Press Releases
Sen. Kearney Issues Statement on Gov. Wolf’s Proposed Budget
HARRISBURG (February 3, 2021) – Senator Tim Kearney (D – Delaware/Chester), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed 2021 budget. After a year of hell for Pennsylvania families and our...
Sens. Costa, Hughes Respond to Gov. Wolf’s 2021-22 Budget Proposal
HARRISBURG — February 3, 2021 — Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) jointly responded to Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2021-22 Budget Address with a...
Democratic State Senators Reintroduce Bills to Protect Quality, Stable Health Care in PA
HARRISBURG – January 28, 2021 – State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Maria Collett (D-Montgomery/Bucks), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), and Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), reintroduced package of bills to ensure Pennsylvanians maintain quality, stable...
Senator Hughes responds to Gov. Wolf’s 2021 agenda, plan to address broken and toxic schools
PHILADELPHIA – January 28, 2021 – State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to get Pennsylvania back on track after the COVID-19 pandemic: “I am grateful to Gov. Tom Wolf for this...
Senator Tartaglione, Congressman Boyle Detail Efforts to Raise Minimum Wage for PA and Nation
Philadelphia, PA – January 27, 2021 – Pennsylvania’s minimum wage workers haven’t received a substantial pay raise in more than 14 years. Today, State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) and U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pennsylvania) detailed their efforts to raise the minimum wage for the Commonwealth and for the nation as new legislative sessions commence in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.
PA Senate Democrats Hold Hearing on Raising the Minimum Wage for PA in Honor of MLK Day of Service
Harrisburg – January 18, 2021 - At the request of State Senators Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), and John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware) the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing on...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Responds to Federal Court Ruling in Favor of Senator Brewster
Pittsburgh, Pa. — January 12, 2021 — Senator Lindsey M. Williams released the following statement: “Seat Senator Brewster now.”
Senate Democrats Respond to Federal Court Ruling in Senator Brewster’s Race
Pittsburgh, Pa. — January 12, 2021 — Today, U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan issued a ruling in favor of seating the rightful winner of the 45th senatorial district – Senator Jim Brewster, and upholding the counting of ballots as certified by the...
Senator Hughes calls on Pa. Senate GOP to seat Senator Brewster following federal court ruling
PHILADELPHIA — January 12, 2021 — State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement after U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan validated the 2020 Election win of state Senator Jim Brewster...
PA Senate Democrats Host PA Dept. of Corrections Sec. Wetzel & Others for Hearing on Impact of COVID-19 on Prisons
Harrisburg – January 7, 2020 − At the request of state Senators Anthony H. Williams (D- Delaware/Philadelphia) and Sharif Street (D- Philadelphia) the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing on the impacts of COVID-19 on the communities, employees and inmates related to our state prison system.
Senate Republicans Reject Efforts to Make the PA Senate More Effective and Transparent
Harrisburg, Pa. − January 5, 2021 − Today, Senate Republicans rejected efforts by Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester, Montgomery, Berks), and the Democratic caucus to reform the Senate operating rules and procedures in ways...
State Legislators Push for Eviction, Foreclosure Protections Ahead of Looming Deadline
HARRISBURG – January 4, 2021 – State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) were joined by State Representatives Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia) and Sara Innamorato (D-Allegheny) in a call to extend eviction and...
Senator Jay Costa, Jr. Statement on the Passing of Representative Mike Reese
Pittsburgh, PA − January 2, 2021 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on the passing of Representative Mike Reese: "I am devastated to learn of the passing of our House colleague Mike Reese. On behalf of the Senate Democratic...
Sen. Hughes issues statement following Gov. Wolf initiating $145M transfer of funds to support PA small businesses
PHILADELPHIA – December 23, 2020 – State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf announced a transfer of $145 million from the commonwealth’s Workers’ Compensation Fund Security Fund at the...
Senator Tartaglione Applauds Wolf’s Proposal to Make $145 Million Available for Small Business Relief
Philadelphia, PA – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) applauded today’s announcement by Governor Tom Wolf of his intent to transfer $145 million from the state’s Workers’ Compensation Security Fund into the General Fund so that they may be reallocated for pandemic-related small business relief. Senator Tartaglione also urged her General Assembly colleagues to grant the legislative authorization required to appropriate the funds as grants to small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic.
Senator Collett Urges Governor Wolf to Restore Funding to Struggling Early Childhood Education Providers
Harrisburg, Pa. - December 22, 2020 — Yesterday, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks), in collaboration with Public Citizens for Children & Youth (PCCY) and the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus, asked Governor Wolf and the Administration to resume their...
