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Shusterman awarded National Association of Social Workers’ Legislator of the Year

(Oct 28, 2021) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

“I am honored to have an ally in the National Association of Social Workers as we march toward a kinder, more caring world,” Shusterman said. “I thank them for this recognition, and much more importantly I thank them for their essential work.” Read more

 

Kulik: House passes legislation to provide relief for restaurant industry

(Oct 28, 2021) Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik

“Safekeeping licenses became a lifeline for business owners who have either had to close their doors or had trouble reopening due to the financial instability of the pandemic,” said Kulik, who is a member of the House Liquor Control Committee. “By offering license holders an extension on safekeeping, we’re giving them more time to regroup and consider their options in moving forward with their business.” Read more

 

House passes Samuelson and Thomas bill to raise PACENET prescription income limits

(Oct 27, 2021) Rep. Steve Samuelson

“This bipartisan legislation expands access to prescription medications for our seniors by building upon the proven PACE/PACENET program and expanding eligibility,” Samuelson said. Read more

 

Deasy: Legislation to provide restaurants relief passes House

(Oct 27, 2021) Rep. Dan Deasy

Deasy, the Democratic chair of the House Liquor Control Committee, said the Senate amended H.B. 425 to include language from his proposed legislation to remove barriers to outdoor dining. The legislation also included initiatives authored by state Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny, to relax some requirements for safekeeping liquor licenses and by state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, expanding off-site catering permits. Read more

 

Cephas: Another virus is spreading around amongst children and must be stopped

(Oct 27, 2021) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

Some of us may have seen the concerning headlines in the news about a little known virus called RSV, spreading through daycare centers and preschools, infecting our children and their families. Read more

 

Guzman pushes to restore turnpike jobs and ensure proper toll collection

(Oct 27, 2021) Rep. Manuel Guzman

Guzman is proposing a hybrid system that would bring back tollbooth workers during the road’s busiest hours so that the electronic system can be improved without incurring further revenue losses. Read more

 

Rep. Kenyatta introduces bill to increase benefits for families in need

(Oct 26, 2021) Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Kenyatta’s House Bill 2012 and the companion Senate Bill 918 introduced by Sen. Katie Muth would boost TANF benefits to up to 50% of the federal poverty level, up from 22%. Read more

 

Women’s Health Caucus: Report shows crisis pregnancy centers misleading patients using taxpayer dollars

(Oct 26, 2021) Women’s Health Caucus

Women’s Health Caucus co-chairs Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery, Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-Delaware/Montgomery, and Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, said CPCs serve no real medical purpose and taxpayer funds should only be used for evidence-based services. Read more

 

Schlossberg bipartisan mental health bill to create local fatality review teams unanimously approved by House Human Services Committee

(Oct 26, 2021) Rep. Mike Schlossberg

“My legislation will help break down barriers to treatment and allow patients to receive care that focuses on the whole person,” Schlossberg said. “This legislation has broad bipartisan support, including support from the Speaker of the House, and buy-in from patients and providers alike. It shows that improving mental health care can and should be an issue that cuts across partisan affiliation.” Read more

 

Shusterman, Hill-Evans to introduce Child and Adult Care Food Program Supplement to help feed care facility participants

(Oct 25, 2021) Rep. Melissa Shusterman, Rep. Carol Hill-Evans

“Care facilities across the state deal with incredibly high operating costs,” Shusterman said. “Unfortunately, the federal program meant to help them feed our neediest citizens does not go nearly far enough to alleviate the extraordinary costs they face. It’s time for Pennsylvania to supplement this vital program.” Read more

 

Krueger: Time for legislature to act on supporting workers

(Oct 22, 2021) Rep. Leanne Krueger

“I, myself, introduced a bill, House Bill 348, that would protect healthcare workers on the front lines by addressing the workplace violence issues that have gotten even worse during the pandemic. My bill has been sitting in committee since February. Our nurses need us to act. Our neighbors need us to act. The time is now.” Read more

 

LIHEAP: Expanded Home-Heating Assistance is Available to PA Renters, Homeowners

(Oct 21, 2021) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Department of Human Services that provides assistance for home heating bills so Pennsylvanians can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Read more

 

Harkins applauds governor’s executive order urging passage of worker safety bill

(Oct 21, 2021) Rep. Patrick J. Harkins

“It’s my hope that with renewed attention focused on this critically needed piece of legislation, the families of PA’s public workers won’t have to keep wondering if each day will be their last because they lacked the basic protections they needed to stay safe." Read more

 

