PHILADELPHIA, PA — Today, Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved two major initiatives championed by Councilmember Ahmad: Bill Number 250849, which prohibits employers from discriminating against workers because they are experiencing menopause, perimenopause, or menstruation, and Resolution Number 251004, which urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to advance House Bill 1286 requiring human trafficking awareness training for hotel, motel, and short-term rental workers.“Menopause, perimenopause, and menstruation are daily realities for a huge share of our workforce,” said Councilmember Ahmad. “No one should be mocked, sidelined, or pushed out of a job because of what their body is going through.”Separately, House Bill 1286 would ensure that workers who clean rooms, staff front desks, and handle check-ins are trained to spot the warning signs of human trafficking—someone appearing distressed, heavily monitored, or unable to speak for themselves—and know how to respond safely.“These workers are often the first people to see that something is terribly wrong,” Councilmember Ahmad said. “Giving them real training is common-sense prevention that can change, and even save, lives. We’re calling on Harrisburg to move. I thank State Rep. Young for her unwavering leadership on this pressing matter.”“HB 1286 is about giving hotel, motel, and short-term rental workers the tools to recognize exploitation and a clear, safe way to report it. Human trafficking doesn’t just happen... Read more

“This is a victory worth celebrating as we continue to fight to create a fairer tax system,” said Rabb, D-Phila. “Pennsylvania’s tax system should stop penalizing low-income households while allowing the wealthiest to pay less than their fair share. The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit is a meaningful step toward that vision, and one that will help nearly a million families keep more of what they earn.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Nov. 18 – The Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Reps. Scott Conklin and Ed Neilson that would make it easier for businesses to install high-tech electrified security systems. House Bill 1871 would eliminate the ambiguity and red tape that often prevents businesses from installing these systems by establishing guidelines for their use. “A good commercial security system can be essential for businesses, and some of the best systems available today use state-of-the-art electrified components that are installed inside barrier fences or walls,” said Conklin, who is majority chairman of the House Commerce Committee. “Unfortunately, many businesses attempting to install and use these systems face regulatory red tape that slows or even prevents their use. “My bill would establish parameters for using these systems, to give Pennsylvania businesses quick, simple access to the technology most effective at protecting employees and safeguarding property. Over 30 other states have already enacted similar legislation to ease use of these systems. It’s time to give our own workers the same level of protection and our businesses the security they need to remain competitive.” Neilson, who is the bill’s co-prime sponsor, said: “Businesses are vulnerable to theft or vandalism, and employees can face violence when they lack adequate protective Read more

Incarcerated women have gotten more attention in the General Assembly. State Rep. Morgan Cephas sponsored the Dignity for Incarcerated Women’s Act in 2023 that provided more rights for pregnant and postpartum inmates, along with more family visits and access to sanitary products. Another bill signed into law last year provides additional administrative support for correctional facilities and training for officers.“It did so much — it was for the very first time that the Commonwealth actually was intentional about the conversation as it relates to women,” Cephas said of the legislation.Friday’s event served as a “housewarming” as well as a tour of the new facility. Cephas shared that St. Joseph’s University was donating $5,000 to the new project. Samuel Staten Jr., Business Manager of LIUNA Local 332, presented a check of $10,000.“Not only did we permanently allow for free feminine hygiene products while incarcerated, we now require trauma-informed training for our officers,” Cephas said. “We also have doula care. And last but not least we are prohibiting solitary confinement.” Read more

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., expressed gratitude that a state budget has been approved for Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 fiscal year. The budget invests over $50 billion for commonwealth residents, services and operations with no tax increases.Cephas said that the spending plan is a responsible plan and there is much to be happy about in this budget for Philadelphians. Read more

Legislation would create alternative to plurality, first-past-the-post elections Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 3 – Today, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, Morgan Cephas, Jordan Harris, Danilo Burgos, and other members of the Philadelphia House Delegation joined City Councilmember Mike Driscoll and to call on the Public Utilities Commission to pause disconnection of heating services during the federal government shutdown.The shutdown has delayed the opening of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program by a month. LIHEAP is a utility assistance service that helps low-income households pay their heating bills, leaving economically and medically vulnerable Pennsylvanians without assistance until Dec. 3. In 2024, over 15,000 crisis grants were issued in the month of November alone to prevent the imminent loss of heat to Pennsylvania homes. Read more

“The federal government shutdown is putting thousands of Pennsylvania families at risk of extreme hunger and the inability to keep their homes warm and running,” said Chairman Jordan A. Harris. “I appreciate both PGW and PECO, and their leadership, for stepping up in this moment and taking meaningful action to keep vulnerable households connected to essential services. We’re encouraging all eligible residents to enroll in assistance programs, and we’ll keep advocating for the resources needed to ensure our neighbors remain safe and warm this winter.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – The PA House today passed legislation ( H.B. 1123 ) that would update insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screenings in the state. The legislation was introduced by state Reps. Pat Gallagher, Sean Dougherty, Jordan Harris and Tarik Khan, all D-Phila. Current insurance law requires health insurance coverage for routine colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 50, but this is based on American Cancer Society standards published in 2008. Multiple other states have updated to the more recent American Cancer Society guidelines from 2018, and these new recommendations state that people should be screened starting at age 45 rather than 50. The Pennsylvania Department of Health also recommends that people begin screening at age 45. House Bill 1123 would update current law to reduce the age when colorectal cancer screenings are covered to 45 from 50, update the guidelines referenced in the law to the most recent edition, and update the tests covered by insurance to those recommended by the guidelines. Gallagher, who is a survivor of colorectal cancer, pointed out how this legislation can save lives. “As a survivor of colorectal cancer, I know firsthand the impact that early detection and proper care can have on an individual's journey through the labyrinth of cancer. This legislation is not just about updating insurance coverage; it's about Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 –A House resolution raising awareness of youth homelessness in Pennsylvania, introduced by state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Rep. Gina H. Curry, D-Phila., was referred out of the House Children & Youth Committee today, 25-1. House Resolution 337 would designate Nov. 17 through Nov. 21, 2025, as “Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week,” and Nov. 21, 2025, as “Red Shirt Day” in Pennsylvania. According to Smith-Wade-El and Curry, the population of homeless youth has exploded in the past 10 years from just over 19,000 students in Pennsylvania schools to exceed 50,000 today. Much of this increase is due to limited resources available to youth, including lack of access to support services, difficulty obtaining identification and family instability. As many shelters will not accept a child under 18 years of age without the presence of a parent or guardian, there is an urgent need for additional resources to help homeless students attend school and succeed, the representatives said. “We’ve introduced this resolution to raise awareness of the growing number of homeless youth in PA and the lack of resources that are targeted toward their needs,” Smith-Wade-El said. “The federal budget cuts to critical programs serving homeless youth and their families, and the ongoing federal budget impasse that is stifling funding for essential programs like SNAP, Read more