Press Releases
Fontana Lauds Wolf’s Budget Priorities
HARRISBURG, February 6, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement on Gov. Tom Wolf’s $32.9 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2018-19: “I applaud the governor’s proposal and spending priorities. I’m pleased that the governor is...
Blake: Budget Invests in Education, Supports Working Class
HARRISBURG, February 6, 2018 – State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) today released the following statement regarding Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed $32.987 billion state budget: “I applaud Governor Wolf for his continued dedication and investment in the...
Hughes: Jobs, Workforce Development, Education Investments Highlight Budget Proposal
Harrisburg – February 6, 2018 – Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement regarding the governor’s $32.9 billion General Fund budget proposal for 2018-2019. The proposed budget represents a 3.1...
Senator Tartaglione Introduces Legislation to Raise Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage
Lawmakers and workers’ advocates renewed the call for fair, family-sustaining wages HARRISBURG, PA, February 5, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione today announced recently introduced legislation that proposes to raise Pennsylvania’s long-stagnant minimum wage....
Dinniman: Sunoco Appeals DEP Suspension, Donations Pour in for Risk Assessment of Mariner East II
WEST CHESTER (February 5, 2018) – State Senator Andy Dinniman said today that residents’ plans to obtain an independent risk assessment of Sunoco’s Mariner East II pipeline are moving forward. “Residents impacted by the pipeline and members of local and regional...
Senate Passes Blake’s Economic Development, Clean Energy Initiative
HARRISBURG, January 30, 2018 – The state Senate today overwhelmingly approved legislation sponsored by state Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) that would generate significant economic development, create jobs and enhance Pennsylvania’s clean energy...
Senator Hughes Joins the Call for Affordable Higher Education For All Pennsylvania Students
Harrisburg, PA – January 23, 2018 – Senator Vincent Hughes spoke today in support of affordable higher education for Pennsylvanians. Standing with advocates and researches from the Association of State College & University Faculty, Keystone Research Center, and...
Boscola Lauds Opening of Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Bethlehem
Bethlehem, January 17, 2018 – State Sen. Lisa Boscola today provided the following comment about the opening of Pennsylvania’s first medical marijuana dispensary, located in Bethlehem: “I’m pleased by what Keystone Canna Remedies in Bethlehem will mean to our...
Boscola Calls for Allowing Property Tax Write-offs on State Income Tax Returns
HARRISBURG, Dec. 22, 2017 – State Sen. Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh) today said she is introducing legislation that would allow homeowners to write off their paid property taxes on their state income tax returns. Pointing to the federal tax reform law that...
Gov. Wolf, Education Sec. Rivera, Sen. Brewster Recognize Kiski Area Achievement
Harrisburg – December 12, 2017 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland), Gov. Tom Wolf, and Education Secretary Pedro Rivera helped recognize the achievement of the students from the Kiski Area High School as they increased their qualifying scores by 185...
Sabatina’s Child Protective Services Reform Legislation Approved by Senate Committee
Harrisburg – December 12, 2017 – Legislation authored by Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) that would reform how child protective services records are handled was approved by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today. “The legislation is designed to...
Dozens Sign Up for Affordable Healthcare at Senator Tartaglione’s Enrollment Event
Pennsylvania Senate Democrats organized the ACA enrollment tour to help people get covered and raise awareness about the new Dec. 15 deadline. PHILADELPHIA, PA, November 27, 2017 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione helped more than 20 people obtain health insurance...
Hughes Statement on Scheduled School Reform Commission Vote
Philadelphia – November 16, 2017 – State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) issued the following statement concerning the scheduled vote to disband the School Reform Commission (SRC) and return control of the schools to local officials. Hughes was slated to...
Hughes Applauds Mayor Kenney’s Plan to End State Oversight of Phila. Public Schools
PHILADELPHIA, November 2, 2017 — State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) issued the following statement on Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s announcement that he will seek to end state oversight of the School District of Philadelphia: "I applaud Mayor's Kenney...
PA Senate Democrats Push Back on Trump’s ACA Enrollment Changes
HARRISBURG, November 1, 2017 — Following President Trump’s efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act by limiting open enrollment, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus will ramp up efforts to ensure eligible individuals gain health insurance through...
Senator Farnese Applauds Passage of Gaming Legislation, Economic Development Funding for Philadelphia
Harrisburg, PA – October 26, 2017 – Senator Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) voted for the omnibus gaming bill that is on its way to the Governor. The bill, House Bill 271, is an important piece of the budget and included the fix to the local share assessment. The...
