Press Releases
PA Senator Vincent Hughes Issues Statement on Passage of Republican “Big” Bill in the US Senate
July 1, 2025 – Today, Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, issued the following statement in response to the passage of President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” in the US Senate. If the legislation now passes in the US House of...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Laments Passage of Trump Domestic Policy Package, Implores Pennsylvanians to Call Congress
HARRISBURG, PA − July 1, 2025 − On Tuesday, the US Senate passed President Trump’s landmark domestic policy package by a vote of 51-50, sending it back to the US House of Representatives before it goes to the President’s desk. This bill will slash funding to...
Senate Democrats Continue to Sound Alarm on Catastrophic Impacts of Trump’s Reconciliation Bill on Healthcare, Hospitals, and Food Access Across Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, PA − June 30, 2025 − On Monday, June 30, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus gathered in the East Wing Rotunda to draw attention to the urgency of stopping Trump’s domestic policy bill from becoming law. In its current form, the bill poses an existential threat to Medicaid, SNAP, and rural hospitals across Pennsylvania.
Yaw, Miller to Introduce Bill Limiting Use of PFAS in Firefighting Foam
HARRISBURG – June 30, 2025 – State Senators Gene Yaw (R-23) and Nick Miller (D-14) announced plans today to introduce bipartisan legislation that would limit the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Urges Full Funding of Program to Support Senior Nutrition and Local Farmers
Pittsburgh, PA − June 30, 2025 − Earlier this month, Senator Lindsey M. Williams and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation expressing their significant concerns over the dramatic reductions and delays in...
Sen. Tim Kearney Urges PA Legislature to Fund Transit to Reverse SEPTA’s Approved Cuts
MEDIA, PA – June 27, 2025 – Yesterday, SEPTA’s board adopted a budget that will terminate half of its transit service and increase fares, due to the continued uncertainty around state support in the upcoming budget. Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) made the following...
ALLENTOWN, PA – June 26, 2025 − Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh-Northampton) announces that beginning on June 30, the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program to accelerate the Commonwealth’s permitting, licensing, certification...
Senator Nick Miller and Senator Rosemary Brown to Introduce “Warehouse Solar” Legislation to Lower Energy Costs and Expand Renewable Energy
HARRISBURG, PA – June 25, 2025 − Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh-Northampton) and Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-Lackawanna/Monroe/Wayne) will soon introduce legislation to address energy affordability for consumers. The proposed legislation would establish a commercial and...
Lawmakers and Advocates Rally for Passage of Manufactured Home Legislation
Harrisburg, PA — June 25, 2025 — Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Rep. Liz Hanbidge (D-Montgomery) joined the Coalition of Manufactured Home Communities of Pennsylvania and the Community Justice Project today to advocate for legislation that would protect manufactured...
Senators Tracy Pennycuick, Lindsey Williams’ PA GI Bill Improvements Pass Committee; Head to Full Senate for Vote
Harrisburg, PA − June 24, 2025 − Today, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee unanimously advanced legislation aimed at strengthening and modernizing Pennsylvania’s Educational Assistance Program and the Military Family Education Program....
Senate Passes Lifesaving, Bipartisan Breast Cancer Imaging Legislation
HARRISBURG – June 24, 2025 − With broad bipartisan support, the Senate today approved legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s no-cost breast cancer screening law by ensuring diagnostic imaging is fully covered, removing financial barriers for patients. Sponsored by Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) and Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Bill 88 builds on the success of Act 1 of 2023, which provided no-cost preventive screenings for those at high risk.
Senator Lisa Boscola Celebrates the Full Implementation of Several Multistate Health Care Compacts in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG – June 23, 2025 – State Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) today applauded the Shapiro Administration’s announcement that Pennsylvania will fully implement the multistate licensure compacts for nurses, physicians, and physical therapists beginning...
Sen. Collett & Local Leaders Rally for Public Transit Funding, Urge Senate Republicans to Act
Lansdale, Pa. − June 17, 2025 − PA State Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Democratic Caucus Chair) stood with State Representative Steve Malagari (D-53 Montgomery), Lansdale Borough Councilwoman Rachael Bollens, Transit for All PA!’s Connor Descheemaker, and...
Sen. Nick Miller, Boys and Girls Club Allentown, and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Host a Youth Fishing Day
Allentown, PA − June 13, 2025 − Today, Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton), alongside the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, organized a Youth Fishing Day at the Li’l-Le-Hi Trout Nursery. This event offered young...
Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Committee Hosts Second Hearing Regarding Worker Protections
PITTSBURGH, PA − June 12, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a second hearing to continue the dialogue on what is needed to safeguard Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and economy through a skilled and dependable workforce. ...
State Senator Patty Kim Named 2025 Pennsylvania PBS Champion of Lifelong Learning
HARRISBURG, PA − June 12, 2025 − State Senator Patty Kim has been selected as one of eight recipients of the 2025 Pennsylvania PBS Good Neighbor Award which recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to public broadcasting and educational...
Senator Vincent Hughes’ Prescription Drug Cost Transparency Legislation Passes the Pennsylvania Senate
Harrisburg, PA – June 12, 2025 – On June 10, 2025, Senate Bill 95 passed the Senate with a unanimous vote. The Senate Bill included Amendment A00975, introduced by Senator Hughes, that would require pharmacies in Pennsylvania to disclose cost information about...
