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Philadelphia House Delegation praises approval of increase in public transit funding

Kinsey applauds state police body-worn camera initiative, touts his legislation

(Aug 08, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Aug. 8 – The Pennsylvania State Police on Monday announced the commencement of a pilot program designed to ensure department readiness for implementing body-worn cameras. State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., has introduced legislation in the Pennsylvania House to direct law enforcement agencies using body-worn cameras to develop official policies governing when cameras are activated and disabled, accessing the recordings, retention of recordings and redaction of recordings. Kinsey offered the following statement on this initiative: “It’s important that the public understands what practices and policies police officers have to follow during their duty and to be able to see it in a real-life situation can help create transparency to prevent police interactions from escalating,” Kinsey said. “I believe this initiative that the state police are taking on is a great step in the process of implementing body-worn cameras across the commonwealth.” He added the following on how his legislation could help set policies to ensure the use of body-worn cameras works. “My legislation would help create the necessary policies on the use of body-worn cameras and how they go about recording interactions and display them to the public,” Kinsey said. “As legislators it is our duty to ensure that all Pennsylvanians, including our law enforcement and Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation praises more than $3.6 million in grant funding for education

(Aug 04, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 4 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed their satisfaction after the Shapiro administration announced that $13.5 million in federal grant funding has been awarded to 26 school entities to support expectant and parenting learners. Pennsylvania’s Education Leading to Employment and Career Training Program is a federally funded program that works with intermediate units, school districts and charter schools to coordinate the continuity of educational services for people under 22 who are expecting or parenting a child and provides community resources to allow them to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. The School District of Philadelphia was awarded more than $3.62 million. Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas explained that the group is pleased to see the inclusion of The Philadelphia School district in this program as it will help boost ongoing efforts to provide educational assistance to expectant and parenting youth. “ELECT is an outstanding program that helps schools keep this segment of the student population in school without disruptions. This is crucial in a student’s efforts to obtain a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate and secure post-graduation employment, education, or training. “If we want more financially independent adults, more empowered parents, we need to start by helping our young Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation calls out Sen. Devlin Robinson for disrespecting Pennsylvania firefighter

(Aug 04, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 4 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today said a recent incident where a firefighter was verbally disrespected is an outrageous act that demands more than a mere apology. State Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny, referred to Ken Pagurek, a first responder from Pennsylvania Task Force 1, as a “dick,” using the slur during a committee meeting on Tuesday. A video shows Robinson, who serves as the chair of the Labor and Industry Committee, leaning towards Sen. Doug Mastriano, making the disgraceful comment, presumably and wrongfully assuming that the microphone was off. The delegation noted that Mastriano seemed amused by the observation. Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas explained that the group is outraged by the confrontation and the lack of empathy shown towards the hardworking men and women who risk their lives every single day protecting communities across our commonwealth. “We are not going to let these types of degrading remarks go unchecked because of your proximity and disregard for the City of Philadelphia,” said chairwoman Cephas. “This is not a joke; it just shows the type of leadership that we have in the Pennsylvania Senate. As senators they are supposed to represent all Pennsylvanians. Unfortunately, neither Robinson nor Mastriano embody the moral values that their positions require. House Democrats support the Read more

 

The Dope Student Podcast with State Rep Amen Brown

(Aug 01, 2023)

State Rep. Amen Brown joined students of The Dope Student Podcast to talk about politics as a career goal for young people. Read more

 

State Rep. Tarik Khan immerses himself in the community

(Aug 01, 2023)

Next, Representative Khan’s District Office will hold remote office hours at the Falls of Schuylkill Library in East Falls on July 31st from 5 p.m. to 7:30 pm. You may also see him around town knocking doors to inform neighbors about the state services his office can assist with. For more information on upcoming events and legislative efforts, visit his office at 4001 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127, or call (215) 482-8726. Read more

 

House Majority Leadership joins community to sound education SOS in Philadelphia

(Jul 31, 2023)

