Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus | News Center

News Center

Kenyatta, Benham, Comitta reaffirm commitment for marriage equality in PA

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

In response to the possibility of the U.S. Supreme Court’s consideration to take up a case that asks, in plain words, to overturn the 10-year-old landmark ruling Obergefell v. Hodges that allowed recognition of same-sex marriages nationwide, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta introduced H.B. 1800 – the Marriage Equality Act. Kenyatta said legislation to protect marriage equality in imperative in Pennsylvania – now more than ever: “Marriage equality is the law of the land and PA should clean up our statues to match that. The current review of Obergfell v. Hodges makes it clear that the freedom to marry is under attack – this is something I’ve warned about as have other advocates and members of the LGBTQ+ community. “We passed this legislation in the House last session with bipartisan support, but the state Senate never considered it for a vote. We must continue this work to protect all marriages across Pennsylvania.” State Rep. Jessica Benham, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, supports Kenyatta’s legislation, stating: “While extremists in Congress and on the Supreme Court threaten to drag this country backwards by undermining marriage equality, my colleagues and I are fighting back. That’s why we’ve introduced legislation to protect same-sex marriage here in our state, because we deserve the freedom to marry without fear, no matter what happens in Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District

(Aug 14, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Read more about the latest grant opportunities that are open for applications. Read more

 

The Entrepreneur’s Guide

(Aug 12, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

A free publication that guides a small business owner through the process of starting and growing a business in Pennsylvania that includes expert information about writing a business plan, registering a business, receiving funding, and more Read more

 

Policy Committee tours Centre County business, Centroid

(Aug 12, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Millions of people raised in rural communities know how unique and important these communities are in helping shape their lives,” said event host Rep. Paul Takac, who represents a large rural area of Centre County. “Some of our local communities are struggling, and we wanted to learn from the experience and knowledge Centroid has gained from over 45 years of building a successful, world-class business. By concentrating on creating more job opportunities in rural PA we can help Pennsylvania compete – and win – in the global economy. Our job is to harness the tremendous potential of small businesses like Centroid to help create and sustain good, high-paying jobs right here in Pennsylvania.” Read more

 

How will your SEPTA route be impacted?

(Aug 12, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

How will your route be impacted? The map and tables below show how service will be modified on each route in August 2025 and January 2026 if funding is not obtained. Read more

 

As school nears, public transit cuts loom over students and families who rely on SEPTA

(Aug 12, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

For Autumn Fingerhood, a single mother who works three jobs, public transportation is the reason her 15-year-old daughter can get to school and back every day. However, the bus her daughter relies on is slated to be cut in a matter of weeks if Pennsylvania’s Republican-led Senate doesn’t quickly pass a state budget or a separate standalone bill with funding for mass transit. Read more

 

House Passes fifth funding package for public transit and roads

(Aug 11, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the House passed H.B. 1788, authored by state Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila. This is the fifth time that the House has passed legislation that would fund public transit across Pennsylvania and repairs for our roads and bridges. The bill would require new oversight and accountability requirements for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, which Senate Republicans demanded be included in any bill. Both authorities have agreed to enhanced safety measures and increased penalties for fare evasion. State Rep. Ed Neilson , majority chair of the House Transportation Committee, said the following: “This bill has everything that Senate Republicans have been demanding for them to move transit funding. This isn’t about dollars and cents, this is about the hardworking people of Pennsylvania – it’s about the parents who use SEPTA to get to their jobs, it’s about their kids who use public transit to get to school. “It’s about the seniors who will lose access to transportation for important medical appointments and medicine. SEPTA alone moves a million people a day – this isn’t about us – it’s about the people who elected us to be their voice in Harrisburg. “We need Senate Republicans to get the message that this won’t just hurt cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, it will affect their districts and the Read more

 

House passes Dougherty’s transformative public transit omnibus legislation; calls on the PA Senate to finally fund public transit

(Aug 11, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Aug. 11 – Today, the Pennsylvania House passed sweeping public transit legislation ( HB 1788 ), which was introduced by state Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila., and passed with bipartisan support. This legislation would: Fund transit systems plus road and bridge projects in all 67 counties. Invest in SEPTA to avoid service cuts. Set requirements for safety, efficiency and accountability in public transit. Dougherty said this legislation is timely as last week, SEPTA announced that if state funding isn’t assured by Aug. 14, service cuts will begin on Aug. 24 with sharp fare increases coming in September. As a representative from Philadelphia, Dougherty pointed out the urgency that this funding must get passed for not only SEPTA, but public transit operations throughout Pennsylvania. “Northeast Philadelphia runs on SEPTA, and many communities all across the Commonwealth heavily rely on public transit,” Dougherty said. “If they become reality, these service cuts will hurt real people, destroy jobs and hurt businesses of every size, not just in my district, but in communities across all 67 counties. We are out of time! The Senate needs to get back to Harrisburg immediately and finally fund public transit, because our state’s well-being truly depends on it.” This bill is one of five that the House has passed to fund public transit without raising Read more

