Press Releases
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Votes for PA Budget, Highlights Timeliness and Major Education Investments
Harrisburg, Pa. – June 25, 2021 – Pennsylvania State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today voted in support of the state budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22. The final budget package included bipartisan and bicameral compromises, but Senator Costa highlighted several...
PA Approves $30 Million for Community Violence Prevention Programs
Harrisburg, Pa. – June 25, 2021 – The Pennsylvania Legislature has allocated $3o million dollars for community violence prevention programs in the approved 2021-2022 fiscal year budget. The Block Grants will be managed by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and...
Senate Republicans refuse to consider campaign finance amendments to HB1300
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 25, 2021 − Today on the PA Senate floor, Senate Republicans refused to consider a campaign finance amendment offered by Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. He introduced the amendment to House Bill 1300, a piece of legislation that Republicans...
Senate Democrats Offer Restaurant & Tavern Recovery Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. – June 21, 2021 − After Republicans failed to pass a clean, bipartisan bill to extend mixed drinks to go for restaurants and taverns, the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats are introducing legislation that will provide the opportunity for bars, taverns and...
Statement: Senator Santarsiero Applauds Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare
BUCKS COUNTY − June 17, 2021 − The following statement is attributable to Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in response to the United State Supreme Court Decision on the Affordable Care Act: “Today’s Supreme Court decision in California v. Texas sends a clear...
Education Advocates Push Fontana ‘Nellie Bly’ Tuition Aid Program
HARRISBURG, June 15, 2021 – A diverse group of education advocates joined state Sen. Wayne Fontana today to urge passage of Fontana’s legislation to create the “Nellie Bly Scholarship Program” aimed at easing financial burdens to keep Pennsylvania students in...
Comitta, Herrin Introduce RGGI Investments Act to Benefit the Environment and Economy
HARRISBURG − June 14, 2021 – As Pennsylvania moves forward towards reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions by participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), Governor Tom Wolf today joined state Senator Carolyn Comitta and state Rep. Dianne...
Boscola Statement on Vote to Extend the Tools Needed to Address the COVID Crisis
Harrisburg − June 10, 2021 - Today, I voted in support of both HB854, extending waivers needed to address the COVID crisis as a matter of legislation, and HR 106, ending the emergency declaration. As I cast these votes, I viewed my decision as an opportunity to...
House & Senate Democrats Join Gov. Wolf to Call for Investing in Schools, Delivering Equity for all Students
HARRISBURG, June 8, 2021 – House and Senate Democrats and advocates for students from across the state joined Gov. Tom Wolf to call for investing half of the $3 billion in above-expected state revenue into improving schools for students statewide, and fully...
Senator Collett Reiterates Need for Immediate Action to Set PFAS Standards Following DEP Sampling Results
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. − June 3, 2021 − Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the final results of their statewide Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) sampling efforts. “For decades, my constituents unknowingly...
PA Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing on Improving Care in Nursing Homes
Harrisburg – June 2, 2021 – At the request of Senators Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), and Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee...
Members of the Women’s Health Caucus Host 4th Trimester Awareness Day Press Conference to Support Mothers and Families throughout Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA − May 27, 2021 −State Senator Katie Muth (44th Senate District) and members of the Pennsylvania Women's Health Caucus hosted a virtual press conference to highlight Senate Resolution 74 that would recognize May 26, 2021 as Fourth Trimester Awareness Day...
Legislators Reaffirm their Commitment to Protecting Access to Abortion Hosted by PA Women’s Health Caucus
HARRISBURG, PA − May 25, 2021 − Chairs, members, and advocates of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC) gathered today to reaffirm their commitment to protecting abortion access in response to the recent anti-abortion hearings in the Pennsylvania House...
Senator Street Statement on the One Year Anniversary of George Floyd’s Murder
Philadelphia, PA − May 25, 2021 – On the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death Senator Street offered the following statement on the progress of police reform in the Pennsylvania General Assembly: “Today marks a full year since the murder of George Floyd. There...
PA Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing on OSHA Protections for Public Employees
Harrisburg – May 20, 2021 - At the request of Senator Tina Tartaglione (D- Philadelphia), Democratic Chair of the Senate Committee on Labor & Industry, the Pennsylvania Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing to discuss Senate Bill...
PA Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing on the Impact of the State System of Higher Education Redesign Plan
Harrisburg – May 17, 2021 - At the request of state Senators Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing on the impact of the Pennsylvania state system of higher...
