Press Releases
Legislators Call on Wolf Administration to Revoke Mariner East Pipeline Permits in Chester County
Harrisburg – August 2020 – State legislators representing five House districts and three Senatorial districts in Chester County have signed a letter to Secretary Patrick McDonnell of the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine of...
Muth, Innamorato Proposes Legislation to Protect Health, Environment
Bills would close the loophole allowing toxic drilling waste in Pennsylvania landfills Harrisburg, PA − August 13, 2020 − In the wake of a scathing Grand Jury report on the public health and environmental harms of fracking in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Sara Innamorato,...
Democratic State Legislators Host Virtual Hearing on Maternal Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg – August 12, 2020 – At the request of state Senator Judy Schwank (D- Berks) and state Representatives Morgan Cephas (D- Philadelphia) and Mary Jo Daley (D- Montgomery), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a joint virtual public hearing with...
Senator Muth Calls for Mariner East Permits to be Withdrawn, Following Multiple Dangerous Spills
Upper Uwchlan Township, Pa. − August 11, 2020 − Late yesterday afternoon, drilling fluid from a Mariner East horizontal directional drilling (HDD) site upstream of Marsh Creek State Park spilled into a tributary of Marsh Creek Lake and ultimately into the lake...
Delaware County lawmakers call for investigation into violence against Black Lives Matter supporters
HARRISBURG – August 7, 2020 – Today, a group of state lawmakers from Delaware County called for District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer to investigate violence and intimidation aimed at Black Lives Matter supporters during a march in Ridley Township on Saturday, August...
Senators Santarsiero and Yaw Ask Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to Include Funding for Well Plugging in Next Stimulus Bill
BUCKS COUNTY – August 6, 2020 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Gene Yaw (R-23), as chairs of the Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, sent a letter to all members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation requesting...
Senator Costa to Pilot Civic Engagement App, “Be the Change”
Pittsburgh, Pa. − August 4, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr will be the first elected official to participate in the civic engagement mobile application “Be The Change.” Senator Costa will be part of a several month pilot period on the new app. “Even...
State Senate Committee Holds Online Hearing on Strategies to Safely Reopen Schools
Harrisburg – August 3, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Tim Kearney (D-Chester/Delaware), Maria Collett (D-Bucks/Montgomery), Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) and Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held an online...
Senator Tartaglione and Congressman Boyle Fight for Nonprofits Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
The legislators jointly authored a letter to U.S. House leadership calling for 100% federal reimbursement of unemployment insurance costs that nonprofits incur. Philadelphia, PA – August 3, 2020 − Pennsylvania State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia),...
Senators Collett, Kearney, Muth, L. Williams Announce Bill to Suspend Per Diem Pay for Legislators During COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, Pa. - July 30, 2020 — Senators Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks), Tim Kearney (D-26 Delaware/Chester), Katie Muth (D-44 Berks/Chester/Montgomery) and Lindsey M. Williams (D-38 Allegheny County) have introduced a bill memo for co-sponsorship to suspend...
Senator Costa to Introduce Cap and Invest Bill For Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa. − July 30, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today introduced Senate Bill 15, creating a “Cap and Invest” program for the state’s electric power sector, along with the support of 17 cosponsors. “The federal government has...
Senator Santarsiero Announces Elcon Will Not Pursue Hazardous Wastewater Processing Facility in Falls Township
BUCKS COUNTY – July 24, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced today that Elcon Recycling Services will be withdrawing its applications for a proposed hazardous wastewater processing facility in Falls Township, ending a years-long fight in the...
Senators Jim Brewster & Pam Iovino Propose $100 Million COVID-19 Grant Program & Financial Relief Package for PA Restaurants & Taverns
Allegheny County, PA – July 23, 2020 – Today, State Senators Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino announced a comprehensive proposal to provide emergency relief to Pennsylvania’s restaurants and taverns, which have seen significant financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown. The seven-point plan includes a $100 million grant program to retail liquor licensees using federal CARES Act funds, as well as a suite of policy changes to financially benefit these struggling businesses.
Senator Anthony H. Williams Hosts Racial Equity Solutions Tour Kickoff Event with Special Guest Van Jones
Harrisburg – July 22, 2020 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) hosted a kickoff event for the Senate Democrat’s Racial Equity Solutions Tour. The event was held via Zoom for safety as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Van Jones, Reform...
Democratic State Legislators Host Virtual Joint Policy Committee Hearing on Worker Protections during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg – July 22, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny) and state Representatives Elizabeth Fiedler (D- Philadelphia), Patrick Harkins (D- Erie) the Senate Democratic Policy Committee...
Senator Lindsey Williams to Introduce Legislation Increasing Health Inspectors, Supporting Bar and Restaurant Industry
Pittsburgh, Pa. − July 17, 2020 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced that she will soon introduce legislation to support the hiring of COVID-19 health inspectors dedicated to ensuring compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines, allowing compliant...
