“This just never seemed like it was all that well thought out,” Schweyer, a Democrat, said, adding that addressing school violence and mental health are more urgent priorities. “I’d rather hire a couple more cops or spend money on a couple more psychologists in our most at-risk schools.” Read more
The conversation with local leaders from several municipalities took place in state Rep. Manny Guzman’s office, where they shared some of the biggest transportation issues facing their communities. Read more
State Rep. Mike Schlossberg is hoping it's not too late to get through funding for a bill near and dear to his heart: House Bill 849, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support last year. Read more
State Sen. Maria Collett (D., Montgomery) and state Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D., Lehigh) sat on the Behavioral Health Commission and drafted the legislation to spend the $100 million. They’re now calling for the money to be restored to its original purpose. Read more
“Let’s be clear about something contrary to what the Senate would have you believe, this is not an either/or proposition. We need to fund both,” said the bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh. Read more
Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, said the event provided a space to display the importance of mental health resources and funding for people throughout Pennsylvania. Read more
“I look forward to working with the Senate to try to pass a fiscal code that does fund this $100 million appropriation,” Schlossberg said. “But I think what happened in the budget is extremely frustrating, disheartening and downright damaging to people whose lives could be improved by enhanced funding for mental health.” Read more
“We’ve been working on this bill for five years,” said Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, majority chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. Mr. Pashinksi said passing the bill is a top priority. Read more
State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre, congratulated the chamber “for their vision, hard work and success in receiving the necessary funds to initiate their Project Elevate proposal.” Read more
“If it is our intention to rehabilitate people and to make sure they come out of prison in the best possible shape, in the best possible recovery, why on Earth wouldn’t we do this?” Madden said. “In the long run, we’re saving money by not reincarcerating people.” Read more
Representative Maureen Madden, a Democrat who sponsored HB1515, argued that expanding treatment for inmates could not only benefit the incarcerated individuals but also improve the overall prison system. Read more
State Representative Peter Schweyer, Chair of the Education Committee, also shares a personal connection to the issue, as his own children attend underfunded schools that struggle to perform. Schweyer expresses concern about diverting funds away from K-12 schools, as it would result in fewer teachers and resources for students. Read more
More than a dozen businesses were affected by the fire and will be eligible to seek financial assistance. The SBA offers long-term repayment options to keep payments affordable, with terms up to a maximum of 30 years. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Jim Haddock welcomed Governor Josh Shapiro to the Pittston Memorial Library to highlight a broadband expansion plan that would ensure every Pennsylvanian has access to the internet. Haddock says communities across his district struggle with internet access and he's excited for this much needed investment. Read more
Shapiro was joined by state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, and state Rep. James Haddock, D-118, Pittston Twp. Read more
All Pennsylvania county jails except for Cambridge Springs are eligible for the grant through the current pilot program established by Act 80 in 2015, said state Rep. Maureen Madden, D-115th, who drafted the legislation that passed 199-4 on Friday, July 7. Read more
“Every dollar that we don’t spend on our K-12 schools is a dollar that’s being taken away from our kids,” Schweyer said. Read more
Rep. Jeanne McNeill has a bill that would ban pet stores from selling animals from puppy mills. Read more
House Bill 1515 – introduced by Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Tobyhanna – lets county jails use all FDA-approved medications for MAT, instead of limiting it to naltrexone (also known as Vivitrol). Read more
Of special note are those legislators, including Rep. Manny Guzman, who championed the Oakbrook Center for Community Services on behalf of some of the City’s most vulnerable residents. Read more
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