PA Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing on Systemic Housing Insecurity
Harrisburg – May 14, 2021 - At the request of state Senators Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware) and Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing on housing and the unhoused in Pennsylvania. “Everyone...
Pa Senate Democrats Introduce $6 Billion “New Deal for PA” plan
HARRISBURG – May 12, 2021 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats today proposed an aggressive $6 billion plan that provides the opportunity and tools that the citizens of PA can use to recover from the pandemic, according to Sen. Wayne Fontana “Our plan includes creating...
PA Senate Democrats Introduce Spending Plan for $7 Billion in Federal American Rescue Plan Funds – The New Deal For PA
Harrisburg, Pa. – May 12, 2021 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats unveiled the “New Deal for PA” – a $6.15 billion investment of federal funds coming to the Commonwealth pursuant to the American Rescue Plan. The New Deal for PA focuses on Jobs, Opportunity,...
PA Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing on Legionella Prevention
Harrisburg – May 5, 2021 - At the request of Pennsylvania State Senators Wayne D. Fontana (D- Allegheny) and John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual policy hearing on Legionella prevention in Pennsylvania and the concern...
PA Women’s Health Caucus Responds to Today’s Dangerous Anti-Abortion Hearing in the House Health Committee
Harrisburg, PA − May 4, 2021 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC), Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery, Delaware), Representative Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and Representative Mary Jo Daley...
Senators Santarsiero, Collett Announce Legislation to Give Attorney General Concurrent Jurisdiction in Environmental Crimes
BUCKS COUNTY – April 30, 2021 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Maria Collett (D-12) today announced legislation to allow the state Attorney General to more directly investigate and pursue polluters, and others who damage our land, waterways and...
Fontana Home-Ownership Initiative Cleared for Full-Senate Vote
HARRISBURG - April 28, 2021 – An initiative originally introduced by state Sens. Wayne Fontana and Bob Mensch to boost first-time home ownership has cleared a key committee and is headed again to the full Senate for a vote. The plan will allow individuals and their...
Sen. Tartaglione Brings COVID Vaccine Clinic to Frankford
Philadelphia, PA – April 23, 2021 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) welcomed hundreds of constituents to The Baptist Worship Center in Northeast Philadelphia’s Frankford neighborhood today for a free pop-up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. The senator...
PA Senate Dems Hold Policy Roundtable to Discuss Bright Future of Labor & Clean Energy
Harrisburg – April 22, 2021 - At the request of Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual round table discussion on the future of clean energy development and clean energy jobs in...
Senators Santarsiero, Haywood, Comitta Announce Legislation to Expand Pennsylvanian’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Ahead of Earth Day
BUCKS COUNTY – April 21, 2021 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10), Art Haywood (D-4) and Carolyn Comitta (D-19) announced today during a virtual press conference that they will be introducing SB 300, a bill to expand the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio...
Senator Santarsiero to Introduce Legislation to Expand Ballot Drop Box Access
BUCKS COUNTY – April 6, 2021 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced today that he will be introducing legislation to make voting easier for Pennsylvanians. The legislation, called the Safe Drop Act, requires counties provide a minimum of one...
Senators Amanda M. Cappelletti, Katie Muth and State Representative Chris Rabb Announce Bold Step with #Go100PA Legislation for Climate Change
Harrisburg, PA − April 3, 2021 − Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D- Montgomery, Delaware) and Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks, Chester, Montgomery) announced companion legislation with State Representative Christopher Rabb (D-Philadelphia) that would put Pennsylvania on...
Senator Collett Responds to Vaccine Rollout Acceleration & Additional Doses Coming to SEPA
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - March 31, 2021 — Today, the Department of Health (DOH) and COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force announced an accelerated vaccine timeline for Pennsylvania and an updated allocation plan for J&J vaccines. Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks)...
PA Senate Democrats Hold Hearing on the Effects of COVID-19 on PA Housing Crisis
Harrisburg – March 31, 2021 - At the request of state Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), and Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing on the effects...
PA Senate Democrats Joined House Democrats for Net Neutrality Policy Hearing
Harrisburg – March 29, 2021 - At the request of state Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D- Delaware/Montgomery) and state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D- Philadelphia), chair of the House Sub-Committee on Progressive Policies for Working Families, the Pennsylvania Senate and House...
Senator Santarsiero Announces Democratic Lawmakers Motion Granted to Intervene in DRBC Lawsuit
BUCKS COUNTY – March 29, 2021 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) held a virtual press conference last week to announce the Democratic Senators’ motion to intervene in Yaw v. Delaware River Basin Commission was granted by the judge on Friday, March 19, 2021....