News Center

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

 

House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment

(Oct 22, 2025) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today approved a joint resolution sponsored by state Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution. The proposed legislation, introduced as H.B. 1957 , comes at a pivotal moment in the national conversation on reproductive rights. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the authority to regulate reproductive health care has shifted to individual states, prompting a wave of legislative and voter-led efforts across the country. In response, voters in states such as Ohio, Michigan, Vermont and California have approved constitutional amendments or ballot initiatives to enshrine reproductive rights in their state constitutions. These actions reflect a growing recognition that state-level protections are now essential to safeguarding access to abortion and other reproductive health care. Pennsylvania’s proposed amendment seeks to join this national movement by ensuring reproductive freedom is permanently enshrined in the state constitution. The Otten, Hanbidge and Mayes bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution that would reaffirm and protect every Pennsylvanian’s right to privacy and ensure that the state shall not deny or Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein to hold news conference Oct. 28 in support of their legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians

(Oct 22, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., will be joined by representatives of Church World Service at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the East Wing Rotunda, Harrisburg, for a news conference in support of their legislation (H.B. 1113) that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. “Our immigrant communities are an integral part of Pennsylvania’s economic growth, making up over 8% of our state’s work force and paying $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But they are facing too many roadblocks due to bureaucratic red tape and restrictive policies targeting immigrant communities. “To keep these skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers and community leaders in our state, I’ve introduced a bill that would raze the maze of bureaucratic silos by establishing an Office of New Pennsylvanians that would be a one-stop shop for benefits and resources for immigrants under the auspices of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.” “My support for immigrant rights is based on my belief in the value of all working people. Organized labor was born in immigrant communities from the coal mines in Pennsylvania to sweatshops in New York and to the grape harvests in California,” Hohenstein said. “Immigrants bring so much to our state – whether Read more

 

Pa. House Judiciary Committee advances key measures to protect health privacy, reproductive rights and public safety

(Oct 22, 2025) Women’s Health Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today held a public hearing on a proposed state constitutional amendment (H.B.1957), followed by a voting meeting to advance significant women’s health measures designed to protect medical privacy, strengthen reproductive freedom and safeguard health care providers and patients from out-of-state interference. The committee heard testimony from advocates, medical professionals and policy experts on H.B. 1957, which would enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution, and the members voted on other women’s health legislation, including the following House bills sponsored by Women’s Health Caucus Co-Chair Mary Jo Daley and state Rep. Melissa Shusterman . H.B. 1640 – Would protect health care records related to reproductive services from disclosure in Pennsylvania civil and criminal actions or investigations, ensuring patient confidentiality. H.B. 1641 – Would instruct insurance companies to not take adverse action against health care providers that offer reproductive services to out-of-state residents. H.B. 1643 – Would prohibit Pennsylvania courts from enforcing judgments from other states in cases involving reproductive health care services, preserving Pennsylvania’s legal independence. H.B. 1966 – Would prohibit Pennsylvania courts from cooperating with out-of-state civil and criminal cases involving reproductive Read more

 

Fiedler, Matzie introduce resolution urging Congress to fully fund LIHEAP, reinstate fired employees

(Oct 21, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – Today, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver, introduced a resolution urging Congress and President Donald Trump to permanently reinstate federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program employees and to increase funding for the program. LIHEAP is a federal cash grant program that helps low-income families across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., heat and cool their homes, make emergency repairs, and prevent shutoffs of essential utilities. In Pennsylvania, 300,000 households depend on LIHEAP for heating assistance in a typical year. On April 2, Trump laid off all federal staff responsible for administering LIHEAP and proposed zero funding in his fiscal year 2026 federal budget, leaving Pennsylvanians in the lurch. “Staying warm in the winter is not a partisan issue. Red, blue, doesn’t matter. People in all areas of our commonwealth depend on LIHEAP funding to get them safely through the coldest months. It’s a federal program that literally saves lives,” said Matzie . “It seems unconscionable that funding would be withheld, but here we are. And let’s be clear, this has nothing to with the current shutdown – the funding was cut in the proposed federal budget. This resolution is a simple plea to Congress to do the right thing. Restore LIHEAP funding. People’s lives depend on it.” One in five Pennsylvania households report Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera hosting Medicaid Town Hall Oct. 28

