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Guzman welcomes state funding for local fire, EMS companies

(Feb 16, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

READING, Feb. 16 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, today announced $63,325 in state funding to improve services of fire and EMS agencies in the 127 th Legislative District that he serves. The grants come from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner. “The safety and peace of mind of our community relies on local first responders. Funding these agencies is crucial and this is certainly one of my priorities,” Guzman said. “I will continue advocating to ensure that local fire companies and EMS providers are efficiently funded.” The grants were awarded to: Kenhorst Volunteer Fire Company No 1. - $14,423. Keystone Fire Co No 1 of Shillington - $16,951. City of Reading Dept of Fire and Rescue Services / Fire - $16,951. City of Reading Dept of Fire and Rescue Services/ EMS - $15,000. Act 91 of 2020 authorized the Fire Company and Medical Services Grant Program until June 30. Recently, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed increasing the program’s funding to $60 million. Read more

 

PA House, Senate Dem Policy Committees convene joint hearing on eviction sealing

(Feb 15, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The Pennsylvania House and Senate Democratic Policy Committees teamed up for a joint hearing Thursday morning to gather testimony on the need for eviction sealing in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation praises expanded state Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit

(Feb 15, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, members of the Philadelphia House Delegation held a news conference at the Early Learning Literacy Academy highlighting the expansion of the state Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit. Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on community solar bill

(Feb 15, 2024) Rep. Robert Matzie

“Having an all-energy portfolio that isn’t reliant on a single source is important for PA’s energy independence and for ensuring that we continue to export energy now and in the decades to come," Matzie said. "But, as with all legislation we review, our committee is going to act deliberately and carefully, getting a dialogue moving and ensuring that any legislation we advance is crafted to protect PA consumers.” Read more

 

The choice for is clear for educating our children, we need to go big

(Feb 14, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Please know we are not seeking more money for our schools just for the sake of getting more money. What we are doing is fulfilling the obligation in the Pennsylvania Constitution for all children to receive a quality education. Read more

 

Lawmakers discuss future of artificial intelligence during House Majority Policy hearing

(Feb 13, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Artificial intelligence was the topic of vast discussion at a House Majority Policy Committee hearing Tuesday morning, including how it’s already impacting everyday life and what comes next. Read more

 

Health Committee OKs Kosierowski medical test results measure

(Feb 12, 2024) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

The state House Health Committee recently approved a bill written by Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski that would balance a patient’s right to access their health information with the important role that medical professionals provide in helping patients understand their test results. Read more

 

Pisciottano introduces bill to fight corporate greed

(Feb 09, 2024) Rep. Nick Pisciottano

Open Markets Act would protect consumers, workers and small businesses Read more

 

Kinkead introduces resolution to recognize International Day of Women and Girls in Science

(Feb 09, 2024) Rep. Emily Kinkead

“Celebrating women scientists like Rachel Carson, Marie Curie and Hedy Lamarr is essential to inspiring the next generation of women leaders in STEM,” Kinkead said. “Establishing the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in our state would provide a great opportunity to highlight the significant contributions women have made to the field, which continue to be undermined and ignored. We need to do more to make women and especially young girls feel welcome and included in this field and that’s what this resolution is all about.” Read more

 

Cepeda-Freytiz applauds governor’s 2024-25 state budget proposal

(Feb 08, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

READING, Feb. 8 – State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, today praised Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 state budget and emphasized that the spending plan excludes new tax hikes. Cepeda-Freytiz said she is particularly excited for the proposed investments in education, mental health and small, disadvantaged businesses. “This budget invests in education at every level. We are talking about the largest increase in K-12 basic education funding in Pennsylvania history,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “I hail the $1.1 billion increase in basic education subsidies and significant funding for special education, school safety improvements, and universal free breakfast for 1.7 million students it calls for,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “I applaud the inclusion of feminine hygiene products at no cost to students. The overall allocations for education would certainly help address decades of disinvestment in this area,” she added. The legislator highlighted that Shapiro continues to support mental health services by proposing investing $10 million for 988 crisis line operations to boost Pennsylvania’s crisis intervention services, among other provisions. “Our community is experiencing challenging times when it comes to mental health,” she said. “I am proud to say that I, along with my colleagues, secured $100 million in the current budget Read more

 

