Press Releases
Senators Anthony H. Williams and Camera Bartolotta Unveil Probation Reform Legislation with Broad, Bipartisan Support
HARRISBURG − January 28, 2019 − On Monday afternoon, Senators Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) and Camera Bartolotta (R-Beaver, Greene and Washington) hosted a press conference to introduce Senate Bill 14, comprehensive probation reform legislation. They were...
Senator Lindsey Williams Urges PA Charter School Appeal Board to Deny Catalyst Academy Appeal
HARRISBURG - January 22, 2019 - Senator Lindsey Williams joined education advocates and representatives of One Pennsylvania, Education Rights Network, Pennsylvania Interface Impact Network, and the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers today to urge the Pennsylvania...
Senator Haywood and Community Sponsors Host Raise the Wage Rally at McDonald’s to Advocate for Minimum Wage Increase
PHILADELPHIA – January 22, 2019 – On Martin Luther King Day, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined community sponsors POWER, the Unitarian Society of Germantown, Raise the Wage PA!, activists, and advocates for a Raise the Wage Rally. To...
Sen. Blake, Rep. Flynn & Rep. Mullins Discuss Financial Recovery Status Declaration for Scranton School District
HARRISBURG, January 16, 2019 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) and State Representatives Marty Flynn and Kyle Mullins today announced that the Scranton School District has been issued a declaration of Financial Recovery Status by the Pennsylvania...
Dinniman Announces New Low-Cost Loan Program for Pa. College Students
WEST CHESTER - January 14, 2019 – State Senator Andy Dinniman encouraged prospective college students who may be applying for financial aid this year to consider the new PA Forward Student Loan Program. The PA Forward State Grant Program provides low-cost,...
State Senators Write Banks Asking Institutions to Help 12,000 Federal Employees Working Without Pay
HARRISBURG, January 10, 2019 – On behalf of the 12,000 Pennsylvania federal employees, contractors and subcontractors who are not receiving a paycheck during the partial federal government shutdown, Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Senator...
Dinniman, Killion Introduce Comprehensive Pipeline Legislative Package
WEST CHESTER, January 2, 2019 – State Senators Andy Dinniman and Tom Killion announced today that they have introduced a comprehensive legislative package aimed at reforming Pennsylvania’s pipeline regulatory process to improve safety at schools and in local...
Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Protect Health Care for Pennsylvanians
HARRISBURG, December 20, 2018 –The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus continues its fight to protect the major tenets of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) through two legislative proposals that would ensure comprehensive, quality and...
Senators Haywood and Hughes Host Fair Housing Community Roundtable to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act
Philadelphia, December 12, 2018 - Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined State Senator Vincent Hughes (D- Montgomery/Philadelphia), activists, advocates, and community organizations for a roundtable discussion on the Fair Housing Act...
State Senate Committee Holds Hearing in Philadelphia on Hair Braiding Licensure
PHILADELPHIA, December 12, 2018 – At the request of state Senator Anthony H. Williams (D-Phila./Delaware), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing in Philadelphia on the senator’s proposal to do away with the cosmetology school licensing...
State Senate Committee Holds Hearing in Pittsburgh on Climate Change
HARRISBURG– November 28, 2018 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing in Pittsburgh on local and state efforts to address climate change. The full policy hearing can be viewed...
Costa Endorses Report of Commission that Examined Fire and Emergency Services Issues
Harrisburg – Nov. 28, 2018 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Allegheny) released the following statement regarding the adoption of the report from a select commission that examined issues impacting fire and emergency services. Costa served as a member...
State Senate Committee to Hold Hearing in Pittsburgh on Global Warming
HARRISBURG, November 21, 2018 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold a hearing in Pittsburgh next week on local and state efforts to address climate change. “In the absence of federal leadership...
Sen. Haywood Celebrates Disarming Protection from Abuse Violators with Advocates
HARRISBURG, November 16, 2018 — Sen. Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement in connection with the passage of HB2060 that disarms Protection from Abuse (PFA) violators. “I want to congratulate the advocates, legislators, and...
Sen. Boscola re-elected to Chair Senate Democratic Policy Committee
HARRISBURG, November 14, 2018 -- State Senate Democrats today unanimously re-elected Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh) to chair the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. “I am proud to have the support of my senate caucus colleagues and look forward to...
Senator Sabatina: Increased Access for Seniors Seeking Prescription Drug Assistance
PHILADELPHIA, October 24, 2018 – Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) said today that the newly enacted Act 87 would expand the income limits for older Pennsylvanians who qualify for the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier...