“This is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue, and it is not a city issue or a rural issue – it’s a Pennsylvania issue,” Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, said. “Equitably funding schools is about investing in Pennsylvania’s future and ensuring that every student regardless of the neighborhood they live in has the tools to thrive academically, socially, and civically. Our state’s future starts now, and it’s time to equitably and adequately fund our public schools.” Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation expresses support for Brewerytown community shattered by grief

(Jul 28, 2023)

Today, the Philadelphia House Delegation expressed solemn grief at the loss of a two-year old girl to gun violence in the Brewerytown section of North Philadelphia. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation hails unprecedented Teamsters win

(Jul 25, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, July 25 – Following the announcement of a tentative, historic five-year contract involving United Parcel Service and the Teamsters union, members of the Philadelphia House Delegation praised the triumph and reaffirmed their commitment to keep fighting for fair pay and safe workplaces for every worker in Pennsylvania. The UPS and Teamsters covenant comes after a series of local and national rallies to support UPS workers as they fought for better wages and working conditions. Workers also warned of a possible massive strike. Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas explained that the agreement is a colossal win for the more than 340,000 UPS Teamsters members nationwide. “Our delegation applauds these tentative agreements that include wage increases as well as safety and health protections, equal pay part-time rewards, and new trucks with air conditioning, among other provisions. This would certainly change the game for many other unions. The bar has been raised,” Cephas added. “Our group has been proudly walking and fighting along with the UPS workers for better pay and tangible benefits, but this is also a fight for fairness and respect. We are pleased to see that their struggles have been finally acknowledged,” she said. “We are celebrating this victory, but we also ratify our firm commitment to keep championing for all workers in the Read more

 

State Rep. Amen Brown hands out free fans to residents in Powelton

(Jul 25, 2023)

It's hot outside and state Rep. Amen brown came to the rescue with a free fan giveaway at his new district office. Read more

 

Kinsey hosts community peace prayer vigil

(Jul 24, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, July 21 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., last night hosted a community prayer vigil in the East Germantown community. Kinsey hosted the Williams/Brister family who lost their 12-year-old son to gun violence, along with Ivory Bethune and Jeannine Shaw, who both lost young sons to gun violence. This peace prayer vigil was part of Kinsey’s “Third Thursday” Initiative, which he started in 2022 in efforts to making families and the community at large aware of the supports and resources available to them as our communities deal with the violence that has plagued them over the recent years. At last night’s event, Kinsey was joined by state Reps. Darisha Parker and Anthony Bellmon, along with Councilmembers Cindy Bass and Anthony Phillips. Also attending were his community partners, which included EMIR Healing Center, Chew & Chelten CDC, Men Who Care of Germantown, the Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network, clergy, the Pennsylvania State Police, 14 th and 35 th Police Districts, 14 th and 35 th Police District Chaplains, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, LaSalle University, the City of Philadelphia and community members. “My heart goes out to the brave, strong mothers who were able to join me and speak up last night. As a father, my deepest condolences are with them during what is an unimaginable time they must be going Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for bold changes in eviction process

(Jul 20, 2023)

HARRISBURG, July 20 – After the third eviction-related shooting since March in Philadelphia, members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today said the organization is determined to help end the practice of private contractors performing eviction services in the city to avoid more violent incidents. “The imminent threat of being displaced from home can put anybody into a rage and despair mode. If you add to this scenario people without the proper training, carrying guns to handle evictions, the outcome can be fatal,” said Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas, who is organizing upcoming hearings in August about the evictions with state Rep. Mike Sturla, chair of the PA House Housing & Community Development Committee. “Philadelphia’s landlord-tenant officer has temporarily stopped evictions, but this is a turning point: evictions must be handled by public officials and our delegation will be working to introduce legislation to regulate this process. We are ready to establish policies that would support critical demands in this system, like proper protocol and de-escalations practice to protect the safety and integrity of the tenants,” she added. State Rep. Rick Krajewski, who will be introducing a bill addressing the subject, explained that the mercenary mentality of private contractors working for the city's landlord-tenant officer serves no public good. Krajewski indicated that Read more

 

Kinsey hosts Lt. Gov. Davis and local organizations for roundtable discussion on gun violence

(Jul 13, 2023)

