WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 16): Montco temporarily pauses J&J vaccine distribution

(Apr 16, 2021)

Montgomery County will be complying with federal and state directives and temporarily pause administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine until at least April 20th. Read more

 

Rabb, Hanbidge urge measures to better understand impact of electric vehicles in Pa. before enacting legislation to charge fees

(Apr 12, 2021)

HARRISBURG, April 12 — State Reps. Chris Rabb and Liz Hanbidge have reintroduced legislation to study the costs and benefits of electric vehicles to better understand the impact of the vehicles in Pennsylvania. “Studies have shown that electric vehicles emit significantly less greenhouse gas than gasoline-powered vehicles,” Rabb, D-Phila., said. “With climate change upon us, we know electric vehicles offer a huge benefit in that they mean cleaner air and less pollution. When it comes to the fees that electric vehicle owners will be charged – specifically regarding the motor vehicle tax – Representative Hanbidge and I believe additional information is needed, and that’s why we’re urging a study.” “Studying the impact of electric cars on our commonwealth allows us deeper insight into how we can best utilize this exciting technology to create better and cleaner transportation opportunities for our communities." Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, said. Despite their positive environmental impact, electric vehicles do not pay the state motor vehicle tax, which is attached to gasoline prices. Because the funds from the motor vehicle tax are used to repair and maintain state roads and bridges, the state legislature has considered proposals to create an annual electric vehicle road use fee to alleviate any discrepancy in this funding. Rabb and Hanbidge have reintroduced a resolution that would direct the Legislative Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 9): Two new vaccine clinics open in Montgomery County

(Apr 09, 2021)

As we finish Week 57 of the pandemic, it is tremendously important that we continue to practice health and safety guidelines, as outlined by the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to protect our families and community. Pennsylvania’s and Montgomery County’s positivity rates continue to climb. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 1): Vaccine eligibility expanding

(Apr 01, 2021)

As of March 31, 2021, 156,064 Montgomery County residents have received their first vaccine dose while 97,515 have been fully vaccinated. This means that 37.67% of our residents 16 and over have at least one vaccine. Read more

 

PA House Democrats Launch Effort to Defend Democracy

(Mar 29, 2021)

HARRISBURG, March 29 – Responding to the Capitol insurrection in January and the signing of new restrictions on voting rights last week in Georgia, House Democrats are taking action to protect American democracy. Today, a website was launched that summarizes policy proposals to defend democracy as well as links to more information and the ability for people to quickly email their elected officials, noting their support of the bills. The House Democratic Caucus has been working on these proposals since a House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing in January, when members were briefed by legal scholars, hate crimes experts and members of Congress on the language of false conspiracy and election fraud being used to undermine democracy. That same language has shifted from encouraging outright attack to what many perceive as insidiously undermining basic voting rights. “We cannot allow the outrage and disgust of the American people watching an armed invasion of our government to be subverted by a slick rebranding into attacks on our right to fair and free elections” Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said. Members of the House Democratic Caucus have introduced dozens of measures to expand voting rights, preserve election security, protect access to mail-in ballots and polling places, and to clarify and consolidate the often-outdated Election Code. Bizzarro said the site – www.pahouse.com/policy/defendingdemocracy -- will serve as a great Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 26): Uptick in confirmed COVID-19 cases throughout Pennsylvania

(Mar 26, 2021)

While practicing social distancing, mask wearing, consistent hand washing, and the vaccine have shown to been effective, we must remain diligent in our fight against COVID-19. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 19): Easing COVID-19 mitigation measures

(Mar 19, 2021)

As of Tuesday, March 16th, Pennsylvania has administered more than 3.7 million COVID-19 vaccines. Pennsylvania’s primary goal remains vaccinating every Pennsylvanian who wishes to be vaccinated, however, supplies remain limited across the nation. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 12): Pushing for answers on vaccine distribution inequities

(Mar 12, 2021)

As of Tuesday, March 9th, Pennsylvania has administered more than 3 million COVID-19 vaccines. Pennsylvania’s primary goal is to vaccinate every Pennsylvanian that wishes to be vaccinated, however, supplies remain limited across the nation. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 5): Vaccines on the way for educational staff

(Mar 05, 2021)

The inequities in vaccine access and distribution throughout Pennsylvania continue to weigh on me, as they do on so many of you who keep writing and contacting me. I continue trying to get information from the Department about the plan to “right size” the vaccine doses in the southeast. Read more

 

Vaccine locator

(Mar 05, 2021)

Vaccine locations throughout the commonwealth Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 26): Working to increase vaccine accessibility

(Feb 26, 2021)

A highlight for me this week was hearing about the incredible neighbors we have throughout Montgomery County volunteering to staff the Montgomery County COVID-19 Hotline! Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 19): County vaccine update and fixing Pennsylvania's unemployment system

(Feb 19, 2021)

While COVID-19 continues to have an incredible impact on our lives and our area, and over 150,000 Montgomery County residents still anxiously await their turn to be vaccinated, there is a glimmer of hope in that the county’s positivity rate continues to drop Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 12): Vaccine Updates & Info + COVID-19 Funding Relief

(Feb 12, 2021)

Like many of you, I remain highly concerned about and dissatisfied about the vaccine distribution process in Pennsylvania and continue to fight for more equitable, easier, access to vaccine. Read more

