Press Releases
Senator Haywood’s Statement on Denying Pennsylvania a Just Recovery
Philadelphia – November 20, 2020 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement on the state budget: “The budget plan introduced yesterday denies Pennsylvania a just recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked...
Sabatina: Karen’s Law Passed House by a Vote of 168-33
Harrisburg – November 18, 2020 − Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) announced his Karen’s Law legislation cleared its last hurdle in the General Assembly passing the House on concurrence by a vote of 168-33. The bill passed in the Senate 46-3 in October. It now goes to Governor Wolf’s desk to be signed into law. Wolf is expected to sign the bill.
Schwank and Rozzi Hosted Free ACA Event for Constituents
Reading, November 18, 2020 – State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) and State Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-126th district) hosted a free Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment event at the Muhlenberg Township Building on Wednesday, Nov. 18. During the event, healthcare...
Senator Hughes praises the University of Pennsylvania’s $100 million pledge to address facilities needs in Philadelphia schools
Philadelphia, PA − November 17, 2020 − State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement after the University of Pennsylvania announced its $100 million pledge to the School District of Philadelphia for remediation of...
Senator Muth Announces Virtual Healthcare Enrollment Event
Royersford, PA − November 13, 2020 − State Senator Katie Muth (D - Chester, Montgomery, Berks) announced that her office will be hosting two virtual health care enrollment events to help constituents through the process of selecting an insurance plan through the new...
Senator Santarsiero Defends Integrity of Pennsylvania Elections, Calls for Unity
HARRISBURG – November 13, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) called on all elected officials – Democrats and Republicans alike – to reject publicly the claim that there was fraud in the process leading up to the November 3rd election and in the...
Sen. Costa responds to partisan calls for election review
Harrisburg, PA − November 12, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. released the following statement regarding the partisan calls for election review done by the General Assembly: There has been no evidence of fraud and there's no reason for this additional...
PA Senate Democrats Announce Series of Virtual Health Care Enrollment Events
Statewide, Pa. − November 9, 2020 − Pennsylvania Senate Democrats today announced a series of virtual health care enrollment events to help constituents through the process of selecting an insurance plan through the new Pennsylvania state exchange, Pennie. The...
Senators Costa & Hughes Slam Republican Inaction on Federal CARES Funds
HARRISBURG – October 29, 2020 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Senator Vincent Hughes and members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today slammed House and Senate Republicans for recessing the General Assembly until mid-November without passing legislation to drive out Pennsylvania’s remaining $1.3 billion in federal CARES funds to Pennsylvanians suffering the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Etna EcoDistrict Wins Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
Etna, PA — October 22, 2020 — On October 13, 2020, the Borough of Etna and the Etna Community Organization (ECO) jointly received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence from the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection on behalf of the Etna...
Sabatina: Karen’s Law Passed by a Vote 46-3
Bill will move forward as House Companion Bill (HB-1538 White) Harrisburg, October 21, 2020 − Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) announced Karen’s Law passed in the Senate by a vote of 46-3. The House companion bill (HB-1538 – White) will be the official...
Senator Haywood Highlights Harassment of Black Students at PASSHE Schools, Questions Chancellor in Senate Hearing
Harrisburg, Pa. − October 21, 2020 − Today in a hearing of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Art Haywood shared stories he had learned from Black students at the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities and blasted PASSHE Chancellor Dan...
Sen. Anthony H. Williams to Introduce Resolution Requiring Only Budget Legislation be Voted on During Sine Die Sessions
Harrisburg – October 19, 2020 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams has begun circulating a co-sponsorship memoranda for a Senate Resolution to limit voting during a sine die session of the Senate to budget-related matters only. “The people of Pennsylvania will be...
PA Senate Democrats Unveil Plan to Spend $1.3 Billion in Remaining Cares Funds
Harrisburg − October 16, 2020 − Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today outlined a plan to spend the remaining $1.331 billion in CARES money that Pennsylvania received as part of a federal assistance package earlier this year.
Tartaglione Applauds New Overtime Regulations Granting 200,000 PA Workers Additional Protection
Philadelphia, PA – October 6, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione applauded new overtime rules published in The Pennsylvania Bulletin on October 3 that require all Pennsylvania employers to pay time-and-a-half wages to employees who earn less than $45,500 a year and who log more than 40 hours in a workweek.
Tartaglione Provides Update on COVID-19 Relief Funding for Small Businesses in and Around the 2nd District
Philadelphia, PA – October 6, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione today announced that 258 small businesses in and around the 2nd Senate District have received or will soon receive a combined $4.5 million in COVID-19 relief funding through Statewide Small Business Assistance (SBA), a $225 million program created by the General Assembly in May through its comprehensive PA CARES legislation.
