Philadelphia House Delegation

Philadelphia House Delegation praises approval of increase in public transit funding

Today, members of the Philadelphia House Delegation were an integral part of the state House of Representatives’ approval of a proposed increase in recurring funds for public transportation in Pennsylvania. Read more

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Fiedler, PFT, Phila. councilmembers urge funding school facilities in 2023-24 budget

(Jun 23, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, June 23 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler , D-Phila., hosted a news conference at South Philadelphia High School Friday morning, calling on the Commonwealth to increase funding for school facilities improvements. Pennsylvania "has billions of dollars that should be invested in public infrastructure, job creation and education,” Fiedler said. The Commonwealth is currently sitting on $11 billion in reserve cash. “Governor Shapiro’s budget has proposed $100 million in school facilities funding, which is a great start,” Fiedler said. While Shapiro’s budget proposal did not indicate a method of distribution for these funds, Fiedler has co-sponsored H.B.1408, which provides a vehicle for distributing school facilities funds. Her bill updates PlanCon, a method of funds distribution that has not been utilized since 2016. “I am hopeful H.B. 1408 will get a House vote next week, and I’m committed to pursuing all avenues through which we may remediate and repair our schools across the Commonwealth,” she emphasized, who has spearheaded the issue in the House. Ana Tapia , Sunrise of Philadelphia’s South Philadelphia High School site director, spoke directly to her experience running the school’s after-school program. “Too often we hear on the news that budgets have increased for everything except for schools, after-school programming, and Read more

Philadelphia House Delegation praise reopening of I-95

(Jun 23, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, June 23 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed satisfaction on the reopening of Interstate 95 today ahead of the originally scheduled two-week timeline. Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas said that the group, which toured the site this morning, values the immediate response and leadership of Gov. Josh Shapiro and expeditious work of crews from the Philadelphia building trades. “Our tour this morning gave us an up-close look at the incredible work being done here,” Cephas said. “It's only by the hard work of our local trades, facilitated by coordination with state, city and federal officials, that we're able to get this major artery through our city re-opened so much earlier than anyone expected,” Cephas added. “Our city is in awe and gratitude of the speedy engineering and production of our Philadelphia building trades members and contractors.” Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton said that she celebrates the collective effort that made possible the reopening of six lanes of traffic that will keep the City of Brotherly Love up and running for locals and hundreds of visitors. “Philadelphia is a hub for everything from commerce to health care to recreation,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “So, today’s reopening of I-95 is great news for our neighbors, people who visit our Read more

Krajewski Kinship bill unanimously passes PA House

(Jun 22, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 22 – Today, legislation ( H.B. 1058 ) introduced by state Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., unanimously passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and will now head to the state Senate for consideration. House Bill 1058 would make child custody proceedings more inclusive of potential kinship care providers by requiring courts to solicit and consider the opinions of those who engaged with family finding and kinship care programs. While living with kin (relatives and close family friends) minimizes childhood trauma and increases wellbeing , f ewer than 42% of children receiving care in the state are placed in a kinship home. “This simple change in where a youth calls home can help a child resume attending school, reforge their community connections, and avoid being at-risk for violence. As we're hit by a gun violence crisis, it is essential that we do all we can to keep communities intact and minimize childhood trauma. ” Krajewski said. “We took an important step in moving this legislation out of the House. Now, I urge my Senate colleagues to do the same in their chamber so we can get it signed into law and ensure foster kids find homes with people who will be best for their growth and futures.” Read more

Kenyatta cybersecurity coordination bill approved by Commerce Committee

(Jun 22, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 22 – Today, legislation ( H.B. 1139 ) introduced by state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., was approved in the Pennsylvania House Commerce Committee and now heads to the full House for future consideration. This legislation would create a centralized, integrated system of cybersecurity across all commonwealth agencies and branches with the establishment of the Cybersecurity Coordination Board. The board would gain the knowledge needed to strengthen cybersecurity by conducting audits and analyzing current federal, state and local protocols. “ Identifying and implementing a unified model cybersecurity policy will help to ensure our data systems can bear up under the threat of compromise. Once achieved, Pennsylvanians can take comfort knowing their most sensitive personal data is protected,” Kenyatta said. “I’m glad to see this bill that will protect Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth move to the full House. Now, I call on my House colleagues to move it along to the Senate.” Read more

Clean streets, thanks to WeLoveU

(Jun 22, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Solomon presented a citation to WeLoveU, adding his belief that cleaner neighborhoods are safer neighborhoods. Offering thanks to the volunteers were Joe Bell, vice president and market manager of Beasley Media Group, and Alex Post, WeLoveU’s director of global partnerships. Read more

