Press Releases
Sabatina Applauds Passage of Karen’s Law in Senate Judiciary Committee
HARRISBURG, October 3, 2018 – Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) is pleased that his legislation Senate Bill 1023, also known as Karen’s Law, was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation passed with a 14-0-1 vote. “Karen’s Law has been a...
Sen. Costa statement on HB2060, protections for victims of domestic violence
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Pittsburgh) release the following statement on HB2060: Today is an historic day. We have finally passed substantive legislation to protect the victims of domestic violence, and it goes to Governor Wolf for his signature. HB 2060...
Bipartisan Coalition & 400 Advocates join Senator Sharif Street in Support of Senate Bill 942, Reforming Parole in PA
HARRISBURG, October 3, 2018 – PA Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) was joined by over 400 advocates, led by the Coalition to End Death by Incarceration and a bipartisan coalition to pass Senate Bill 942 which empowers the Parole Board to review life sentences in...
Senator Fontana Receives Dewey Award for Environmental Work
PITTSBURGH, September 27, 2018 – Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Pittsburgh) this evening received the Clean Water Action organization’s “Dewey Award.” The award is granted to individuals who are proven champions of the environment within their community. “Throughout my...
Sextortion Legislation Passes Pennsylvania Senate
HARRISBURG, September 26, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate today approved a bill introduced by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny) to criminalize the coercion of sexual conduct. Senate Bill 1134, which Schwank and Vulakovich...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Submits Written Testimony to EPA on Fuel Economy Standards
PITTSBURGH, September 26, 2018 --- The Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting in Pittsburgh today regarding a proposal to eliminate fuel economy standards on vehicles; Senator Costa submitted written testimony in opposition as he was unable to...
Dinniman: Efforts Underway in Harrisburg to Silence Pipeline Critics
HARRISBURG - September 25, 2018 – There is an ongoing and organized effort in Harrisburg to marginalize and villainize any organizations who raises safety concerns or opposition to the growing network of natural gas pipelines crisscrossing Pennsylvania, state...
Senate Committee Approves Dinniman’s Resolution to Study Later H.S. Start Times, Student Sleep
HARRISBURG-September 25, 2018 – The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved state Senator Andy Dinniman’s resolution calling for a study on the benefits and impacts of instituting later start times to the school day in secondary schools. “We know that our...
State Legislators Unveil Police and Community Relations Reform Legislation
HARRISBURG, September 25, 2018 --- Following the death of Antwon Rose, Jr. earlier this year, and other incidents around the state and nation, state legislators began work on legislation regarding police management and community relations. Today, Senators Jay Costa,...
Fontana Supports Legislation to Provide Justice for Child Abuse Victims
HARRISBURG, September 24, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today urged his legislative colleagues to pass legislation that would expand the state’s statute of limitations, enabling more child sexual abuse victims to seek justice. “Considering the harrowing...
Farnese Introduces Legislation to Bolster Voter Pre-Registration for Youth
HARRISBURG – September 24, 2018 – Legislation designed to ease access to the ballot and spur voter pre-registration by 16- and 17-year olds to ensure they are positioned to vote when they turn 18 has been introduced by state Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia). “Our...
Senator Williams Applauds Reform of Philadelphia’s Civil Forfeiture Process
PHILADELPHIA, September 20, 2018 – Senator Anthony Williams applauds the City of Philadelphia’s decision to implement substantial reform to its civil forfeiture process. “For too long innocent residents of Philadelphia have been victim to an unfair process that...
Fontana Supports Call for Opening Window to Allow Child Abuse Victims to Seek Justice
PITTSBURGH, September 18, 2018 – At a news conference today at the City-County Building in Pittsburgh, State Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) supported the call to open a 2-year window to allow victims of child abuse by priests to file civil actions against abusers...
Western PA State Legislators Unveil Police and Community Relation Reform Legislation
PITTSBURGH, PA − September 13, 2018 − Following the death of Antwon Rose, Jr. earlier this year, and other incidents around the state and nation, state legislators from Western Pennsylvania began work on legislation regarding police management and...
