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Rivera’s second BUS IT TO MARKET June 27 Event promotes quick, affordable RRTA bus trip, clean air

(8 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, June 11 – Building on the success of her May event promoting Red Rose Authority’s services, state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, will lead a second “Bus it to Market” trip on Saturday, June 27, to Central Market in Lancaster to raise awareness of the region’s affordable bus transportation system. “Residents on last month’s ‘Bus it to Market’ trip told me how much they enjoyed the ease and affordability of RRTA’s bus ride to Central Market,” Rivera said. “I’m leading a second ride so that more of our residents can experience for themselves how central Lancaster City’s eclectic mix of one-of-a-kind shops and creative restaurants is just a short RRTA bus ride away. And knowledge of how to use our public transportation can lead to new job opportunities.” Rivera said that she hopes her Bus It to Market excursions will show residents that RRTA buses are a fast, reliable, and inexpensive way to get to Lancaster and other places in the region. According to Rivera, Lancaster has unhealthy levels of air pollution. She cited the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report, which listed the Lancaster metro area as rejoining the worst 25 cities in the U.S., at 22nd most polluted in the nation and second worst in the Mid-Atlantic for daily particle pollution. The Lancaster area’s year-round pollution went from bad to worse, from 57th to Read more

 

House Fire & EMS Caucus applauds committee approval of free cancer screenings for firefighters

(9 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 11 – Members of the Pennsylvania House Fire & EMS Caucus today issued the following statements on the Pennsylvania House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee’s approval of H.B. 2394 : “Our volunteer and professional firefighters put their lives on the line every time they respond to an emergency call. There are obvious risks when your job is to run toward a fire instead of away from it, said Rep. Greg Scott, D-Montgomery. “Still, among the leading causes of death for firefighters is not just fire-related injury, but cancer. Cancer we now know is caused by repeated exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, like PFAS, found in firefighting foams and protective gear. “Today’s committee approval of Representative Ciresi’s legislation to ensure all firefighters have access to annual cancer screenings is an important step in protecting our firefighting community and their families. I applaud the committee’s recognition of this often-invisible occupational hazard and their dedication to our volunteer and professional firefighters statewide.” "Cancer is a devastating diagnosis. But if caught early and treatment can start, outcomes can be greatly improved,” said Rep. Lisa Borowski, co-chair of the caucus. “Our first responders put their lives on the line every time they respond to Read more

 

Salisbury to introduce legislation that would reduce barriers to security grants

(12 hours ago) Rep. Abigail Salisbury

HARRISBURG, June 11 – Saying that residents should never have to fear for their safety where they gather to worship, celebrate shared culture, or collaborate on community projects, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury is preparing to introduce legislation that would eliminate a funding match requirement that makes it difficult for smaller, lower-income organizations to secure funding. Salisbury said she drafted the legislation, which would remove the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund’s 33% funding match requirement for groups below a certain revenue threshold, to address a funding challenge that can be an insurmountable obstacle for smaller groups. “Small faith-based and other nonprofit groups are just as vulnerable as larger organizations to targeted threats of violence, but they often don’t have the resources to come up with the matching funds required for a security grant,” said Salisbury, who is co-chair of the bicameral, bipartisan Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit Caucus. “My legislation would remove the 33% match requirement for grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 if the nonprofit’s annual revenue is less than $250,000. It’s time to ensure that these smaller groups have the protection they need and deserve.” Salisbury cited the 2024 attempted shooting at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock and the challenges the church has faced in the aftermath of that incident in attempting to raise Read more

 

House OKs two Neilson bills to promote safer roads

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

House Bill 2336 would require PennDOT to include information for new drivers about safe driving habits in work zones, including a question on the driver’s license examination test. House Bill 2337 would give cities in Pennsylvania the option to enact local ordinances with stronger penalties for off-road vehicles used on city streets, improving quality of life and safety for residents. Read more

 

Kinkead bill to combat image-based sexual abuse clears PA House

(1 day ago) Rep. Emily Kinkead

Legislation cracking down on nonconsensual sharing of intimate images advances to Senate Read more

 

Matzie: Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus briefed on nuclear energy ‘roadmap’ for state

