Total 2022/23 General Fund state appropriations: $42.8 billion Read more
Late last week, the bipartisan 2022/23 state budget passed the General Assembly and was signed by the Governor. Read more
Today’s Supreme Court decision overturning the longstanding precedent of Roe v. Wade ushers in a new era in which women’s freedom of choice is no longer guaranteed. While this decision will have no immediate impact in Pennsylvania – unlike states such as Texas and Florida, where preemptively passed laws banning abortion will now take effect – we should take little comfort in the fact. A handful of political appointees have erased a basic right despite widespread public opposition. The fact that this erasure will take longer to reach Pennsylvania should not be a comfort. This is exactly why I introduced H.B. 733 last year, which would finally and rightfully encode Roe v. Wade’s protections into Pennsylvania law, guaranteeing freedom of choice and bodily autonomy. Fifteen of my colleagues, alas, all Democrats, have co-sponsored this bill and demonstrated their commitment to upholding a right that is fundamental to modern life. Unfortunately, H.B. 733 has languished in the House Health Committee, where the Republican majority has disallowed even its basic consideration. Meanwhile, this same committee has advanced radical proposals to curtail women’s rights. As it stands, the veto power of Gov. Tom Wolf is our chief protection from a return to the dark old days when women were given a so-called choice between an unwanted pregnancy and dangerous procedures performed at home or by unlicensed doctors operating in the shadows. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 22 – State Sens. Carolyn Comitta and Tim Kearney and state Reps. Kristine Howard and Melissa Shusterman announced today an additional $500,000 state grant for the Berwyn Fire Co. to assist in replacing its main station with a state-of-the-art new fire house. The Berwyn Fire Co. has been operating out of its current building for more than 90 years. Their two-phased plan would replace the existing Main Station on Bridge Avenue in Easttown Township and build a new permanent station in Tredyffrin Township. “I’m thrilled that we secured additional state funding to support Berwyn Fire Company,” Comitta said. “Providing strong emergency response services is a top priority for our communities. I hope the added funds will help bring the new fire station closer to reality so that our firefighters and emergency first responders have the equipment and resources they need to continue to do their jobs safely and effectively.” “I am happy to have helped secure RACP funding for the Berwyn Fire Company,” Kearney said. “Our first responders are critical to the safety and well-being of our communities, and this funding ensures that Berwyn Fire Company has the support they need to build a new firehouse, making way for a stronger emergency response infrastructure to safeguard our communities. The state funding will assist in Phase 1 of the project, replacing the old station. Read more
Firearm sales in America skyrocketed in 2020. Queries to the NICS background check database, along with industry publications, suggest that at least 21 million guns were purchased in 2020, with an additional 18.5 million purchased in 2021, the two strongest years ever for firearm sales. Read more
As we move into budget season, I continue working tirelessly to ensure we get everything we need and deserve, both in our local communities and across the Commonwealth, including our remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds, which must be allocated by the end of 2024. Read more
Dear Neighbor,As a result of the 2020 Census, new legislative districts will take effect this December. If you are a resident of East Caln, East Goshen, West Vincent, East Whiteland, West Whiteland,West Pikeland, or Charlestown, your residence will be in the 167th Legislative District. Read more
Aspiring teachers and social workers must complete field placements, such as internships or student teaching. These positions are rarely paid, causing many to postpone or abandon their ambitions. Read more
Yes, the U.S. Supreme Court is ready to strike down Roe v. Wade. But while the draft majority opinion obtained by Politico is frightening, it is hardly shocking. We knew this was coming – the justices met and voted in December. We can take a moment to breathe and remember that this is a three-month-old draft, not a final opinion. That said, the clock is ticking, and a final opinion is expected over the summer. Let this serve as a rallying cry. Our plans for the future must be more than a vague hope a justice or two changes their mind before the decision is published. Indeed, we have relied far too much on the Supreme Court for the past half-century. Rather than codifying reproductive rights into law, legislatures – both state and federal – have tacitly adopted a policy of simply pointing to a Supreme Court decision. We turned temporary relief into long-term policy without actually enacting anything. As Justice Alito himself points out in the draft, “[Roe v. Wade] concluded with a numbered set of rules much like those that might be found in a statute enacted by a legislature.” Relying entirely on the Supreme Court, we became complacent, leaving the power over reproductive freedom entirely with the court. Facing the distinct possibility that these rights will now lack federal protection, it is up to the individual states to uphold reproductive rights. Decisions regarding reproductive health are extremely personal and intimate. Read more
Act 77, which created mail-in voting in Pennsylvania, was introduced as a simple bill to eliminate straight ticket voting. While introduced by a Democratic senator, Republicans leapt to support it, and the bill became anything but the bipartisan victory the Republicans claimed it as. In 2019, when the bill was introduced, Pennsylvania was one of only seven states permitting straight ticket voting in presidential elections. Initially a simple voting reform, the Republicans turned Act 77 into something far less noble. The Republican senators on the State Government Committee made what turned out to be a very astute observation – then-president Donald Trump was an albatross around their party’s electoral neck. By eliminating straight ticket voting, the Republicans figured they could improve the chances of their candidates down ballot by distancing them, however subtly, from a president less than popular with many of their voters. In a bid to assuage any partisan opposition, the bill was amended to include the creation of no excuse mail-in voting. However, the majority of Democrats voted against what was ultimately more electoral smoke and mirrors than genuine voting reform, leaving the bill an example of anything but the triumph of bipartisanship it was claimed to be. Not only did the Republicans not raise any legal or constitutional objections to mail-in voting at the time, but they also pushed the idea from the jump, with only two Republican House members Read more