(Oct 17, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, Oct. 17 —State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, will hold a Medicaid Town Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the J.P. McCaskey High School Cafeteria, 445 Reservoir St., Lancaster. “We are offering this Medicaid Town Hall to answer residents’ questions regarding Medicaid, especially the recent changes to the program’s eligibility requirements, and explain how our offices can help them navigate the program to get the coverage they need,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As your state representatives, we want to be there for residents during this time of uncertainty as a resource by providing informational events like this town hall to answer any questions residents may have and afterwards through the constituent services our offices offer,” Rivera said. Residents are encouraged to RSVP by signing up at tinyurl.com/49-96-TownHall . Residents in Rivera’s district can also RSPV by calling the district office at 717-295-3157 or emailing them at RepRivera@pahouse.net . Those residing in Smith-Wade-El’s district can call the office at 717-283-4218 or email RepSmithWadeEl@pahouse.net . Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera hosting Medicaid Town Hall Oct. 28

(Oct 17, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, Oct. 17 —State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, will hold a Medicaid Town Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the J.P. McCaskey High School Cafeteria, 1051 Lehigh Ave., Lancaster. “We are offering this Medicaid Town Hall to answer residents’ questions regarding Medicaid, especially the recent changes to the program’s eligibility requirements, and explain how our offices can help them navigate the program to get the coverage they need,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As your state representatives, we want to be there for residents during this time of uncertainty as a resource by providing informational events like this town hall to answer any questions residents may have and afterwards through the constituent services our offices offer,” Rivera said. Residents are encouraged to RSVP by signing up at tinyurl.com/49-96-TownHall . Residents in Rivera’s district can also RSPV by calling the district office at 717-295-3157 or emailing them at RepRivera@pahouse.net . Those residing in Smith-Wade-El’s district can call the office at 717-283-4218 or email RepSmithWadeEl@pahouse.net . Read more

 

Ciresi introduces bill to prohibit trespassing using drones

(Oct 17, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – A bill, H.B. 1926, prohibiting trespassing with a drone was introduced this week by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. The bill would strengthen criminal trespass laws in Pennsylvania. “Although state law in Pennsylvania forbids someone from physically trespassing on another person’s property, it has not been adapted to include the use of drone technology,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would update state laws to prohibit trespass by drone, bringing Pennsylvania in line with other states such as Utah and Virginia , which already expressly prohibit it.” Ciresi was alerted to the issue by a constituent whose property had been repeatedly trespassed by a drone and found that the local police had difficulty filing charges because of limitations in existing state law. House Bill 1926 would prohibit the use of a drone if a person uses it to enter or remain over the property of another person with the intention of coercing, intimidating or causing annoyance, damaging property, or defying an order to leave or not enter the property as presented to the offender by the owner of the property, another authorized person or a law enforcement officer. “This bill would update state law to account for proliferation of the use of drones and hold bad actors accountable when they misuse this technology,” Ciresi said. Read more

 

Ciresi, Friel town hall with Pottstown NAACP highlights negative impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget on Pennsylvania

(Oct 16, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

POTTSTOWN, Oct. 16 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Paul Friel, D-Chester, last night held a town hall with the NAACP’s Pottstown chapter. “Democracy was in action last night at the Pottstown town hall,” Ciresi said. “I was invigorated to see such passionate community engagement and thoughtful and respectful debate about how the federal and state budgets are having an impact on people’s lives.” Many of the audience questions concerned the impact that cuts and changes to SNAP and Medicaid would have on them and their communities. “Medicaid and SNAP have provided life-saving health care and put food on the tables of low-income Pennsylvanians for decades,” Ciresi said. “As a result of the federal budget cuts and changes to these programs, 5,914 people will lose Medicaid and 1,024 will lose SNAP in Chester County. Here in Montgomery County, 12,009 individuals will lose Medicaid and 2,336 will lose SNAP. In Pottstown alone, 1,662 people will lose Medicaid and 746 will lose SNAP. “These changes and cuts could not come at a worse time for our communities struggling with overburdened healthcare systems and rising food insecurity. Medicaid and SNAP have helped to stabilize our communities and support our economic growth. With more people in our communities living on the edge due to these cuts and changes, life will become unstable for us all. No one will be untouched by this devastation Read more

 

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

(Oct 16, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

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

 

Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee advances key public safety and animal welfare bills

