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Rabb highlights legislation protecting against predatory rent-to-own companies

(May 30, 2024) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

HARRISBURG, March 30 – State Rep. Chris Rabb has introduced legislation that would provide protections for consumers against predatory rent-to-own companies. “These predatory companies often use the taxpayer-subsidized criminal court system as a de facto collection agency to take money they claim is owed to them for household and other items, which they leased to people who could not afford to purchase the items in full at point of sale,” said Rabb, D-Phila. “And often even despite the fact that the company has recovered the cost of the property, they will seek criminal charges and use threats of jail time to collect money in excess of the value of the leased property. “It is just another way that companies use institutional violence to squeeze as much as they can out of our most vulnerable populations,” Rabb said. The legislation ( H.B. 2359 ) would ensure that these predatory practices would be prohibited by giving the courts the ability to cap the demand at $50 if the lease of property has exceeded the retail value. Read more

 

BuxMont legislators recognize mothers of those deployed in the Armed Forces

(May 28, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

WARMINSTER, May 28 – Legislators from both Bucks and Montgomery counties today recognized the sacrifices made by the mothers of soldiers and sailors deployed in the United States Armed Forces in a ceremony held at the Warminster VFW Post 6493 . State Reps. Brian Munroe, Nancy Guenst, Ben Sanchez and Melissa Cerrato recognized area Blue Star Mothers as May is Blue Star Mothers Month. A Blue Star Mother is any woman living in the United States who has a son or daughter (and in some cases, stepchildren) in the United States Armed Forces, or who has had a son or daughter in the U.S. Armed Forces who was honorably discharged. “As a Navy veteran, I know the difficulties and uncertainties that my family, and in particular, my mother faced while I was deployed,” Munroe said. “Families serve in their own way as they play an important part of keeping morale high and supporting our soldiers and sailors. Thank you to my mother and all the Blue Star Mothers through Pennsylvania and our nation.” “Blue Star Mothers show us what it means to support our troops with unwavering love and strength,” Guenst, an Army veteran, said. “Their sacrifice is a reminder of the heart behind our nation's defenders. In their quiet strength, they inspire us all to honor and cherish those who serve, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.” Read more

 

Matzie lauds grant of preliminary injunction to keep Quips in Class 4A

(May 23, 2024) Rep. Robert Matzie

AMBRIDGE, May 23 – State Rep. Rob Matzie issued the following statement today in response to news that Beaver County Common Pleas Judge James Ross has granted Aliquippa School District’s request for a preliminary injunction that will stop the Aliquippa High School football team from being bumped from Class 4A to 5A under the PIAA’s competitive-balance rule: “Today’s ruling is a temporary victory not just for Aliquippa football, but for all student athletes across our commonwealth. The court clearly identified player safety as the primary factor in its determination. This is the core issue that I, and many others, have cited as the overriding reason for the Quips to remain in 4A. “In addition, the court found that Aliquippa ‘has established a likelihood of success on the merits’ of their case, which further speaks to the need for an overhaul of the PIAA competition classification formula. In that light, I will continue to work – through the legislative process if necessary – toward a more fair and equitable method of classifying our schools for athletic competition.” The preliminary injunction was granted pending a final determination on the merits of the case. The team was moved to Class 5A after winning the state title. After losing an appeal with the PIAA, the school district filed suit to prevent the move. Read more

 

Venkat introduces bill to prohibit price spikes on travel service websites

(May 23, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 23 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, has introduced legislation that would prohibit travel service websites from hiking prices at the last minute and moments before customers in Pennsylvania make their payment. The bill ( H.B. 2321 ) would forbid travel services, defined as any form of transportation that is available to the public for purchase through an Internet website or application, from changing service prices for at least 30 minutes from when the consumer first visits the Internet website. If a price change must be instituted, however, the travel service would be required to inform customers five minutes prior to the 30-minute window expiring. “Travel companies playing a game of bait-and-switch with prospective consumers is not only deceptive at face value, but they also risk losing considerable revenue due to such tactics,” Venkat said. “The bottom line is that people want to pay the price advertised on a given website, and my bill would benefit both the individuals looking to travel and the companies who market those opportunities.” Read more

 

Testifiers detail need to develop diversity in education workforce

(May 23, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Teachers enable a pathway to a greater future for all our young people,” said hearing host state Rep. Regina Young, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “It was great to hear from the panelists supporting the need for more Black teachers and supporting people of color to become teachers, but it was inspiring to see so many young people in the room who could become the teachers for the next generation. Speaking from my own experience, it’s necessary for students to make that connection with the teachers and mentors who see more in you than you see in yourself.” Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El announces $500K state grant to develop ‘Prince Street Hub’ to help unsheltered Lancastrians

