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Legislators congratulate Wyomissing dispensary on reaching labor agreement

(Mar 19, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

WYOMISSING, March 19 – State Reps. Emily Kinkead, Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, and Napoleon Nelson congratulated the workers of Teamsters Local 429 and their president, Bill Shappell, along with the leadership at Sunnyside Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Wyomissing, on reaching a labor agreement on Tuesday, March 17. The labor agreement comes as the future of cannabis access, employment, and entrepreneurship remains a legislative priority in Harrisburg. Such agreements between labor and cannabis operators are a central component to legislation the legislators said they hope will finally legalize adult-use cannabis in PA, achieving Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget priority and bringing the Commonwealth in line with neighboring states. House Bill 20 , offered by Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Rep. Abby Major, R-Armstrong, presents a bipartisan path to legalizing adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania and includes a requirement that dispensaries execute labor peace agreements in order to receive licenses. These contracts between the employer and a union require employers not to interfere with efforts of employees to organize in exchange for concessions like avoiding labor disruptions through strikes, picketing, or lockouts. “Cannabis legalization in Pennsylvania is estimated to create around 30,000 family-sustaining jobs in our Commonwealth and ensuring that those workers have access to a union if they want one, free from any employer interference, only makes Read more

 

Legislation to reform short-term rentals introduced in state House

(Mar 19, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, March 19 -- State Reps. Lindsay Powell, Jennifer M. O’Mara and Mary Jo Daley today introduced legislation to establish a statewide regulatory framework for short-term rentals across Pennsylvania. The legislation, H.B. 2303 , is based on recommendations from a nonpartisan, independent study conducted by the Joint State Government Commission, which was directed by a 2024 House Resolution sponsored by Powell and O’Mara. The bill aims to create consistent, baseline standards for short-term rental properties while preserving flexibility for local communities. “On New Year’s Eve, a member of our community was seriously injured in a violent incident at a short-term rental in my district. This was the second such event in the same neighborhood in recent years – the prior taking the lives of two teenagers,” said Powell , D-Allegheny. “That is why, two years ago, Rep. O’Mara and I led passage of a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the short-term rental industry and develop recommendations for a statewide framework. “Today, we are proud to introduce legislation that turns those recommendations into action. This bill strikes a necessary balance of protecting public safety, supporting responsible operators, and ensuring transparency for local officials and law enforcement. As short-term rentals continue to grow across Pennsylvania, we have a Read more

 

Lancaster County legislators announce state funding to combat sexual violence on college campuses

(Mar 18, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, March 18 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, today highlighted new “It’s On Us PA” funding awarded to combat sexual violence and support survivors on college campuses in their districts. Millersville University in Smith-Wade-El’s district received $40,000 and Franklin and Marshall College in Rivera’s district received $21,795. “Sexual violence is a human rights abuse , a form of discrimination, and a manifestation of unequal power,” Smith-Wade-El and Rivera said. “The ‘It’s On Us’ program plays a critical role in making Pennsylvania a more equal commonwealth by raising awareness among students about consent as a basic human right and providing healing support to survivors. This money helps to ensure that the ‘It’s On Us’ program will continue to help make our higher educational learning environments safe spaces for everyone.” The Shapiro administration awarded more than $1.7 million in this round of funding to 43 institutions statewide. Since 2023, nearly $5 million has been invested in “It’s On Us PA” initiatives focused on education, prevention, and survivor support. The “It’s On Us PA” program builds on a national initiative launched to raise awareness about sexual assault, promote consent education, and encourage bystander intervention. The state-level campaign brings together Read more

 

Testifiers emphasize the role of grid modernization in curbing rising energy costs

(Mar 18, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, March 17 – On Monday, PA House Energy Committee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., convened a public hearing to discuss ways to modernize and upgrade Pennsylvania’s electric grid using lower-cost, high-efficiency solutions.Members of the committee heard testimony from industry experts on H.B. 2223, which would encourage the adoption of advanced transmission technologies, and H.B. 2264, which would establish a virtual power plant program in Pennsylvania. ATTs and VPPs offer cost-effective opportunities to strengthen grid reliability, expand capacity, and ensure energy costs are kept as low as possible for consumers and small businessesPennsylvania’s energy demand is being driven higher by the rapid expansion of data centers that support artificial intelligence and cloud computing, the increasing electrification of vehicles and household appliances, and the power needs of advanced manufacturing. This demand shift has already led to record increases in energy bills for regular households, with shutoffs increasing by 38% in 2025. To keep pace, the Commonwealth’s electric grid requires significant and timely capacity upgrades. Read more

