Press Releases
Vogel, Comitta Introduce Legislation to License Music Therapists in Pa
Harrisburg, Pa − May 21, 2025 – Music therapists in Pennsylvania could be professionally licensed by the Commonwealth, bringing significant economic and therapeutic benefits to families and communities under new legislation introduced by state Senators Elder Vogel and...
Sen. Collett Provides Hundreds of Seniors With Health & Wellness Resources at 2025 Senior Expo
Montgomeryville, Pa. − May 22, 2025 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) welcomed hundreds of community members to her annual Senior Expo on Friday, May 16 at the Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center. “Every Pennsylvanian deserves access to the...
Senator Nick Pisciottano Announces Extension of Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Application Deadline to December 31, 2025
Monroeville, PA, May 21, 2025 — Senator Nick Pisciottano (D–Allegheny) announced today that the application deadline for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program has been extended to December 31, 2025. This extension provides eligible Pennsylvanians with...
Sen. Fontana Announces New Solar for Schools Grants Awarded
Allegheny County – May 20, 2025 – Today, Senator Wayne Fontana announced two schools in the 42nd senatorial district have been awarded grants to install solar panels on their buildings, which will lower energy costs and save taxpayers money. “With electricity costs...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Two Solar for Schools Grant Recipients in the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – May 20, 2025 − Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $376,995 in Solar for Schools Grant money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district. “Today’s Solar for Schools grant announcement is cause for much celebration,” said Senator Costa. “I am delighted that...
Elected Officials, Transit Riders, and Community Leaders Kicked Off SEPTA’s Public Hearings with a Rally and a Call for Full Transit Funding
Philadelphia, PA − May 19, 2025 − State lawmakers from Philadelphia and the surrounding counties rallied today outside of SEPTA’s headquarters in Center City as the transit agency began a series of public hearings on its proposed 2025–2026 budget, including the severe service cuts and steep fare hikes it will be forced to implement without crucial state funding.
Senator Hughes Convenes Second Roundtable to Address Looming Federal Health Insurance Cuts and the Impact on Black Pennsylvanians
Philadelphia, PA – May 19, 2025 – Last week, Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, held a roundtable at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church with lawmakers and healthcare leaders to discuss how Black Pennsylvanians could be impacted by proposed...
Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing Regarding the Worker Protections
PHILADELPHIA, PA − May 14, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine ways to protect Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and economy with a skilled, protected, and reliable workforce. “The testimony we heard today from...
Senate Democrats Jay Costa, Nick Pisciottano Celebrate Passage of EDGE Tax Credit in PA House, Call for Swift Movement in the Senate
PITTSBURGH, PA – May 14, 2025 – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 500, a critical part of Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Plan which updates the Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) Tax Credit Program to bring...
Sen. Tim Kearney & Rep. Lisa Borowski Introduce Legislation to Safeguard Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Systems
HARRISBURG, PA – May 14, 2025 – State Senator Tim Kearney (D – Delaware), and state Representation Lisa Borowski (D – Delaware) yesterday formally introduced companion legislation aimed at protecting Pennsylvania healthcare services and facilities from the harmful...
Pa. Senators Collett & Pisciottano Introduce Worker Protection Legislation with the Pa. PRO Act
Harrisburg, Pa. — Senator Maria Collett (D-12, Montgomery) and Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-45, Allegheny) announced their introduction of the Pennsylvania Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act on Wednesday, May 13, which would strengthen workers' rights and...
Senator Tartaglione Applauds Senate Passage of School Safety Transparency Bill
Harrisburg, PA, May 13, 2025 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 246 with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 45–4 vote. The legislation, sponsored by Senators Christine Tartaglione (D–2) and Jarrett Coleman (R–16), will ensure that parents and school...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Issues Statement Applauding PUC Review and Investigation of Storm Response
Pittsburgh, PA − May 9, 2025 − Today, Senator Lindsey M. Williams issued this statement applauding the announcement that the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission is launching a review following last week’s storm that left more than half a million customers...
Hughes’ and Robinson Bold Literacy Initiative Passes Education Committee
Bill Aims to Help All PA Children Learn to Read by Grade 3 HARRISBURG – May 6, 2025 − The Senate Education Committee today approved a bipartisan measure sponsored by Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37) and Vincent Hughes (D-7) to ensure all Pennsylvania...
Steel Valley’s Senator Pisciottano Introduces “FORGES” to Revitalize Steel Industry, Create Jobs
Harrisburg, PA − May 7, 2025 – State Sen. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) today announced the introduction of landmark legislation designed to strengthen Pennsylvania’s steel industry, protect and create jobs, and reestablish the Commonwealth’s leadership in American...
James Malone Sworn in as First Democratic State Senator from Lancaster County in Over 130 Years
HARRISBURG, PA – May 5, 2025 − Today, Senator James Malone was officially sworn in to represent Pennsylvania’s 36th Senate District in Lancaster County. Senator Malone is the first Democrat to win a State Senate election in Lancaster in over 130 years. “Lancastrians...