Kinsey Fresh Food Financing Initiative bill passes House

(Jun 21, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 21 – Today, legislation ( H.B. 580 ) introduced by state Reps. Stephen Kinsey, Danilo Burgos and Morgan Cephas, all D-Phila., passed the Pennsylvania House and will now head to the Senate for future consideration. This legislation would re-establish the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative , a program that operated from 2004 to 2010 and provided grants and low-interest loans for the construction, rehabilitation or expansion of grocery stores, farmers markets and other healthy food retail establishments in low- to moderate-income areas in need and other underserved communities. “Today, we in the Pennsylvania House affirmed our commitment to ensuring all communities in our state have access to healthy, nutritious and fresh food,” Kinsey said. “I’m glad to see us one step closer to bringing back the Fresh Food Financing Initiative- now, I urge my Senate colleagues to get this bill to the governor’s desk so it can be signed into law, and we can bring back this necessary initiative.” “I am proud to see that our efforts have paid off,” Burgos said. “We are now a step closer to providing more fresh food purchasing options to residents in underserved areas. Fresh food cannot be accepted as a privilege of a few. We are moving legislation forward for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians.” “We are determined to make the commonwealth a Read more

Hohenstein introduces local funding options for transportation

(Jun 20, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 20 – State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., today hosted a news conference on the Capitol steps to introduce his legislation that would provide local funding options for transportation . “As we have seen this past week, when a transportation crisis occurs, we lean on our public transit system,” Hohenstein said. “SEPTA has stepped up with increased services while I-95 is being repaired. Now we need to step up and give it funding flexibility and give Philadelphia and its surrounding counties the ability to fully support one of the largest people-moving transit systems in the country. Local funding options are essential to the survival of public transit, and public transit is essential for our economic growth.” "I am proud to stand with my colleagues to support increased funding for public transit,” said state Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila. “Public transportation is a critical component to our economy as well as protecting our environment. The PA House Democratic Caucus is committed to fighting to make sure our transit systems have all the resources they need." “As SEPTA works to respond to the I-95 collapse with added service, equipment and staff to meet the needs of our city and its residents, I am asking council this week to approve a resolution supporting SEPTA and urging state lawmakers to increase their investment in public transportation and enable local Read more

Neilson introduces resolution to extend Gov. Shapiro’s emergency declaration

(Jun 16, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., chair of the PA House Transportation Committee, has introduced House Resolution 154, which seeks to extend Gov. Josh Shapiro’s emergency proclamation for the safe and prompt rebuilding of Interstate 95, one of the busiest highways in Pennsylvania, carrying an average of 160,000 vehicles daily. Read more

Kinsey 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline bill passes House

(Jun 14, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 14 – Today, legislation ( H.B. 1305 ) introduced by state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and will head to the state Senate for future consideration. Kinsey said the bill would establish sustainable funding for Pennsylvania’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in line with Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal. The lifeline was launched in July of 2022 and allows anyone in the U.S. to call, chat or text 988 to receive support and resources during a suicide, mental health or substance use crisis. The proposed legislation would be similar to how communities fund 911 by creating a monthly fee on all wireless devices to ensure these emergency services will not experience any funding gaps. “With the ongoing mental health crisis affecting Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth, it’s crucial we ensure such a critical resource in 988 is funded sustainably so they can be reliable to help folks suffering with their mental health,” Kinsey said. “Today, we took a step toward strengthening and solidifying this lifeline that can help so many. I now urge my colleagues in the Senate to get this bill to the governor’s desk so it can be signed into law.” Read more

State Reps. Fiedler, Schweyer, Merski, Hill-Evans and advocates urge PA Legislature to fund school facilities in 2023-24 state budget

(Jun 14, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 14 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., hosted a news conference in the state Capitol Rotunda Wednesday and called on legislators to fund school facilities in Pennsylvania. “We have a unique opportunity to finally invest in fixing toxic schools across Pennsylvania,” said Fiedler. “It’s long past time we prioritize the health of our students, teachers and school staff. We have some of the oldest schools in the nation right here in Pennsylvania, and many of them have unsafe conditions that are simply unacceptable. I am committed to investing state dollars to remediate and repair our schools.” Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, chair of the House Education Committee, reminded everyone that school buildings are learning environments. “The quality of a school building has a direct impact on a child's ability to learn,” he said. “This year's House budget begins to address our toxic schools, but there's much more work to be done. We can't delay any longer -- our children deserve better.” State Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York County, commended the bipartisan support behind funding school facilities. “We are building bipartisan support for funding school facilities within this year’s budget,” she said. “The House sent a version of the budget to the Senate last week. Our proposal used Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal as a starting point Read more