Press Releases
Hughes Questions State Treasurer about Redlining in Philadelphia
HARRISBURG, PA – February 20, 2018 – During budget hearings with State Treasurer Joe Torsella, Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) raised a recent report about redlining and housing discrimination specifically in the city of Philadelphia. Hughes cited a report by...
Costa Releases Statement on Submission of Senate Democratic Congressional Map to Supreme Court
Harrisburg – February 15, 2018 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement concerning the submission of a congressional redistricting plan to the state Supreme Court. Senate Democrats submitted the plan following the court’s...
Senator Costa Supports Governor Wolf’s Rejection of GOP Map
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 13, 2018 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa fully supports Governor Wolf’s decision to reject the maps presented to him last week by just two Republican members. “A proposal that makes districts slightly more compact but no more fair...
Hughes to Gov: New Maps Must Adhere to Voting Rights Act
Harrisburg – February 9, 2018 – In a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf on the preparation of new congressional maps, state Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) reminded the governor that the new districts must adhere to the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of...
Brewster: Education, Jobs Focus of Budget Proposal, but Local Communities Still Need Help
Harrisburg – February 9, 2018 – Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2018-2019 spending plan is focused on education and jobs which is an excellent direction to take, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said, but he would also like to add dollars for programs that...
Boscola Commends Ohio Legislature for Compromise on Redistricting Reform
HARRISBURG, February 8, 2018 – State Sen. Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh) is praising the Ohio legislature for reaching a bipartisan compromise on a statewide referendum that would allow Ohio voters to decide whether to overhaul how their state’s congressional...
Dinniman Issues Statement on DEP Settlement with Sunoco
WEST CHESTER (February 8, 2018) – State Senator Andy Dinniman today issued the following statement in response to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announcement of an agreement with Sunoco, including a $12.6 million fine, regarding permit...
Schwank Applauds Funding for Spotted Lanternfly Control
Harrisburg, February 7, 2018– State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) is encouraged by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue’s announcement of $17.5 million in emergency funding to stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly in southeastern Pennsylvania. “USDA has...
Dinniman Hosts Conestoga Students in Harrisburg
HARRISBURG (February 1, 2018) – State Senator Andy Dinniman this week welcomed students from Conestoga High School’s New Voters Club to the Pennsylvania State Capitol to get a behind-the-scenes look at how state government works. Dinniman offered the group of about 30...
Boscola Issues Statement on Gov. Wolf’s Budget Proposal
HARRISBURG, February 6, 2018 --- State Senator Lisa M. Boscola today provided the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s $32.9 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2018-19: “I’m pleased that the budget holds the line on broad-based taxes while making key...
Tartaglione Applauds Governor’s Workforce Development, Minimum Wage Advocacy in 2019 Budget Plan
HARRISBURG, PA, February 6, 2018 – Sen. Christine Tartaglione applauded Gov. Tom Wolf’s commitment of $100 million toward workforce development programs as well as his support for raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage in the Fiscal 2019 budget proposal that the governor...
Senator Haywood’s Statement on Governor Wolf’s Proposed 2018-19 Budget
Harrisburg – February 6, 2018 – State Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) released the following statement strongly supporting Governor Tom Wolf’s Budget Address for the 2018-19 fiscal year: “I am proud to support the priorities contained in...
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...