Gov. Wolf Announces Additional $96 Million for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced that an additional $96 million in state grants have been approved for 5,373 Pennsylvania small businesses that were impacted by the business closure order due to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Businesses in...
Democratic Lawmakers Host Hearing on Electricity Outages, Reliability, and Preparedness
Harrisburg – September 29, 2020 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing today at the request of Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D- Bucks) to focus on electricity outages, reliability and preparedness. “At the end of the day, we need to...
Sen. Hughes announces additional $20 million in COVID-19 grants for Philadelphia’s small business
PHILADELPHIA – September 24, 2020 – State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) applauded the City of Philadelphia’s announcement that it would provide additional grant funding for small businesses in the city Thursday afternoon. The City of Philadelphia...
Democratic Lawmakers Host Hearing on Growing Popularity of Outdoor Recreation During Pandemic
Harrisburg – September 15, 2020 – At the request of Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing on ways to help manage and support the growing public interest in outdoor recreation during the pandemic.
Philly Black Clergy Joins Senator Street & State/City Leaders for GOTV Event Amid Voter Suppression
Philadelphia, PA – September 15, 2020 – Today Senator Sharif Street joined members of the Philadelphia Black Clergy and state and local leaders to emphasize the importance of free and open elections amid COVID-19 as the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is poised to rule on...
Democratic Lawmakers Host Hearing on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Arts, Cultural, and Historical Institutions of PA
Harrisburg – September 14, 2020 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing to focus on issues impacting the arts, cultural and historical institutions across Pennsylvania.
Senate Committee Unanimously Advances Tartaglione-Costa Legislation to Fund PA Higher Education Institutions
Philadelphia, PA – September 9, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee today advanced legislation sponsored by State Senator Christine Tartaglione and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa that would allocate $130 million in federal CARES Act funding to help higher education institutions in the Commonwealth manage financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brewster’s Effort to Expand Restaurant Seating Capacity Wins Senate Committee Approval
McKeesport – Sept. 8, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster’s (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) effort to safely increase indoor and outdoor seating for bars and restaurants moved forward today as the Senate Law and Justice Committee approved legislation to expand...
Boscola Advises UC Claimants that Federal Lost Wage Assistance Program to Begin Making Payments Starting September 10th
Bethlehem (September 4, 2020) − State Senator Lisa M. Boscola stated today that the Commonwealth will begin making payments through the federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program to claimants on Thursday, September 10, 2020. Individuals who apply and qualify will...
Sen. Muth Supports Ensuring Mortgage Servicers’ Compliance with Federal Cares Act to Protect Homeowners
Royersford, PA, September 3, 2020 – Sen. Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) Minority Chair of Housing and Urban Affairs, and the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, fully...
Senator Collett Introduces Legislation Toughening Penalties for Attacks on Employees Enforcing Public Health Guidance
Harrisburg, Pa. - August 28, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has introduced a bill memo for co-sponsorship to upgrade the assault of an employee enforcing public health guidance, such as wearing a mask or practicing social distancing, to...
PA Senate Democrats & Small Businesses Rally Behind Legislation Supporting Business Interruption Insurance Claims
Harrisburg, PA – August 27, 2020 – Today, State Senators Iovino, Street, Brewster, Schwank, and Hughes joined members of the Commonwealth’s small business community via Zoom to advocate for bipartisan legislation that would help Pennsylvania businesses file claims on...
Senator Katie Muth Asks for Pause in all Drilling Near Marsh Creek Lake, Allow for Comprehensive, Independent Investigation
Royersford, Pa. − August 27, 2020 − Senator Katie Muth called for all drilling near the spill site at Marsh Creek Lake to be halted while the Department of Environmental Protection undergoes a comprehensive, independent investigation. Calls from residents in...
Kearney Introduces “Breonna’s Law” to Ban No-Knock Warrants
HARRISBURG (August 19, 2020) – Senator Tim Kearney (D – Delaware, Chester) today introduced "Breonna's Law" to ban no-knock warrants, which allow law enforcement to forcibly enter a person's home without warning. The bill is named after Breonna Taylor, a...
Sen. Hughes announces $440K in COVID-19 small business relief grants awarded in the 7th Senatorial District
PHILADELPHIA — August 18, 2020 — A total of $440,000 in pandemic relief grants have been awarded to the businesses in the 7th Senatorial District, State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced Tuesday. The grants were awarded...
Sen. Hughes touts $50 million in hazard pay grants awarded to PA’s front-line businesses
PHILADELPHIA – August. 17, 2020 — State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced that $50 million in hazard pay grants had been recently awarded to Pennsylvania businesses through the Department of Community and Economic Development...