Conklin: House State Government Committee will consider legislation to create open state primaries

(Oct 11, 2023)

“We have the opportunity to give a voice to over a million Pennsylvanians," Solomon said. "Opening our primary elections will give people a stake in our democracy, ensuring that all voices, regardless of party, have the opportunity to help shape our state's future.” Read more

 

Kenyatta, Solomon bill proposing April 2 primary election date passes House

(Oct 05, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., today announced the passage of H.B. 1634 , which would change the presidential primary date in Pennsylvania to the first Tuesday in April. “I’m grateful my colleagues noticed the importance of this bill and the potential impact it could have on the commonwealth,” Kenyatta said. “Pennsylvania currently is one of the last states to vote in the primary. While this bill doesn’t contain the same date as the Senate proposal — it is a way forward that advances our shared goal of an earlier primary in presidential years. I urge the Senate to give it thoughtful consideration and a quick vote.” State Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., a co-prime sponsor of H.B. 1634, echoed Kenyatta’s remarks. “With this legislation passing out of the House, we are one step closer to Pennsylvania becoming a heavyweight in the political arena,” Solomon said. “And as someone whose faith is incredibly important to me and my family, I'm grateful that I will no longer have to choose between my civic duty and my religious obligations.” Historically, Pennsylvania’s presidential primary election takes place during Passover, which hasn’t been convenient for some residents who participate in the Passover holiday, Kenyatta said. If signed into law, H.B.1634 would rectify this issue for all future presidential Read more

 

Legislation to move Pennsylvania's primary election day passes House committee

(Oct 03, 2023)

"Jewish Pennsylvanians shouldn't have to choose between celebrating Passover and going to the polls. We don’t want to have any tension between our religious beliefs and our civic duty,” Solomon said. “My legislation to move up Pennsylvania’s primary election would solve this issue while at the same time giving Pennsylvania more of a say in all future presidential races so that we are in the mix with other early states." Read more

 

Pennsylvania primary: State House committee advances one bill to change the date, rejects another

(Oct 03, 2023)

Kenyatta added that moving the primary from its current April 23 date to April 2 positions Pennsylvania to be part of a regional group of states holding primaries on that date, including Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. He acknowledged concerns about how changing the date would affect county elections officials and the logistics involved in making a change with just over seven months before the primary. Read more

 

Kenyatta, Solomon’s election legislation voted out of State Govt. Committee

(Oct 03, 2023)

The legislators maintain that moving up the primary date would give Pennsylvania increased political weight commensurate with the state’s size and importance in deciding elections. Read more

 

October 2023

(Oct 01, 2023)

OCTOBER 2023 District Office Leases $3400.00 Office Supplies $185.02 Bulk Mail $107.29 Postage $6.15 Lodging/Meals $793.38 Mileage $436.23 VA&EP Committee $312.48 ______________________________ TOTAL $5240.55 Read more

 

September 2023

(Oct 01, 2023)

SEPTEMBER 2023 District Office Leases $2793.33 Office Supplies $332.23 Bulk Mail $3945.82 Postage $8.51 Lodging/Meals $245.00 Mileage ' $145.41 ____________________________ TOTAL $7470.30 Read more

 

August 2023

(Sep 27, 2023)

AUGUST 2023 District Office Lease $2000.00 Office Supplies $120.63 Postage/Mail $3993.63 Refreshments $72.14 Mileage $294.75 VA&EP Committee $588.20 ______________________________ TOTAL $7,069.35 Read more

 

July 2023

(Sep 27, 2023)

JULY 2023 District Office Lease $2000.00 Office Supplies $295.36 Postage/Mail $149.87 Lodging/Parking $234.00 Business meals $26.03 Mileage $145.41 ______________________________ TOTAL $2,850.67 Read more

 

June 2023

(Sep 27, 2023)

JUNE 2023 District Office Lease $2000.00 Office Supplies $266.47 Postage/Mail $131.45 Lodging/Parking $702.00 Meals expenses $87.32 Mileage $835.78 Shredding Event $1950.00 Notary Fees $307.35 VA&EP Committee $125.64 ______________________________ TOTAL $6,406.01 Read more

 

Open Primaries Would Strengthen Democracy in Pa.

(Sep 22, 2023)

Prestigious newspaper editorial boards, Pennsylvania’s past five governors and more have voiced their support for open primaries. As representatives of the people of Pennsylvania, we must ensure everyone’s voice is heard.We hope our colleagues in the General Assembly will realize that bringing more people into the electoral system ensures faith in the democratic process. Read more

 

Support rises for Rabb and Solomon’s open primary legislation

(Sep 14, 2023)

Support continues to grow for voting access legislation authored by state Reps. Jared Solomon and Chris Rabb, both D-Phila. Philadelphia’s prestigious newspaper of record, The Philadelphia Inquirer, recently endorsed their bill to bring more voters into Pennsylvania’s election process. Rabb and Solomon said that the fastest growing group of voters in Pennsylvania are unaffiliated voters. Their proposed legislation would open primary elections to unaffiliated voters, which make up more than one million voters in Pennsylvania. “As a strong and established advocate of voters’ rights, I don’t believe there should be any one disenfranchised or a so-called second class of voters,” Rabb said. “Independent voters have a right to cast their ballot and be a part of the democratic process.” Solomon reiterated, “Opening the closed primary system in Pennsylvania would allow over one million more people to participate in the democratic process. An open primary system would go a long way to create more civic engagement, introduce fresh ideas and promote a healthy democracy.” Due to bipartisan support across the state, demonstrated in polling data, Rabb and Solomon are calling on the House State Government Committee to call this bill for a vote and move the bill to the House floor. According to Rabb and Solomon, 30 states have chosen to include unaffiliated voters in their primary elections, allowing voters who Read more