Mayor Ed Gainey, State Sen. Williams, and Rep. Abney Advance Legislation to Prohibit Price Gouging During Local Emergencies
Pittsburgh, PA – May 5, 2025 – In the wake of last week’s deadly storm, today, Mayor Ed Gainey is leading an effort in partnership with County Executive Sara Innamorato, State Senator Lindsey Williams, State Representative Aerion Abney, and other members of the state legislative delegation to protect Pittsburghers against exploitative businesses, contractors, and corporations engaged in price gouging essential goods and services after disasters.
Senator Santarsiero Statement Calling for Head Start Funding
BUCKS COUNTY− May 2, 2025 − The following statement is attributable to Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in support of the Federal Government funding Head Start and Early Head Start Programs: “Hundreds of young children in Bucks County are at risk of losing critical...
Bucks Democratic Lawmakers Call for Full SEPTA Funding
BUCKS COUNTY – May 2, 2025 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) yesterday called on Republicans in the General Assembly today to fully fund SEPTA in this year’s state budget. Joined at the Levittown SEPTA station by Representatives Tina Davis (D-141),...
Senators Nikil Saval and Lindsey Williams Announce Transit for All PA Funding Package
HARRISBURG, PA − April 29, 2025 −Today State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) and State Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D–Allegheny) announced the Transit for All PA Funding Package, a suite of legislative proposals to help secure full funding for transit agencies across Pennsylvania.
Senator Nikil Saval, Representative Ben Waxman, and Friends of Schuylkill River Park Celebrate Reopening of Dog Run After Major Upgrades
Philadelphia, PA − Tuesday, April 29, 2025 − On Sunday, State Senator Nikil Saval and State Representative Ben Waxman joined the Friends of Schuylkill River Park in celebrating the official reopening of the beloved dog run following the completion of the first major...
Senator Nick Miller’s Response to Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County Agreements
April 23, 2025 − Senator Nick Miller issues the following statement in response to Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County Agreements: "Today’s approvals are a clear sign that we’re getting things done together and tackling long-standing challenges head-on. By...
Senator Tartaglione Introduces Senate Bill 19 to Raise Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage
Harrisburg, PA − April 22, 2025 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D–2, Philadelphia) today formally introduced Senate Bill 19, legislation aimed at raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026 and tying future increases to the cost of living. The...
Delaware County Legislative Delegation Condemns Prospect Following Announcement to Shut Crozer Health
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – April 21, 2025 – Today, Prospect Medical Holdings filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, a motion to close Crozer Health and all of the outpatient facilities licensed with the hospital. The Delaware County Legislative Delegation made...
Delaware County Legislative Delegation Rallies for State Funding for SEPTA, Highlights Negative Impact of Proposed Service Cuts
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – April 17, 2025 – With 74 days until a new state budget must be passed and negotiations ongoing, several members of the Delaware County Legislative Delegation— including Senators Tim Kearney and John Kane, Representatives Carol Kazeem, David...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Responds to Emerging Details in Arson Attack on Governor Shapiro’s Family during Passover
HARRISBURG, PA – April 16, 2025 – Earlier today, the Pennsylvania State Police filed an affidavit indicating that Cody Balmer, who stands accused of assault and arson related to the Sunday morning fire at the Governor’s residence, placed a 911 call during which he...
Senate Democratic Caucus Hosts Hearing Regarding the Future of Mass Transit
PITTSBURGH, PA − April 14, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine the needs of regional mass transit systems and assess ways to ensure that their benefits remain accessible to residents and local businesses in...
Senators Amanda M. Cappelletti and Patty Kim Introduce Legislation to Require Records of Deaths in Custody
Harrisburg, PA − April 15, 2025 − Senators Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17) and Patty Kim (D-15) today highlighted their legislation to require Pennsylvania enforcement agencies to comply with the federal Death in Custody Reporting Act (DCRA). The DCRA requires state and...
Keeping Seniors Safe: Collett Bill Would Establish Elder Abuse Fatality Reviews in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa. − April 14, 2025 − In an effort to promote transparency and add another tool to assist in the prevention of deaths from abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older Pennsylvanians, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Democratic Caucus...
Senators Amanda M. Cappelletti and Lisa Baker Introduce Bipartisan SB 475 to Strengthen Pennsylvania’s Treatment Courts
HARRISBURG, PA – April 10, 2025 – The Pennsylvania Senate recently passed Senate Bill 475, introduced by Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D–Montgomery, Delaware) and Senator Lisa Baker (R–Luzerne, Wayne), a bipartisan measure aimed at modernizing and strengthening...
State Lawmakers, Transit Riders, Workers, and Community Members Call on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to Fully Fund SEPTA
Several hundred community members from throughout the region packed the north apron portal at Philadelphia's City Hall. Attendees brought signs, shared chants, and testified to the importance of SEPTA in their lives and for their communities. Philadelphia, PA − April...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Applauds Shapiro Administration’s Legal Challenge to Early Termination of Federal Education Funding
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 10, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Democratic Chair of the Senate Education Committee, issued this statement following Governor Josh Shapiro’s announcement that he is suing the Trump Administration over the early termination of ESSER...