 

Legislators, advocates call for Family Care Act passage

(Mar 17, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, Lisa Borowski, and Napoleon Nelson were joined by child and family advocates this week at a news conference to urge the passage of bipartisan legislation to create a family and medical leave insurance program in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Goughnour sponsors bill to keep more law enforcement officers on the job through binding arbitration

(Mar 12, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Dan Goughnour, D-Allegheny, today announced that he has introduced bipartisan legislation that would help keep law enforcement officers on the job by allowing more officers to access binding arbitration Read more

 

Lawmakers discuss expansion of eligibility for prescription assistance program

(Mar 11, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Pa. —House Democrats on Tuesday discussed the idea of raising the income cap for eligible seniors to participate in a prescription drug assistance program, a proposal aimed at preventing many Pennsylvanians from having to make tough choices about affording life-saving drugs or food and other expenses. Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee advances bills to strengthen civil rights and protect LGBTQ+ communities

(Mar 10, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, March 10 – Today, the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee voted to advance legislation aimed at strengthening civil rights protections, modernizing state law, and improving the fairness of Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. “As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to ensure our laws reflect both our shared values and the realities of today,” said House Judiciary Committee Chair Tim Briggs. “These bills address longstanding gaps in our statutes, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure our justice system treats people fairly while keeping Pennsylvanians safe.” House Bill 300 (Sponsored by Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta) — Also known as the Fairness Act, this legislation would update Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in areas such as housing, education and public accommodations. “Pennsylvania is better when it’s fairer. That’s not a slogan, that’s who we are at our best. And right now, with hundreds of bills across this country targeting LGBTQ+ Americans just for being who they are, we have a chance to prove it by again passing the Fairness Act with bipartisan support,” Kenyatta said. “In Pennsylvania, every single person deserves to be safe — no matter who you love or who you are.” House Bill 632 (Sponsored by Rep. Ben Waxman) Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee advances bills to strengthen civil rights and protect LGBTQ+ communities

(Mar 10, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, March 10 – Today, the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee voted to advance legislation aimed at strengthening civil rights protections, modernizing state law, and improving the fairness of Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. “As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to ensure our laws reflect both our shared values and the realities of today,” said House Judiciary Committee Chair Tim Briggs. “These bills address longstanding gaps in our statutes, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure our justice system treats people fairly while keeping Pennsylvanians safe.” House Bill 300 (Sponsored by Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta) — Also known as the Fairness Act, this legislation would update Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in areas such as housing, education and public accommodations. “Pennsylvania is better when it’s fairer. That’s not a slogan, that’s who we are at our best. And right now, with hundreds of bills across this country targeting LGBTQ+ Americans just for being who they are, we have a chance to prove it by again passing the Fairness Act with bipartisan support,” Kenyatta said. “In Pennsylvania, every single person deserves to be safe — no matter who you love or who you are.” House Bill 632 (Sponsored by Rep. Ben Waxman) Read more

 

PLBC announces Crystal Bird Fauset Award honorees

(Mar 09, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, March 9 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus has announced four honorees for the 2026 Crystal Bird Fauset Award, which recognizes the contributions of Black women as leaders across Pennsylvania. This year’s honorees include: Ciera Dent , Mayor of Steelton Borough Marita Garrett , former Mayor of Wilkinsburg Borough and current CEO, Civically Inc. La Tasha Williams , Judge of the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas Jamila Winder , Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chair “These phenomenal leaders embody the spirit of service, resilience and dedication to justice and opportunity for all,” said state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, Chair of the PLBC. “Their work continues to inspire the next generation of changemakers and reflects the powerful legacy of public leadership in our communities.” The award is named for former Rep. Crystal Bird Fauset, who was the first Black female state legislator elected in the United States. The award honorees will be recognized online on March 26. The event will be streamed on the PLBC Facebook account . Read more

 

PA House Democratic leaders' statement on PSP trooper death

(Mar 09, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, MARCH 9 – Pennsylvania House Democratic Leaders today issued the following statement on the tragic death in the line of duty of Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Timothy O’Connor: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Timothy O'Connor, who was killed during a traffic stop in Chester County. Our hearts are with his wife, child and loved ones, and all PA State Police troopers. We are eternally grateful for the service of our law enforcement, who put their lives at risk every day to keep us safe.” ### Read more

 

Venkat and Powell to introduce legislation to create exemption for state ID renewal fees