Hughes: Legislation Addresses ‘Stop-and-Go’ Liquor, Fixes City AVI
HARRISBURG, October 24, 2017 — State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) issued the following statement on the passage of legislation that addresses problematic “stop and go” liquor businesses. The measure also establishes a fix for the city’s Actual Value...
Senator Tartaglione, Rep. Dawkins Facilitate Sexual Violence Prevention Conversation in Wissinoming
Philadelphia – October 20, 2017 – Pennsylvania Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione partnered with Rep. Jason Dawkins and the Philadelphia-based Women Organized Against Rape on Thursday evening to facilitate a vital and timely discussion about sexual violence...
Senator Art Haywood Announces Plans to Introduce Single-Payer Healthcare Legislation in Pennsylvania State Senate
Abington, PA – September 28, 2017 – Senator Art Haywood (D, Montgomery/Philadelphia) today announced his plan to introduce health insurance legislation that will cover everybody and reduce healthcare costs into the Pennsylvania State Senate. “We have to get everyone...
Boscola and Stefano Win Key Endorsements for Tougher Restitution Law
Bethlehem, September 22, 2017 – The Office of Victim Advocate and the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association are working with state Senators Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) and Pat Stefano (R-Fayette) on legislation that would enable government, business and...
Leach Joins Overwhelming Bipartisan Senate Majority in Rejecting PA House GOP Revenue Plan
HARRISBURG, September 20, 2017 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today voted to non-concur on the Pennsylvania House of Representative’s revenue plan and create a conference committee to write a plan that can be supported by both chambers. The final...
Costa Statement on Credit Rating Downgrade
Harrisburg – September 20, 2017 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement today concerning the downgrade of Pennsylvania’s credit rating by S & P Global Ratings due to failure to adopt a revenue plan with sufficient...
Dinniman Renews Call for DEP to Release Info on Wells Near Pipeline’s Path
WEST CHESTER (September 14, 2017) – State Senator Andy Dinniman today expressed concern with the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP’s) interim response requiring up to an additional 30 days, until October 11, 2017, to issue a final response to his...
Hughes Introduces ‘It’s on Us PA’ Bill Expanding Office of Safe Schools to Include Colleges
HARRISBURG, September 6, 2017 — As part of ongoing efforts to prevent sexual violence on college campuses, state Sen. Vincent Hughes has introduced legislation that would expand Pennsylvania's Office of Safe Schools to cover postsecondary institutions. This expansion,...
Leach Comments on Trump’s Decision to End DACA
HARRISBURG – September 5, 2017 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today commented on President Donald J. Trump’s decision to end the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” (DACA) immigration policy. In ending DACA, Trump will deport 750,000...
Dinniman Calls on DEP to Release Info on Wells Potentially Impacted by Pipeline
WEST CHESTER (September 5, 2017) – State Senator Andy Dinniman said today he was forced to file a Right-to-Know Request to obtain a list of private groundwater wells located near the path of Sunoco Pipeline’s Mariner East II project in Chester County. “While I find it...
Dinniman Releases Statement on Pa. ESSA Plan
WEST CHESTER (August 14) – State Senator Andy Dinniman, Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, released the following statement in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s announcement this morning on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and the...
Sen. Hughes Comments on Senate Passage of State Budget Revenue Package
HARRISBURG, July 28, 2017 — State Sen. Vincent Hughes released the following statement on the Senate’s passage of a package of revenue bills needed to fund the 2017-18 state budget. “This revenue package, though imperfect, represents a bipartisan compromise among four...
Senate Includes Fontana’s Water Line Replacement Language in Revenue Package
Harrisburg – July 27, 2017 – The state Senate today approved a budget revenue package that includes state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana’s legislation that would allow local governments to tap various government funding sources to help citizens fund sewer and water line...
Lawmakers Highlight Need to End Budget Impasse, Fund State-Related Universities
PHILADELPHIA, July 20, 2017 — As Pennsylvania prepares to enter a fourth week without a state budget revenue package, a budget bill that funds the five state-related universities has become embroiled in the state budget funding standoff. State lawmakers today...
Boscola Pleased with Streamlined State Budget
Harrisburg, February 7, 2017 – State Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s $32.3 billion state budget proposal for fiscal 2017-18: “This budget proposal is a workable solution to the state’s...
Brewster: Proposed State Budget is a Blueprint for Change
Harrisburg – February 7, 2017 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) released the following statement concerning Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2017-18:
“The proposed $32.3 billion General Fund budget cuts more than $2 billion in expenses, calls for spending slightly more than 1 percent over last year and deals with a looming $3 billion deficit without a broad-based income tax hike.