(Oct 15, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 15 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, chaired by state Rep. Tim Briggs, D–Montgomery, today approved a series of bipartisan bills addressing animal welfare, criminal justice reform, law enforcement standards, and community safety. The committee also approved Briggs’ House Bill 1822, which protects the personal data of public servants and was announced in a separate release. Read more about that legislation here . “These bills represent thoughtful, sensible steps forward in protecting our most vulnerable — whether that’s pets, children, or public servants,” said Briggs. “Our committee continues to show that, when it comes to protecting Pennsylvanians and upholding justice, we can come together to do what’s right.” House Bill 608 (Sponsored by Rep. Mary Louise Isaacson): Would increase penalties for illegal ear cropping performed by non-licensed individuals, elevating the offense to a third-degree misdemeanor, and a second-degree misdemeanor for repeat offenses. House Bill 879 (Sponsored by Isaacson): Would allow the attorney general to prosecute felony animal cruelty cases when county district attorneys lack the experience or capacity to do so, ensuring consistent enforcement statewide. House Bill 1716 (Sponsored by Rep. Liz Hanbidge): Would prohibit the declawing of cats except for medically necessary, therapeutic purposes performed by Read more

 

Briggs bill to protect public officials clears committee

(Oct 15, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 15 – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, that would protect public officials and their families from targeted harassment and violence has advanced out of the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 1822 would prohibit the online publication of personal identifying information—such as home addresses, personal phone numbers, and license plate numbers—of public servants when done with the intent to intimidate, harass, or incite violence. “This is a critical step toward protecting the people who serve our communities,” said Briggs, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee. “The rising tide of threats and violence against public officials can no longer be ignored. We must act now to ensure their safety—and that of their families.” Briggs introduced the legislation following the tragic murders of Minnesota Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the shooting of Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife—incidents that have underscored the growing risks facing public officials across the country. H.B. 1822 responds to alarming national trends. A recent report from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism revealed a 327% increase in violent threats against judges on social media over the past year. Between March and mid-April 2025 alone, the U.S. Marshals Service reported 162 direct threats to federal judges. As of May, nearly Read more

 

Rivera: Over $1.4 million in tax credits awarded for low-income housing

(Oct 15, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, Oct. 15 -- The Apartments at College Avenue in Lancaster has been awarded more than $1.4 million in low-income housing tax credits by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, state Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, said. “These tax credits will help provide more affordable housing in our community,” Rivera said. “Thanks to these credits, more working families, seniors and housing-insecure Pennsylvanians will have a home to call their own here in Lancaster.” The federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program provides a tax incentive to owners of affordable rental housing. The incentive is an annual tax credit -- a dollar-for-dollar reduction in federal taxes -- earned in the first 10 years after the units are placed in service if program requirements are met. Developers market, or “syndicate,” the credits allocated to a development to investors, whose contributions are used as equity in the development’s financing plan. The credits are administered by PHFA and were approved by its board. Read more

 

Testifiers emphasize necessity of clean manufacturing incentives proposed by Reps. Fiedler, Krajewski, Inglis

(Oct 15, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 15 – Amid a global boom in advanced clean industries, the House Finance Committee last week convened a public hearing on H.B. 1556, the Clean Manufacturing Tax Credit bill. The three main sponsors of the bill, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler and Rep. Rick Krajewski, both D-Phila.; and Rep. John Inglis, D-Allegheny, spoke about the two-fold intent of the bill to cement the commonwealth’s standing as a leader in emerging markets of the advanced clean manufacturing sector and to minimize environmental harm. Read more

 

Rabb renews call to repeal death penalty in Pennsylvania

(Oct 10, 2025) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Proposes bill abolishing death penalty for fourth time since 2017 Read more

 

Guzman secures $1.7 million for affordable senior housing in Reading

(Oct 10, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

READING, Oct. 10 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, today announced that a local project in his legislative district has been awarded $1.7 million to support affordable housing for older residents. The proposed development, Cornerstone Apartments , located at 6th and Chestnut streets in Reading, received Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The project will provide 46 units for residents aged 62 and older. Guzman emphasized the importance of affordable housing in the district and highlighted the impact of the Cornerstone Apartments project. These tax credits will be allocated annually over ten years, potentially generating $17 million in equity to support the development of additional affordable housing in Berks County. “I have been championing increased funding and resources to ensure that seniors and families in my district have access to safe, affordable homes. This investment in Cornerstone Apartments is a concrete step forward in meeting that goal and strengthening our community,” Guzman said. “These units will provide safe, affordable homes for our older residents in Reading, helping them stay connected to the community they love,” he added. Dana Hanchin, president and CEO of HDC MidAtlantic, welcomed the support, calling it a milestone for affordable housing in the district. "We are proud to partner with leaders across Read more

 

PA House Energy Committee tours downtown Harrisburg’s district energy system owned and operated by Cordia Energy