(1 day ago) Rep. Robert F. Matzie

HARRISBURG, June 10 – Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus today heard testimony about a strategic plan to modernize and expand the commonwealth’s nuclear energy capacity. Matzie said The “Nuclear Energy Roadmap,” presented by the statewide nonprofit organization Team Pennsylvania, offers a good starting point for the caucus as it works to steer the state’s nuclear power expansion efforts. “We restarted this bipartisan, bicameral caucus two years ago because we recognized the need to expand Pennsylvania’s nuclear footprint and the tremendous opportunities that can bring,” said Matzie, who is co-chair of the caucus and chairman of the House Majority Caucus. “Nuclear energy is clean, it’s sustainable, it’s affordable, and it drives jobs and our economy. Nuclear plants contribute more than $2 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy and support nearly 16,000 direct and second full-time jobs. “Today, we heard a sensible plan to move the commonwealth forward as it expands its nuclear energy capacity, with achievable goals over the next 25 years. Of course, this is just a starting point. We’ll be collaborating with all stakeholders in the weeks and months ahead to determine the best path forward.” Matzie said that the roadmap’s goals include strengthening state leadership and regional collaboration; sustaining, Read more

 

Briggs bill to modernize campaign finance reporting passes Pennsylvania House

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, today announced that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed legislation he introduced to require candidates and political action committees to file campaign finance reports electronically with the Department of State. House Bill 1262 is designed to modernize Pennsylvania's campaign finance reporting system, improve transparency for the public, and reduce administrative costs for taxpayers. "For years, Pennsylvania has offered electronic filing as an option, yet some campaigns continue to submit paper reports," Briggs said. "That outdated process requires Department of State staff to manually enter information before it can be made available to the public, creating unnecessary costs and delays. Requiring electronic filing is a commonsense step that will provide voters with faster access to campaign finance information while making government more efficient." Under the bill, all candidates and political committees required to file periodic campaign finance reports with the Department of State would be required to do so electronically. The legislation also establishes daily penalties for reports that are not filed electronically by the required deadlines. Briggs noted that about 50% of candidates and political committees already use the state's online filing system and that a majority of states now require electronic filing of Read more

 

Scott bill to extend youth firefighting hours approved by committee

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Greg Scott, D-Montgomery, today announced that his legislation that would extend the working hours for minors serving as volunteer emergency service members was approved by the Pa. House Labor & Industry Committee. Under the state’s current Child Labor Act, minors can engage in training or firefighting activities until 10 p.m. the night before a school day. Yet on weekends, holidays, and over summer academic breaks, that curfew is only 9 p.m. Scott’s bill would extend the training and firefighting curfew for minors to 10 p.m. any night of the year. “This is a small change to our Child Labor Act that will make it easier for minors to get the training they need to excel at emergency response and better serve their communities,” said Scott. “Our volunteer emergency service organizations have historically low membership right now, and it impacts their response times. Adequately training minors who volunteer and show interest in supporting their neighborhoods in this way is vital to the future of these organizations.” Under state law, youth may join a volunteer fire company as young as age 14, with written consent from a parent or guardian. Read more

 

House Health Committee hears testimony on Matzie bill to move Pennsylvania to single Pharmacy Benefit Administrator model

(1 day ago) Rep. Robert F. Matzie

HARRISBURG, June 10 – The Pennsylvania House Health Committee today heard testimony on legislation ( H.B. 2270 ) introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie that would create a single Pharmacy Benefit Administrator model for all of Pennsylvania's state-funded healthcare programs. Matzie helped lay the groundwork for passage of Act 77 of 2024, which brought greater oversight and transparency to the practices of PBMs – third-party administrators that decide which drugs consumers can receive, at what price, and how much dispensing pharmacies are reimbursed – but said more action is needed as Pennsylvania’s small mom-and-pop pharmacies continue to fail as a result of PBM practices that favor large chains. “Beyond the dollars and cents, we all know that some PBMs – for a variety of reasons – pick winners and losers. And the losers, so to speak, have been not only our community pharmacies but some chain pharmacies, as is apparent from the closure of Rite Aid,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus and co-chair of the Pennsylvania Community Pharmacy Caucus. “Act 77 brought greater accountability and transparency to the practices of these middlemen, but regulating the patchwork network of these administrators remains difficult. “By directing the Department of Human Services to select one single administrator to manage prescription drug benefits statewide, our bill would Read more

 

Ciresi’s legislation for free cancer screenings for firefighters heads to full House

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 10 – In a clear demonstration of bipartisan support for the commonwealth’s first responders, the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee today overwhelmingly approved state Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation to establish a statewide program providing free annual cancer screenings for firefighters. House Bill 2394 would ensure that firefighters can access annual cancer screening examinations at no cost when those services are not fully covered by their health insurance. The program would apply to both career and volunteer firefighters across the Commonwealth. According to Ciresi, firefighters’ repeated job-related exposure to cancer-causing chemicals has led the disease to become one of the leading causes of line-of-duty deaths. Studies by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters face a 9% increase in cancer diagnoses, and a 14% increase in cancer-related deaths, compared to the general population in the U.S. “Today’s vote shouts out loud and clear to our firefighters that we recognize the health risk of occupational cancer they uniquely face and that we have their backs,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Currently, many of our firefighters must choose between their health and their families’ finances. That is a moral outrage. My legislation would improve our firefighters’ health outcomes—and shield them from crushing health care Read more

