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Philadelphia House Delegation praises approval of increase in public transit funding

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McClinton, Cephas celebrate $225K in funding for ‘60th Street Spruce Up’

(Jan 02, 2024) Philadelphia House Delegation

State House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-191st Dist.) and Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas (D- are applauding $225,000 in state funds being awarded to Achieveability, a neighborhood revitalization organization that has served West Philadelphia for more than 40 years. Read more

 

McClinton, Cephas celebrate $225K in funding for ‘60th Street Spruce Up’

(Dec 26, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

State House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas are applauding $225,000 in state funds being awarded to Achieveability, a neighborhood revitalization organization that has served west Philadelphia for more than 40 years. Read more

 

Fiedler celebrates nearly $25,000 in neighborhood revitalization grants 

(Dec 22, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 22 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., today announced that $24,695 in funding from the Pennsylvania Local Share Account is coming to her district in South Philadelphia. This funding was awarded to East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District for safety updates to East Passyunk Avenue. The funds allocated to the East Passyunk Business Improvement District will be used to install cameras on the intersections of Juniper, Mifflin, Moore, Morris, Tasker, and Reed streets and East Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia. These upgrades will enhance the sense of safety for business and property owners, residents, and visitors, Fiedler said. “I’m proud to support the small business owners and employees who are at the heart of our economy,” Fiedler said. “At the same time that many shoppers focus on buying local this holiday season, it’s especially wonderful to bring back these state grant dollars to our district to support local businesses!” Rebecca O’Leary, the executive director of the East Passyunk Avenue BID, said, "East Passyunk’s businesses, residents and visitors deserve a safe and clean community. The EPABID is grateful to State Representative Fiedler and State Senator Saval for helping us secure grant money for the installation of public safety cameras at all major intersections along our commercial Read more

 

Kinsey touts millions in state funding for northwest Philadelphia

(Dec 22, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 22 – This week, a state grant worth $4,184,188 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s H2O PA Program was awarded to the Philadelphia Water Department for sewer line improvement along the 21st Street storm sewer. This program provides grants to projects whose intent is assisting with the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm water projects. State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., represents Pennsylvania’s 201 st Legislative District where 21 st Street storm sewer is located. He emphasized how much this funding can help Philadelphia prepare for and deal with inclement weather disasters such as floods and storms. “In past years, we’ve seen flooding that has greatly impacted Philadelphia, and we haven’t had the infrastructure to properly prepare for and address the damage this weather does to our community,” Kinsey said. “This funding is a huge win, as improvement to the 21 st Street storm sewer will be very helpful during floods and inclement weather in getting dirty water out of our streets while keeping everyone clean and safe. I’m excited to see the state invest so much money to address this crucial issue, and I was proud to be part of helping to secure it for our community!” This funding from the CFA is in addition to the $109,783 from its Financing Arts and Culture Recovery Grants Program that was awarded in Read more

 

State lawmakers tout budget funding for school facilities

(Dec 21, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20 – Today, House Appropriations Committee Majority Chairman Jordan Harris, D-Phila., hosted a news conference at South Philadelphia High School discussing school facilities funding in the 2023-24 state budget. The budget includes $175 million for school facility improvements. Pennsylvania has some of the oldest schools in the country. The average school building is around 70 years old and was built when lead pipes and asbestos were standard building materials. Discoveries of asbestos and other toxins have led to school closures across the Commonwealth, including seven Philadelphia schools in 2023 alone. In the same year, 100 schools statewide closed due to excessive heat. Harris stated that he believes this funding will help to address this issue that’s plagued Pennsylvania schools for a long time. “This funding is paramount to improving the health and safety of our educators, students and school staff, Harris said. “This major Democratic priority is a significant investment and critical step toward ensuring that receiving an education in Pennsylvania does not equate to sick or injured students, teachers, or staff. There is more work to do, and we intend to continue our work until every Pennsylvania school is a safe learning environment for our children.” Harris was joined by members of the Philadelphia House Delegation, including state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and members of the House Read more

 

State leaders tout $175 million to fix old school buildings during visit to South Philly HS

(Dec 21, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Five months ago, Pennsylvania lawmakers toured the school to underscore what they said was a desperate need for significant investment in school buildings across the state. On Wednesday, they came back to tout $175 million in new state money just for that purpose. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation sends condolences following Chopper 6 crash

(Dec 20, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Today, the Philadelphia House Delegation joins the Delaware Valley in mourning the loss of two longtime crew members at WPVI-TV 6abc in the early morning crash of Chopper 6 in remote southern New Jersey. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation celebrates infrastructure grants

(Dec 19, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Today, the Philadelphia House Delegation praised the Commonwealth Financing Authority announcement of over $30 million of investment into the city of Philadelphia. Read more

 

Fiedler welcomes more than $100,000 in state grants to south Phila.