 

OPINION/LETTER: During a crisis, we need leadership -- not partisanship

(Feb 09, 2021)

For the last 10 months, Republicans in the General Assembly have repeatedly failed to lead the commonwealth through a crisis yet have once again voted to usurp the governor’s executive power in emergency situations. The House and Senate rushed to pass S.B. 2, which would require legislative approval to extend emergency declarations beyond three weeks. This would limit the governor's authority in the event of a disaster. Yet, over the past year these same legislators have failed again and again to show that they have any capacity to lead a commonwealth in crisis. Under S.B. 2, legislators – many of whom have repeatedly shown that they will not heed the unbiased advice of health professionals, have not put Pennsylvanians’ lives first, and frankly, cannot even be bothered to wear a mask -- would actually be in control of our crisis response. The majority party rammed this bill through the legislature for the sake of pure partisanship in a grudge match with the governor. However, the cost will be Pennsylvanians’ lives. The timing and evolution of legislation can tell one a lot about the intent behind it. We vote our values, or at least we get to vote on what the majority party values. In this instance, it’s making sure that a governor, current or future, cannot act to help the residents of Pennsylvania navigate a disaster. Multiple bills that would help Pennsylvania’s small businesses, broaden access to food assistance and Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 5): Montgomery County and the coronavirus vaccine

(Feb 05, 2021)

I continue to share your frustration about the ongoing vaccine distribution challenges facing the commonwealth. I have family in the UK and all my aunts and uncles have all been vaccinated, in places like local movie theatres, according to age and health status. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Jan. 29): Legislative and vaccine updates

(Jan 29, 2021)

This week, the PA House of Representatives passed House Bill 55. While HB 55 is multilayered in that it includes two discrete constitutional amendments, the driving impetus behind this legislation is to hamstring Governor Wolf by limiting his powers in the event of a state emergency. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Jan. 22): COVID-19 and Judicial Gerrymandering Updates

(Jan 22, 2021)

Following the most recent guidance from the CDC, this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that all individuals 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, will be immediately eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Jan. 15): Judicial Gerrymandering: A Threat to our Democracy

(Jan 15, 2021)

The most promising news of the week for many will be that sign ups to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine are now taking place! Those in groups 1B and 1C can sign up at the link below. Read more

 

Malagari, Hanbidge announce $483K grant to rehabilitate area railroad

(Jan 12, 2021)

HARRISBURG, JAN. 12 – State Reps. Steve Malagari and Liz Hanbidge, both D-Montgomery, today announced that the Pennsylvania Northeastern railroad received a $483,000 grant to replace approximately 6,000 ties on its Stony Creek and Bethlehem branches. “The Pennsylvania Northeastern railroad operates throughout Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties, so it’s a major contributor to our regional economy,” Hanbidge said. “This $483,000 to help upgrade the Stony Creek and Bethlehem branches will ensure that employees can do their jobs safely and communities throughout the area can continue receiving essentials that this freight line delivers.” “Many Montgomery County residents not only depend on the Pennsylvania Northeastern railroad for income, but also for the delivery of goods like food, lumber and paper products,” Malagari said. “Ensuring the functionality of local freight lines is essential for both our local economy and the prosperity of our community.” Pennsylvania Northeastern railroad was one of 26 rail freight improvement projects to receive funding. The State Transportation Commission voted to approve $31.3 million for the projects through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program and the Rail Freight Assistance Program. For more information on Pennsylvania Department of Transportation rail grant programs, residents may visit the PennDOT Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Dec. 23): Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday

(Dec 23, 2020)

The novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 has left its mark on the entire world. It also shined a glaring light on the shortcomings within our infrastructure on how to handle a global health crisis. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 16): Montco temporarily pauses J&J vaccine distribution
Apr 16, 2021

Rabb, Hanbidge urge measures to better understand impact of electric vehicles in Pa. before enacting legislation to charge fees
Apr 12, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 9): Two new vaccine clinics open in Montgomery County
Apr 09, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 1): Vaccine eligibility expanding
Apr 01, 2021

PA House Democrats Launch Effort to Defend Democracy
Mar 29, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 26): Uptick in confirmed COVID-19 cases throughout Pennsylvania
Mar 26, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 19): Easing COVID-19 mitigation measures
Mar 19, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 12): Pushing for answers on vaccine distribution inequities
Mar 12, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 5): Vaccines on the way for educational staff
Mar 05, 2021

Vaccine locator
Mar 05, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 26): Working to increase vaccine accessibility
Feb 26, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 19): County vaccine update and fixing Pennsylvania's unemployment system
Feb 19, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 12): Vaccine Updates & Info + COVID-19 Funding Relief
Feb 12, 2021

OPINION/LETTER: During a crisis, we need leadership -- not partisanship
Feb 09, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 5): Montgomery County and the coronavirus vaccine
Feb 05, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Jan. 29): Legislative and vaccine updates
Jan 29, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Jan. 22): COVID-19 and Judicial Gerrymandering Updates
Jan 22, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Jan. 15): Judicial Gerrymandering: A Threat to our Democracy
Jan 15, 2021

Malagari, Hanbidge announce $483K grant to rehabilitate area railroad
Jan 12, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Dec. 23): Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday
Dec 23, 2020