News Center

Rabb, Polinchock introduce bill to remove DUI penalties for legal medical cannabis use

(17 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Sept. 21 – State Reps. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., and Todd Polinchock, R-Bucks, have introduced legislation that would ensure the rights of the more than 500,000 medical cannabis patients in Pennsylvania, protecting them from DUI penalties. “I believe that people with a medical need for cannabis, who have acted courageously to seek help for their medical condition and have been granted use of medical cannabis, should be protected from DUI penalties for their legal medical cannabis use,” Rabb said. “I know I’m not the only lawmaker in the General Assembly who has been contacted by constituents concerned that their responsible use of medical cannabis may expose them to targeting by law enforcement when they drive. “A medical cannabis user can take a miniscule amount of medicine for their ailment and weeks later, with traces of cannabis still in their system, be subject to arrest on a DUI charge if pulled over — not because they’ve driven impaired, but because our state laws haven’t caught up with the science,” Rabb continued. “And, if you think you don’t know someone who falls into this category – a person who has been prescribed medical cannabis and who drives and is fearful of the potential DUI charge they could face – you’re wrong. I am a card-carrying medical cannabis patient, and I drive regularly, including in and around Philadelphia and to Harrisburg conducting the Read more

 

Frankel joins nearly 900 state legislators to express support for abortion rights

(20 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

This week, state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny and Democratic chair of the PA House Health Committee, signed onto an amicus brief in support of legal abortion in Dobbs v. Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court case likely to decide the future of reproductive freedom in the United States. Read more

 

Burns' military tuition bill passes key Senate committee, heads to full chamber for vote

(21 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Legislation would guarantee in-state tuition for military families Read more

 

Now open for applications: Long Term Care, Bullying, Substance Abuse, Housing, and Agriculture Funding Opportunities

(1 day ago) Appropriations

Read about the latest state grant programs open for applications. Read more

 

House Democrats to Republican colleagues: ‘Stop the charade’

(Sep 20, 2021) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Republican legislators could help everyone by joining us in encouraging vaccinations and other health and safety measures so kids can stay in school, parents can stay at work and hospitals can remain accessible for routine healthcare. Instead, they’ve focused on hindering the state’s recovery at nearly every turn and prolonging these hardships by now refusing to recognize that Pennsylvanians overwhelmingly support masking in schools." Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation allowing limited wineries to partner with BYOBs

(Sep 17, 2021) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Ciresi, who has made the promotion and protection of small businesses a cornerstone of his role as state representative for the 146th District, said his legislation will benefit BYOB establishments, small Pennsylvania wineries and Pennsylvania dining patrons. Read more

 

Mullery introduces bill to ensure burial grounds receive necessary care

(Sep 17, 2021) Rep. Gerald Mullery

“Cemeteries are meant to be a beautiful and peaceful place to lay our loved ones to rest, but unfortunately some burial grounds end up overrun with plants, weeds and crumbling tombstones because they lack the necessary care that those interred within deserve,” Mullery said. Read more

 

Schweyer: PA Republican election clown show must end

(Sep 16, 2021) Rep. Peter G. Schweyer

In our state, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were crafted, the GOP sideshow has been a complete embarrassment. But now that very circus is putting your personal data at risk, and enough is enough. Read more

 

Davis to introduce legislation to reinstate, fund Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

(Sep 16, 2021) Rep. Austin Davis

Davis said while the federal government ceased funding the PUA directly, the state legislature can and must step in to resume this critical program. He said his proposed legislation would utilize unspent American Rescue Plan dollars to fully fund the PUA program through the end of the year. Read more

 

Mullery introduces meatpacking and food processing worker protection legislation

(Sep 16, 2021) Rep. Gerald Mullery

“We have known from the start of the pandemic there are myriad dangerous issues that continue to impact the health and safety of these critical workers,” Mullery said. “My bill would ensure that the workers who process and package our food are protected, which in turns protects all of us who purchase those goods at the supermarket.” Read more

 

Nelson: Community colleges in Pa. could be – and should be – free

(Sep 15, 2021) Rep. Napoleon Nelson

Community colleges are such a valuable component of public education that 25 states are already promoting community college opportunities for free to their residents. Red states and blue states alike are investing in their own kids right now and growing because of it. Read more

 

Hanbidge: If We Fail to Act on Behalf of Women’s Reproductive Rights, Pa. will Become the Next Texas

(Sep 15, 2021) Rep. Liz Hanbidge

We are closer to being like Texas than you can imagine. It’s up to all of us to ensure we don’t end up there, which we can do by demanding our elected state officials protect our rights. Read more

