HARRISBURG, Aug. 12 – Following mass shootings in the U.S. reportedly involving large capacity ammunition magazines, state Rep. Kevin Boyle announced he is seeking co-sponsors for his legislation that would prohibit this type of magazine in Pennsylvania. The legislation would ban the sale, offering and exposing for sale, use, purchase, possession and control of a large capacity ammunition magazine – which is defined as an automatic ammunition feeding device capable of accepting more than 15 rounds of ammunition or five shotgun shells. “In some cases, large capacity ammunition magazines can hold up to 100 rounds of ammunition and can be used in any semi-automatic firearm that accepts a detachable magazine. Because of this, many automatic and semi-automatic firearms could increasingly become lethal,” Boyle said. “While this type of magazine is illegal to use for hunting in the commonwealth, it is not illegal to use for other purposes. I don’t see the need for allowing it in Pennsylvania.” Under this legislation, Pennsylvania would join nine states and the District of Columbia in prohibiting this type of magazine. Boyle noted that large capacity ammunition magazines were used in the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. Shortly after those shootings, Boyle and some fellow colleagues held a news conference to urge Gov. Tom Wolf to convene a special session of the House and Senate to address gun violence in the Read more
Pa. state Rep. Kevin Boyle is calling on Governor Wolf to convene a special session of the Pa. House and Senate to address gun violence in the wake of recent deadly shootings in Texas and Ohio. Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 7 – Following the recent deadly shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas, state Reps. Kevin Boyle, Malcolm Kenyatta, and Danielle Friel Otten were joined by other legislators to call on Gov. Tom Wolf to convene a special session of the House and Senate to address gun violence in the commonwealth. “From Ohio to Texas, California to Pennsylvania, one shooting is one too many. People should not have to fear for their lives by just walking out of their house, going to the store or attending an event in their community. These tragedies are beyond commonplace,” Boyle said. “The continuous lack of action and the thoughts and prayers mentality must be a thing of the past. We can no longer stand idly by and watch communities and families being torn apart by these senseless acts of violence. The time to act on commonsense gun reform in Pennsylvania must be now.” Boyle added there is legislation pending in both the House and Senate that includes bills to ban assault weapons, close the loophole for gun background checks, and adopt Extreme Risk Protective Orders that equip families, law enforcement, and the courts to temporarily restrict access to guns for people at risk of violence to themselves or others. Kenyatta stated that the ongoing gun violence in Pennsylvania, particularly in Philadelphia, has become a public epidemic. Kenyatta said, “I’ve sat with way too many families who have lost loved ones to gun Read more
PHILADELPHIA, July 29 – Following Temple and Thomas Jefferson universities announcing a collaboration that includes the sale of Fox Chase Cancer Center and Temple’s interest in Health Partners Plan, state Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Phila. /Montgomery, issued this statement: “Although Jefferson and Temple universities' collaboration to improve health, education and outreach throughout our region, while also keeping Fox Chase Cancer Center a leader in cancer research and treatment, sounds attractive, it is still unclear if Fox Chase will continue to exist at its current site,” Boyle said. “The acquisition of Fox Chase Cancer Center by Thomas Jefferson University was a hot button issue at a recent public policy hearing I hosted because of this looming uncertainty. “Fox Chase is among the few facilities across the country devoted to cancer treatment, ranking 21 st among the nation’s top 50 hospitals for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report, and admitting over 4,000 patients seeking care, annually. Additionally, outpatient visits surpass 60,000 a year. “Fox Chase laboratories have also been the epicenter of advancements and discoveries in medicine, which resulted in two Nobel Prizes, among other prestigious citations. These life-saving achievements happened right here in the Fox Chase community. And while I am hopeful this collaboration can result in more of these events, it’s important for patients, which also Read more
PHILADELPHIA, July 29 – State Rep. Kevin J. Boyle, D-Phila./Montgomery, announced he will host a National Night out event for residents of the 172 nd Legislative District. It will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 in the Fox Chase Elementary School parking lot, 500 Rhawn St., 19111. “National Night Out is a family-fun event that is a great way to build a solid rapport between the community and the police by raising awareness of crime and drug prevention through fun, interactive activities,” Boyle said. “I am proud to host this event and look forward to our community coming together.” Prior to the event, there will be a community bike ride with the 2 nd and 7 th Philadelphia Police Districts, starting at 5: 30 p.m. Boyle said there will be games, prizes and giveaways, music entertainment, food, information about state and local resources, and chances to meet with local police and emergency personnel. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Read more
Materials from a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing hosted by State Rep. Kevin Boyle. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, July 17 –State Rep. Kevin J. Boyle, D-Phila., will host a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on hospital closures in Pennsylvania. The hearing will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, July 22 at American Legion Post 366-Corp. John Loudenslager, 7976 Oxford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111. The media and public are invited to attend. Boyle requested the hearing to discuss what more the state can do to address the impact on employment and public health when a hospital plans to close its doors, especially in the wake of Hahnemann Hospital announcing its scheduled closing in the fall, which will leave more than 1,000 employees unemployed. Boyle will be joined by state legislators from across the state, including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. The current agenda is: 3:00 p.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks 3:10 p.m. Panel One: U.S. Congressman Brendan Boyle, Pa.’s 2 nd Congressional District Chris Woods , executive vice president, District 1199C (the union that represents the Hahnemann workers who will be impacted by the closure) Maureen May, RN, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals 4:00 p.m. Panel Two: Dr. Marc Hurowitz , CEO of Jeanes Hospitals and CEO of Temple Physicians Inc. (testifying for Jeanes Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center on behalf of Temple Health) Bill Ryan, assistant vice president of Read more
