News Center

Pennsylvanians are hurting because of the federal shutdown

(1 hour ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Some GOP lawmakers have claimed they don’t know much about the impact of the federal shutdown on Pennsylvania or about how the changes to SNAP and Medicaid have affected their constituents. Well, as state representatives for the 49th and 96th legislative districts in Lancaster, let us share what we’ve heard from our constituents at a Medicaid and SNAP Town Hall this week about the hardships they are experiencing and the terror they are feeling if the federal shutdown continues much longer. (It should be noted that all Lancaster-area state lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats alike, were invited to this important discussion with residents but only state Sen. James Malone joined.) Our constituents told us that they’re not just worried about where their next meal is coming from when SNAP benefits end in early November, but they also don’t know what they are going to do when the supportive services associated with the program dry up, from transportation services, which gets them to their jobs, to extra clothing, to child care (extended through December, but no one knows what will happen in January). We heard about the transportation deserts in some areas of the county that make it impossible to get to work or a community food pantry, about the language barriers that make it difficult for people to fill out paperwork or to understand critical changes to these essential programs. One constituent who doesn’t have his GED told us he does Read more

 

House Energy Committee hold public hearing on benefits of electric school buses

(20 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – Today, the PA House Energy Committee held a public hearing on legislation (H.B. 1539) that would create a grant program to help schools transition to electric school buses.The benefits of deploying ESB fleets include reduced costs of ownership and operation, fuel costs savings, maintenance costs savings, and public health benefits. However, the up-front costs associated with ESB fleets have been prohibitive for many Pennsylvania school districts. Read more

 

State House passes legislation to protect vaccine access across Pennsylvania

(20 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – In the wake of major changes to a federal vaccine advisory panel that could threaten Pennsylvanians’ access to life-saving immunizations, the state House has passed legislation that would protect access to recommended vaccines, the bill’s co-prime sponsors, state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Tarik Khan and Bridget Kosierowski -- all health professionals -- announced. The legislation, H.B. 1828 , would require private insurers to cover vaccines that have been recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The department would be able to draw upon the expertise of professional medical societies in that recommendation, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Venkat said this legislation is needed to ensure that critical immunization protections remain available to Pennsylvanians after recent developments from the federal government. “We have seen the firing of all members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and their replacement with several anti-vaccine activists. We have also seen the firing and resignation of the entire leadership of the CDC due to their unwillingness to support anti-vaccine Read more

 

PA House passes bill to promote early detection of colorectal cancer

(20 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – The PA House today passed legislation ( H.B. 1123 ) that would update insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screenings in the state. The legislation was introduced by state Reps. Pat Gallagher, Sean Dougherty, Jordan Harris and Tarik Khan, all D-Phila. Current insurance law requires health insurance coverage for routine colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 50, but this is based on American Cancer Society standards published in 2008. Multiple other states have updated to the more recent American Cancer Society guidelines from 2018, and these new recommendations state that people should be screened starting at age 45 rather than 50. The Pennsylvania Department of Health also recommends that people begin screening at age 45. House Bill 1123 would update current law to reduce the age when colorectal cancer screenings are covered to 45 from 50, update the guidelines referenced in the law to the most recent edition, and update the tests covered by insurance to those recommended by the guidelines. Gallagher, who is a survivor of colorectal cancer, pointed out how this legislation can save lives. “As a survivor of colorectal cancer, I know firsthand the impact that early detection and proper care can have on an individual's journey through the labyrinth of cancer. This legislation is not just about updating insurance coverage; it's about Read more

 

Oversight of Developing Issues Focus of New House Majority Policy Subcommittee

(20 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Making sure emerging issues get the attention they deserve, PA House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) has tapped Rep. Regina Young (D-Philadelphia, Delaware) to chair the newly created Developing Issues and Oversight subcommittee. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El to host Black veterans event Nov. 11

