Press Releases
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...
Senator Pam Iovino Responds to Suspension of Southeastern Veterans’ Center Leadership, Underscores Need for Greater Legislative Oversight
Allegheny County, PA – May 30, 2020 – Pennsylvania State Senator Pam Iovino (D – Allegheny & Washington), Minority Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, released the following statement today in response to the indefinite...
Senator Hughes issues statement on $25.8 billion budget, $2.6 billion in aid
HARRISBURG – May 29, 2020 — Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement after the Pennsylvania Senate passed bills for an unprecedented $25.8 billion interim budget and allocated $2.6 billion in federal...
Leach Issues Statement on Mail-In Ballot Complications
HARRISBURG – May 29, 2020 − State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today issued the following statement regarding concerns surrounding mail-in ballots. Leach’s statement: “This coming Tuesday, June 2nd, we are going to be conducting the 2020 primary...
Senator Haywood Announces the Approval of Housing Relief Funds to Prevent Foreclosure and Eviction
Harrisburg – May 29, 2020 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced that the Pennsylvania House and Senate passed his housing relief plan with $193 million on May 28. The Governor has agreed to sign this legislation. “I am happy to...
Senators Street & Haywood Secure $175 M Housing Relief Package in PA Budget
Philadelphia PA – May 29, 2020 – On Thursday, Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) successfully secured $175 million in rental and mortgage assistance, a measure included in the temporary 5 month budget featuring...
Senator Pam Iovino’s Statement of Support for Pennsylvania’s Interim Budget
Allegheny County, PA – May 28, 2020 – Pennsylvania State Senator Pam Iovino (D – Allegheny & Washington), released the following statement today after voting to support the passage of a $26 billion interim budget for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including...
Sen. Anthony Williams Announces PA Senate Allocation of $2.6 Billion CARES Act Relief Funds
Harrisburg – May 28, 2020 – Sen. Anthony Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) announced that the Pennsylvania Senate has passed Senate Bill 1108 which allocates $2.602 billion of federal CARES Act for Pennsylvania. “These funds were given to Pennsylvania through the...
Brewster: $215 Million in School Safety Grants Pass Senate
Harrisburg – May 28, 2020 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that the Senate has passed legislation (House Bill 1210) to drive out nearly $215 million to help school districts pay for costs associated with protecting children, cleaning buildings...
Senator Costa Supports 5-Month State Budget, Fully Funding Education and Spending State’s Federal Cares Money
Harrisburg, Pa. − May 28, 2020 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today voted in support of House Bill 2387, a General Appropriations bill that funds state operations through November, and fully funding education through the entire fiscal year. The bill passed...
Sen. Blake Statement on Passage of $25.789 Billion Interim State Budget and CARES Funding
SCRANTON, May 28, 2020 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today released the following statement regarding passage of a $25.789 billion interim state budget that accounts for five months of spending for most appropriations. The interim budget fully...
Farnese Statement on Budget Agreement
HARRISBURG, May 28, 2020 – State Sen. Larry Farnese released the following statement regarding his “no” vote today on the General Appropriations Bill: “Last June, I voted against the state budget agreement because it lacked a commitment to remediate the...
Senators Santarsiero, Collett Ask Governor to Allow Businesses in Personal Service Industry to Operate During Yellow and Green Phases of Reopening
BUCKS COUNTY – May 28, 2020 – Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Maria Collett (D-12) were joined by State Representatives Perry Warren (D-31), Tina Davis (D-141), John Galloway (D-140) and Wendy Ullman (D-143) in asking Governor Wolf to issue an executive...
Kearney Stands with House Colleagues Amid GOP Leaders’ Failure to Report COVID-19 Case
SPRINGFIELD (May 28, 2020) – Senator Tim Kearney (D – Chester, Delaware) today released a statement following the revelation that Republican leaders in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives knew one of their members had tested positive for COVID-19 but never...
Sabatina: Bill to Avoid Expiration of Military Family Relief Assistance Program is headed to House (SB-1076)
Harrisburg, May 28, 2020 − Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) was pleased to announce Senate Bill 1076 passed unanimously (50-0) in the Senate today. The bill provides an extension of the Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP). Created in 2005, MFRAP provides grants up to $3,500 to Pennsylvania service members and their families in need.