Speaker McClinton, Rep. Davis celebrate expansion of PA’s Childcare tax credit

(Feb 08, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

BRISTOL, Feb. 8 – House Speaker Joanna McClinton traveled to Growing Little Footprints Daycare Center in Bucks County today to laud the expansion of Pennsylvania’s Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, an initiative championed by state Rep. Tina Davis of Bucks County. McClinton and Davis were joined by state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks, state Rep. Brian Munroe, D-Bucks, state Rep. Tim Brennan D-Bucks, Valerie Hamilton, owner and director, Children of God Educational Services and Dan O’Brien, Policy Manager, Education and Family Stability, Children First. Beginning this year, families and caregivers will be able to claim the equivalent of the entire federal credit, giving families the opportunity to claim up to $1,050 for one child, or $2,100 for two or more children. At least 80 percent of households in Bucks County who pay expenses for childcare or dependent care are eligible for this credit. Davis initially introduced the credit as H.B. 1259 , which passed the House with a bipartisan majority on June 12. While legislation awaited consideration in the Senate, Davis helped to amend the language of the bill into the state’s Fiscal Code bill, which passed in December. “One of the biggest challenges working parents face is finding affordable childcare they can depend on while they’re at work – especially when the average cost can be over $1,000 per Read more

 

Salisbury supports governor’s budget proposals to bolster education, infrastructure, historically disadvantaged small businesses

(Feb 08, 2024) Rep. Abigail Salisbury

“Many of the governor’s proposals resonated with me, including his proposals for greater investment in our public schools and in our historically disadvantaged small businesses," Salisbury said. Read more

 

In a united front, state reps highlight new Pennsylvania budget priorities

(Feb 08, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

With major increases in funding for education and SEPTA, without any tax hikes, members of the Philadelphia House delegation laid out the major aspirations of Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Read more

 

Philly Dems say boost for SEPTA just one of highlights for city in Shapiro’s budget proposal

(Feb 08, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

On Wednesday, several Democratic members of Philadelphia’s state House delegation held a press conference at Philadelphia City Hall detailing what they view as the highlights of Shapiro’s budget proposal. Read more

 

I-95 disaster emergency proclamation extended until May

(Feb 07, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Feb. 7 – A concurrent resolution of the House and Senate, which extends the disaster emergency proclamation for the I-95 overpass in Philadelphia that collapsed in June 2023 until May 29 took effect today. The disaster declaration allows the state to continue to access emergency funding and follow streamlined rules for repair work. “Interstate 95 is a critical highway for not only Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, but the entire Northeast United States,” said Rep. Anthony Bellmon, who authored the most recent extension (H.R. 279). “It is important that we cut as much red tape as possible to let PennDOT finish the job of rebuilding the highway so it is safe to travel on for years to come.” Bellmon’s measure is the latest of several resolutions used to extend the governor’s original proclamation. The first extension was contained in S.R. 136, introduced by state Sen. Jimmy Dillion, D-Phila., which extended the proclamation until Nov. 1, 2023. That was followed by another extension (H.R. 197), offered by state Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., which extended the proclamation until the end of February 2024. The Senate adopted Bellmon’s resolution on Monday after the House approved it in December. Read more

 

Rabb highlights special election reform legislation ahead of Tuesday’s election

(Feb 07, 2024) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

HARRISBURG, Feb. 7 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., is highlighting special election-related legislation ahead of Tuesday’s Pennsylvania House of Representatives special election in Bucks County. “The process by which we elect people in special elections is as important as regularly scheduled elections. That is why I have reintroduced legislation to modernize the process,” Rabb said. “Tuesday’s special election will decide the fate of who will control the House of Representatives.” Rabb said his legislation, H.B.1831, to modernize the special election process would ensure special elections are timely, cost effective and accessible by requiring that special elections happen sooner when a seat becomes vacant more than 90 days before the next election; requiring automatic mail-in voting for all elections while providing county boards of election the option to establish satellite voting sites ; subsidizing special elections from restitution paid by elected officials who have vacated their seats because of a felony conviction; and allowing candidates to electronically obtain nomination petition signatures. According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of State, the state spent almost $1 million on just five special elections in 2023. “This large expense is unnecessary and does nothing to promote civic literacy or nonpartisan engagement in Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation encouraged by Shapiro Budget Proposal

(Feb 07, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, leaders of the Philadelphia House Delegation said that they are pleased with the direction of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024-25. Among the many positives, the delegation is excited about the proposed investment in SEPTA and mass transit, as well as equitable education funding for the School District of Philadelphia. Read more

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Munroe introduces bill to keep children safe on social media

