Press Releases
State Senate Committee Holds Hearing in Philadelphia on Hair Braiding Licensure
PHILADELPHIA, December 12, 2018 – At the request of state Senator Anthony H. Williams (D-Phila./Delaware), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing in Philadelphia on the senator’s proposal to do away with the cosmetology school licensing...
State Senate Committee Holds Hearing in Pittsburgh on Climate Change
HARRISBURG– November 28, 2018 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing in Pittsburgh on local and state efforts to address climate change. The full policy hearing can be viewed...
Costa Endorses Report of Commission that Examined Fire and Emergency Services Issues
Harrisburg – Nov. 28, 2018 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Allegheny) released the following statement regarding the adoption of the report from a select commission that examined issues impacting fire and emergency services. Costa served as a member...
State Senate Committee to Hold Hearing in Pittsburgh on Global Warming
HARRISBURG, November 21, 2018 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold a hearing in Pittsburgh next week on local and state efforts to address climate change. “In the absence of federal leadership...
Sen. Haywood Celebrates Disarming Protection from Abuse Violators with Advocates
HARRISBURG, November 16, 2018 — Sen. Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement in connection with the passage of HB2060 that disarms Protection from Abuse (PFA) violators. “I want to congratulate the advocates, legislators, and...
Sen. Boscola re-elected to Chair Senate Democratic Policy Committee
HARRISBURG, November 14, 2018 -- State Senate Democrats today unanimously re-elected Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh) to chair the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. “I am proud to have the support of my senate caucus colleagues and look forward to...
Senator Sabatina: Increased Access for Seniors Seeking Prescription Drug Assistance
PHILADELPHIA, October 24, 2018 – Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) said today that the newly enacted Act 87 would expand the income limits for older Pennsylvanians who qualify for the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier...
Sen. Hughes, Rep. Schweyer Push to Protect Health Care for People with Pre-existing Conditions
HARRISBURG, October 16, 2018 – Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) was joined by Representative Pete Schweyer (D-Lehigh), Representative Tony DeLuca (D-Allegheny), Representative Helen Tai (D-Bucks) and Representative Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) Tuesday...
Dinniman, Coatesville Community Discuss Importance of Juvenile Justice & Alternative Programs
COATESVILLE, October 11, 2018 – State Senator Andy Dinniman recently joined officials from local and state police departments to recognize National Juvenile Justice Week. “Juvenile justice providers fulfill a vital mission in holding involved youth...
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...