(21 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, Oct. 29 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will host “Celebrating Black Veterans: Bound by Courage, Lifted by Legacy: Honoring Our Black Veterans Who Paved the Way” from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Stevens Greenland Cemetery, 1300 S. Duke St. in Lancaster. “As a proud Black Lancastrian, I am honored to lead this event recognizing our city’s often overlooked Black veterans who fought to protect American freedom and promote American ideals throughout the world, while facing discrimination in the service and at home,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This event will provide an opportunity to give our Black veterans their proper due, as true heroes of our great republic.” Program schedule: Introduction by Smith-Wade-El Chaplain’s Invocation J.P. McCaskey High School Choir National Guard presents colors/J.P. McCaskey High School Band Leroy Hopkins’s brief history of Lancaster’s Black veterans Honorees to be recognized: Alvin Gantz, Casey Jones, Toria Butcher, Celest Leslie McCaskey student essay Roll call of names of those buried in cemetery Taps played while colors lowered Lunch To register or inquire about the event, contact Smith-Wade-El’s office at 717-283-4218. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El to co-host free car seat check Nov. 8

(21 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, Oct. 29 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will co-host with Penn Medicine General Health and Safe Kids Lancaster in anticipation of holiday travels a free car seat check and Touch a Truck event with Lancaster Fire Department firefighters from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at Lancaster Township Fire, 1275 Millersville Pike. Read more

 

Resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness referred out of committee

(21 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 –A House resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness in Pennsylvania, introduced by state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Rep. Gina H. Curry, D-Phila., was referred out of the House Children & Youth Committee today, 25-1. House Resolution 337 would designate Nov. 17 through Nov. 21, 2025, as “Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week,” and Nov. 21, 2025, as “Red Shirt Day” in Pennsylvania. According to Smith-Wade-El and Curry, the population of homeless youth has exploded in the past 10 years from just over 19,000 students in Pennsylvania schools to exceed 50,000 today. Much of this increase is due to limited resources available to youth, including lack of access to support services, difficulty obtaining identification and family instability. As many shelters will not accept a child under 18 years of age without the presence of a parent or guardian, there is an urgent need for additional resources to help homeless students attend school and succeed, the representatives said. “We’ve introduced this resolution to raise awareness of the growing number of homeless youth in PA and the lack of resources that are targeted toward their needs,” Smith-Wade-El said. “The federal budget cuts to critical programs serving homeless youth and their families, and the ongoing federal budget impasse that is stifling funding for essential programs like SNAP, Read more

 

Resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness referred out of committee

(21 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 –A House resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness in Pennsylvania, introduced by state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Rep. Regina H. Curry, D-Phila., was referred out of the House Children & Youth Committee today, 25-1. House Resolution 337 would designate Nov. 17 through Nov. 21, 2025, as “Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week,” and Nov. 21, 2025, as “Red Shirt Day” in Pennsylvania. According to Smith-Wade-El and Curry, the population of homeless youth has exploded in the past 10 years from just over 19,000 students in Pennsylvania schools to exceed 50,000 today. Much of this increase is due to limited resources available to youth, including lack of access to support services, difficulty obtaining identification and family instability. As many shelters will not accept a child under 18 years of age without the presence of a parent or guardian, there is an urgent need for additional resources to help homeless students attend school and succeed, the representatives said. “We’ve introduced this resolution to raise awareness of the growing number of homeless youth in PA and the lack of resources that are targeted toward their needs,” Smith-Wade-El said. “The federal budget cuts to critical programs serving homeless youth and their families, and the ongoing federal budget impasse that is stifling funding for essential programs Read more

 

Committee advances Conklin bill to expand access to baby diaper changing stations in men’s restrooms

(21 hours ago) Rep. Scott Conklin

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 –The Pennsylvania House Children and Youth Committee today approved state Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill that would address the shortage of baby diaper changing stations in men’s restrooms. Conklin’s H.B. 1558 , which would establish the Baby Diaper Changing Station Accessibility Program, would require changing stations in new and totally renovated public restrooms. “Child rearing is much more of a shared responsibility today, with diaper duty now performed by many dads, grandfathers, uncles and other male caregivers,” Conklin said. “Unfortunately, our public restrooms around the state don’t reflect that, with most changing stations still found exclusively in women’s restrooms. My bill would help address the lack of diaper-changing stations in men’s public restrooms so that gender is not an obstacle to this important resource.” Conklin said the federal government has passed legislation requiring baby diaper changing stations in all public restrooms located in federal buildings, and nine states have passed laws requiring changing stations in both men and women’s restrooms. The bill exempts industrial buildings, nightclubs and bars, fitness centers and spas, public lodging rooms and single-patient restrooms in health care facilities, and it contains exceptions for situations in which the installation would not be feasible, would interfere with accessible design Read more

