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Speaker of the House highlights Delco Health Department

(May 15, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

EDDYSTONE, May 15 – Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton highlighted the positive contributions the Delaware County Health Department has accomplished and ways it has impacted the community just a year after being launched in April 2022. “From West Nile Virus to tracking Delco health trends, the Delaware County Health Department is laying the foundation for a healthier county” said Speaker McClinton, who represents portions of Delaware County and Philadelphia. “With new threats to public health emerging every day, I’m proud to support the work of the Health Department to identify, educate, and lead in protecting our community” said McClinton, who brought the House Majority Policy Committee in for a roundtable and tour Monday in Delaware County. During the first days of the pandemic in Pennsylvania, on March 6, 2020, the governor held a press conference to announce two confirmed presumptive COVID-19 cases – including one case in Delaware County. The county had not yet developed its own health department, and it relied on neighboring Chester County to help inform citizens. It exposed a weakness in Delco and for many of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Before it created its own health department, Delco was the largest county – by population – without its own health department. Even after its creation, only Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia run their own county-wide health departments. Other counties Read more

 

Salisbury’s first bill introduced in the House

(May 15, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 15 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, formally introduced her first bill today as a Pennsylvania state representative, legislation that would help communities address the problem of blighted and abandoned properties. The legislation ( H.B. 1163 ) would update current property law to allow communities to make blighted or abandoned properties subject to potential acquisition by land banks. Owners of such properties would be granted a set amount of time to make the repairs needed to reverse the designation and could appeal the designation. "In my five years as a borough council member, I saw firsthand how these neglected properties can become safety hazards and sources of frustration for communities. As a council member, however, my ability to help neighbors deal with problem properties was often limited by what the law allowed,” Salisbury said. “My goal with this legislation is to add another tool to local governments' toolboxes and help put properties back to productive use. My bill delivers a ‘use it or lose it’ message to urge property owners into action and improve communities' ability to address blight.” Salisbury said her legislation does not require land banks to acquire properties designated as abandoned and/or distressed. Read more

 

Dire situation: PA needs to expand access to contraceptives

(May 12, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, states throughout the nation stripped the rights to access to reproductive health care and limited what had previously been readily available for nearly 50 years,” said Krueger, who represents portions of Delaware County and is a member of the House Majority Leadership Team, serving as the House Majority Caucus Administrator. “This decision not only threatens public health in states that limited access to reproductive health care, but it also threatens public health in states like Pennsylvania – where abortion is safe and legal – by overwhelming health systems with the increased demand coming from out of state to receive essential health care.” Read more

 

Neilson moves to free up more money to fix roads and bridges

(May 11, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The leader of the House Transportation Committee this week introduced a bill to ensure more of the tax revenue already collected to fund the construction and maintenance of Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure is used for its intended purpose. The committee’s majority chairman Ed Neilson, D-Phila., said the plan outlined in HB 1162, with bipartisan sponsorship, reflects the proposal made by Gov. Josh Shapiro to gradually reduce the portion of the state’s Motor License Fund being diverted to fund the State Police. “Drivers in Pennsylvania are keenly aware of the state tax they pay on the fuel they purchase,” Neilson said. “They’ve historically understood that this money goes for keeping roads and bridges in drivable condition. But in recent years a substantial part of that money has been going to the State Police, meaning fewer roads and bridges got the attention they need. “It’s time for the legislature to fix this and rededicate all of the gas tax money to our state’s transportation needs,” he said. The decades-old Motor License Fund is a dedicated state account consisting of gas tax revenue and money from other transportation-related license and vehicle fees. In recent years, increasing amounts were diverted from the fund annually to pay for State Police operations. The transfer peaked at over $800 million in the 2016-17 budget year but was gradually reduced by the General Assembly and Read more

 

Roundtable highlights work by Family Promise to support families

(May 10, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“The pandemic exposed some of the state’s most serious problems, including a lack of affordable housing and a lack of proper funding for numerous human services that are supposed to serve as safety nets on Pennsylvania’s worst days,” said Rep. Ben Sanchez, who co-hosted the event. “Fortunately, in Montgomery County we saw dedicated organizations, like Family Promise, help ensure that homelessness and hunger are rare and brief for many families and children.” Read more

 

Schweyer: Helping our heroes take the next step

(May 10, 2023) Rep. Peter G. Schweyer

House Democrats want to make sure we do our small part to repay the sacrifice of our servicemembers and their families. We can start by doing everything we can to make it easier for families of our men and women in uniform to afford the education they need for a better future. Read more

 

State House moves Brennan bills on workers’ compensation, ‘cop killer bullets’

(May 10, 2023) Rep. Tim Brennan

“It's our job as state legislators to stand up for the rights of Pennsylvania’s working people. In our commonwealth, an employee cannot sue their employer regarding a workplace injury – the workers’ compensation system is their only relief if something horrible happens to them on the job,” Brennan said. Read more

 

Policy roundtable explores link between historical preservation and economic development

