Press Releases
Dinniman to Introduce Consent Education Bill
WEST CHESTER - April 23, 2019 – State Senator Andy Dinniman announced today that he is introducing legislation to require consent education in the school curriculum. Dinniman, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Education Committee, said the curriculum would...
State Senate Committee Holds Second Hearing on Global Warming
PITTSBURGH, April 23, 2019 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills) and Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing today in Pittsburgh on strategies for combatting climate change by...
This Earth Day, Senator Maria Collett Introduces Legislation to Address PFAS Contamination Crisis
North Wales, Pa. – April 22, 2019 – Senator Maria Collett (D-Montgomery/Bucks) introduced two pieces of legislation today to address the PFAS contamination crisis. SB 581 lowers the acceptable level of PFAS in our drinking water to 10 parts per trillion until such...
Senators Maria Collett and Dan Laughlin Announce Legislation to Establish Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program
HARRISBURG – April 18, 2019 – Senator Maria Collett (D-Montgomery/Bucks) and Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) have introduced “The Family Care Act” to establish a statewide Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. Every day, Pennsylvanians struggle to care for...
Senators Santarsiero, Haywood, and Killion Gather with Advocates in Support of Renewable Energy Standards Modernization Bill
HARRISBURG - April 10, 2019 - State Senators Steven J. Santarsiero (D-10), Art Haywood (D-4), Thomas H. Killion (R-9), and state Representatives Steve McCarter (D-154) and Carolyn Comitta (D-156), were joined by renewable energy advocates in...
Farnese Supports Effort to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Sexual Offenses
HARRISBURG -- April 10, 2019 – Sen. Larry Farnese (D- Philadelphia) today said he strongly supports legislation unveiled by Senate Democrats that would eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual offenses and allow victims to sue their abusers for damages. ...
Senate Democrats Jointly Introduce Bill to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Sexual Offenses
HARRISBURG - April 10, 2019 --- Today, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus introduced legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual offenses and open a window for civil liability. The legislation was introduced as Senate Bill 540. “I...
State Senate Committee Approves Sen. Boscola’s Redistricting Bill
HARRISBURG - April 9, 2019 – The Senate State Government Committee today approved Sen. Lisa M. Boscola’s (D-Northampton/Lehigh) statewide redistricting reform legislation. The measure would amend the state’s constitution to establish an 11-member independent citizen’s...
Senators Haywood and Street Hosted Press Conference and Film Screening on Life Without Parole in PA
HARRISBURG – April 9, 2019 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) and State Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) joined Villanova University’s Film Department, John Pace, and Tyrone Werts for a press conference and screening of The Mayor of...
State Senate Legislative Policy Hearing in Philadelphia to Discuss Pedestrian Safety
PHILADELPHIA - April 5, 2019 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing in Philadelphia today on solutions to improve pedestrian safety and decrease traffic incidents across Pennsylvania. “Pedestrian deaths in Pennsylvania were up 41% in the first half of...
Sens. Hughes, Williams and POWER Interfaith Support Marriott Hotel Workers in Fight for Fair, Equitable Working Conditions
PHILADELPHIA– April 5, 2019 – Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) joined POWER Interfaith, UNITE HERE, the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Raise the Wage PA, and other supporters of the Marriott hotel workers...
Sens. Hughes, Haywood, Williams, and Street Make Call to Address Poverty and Economic Insecurity in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
PHILADELPHIA – April 4, 2019 – Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), and Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) stood with local activists and advocates to announce the Senate Democrats...
Leach Proposal Aimed at Cracking Down on Poachers and Conserving Wildlife
HARRISBURG, April 2, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today announced legislation that would help law enforcement crack down on poachers and other forms of wildlife trafficking. “Poachers, traffickers, and criminal organizations are driving...
Sen. Williams Calls on Philly School Board to Reconsider Vote to Put Metal Detectors in All Schools
PHILADELPHIA – April 2, 2019 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams called on the Philadelphia School Board to reconsider their vote to mandate metal detectors in all Philadelphia schools. “The Board had an opportunity to thoroughly review their use and find a better way to...
Senators Santarsiero and Collett Introduce Bill to Modernize Pennsylvania’s Equal Pay Law
HARRISBURG, April 1, 2019 – On the eve of Equal Pay Day, Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) and Maria Collett (D-Bucks/Montgomery) issued a joint memorandum inviting fellow senators to join them in support of legislation that will...
Haywood Lauds State Treasurer Torsella’s Retirement Security Report
Philadelphia – March 28, 2019 – State Sen. Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) yesterday applauded the findings of Pennsylvania Treasurer Joe Torsella’s Private Sector Retirement Security Task Force to establish a state-managed private retirement savings plan....