Senator Tartaglione Applauds House Passage of HB 1549, Legislation to Raise Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage
Philadelphia, PA − June 12, 2025 – Senator Christine Tartaglione (D–2, Philadelphia) issues the following statement following the House passage of HB 1549, legislation sponsored by Representative Dawkins to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania: “I want to...
Senator Nick Pisciottano Announces Unanimous Confirmation of Former Senator Jim Brewster to the PA Liquor Control Board
Harrisburg, PA, June 11, 2025 – State Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) today announced the unanimous confirmation of former State Senator Jim Brewster to serve on the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB). Brewster’s nomination was unanimously advanced out of...
Senator Malone Rallies with Home Care Workers to Back Investment in Participant-Directed Care
HARRISBURG, PA – June 10, 2025 − Today, State Senator James Malone rallied with colleagues, the United Home Care Workers of PA, and patients in the Capitol rotunda to support Governor Shapiro’s proposed investment in participant-directed caregivers. The $21 million...
Senate Labor and Industry Committee Unanimously Passes Legislation to Protect Construction Workers from Misclassification
HARRISBURG, PA − June 10, 2025 − The Senate Labor and Industry Committee today unanimously passed Senate Bill 72, legislation that strengthens protections for construction workers who are misclassified as independent contractors. The bill, sponsored by Senators Kane,...
Senator Sharif Street in Partnership with the African American Male Wellness Agency Hosted Black Men’s Wellness Day at Temple University
5K Walk/Run, Health Screenings, Networking & More to Promote Black Men’s Health and Wellbeing PHILADELPHIA, PA − June 10, 2025 − Senator Sharif Street, in partnership with the African American Wellness Agency, Temple University Community Affairs and Engagement,...
Senators Jay Costa and Camera Bartolotta Reintroduce Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Legislation
HARRISBURG, PA – June 9, 2025 − Today, State Senators Jay Costa and Camera Bartolotta reintroduced legislation to prevent Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) in Pennsylvania’s docks and marinas. ESD has become the catch-all phrase to encompass all in-water shock casualties...
Senator Nick Miller and Senator Lisa Baker’s Electronic Payroll Modernization Bill Advances Out of Committee
June 9, 2025 – Today, the state Senate Labor and Industry Committee unanimously voted to move forward Sen. Nick Miller’s (D-Lehigh-Northampton) electronic payroll modernization legislation, Senate Bill 581, co-introduced by Sen. Lisa Baker...
Hundreds of Transit Riders, Advocates, Labor Leaders, and Businesses Rallied at the Capitol to Call for Dedicated State Funding to Restore and Stabilize Transit Across PA
Harrisburg, PA − June 4, 2025 − Today, as the General Assembly returned to session this week in the run-up to the passage of the 2025–2026 state budget, hundreds of transit riders, advocates, labor leaders, and businesses convened at the state Capitol to rally for full funding for transit across Pennsylvania.
Senate Santarsiero Welcomes Champion Wrestlers, Sement and Williams, to Harrisburg
BUCKS COUNTY – June 4, 2025 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) yesterday welcomed two state champion wrestlers from his district to the Capitol, Eren Sement of Newtown Township and Chase Williams of Buckingham Township. “These two incredible athletes have...
State Legislators Announce PA Home Preservation Program in Bipartisan Effort to Tackle Pennsylvania’s Housing Crisis
Responding to the enormous need revealed from the implementation of previous home repairs programs, the PA Home Preservation Program will increase the resources available to support critical health and safety repairs for low- and moderate-income homeowners. ...
Senator Nick Miller Walks-a-Day in the Life of a Homecare Worker – Advocating for Governor Shapiro’s Proposed $21 Million Investment in Participant-Directed Home Care
Sen. Miller sits with Lynn and Brandon at their home in Allentown, PA on May 28, 2025 Allentown, PA – May 28, 2025 − Senator Nick Miller joined Lynn Weidner, a consumer-directed home care worker, and her consumer, Brandon Kingsmore to get a firsthand look at the...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Responds to Trump Post on Partnership between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel
HARRISBURG, PA – May 23, 2025 − Earlier today, President Trump posted about a “partnership” between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement in response: “As soon as a deal between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel...
State Legislative Delegation, City of Harrisburg, Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, and Capital Region Economic Development Corporation Announce Downtown Revitalization Planning Effort
HARRISBURG, PA − May 23, 2025 − Today, Senator Patty Kim, and Representatives Nate Davidson, Dave Madsen, and Justin Fleming announced a partnership with the City of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA), and Capital Region Economic...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Encourage PA Senate Republicans to Speak Up as “Big Beautiful Bill” Clears US House of Representatives
HARRISBURG, PA – May 22, 2025 − This morning, Republicans in the US House of Representatives passed a budget bill that will result in 15 million Americans losing their health insurance and 3 million American families losing access to healthy food. Senate Democratic...
“Planting Seeds” with Senator Sharif Street Podcast Sheds Light on PA Cannabis Legalization Battle
PHILADELPHIA − May 22, 2025 – On a recent episode of "Planting Seeds," with Senator Sharif Street produced by Cannabis Radio and sponsored by Ethos Cannabis, the podcast interviewed Representative Rick Krajewski about Pennsylvania’s ambitious House Bill 1200,...