 

State Grant Programs Open For Application (09/05/2023)

(Sep 05, 2023)

PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Regional Policing Assistance Program Who May Apply: Applicants for the Regional Policing Assistance Program may be any municipality – a city, borough, township, home-rule municipality, or county. Applicants may also be a public or quasi-public body, or its representative, duly authorized to act on behalf of one or more municipalities. All applications must be accompanied by fully executed Articles of Agreement or an Intergovernmental Agreement that establishes a Regional Police Department. Use: Funding will support efforts in establishing or expanding regional police departments that would improve the following: uniformity and consistency of enforcement across municipalities; recruitment; distribution and deployment of police personnel; training and personnel efficiency; career enhancement opportunities; enhanced professionalism; and reduction of costs. Funds: A total of approximately $1,000,000 in federal funds is being announced to support this initiative. Applicants may apply for up to $150,000 for the formation of a new regional police department or up to $50,000 for the expansion of an existing regional police department by adding a chartered municipality(ies). Application Deadline: September 6, 2023 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Legal Standing Video Read more

 

Pennsylvania working on plans to celebrate nation's 250th anniversary

(Sep 05, 2023)

“We are trying to do something transformational,” said Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Philadelphia, a cosponsor of the law and committee member Tuesday. He said the celebration can shape how we look at Pennsylvania’s past, its present in 2026 and future in decades to come. Read more

 

Pa. lawmakers consider moving up state’s presidential primary date

(Sep 05, 2023)

Pennsylvania is a pivotal battleground state and moving up the primary election will provide Pennsylvanians the political weight we deserve by giving us a voice earlier in the process,” Solomon said. “At the same time, Jewish Pennsylvanians shouldn’t have to choose between celebrating Passover and going to the polls.Kenyatta added that April 2 is also the presidential primary date for Wisconsin, “another battleground,” and neighboring Delaware and New York. Read more

 

Pennsylvania’s 2024 presidential primary could move to as early as March 19

(Sep 05, 2023)

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D., Philadelphia) introduced a proposal with Rep. Jared Solomon (D., Philadelphia) to move the primary to April 2. This is the earliest that the state could move the election while still allowing candidates to begin collecting petitions to get on the ballot after the Christmas holiday. Read more

 

Conklin announces intention to consider Kenyatta H.B. 1634 and S.B. 224 to adjust PA’s presidential primary date

(Aug 28, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Aug. 28 – State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, majority chair of the PA House State Government Committee, announced today his intention to give committee consideration to both S.B. 224 (sponsored by state Sen. David Argall) and a House bill sponsored by state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. Both pieces of legislation would move up the date of the next presidential primary in Pennsylvania. "The democratic process is one of the cornerstones of our nation, and it's our duty to ensure that the voices of all Pennsylvanians are heard," said Conklin. "I am pleased to support the Kenyatta bill, which thoughtfully moves the presidential primary to April 2. This not only gives Pennsylvanians a greater voice in national politics but also starts the petition process on January 2, after the holiday season, allowing for a more family-friendly and inclusive timeline." Kenyatta provided his insights: "When I introduced this legislation, I’d hoped the idea would garner bipartisan buy-in, and I'm happy that is the case. Pennsylvania is a critical battleground nationally, and we deserve to be heard earlier in the process. We also need to be respectful of the Passover holiday. My proposed date of April 2 would put Pennsylvania’s elections on the same date as Wisconsin -- another battleground -- and our regional neighbors of Delaware and New York. I look forward to working with Senate sponsors to get this Read more

 

Solomon hosts ribbon cutting for Max Myers playground multi-sports space

(Aug 14, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 14 – State Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., today hosted a ribbon cutting at Max Myers playground for its new multi-sports space. Last year, Solomon’s office was able to secure $100,000 for the city of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation to build a sports space. Solomon was joined by The Sports Creative Founder Joe Hewitt, love.futbol Co-Founder and CEO Drew Chafetz, City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Interim Commissioner Orlando Rendon. “The new multi-sports space at Max Myers will provide children in northeast Philadelphia a place where they can socialize and stay active,” Solomon said. “I’m glad that I was able to secure this funding and work together with so many great partners to transform this space to benefit our community.” Read more

 

May 2023

(Aug 14, 2023)

District Office Lease $2000.00 Office Supplies $140.36 Postage/Mail $197.94 Telephone Services $7.67 Lodging/Parking $468.00 Meals expenses $41.88 Transportation $69.30 Session mileage $101.01 ______________________________ TOTAL $3026.16 Read more

 

April 2023

(Aug 14, 2023)

District Office Lease $2000.00 Office Supplies $363.34 Postage/Mail $160.28 District Office utilities $22.35 Cleaning Services $129.90 DO Desk Removal $300.00 Lodging/Parking $234.00 Meals expenses $92.10 Transportation $56.31 ______________________________ Read more