Leach Bill Would Increase Vaccination Rate by Eliminating Religious and “Philosophical” Exemptions
HARRISBURG - March 28, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today announced legislation designed to increase the number of Pennsylvania school children who are immunized against diseases that spread easily among groups, interrupt school life and...
Sabatina: Marsy’s Law & Karen’s Law Head to Full Senate
HARRISBURG - March 27, 2019 – The Senate Judiciary Committee approved both Marsy’s Law (SB149) and Karen’s Law (SB123), Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) announced. Both bills passed unanimously, 12-0. They now head to the full senate for consideration. “Both of...
Senator Hughes Stands with Reps. Harris, Roebuck; Hundreds of PASSHE Students in Call for Free College through the Pennsylvania Promise Initiative
HARRISBURG- March 27, 2019 - Hundreds of Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Students rallied with Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Representative Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia), Representative James Roebuck (D-Philadelphia), and other...
Democrats Introduce Package of Legislation to Curb Workplace Harassment
HARRISBURG - March 26, 2019 -Democrats from the Pennsylvania House and Senate today introduced a package of legislation aimed to curb harassment in the workplace, along with support from Governor Tom Wolf and Victim’s Advocate Jennifer Storm. “As a caucus, we’ve...
Joint State Legislative Hearing Focuses on College Affordability
HARRISBURG -March 26, 2019 – Democratic lawmakers today held a joint Senate-House hearing in Harrisburg on legislation aimed at making college more affordable. The joint state Senate-House Democratic Policy Committee hearing focused on the proposed “Pennsylvania...
Senator Hughes declares “Higher Education Affordability Week” at Pa. Capitol
HARRISBURG - March 25, 2019 - Renewing his commitment to addressing growing student debt and soaring college tuition costs, Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) will introduce a resolution declaring March 25-29 “Higher Education Affordability Week.” Sen....
State Senate Hearing in Chester County Focuses on Restricting Robocalls
FRAZER – March 21, 2019 – At the request of state Senator Andy Dinniman (D-Chester), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing today on ways to curb robocalls. The panel discussed legislative solutions to restrict and reduce robocalls, which are...
Senator Maria Collett and Representative Gene DiGirolamo Announce Legislation to Set Safe Nurse-to-Patient Limits
HARRISBURG – March 20, 2019 – Senator Maria Collett RN (D-Montgomery/Bucks) and Representative Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) held a press conference today to introduce their legislation to set safe nurse-to-patient limits in Pennsylvania hospitals. SB 450 and HB 867...
Senate Democrats Present Bold Plan to Tackle Crushing Student Loan Debt
HARRISBURG – March 20, 2019 – A bold and innovative plan to help students and their families save thousands of dollars, pay down crushing student loan debt and better deal with the high cost of borrowing was unveiled by Sens. Vincent J. Hughes...
Senator Hughes Applauds Senate Education Committee Support of Career and Technical Schools Bill
HARRISBURG - March 19, 2019 - Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) released the following statement on the passing of Senate Bill 89 out of the Senate Education Committee: I’d like to thank the Senate Education Committee members for voting SB 89 out...
Sen. Muth to Introduce Pipeline Safety Legislation
Harrisburg – March 19, 2019 – Sen. Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery) announced that she will be introducing two pieces of legislation that would mandate specific safety and public awareness standards for pipeline construction and operation. “While...
Leach and Street Bill Will Legalize Cannabis for Adult-Use in PA; Proposed Model Emphasizes Minority Ownership and Criminal Justice Reform
HARRISBURG - March 18, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) and State Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) today announced legislation that would end Pennsylvania’s prohibition of cannabis and would ultimately legalize cannabis for adult-use in...
Sens. Williams, Costa, and Hughes Announce Introduction of Workplace Freedom Act
PITTSBURGH - March 14, 2019 - Senators Lindsey M. Williams, Jay Costa, and Vincent J. Hughes, joined by local elected officials, Allegheny County Labor Council members, and a crowd of union workers, announced the introduction of the Workplace Freedom Act today at the...
Senator Haywood Hosted Town Hall on Environmental Consciousness
PHILADELPHIA – March 14, 2019 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined PennEnvironment, Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc., the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and the Montgomery County Planning Commission for a Town...
Senators Haywood, Killion and Santarsiero Offer Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Pennsylvania’s Renewable Energy Standards
HARRISBURG - March 13, 2019 --- State Senator Steven J. Santarsiero, Senator Art Haywood and Senator Thomas H. Killion issued a co-sponsorship memorandum detailing their proposed expansion of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS). AEPS was enacted in...
Brewster Ties Extraction Levy to Environmental Protection, Education, Security Initiatives
HARRISBURG – March 13, 2019 – A new plan to use revenue generated from an energy extraction tax to provide school funding, safety investments and environmental protection initiatives will soon be introduced by state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland). “The...