Press Releases
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...
Senator Tartaglione Joins Governor, Colleagues to Strengthen Sexual Harassment Protections
PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 6, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione yesterday announced new legislation that proposes to add sexual orientation and gender expression as protected classes under Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act, while expanding the act’s worker protections to include non-employee contractors and unpaid interns.
Senator Haywood’s Statement on Governor Wolf’s Sexual Harassment Stance
Philadelphia – April 5, 2018 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) released the following statement in support of Governor Wolf and fellow legislators to address sexual harassment: “We need to put more power into the hands of the victims,” Senator...
Farnese Calls for Action on Anti-Discrimination Legislation
Philadelphia –April 5, 2018 – Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) joined Governor Tom Wolf and lawmakers from both the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives for a news conference today to discuss legislation to combat sexual harassment. Farnese’s...
Senate Democrats Unveil Package of Bills to Curb Sexual Harassment, with Support from Governor Tom Wolf
Philadelphia, PA − April 5, 2018 − Today, members of the Senate Democratic caucus stood with Governor Tom Wolf to unveil a package of legislation designed to curb workplace sexual harassment. “As a caucus, we’ve worked with stakeholders and advocates and our own...
Farnese Highlights Apprenticeship Grants Awarded to Philadelphia
Harrisburg -- April 4, 2018 – Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) announced that six local organizations have received grant funding to improve and expand their apprenticeship programs and services. “These grants are a great investment in the possibilities of...
Sabatina: Apprenticeship Grants Approved for Philadelphia
Harrisburg, April 4, 2018 – Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) announced apprenticeship grant funding has been approved for a variety of services and associations in his district. “These grants will continue to help individuals in our area receive the job training...
Tartaglione: PAsmart Initiative Grants Totaling Nearly $1 Million Approved
Harrisburg — April 3, 2017 — Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said that nearly $1 million in PAsmart Initiative Grants were awarded to various pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs in Philadelphia. “These grants are incredibly...
Senator Costa Announces $250,000 in State Grant Funding for Apprenticeship Programs
Pittsburgh, PA − April 3, 2018 − Today Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. announced the award of nearly $250,000 in state funding for apprenticeship and job training projects in Allegheny County. “Apprenticeships are a valuable, accessible tool for reaching a...
Boscola Announces Three Job Training Grants
Bethlehem, April 3, 2018 − State Sen. Lisa Boscola today announced three state grants aimed at supporting pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs. “I am a proud supporter of programs aimed at training workers for good jobs,” Boscola said. “These...
Dinniman to Talk School Safety with Students Thursday
WEST CHESTER – April 3, 2018 – State Senator Andy Dinniman will discuss school and student safety issues with representatives from the Chester County Student Forum at a special meeting on Thursday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Chester County Intermediate Unit...
U.S. Sen. Casey, state Sen. Hughes Call for Federal Investigation of Racial Discrimination in Housing
Washington – April 3, 2018 – Recent revelations concerning potential racial discrimination in residential lending -- notably in Philadelphia -- have led U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania) and state Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) to call on U.S....
Tartaglione’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month Resolution Passes PA Senate Unanimously
HARRISBURG, PA, March 29, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed a resolution authored by Sen. Christine Tartaglione this week declaring April 2018 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month throughout the Commonwealth. In her March 26 remarks from the Senate floor, Tartaglione described sexual assault and violence as a “pervasive epidemic that affects all of us.”
Gender Diversity Encouraged Through Senate Resolution 255
Harrisburg, March 27, 2018 – Sponsored by Senator Judith L. Schwank (D-Berks County), the Executive Women’s Council of Pittsburgh (EWC) has been instrumental in bringing Senate Resolution 255 to the forefront. The Resolution, titled “Encouraging equitable and diverse...
Sabatina Recognizes April as Autism Awareness Month
Harrisburg- March 27, 2018- Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) introduced a resolution to designate April 2018 as Autism Awareness Month. “It is incredibly important to recognize all those who are on the autism spectrum, as well as their families and caregivers. We...