 

Redevelopment, Transportation, Environmental and Additional Grant Opportunities

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Learn about the latest grant programs that are accepting applications. Read more

 

Judiciary Committee approves wide-ranging package of legislation

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, today announced that the committee has approved a series of bills and resolutions addressing public safety, criminal justice, civil justice, and judicial reforms. The measures now advance to the full House for further consideration. “These votes reflect the committee’s commitment to improving public safety, strengthening our justice system, and ensuring fairness for Pennsylvanians,” Briggs said. “The measures tackle a wide range of issues—from responsible firearm storage and impaired boating enforcement to civil justice reforms, and alternatives to incarceration. While the proposals address different challenges, they share a common goal of making our communities safer and our legal system more effective and equitable.” The committee approved the following legislation: House Bill 2462 , sponsored by Reps. Tim Brennan and Brian Munroe, would prohibit recreational facilities from using liability waivers to avoid responsibility for injuries resulting from their own negligence. House Bill 1913 , sponsored by Brennan, would allow both plaintiff and defense attorneys to recommend specific amounts for economic and noneconomic damages during closing arguments in civil cases. Current law leaves juries to determine damages without hearing quantified recommendations from either side. House Read more

 

First-ever digital advertising tax in PA passes state House

(Jun 09, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 9 – Today, the PA House of Representatives passed the "Digital Ads Tax Bill" (H.B. 1678) with a bipartisan vote of 139-63. Introduced by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila.; Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny; and John Inglis, D-Allegheny, the legislation would update Pennsylvania’s existing gross receipts tax to include the sale of digital advertisements.The vast majority of the tax would be paid by the wealthiest Big Tech corporations, including Google, Meta, Amazon, TikTok, and Microsoft, which represent an almost $300 billion industry in the U.S. The legislation would require multinational corporations to pay their fair share without raising taxes on consumers or small businesses. The tax applies to the platform selling ad space on websites and apps, not the retailer paying to promote their product. Read more

 

House L&I Committee approves Kosierowski bill to expand SWIF’s equity investment authority

(Jun 09, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 9 — Legislation to expand the State Workers’ Insurance Fund’s investment authority to enable it to adjust its investment portfolio to changing market conditions was approved by the House Labor & Industry Committee today. The State Workers’ Insurance Fund, or SWIF, was established by statute in 1915 to ensure a stable workers' compensation market in the commonwealth by providing coverage to entities that may otherwise struggle to obtain it in the private market. This legislation, introduced by state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, H.B. 2499 would make a change to the Workers’ Compensation Act to give SWIF the flexibility to invest up to 20% of its assets in equities from its current limit of 7.5%. According to Kosierowski, SWIF’s investment authority in equities is currently limited to 7.5% of the book value of SWIF’s assets due to a combination of provisions in the Workers’ Compensation Act, the Banking Code and the Fiscal Code. As a result, over 93% of SWIF’s assets locked in fixed-income securities are earning historically low rates and are failing to keep up with inflation. “Under current law, SWIF is sacrificing growth for the sake of stability,” Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, said. “By consolidating SWIF’s investment authority into a single statutory provision in the Workers’ Compensation Act, my legislation would enable the fund to manage risks and grow, achieving Read more

 

House approves O’Mara bill to protect rights to fertility treatments in PA

(Jun 09, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The state House today approved on a bipartisan vote a bill sponsored by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, to protect prospective parents’ rights to fertility treatments in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

House Committee advances bill classifying medetomidine a Schedule III drug

(Jun 09, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 9 – State Reps. Greg Scott and Liz Hanbidge, both D-Montgomery, today announced the Pa. House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee advanced their bill (H.B. 2529) that would classify the veterinary medicine medetomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance. Medetomidine is a non-opioid sedative used by veterinarians. It is not approved for use in people. But data now shows that up to 80 percent of fentanyl samples tested in Pennsylvania contain it, increasing the risk of overdose for people who illegally use fentanyl. “Today’s vote is an important first step in getting control of medetomidine’s use in the illegal drug market,” said Scott. “Too many lives are lost to opioids as it is. We don’t need these animal sedatives added to the mix and making it harder to reverse overdoses.” According to Scott, a concern with medetomidine is that its sedative effects do not wear off if the overdose-reversing drug naloxone is used – though the lawmakers caution that in any suspected opioid overdose, naloxone should still be administered. In 2024, Pennsylvania designated another sedative drug, xylazine, a Schedule III controlled substance. In response, the use of xylazine in street drugs declined. The representatives hope repeating this tactic with medetomidine will have the same impact. “The growing presence of Read more