 

Chester County House Democrats call on Senate to fund mass transit

(Aug 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, along with all Chester County House Democrats and other elected officials, rallied at the West Chester Transportation Center today to call on the state Senate to fund SEPTA and other mass transit systems in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

House Transportation Committee OKs public transit funding for fifth time

(Aug 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The bill would increase the existing allocation of Sales and Use Tax to the PTTF from 4.4% to 6.15% to provide approximately $292.5 million for public transit throughout the commonwealth while authorizing the bonding of $325 million for PennDOT, through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, to maintain roads and bridges. Read more

 

Venkat, Fiedler and Williams to introduce legislation to advance geothermal energy development

(Aug 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

With a skilled workforce that has made Pennsylvania a leader in electrical and natural gas production, the state is uniquely positioned to become a leader in next-generation geothermal energy. That is why state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Elizabeth Fiedler and Craig Williams are planning to introduce legislation to establish regulatory clarity that will allow the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Pa. House Democratic statement on SEPTA service cuts

(Aug 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The only issue remaining is: will senators allow their leaders to hold Pennsylvania’s economy and the livelihoods of millions hostage? Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to SEPTA deadline announcement

(Aug 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Following this morning’s announcement by SEPTA of their deadline to avoid initial service cuts in the absence of state funding, Philadelphia state Rep. Morgan Cephas, chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation, issued the following statement:“Our deadline to avoid service cuts is now as real as ever with SEPTA drawing their line on the tracks today. We have eight days, but we’re hopeful that the actions of the House Transportation Committee this afternoon will build the necessary consensus to overcome this impasse and keep our city working and economy moving.” Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Aug 05, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Here are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. Read more

 

Burgos applauds PECO grant announcement for customers to pay off overdue utility bills

(Jul 31, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Beginning Aug. 4, PECO customers will be able to apply for assistance through the temporary PECO Customer Relief Fund. Read more

 

Freeman proposal focuses on improving math fluency in PA schools

(Jul 30, 2025) Rep. Robert L. Freeman

Freeman said educators could use the program as part of enrichment or extension education, summer learning or to complement current work already being done in the classroom. Read more

 

State investments transforming PA cities, hometowns

(Jul 29, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“The CRIZ designation for Reading is a game-changer, and what we hope will spur an economic boom in the city of Reading for years to come,” said state Rep. Manny Guzman, who represents portions of Reading and hosted Tuesday’s event. “A rejuvenated downtown will help create jobs and improve the lives of our residents for years to come.” Read more

 

Transportation Chairs Reach Across the Aisle to Warn Pennsylvanians About Scam Messages

(Jul 29, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

“If you are suspicious about any message, email or phone call you receive,” House Transportation Committee Transportation Chairman Ed Neilson said. "Make sure you err on the side of caution and verify the legitimacy of the call before making a payment, clicking a link or giving away personal information.” Read more

 

Rabb proposes nonpartisan investments in local journalism, civic information

(Jul 28, 2025) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Legislation establishing consortium, fellowship to strengthen community news Read more

 

PA winemakers explore how to grow local industry

(Jul 28, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Regulation, climate change and unfair out-of-state competition were some of the topics discussed with growers and producers in the winemaking industry at a roundtable co-hosted by the House Majority Policy Committee and Central PA House Delegation. Read more

 

Kenyatta, Benham, Comitta reaffirm commitment for marriage equality in PA
1 day ago

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
Aug 14, 2025

The Entrepreneur’s Guide
Aug 12, 2025

Policy Committee tours Centre County business, Centroid
Aug 12, 2025

How will your SEPTA route be impacted?
Aug 12, 2025

As school nears, public transit cuts loom over students and families who rely on SEPTA
Aug 12, 2025

House Passes fifth funding package for public transit and roads
Aug 11, 2025

House passes Dougherty’s transformative public transit omnibus legislation; calls on the PA Senate to finally fund public transit
Aug 11, 2025

Chester County House Democrats call on Senate to fund mass transit
Aug 07, 2025

House Transportation Committee OKs public transit funding for fifth time
Aug 07, 2025

Venkat, Fiedler and Williams to introduce legislation to advance geothermal energy development
Aug 06, 2025

Pa. House Democratic statement on SEPTA service cuts
Aug 06, 2025

Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to SEPTA deadline announcement
Aug 06, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Aug 05, 2025

Burgos applauds PECO grant announcement for customers to pay off overdue utility bills
Jul 31, 2025

Freeman proposal focuses on improving math fluency in PA schools
Jul 30, 2025

State investments transforming PA cities, hometowns
Jul 29, 2025

Transportation Chairs Reach Across the Aisle to Warn Pennsylvanians About Scam Messages
Jul 29, 2025

Rabb proposes nonpartisan investments in local journalism, civic information
Jul 28, 2025

PA winemakers explore how to grow local industry
Jul 28, 2025