Boscola Brings Redistricting Reform Proposal Before PA Senate
Bethlehem, July 16, 2020 - - Yesterday, State Senator Lisa Boscola attempted one final time to put the issue of the creation of an independent commission for legislative redistricting before the voters of Pennsylvania by offering an amendment to Senate Bill 1166,...
Senator Hughes announces $50 million hazard pay grant program for front-line workers
Philadelphia — July 16, 2020 — State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) proudly announced a $50 million fund to provide hazard pay increases to front-line workers in health care, social assistance, transit, food manufacturing, food retail,...
Senator Collett Announces $50M in Hazard Pay Grant Funding for Pennsylvania Workers
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - July 16, 2020 — Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) joins Governor Tom Wolf in announcing $50 million for the COVID-19 PA Hazard Pay Grant Program, funded by federal CARES dollars allocated by the Pennsylvania General Assembly...
Senator Lindsey Williams Announces Hazard Pay Grant Program for Front-Line Workers
Pittsburgh, Pa. − July 16, 2020 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams joined Senator Maria Collett and Governor Tom Wolf today in announcing the introduction of the COVID-19 Hazard Pay Grant Program. This Program will distribute $50 million of CARES Act funding to help...
Leach Proposes Constitutional Ban on Fracking
HARRISBURG – July 2, 2020 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today announced legislative language to create a constitutional amendment banning hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania. Leach’s announcement comes days after Attorney General Josh Shapiro...
Sens. Hughes, Haywood join PHFA to announce upcoming financial assistance program for renters and homeowners hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic
PHILADELPHIA— July 1, 2020 — State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) and Director Robin Wiessmann from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) announced a new program that will help renters and...
State Legislators Discuss a Just Recovery for Pennsylvania in Telephone Town Hall
Harrisburg – July 1, 2020 – State Senators Jay Costa (D- Allegheny) and Art Haywood (D- Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined Pennsylvania House Representatives Summer Lee (D- Allegheny) and Liz Hanbidge (D- Montgomery) for a telephone town hall hosted by the State...
PA Senate Democrats Discuss Police Reform Legislative Agenda and Statewide Racial Equity Solutions Tour
Harrisburg – June 30, 2020 – Pennsylvania Senate Democrats gathered in the Capitol and through Zoom to discuss the status of their legislative agenda for police reforms, and to announce a statewide Racial Equity Solutions Tour.
PA Senate Democrats introduced a comprehensive package of law enforcement reform legislation on June 10, and in the past two weeks of session have made major progress on their legislative initiatives.
Senator Collett Announces COVID-19 Relief Small Business Grant Program Application Window
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - June 29, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) announced that a new COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance grant program (“PA Small Business Grant Program”) will open for applications on Tuesday, June 30....
Senator Haywood Comments on the Passage of Police Reform Legislation by the PA Senate
Harrisburg – June 25, 2020 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement on police reform and criminal justice bills passed by the State Senate: “I am pleased that the PA Senate made a start to address police brutality and...
Occupational Reform Bill on Way to Governor’s Desk
Harrisburg, June 25, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Senate approved a bill introduced by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) and Sen. John DiSanto (R-15th district) that enacts a series of reforms designed to remove several barriers to licensure for Pennsylvanians with...
PA Senate Passes Two Major Law Enforcement Reform Bills
HARRISBURG, PA − June 24, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously passed two major pieces of police reform legislation, both sponsored by members of the Senate Democratic Caucus: Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Allegheny) and Senator Sharif Street...
Senate Approves Boscola Bill that Would Qualify More Nurses for Work in PA
Harrisburg, June 24, 2020 – The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously approved State Senator Lisa Boscola’s legislation (Senate Bill 655) that would cut red tape and qualify more nurses for licensure in Pennsylvania. “Joining this Nurse Licensure Compact will expand...
Senator Anthony H. Williams to Partner with Local Organizations to Bring Free COVID-19 Testing to Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA − June 18, 2020 − Senator Anthony H. Williams has announced free COVID-19 testing coming to southwest Philadelphia. On Saturday, June 20th from 10am to 4pm, free testing will be available at the Church of Christian Compassion at 6121 Cedar Avenue for...
State Senate Hearing Focuses on COVID-19’s Impact on the Food Supply Chain
Harrisburg – June 18, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Judy Schwank (D- Berks) and Maria Collett (D- Bucks/Montgomery), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing today on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pennsylvania’s food...
Philadelphia lawmakers lay out path for a ‘Just Recovery’ in Pa.
‘Legislature must take steps to safeguard marginalized communities’
PHILADELPHIA, June 18, 2020 – Philadelphia lawmakers today held a virtual news conference to lay out the steps the Pennsylvania legislature must take to create a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the calls for racial justice demanded by Pennsylvanians across the state are acted on.