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Private equity fans flame of apparatus crisis facing firefighters

(13 hours ago)

“Private equity consolidation in the fire truck industry is driving up costs beyond what local fire companies can afford, forcing departments to stretch thin budgets just to maintain essential equipment,” said O’Mara. “This isn’t just economic—it’s a safety issue. When outdated equipment fails, lives are at risk. Fire companies shouldn’t face soaring costs and limited options to protect their communities.” Read more

 

Addressing ongoing housing crisis will improve economic development, testifiers say

(1 day ago)

As the cost of housing continues to soar and demand outweighs supply, Pennsylvania lawmakers are taking a closer look at how to help more people afford to buy or rent a home. Read more

 

Penn State faculty members detail ongoing process to unionize

(Mar 25, 2026)

Faculty members at Penn State University and its branch campuses have been in the process of unionizing as the Penn State Faculty Alliance (PSFA), an affiliate of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 668. After faculty members say they’ve received pushback from Penn State administration, the House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing to put both sides in the same room and learn more about the situation. Read more

 

Good Samaritan protections in Pennsylvania need to be improved, testifiers say

(Mar 11, 2026)

after finding an incapacitated student and calling for help, the House Majority Policy Committee met in Harrisburg Wednesday to discuss legislation that will focus on bolstering legal protection for good Samaritans. Read more

 

House Majority Policy Committee examine ideas to help more seniors afford prescription medications

(Mar 10, 2026)

As costs continue to rise on everything, including prescription drug prices, many seniors are being forced to make impossible decisions. The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing Tuesday, hosted by Rep. Regina Young (D-Phila./Delaware), to discuss what can be done to help more seniors afford their medications. Read more

 

Democrats draw line on dynamic pricing for essential goods

(Mar 04, 2026)

“When working families are counting every dollar, unpredictable prices are not innovation – they’re instability,” said Rep. Mary Isaacson, who co-hosted the hearing and represents portions of Philadelphia. “AI-enabled pricing puts consumers and working families at an extreme disadvantage, all in the name of corporate greed.” Read more

 

Dynamic Pricing

(Mar 04, 2026)

Submitted testimony for joint House Majority Policy Committee and Senate Democratic Policy Committee on dynamic pricing held on March 4, 2026 in Harrisburg. Read more

 

Universal Pre-K helps economy, children and parents

(Mar 03, 2026)

“Universal pre-K is one of the smartest investments Pennsylvania can make,” said state Rep. Tarik Khan, who represents part of Philadelphia and co-hosted the hearing. “In Philadelphia, we’ve already seen that high-quality pre-K improves children’s focus, self-control and early literacy. And we know pre-K boosts graduation rates, expands access to better-paying careers, reduces involvement in the criminal justice system and helps parents stay in the workforce. We intend to do more smart things in Pennsylvania, like investing early, where the returns are strongest. The benefits won’t just help kids next year. They will strengthen our commonwealth for decades.” Read more

 

Universal Pre-K

(Mar 03, 2026)

Submitted testimony from the House Majority Policy Committee hearing on Universal Pre-K on Wednesday, March 3, 2026 in Harrisburg. Read more

 

Online scammers targeting older Pennsylvanians for millions of dollars

(Feb 25, 2026)

The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing Wednesday to hear from victims and experts about the need to protect seniors from online scams. Read more

 

Testifiers support legislation to regulate AI use in counseling services

(Feb 24, 2026)

At a House Majority Policy hearing Tuesday morning, lawmakers and testifiers discussed the need to implement safeguards for AI use in counseling services across Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Lawmakers examine threats to community hospitals

(Feb 11, 2026)

“Chaos in Washington has real consequences,” said House Majority Policy Committee Chairman state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “The decisions made in D.C. will result in fewer people having access to health care, and for others the cost of health care will be greater than ever before. This will only compound the pressures on our local hospitals, because – as we heard today – when coverage declines the financial strains on hospitals increase.” Read more

 

Access to Care

(Feb 11, 2026)

Submitted testimony on access to care for Policy Committee hearing on Feb. 11, 2026 in Scranton. Read more

 

Policy Committee emphasize fairness in cyber charter reform

(Feb 09, 2026)

“People are hurting and affordability is on everyone’s minds,” Haddock said. “Last year I voted for a Pennsylvania budget, which included cyber charter savings of $178 million for our homeowners.” Read more

 

Cyber Charter Reform

(Feb 09, 2026)

Submitted testimony for the hearing on Feb. 9, 2026 at Abington Heights Middle School on cyber charter reform. Read more

 

Universal school meals: Most direct path to stronger schools

(Jan 14, 2026)

“The goal of this hearing was to identify proven solutions that guarantee every student has access to healthy, high-quality meals, while also eliminating the stigma of meal debt so children can overcome hunger,” said state Rep. Nate Davidson, who hosted the hearing and represents portions of Cumberland and Dauphin counties. “What we heard tonight is that universal school meals support students’ needs and improve classroom environments and academic results for all.” Read more

 

Universal School Meals

(Jan 14, 2026)

Submitted testimony from the Policy Committee hearing on Universal School Meals on Jan. 14, 2026 at East Pennsboro Middle School. Read more

 

Policy Committee examines attainable housing crisis in Chester Co.

(Dec 09, 2025)

The House Majority Policy Committee convened a roundtable discussion Tuesday, hosted by Rep. Paul Friel (D-Chester), to talk with housing advocates and experts about what can be done to put more Pennsylvanians in homes. Read more

 

House Majority Policy Committee demonstrates how hearings help impact state budget

(Nov 14, 2025)

From Erie to Philadelphia, the House Majority Policy Committee traveled the Commonwealth this year to hear directly from workers, researchers, organizers, and business leaders about the challenges facing Pennsylvania communities Read more

 

Oversight of Developing Issues Focus of New House Majority Policy Subcommittee

(Oct 29, 2025)

Making sure emerging issues get the attention they deserve, PA House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) has tapped Rep. Regina Young (D-Philadelphia, Delaware) to chair the newly created Developing Issues and Oversight subcommittee. Read more