PHILADELPHIA, July 13 – Today, state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., hosted a roundtable discussion on gun violence with Lt. Gov. Austin Davis at Grace Baptist Church of Germantown. Kinsey and Davis were joined by local organizations that provide support and services for victims of gun violence, including Cease Fire, Every Murder is Real, Men Who Care of Germantown, 7G’s, New Journey and Mothers in Charge. Other Philadelphia Delegation members and local officials who participated in the roundtable included state Reps. Darisha Parker, Morgan Cephas, Anthony Bellmon, and Ben Waxman; City Councilmembers Cindy Bass and Anthony Phillips; staff from state Sen. Art Haywood's office and state Rep. Chris Rabb's office; Sheriff Rochelle Bilal; School District of Philadelphia Chief Safety Officer Kevin Bethel; 35th District Police Captain Myesha Massey; police officers from the 14th District; and Adara Coombs for the city of Philadelphia managing director's office. Today’s roundtable was part of Davis’s statewide safer communities tour, highlighting local efforts -- funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency -- that are working to address gun violence and make Pennsylvania’s communities safer. “Governor Shapiro and I believe that government can and should be a force for good in our lives, that we can do big things – if we work together,” Davis said. “As public Read more

 

Bellmon, McClinton school conflict resolution bill passes House

(Jul 07, 2023)

HARRISBURG, July 7 – Today, legislation ( H.B. 1448 ) introduced by state Rep. Anthony Bellmon, D-Phila., and Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, passed the House and is headed to the Senate for consideration. The bill would r equire public schools to provide instruction on conflict resolution to all students. The instruction would include topics such as skills of conflict resolution; respect for different cultures, races, and beliefs; effectively managing emotions; and how to resolve differences peacefully. The bill also would require the instruction to be age-appropriate and incorporated into an appropriate area of study. The Department of Education would compose a list of evidence-based model programs schools could use to provide this instruction to students. Bellmon said that teaching conflict resolution in schools can help reduce violence. “In areas across the commonwealth, such as Philadelphia, we’re seeing far too many young lives taken by gun violence,” Bellmon said. “It’s imperative that our children know that conflicts can be resolved in a non-violent way, and that’s why I introduced this bill that can help prevent unnecessary violence and even save lives.” McClinton echoed Bellmon’s sentiment. “Everyone has a role in keeping our communities healthy and safe, and by equipping our youngest Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation pleased with increased funding on budget priorities

(Jul 07, 2023)

HARRISBURG, July 7 – As we close out this week with the passage of the 2023-24 state budget, the Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed that the spending plan is far from ideal, but still delivers major support to disadvantaged families in Pennsylvania. Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas explained that the delegation is pleased to see the inclusion of some of their top priorities for Philadelphia. “We certainly praise the nearly $1.7 billion (7.6% increase) for the School District of Philadelphia,” Cephas said. “We also voted to support $7.5 million to fund indigent defense for the first time in Pennsylvania history, ensuring public defenders have the resources they need to provide legal representation to defendants who cannot pay for it on their own, among other wins. We are moving the state in the right direction,” she added. State Rep. Danilo Burgos, vice-chair of the delegation, pointed out that the budget showcases the commitment of the House Democratic majority with Pennsylvanians, while managing to evade the unnecessary impasses of a bipartisan legislature. “Not a perfect budget; we wished it could have gone further in some areas and programs, but I am proud to say that we didn’t bargain our principles and that we prioritized our school system,” Burgos said. “I am appreciative of the investments in apprenticeships Read more

 

Cephas releases statement on enactment of Act 5 of 2023

(Jul 06, 2023)

"Pennsylvania families deserve our utmost attention and the finest health options available to preserve their health and the health of their babies." Read more

 

Kinsey issues statement on state budget passage

(Jul 06, 2023)