(Dec 19, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., has announced that a total of $105,685 in state funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Arts and Culture Recovery Grants Program has been awarded to multiple organizations in her legislative district in south Philadelphia. Funds distributed through the PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program provide grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations located in the commonwealth. The organizations in Fiedler’s district that were awarded are: 1812 Productions Inc. - $30,000. Ars Nova Workshop Inc. - $19,091. KYL Dancers Inc. - $16,027. Team Sunshine Performance - $10,000. Theatre Exile - $30,567. “South Philadelphia has a vibrant arts and cultural scene that is a source of local pride,” Fiedler said. “I’m proud to see state funding brought back to these five organizations doing amazing work in our community.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth. Unique among state agencies in structure and scope, the CFA consists of seven board members: four legislative appointees and Read more

 

Kinsey brings more than $100,000 in state funding to northwest Phila.

(Dec 19, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., has announced that a total of $109,783 in state funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Arts and Culture Recovery Grants Program has been awarded to multiple organizations in his legislative district in northwest Philadelphia. The organizations awarded include: Commonwealth Youthchoirs Inc. - $36,695. Historic Germantown Preserved - $21,208. Mamadele Foundation - $10,000. PRISM Quartet Incorporated - $16,895. Wyck Association - $13,125. Yes And Collaborative Arts - $11,680. “These organizations do a tremendous job of representing the unique culture of northwest Philadelphia and providing opportunities to the folks living in our community,” Kinsey said. “I was proud to help bring these state dollars back to our community, and I look forward to seeing how each organization uses them!” The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth. Unique among state agencies in structure and scope, the CFA consists of seven board members: four legislative appointees and the secretaries of DCED, the Office of the Budget and Read more

 

Gallagher helps bring state funding for local arts and cultural organization

(Dec 19, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., has announced a state grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Arts and Culture Recovery Grants Program worth $28,343 has been awarded to Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation in his district in Northeast Philadelphia. Funds distributed through the PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program provide grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations located in the commonwealth. “I’m always glad to help bring state dollars back to the district and to see deserving organizations being awarded them,” Gallagher said. “Glen Foerd is an organization that does great work here in Northeast Philadelphia, and this funding will help them to continue doing so for our community.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth. Unique among state agencies in structure and scope, the CFA consists of seven board members: four legislative appointees and the secretaries of DCED, the Office of the Budget and Department of Banking and Securities. Project approval requires five affirmative votes, four of which must come from legislative appointees. Grants are administered by Read more

 

Fiedler celebrates $175 million in school facilities funding

(Dec 14, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Dec. 14 – On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania legislature approved $175 million from the state budget in additional funding to help fix school buildings across the Commonwealth. State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., who has been a long-time proponent of fixing school buildings, advocated for the funds. “Many school buildings are in huge need of repair and remediation. Getting this work done is critical to the health and safety of everyone in schools,” Fiedler said. “We have a long road ahead to make sure every school is a safe, healthy, modern learning environment. This additional funding is a step in the right direction to finally addressing this issue that has weighed on our Commonwealth for too long.” Pennsylvania has some of the oldest schools in the country. The average school building is around 70 years old and was built when lead pipes and asbestos were standard building materials. Discoveries of asbestos and other toxins have led to school closures across the Commonwealth, including seven Philadelphia schools in 2023 alone. In the same year, 100 schools statewide closed due to excessive heat. Read more

 

Cephas, Davis laud final passage of Dignity for Incarcerated Women legislation

(Dec 13, 2023) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas, Rep. Tina Davis