Blake Encourages Local Schools to Apply for Safety and Security Grants
SCRANTON, September 12, 2018 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today encouraged local school districts to apply for funding through a new state grant program designed to improve school safety. The new School Safety and Security Grant Program, which...
Senator Hughes and Senator Browne Introduce Proposal to Help Victims of Trauma in State’s Primary Schools
Philadelphia, August 30, 2018 – Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) introduced a proposal that would establish programs to help primary school students who were victims of trauma. The trauma-informed system of education...
Leach Comments on Sale of “Whole Plant” Marijuana in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, August 1, 2018 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today issued the following statement regarding the sale of “whole plant” marijuana to Pennsylvania medical marijuana patients. “It’s a great day for medical marijuana patients in...
Farnese Seeks Changes in Voter Registration Process to Spur Engagement
Harrisburg – July 23, 2018 – State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) today announced that he is sponsoring legislation to make it easier for young people to engage in the political process. Farnese’s bill would permit 16- and 17-year olds to preregister to vote. ...
Brewster Appointed to New School Safety and Security Committee
Harrisburg – July 23, 2018 – A longtime advocate of school safety upgrades, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that he was appointed to the new School Safety and Security Committee. The 17-member commission was created in late June with the...
Farnese: Ban “Gay and Trans Panic” Defense in Murder Cases
Harrisburg – July 18, 2018 -- Assailants charged with murder against LGBTQ individuals would be prohibited from using “gay panic” and “trans panic” defenses to avoid conviction or mitigate punishment, if legislation authored by state Sen. Larry Farnese...
Joint State Legislative Hearing in Pittsburgh Focuses on Improving Community-Police Relations
Wilkinsburg -- July 17, 2018 – A joint state Senate-House Democratic Policy Committee hearing was held today in Wilkinsburg to focus on proposals aimed at improving community-police relations. Held locally at the request of Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Rep....
Senator Costa Hears Testimony on Improving Police & Community Relations
Wilkinsburg -- July 17, 2018 --- Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today attended a joint hearing of the Pennsylvania House and Senate Policy Committees regarding police and community relations. “Improving relations between police departments and the communities...
Boscola Requests Governor to Call Special Session on Independent Redistricting
HARRISBURG, July 9, 2018 – In an effort to salvage Pennsylvania’s last opportunity until the 2030 U.S. Census for redistricting reform, today Sen. Lisa Boscola is calling on Governor Tom Wolf to use his authority to convene a special session of the General Assembly on...
Senator Williams Applauds Signing of Clean Slate Legislation
Harrisburg - July 3, 2018 – Last week, Senator Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia) joined Governor Tom Wolf, lawmakers, and advocates for the signing of House Bill 1419, also known as the Clean Slate bill. “There are too many people who have done their time and have...
Senator Hughes Issues Statement on Keystone Scholars Program Being Signed Into Law
Philadelphia - June 26, 2018 - A program that would create $100 savings accounts for Pennsylvania newborns was signed into law Friday and praised by State Senator Vincent Hughes. Senator Hughes was the prime co-sponsor to Senate Bill 1130, which addressed the Keystone...
Haywood Comments on Senate Passage of State Budget
Harrisburg – June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/ Montgomery) released the following statement regarding the state Senate’s passage of the $32.7 billion General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19. “For the first time during my tenure in the Senate,...
TARTAGLIONE APPLAUDS EARLY BUDGET WITH MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY
Harrisburg - June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione applauded today’s early passage of a Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget that includes new investments in workforce development, education, health care and social justice. The Senate voted, 47-2, in support of the...
Boscola Pleased with State Budget’s Investment in Jobs and Education
HARRISBURG, June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Lisa Boscola today provided the following comment on the Senate’s bipartisan passage of the 2018-19 state budget (House Bill 2121). The legislation now goes to the governor for enactment. “In addition to holding the line on...
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...