(Mar 09, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, March 9 – Many older Pennsylvanians face health conditions that make it unsafe for them to continue driving, which often leads them to surrender their driver’s licenses and receive a free state photo identification card. However, subsequent renewals of these cards include a fee, which state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Lindsay Powell , both D-Allegheny, intend to remedy. The Pittsburgh-area legislators plan to introduce legislation that would exempt Pennsylvanians age 65 or older that have surrendered their driver’s license for medical reasons from the fees associated with renewing their state photo ID. “Giving up a driver’s license can be difficult, especially when it is due to a medical condition,” said Venkat. “We do not need to add an extra cost for seniors during this challenging situation. This legislation will allow older Pennsylvanians to make the responsible decision to surrender their license without the burden of additional financial hardship.” “When many of our older neighbors live on fixed incomes, we should not be charging them unreasonable fees that could go toward health care, groceries, transportation, or any other costs they may have,” said Powell. The current fee to renew a photo ID, as of July 2025 , is $44.50. Over 20% of Pennsylvanians — nearly 2.6 million people — are aged 65 or older, one of the highest shares in the Read more

 

House Energy Committee advances two bills strengthening transparency and community protections related to data centers

(Mar 06, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, March 6 - On Monday, the House Energy Committee, chaired by state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., advanced H.B. 2150 and H.B. 2151. If enacted, these bills would strengthen transparency and protections for communities navigating nearby data center proposals.Fiedler said major tech companies have ushered in the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and video streaming within the last five years, resulting in a data center development boom. Communities across Pennsylvania are now grappling with proposals from developers to site data centers, which require a tremendous amount of energy and water. Read more

 

Ciresi & Haddock call for gas price hike investigations

(Mar 05, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi, Rep. Jim Haddock

“As soon as the first bomb struck in Iran, gas stations across our state hiked up their prices, not even batting an eye to the fact that the gas in their tanks were already bought and paid for. Now, Pennsylvanians will have to figure out not only how to put food on the table, but how to get to the grocery store in the first place – and this is after costs have been rising faster than worker pay. Read more

 

Krueger: $20,000 to address food insecurity at Neumann University

(Mar 05, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

BROOKHAVEN, March 5 – The Pennsylvania Department of Education has awarded a $20,000 grant to combat student hunger at Neumann University in Aston, state Rep. Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware, announced today. Krueger said the grant will be used to expand access to food options, create food insecurity awareness initiatives, and upgrade facilities. “Too often, students facing food insecurity keep their struggle private, or don’t know where to turn when they’re trying to balance hunger with the demands – and costs – of their studies,” said Krueger. “When college campuses offer easy-access programs and resources to address food insecurity, these students can get the support they need without worrying about the stigma sometimes associated with it.” Neumann University is one of 30 institutions receiving a grant through the PA Hunger-Free Campus program. All of the recipients are members of the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, a coalition of Pennsylvania institutions of higher education working to address student hunger and other basic needs. The PA Hunger-Free Campus program is part of PDE’s PA EmpowerU , a statewide student-success and basic needs initiative built around eight keystones that represent the full spectrum of what students need to succeed, including financial stability, housing security, food access, transportation support, mental Read more

 

Democrats draw line on dynamic pricing for essential goods

(Mar 04, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“When working families are counting every dollar, unpredictable prices are not innovation – they’re instability,” said Rep. Mary Isaacson, who co-hosted the hearing and represents portions of Philadelphia. “AI-enabled pricing puts consumers and working families at an extreme disadvantage, all in the name of corporate greed.” Read more

 

Rep. Venkat concerned about Point giving financial inducements for testimony

(Mar 04, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, March 4 – During a House Commerce Committee hearing today on bipartisan legislation that would regulate Shared Appreciation Agreements, state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, expressed outrage over the solicitation of testimony against the legislation through financial inducements. Point, a company that markets Shared Appreciation Agreements, emailed customers before the meeting with the promise of $50 Amazon gift cards if they submitted a testimonial in opposition to H.B. 2120 , introduced by Venkat to regulate these agreements. This solicitation and the subsequent testimonials submitted by Point came without notice to the Commerce Committee. “These actions by Point are intended to mislead the members of this committee and the people of Pennsylvania by incentivizing a particular viewpoint for financial gain,” said Venkat. “This is an outrageous corruption of the legislative process. House Bill 2120 serves to provide consumer protections for homeowners to preserve and understand the value of their most valuable asset—their home. “What Point has done raises significant questions about its credibility as a company, as a participant in the deliberations on this legislation, and about the nature and quality of its product. If it is not transparent with lawmakers, how can we believe it is transparent with its customers? I will continue to use my authority as a legislator to ensure homeowners are Read more