(May 09, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The House Majority Policy Committee convened a roundtable discussion in Montgomery County Tuesday morning to explore how historical preservation can increase tourism and drive economic development. Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to pay down unfunded liabilities in state pension systems

(May 09, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 9 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, yesterday introduced legislation (H.B. 1137) to pay down the unfunded liabilities in the state and school employees’ pensions systems using state surplus funds to relieve tax burdens on local taxpayers and school districts. “While our teachers and state employees deserve the retirements they were promised, the unfunded liabilities in our state pension systems – accumulated years and decades ago – increases costs for our taxpayers and school districts as we work to pay that down,” Ciresi said. “My bill would help provide relief by using our state’s surplus funds to reduce these unfunded liabilities, saving taxpayers money in the long term and speeding up progress on addressing our public pensions.” According to Ciresi, the state pension systems— the Public School Employees’ Retirement System and the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System —generate billions of dollars for the economy every year. In 2020 for example, PSERS and SERS supported about 55,000 jobs and provided about $1.2 billion in state tax revenue . Although the pension systems provide a yearly financial windfall, local taxpayers and school districts are required to pay down the pension systems’ unfunded liabilities. These payments significantly increased since pension reforms in 2010 which, in addition to reforming benefits, prompted expanded pension Read more

 

Policy hearing details need for cyber, charter school reform

(May 08, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“I have never been shy about saying exactly what is going on, and our current system is taxpayer thievery that has devastated homeowners and local businesses,” said hearing host Rep. Tarah Probst, who represents portions of Monroe and Pike counties. “In the past it has gone unnoticed, and we have had public officials blame increasing school budgets on teachers’ unions. In reality, the reimbursement formula – which isn’t based on actual costs – allows for overinflated tuition payments to cyber and charter schools and has driven school budget increases. We need to reform the law so all schools fall under the same rules.” Read more

 

Pa. state representatives form Black-Jewish Caucus to promote shared goals for social justice

(May 08, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Citing a storied history of cooperation, and a shared desire to continue promoting social justice, members of the Pennsylvania State House are forming a Black-Jewish caucus. Read more

 

Testifiers detail challenges facing emergency management services in PA

(May 05, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing Friday morning in Delaware County to discuss emergency management services in Pennsylvania and the daily challenges facing these first responders. Read more

 

Lawmakers focus on growing local businesses and Main Streets across PA

(May 04, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The House Majority Policy Committee hosted a round table discussion with local businesses owners in Chester County Thursday afternoon before touring Main Street in Phoenixville to hear what members can do to grow downtown areas in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

House Democrats Advance Measures to Ensure Equality, Support Working Families

(May 04, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Democrats Deliver and Pennsylvanians Win Read more

 

Three Pisciottano bills pass through PA House

(May 04, 2023) Rep. Nick Pisciottano

“I’m a firm believer that getting things done requires working across the aisle and am especially proud that all three of my bills passed this week received bipartisan support,” Pisciottano said. Read more

 

Fiedler co-hosts rally for after school programs

(May 04, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 4 – On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network held an advocacy day at the state Capitol. State Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, co-chairs of the PA House Afterschool Caucus, joined them on the Capitol steps to rally for afterschool programs in Pennsylvania. Speakers at the rally included: Contrell Armor, PSAYDN director. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. State Sen. Lynda Schlegel-Culver, R-Columbia/Luzerne/Montour/Northumberland/Snyder. State Sen. Mike Regan, R-Cumberland/York. Youth Keynote, Neha Shukla, Flight Crew Million Girls Moonshot. Youth Speaker, Enjalai Baillie, Harrisburg High School, Sci-Tech and PFEW. Youth Speaker, Aliyah Webster, chief science officer, Minersville Area Jr./Sr. High School. Youth Speaker, Sean Jackson, Braddock Hills High School, Pittsburgh. Youth Co-Speakers, Aaron Pravs & Nasir Harrison, South Philadelphia High School. Provider Speaker; Amy Burrows, assistant director of Propel Afterschool Programs, 2022 PSAYDN Afterschool Champion for Outstanding Quality. State Rep. Michael Schlossberg, D-Lehigh. Fiedler stressed the importance of afterschool programs to mentor young people and prevent violence. “At a time when violence has been increasing, we need to invest in high quality out-of-school-time programs that provide kids with safe Read more

 

Fiedler, Pisciottano Right to Organize legislation passes House

(May 03, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 3 – Today, H.B. 950 , introduced by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, which would enshrine Pennsylvania workers’ right to organize in the state constitution passed the Pennsylvania House and now heads to the PA Senate for consideration. Currently, the Pennsylvania Constitution does not guarantee workers the right to organize and collectively bargain. This legislation proposes to amend Article I of the Pennsylvania Constitution to enshrine these rights for all workers in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the bill would prohibit any other laws that interfere with or diminish collective bargaining rights. Fiedler said that the passage of H.B. 950 by the House is a step in the right direction for Pennsylvania workers and expressed gratitude to her House colleagues who voted for the bill. “Workers fuel our economy. They are the mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles of our commonwealth. Workers deserve to be treated with respect and that’s exactly the goal of this legislation,” Fiedler said. “I am grateful to all my colleagues in the House who voted for the bill, and I now call on the Senate to show their support for Pennsylvania’s workers and move this amendment forward.” Pisciottano said it’s important everything possible be done to protect and support workers’ right to organize. Read more