(Feb 07, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

WARRINGTON, Feb. 7 – State Rep. Brian Munroe introduced a bill today at Tamanend Middle School that would help make social media safer to navigate for children. House Bill 2017 , is bipartisan legislation that would put the following safeguards in place: Require social media companies to monitor the chats of two or more minors on the platform and notify parents or legal guardians of flagged sensitive or graphic content. Strengthen proof of age verification on social media platforms by requiring consent from a parent or legal guardian for anyone under 16 to open a social media account and notify parents or legal guardians if a child under 16 opens a social media account without consent. Prohibit data mining for users under the age of 18 and allow any individual to request the deletion of data that was mined while they were under the age of 18. Munroe crafted the legislation after meeting Max Jin, Luka Jonjic and Dylan Schwartz when they were students at Tamanend Middle School in 2023. The three, who are now freshmen at Central Bucks High School South, won an award from C-SPAN for their documentary, America’s Silent Struggle: Social Media’s Impact on Teens’ Mental Health . The documentary featured a fictional newly elected congressman working to pass legislation on social media and its impact on the mental health of youth. After seeing the documentary, Munroe suggested turning fiction into Read more

 

Ciresi highlights record education funding, call for charter reform in Shapiro’s budget proposal

(Feb 06, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Feb. 6 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, released the following statement regarding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 budget proposal, unveiled today before the General Assembly: “Today’s budget address included a strong plan for public education that will help our students, taxpayers, and communities,” Ciresi said. “In addition to proposing a historic investment in education, I was glad to hear the governor’s support for cyber charter reform that would align payments to the actual cost of cyber education. These changes level the playing field for all schools and students, invest in public education, and give a much-needed break to our property taxpayers.” Ciresi said the proposed budget includes an additional $1.1 billion for basic and special education statewide, delivering an increase of almost $9 million to school districts in the 146th Legislative District, including: Pottsgrove School District: $2.9 million. Pottstown School District: $4.8 million. Spring-Ford Area School District: $1.3 million. This includes savings from setting a standardized statewide cyber charter tuition rate, which would return $262 million to public school districts and taxpayers. The reform was part of Ciresi’s legislation (H.B. 1422) that passed in the House with bipartisan support last year. “These investments in education are a first step on a path to making sure every school has the resources Read more

 

Powell hails budget proposal outlined by Gov. Shapiro

(Feb 06, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Feb. 6 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, applauded Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget address today, hailing it as a transformative vision for Pennsylvania. "What we heard from the governor was a bold blueprint to make our Commonwealth one of the most welcoming, accessible, competitive and equitable states in the country, all without costing Pennsylvanians a cent more in taxes,” Powell said. "Among the governor’s proposals are a $40 million increase for Pittsburgh Regional Transit, a $600 million investment in economic development projects, and a $1.1 billion increase in basic education funding, which includes $900 million for catch-up investments to support underfunded districts like Pittsburgh Public Schools. “We must better support our schools to ensure a high-quality education for our children because we're falling short right now. I am hopeful that the governor will also commit to opposing the diversion of public school resources toward charter schools and voucher programs. “I was also pleased to hear the governor call for the legalization of recreational adult-use cannabis with an emphasis on restorative justice. This will not only serve to generate millions in additional tax revenue for the Commonwealth but will also be a long-overdue first step to undoing the decades of damage caused primarily to Black and brown communities, who have been disproportionately impacted by its prohibition.” Read more

 

Guzman welcomes state funding for local fire, EMS companies
Feb 16, 2024

PA House, Senate Dem Policy Committees convene joint hearing on eviction sealing
Feb 15, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation praises expanded state Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit
Feb 15, 2024

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on community solar bill
Feb 15, 2024

The choice for is clear for educating our children, we need to go big
Feb 14, 2024

Lawmakers discuss future of artificial intelligence during House Majority Policy hearing
Feb 13, 2024

Health Committee OKs Kosierowski medical test results measure
Feb 12, 2024

Pisciottano introduces bill to fight corporate greed
Feb 09, 2024

Kinkead introduces resolution to recognize International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Feb 09, 2024

Cepeda-Freytiz applauds governor’s 2024-25 state budget proposal
Feb 08, 2024

Speaker McClinton, Rep. Davis celebrate expansion of PA’s Childcare tax credit
Feb 08, 2024

Salisbury supports governor’s budget proposals to bolster education, infrastructure, historically disadvantaged small businesses
Feb 08, 2024

In a united front, state reps highlight new Pennsylvania budget priorities
Feb 08, 2024

Philly Dems say boost for SEPTA just one of highlights for city in Shapiro’s budget proposal
Feb 08, 2024

I-95 disaster emergency proclamation extended until May
Feb 07, 2024

Rabb highlights special election reform legislation ahead of Tuesday’s election
Feb 07, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation encouraged by Shapiro Budget Proposal
Feb 07, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Munroe introduces bill to keep children safe on social media
Feb 07, 2024

Ciresi highlights record education funding, call for charter reform in Shapiro’s budget proposal
Feb 06, 2024

Powell hails budget proposal outlined by Gov. Shapiro
Feb 06, 2024