noon. This event is...
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Four Bills Out of Committee
HARRISBURG − October 19, 2021 − The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) and co-chaired by Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), held a meeting today advancing three bills focused on probation reform and a fourth related to criminal justice and...
Schwank Offers Amendment to Allow DACA Recipients to Receive Teaching Certifications
Harrisburg, PA – October 18, 2021 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-11th district) introduced an amendment to SB 224 that would authorize Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients to obtain teaching certifications in Pennsylvania. SB 224 removes barriers...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Releases Statement on Passage of HB1332 out of Senate Education Committee
Harrisburg, PA − October 18, 2021− Senator Lindsey M. Williams released the following statement today, following the passage of HB 1332 out of the Senate Education Committee by a vote of 7-4 along party lines: "HB1332 is an unfunded mandate aimed squarely at fueling...
Senator Kearney Announces $50K Grant for Local Community Association in Upper Darby
SPRINGFIELD, PA – October 14, 2021 – Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) today announced Bywood Community Association, Inc. (BCA) of Upper Darby has been approved for a $50,000 Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) grant to assist with a community...
Senators Street and Laughlin Introduce First Bi-Partisan Bill to Legalize the Adult Use of Cannabis in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA − October 12, 2021 − State Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and State Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) introduced bipartisan legislation this week to legalize the adult use of marijuana in Pennsylvania. The bill establishes rational and...
Senators Cappelletti and Santarsiero, Senate co-chairs of the PA SAFE Caucus, Respond to Pennsylvania Joining Multi-State Effort to Prevent Gun Violence and Enhance Public Safety
Harrisburg, PA − October 7, 2021 − Senators Steve Santarsiero and Amanda M. Cappelletti, Senate Co-chairs of the bicameral PA SAFE Caucus applauded Governor Tom Wolf’s announcement today regarding the agreement that allows law enforcement agencies from...
Tartaglione Hosts Senior Expo for More than 100 Seniors
Philadelphia Pa. − October 7, 2021 − More than 100 seniors, direct caregivers, and vendors attended the first of three Senior Expos hosted by Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia). The expo was organized and hosted by Sen. Tartaglione at the St. Anne’s Rectory...
Senator Muth to Host Free Veterans’ Expo on October 30
ROYERSFORD, October 6, 2021 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) today announced that she will host a free Veterans Expo on Saturday, October 30 for veterans in Senate District 44. Senator Muth’s Veterans’ Expo is an opportunity for veterans of all...
Brewster Praises Land Deal for McKeesport Medical Cannabis Site
McKeesport, PA – October 6, 2021 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today praised the completion of a nearly 37-acre land deal that will expand a medical cannabis cultivation site in the Industrial Center of McKeesport. Regional Industrial Development Corporation of...
Senator Muth Releases Statement on Environmental Crimes Charges Filed by AG
ROYERSFORD, October 6, 2021 - State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) today released the following statement in response to Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s presentment that charged Energy Transfer and its subsidiary Sunoco Pipeline L.P., with 48...
Senator Kearney Issues Statement, Praises Pa. AG Shapiro for Filing Charges Against Energy Transfer Partners
SPRINGFIELD, PA – October 5, 2021 – I applaud Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s decision to criminally charge Energy Transfer Partners with environmental crimes for their disastrous pipeline construction. Today’s announcement is a step toward justice and signals...
Senate Dems Virtual Hearing Focuses on Legislation to Better Accommodate Working Pregnant Pennsylvanians
HARRISBURG, October 5, 2021 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined state Sens. Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware) and Judy Schwank (D-Berks) to host a virtual...
Comitta: $750,000 Available in Environmental Education Grants
WEST CHESTER − October 4, 2021 – State Senator Carolyn Comitta reminded schools, colleges, nonprofit community and environmental organizations, county conservation districts, and businesses that $750,000 in state grant funding is available for eligible...
Comitta Calls for Halt to Mariner East Pipeline Project
WEST CHESTER – October 5, 2021 – State Senator Carolyn Comitta, Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement that Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro is filing criminal...
Brewster: PLCB Critics Conjure Another Round of Weak Brew
Harrisburg, October 4, 2021 – State Sen. Jim Brewster, Democratic Chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, issued the following statement regarding recent action by the state Liquor Control Board to limit purchases of certain alcohol products and the resulting...
Senator Tartaglione Hosts Members of the Suicide Prevention Alliance
Harrisburg, PA − October 1, 2021 − This week, Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D- Philadelphia) hosted members of the Suicide Prevention Alliance at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Sen. Tartaglione met with the Suicide...
Policy Committee Hears Support for Closing Hazardous Waste Loopholes
HARRISBURG – September 30, 2021 – Earlier today, State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Montgomery/Chester/Berks), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, along with Rep. Innamorato (D-Allegheny) hosted a policy hearing on legislation that would close the hazardous...
Senator Collett Unveils New Initiative to Support PA’s Nursing Workforce
Harrisburg, Pa. - September 28, 2021 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks), joined by Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam, PHEAA Vice Chair Senator Wayne Fontana, and Democratic Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee Senator Vincent Hughes, today...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Issues Statement on Passage of Dangerous School Mask “Opt-Out” Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. − September 28, 2021 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams issued this statement today, following the passage of Senate Bill 846, sponsored by Senators Doug Mastriano and Judy Ward, out of the Senate Education Committee. SB846 would permit parents and...