 

Grant Memo: School Bus Safety, Recreation Facilities, Recycling, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Mar 04, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Learn more about the most recent grant programs that are open for applications. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera announce job fair, record-clearing session

(Mar 03, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, March 3 – Building on their commitment to expanding opportunity for justice--involved residents, state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, today announced two upcoming community events to connect Lancaster County residents with fair-chance employers and provide guidance on record-clearing processes. The first event, a Community Job Event , will take place Tuesday, March 24, at the Lancaster Public Library. The job fair will bring together local employers and support organizations committed to second-chance hiring, creating a welcoming space for individuals seeking employment despite prior court involvement. In addition to job opportunities, attendees will be able to connect with community partners offering resources to support long-term career success. Date: Tuesday, March 24 Time: 2 to 6 p.m. Location: Lancaster Public Library, 151 N. Queen St. “Everyone deserves the opportunity to rebuild their lives,” Smith-Wade-El said. “By connecting people to employers who recognize the value of second chances, we can help strengthen families and our community.” Rivera emphasized the importance of accessibility and awareness: “This event demonstrates our shared commitment to breaking down barriers and expanding economic opportunities for all residents of Lancaster. We want to ensure that justice-involved Read more

 

Krueger: Let’s end the demand for trafficked animal parts in PA

(Mar 03, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

BROOKHAVEN, March. 3 – In observance of World Wildlife Day, state Rep. Leanne Krueger today offered the following statement on the trafficking of wild animal parts and her legislation, H.B. 994, which would prohibit the purchase and sale of animal parts from imperiled species in Pennsylvania: “When we hear that over 15,000 elephants are poached in Africa each year for their ivory, or that all five species of rhino are endangered because of demand for their horns, we want to be part of the solution, not the problem. “Internationally and nationally, wildlife advocates have worked for decades to end the demand for wild animal parts from imperiled species, most notably ivory from elephant tusks and rhino horns. The creation and sale of these products exist solely to make money; there is no ‘pro’ argument when it comes to the slaughter of protected species. “Unfortunately, existing national and state laws don’t do enough to curb the demand for trafficked animal parts. Under the Federal Endangered Species Act and current Pennsylvania state law, the sale of animal parts from endangered or threatened species is illegal, but there are loopholes that allow some sellers to trade legally. Compared to other states, Pennsylvania’s current regulations are weak. We have a duty to protect at-risk species from poaching, and we have a duty to protect our residents from unknowingly Read more

 

Legislators congratulate Wyomissing dispensary on reaching labor agreement
Mar 19, 2026

Legislation to reform short-term rentals introduced in state House
Mar 19, 2026

Lancaster County legislators announce state funding to combat sexual violence on college campuses
Mar 18, 2026

Testifiers emphasize the role of grid modernization in curbing rising energy costs
Mar 18, 2026

Legislators, advocates call for Family Care Act passage
Mar 17, 2026

Goughnour sponsors bill to keep more law enforcement officers on the job through binding arbitration
Mar 12, 2026

Lawmakers discuss expansion of eligibility for prescription assistance program
Mar 11, 2026

House Judiciary Committee advances bills to strengthen civil rights and protect LGBTQ+ communities
Mar 10, 2026

House Judiciary Committee advances bills to strengthen civil rights and protect LGBTQ+ communities
Mar 10, 2026

PLBC announces Crystal Bird Fauset Award honorees
Mar 09, 2026

PA House Democratic leaders' statement on PSP trooper death
Mar 09, 2026

Venkat and Powell to introduce legislation to create exemption for state ID renewal fees
Mar 09, 2026

House Energy Committee advances two bills strengthening transparency and community protections related to data centers
Mar 06, 2026

Ciresi & Haddock call for gas price hike investigations
Mar 05, 2026

Krueger: $20,000 to address food insecurity at Neumann University
Mar 05, 2026

Democrats draw line on dynamic pricing for essential goods
Mar 04, 2026

Rep. Venkat concerned about Point giving financial inducements for testimony
Mar 04, 2026

Grant Memo: School Bus Safety, Recreation Facilities, Recycling, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Mar 04, 2026

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera announce job fair, record-clearing session
Mar 03, 2026

Krueger: Let’s end the demand for trafficked animal parts in PA
Mar 03, 2026