 

Solomon and Phillips discuss nonresident landlord legislation

(Jun 09, 2026) Rep. Darisha Parker

Absentee landlords need to be held accountable to maintain upkeep on the buildings they own. When there’s empty and dilapidated buildings in our neighborhoods, it’s not just discouraging to folks who live there and those who want to own homes here, it increases the risk of crime and other major safety issues. I’m thankful to Representative Solomon and Councilmember Phillips for their work to empower and uplift our city. Great things happen when state and local government can work together. Read more

 

Fiedler, Burgos bill to rein in utility profits, protect consumers reported out of House Consumer Protection Committee

(Jun 09, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 9 – Today, the Pennsylvania House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee voted 17-9 to advance the Return on Equity bill, which is co-sponsored by Committee Chair Danilo Burgos, D-Phila., and House Energy Committee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila.House Bill 2224 would create a default, formula-based return on equity for investor-owned utilities that reflects the true market-based cost of equity. It would ensure that ratepayers pay no more than what is necessary to attract capital investments. Read more

 

PA House passes Guenst bill to honor veterans lost to suicide

(Jun 09, 2026) Rep. Nancy Guenst

Legislation allowing Green Star Service Banner on state property advances Read more

 

House passes Cepeda-Freytiz bill to help businesses become sales tax compliant

(Jun 08, 2026) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, June 8 – The Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, aimed at helping businesses with repeated sales tax filing issues become compliant and avoid falling deeper into tax delinquency. The legislation, H.B. 2300 , would require businesses that either have three non-consecutive non-filed returns or have a delinquent sales tax balance greater than $5,000 to use an authorized service provider to report and remit their sales tax. “As a former small business owner myself, I know that balancing the books is vital for every business, regardless of how well a business owner can do that themselves,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “This legislation will ensure 100% compliance with Pennsylvania’s sales tax collection and allow businesses to get back on track to continue serving our community.” Prior to her election, Cepeda-Freytiz owned Mi Casa Su Casa Café, a breakfast and lunch café in downtown Reading. The legislation would also require the Department of Revenue to cover the costs of this program for the taxpayer’s first year of enrollment. House Bill 2300 passed the House with a vote of 153-48 and will now move to the state Senate for consideration. Read more

 

Rivera’s second BUS IT TO MARKET June 27 Event promotes quick, affordable RRTA bus trip, clean air
8 hours ago

House Fire & EMS Caucus applauds committee approval of free cancer screenings for firefighters
9 hours ago

Salisbury to introduce legislation that would reduce barriers to security grants
12 hours ago

House OKs two Neilson bills to promote safer roads
1 day ago

Kinkead bill to combat image-based sexual abuse clears PA House
1 day ago

Matzie: Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus briefed on nuclear energy ‘roadmap’ for state
1 day ago

Briggs bill to modernize campaign finance reporting passes Pennsylvania House
1 day ago

Scott bill to extend youth firefighting hours approved by committee
1 day ago

House Health Committee hears testimony on Matzie bill to move Pennsylvania to single Pharmacy Benefit Administrator model
1 day ago

Ciresi’s legislation for free cancer screenings for firefighters heads to full House
1 day ago

Redevelopment, Transportation, Environmental and Additional Grant Opportunities
1 day ago

Judiciary Committee approves wide-ranging package of legislation
1 day ago

First-ever digital advertising tax in PA passes state House
Jun 09, 2026

House L&I Committee approves Kosierowski bill to expand SWIF’s equity investment authority
Jun 09, 2026

House approves O’Mara bill to protect rights to fertility treatments in PA
Jun 09, 2026

House Committee advances bill classifying medetomidine a Schedule III drug
Jun 09, 2026

Solomon and Phillips discuss nonresident landlord legislation
Jun 09, 2026

Fiedler, Burgos bill to rein in utility profits, protect consumers reported out of House Consumer Protection Committee
Jun 09, 2026

PA House passes Guenst bill to honor veterans lost to suicide
Jun 09, 2026

House passes Cepeda-Freytiz bill to help businesses become sales tax compliant
Jun 08, 2026