(Oct 10, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, members of the PA House Energy Committee toured Cordia Energy’s Bruce Mangione Steam Plant in Harrisburg, where they got a closer look at the sustainable infrastructure that powers the Capitol Complex and much of Harrisburg. Read more

 

Fiedler, Powell, Khan, Probst bill to address school facilities crisis in Pa. passes House

(Oct 10, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct 10 – On Wednesday, the School Facilities Inventory Bill, H.B. 1701, passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The bill, introduced by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Rep. Tarah Probst, D-Monroe/Pike, would address the issue of outdated and unsafe school buildings in Pennsylvania, facilitating the process by which school facilities are assessed and prioritized. “You can’t fix a problem until you know the scope of what you’re dealing with, and this bill gets us to that place,” Fiedler said. “H.B. 1701 would help us compile comprehensive data on Pennsylvania’s school buildings and ensure that recommendations on our most urgent funding needs are made by experts. That way, we can move quickly and efficiently to support schools in making repairs.” Fiedler noted that a wide scope of important building information would be provided, including the age of the buildings and their renovation history, building size and enrollment capacity. The assessments would also consider factors such as heating and ventilation, ADA compliance and environmental risk factors such as asbestos and mold. Currently, there is no statewide inventory of the condition of school buildings, nor is there statewide criteria for assessing facilities’ needs. The legislation passed Wednesday would create a comprehensive Read more

 

Sen. Saval and Rep. Smith-Wade-El announce legislation to end the criminalization of homelessness

(Oct 09, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – With World Homeless Day being recognized tomorrow, state Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Phila., and state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, announced plans to introduce companion legislation in the Pennsylvania Senate and House that would decriminalize homelessness across the commonwealth. World Homeless Day, observed annually on Oct. 10, aims to raise awareness about homelessness and encourage people to come together to help the unhoused in their communities. Saval’s and Smith-Wade-El’s Shelter First Act legislation would allow people experiencing homelessness to conduct life-sustaining activity in public spaces when no reasonable, alternative options for housing are offered or available. Municipalities would be required to provide adequate indoor spaces for people experiencing homelessness before the municipality could enforce any ordinance that would criminalize living outside. “Criminalizing individuals or families for being homeless condemns the unhoused to an unending cycle of heavy fines, arrests and incarceration, perpetuating their poverty and exacerbating the larger social crisis,” said Smith-Wade-El. “We’ve introduced the Shelter First Act in a fierce rejection of the denigration of the unhoused and a profound belief that our communities are stronger and safer when everyone’s dignity and rights --including their right to a place to place to sleep -- are respected.” “The Read more

 

House approves Goughnour bill to allow premixed cocktails on tap

(Oct 08, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

With strong bipartisan support, the PA House today passed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Dan Goughnour, D-Allegheny, that would modernize state liquor laws by allowing businesses with liquor licenses to have premixed cocktails on tap, just like beer. Read more

 

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

House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment
Oct 22, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, Hohenstein to hold news conference Oct. 28 in support of their legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians
Oct 22, 2025

Pa. House Judiciary Committee advances key measures to protect health privacy, reproductive rights and public safety
Oct 22, 2025

Fiedler, Matzie introduce resolution urging Congress to fully fund LIHEAP, reinstate fired employees
Oct 21, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera hosting Medicaid Town Hall Oct. 28
Oct 17, 2025

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera hosting Medicaid Town Hall Oct. 28
Oct 17, 2025

Ciresi introduces bill to prohibit trespassing using drones
Oct 17, 2025

Ciresi, Friel town hall with Pottstown NAACP highlights negative impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget on Pennsylvania
Oct 16, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 16, 2025

Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee advances key public safety and animal welfare bills
Oct 15, 2025

Briggs bill to protect public officials clears committee
Oct 15, 2025

Rivera: Over $1.4 million in tax credits awarded for low-income housing
Oct 15, 2025

Testifiers emphasize necessity of clean manufacturing incentives proposed by Reps. Fiedler, Krajewski, Inglis
Oct 15, 2025

Rabb renews call to repeal death penalty in Pennsylvania
Oct 10, 2025

Guzman secures $1.7 million for affordable senior housing in Reading
Oct 10, 2025

PA House Energy Committee tours downtown Harrisburg’s district energy system owned and operated by Cordia Energy
Oct 10, 2025

Fiedler, Powell, Khan, Probst bill to address school facilities crisis in Pa. passes House
Oct 10, 2025

Sen. Saval and Rep. Smith-Wade-El announce legislation to end the criminalization of homelessness
Oct 09, 2025

House approves Goughnour bill to allow premixed cocktails on tap
Oct 08, 2025