 

Sainato co-hosts news conference highlighting free services for veterans

(Sep 15, 2021) Rep. Christopher Sainato

Sainato, who is Democratic chairman of the PA House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said he wants to be sure Pennsylvania veterans and their families are aware of the broad range of free services these trained, accredited professionals can provide. Read more

 

Napoleon Nelson hosting ‘fireside chats’ with blockchain technology insiders

(Sep 14, 2021) Rep. Napoleon Nelson

Nelson launched the Emerging Technologies Caucus this spring to help the commonwealth’s elected leaders learn about new and developing technology by working closely with innovators, including academics, entrepreneurs and businesses, and to help foster innovation while responsibly allowing Pennsylvania to compete in the new digital era. Read more

 

Now open for applications: Urban agriculture, career/technical training, and transportation funding opportunities

(Sep 14, 2021) Appropriations

Read about the latest state grant programs open for applications. Read more

 

Sappey introduces resolution designating September as International Underground Railroad Month

(Sep 13, 2021) Rep. Christina Sappey

“It’s critical to recognize the importance of the Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania’s history, not only for the sake of those who put their lives on the line so that all Americans could be free before the Civil War, but also to remember that in Pennsylvania the fight for the true freedom of all people is still being fought.” Read more

 

Miller, O’Mara introduce bill connecting firefighters with vital health care

(Sep 10, 2021) Rep. Dan Miller, Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

As the nation prepares to remember and honor the 20th anniversary of September 11, and in light of recent studies linking firefighters to increased rates of cancer, heart-related diseases and suicide, state Reps. Dan Miller, D-Allegheny, and Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, are introducing a bill that would set up a new state grant program to cover the costs of annual medical examinations for all firefighters in the commonwealth. Read more

 

McClinton, Muth, Toohil Introduce Bipartisan Legislation for a Statewide Tracking System for Sexual Assault Evidence

(Sep 09, 2021) Rep. Joanna E. McClinton

The legislation would allow victims of sexual assault to track the status of their evidence and give them information on who to contact for more information. The bill would also create an Advisory Committee to help develop and implement best practices in creating and maintaining a tracking system. Read more

 

Merski bill would help municipalities fight blight

(Sep 09, 2021) Rep. Robert Merski

Merski, D-Erie, said that under H.B. 1827, municipalities would be able to apply for grants to help them launch new property maintenance code enforcement programs, hire inspectors for those programs or add more staff to fortify existing programs. Read more

 

Now open for applications: Public defender, prosecutor, humanities, gun violence, and library funding opportunities

(Sep 08, 2021) Appropriations

Read about the latest state grant programs open for applications. Read more

 

Rabb, Polinchock introduce bill to remove DUI penalties for legal medical cannabis use
17 hours ago

Frankel joins nearly 900 state legislators to express support for abortion rights
20 hours ago

Burns' military tuition bill passes key Senate committee, heads to full chamber for vote
21 hours ago

Now open for applications: Long Term Care, Bullying, Substance Abuse, Housing, and Agriculture Funding Opportunities
1 day ago

House Democrats to Republican colleagues: ‘Stop the charade’
Sep 20, 2021

Ciresi introduces legislation allowing limited wineries to partner with BYOBs
Sep 17, 2021

Mullery introduces bill to ensure burial grounds receive necessary care
Sep 17, 2021

Schweyer: PA Republican election clown show must end
Sep 16, 2021

Davis to introduce legislation to reinstate, fund Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Sep 16, 2021

Mullery introduces meatpacking and food processing worker protection legislation
Sep 16, 2021

Nelson: Community colleges in Pa. could be – and should be – free
Sep 15, 2021

Hanbidge: If We Fail to Act on Behalf of Women’s Reproductive Rights, Pa. will Become the Next Texas
Sep 15, 2021

Sainato co-hosts news conference highlighting free services for veterans
Sep 15, 2021

Napoleon Nelson hosting ‘fireside chats’ with blockchain technology insiders
Sep 14, 2021

Now open for applications: Urban agriculture, career/technical training, and transportation funding opportunities
Sep 14, 2021

Sappey introduces resolution designating September as International Underground Railroad Month
Sep 13, 2021

Miller, O’Mara introduce bill connecting firefighters with vital health care
Sep 10, 2021

McClinton, Muth, Toohil Introduce Bipartisan Legislation for a Statewide Tracking System for Sexual Assault Evidence
Sep 09, 2021

Merski bill would help municipalities fight blight
Sep 09, 2021

Now open for applications: Public defender, prosecutor, humanities, gun violence, and library funding opportunities
Sep 08, 2021