CHESTER COUNTY, Feb. 17 – State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, Dan K. Williams, D-Chester, and Kristine Howard, D-Chester, have released a joint statement following the violent attack that occurred at Lincoln University on Wednesday night. “We were appalled to learn this morning of the three students stabbed in a Lincoln University dorm room last night. While many details are still unknown, we do know that one of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene and that the other two victims were taken to Christiana Hospital – some 26 miles away – for treatment. “Twenty-six miles is no short ride under the best of circumstances, but when the circumstances are literally life and death, 26 miles is endless. “Until December, hospital care for Lincoln University students was just four miles away at Jennersville Hospital. Unfortunately, Jennersville closed at the end of 2021. This was followed by the closure of Brandywine Hospital in Caln Township last month. These closures were the result of a sale that fell through. “While the victim who was killed died before help could arrive, it is hard to believe a closer treatment option would not have made a difference in only slightly different circumstances, or that a timelier arrival may have changed this outcome. Whether you have a broken arm or COVID-19 symptoms or you are giving birth, time is a serious factor. “Last Read more
Plus right to repair information Read more
Helpful resources inside Read more
WILLISTOWN TOWNSHIP, Dec. 30 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, has announced the Willistown Conservation Trust is set to receive two grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to further land conservation efforts in Chester County. The grants awarded are: $500,000 toward acquisition of approximately 12 acres for an addition to the Kirkwood Preserve. $25,400 for further development of Ruston Woods Preserve, including construction of a pedestrian walkway, ADA access and landscaping. “Willistown Conservation Trust’s phenomenal work in protecting and preserving more than 7,500 acres has given people of all ages the chance to enjoy nature,” said Howard. “I’m excited to see the trust utilize these grants to not only grow protected lands, but to make them more accessible for all.” Howard said the funds are part of the Pennsylvania DCNR grant program, which pulls from multiple state and federal funding sources to award grants. More information on DCNR grant programs can be found on the department’s website Read more
Recruiting and retaining behavioral health workers, especially for residential treatment facilities, presents a serious challenge. Read more
MALVERN, Oct. 5 – PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro filed 48 comprehensive criminal charges against Energy Transfer Partners following an 18-month investigation. These charges include a felony charge for “willfully and consistently” failing to report inadvertent releases to the Department of Environmental Protection. “These charges have been a long time coming,” state Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, said. “On January 24, 2019, as one of my first acts in office, I called on Attorney General Shapiro to investigate ETP. “I see this move as the best way to hold ETP responsible for their long history of mistakes and violations. By filing these charges, the attorney general has not only named ETP as a bad actor, but a downright criminally bad actor with a complete disregard for both the environment and the people of Pennsylvania.” The charges against ETP include 45 counts of releasing industrial waste at 22 sites across 11 counties, one for using unapproved additives in drilling fluid and one for contaminating local water supplies, as well as a felony charge for failure to report the releases. “I agree with the attorney general that fines are not enough,” Howard said. “Last January, in the wake of DEP’s issuance of $30.6 million in fines to ETP for violations related to the 2018 Revolution Pipeline explosion and fire, I said I was underwhelmed, and that Read more
Information on Rep. Howard's upcoming events, legislation, constituent services and more. Read more
Dear Neighbor, As summer winds down and children head back to school, I wanted to provide you with an update on my work in Harrisburg, as well as resources to use right here at home. Read more
Free shred event from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 18. Read more
MALVERN, June 2 – S tate Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, announced today that $38,950 in state grants was awarded to Historic Waynesborough , a house museum in Paoli. The grant was among 54 awarded today by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The museum was the home of Anthony Wayne, an officer in the Continental Army and who later was c ommissioned Commander in Chief of the Legions of the United States by President George Washington. The museum aims to promote Wayne’s historical importance as well as preserve, display and interpret the property and home’s collections. The home is owned by Easttown Township, administered by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks , and supported by many longtime guides and volunteers. “I’m glad that this beautiful piece of our history will be able to continue to educate young and old about Major General Wayne and his role in the founding of our nation,” Howard said. Keystone Historic Preservation Grants provide funding to support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources in Pennsylvania for both the benefit of the public and the revitalization of communities. Funding also helps facilitate municipal planning initiatives that focus on historic resources or may be used to meet building or community-specific planning goals. The program also supports construction activities at Read more
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