The bill creates important protections, including restricting shackling and solitary confinement; providing trauma informed care training of corrections officers interacting with pregnant and postpartum women; and providing up to three days of post-delivery bonding time between a mother and newborn child, among other protections. No one should be deprived of respect or be forced to risk their health or the health of their child. Read more

 

Bipartisan bill to foster dual enrollment in PA heads to Gov. Shapiro’s desk

(Dec 13, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Dec. 13 – Today, legislation (H.B. 1258) introduced by state Reps. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila.; and Jill Cooper, R-Westmoreland, passed the PA House on concurrence. The bill now heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk. The bill would improve the funding mechanism for dual enrollment programs by removing the requirement that students enrolled in such programs be removed from the school’s average daily membership count. Under the current funding mechanism for public schools, schools lose out if a child chooses to take a college level course – even if the student remains physically at the school. “Education is a tool that is meant to empower our students and give them greater opportunities to succeed in life. Dual enrollment programs provide high school students an opportunity to take college-level courses and earn college credits,” Kinsey said. “School districts should not lose out on funding because their students enroll in one of these courses that propels their academic career while still at the high school.” “This change incentivizes school districts to have dual enrollment programs, and I am happy that Harrisburg will be fostering innovation in our schools. In the end, this expands opportunities available to our young people,” Cooper said. “Representative Kinsey is an experienced legislator, and it was an honor to work with him on this.” Read more

 

Green Protecting Children from Lead in Drinking Water

(Dec 12, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Pa. state Rep. Roni Green spoke on bipartisan legislation she introduced that would address lead contamination in drinking water in Pennsylvania schools. Green says this legislation would correct a long-standing problem in schools across the commonwealth. Read more

 

Senate advances Cephas bills out of committee

(Dec 11, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – Today, two bills introduced by Philadelphia House Delegation Chair, state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., were approved by Senate committees and moved to the full Senate for consideration. Both bills passed the House earlier this year. These two bills include: House Bill 900 , known as the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act, was voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with unanimous support. The bill would create important protections for pregnancy and postpartum people who are incarcerated in Pennsylvania helping to restore dignity and codifying a number of current policies and practices that are already in place in the Department of Corrections and at the federal level . Along with Cephas, State Reps. Tina Davis, D-Bucks, and Mike Jones, R-York, and a series of stakeholders including Ardella’s House, Dream.org and the American Conservative Union, championed the bill. House Bill 1478 , which would amend the Public School Code allowing school districts to utilize a Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner to fulfill requirements of Section 1403 of the Public School Code relating to dental screenings and dental hygiene. This legislation would provide school districts more flexibility regarding fulfilling the requirements of Section 1403. This bill was approved by the Education Committee. “The health and well-being of Pennsylvanians is of the utmost Read more

 

Fiedler, Hanbidge celebrate signing of Pelvic Exam Consent bill

(Nov 27, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Nov. 27 – Today, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler , D-Phila., and Liz Hanbidge , D-Montgomery, joined Gov. Josh Shapiro for the ceremonial signing of H.B. 507 , which requires medical facilities in Pennsylvania to obtain consent before performing pelvic, prostate or rectal exams on anesthetized patients. The bill was officially signed into law on Nov. 21 by Shapiro as Act 31 of 2023. "Patients in Pennsylvania will finally have the right to make decisions about exams performed on their bodies while under anesthesia. This legislation ensures informed consent for invasive pelvic and rectal exams, at last giving patients the decision-making power that we all deserve about our own bodies,” Fiedler said. “I’m grateful to my colleague, Representative Hanbidge, for her work on this bill, and I thank Governor Shapiro for signing it into law.” “Performing a pelvic, rectal or prostate exam unknowingly on an anesthetized patient isn’t only invasive, but it’s also a breach of trust. Our legislation abolishes this archaic practice, thereby strengthening the trust that Pennsylvanians have in medical professionals, protecting bodily autonomy and highlighting the importance of consent,” Hanbidge said. “Patients expecting to go under anesthesia should never have to worry about being objectified for ‘learning purposes,’ and now thanks to my co-sponsor Representative Fiedler, Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation praises designation of Kevin Bethel as new police commissioner of the city

(Nov 22, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today praised Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker for announcing Kevin Bethel as her pick for the city’s next police commissioner. Read more