Sen. Hughes, Rep. Schweyer Push to Protect Health Care for People with Pre-existing Conditions
HARRISBURG, October 16, 2018 – Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) was joined by Representative Pete Schweyer (D-Lehigh), Representative Tony DeLuca (D-Allegheny), Representative Helen Tai (D-Bucks) and Representative Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) Tuesday...
Dinniman, Coatesville Community Discuss Importance of Juvenile Justice & Alternative Programs
COATESVILLE, October 11, 2018 – State Senator Andy Dinniman recently joined officials from local and state police departments to recognize National Juvenile Justice Week. “Juvenile justice providers fulfill a vital mission in holding involved youth...
Sabatina Applauds Passage of Karen’s Law in Senate Judiciary Committee
HARRISBURG, October 3, 2018 – Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) is pleased that his legislation Senate Bill 1023, also known as Karen’s Law, was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation passed with a 14-0-1 vote. “Karen’s Law has been a...
Sen. Costa statement on HB2060, protections for victims of domestic violence
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Pittsburgh) release the following statement on HB2060: Today is an historic day. We have finally passed substantive legislation to protect the victims of domestic violence, and it goes to Governor Wolf for his signature. HB 2060...
Bipartisan Coalition & 400 Advocates join Senator Sharif Street in Support of Senate Bill 942, Reforming Parole in PA
HARRISBURG, October 3, 2018 – PA Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) was joined by over 400 advocates, led by the Coalition to End Death by Incarceration and a bipartisan coalition to pass Senate Bill 942 which empowers the Parole Board to review life sentences in...
Senator Fontana Receives Dewey Award for Environmental Work
PITTSBURGH, September 27, 2018 – Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Pittsburgh) this evening received the Clean Water Action organization’s “Dewey Award.” The award is granted to individuals who are proven champions of the environment within their community. “Throughout my...
Sextortion Legislation Passes Pennsylvania Senate
HARRISBURG, September 26, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate today approved a bill introduced by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny) to criminalize the coercion of sexual conduct. Senate Bill 1134, which Schwank and Vulakovich...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Submits Written Testimony to EPA on Fuel Economy Standards
PITTSBURGH, September 26, 2018 --- The Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting in Pittsburgh today regarding a proposal to eliminate fuel economy standards on vehicles; Senator Costa submitted written testimony in opposition as he was unable to...
Dinniman: Efforts Underway in Harrisburg to Silence Pipeline Critics
HARRISBURG - September 25, 2018 – There is an ongoing and organized effort in Harrisburg to marginalize and villainize any organizations who raises safety concerns or opposition to the growing network of natural gas pipelines crisscrossing Pennsylvania, state...
Senate Committee Approves Dinniman’s Resolution to Study Later H.S. Start Times, Student Sleep
HARRISBURG-September 25, 2018 – The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved state Senator Andy Dinniman’s resolution calling for a study on the benefits and impacts of instituting later start times to the school day in secondary schools. “We know that our...
State Legislators Unveil Police and Community Relations Reform Legislation
HARRISBURG, September 25, 2018 --- Following the death of Antwon Rose, Jr. earlier this year, and other incidents around the state and nation, state legislators began work on legislation regarding police management and community relations. Today, Senators Jay Costa,...
Fontana Supports Legislation to Provide Justice for Child Abuse Victims
HARRISBURG, September 24, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today urged his legislative colleagues to pass legislation that would expand the state’s statute of limitations, enabling more child sexual abuse victims to seek justice. “Considering the harrowing...
Farnese Introduces Legislation to Bolster Voter Pre-Registration for Youth
HARRISBURG – September 24, 2018 – Legislation designed to ease access to the ballot and spur voter pre-registration by 16- and 17-year olds to ensure they are positioned to vote when they turn 18 has been introduced by state Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia). “Our...
Senator Williams Applauds Reform of Philadelphia’s Civil Forfeiture Process
PHILADELPHIA, September 20, 2018 – Senator Anthony Williams applauds the City of Philadelphia’s decision to implement substantial reform to its civil forfeiture process. “For too long innocent residents of Philadelphia have been victim to an unfair process that...
Fontana Supports Call for Opening Window to Allow Child Abuse Victims to Seek Justice
PITTSBURGH, September 18, 2018 – At a news conference today at the City-County Building in Pittsburgh, State Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) supported the call to open a 2-year window to allow victims of child abuse by priests to file civil actions against abusers...
Western PA State Legislators Unveil Police and Community Relation Reform Legislation
PITTSBURGH, PA − September 13, 2018 − Following the death of Antwon Rose, Jr. earlier this year, and other incidents around the state and nation, state legislators from Western Pennsylvania began work on legislation regarding police management and...