 

Rabb bill establishing Emancipation Day clears House committee

(1 day ago) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Bipartisan support for legislation recognizing Thirteenth Amendment ratification in Pennsylvania Read more

 

House passes bipartisan bill to reform and streamline ignition interlock program

(1 day ago) Rep. Ed Neilson

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 1862 with a unanimous vote. This bipartisan legislation, jointly authored by state Reps. Ed Neilson, majority chair of the House Transportation Committee, and Kerry Benninghoff, minority chair of the committee, would reform and streamline administrative procedures related to the ignition interlock program. Currently, certain first-time and repeat DUI offenders with high blood alcohol content have their driver’s licenses suspended and are subject to the ignition interlock program. An ignition interlock is a breathalyzer used for certain DUI offenses; it’s installed in a vehicle to prevent it from starting or running if the driver’s alcohol level exceeds certain limits. Neilson said that slow processing times and bureaucratic delays have made it common for drivers to wait months before being approved for an interlock license. As a result, these devices are often left on vehicles far past the initial court sentence costing drivers hundreds of dollars in extra fees and employment opportunities, which counters the program’s goal of prevention and rehabilitation. Neilson stressed that driving under the influence is a serious crime that can have deadly consequences: “DUI offenders know the risk they take and should be held accountable for their reckless decision with serious penalties, including an ignition Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians referred out of committee

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Legislation (H.B. 1113) that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth, introduced by state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., was referred out of the House State Government Committee today, 14-12. Read more

 

Rivera, Neilson legislation for a teacher-supplies tax credit referred out of committee

(1 day ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Legislation to establish a tax credit for educators with out-of-pocket expenses, co-sponsored by state Reps. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, and Ed Neilson, D-Phila., was referred from the House Finance Committee this morning, 25-1. The legislation would provide a $100 refundable tax credit to teachers who spend their own money on classroom supplies and equipment. It would complement the $300 federal tax deduction for the purchase of unreimbursed classroom supplies. The tax credit proposal would be administered separately from the federal deduction to ensure Pennsylvania teachers always have this option available to them. “Our teachers give so much of themselves to educate our kids, and unfortunately this includes a good portion of their paychecks for necessary school supplies so their students can learn,” Rivera said. “I know from over 30 years of teaching experience in Lancaster County public schools that teaching is not a highly paid profession and school budgets don’t have enough funds to cover all the classroom expenses. This bill would recognize teachers’ financial sacrifice by establishing a $100 tax credit for unreimbursed classroom supplies.” According to Rivera, teachers across the country have reported that school budgets are insufficient to cover all classroom needs, so they’ve had to pay out of pocket for books, pens, paper, cleaning supplies, prizes, snacks, decorations, hand Read more

 

Committee advances Conklin bill to help public employee retirement plans operate more efficiently

(Oct 28, 2025) Rep. Scott Conklin

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 –The House State Government Committee today unanimously approved state Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill that would improve operations for Pennsylvania’s public employee retirement plans by providing more feasible deadlines for the agencies to complete and submit the results of required annual financial testing. Conklin, D-Centre, said he introduced H.B. 1304 in response to a request from the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System and its sister agency, the Public School Employees’ Retirement System, to adjust the deadlines so they better align with the agencies’ annual fiscal year. “Government runs more efficiently when timetables and deadlines are based on real-world logistics,” Conklin said. “Currently, state law requires SERS and PSERS to perform annual stress testing to assess the financial health and resiliency of their pension funds based on different scenarios. The law also sets deadlines for the agencies to complete and submit those tests to state officials, and a deadline for the Independent Fiscal Office to summarize the results into a report. “The problem is that the state-mandated testing and reporting deadlines are not workable. For example, SERS already conducts more rigorous testing than required by state law and has advised that it cannot deliver its comprehensive report by the required July 1 deadline. Both SERS and the IFO have stated Read more