HARRISBURG, July 9 -- Following Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement today that the commonwealth will begin work to issue a bond that will assist counties with purchasing new voting systems, House State Government Committee Democratic Chairperson Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Phila., released this statement: “Earlier this week, I applauded Governor Tom Wolf for standing up against voter suppression and vetoing Senate Bill 48. Senate Bill 48 would have removed the straight party button from voting machines, hurting communities of color and Democrats in the 2020 election in this swing state. “The governor and the Pennsylvania Department of State are now taking the initiative in helping counties pay for new voting machines. Funding new machines is the right move, as was vetoing the Republican attempt to disenfranchise voters and tie unnecessary strings to that funding. I look forward to continuing my work with Governor Wolf as we modernize and secure Pennsylvania’s voting systems in preparation for the next presidential election.” Read more
HARRISBURG, July 5 – Following Governor Wolf’s veto today of Senate Bill 48, House State Government Committee Democratic Chairperson Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Phila., released this statement: “I applaud Governor Tom Wolf for standing up against voter suppression and vetoing Senate Bill 48. The bill would have removed the straight party button from voting machines, hurting communities of color and Democrats in the 2020 election in this swing state. Senate Bill 48 had motives similar to that of the Voter ID bill. The Voter ID bill prior to the 2012 election would have disproportionately excluded people of color, elderly, and lower income citizens from voting if they could not provide proper ID. It is simply un-American to make voting harder, and with the potential elimination of straight ticket voting, we again faced this risk of disenfranchisement of certain voting groups. We should be doing as much as we can to ensure that voting is easy and accessible for all citizens of the Commonwealth. As a state Representative and as Democratic Chairperson of the State Government committee, I will continue fighting to ensure ballot access for all citizens of the Commonwealth.” Read more
PHILADELPHIA, June 27 – State Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Phila., announced he will be providing free produce vouchers for eligible low-income seniors in his legislative district. The vouchers will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, July 11 in Boyle’s Mayfair office at 7420 Frankford Ave., 19136. Boyle said the vouchers are through Pennsylvania’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which provides low-income seniors with fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from approved farmers in the commonwealth. “This program is especially important for seniors because as we age, it is vital to be health and nutrition conscious,” Boyle said. “These vouchers will allow seniors who may not normally be able to afford fresh produce the opportunity to benefit from the nutrition that fresh fruits and vegetables provide while also supporting local farmers.” Boyle added in order to be eligible for the vouchers, seniors must be 60 or older by Dec. 31 of the program year with a household income of less than $23,107 for singles and less than $31,284 for married couples. Residents interested in obtaining the produce vouchers must bring identification and must schedule an appointment to pick up their vouchers by calling Boyle’s office at (215) 331-2600. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Phila., today held a Capitol rally to promote the passage of H.B. 635 and the expansion of what constitutes a hate crime. “Sadly, we continue to see acts of hatred and violence carried out across the commonwealth and the United States,” Boyle said. “We must change Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law to protect all people and combat this growing epidemic of hate crimes. Attacks like those against the Jewish community in California and Pittsburgh are just two examples in the upsurge of reported hate crimes in recent years. We need to take action and do whatever we can to prevent these tragedies.” Boyle has reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand the offense of ethnic intimidation to include malicious intention against the actual or perceived ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity of another person or group of people. April 27 marked the six-month anniversary of the Tree of Life tragedy in Pittsburgh, and another Jewish house of worship was attacked in California on the last day of Passover. Leaders of the Jewish community rallied behind Boyle to support his efforts to expand the state’s hate crimes statute. Boyle was joined by members of the state House and LGBTQ community, disability rights advocates and faith-based groups. For more information on this event and Boyle’s legislation, contact his office at (215) 331-2600. ### Read more
HARRISBURG, April 3 – As the nation of Brunei enacts a new law today that implements stoning or whipping to death under anti-LGBT laws, state Rep. Kevin Boyle is calling on the commonwealth to end any business investments with that country. “This new law is inhumane and violates international human rights laws. It is medieval and should not be tolerated by anyone,” said Boyle, D-Phila. “While we here in Pennsylvania certainly can’t change the laws in Brunei, we can certainly punish the nation for its abhorrent actions of discrimination by cutting investment ties with it and any businesses located in Brunei.” Boyle is currently seeking co-sponsors for his legislation that would require the Public School Employees’ Retirement System, the State Employees’ Retirement System, the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System, and the state Treasurer's Office to no longer invest in companies that do business with Brunei. “For humanity’s sake, we cannot stand idly by and be associated with countries that commit such acts of abuse. These places, including Brunei, create risk and undermine the value of Pennsylvania’s investments,” Boyle said. Boyle said his proposed legislation would amend Act 44 of 2010, known as the Protecting Pennsylvania’s Investments Act, which already divests commonwealth-funded investments in Iran or Sudan, or with any company from either of those countries. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 28 – State Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Phila., today announced his sponsorship of H.R. 184 that would establish that all opening House prayers be crafted with the respect of all religious beliefs in mind. “What we saw earlier this week was a fire and brimstone Evangelical prayer that epitomizes religious intolerance,” Boyle said. “I walked off the floor in protest. Now, I’m sponsoring a resolution so that anyone who gives the House prayer knows that it must be done with the respect of all religious beliefs, reflecting a mutual human respect and religious tolerance of all of our colleagues and constituents. The opening prayer is not a time to intimidate, demean or degrade.” On Monday, March 25, state Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, D-Phila., was scheduled to be sworn in as the first Muslim woman and newest member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-Clinton, was given the chance to give an opening prayer. “Representative Borowicz invoked Jesus, the Lord or God about a dozen times in her one-minute-forty-second prayer. I cannot begin to imagine how uncomfortable that had to make Representative Johnson-Harrell and the 50 guests she had surrounded herself with that day from various religious backgrounds and beliefs,” Boyle said. “In addition, Representative Borowicz has doubled-down on these statements, saying she prays that way at home and would never apologize for praying. Read more
Read my spring 2019 newsletter. Read more
Forms for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for the 2018 tax year are available – and my office staff is ready to help you file yours for free ! The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters. Half of Social Security income is excluded and the maximum standard rebate is $650. Claimants must reapply for rebates every year because they are based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid each year. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may file rebate claims on behalf of deceased claimants who lived at least one day in 2018 and meet all other eligibility criteria. The rebates normally are distributed by the Department of Revenue beginning July 1. So, the sooner you file, the sooner you will receive your money. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Kevin Boyle joined other members of the Philadelphia House Delegation to unveil a new plan to tackle deep poverty, enforce criminal justice reform, and fight back against gun violence. He explains that one way to fight endemic poverty is through workforce development. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 16 – State Rep. Jason Dawkins, chairman of the Philadelphia House Delegation, along with delegation members today announced their legislative agenda during a news conference at the state Capitol. The delegation said its top priorities for working toward a better Philadelphia include investing in education and schools, criminal justice reform, health care for all, strengthening commercial coordinators, and alternative energy methods. "We are joining forces to work as one unit for the betterment of all Philadelphians, and that begins with fighting for what our constituents need the most,” Dawkins said. "We are also focused on making sure that everyone gets a fair shot and equal treatment." “Last session we worked in bipartisan fashion to get clean slate legislation signed into law and bring real criminal justice reform to those who need it,” said Rep. Jordan Harris, the Democratic Whip. “Now, we must continue fighting for further reform to reduce recidivism and allow Pennsylvanians who have paid their debit to society to pursue a productive path to citizenry.” “For too long our criminal justice system has been an injustice system for the mentally ill, the poor, and people of color,” said Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. “While we’ve made progress, our prisons remain overcrowded, inmates mistreated, and mental health problems ignored. I stand with my Philadelphia colleagues to address Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 7 – State Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Phila., was appointed Democratic chairman of the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee today by House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny. "I'm honored to serve as chairman of this committee and I’m excited to start tackling a wide variety of issues,” Boyle said. “I also look forward to establishing more bipartisan cooperation in this session with the new Republican committee chairman, Representative Garth Everett.” The committee addresses issues such as voting rights, discrimination, government reform and redistricting. The committee is also responsible for lobbying disclosure, state agency procurement and labor agreements, campaign finance and election laws. Boyle represents the 172nd Legislative District, which includes part of Montgomery County and part of Philadelphia County. Constituents can visit his website at www.pahouse.com/Boyle for information on various state-related services and programs. Read more
The 2018-2019 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program – LIHEAP – is accepting applications for heating assistance grants. LIHEAP offers cash grants of $200 to $1,000 that are sent directly to the utility company to defray heating costs for eligible households, and crisis benefits of up to $600 for households in immediate danger of being without heat. Remember: These are grants and do not have to be repaid. This season’s income guidelines for both LIHEAP cash and crisis grants are $18,210 for an individual, $24,690 for couples and increases for each additional person in the household. Please click here for more LIHEAP information. Please consider visiting my office if you need help filing a LIHEAP application. Besides my office, LIHEAP information is available by: Contacting local County Assistance offices by phone or in person. Calling the LIHEAP Client Helpline at 1-866-857-7095 or PA Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired. Applying online at https://www.compass.state.pa.us . Read more
PHILADELPHIA, July 24 – State Rep. Kevin J. Boyle announced he will host a National Night Out event for residents of the 172nd Legislative District. It will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 in the Fox Chase Elementary School parking lot, 500 Rhawn St., 19111. Boyle said there will be games, prizes and giveaways, music entertainment, food, information about state and local resources, and chances to meet with local police and emergency personnel. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Read more
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