HARRISBURG, July 6 – House Democratic Human Services Chairman Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., issued the following statement on the passage of the 2023-2024 fiscal year state budget. “I’m proud to support Governor Shapiro’s budget, a budget that provides investments in education, our workforce, families, and businesses throughout Pennsylvania,” Kinsey said. “It is a budget that will provide relief to seniors by expanding the states property tax and rent rebate program by raising the maximum rebate from $650 to $1,000, while increasing the eligibility limit to $45,000 for renter and homeowners. And, $50 million to help with home repairs for homeowners. “The 2023-24 budget included a $567 million boost for basic education. It also provides $50 million for special education, $16 million for state grants for college students, $125 million for school safety grants, and $100 million in Level Up funding to support PA’s poorest schools. In addition, this budget includes $100 million to help address school needs, and $46.5 million for the universal free breakfast program. “However, as House Democratic Chairman of the Human Services Committee, I recognize that we as a state have more work to do and that we need to invest more dollars to ensure that many of our most vulnerable citizens get the support that they need as well as increasing the wages of those staff who work to provide such Read more

 

Kenyatta applauds Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program expansion efforts

(Jul 06, 2023)

HARRISBURG, July 6 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., announced today that H.B. 1100 to expand Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is heading to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk for his signature. This bill will expand eligibility for the PTRR Program by increasing the income cap to $45,000 for both homeowners and renters, as well as increase rebate amounts. “The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been very helpful to seniors, individuals with disabilities and low-income households in my district and throughout the state,” Kenyatta said. “It allows them to stay in their homes while money is put back in their pocket. “Voting on this bill was one of the most important votes I’ve taken in my time as a legislator. Programs like PTRR must be available to people who are struggling to stay in their homes and pay their bills. I’m glad to see we’ve taken all the right steps to expand eligibility to more Pennsylvanians and keep our communities intact.” Kenyatta said that he looks forward to seeing the bill signed into law so that an additional 175,000 Pennsylvanians can get the help they need. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation Gun Reform & Gun Violence Reduction Legislation

(Jul 05, 2023)

Gun Reform & Gun Violence Reduction Legislation sponsored by members of the Philadelphia House Delegation. Read more

 

Pennsylvania lawmakers want to crack down on catalytic converter thefts

(Jul 03, 2023)

"One of the unfortunate things is it's very easy to steal one of these converters out from a car without even having to break into the car," the lawmaker said. "It's problems in parking lots and in individual communities and neighborhoods, right on the streets." Read more

 

Pa. House passes bill to counter catalytic converter thefts

(Jul 03, 2023)

Car owners should not have to foot the bill for someone stealing from them, and for many households, the cost of replacing a stolen catalytic converter is burdensome,” Isaacson said. “For many Pennsylvanians, their car is a part of their livelihood. This legislation provides several important deterrents to ensure that consumers in the commonwealth have the highest level of protection from theft. Read more

 

Kinsey applauds state police body-worn camera initiative, touts his legislation
Aug 08, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation praises more than $3.6 million in grant funding for education
Aug 04, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation calls out Sen. Devlin Robinson for disrespecting Pennsylvania firefighter
Aug 04, 2023

The Dope Student Podcast with State Rep Amen Brown
Aug 01, 2023

State Rep. Tarik Khan immerses himself in the community
Aug 01, 2023

House Majority Leadership joins community to sound education SOS in Philadelphia
Jul 31, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation expresses support for Brewerytown community shattered by grief
Jul 28, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation hails unprecedented Teamsters win
Jul 25, 2023

State Rep. Amen Brown hands out free fans to residents in Powelton
Jul 25, 2023

Kinsey hosts community peace prayer vigil
Jul 24, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for bold changes in eviction process
Jul 20, 2023

Kinsey hosts Lt. Gov. Davis and local organizations for roundtable discussion on gun violence
Jul 13, 2023

Bellmon, McClinton school conflict resolution bill passes House
Jul 07, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation pleased with increased funding on budget priorities
Jul 07, 2023

Cephas releases statement on enactment of Act 5 of 2023
Jul 06, 2023

Kinsey issues statement on state budget passage
Jul 06, 2023

Kenyatta applauds Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program expansion efforts
Jul 06, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation Gun Reform & Gun Violence Reduction Legislation
Jul 05, 2023

Pennsylvania lawmakers want to crack down on catalytic converter thefts
Jul 03, 2023

Pa. House passes bill to counter catalytic converter thefts
Jul 03, 2023