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Pashinski & Madden’s PA Preferred Organic trademark bill passes House

(May 02, 2023) Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, Rep. Maureen E. Madden

“Creating an easily identifiable PA Preferred Brand logo for PA-made organic products is a win for Pennsylvania’s farmers and producers as well as our consumers who know that label means their purchase was grown in PA, by PA Farmers, for PA families,” Pashinski said. Read more

 

Ciresi legislation to simplify unclaimed property claims for heirs passes House

(May 02, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 2 – The House yesterday passed state Rep. Joe Ciresi’s red-tape cutting legislation that would make it easier for relatives to claim a deceased person’s property being held by the state. According to Ciresi, the Pennsylvania treasury holds some $4 billion in unclaimed property, such as uncashed checks, lost stocks or bonds, or closed bank accounts. Due to an inconsistency in inheritance law, some categories of relatives have a harder time legitimately claiming that property on behalf of their deceased relatives. Under current law, surviving spouses, children, parents and siblings can file for unclaimed property using a notarized sworn relationship affidavit, saving them the effort and expense of having to open or re-open the deceased’s estate. But grandchildren, nephews, nieces and others cannot claim by affidavit even if they are the closest surviving relative. “My legislation would change Pennsylvania’s law for claiming unclaimed property to match the existing intestate succession law, making it easier for grandchildren and other relatives to claim money held in the name of their deceased relatives,” Ciresi, D-Montgomery, said “This would only apply to situations where an affidavit can already be used to claim: for properties under $11,000 and when no estate was ever opened or five years have passed since it was opened.” Ciresi learned about this issue from the work his staff was doing trying to Read more

 

Frankel, Schwank encourage colleagues to wear blue ribbons May 3 to support family, survivors of Pittsburgh synagogue attack

(May 02, 2023) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

“Family members and survivors of the Oct. 27th attack live with those events every single day, and the court proceedings and media attention they generate stand to intensify those painful memories,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. “We can’t erase the trauma for those hurting, but by wearing this ribbon, we can let them know that we stand with them and wish them strength." Read more

 

Lawmakers establish legislative Black-Jewish caucus

(May 02, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Black and Jewish people have come together since the Civil Rights Movement to work together for equity and social justice. We are here to revitalize this relationship to take on the challenges of today. Every legislative victory begins with relationship building and two groups working together to address bigotry will be a great start. Read more

 

Fairness Act passes PA House

(May 02, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Today is a historic day, as we take a critical step to make Pennsylvania fairer. The Fairness Act is as simple as it is substantive. H.B. 300 would protect LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians from facing discrimination and allow all individuals in the commonwealth to file complaints with the PA Human Relations Commission. Read more

 

Pennsylvania State House forms Black-Jewish Caucus

(May 02, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Concerns over an increase in hate crimes and bigotry have led to a new caucus in the state house. Two minority groups are once again joining forces to be a positive force for good Read more

 

Schlossberg bill to ‘Grow Our Own Educators’ passes House

(May 01, 2023) Rep. Mike Schlossberg

“It is so important for Pennsylvania students to have teachers who come from the community where the students live," Schlossberg said. Read more

 

Solomon and Harris join together to create Black-Jewish Caucus

(May 01, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

At a Capitol news conference today, state Reps. Jared Solomon and Jordan Harris and other colleagues announced the creation of the Black-Jewish Caucus. The caucus’ goal is to explore the historic relationship between the two groups, reignite the current relationship, and work together to promote social justice. “Black and Jewish people have come together since the Civil Rights movement to work together for equity and social justice,” Solomon said. “We are here to revitalize this relationship to take on the challenges of today. Every legislative victory begins with relationship building and two groups working together to address bigotry will be a great start.” Solomon said they would work with Republican colleagues so this can become a bipartisan effort in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Read more

 

Bill seeking to fill teacher shortage through a grow-your-own program passes Pa. House

(May 01, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Schlossberg said this program would help to cultivate teachers from within a community where students live particularly ones with a high percentage of students of color or from diverse ethnic backgrounds or who live in rural areas. Read more

 

