Press Releases
Blake Encourages Local Schools to Apply for Safety and Security Grants
SCRANTON, September 12, 2018 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today encouraged local school districts to apply for funding through a new state grant program designed to improve school safety. The new School Safety and Security Grant Program, which...
Senator Hughes and Senator Browne Introduce Proposal to Help Victims of Trauma in State’s Primary Schools
Philadelphia, August 30, 2018 – Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) introduced a proposal that would establish programs to help primary school students who were victims of trauma. The trauma-informed system of education...
Leach Comments on Sale of “Whole Plant” Marijuana in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, August 1, 2018 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today issued the following statement regarding the sale of “whole plant” marijuana to Pennsylvania medical marijuana patients. “It’s a great day for medical marijuana patients in...
Farnese Seeks Changes in Voter Registration Process to Spur Engagement
Harrisburg – July 23, 2018 – State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) today announced that he is sponsoring legislation to make it easier for young people to engage in the political process. Farnese’s bill would permit 16- and 17-year olds to preregister to vote. ...
Brewster Appointed to New School Safety and Security Committee
Harrisburg – July 23, 2018 – A longtime advocate of school safety upgrades, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that he was appointed to the new School Safety and Security Committee. The 17-member commission was created in late June with the...
Farnese: Ban “Gay and Trans Panic” Defense in Murder Cases
Harrisburg – July 18, 2018 -- Assailants charged with murder against LGBTQ individuals would be prohibited from using “gay panic” and “trans panic” defenses to avoid conviction or mitigate punishment, if legislation authored by state Sen. Larry Farnese...
Joint State Legislative Hearing in Pittsburgh Focuses on Improving Community-Police Relations
Wilkinsburg -- July 17, 2018 – A joint state Senate-House Democratic Policy Committee hearing was held today in Wilkinsburg to focus on proposals aimed at improving community-police relations. Held locally at the request of Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Rep....
Senator Costa Hears Testimony on Improving Police & Community Relations
Wilkinsburg -- July 17, 2018 --- Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today attended a joint hearing of the Pennsylvania House and Senate Policy Committees regarding police and community relations. “Improving relations between police departments and the communities...
Boscola Requests Governor to Call Special Session on Independent Redistricting
HARRISBURG, July 9, 2018 – In an effort to salvage Pennsylvania’s last opportunity until the 2030 U.S. Census for redistricting reform, today Sen. Lisa Boscola is calling on Governor Tom Wolf to use his authority to convene a special session of the General Assembly on...
Senator Williams Applauds Signing of Clean Slate Legislation
Harrisburg - July 3, 2018 – Last week, Senator Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia) joined Governor Tom Wolf, lawmakers, and advocates for the signing of House Bill 1419, also known as the Clean Slate bill. “There are too many people who have done their time and have...
Senator Hughes Issues Statement on Keystone Scholars Program Being Signed Into Law
Philadelphia - June 26, 2018 - A program that would create $100 savings accounts for Pennsylvania newborns was signed into law Friday and praised by State Senator Vincent Hughes. Senator Hughes was the prime co-sponsor to Senate Bill 1130, which addressed the Keystone...
Haywood Comments on Senate Passage of State Budget
Harrisburg – June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/ Montgomery) released the following statement regarding the state Senate’s passage of the $32.7 billion General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19. “For the first time during my tenure in the Senate,...
TARTAGLIONE APPLAUDS EARLY BUDGET WITH MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY
Harrisburg - June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione applauded today’s early passage of a Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget that includes new investments in workforce development, education, health care and social justice. The Senate voted, 47-2, in support of the...
Boscola Pleased with State Budget’s Investment in Jobs and Education
HARRISBURG, June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Lisa Boscola today provided the following comment on the Senate’s bipartisan passage of the 2018-19 state budget (House Bill 2121). The legislation now goes to the governor for enactment. “In addition to holding the line on...
Fontana Lauds State Budget’s Investment in Education, Workforce and Economic Development
Harrisburg - June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement on the passage of the 2018-19 state budget: “I am pleased with this bipartisan spending plan. It holds the line on taxes, keeps spending under the inflation...
Early budget includes new funding for school and community violence education funding that restores previous $1 billion cut
Harrisburg – June 22, 2018 – Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said he hopes the 2018-2019 budget lays the foundation for future bipartisan negotiations and a willingness to work in a timely fashion. Senator Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee...