Senate Democrats Correct Record on Housing Assistance Program
Pennsylvania − December 22, 2020 − Pennsylvania Senate Democrats seek to correct the record regarding the failure of the General Assembly to address housing insecurity due to COVID 19. Recent press coverage has outlined that $108 million of $175 million intended...
Senator Santarsiero Urges County, Township and School District to Reauthorize KOIZ, Paving Way for Job Creation in Falls Township
BUCKS COUNTY – December 17, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) is urging local elected officials to follow the state’s lead and act this month to bring thousands of new jobs to Lower Bucks County. Sen. Santarsiero said Bucks County, Falls Township...
Pa Senate Democrats Congratulate Senator Brewster on his Victory and Welcome his Return to the Caucus
Harrisburg, Pa. − December 16, 2020 − Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announced that Senator Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) has officially won reelection to the 45th Senatorial District, according to the official certification from the Pennsylvania...
Senator Brewster Announces Pandemic Relief Funds
McKeesport – December 8, 2020 – State Senator Jim Brewster today announced the following state tax credit monies for COVID-19 relief and community development initiatives. “I was pleased to support this initiative that will help our communities overcome some of the...
Tartaglione, PA Senate Democrats Unveil $4 Billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Plan
PA CARES 21 would assist families, workers, businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions, first responders, local governments, and other entities that have been devastated financially by the pandemic. Philadelphia, PA – December 4, 2020 − State...
Senators Lindsey M. Williams and Katie Muth to Introduce PennDOT Funding Legislation; Protect 240,000+ PA Jobs
Pittsburgh, Pa.− December 2, 2020 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester, Montgomery, Berks) announced that they will soon introduce legislation authorizing PennDOT to borrow the funding needed to continue ongoing large...
Senator Hughes announces forthcoming proposal for no-cost COVID-19 vaccine coverage in PA
PHILADELPHIA— December 1, 2020 — Pointing to the need to protect public health and to ensure Pennsylvanians have access to the COVID-19 vaccine it becomes available to the public, state Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced plans for a new...
Statement: Senator Steve Santarsiero Responds to Senate Republican Policy Hearing on 2020 Election
BUCKS COUNTY – November 25, 2020– The following statement is attributable to Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in response to the Senate Republican Policy Committee Hearing on November 25, 2020: “Today, Pennsylvania Senate Republicans will hold a hearing into...
PA Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa statement on the Senate Republican Policy Hearing featuring Rudy Giuliani and President Trump
Pittsburgh, PA − November 25, 2020 − PA Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa released the following statement on the Senate Republican Policy Hearing featuring Rudy Giuliani and President Trump: “If Senate Republicans want to entertain conspiracy theories from Rudy...
Senator Muth: Why I voted ‘NO’ on Pennsylvania’s 2020-2021 Supplemental Budget
Harrisburg, PA − November 24, 2020 − State Senator Katie Muth (D - Chester, Montgomery, Berks) voted against the nearly $11 billion supplemental budget shortly before 8 pm on Friday evening. The partial spending plan completed the current year’s $36.5 billion...
Senator Boscola Votes Against State Budget Bill
BETHLEHEM, November 20, 2020 — State Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton) today issued the following statement on her decision to vote against the state budget bill: “I voted against the budget. I do not often do this, but this budget is wrong....
Senator Kearney Votes Against State Budget
HARRISBURG (November 20, 2020) – Senator Tim Kearney (D – Delaware/Chester) joined 17 other members of the Pennsylvania Senate in voting against the 2020-21 state budget. During his remarks on Friday evening, Kearney explained his decision to vote against the budget:...
Sen. Brewster Votes for State Budget Bill
McKeesport – November 20, 2020 – State Senator Jim Brewster today issued the following statement on the final 2020-21 state budget: “With the dire impact of the pandemic as the backdrop, I am pleased that the legislature was able to hold the line on taxes while fully...
Sen. Blake Statement on Passage of Final 2020-21 State Budget
HARRISBURG, November 20, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today released the following statement regarding passage of a $35 billion state budget which accounts for the final seven months of the fiscal year that were not addressed in May. The...
Senator Collett Reacts to Pennsylvania’s 2020-21 Supplemental Budget
Harrisburg, Pa. - November 20, 2020 — Tonight, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed SB 1350 and HB 2536, the 2020-2021 Supplemental Budget, and will be sending them on to Governor Wolf for enactment. Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) voted against the...
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. on the PA Budget
Harrisburg, PA − November 20, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. released the following statement on the PA Budget: “This is not the budget we wanted. It’s not a budget that provides enough assistance to those struggling with the economic woes caused...