(May 22, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, May 22 – The Lancaster Redevelopment Fund has received a $500,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Keystone Communities Program to develop a site to address the needs of unsheltered individuals in Lancaster County. The “Prince Street Hub” will offer needed aid to unsheltered Lancastrians by providing an emergency congregate shelter, permanent affordable housing, crisis housing, and a day center. “Every Lancastrian, every Pennsylvanian, has the right to a roof over their heads, and the Prince Street Hub will help them from getting temporary shelter to permanent housing,” Smith-Wade-El said. “The housing crisis is real, and it’s time to put in the work, not just the words, to help our people get back into a home and back on their feet. We’re at our best when we work to secure rights, such as a safe, warm, dry home, for all our friends and neighbors. Alongside DCED, the Lancaster Redevelopment Fund and the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition, it’s an honor and a privilege to be a partner in this work.” Run by DCED, the KCP encourages the creation of partnerships between the public and private sectors that support the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities, social and economic diversity, and a strong and secure quality of life. Local governments, redevelopment and housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, community development Read more

 

Williams announces $300K grant for Chester County Home Modification Program

(May 22, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

COATESVILLE, May 22 – Chester County will receive $300,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Keystone Communities Program for the Chester County Home Modification Program which makes homes more accessible for low-income residents with disabilities. “For many of our residents with disabilities, their houses often feel like potential danger zones as they haven’t been constructed with their unique needs in mind,” Williams said. “By providing for important home accessibility improvements and upgrades that increase safety and mobility, this state grant money will help our residents truly feel safe and secure in their homes.” The Chester County Home Modification Program assists low-to-moderate-income residents of Chester County with permanent disabilities to make their current residences more accessible. The CCHMP allows for a wide range of adaptive modifications, which include, but are not limited to, ramps, lifts, door and hallway widening, kitchen and bathroom modifications, visual doorbells, audio phones and visual phone signalers. Run by DCED, the KCP encourages the creation of partnerships between the public and private sectors that support the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities; social and economic diversity; and a strong and secure quality of life. Local governments, redevelopment and housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, community development corporations, and business, Read more

 

House passes Guzman bill to lower barriers to become real estate appraiser supervisor in Pennsylvania

(May 22, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 22 – The PA House today passed legislation ( H.B. 2220 ) that would remove barriers for Pennsylvanians who want to become a real estate appraiser supervisor in the state. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Manuel Guzman , D-Berks, would allow real estate appraisers-in-training to work with multiple supervisors and in more types of properties to gain more experience. It also lowers the years of experience an appraiser must have to supervise trainees from five to three. “I am proud to see the unanimous passage of my bill, and I cannot wait to see it cross the finish line,” Guzman said. “I’m glad to help appraisers acquire better experience and training to reduce inconsistencies in appraised home values. “This bill also helps remove barriers to the profession and allows people in the industry to ‘skill up’ more easily as their career progresses,” he added. Guzman highlighted workforce development is one of his top priorities. “I believe it’s critical to educate and train individuals in demanding industries like real estate appraisal to advance a competitive local economy. I have made it my mission to foster a diverse, equitable and skilled workforce in Pennsylvania,” he said. Read more

 

Madden school board training bill OK’d by House

(May 22, 2024) Rep. Maureen E. Madden

"This important and simple reform would ensure that school board directors have access to high quality training,” said Madden. Read more

 

House committee OKs Freeman bill to compensate communities with high percentage of tax-exempt properties

(May 22, 2024) Rep. Robert L. Freeman

"Municipalities in the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania with a large amount of tax-exempt properties are faced with the challenge of providing residents with essential services but without a sustaining real estate tax revenue base,” said Freeman. Read more

 

Venkat’s new legislation prioritizes timeliness in processing Medical Assistance applications and reimbursing long-term care facilities

(May 22, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, May 22 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that would establish timelines for Medical Assistance applications to be approved or renewed for eligible individuals transitioning to long-term care facilities and compensate those facilities for all services provided during the application processing period. Per H.B. 2320 , the state Department of Human Services and county assistance offices would not only need to meet said benchmarks, but long-term care facilities could receive part of the funds owed to them faster and request a status update on an application(s) that is pending. The department could also end reimbursement to those facilities if a person’s Medical Assistance request is denied and claw back any previous interim payments in such circumstances. “The goodwill of certain long-term care facilities to provide essential care and services to residents while their eligibility for Medical Assistance is determined must be a two-way street,” Venkat said. “These institutions themselves literally cannot afford to remain in perpetual limbo and face the real prospect of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars because of delays in Medical Assistance eligibility determinations. As a physician-legislator, I’m committed to keeping long-term facilities financially viable and capable of doing their great work every day.” Venkat has also introduced legislation (H.B. 1867 ) that would require health Read more

