Press Releases
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...
Senator Jay Costa, Representative Dan Frankel Reintroduce Hate Crimes and Victims’ Rights Package of Legislation
PITTSBURGH, PA – April 10, 2025 – Today, Senator Jay Costa joins Representative Dan Frankel to announce the reintroduction of a package of bills meant to strengthen law enforcement’s response to hate crimes, improve tracking, advocate for victims, and prevent future...
Sen. Kearney and Rep. O’Mara Host Annual Apprenticeship & Trades Fair for Local Middle & High School Students
MEDIA, PA – April 9, 2025 – Senator Tim Kearney and Representative Jennifer O’Mara, in partnership with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU), hosted their annual Apprenticeship & Trades Fair on April 5 at the DCIU in Morton. The event welcomed...
Joint Statement by Dauphin County Democratic Members Regarding Commissioner George Hartwick
HARRISBURG, PA – April 8, 2025 – Senator Patty Kim (SD-15), Representatives Nate Davidson (HD-103) Dave Madsen (HD 104) and Justin Fleming (HD-105) issued the following statement: “The allegations against Commissioner George Hartwick are serious and should be treated...
On the Anniversary of Dr. King’s Assassination, Leaders Rally to Defend Equal Education Against Federal Attacks
PHILADELPHIA, PA – April 4, 2025 − On Friday, April 4, elected officials, civil rights advocates, and education leaders gathered at Martin Luther King High School to commemorate the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and sound the alarm on...
Senate Democratic Caucus Rallies for Fair Housing Month, Calls for State Action on Safe, Affordable Homes for All
Harrisburg, PA − April 2, 2025 − Senate Democrats held a press conference on Wednesday to kick off Fair Housing Month, observed nationally every April, and call for state action on Housing. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa was joined by Democratic...
Senator Tartaglione’s Bill to Prohibit Safe Injection Sites Passes Senate with Strong Bipartisan Support
Harrisburg, PA − April 2, 2025 – With a decisive 38-11 vote, the Pennsylvania Senate yesterday passed Senate Bill 347, legislation introduced by Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-2) to prohibit the operation of safe injection sites in the Commonwealth of...
PA Senator Vincent Hughes Announces Social Security Senate Resolution
Harrisburg, PA – April 1, 2025 –Senator Vincent Hughes has announced a concurrent resolution that addresses cuts to the Social Security Administration and harmful operational updates that are being led by Acting Commissioner Dudek and Elon Musk’s DOGE. Senator Hughes...
Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Chair Nick Miller and Senator Marty Flynn Host Hearing Examining Energy Affordability for Consumers
HARRISBURG, PA − March 31, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to explore strategies for mitigating the impact of energy costs on residents along with legislative solutions aimed at delivering reliable, affordable...
State Senators Highlight Name Change Reform Legislative Package
HARRISBURG, PA – March 31, 2025 – A group of Pennsylvania Senators has reintroduced a set of bills designed to reduce the barriers transgender Pennsylvanians face when legally changing their names. Known as the Name Change Reform Package, the legislative...
Senator Nick Pisciottano Announces Partnership with VFW & American Legion to Support Veterans
Monroeville, PA, March 28, 2025 – State Sen. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) today announced a partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania to enhance essential support services for veterans in his district....
Miller, Newman Held Groundbreaking Ceremony of New Construction – The Swans
Allentown, Pennsylvania – March 27, 2025 – Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton), and Gary Newman of Blackstone Structures LLC held a press conference in conjunction with the groundbreaking ceremony of Newman’s new housing development, The Swans at 826...
Santarsiero, Bartolotta Unveil Bill to Help Families of First Responders Who Die by Suicide
HARRISBURG – March 27, 2025 – Sens. Camera Bartolotta (R-46) and Steve Santarsiero (D-10) introduced legislation to provide emergency and law enforcement personnel with post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI)-related death benefits. The bill is named for Bryan F. Gray, a...