 

Pa. House passes bills strengthening worker protections

(May 03, 2023) Rep. Jason Dawkins

HARRISBURG, May 3 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed five pieces of legislation this week that will strengthen worker protections and make the state a safer place to work. “It is time we put working families first. These bills we passed — with bipartisan support, I might add — are a step in that direction,” said House Labor and Industry Committee Majority Chairman Jason Dawkins, D-Phila. “For far too long, the Labor and Industry Committee was concerned with corporate interests and putting employers over employees. And for as long as I am chair of this committee, legislation that benefits workers and invests in good jobs and working families will be a priority.” The Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee reported all five bills out of committee before they were approved by the full House. The legislation is as follows below: H.B. 299 ; which would create the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act to establish workplace safety standards for public sector employees that are consistent with federal OSHA requirements. H.B. 413 ; which would increase specifications for classifying employees as independent contractors in the construction industry. H.B. 760 ; which would allow workers' compensation claimants to receive benefits via direct deposit. H.B. 930 ; which would ensure that Read more

 

Gergely bill passes in the PA House

(May 03, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 3 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, issued the following statement today after his first piece of legislation as a state representative, H.B. 829 , passed 199-2 in the House. The legislation would allow employees who work for distributors or importing distributors to also be allowed to work at other licensees’ establishments. “The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on small business profits across the country, including those in the food and beverage industry. Bars, restaurants, and similar liquor license entities are also facing a worker shortage when it comes to hiring experienced and knowledgeable staff. Yet, the current law on the books exercises an exclusive grip and only allows these employees to work at one such establishment at a given time. “House Bill 829 releases those workers from that tight grip and fosters inclusivity among liquor license ventures. Larger and more experienced labor forces will contribute to these businesses turning a higher profit and strengthening local economies. Not only that, having extra money in their pockets will help these workers and their families afford daily necessities and benefit their overall well-being. “This bill is a win-win for Pennsylvania residents and businesses, and I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their collective confidence and support of my first bill. ” House Bill 829 now heads to the Senate for consideration. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El celebrates House passage of the PA Fairness Act

(May 03, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 3 – State Rep. Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, praised yesterday’s passage in the House of the PA Fairness Act, which would outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “I’m honored to be a co-prime sponsor of this important legislation—The PA Fairness Act,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This moment is 22 years and hundreds of elections in the making as Democrats have repeatedly tried to pass legislation that would make Pennsylvania a more equitable place to live and work for our LGBTQ+ community. During this time, many LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians have found themselves to be second-class citizens, at best, in the commonwealth—worried if they would lose housing or a job or their lives because of who they love or who they are. “Pennsylvania for too long has lagged behind other states in outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. That must stop. Thanks to the Democratic majority in the House, we have been able to pass this historic legislation. We’ve got to keep fighting so this legislation passes the Senate. The Fairness Act gets Pennsylvania closer to a place where everyone's rights are protected, where citizens would be wrapped in freedom, equality, fairness and justice which is love spoken out loud. I look forward to that day when the Act is signed into law, and Read more

 

Speaker of the House highlights Delco Health Department
May 15, 2023

Salisbury’s first bill introduced in the House
May 15, 2023

Dire situation: PA needs to expand access to contraceptives
May 12, 2023

Neilson moves to free up more money to fix roads and bridges
May 11, 2023

Roundtable highlights work by Family Promise to support families
May 10, 2023

Schweyer: Helping our heroes take the next step
May 10, 2023

State House moves Brennan bills on workers’ compensation, ‘cop killer bullets’
May 10, 2023

Policy roundtable explores link between historical preservation and economic development
May 09, 2023

Ciresi introduces legislation to pay down unfunded liabilities in state pension systems
May 09, 2023

Policy hearing details need for cyber, charter school reform
May 08, 2023

Pa. state representatives form Black-Jewish Caucus to promote shared goals for social justice
May 08, 2023

Testifiers detail challenges facing emergency management services in PA
May 05, 2023

Lawmakers focus on growing local businesses and Main Streets across PA
May 04, 2023

House Democrats Advance Measures to Ensure Equality, Support Working Families
May 04, 2023

Three Pisciottano bills pass through PA House
May 04, 2023

Fiedler co-hosts rally for after school programs
May 04, 2023

Fiedler, Pisciottano Right to Organize legislation passes House
May 03, 2023

Pa. House passes bills strengthening worker protections
May 03, 2023

Gergely bill passes in the PA House
May 03, 2023

Smith-Wade-El celebrates House passage of the PA Fairness Act
May 03, 2023