Ciresi and Webster dedicate Trooper Branden T. Sisca Highway in Trappe

(Apr 28, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, April 28 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi and Joe Webster, both D-Montgomery, held a road dedication ceremony today in Trappe to unveil a memorial sign in honor of Trooper Branden T. Sisca, who was killed in the line of duty in 2022. “Branden Sisca dedicated his life to protecting others in service of the community he loved,” Ciresi said. “Although nothing can fill the void that Branden’s tragic passing left, Rep. Webster and I thought weaving Branden’s legacy into the fabric of the community through the road dedication would help us all heal. From this day forward, everyone traveling through Trappe will be reminded of Branden’s life of public service as a volunteer firefighter and Pennsylvania State Trooper. Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to make today’s ceremony a tremendous success.” The memorial sign designates a portion of State Route 4031 (Main Street) between Fifth Avenue and State Route 4048, also known as Seventh Avenue, in Trappe as the Trooper Branden T. Sisca Memorial Highway. “Today we honor the life and service of Trappe Fire Chief and PA State Trooper Branden Sisca who dedicated his life to public service and protection of our community,” Webster said. “This dedication stands as a show of our sincere gratitude for his service and our pledge to honor his memory and sacrifice. Thank you to everyone who ensured today’s ceremony was a fitting tribute.” Read more

 

Matzie introduces bill to maintain safeguards for public utility consumers

(Apr 28, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

"My bill seeks to expand the tools that utility companies have to work with their customers who are struggling to pay their bills, in order to avoid having their service turned off," Matzie said. Read more

 

House Safe Caucus co-chairs applaud step forward for firearm regulations

(Apr 26, 2023) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

“Under Democratic leadership, we can finally have research-based conversations and actual votes about life-saving measures that would allow our constituents to move through their lives without fear for themselves and their children," Frankel said. Read more

 

Fiedler, Hanbidge ‘Patient Consent for Pelvic Exams’ bill passes House

(Apr 26, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, April 26 – Today, House Bill 507 introduced by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously. The legislation would require medical providers to receive explicit consent from a patient before performing an invasive pelvic or rectal exam on an unconscious patient for medical training purposes. Right now in Pennsylvania, medical students can legally perform a pelvic or rectal exam on a patient who is under anesthesia for an unrelated procedure. The invasive exam is done solely for medical students’ training purposes and not to ensure the health of the patient. The patient often is entirely unaware of what is being done to her/his body while are under anesthesia. Fiedler first learned about the practice from a constituent who was disturbed to learn that when she was a patient, a pelvic exam might have been conducted on her. Fiedler shared how her constituent’s experience inspired her to learn more about this practice and ultimately introduce this bill. She also expressed her joy to see this bill pass the House and called on the Senate to get it to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk. “The more I researched the situation, the more horrified I was,” Fiedler said. “Making sure we have highly trained medical professionals is incredibly important, and at the same time, patients should be asked for their consent ahead of time. This Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation applauds win on gun safety

(Apr 26, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, APRIL 26 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today announced that an important set of firearm safety bills was approved by the PA House Judiciary Committee today and is on its way to consideration by the full House. The package of legislation, which cleared its first key committee, is aimed at securing prompt reporting of theft or loss of firearms, keeping guns secure around children, regulating background checks, and repealing provisions relating to the sale or transfer of firearms, among other regulations. Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas explained that this is a remarkable day for the delegation as another hurdle in efforts to deflate gun violence has been cleared. “This victory is long overdue. We are finally moving gun violence bills out of the Judiciary Committee. We have relentlessly fought for these bills”, Cephas said. “In a republican majority there was no chance for any kind of gun reform, but the time has come, and we couldn’t be more optimistic about this process. State Rep. Darisha Parker indicated that the bill on Safe Storage (H.B. 731) would help to save lives. Parker proposed consolidating statutes for firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for locking device for firearms. "There is no reason that anyone should lose a loved one because of a mishandled firearm," Parker said. "My legislation would Read more

 

PA LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus holds rally for Fairness Act