State Lawmakers Release Plans to Protect PA Immigrant Communities
HARRISBURG – March 26, 2025 – Today, members of the Pennsylvania Legislature’s Welcoming Caucus united at the State Capitol to announce legislative initiatives to support families, fortify communities, protect workers, and uphold the integrity of our legal...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Welcomes Senator-Elect James Malone to Democratic Caucus
HARRISBURG, PA – March 26, 2025 – Last night, Democratic East Petersburg Mayor James Malone won a special election for Senate District 36, which comprises northern Lancaster County, against Republican County Commissioner Josh Parsons. Of the 184,569 registered voters...
Senator Tartaglione Announces Introduction of Senate Bill 19 to Raise Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage
Harrisburg, PA, March 25, 2025 – After nearly two decades of inaction, Senator Christine Tartaglione (D–2) has announced her introduction of Senate Bill 19, a continuing effort to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026, with annual cost-of-living...
Collett Bill Would Create Office of Solicitor General, Ensure Effective Legal Representation for Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg, Pa. − March 24, 2025 − To ensure Pennsylvania citizens are defended in court should the Attorney General fail or decline to act, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) plans to introduce legislation to establish the Office of the Solicitor General. During...
Statement from Sen. Tim Kearney: Hopeful Progress Toward Long-Term Stability for Crozer Health
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – March 24, 2025 – Today, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, currently overseeing the bankruptcy proceedings for Prospect Medical Holdings, the parent company for the Crozer Health System, held a status update...
Sen. Muth Condemns Executive Order to Dismantle US Department of Education
ROYERSFORD − March 21, 2025 − State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) released the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s Executive Order instructing the Secretary of Education to begin dismantling the United States Department of...
Senator Vincent Hughes’ Statement on the Department of Education Executive Order: “A slap in the face to students, teachers, and parents”
March 20, 2025- Today, State Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, issued the following statement in response to the executive order President Trump has signed, directing Secretary McMahon to abolish the Department of Education: “Any move to...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Senate Democratic Education Chair Lindsey Williams Decry Dismantling of Federal Department of Education
PITTSBURGH, PA − March 20, 2025 − Today, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order which begins the process of dismantling the US Department of Education. In condemning this unconstitutional action, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic...
Senator Hughes, Federal Lawmakers, and Advocates Fight Back Against Housing Discrimination
March 18, 2025 − Philadelphia, PA − Senator Vincent Hughes, PA Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, gathered a group of federal and state lawmakers, housing advocates, and community members to call out Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)...
Senator Pisciottano Introduces EDGE 2.0, Lauds Governor’s Energy Plan for PA
Monroeville, PA, March 12, 2025 – State Sen. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) today praised Governor Josh Shapiro’s ambitious Lightning Plan, an energy proposal which seeks to lower electricity costs for Pennsylvanians, build more energy projects, and ensure that the...
Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Chair Nick Miller Hosts Hearing Examining Healthcare Accessibility and Hospital Closure Impacts
ASTON, PA − March 10, 2025 − On March 10 at 2 PM EST, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine the impact of hospital closures in Pennsylvania, focusing on potential declines in public health, economic growth, and community...
Morrisville Borough Truck Ban Underway, 200+ Tickets Issued
BUCKS COUNTY — February 27, 2025 — State and local officials credit a new truck ban with finally decreasing commercial truck traffic in a residential area in Morrisville Borough. In the first two months of enforcement of the prohibition of trucks weighing more than 10...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams’ Press Conference Remarks on Federal Attacks on the Department of Education
Harrisburg, PA − February 26, 2025 − This afternoon, Senate Democrats held a press conference in response to the U.S. House’s passage of a budget bill that proposes significant cuts to federal education funding and ongoing attacks to public...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Calls on Federal and State Officials to Protect Seniors, Students, and Veterans
Harrisburg, PA − February 26, 2025 − This morning, Senator Lindsey M. Williams circulated a co-sponsorship memo calling on our Congressional Delegation to protect Pennsylvanians from the unprecedented personal data access of Elon Musk’s DOGE. Additionally, during...