PA SENATE DEMOCRATS APPLAUD ON-TIME BUDGET WITH INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Harrisburg - June 22, 2018 - The Pennsylvania Senate passed the state budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19 (House Bill 2121) by a vote of 47-2. “In January, the Senate Democratic caucus outlined our priorities for the year and this budget puts the money where our mouths...
Brewster: Budget Includes Education, School Safety Dollars, Zero Tax Hikes
Harrisburg – June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today released a statement following the Senate’s passage of a $32.7 billion General Fund state budget for 2018-19. The spending plan includes more than $160 million in new investments in...
Brewster: Republican Court Gerrymander Soils Bipartisan Redistricting Reform Effort
Harrisburg – June 13, 2018 – Senate Republicans, without a public hearing and zero citizen input, added a radical court gerrymandering plan to a bipartisan proposal to reform the way congressional and legislative districts are drawn, state Sen. Jim Brewster...
State Senate Passes Sen. Boscola’s Redistricting Bill
Harrisburg, June 13, 2018 – The state Senate today voted 35-14 in favor of Sen. Lisa M. Boscola’s (D-Northampton/Lehigh) statewide redistricting reform legislation. The measure would amend the state’s constitution to establish a citizen’s commission to redraw...
Leach Comments on Passage of Senate Redistricting Reform Bill
HARRISBURG – June 13, 2018 − State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today commented on the passage of Senate Bill 22 by the Pennsylvania Senate. The proposed constitutional amendment now awaits consideration by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives....
PA Senate Democrats Vote Against Aument Amendment to Senate Bill 22, Decry Hypocrisy
HARRISBURG, PA − June 12, 2018 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats voted unanimously against a Senator Aument amendment to create judicial districts, as part of the redistricting reform bill, Senate Bill 22.
Senator Haywood and Community Organizers Highlight Literacy Initiatives
Philadelphia, PA – June 7, 2018 Community leaders, parents, clergy, educators and environmental organizations joined Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) at a news conference today to celebrate summer reading and the installment of community bookstands in...
Senator Hughes thanks Gov. Wolf for working to keep AmerisourceBergen in Montgomery County, which will bring than more 550 new jobs to the area
HARRISBURG – June 7, 2018 – State Senator Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) thanked Gov. Tom Wolf and the Borough of Conshohocken for helping keep AmerisourceBergen in Montgomery County and prioritizing jobs for the 7th District. AmerisourceBergen, a...
Small Business Development Focus of Senate Democratic Legislative Package
Hughes, Blake sponsor legislation to create financial incentives Harrisburg – June 7, 2018 – New legislation designed to aid small business through specific financial incentives such as tax-deferred savings accounts and exemptions from certain business fees was...
Sen. Boscola’s Redistricting Bill Set for Full Senate Vote
Harrisburg, June 6, 2018 – Following today’s state Senate Appropriations Committee approval, Sen. Lisa M. Boscola’s (D-Northampton/Lehigh) redistricting reform legislation is headed to the full Senate. “I am pleased with the committee’s support to advance the process...
Senator Hughes, Representatives Roebuck and Harris Introduce Legislation Pushing for Free and Affordable College
HARRISBURG – June 6, 2018 – Senator Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Representative James Roebuck (D-Philadelphia), and Representative Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) introduced legislation for the Pennsylvania Promise initiative, a program that would...
Dinniman: Auditor General to Look at Spending, Lack of Transparency on Keystone Exams
WEST CHESTER (June 4, 2018) – State Senator Andy Dinniman today welcomed news that Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale will consider questions regarding the transparency of state contracts related to standardized testing and the Keystone Exams....
Leach’s Statement On Felony Murder Hearing
HARRISBURG – June 4, 2018 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today released the following statement at the conclusion of today’s Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Senate Bill 293. “One of the foundational principles of justice is...
Dinniman Vows to Fight Appeal of Mariner East Shutdown
WEST CHESTER (May 29, 2018) – State Senator Andy Dinniman said he would fight Sunoco’s attempts to appeal a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) judge’s order to halt operation of the Mariner East 1 pipeline and prohibit construction of the Mariner East 2 and...
Fontana Praises PHEAA Decision that Avoids Cuts to Student Grants
Harrisburg, May 24, 2018 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today said he is pleased with the PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) board decision to use additional reserve funds to maintain grants to students at the current amounts. Without...
Boscola Announces Local $246,000 Machining Job Training Grant
Bethlehem, April 13, 2018 − State Sen. Lisa M. Boscola today announced a $246,000 state grant aimed at training Lehigh Valley workers for machining jobs in manufacturing plants. “I am excited about the growth and continued diversification of our economy,” Boscola...