 

Khan Diabetes Awareness Month Resolution adopted by House

(Nov 21, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Nov. 21 – A resolution (H.R. 141) designating November 2023 as “Diabetes Awareness Month,” has been adopted by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The resolution was introduced by state Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Donna Oberlander, R-Armstrong. More than 1.1 million Pennsylvanians have been diagnosed with diabetes; that’s 11% of the state’s adult population ( Microsoft Word - ADV_2021_State_Fact_sheets_all.docx (diabetes.org) . “One out of every two Pennsylvania adults have diabetes or prediabetes, and nearly 20% of all adults have diabetes but don’t know about it yet,” said Khan, who is a doctorally-prepared nurse practitioner. “Creating awareness about diabetes is critical, and this bipartisan resolution helps us to educate Pennsylvanians on the need to get tested for diabetes and manage the disease if they have it.” A video about the resolution can be found here: ( https://youtu.be/x8LX97kgKU0 ). “As co-chair of the Diabetes Caucus, I was pleased to have the resolution declaring November as Diabetes Awareness Month pass the House of Representatives,” said Oberlander. “The prevalence of diabetes and the increase in both Type 1 or Type 2 makes it essential to educate and spread awareness to the signs and symptoms so that our constituents can get tested and treatment for better health.” Monica Billger, American Read more

 

Fiedler, Hanbidge pelvic exam bill headed to governor’s desk

(Nov 15, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, Nov. 15 – The PA House today passed legislation (H.B. 507) that requires medical facilities in Pennsylvania to obtain consent before performing pelvic, prostate or rectal exams on anesthetized patients. The legislation, introduced by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, now goes to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his signature. In Pennsylvania, medical students are currently permitted to perform these invasive exams on unconscious patients for training purposes. The legislators said this unethical practice undermines patient-doctor relationships, which require a foundation of trust, respect and transparency. “This year, we’ve seen millions of women and people across the country stand up for reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy,” said Fiedler. “It’s never been more important to empower patients to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. I am elated to see this bill pass, and I look forward to Governor Shapiro signing it into law.” “When patients arrive at the hospital for surgeries or treatments that require anesthesia, they are understandably worried or anxious about the outcome of their procedure, rarely thinking that an unrelated internal and intimate exam by a medical student might be part of the process,” Hanbidge said. “House Bill 507 puts the power back in the hands of the patient, giving them the final say in the care Read more

 

McClinton, Cephas celebrate $225K in funding for ‘60th Street Spruce Up’
Jan 02, 2024

McClinton, Cephas celebrate $225K in funding for ‘60th Street Spruce Up’
Dec 26, 2023

Fiedler celebrates nearly $25,000 in neighborhood revitalization grants 
Dec 22, 2023

Kinsey touts millions in state funding for northwest Philadelphia
Dec 22, 2023

State lawmakers tout budget funding for school facilities
Dec 21, 2023

State leaders tout $175 million to fix old school buildings during visit to South Philly HS
Dec 21, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation sends condolences following Chopper 6 crash
Dec 20, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation celebrates infrastructure grants
Dec 19, 2023

Fiedler welcomes more than $100,000 in state grants to south Phila.
Dec 19, 2023

Kinsey brings more than $100,000 in state funding to northwest Phila.
Dec 19, 2023

Gallagher helps bring state funding for local arts and cultural organization
Dec 19, 2023

Fiedler celebrates $175 million in school facilities funding
Dec 14, 2023

Cephas, Davis laud final passage of Dignity for Incarcerated Women legislation
Dec 13, 2023

Bipartisan bill to foster dual enrollment in PA heads to Gov. Shapiro’s desk
Dec 13, 2023

Green Protecting Children from Lead in Drinking Water
Dec 12, 2023

Senate advances Cephas bills out of committee
Dec 11, 2023

Fiedler, Hanbidge celebrate signing of Pelvic Exam Consent bill
Nov 27, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation praises designation of Kevin Bethel as new police commissioner of the city
Nov 22, 2023

Khan Diabetes Awareness Month Resolution adopted by House
Nov 21, 2023

Fiedler, Hanbidge pelvic exam bill headed to governor’s desk
Nov 15, 2023