(Apr 26, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, April 26 – Today, the PA House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, chaired by state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., and Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, held a rally on the PA Capitol steps in Harrisburg promoting the Fairness Act (H.B. 300), anti-discrimination legislation currently moving through the state House. House Bill 300 would prohibit discrimination in PA based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression. On Monday, the bill was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee and is headed for an eventual vote by the full House. Today’s rally saw a huge turnout of legislators, advocates and the public. Kenyatta and Benham were joined by the other co-prime sponsors of H.B. 300, state Reps. Dan Frankel and Latasha D. Mayes, both D-Allegheny; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery; to speak on their bill. “Pennsylvania is better when it’s fairer. Passing the Fairness Act is the right thing to do for our families, our commonwealth and for our economy. This legislation was first introduced 22 years ago -- leaving committee once before -- and never receiving a full vote,” Kenyatta said. “It’s time for that to change. Pennsylvanians are good and decent people. They know every single one of us should be treated with dignity and respect. We have a chance to deliver on that basic principle and we will.” “The Fairness Act is as Read more

 

Sanchez legislation to modernize the home care hiring process unanimously passes House

(Apr 26, 2023) Rep. Ben Sanchez

“My legislation simply aims to modernize the home care industry’s hiring process and have a further reach when attracting quality care providers,” Sanchez said. Read more

 

House unanimously passes Harkins’ bill to rid School Code of offensive language

(Apr 26, 2023) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Hurtful, stigmatizing language has no place in our public law books,” Harkins said. Read more

 

Bill to protect children from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning passes House

(Apr 26, 2023) Rep. Jeanne McNeill

“Given that carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas, it’s difficult to know if you’ve been exposed to it, and since the symptoms of exposure are similar to other common illnesses, carbon monoxide poisoning wouldn’t be the first ailment to come to mind at a daycare,” said McNeill, D-Lehigh. “That’s why it is absolutely essential that childcare centers are equipped with these detectors.” Read more

 

House Education Committee advances bills to address teacher shortages & student protections

(Apr 26, 2023) Rep. Peter G. Schweyer

These measures would help school districts recruit and maintain the high-caliber teachers that are needed and also help students to achieve the best possible pathway to success. Read more

 

Property tax circuit breaker that would provide property tax relief and fairness proposed by Freeman

(Apr 25, 2023) Rep. Robert L. Freeman

“This proposal would offer Pennsylvania homeowners needed property tax relief and build fairness into the property tax system by capping property taxes to reflect household income,” Freeman said. Read more

 

Pashinski & Madden’s PA Preferred Organic trademark bill passes House
May 02, 2023

Ciresi legislation to simplify unclaimed property claims for heirs passes House
May 02, 2023

Frankel, Schwank encourage colleagues to wear blue ribbons May 3 to support family, survivors of Pittsburgh synagogue attack
May 02, 2023

Lawmakers establish legislative Black-Jewish caucus
May 02, 2023

Fairness Act passes PA House
May 02, 2023

Pennsylvania State House forms Black-Jewish Caucus
May 02, 2023

Schlossberg bill to ‘Grow Our Own Educators’ passes House
May 01, 2023

Solomon and Harris join together to create Black-Jewish Caucus
May 01, 2023

Bill seeking to fill teacher shortage through a grow-your-own program passes Pa. House
May 01, 2023

Ciresi and Webster dedicate Trooper Branden T. Sisca Highway in Trappe
Apr 28, 2023

Matzie introduces bill to maintain safeguards for public utility consumers
Apr 28, 2023

House Safe Caucus co-chairs applaud step forward for firearm regulations
Apr 26, 2023

Fiedler, Hanbidge ‘Patient Consent for Pelvic Exams’ bill passes House
Apr 26, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation applauds win on gun safety
Apr 26, 2023

PA LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus holds rally for Fairness Act
Apr 26, 2023

Sanchez legislation to modernize the home care hiring process unanimously passes House
Apr 26, 2023

House unanimously passes Harkins’ bill to rid School Code of offensive language
Apr 26, 2023

Bill to protect children from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning passes House
Apr 26, 2023

House Education Committee advances bills to address teacher shortages & student protections
Apr 26, 2023

Property tax circuit breaker that would provide property tax relief and fairness proposed by Freeman
Apr 25, 2023