 

Hanbidge and Cephas bill strengthening affordability and accessibility to child care passes the House

(May 22, 2024) Rep. Liz Hanbidge

“Incentivizing employer contribution to employees’ child care expenses can help ensure workforce access to parents trying to support families,” Hanbidge said. Read more

 

Abney, Policy Committee review alarming trend limiting voter access

(May 22, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“If we actually care about democracy, we must lead the charge in safeguarding all residents have equal access to the ballot,” state Rep. Aerion Abney said. “Promoting measures to eliminate voter intimidation and opening up access – like other states have already done, including same-day registration and early voting – are proven methods to guarantee diversity in the democratic process and all people have an opportunity to have their voice heard.” Read more

 

Parker and Hill-Evans host menstrual equity news conference

(May 22, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Reps. Darisha Parker and Carol Hill-Evans stood again with Speaker Joanna McClinton, menstrual health professionals and Pennsylvania students to spread awareness about period poverty and advocate for the Senate to pass legislation to help this important issue. Parker and Hill-Evans authored legislation, H.Bs. 850 and 851, to make period products more accessible for low-income women. “We need to speak about periods bluntly,” Parker said. “No more euphemisms or hiding tampons in our sleeves to use the restroom. “It’s crazy that this natural biological process – a beautiful one that has the power to create life is still considered a taboo subject,” Parker continued. “It’s not just a financial issue but barriers to period products can lead to substantial health issues for women and perpetuate a cycle of poverty that can be impossible to escape from.” The lawmakers said that H.B. 850 would allow for women who participate in the SNAP or WIC program to purchase expensive period products using these programs, which Parker said would help empower women to take charge over their own bodies. “Tampons and pads aren’t a luxury for us,” Parker said. “We don’t choose to participate in our periods every month, these are products we need to preserve our dignity and participate in all of life’s important milestones.” Read more

 

House passes Frankel bill to boost oversight of medical marijuana testing labs

(May 21, 2024) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

HARRISBURG, May 21 – Pennsylvania medical marijuana patients are a step closer to better protections after the PA House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Dan Frankel that would strengthen the Department of Health’s oversight of the independent laboratories that test cannabis products to be dispensed under the state’s medical marijuana program. Frankel, who is majority chairman of the House Health Committee, said he introduced H.B. 2208 to ensure patients have the full confidence they deserve that the products dispensed are safe, effective and free of contaminants. “Every day, Pennsylvanians fill prescriptions at their pharmacies without worrying for a second about whether their medications are contaminated or inaccurately labeled,” Frankel said. “With this legislation, we are taking action to ensure that level of confidence in our medical marijuana program. “Patients deserve to know that cannabis products are what they say they are in terms of THC levels and that they are uncontaminated by mold, pesticides or heavy metals.” Frankel’s bill would provide for improved compliance testing, product audits, statistical analyses, transparency and inspections of labs, which serve as the last line of defense to prevent patients from unknowingly consuming substances that can have both immediate and long-term health consequences. Frankel said that in Read more

 

Waxman, prison-reform advocates push to make Scandinavian unit permanent fixture statewide

(May 21, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 21 – Today, state Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., was joined by multiple prison-reform advocates for a Capitol news conference to discuss State Correctional Institute Chester’s Scandinavian unit, also known as “Little Scandinavia.” Little Scandinavia is a pilot project modeled after prisons in Scandinavia, where the core values are safety, transparency and innovation, with a focus on normality and reintegration into the community upon release. The unit provides a quiet environment where residents live in single-person cells with a shared kitchen surrounded by outdoor green space and plants. Waxman spoke on the importance of permanently funding this unit so that it can become a fixture at state correctional facilities across Pennsylvania. “It's time for a shift in how we handle corrections in PA. Little Scandinavia isn't just a program, it's a new horizon in rehabilitation and human rights. This model focuses on transformative care, not just incarceration. In the next state budget, I will strongly advocate for us to include funding that would make the Scandinavian Unit a permanent fixture in our state’s corrections system.” Bryan Widenhouse, senior policy associate for Families Against Mandatory Minimums, stated his belief that Little Scandinavia can help lower the recidivism rate in Pennsylvania. "For decades I sat in prison and listened Read more

 

Steele bill that would provide needed blood pressure monitoring devices to pregnant women passes PA House

(May 21, 2024) Rep. Mandy Steele

“Hypertension and related disorders are a leading cause of maternal, neonatal and fetal health complications and death. Early identification and intervention is critical to the health of the mother and baby,” Steele said. “Remote blood pressure monitoring is a reliable, effective strategy in getting control of the mother’s blood pressure and avoiding costly and preventable complications.” Read more

