Press Releases
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.
PA Senate And House Democrats to Host “PA Needs A Just Recovery” Statewide Events
HARRISBURG – June 16, 2020 –The Pennsylvania Senate & House Democratic Caucuses will join workers for virtual press events “based” across the state to highlight that Pennsylvania needs a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and justice for black lives....
Senator Hughes issues statement on SB 1166 passing the PA Senate
HARRISBURG — June 10, 2020 — State Senator Vincent Hughes issued the following statement after Senate Bill 1166 passed the senate Wednesday. An amendment from Senator Hughes was also adopted by the Senate Wednesday and would prohibit racial and ethnic...
Haywood Responds to the Vote to End COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Declaration
Harrisburg – June 10, 2020 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement in opposition to the vote to end Governor Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Declaration: “Yesterday, Republican politicians in Harrisburg decided...
PA Senate Democrats Announce Comprehensive Police Reform Legislation
HARRISBURG – June 10, 2020 – Today, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced plans for a comprehensive package of legislation to reform policing in Pennsylvania. Two years ago, members of the caucus introduced police and community relations...
Senator Collett Votes to Preserve Governor’s Emergency Declaration and Reacts to Senate Vote on HR 836
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 9, 2020 − During today’s session, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) voted “No” on HR 836 as amended, which would end the Governor’s Emergency Declaration related to COVID-19. Senator Collett offers the following reactions:...
Senator Santarsiero Announces $225 Million Grant Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 and An Additional $200,000 in Awards to Local Businesses Through COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program
BUCKS COUNTY – June 9, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced $225 million in grant programs for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The money originated from the federal CARES Act, and was allocated through the recently passed state...
Statement from PA Senate Democrats on Racial Equity
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 8, 2020 − Today the Senate Democratic Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to the cause of racial equity. They issued the following joint statement: Like many of you, we in the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus are struggling with the death of...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $225 Million for Small Business Assistance Grants Statewide
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces Grant Funding for Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19
Pittsburgh, Pa. − June 8, 2020 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) will be administering $225 million in grant funding to support the economic recovery of small businesses. This money...
Sabatina: Disturbed by Secrecy in Firing 700 Pennsylvania Employees
Harrisburg, June 5, 2020 − Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) implored Governor Wolf to suspend the termination of 700 Pennsylvania employees until public hearings can be held on the clandestine decision by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC).
Democratic PHEAA Board Members Tout $30 Million In Cares Act Funding For PHEAA Grants
HARRISBURG — June 5, 2020 — State Senators Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), John Blake (D-Lackawanna), and Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia touted the $30 million in funding the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus was...
State Senate Policy Hearing on the Impact of COVID-19 on the African American Community
Harrisburg – June 4, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware, Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia), and Shariff Street (D-Philadelphia), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a...