 

Munroe bill making reverse mortgage contracts readable passes PA House

(Oct 28, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

A bill that could safeguard seniors from misleading reverse mortgage contracts passed the PA House today by a vote of 104-99. Read more

 

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

(Oct 27, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS PennDOT: Green Light-Go Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and planning organizations. Use: To improve existing traffic control signals, such as LED replacement, traffic signal retiming, and studies, among other projects. Funds: Up to $40 million is available and projects require a 20% match. Application Deadline: Pre-application scoping forms will be accepted until January 2, 2026. PennDOT will provide comments by February 28, 2026. The full application window will be between March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026. More information: PennDOT website Conservation and Natural Resources: Volunteer Fire Assistance Who May Apply: Volunteer fire companies in rural areas or communities under 10,000 in population Use: To prevent, control, and suppress the threat of wildfires through the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment, wildfire protective gear, mobile radios, installation of dry hydrants, wildfire training, or wildfire prevention and mitigation Funds: Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The maximum grant for 2025 is $15,000. Application Deadline: December 31, 2025 More information: DCNR Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, Read more

 

Munroe bill paving way for more veterans to get teaching certificates signed into law

(Oct 27, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Act 41 of 2025, formerly H.B. 1405, addresses the ongoing teacher shortage in Pennsylvania by making it easier for veterans to obtain a teaching certificate in career and technical fields. Many veterans gain direct experience in CTE fields during their time in the service. Read more

 

Philly Delegation welcomes Transportation Secretary Duffy to the ‘real world,’ offers challenge of road trip to visit GOP Senate leaders who broke the rules and broke SEPTA

(Oct 24, 2025) Philadelphia House Delegation

"Interestingly, Secretary Duffy agrees with us that the transfer of capital funds for operations is not sustainable and will lead to further safety failures. We strongly urge him to take the opportunity for a ride on a Regional Rail Silverliner IV to Sen. Joe Picozzi’s district in the Great Northeast or further out to Sen. Tracy Pennycuick’s or Sen. Frank Farry’s suburban districts and tell them to pass bipartisan legislation to provide a long-term, sustainable funding solution to SEPTA and all of Pennsylvania's mass transit systems." Read more

 

PA House Energy Committee considers first-ever regulations on data centers in Pennsylvania

(Oct 23, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct 23 – Yesterday, PA House Energy Committee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., convened a public hearing on legislation introduced by state Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver. House Bill 1834 would authorize the Public Utility Commission to establish a regulatory framework for data centers operating in the Commonwealth. Read more

 

Pennsylvanians are hurting because of the federal shutdown
1 hour ago

House Energy Committee hold public hearing on benefits of electric school buses
20 hours ago

State House passes legislation to protect vaccine access across Pennsylvania
20 hours ago

PA House passes bill to promote early detection of colorectal cancer
20 hours ago

Oversight of Developing Issues Focus of New House Majority Policy Subcommittee
20 hours ago

Smith-Wade-El to host Black veterans event Nov. 11
21 hours ago

Smith-Wade-El to co-host free car seat check Nov. 8
21 hours ago

Resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness referred out of committee
21 hours ago

Resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness referred out of committee
21 hours ago

Committee advances Conklin bill to expand access to baby diaper changing stations in men’s restrooms
21 hours ago

Rabb bill establishing Emancipation Day clears House committee
1 day ago

House passes bipartisan bill to reform and streamline ignition interlock program
1 day ago

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians referred out of committee
1 day ago

Rivera, Neilson legislation for a teacher-supplies tax credit referred out of committee
1 day ago

Committee advances Conklin bill to help public employee retirement plans operate more efficiently
Oct 28, 2025

Munroe bill making reverse mortgage contracts readable passes PA House
Oct 28, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 27, 2025

Munroe bill paving way for more veterans to get teaching certificates signed into law
Oct 27, 2025

Philly Delegation welcomes Transportation Secretary Duffy to the ‘real world,’ offers challenge of road trip to visit GOP Senate leaders who broke the rules and broke SEPTA
Oct 24, 2025

PA House Energy Committee considers first-ever regulations on data centers in Pennsylvania
Oct 23, 2025