Guzman demands answers about ‘mistake’ potentially taking away the vote of 17,000 Spanish-speaking Berks County residents

(Oct 21, 2021) Rep. Manuel Guzman

“People make mistakes, but when a mistake potentially silences the voices of tens of thousands of people, there must be more accountability than essentially shrugging one’s shoulders and saying, ‘My bad.’" Read more

 

Two-day hearing discusses how colleges fill in-demand careers

(Oct 20, 2021) Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, Rep. Kyle Mullins, Policy Committee

Testifiers highlighted the importance of career and technical education and the unique partnerships Lackawanna College and the Northern Tier Industry and Education Consortium have made with small businesses and industry in the region. Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to fund PPE in schools, ensure safe in-person instruction

(Oct 19, 2021) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Ciresi’s legislation is similar to Act 30 of 2020, which created grants for schools to purchase PPE and cleaning supplies in the previous school year but has since expired. Funding would be available to help both public and nonpublic schools. Read more

 

Hearing addresses corporate consolidation of health care facilities in Northeastern PA

(Oct 18, 2021) Rep. Maureen E. Madden, Policy Committee

The Northeast Delegation Chairwoman, Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing in Stroudsburg Monday afternoon discussing corporate consolidation of health care facilities so that elected officials can learn more about the issue. Read more

 

McNeill: We have much work to do addressing domestic violence, and the time is now

(Oct 15, 2021) Rep. Jeanne McNeill

This month let’s truly do something of value on behalf of domestic violence victims, survivors, and those who work tirelessly advocating and supporting efforts to end the abuse cycle. I encourage my colleagues on the Health Committee to vote on H.B. 686 so that it may move to the full House of Representatives, where it should pass unanimously. Read more

 

Lawmakers introduce legislation to ensure paid time off for workers experiencing pregnancy loss

(Oct 15, 2021) Rep. Liz Hanbidge, Rep. Melissa Shusterman

State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti joined state Reps. Liz Hanbidge and Melissa Shusterman at a news conference to introduce the Pennsylvania Support Through Loss Act, H.B. 1977. Read more

 

Women’s Health Caucus applauds efforts to improve outcomes for women returning to their lives following incarceration

(Oct 14, 2021) Women’s Health Caucus

The virtual discussion among formerly incarcerated women, corrections professionals, reentry experts and advocates focused on the challenges that women face while incarcerated and during reentry, how the needs of these women are currently being met, and how the criminal justice system can improve to better serve them. Read more

 

Shusterman awarded National Association of Social Workers’ Legislator of the Year
Oct 28, 2021

Kulik: House passes legislation to provide relief for restaurant industry
Oct 28, 2021

House passes Samuelson and Thomas bill to raise PACENET prescription income limits
Oct 27, 2021

Deasy: Legislation to provide restaurants relief passes House
Oct 27, 2021

Cephas: Another virus is spreading around amongst children and must be stopped
Oct 27, 2021

Guzman pushes to restore turnpike jobs and ensure proper toll collection
Oct 27, 2021

Rep. Kenyatta introduces bill to increase benefits for families in need
Oct 26, 2021

Women’s Health Caucus: Report shows crisis pregnancy centers misleading patients using taxpayer dollars
Oct 26, 2021

Schlossberg bipartisan mental health bill to create local fatality review teams unanimously approved by House Human Services Committee
Oct 26, 2021

Shusterman, Hill-Evans to introduce Child and Adult Care Food Program Supplement to help feed care facility participants
Oct 25, 2021

Krueger: Time for legislature to act on supporting workers
Oct 22, 2021

LIHEAP: Expanded Home-Heating Assistance is Available to PA Renters, Homeowners
Oct 21, 2021

Harkins applauds governor’s executive order urging passage of worker safety bill
Oct 21, 2021

Guzman demands answers about ‘mistake’ potentially taking away the vote of 17,000 Spanish-speaking Berks County residents
Oct 21, 2021

Two-day hearing discusses how colleges fill in-demand careers
Oct 20, 2021

Ciresi introduces legislation to fund PPE in schools, ensure safe in-person instruction
Oct 19, 2021

Hearing addresses corporate consolidation of health care facilities in Northeastern PA
Oct 18, 2021

McNeill: We have much work to do addressing domestic violence, and the time is now
Oct 15, 2021

Lawmakers introduce legislation to ensure paid time off for workers experiencing pregnancy loss
Oct 15, 2021

Women’s Health Caucus applauds efforts to improve outcomes for women returning to their lives following incarceration
Oct 14, 2021