 

Pa House passes bill expanding access to menstrual hygiene products

(May 20, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“This legislation would remove barriers for those who menstruate and utilize these programs. Period poverty disproportionately affects communities of color, so this bill would address that systemic problem,” Parker said. “We need to provide dignity amongst women and girls. It’s sad many have to deal with scarcity of feminine products and diapers.” Read more

 

Health advocates speak out in support of Smith-Wade-El’s Legionnaires disease legislation

(May 17, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, May 17 – Local and state health experts joined state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, at a news conference on Thursday to support his legislation (H.B. 2145) aimed at preventing Legionnaires disease. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella bacteria, which is naturally occurring in freshwater, including water that supplies public water systems. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal. Pennsylvanians who are at increased risk for complications with this disease include people over 50, those who smoke or have lung disease, and those who live with cancer or are otherwise immunocompromised. “All Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to clean water, but too many people in low-income housing are drinking water contaminated by the Legionella bacteria,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This bill seeks to a public good ensuring that everyone in Pennsylvania can enjoy their right to clean, healthy water.” Smith-Wade-El’s legislation would establish guardrails to ensure public safety and prioritize root cause solutions to ensure water is properly tested and treated before it enters homes and buildings for human use. The legislation also aims to equip consumers with the information and tools necessary to manage their risk of the disease through notifications of water system disruption events that can lead to greater Legionella bacteria exposure. State Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El speaks in support of eviction reform at Philly Town Hall

(May 17, 2024) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, May 17 – On Wednesday evening, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El joined Philadelphia Councilwoman Kendra Brooks and state representatives from the city—Jordan Harris, Elizabeth Fiedler and Rich Krajewski—and over 60 community members in South Philadelphia to speak about his eviction sealing bill, H.B. 1769 and other legislative eviction reform initiatives. “Home is where life begins for Pennsylvania families – for all of us,” said Smith-Wade-El. “When our children get up in the morning to go to school, they should do so from a bed in a home that is safe, warm and dry. Real educational equity would ensure that all children have a home to go home to so they have the stability needed to grow and flourish socially and academically. Inaccurate, unscrupulously distributed eviction records haunt families and make children homeless, even in cases when the judge found in the tenant’s favor. It’s time to put a stop to that.” “The harm of eviction records falls most heavily on Black women and their children, and the damage ripples out into our classrooms, our schools and our communities,” said Councilwoman Kendra Brooks of Philadelphia City Council. “We can’t expect our young people to succeed in school during the day if they don’t have a safe place to lay their head at night.” State legislators spoke in support of H.B. 1769, which would increase access to affordable housing Read more

 

Rabb highlights legislation protecting against predatory rent-to-own companies
May 30, 2024

BuxMont legislators recognize mothers of those deployed in the Armed Forces
May 28, 2024

Matzie lauds grant of preliminary injunction to keep Quips in Class 4A
May 23, 2024

Venkat introduces bill to prohibit price spikes on travel service websites
May 23, 2024

Testifiers detail need to develop diversity in education workforce
May 23, 2024

Smith-Wade-El announces $500K state grant to develop ‘Prince Street Hub’ to help unsheltered Lancastrians
May 22, 2024

Williams announces $300K grant for Chester County Home Modification Program
May 22, 2024

House passes Guzman bill to lower barriers to become real estate appraiser supervisor in Pennsylvania
May 22, 2024

Madden school board training bill OK’d by House
May 22, 2024

House committee OKs Freeman bill to compensate communities with high percentage of tax-exempt properties
May 22, 2024

Venkat’s new legislation prioritizes timeliness in processing Medical Assistance applications and reimbursing long-term care facilities
May 22, 2024

Hanbidge and Cephas bill strengthening affordability and accessibility to child care passes the House
May 22, 2024

Abney, Policy Committee review alarming trend limiting voter access
May 22, 2024

Parker and Hill-Evans host menstrual equity news conference
May 22, 2024

House passes Frankel bill to boost oversight of medical marijuana testing labs
May 21, 2024

Waxman, prison-reform advocates push to make Scandinavian unit permanent fixture statewide
May 21, 2024

Steele bill that would provide needed blood pressure monitoring devices to pregnant women passes PA House
May 21, 2024

Pa House passes bill expanding access to menstrual hygiene products
May 20, 2024

Health advocates speak out in support of Smith-Wade-El’s Legionnaires disease legislation
May 17, 2024

Smith-Wade-El speaks in support of eviction reform at Philly Town Hall
May 17, 2024