HARRISBURG, April 24 –The newly formed PA House Communications & Technology Committee, in its first voting meeting today, unanimously approved a resolution (H.R. 81) that would call on Congress to amend the copyright law to clarify that works generated by machine are not copyrightable, according to the committee’s majority chair, state Rep. Joe Ciresi. The resolution, sponsored by state Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, would urge the U.S. Congress to provide protections for workers in the creative sector against displacement by artificial intelligence, or AI, technology. This includes making changes to U.S. copyright law to emphasize the importance of human authorship and to act against “data scraping,” or feeding copyrighted data into AI programs for training purposes without the author’s or creator’s permission. “Precious little has been done to address the myriad issues raised by the rapid development and adoption of a technology that is radically altering our society, our daily lives,” Howard said. “With every passing day, more companies are building businesses upon AI generated content, and they desperately need clarification regarding rights and potential liabilities.” “This was a great first meeting where we addressed a critical issue that will be a focus of the committee’s work: the institution of responsible protections for workers and consumers from AI while still encouraging Read more

House Bill1261 would prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firefighting foam that contains toxic PFAS chemicals. PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are manmade “forever chemicals” that have been linked to a wide range of serious health issues, including cancer. Read more

House Resolution 176 honors Pennsylvania law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 2025. Munroe, a Navy veteran, retired police officer and former firefighter, sponsored the resolution in formal recognition of the men and women who lost their lives in pursuit of keeping their communities safe. Read more

The PA House passed legislation today sponsored by state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, that would allow for energy efficiency plans for electric distribution companies such as PECO or Penelec to be approved regardless of whether they use mechanical insulation. Read more

HARRISBURG, April 23 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s resolution to study replacing the state song was adopted with bipartisan support Tuesday by the PA House of Representatives. “A compelling state song drives tourism,” Ciresi said. “Our state song should extoll all the things that make Pennsylvania great in a catchy, memorable way. “Think about it: Ray Charles singing Georgia is always on his mind, John Denver about West Virgina’s country roads and the millions of songs extolling New York. These songs have lodged themselves in the public’s mind about these states. And Pennsylvania? We have an utterly forgettable song that does not represent the dynamic state we are living in. With the 250th anniversary of the United States coming up in 2026, the Keystone State of our country should have a song worth singing, that represents who we are as a people.” In 1990, the state legislature adopted the current state song, “Pennsylvania” by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner. State law established this as Pennsylvania’s official song for all public purposes, and the song is often performed at public events, such as gubernatorial inaugurations. “State symbols bring us together,” Ciresi said. “When we see our state flag and hear our state song, we should be able to share our commonality and celebrate our heritage as fellow Pennsylvanians. Unfortunately, our current state song is known by few and does Read more

“This investment will not only strengthen the healthcare workforce that serves our community but also give opportunities to high school graduates who need to work while advancing their education,” Malagari said. “Medical assistants and pharmacy technicians are an essential part of a strong healthcare system, and a strong healthcare system is necessary for a community to thrive. I’m proud to see these funds make their way to Montgomery County and our neighbors.” Read more

Borowski's district includes six stops along the Paoli/Thorndale line. Wayne will host the 2026 PGA Championship at the Aronimink Golf Club. Borowski is concerned SEPTA’s funding woes will prevent it from providing special service for major events. Read more

LOWER MAKEFIELD, April 11 – State Rep. Perry Warren, D-Bucks today expressed his support for continued state funding for public transit. “Without restored state public transit funding, SEPTA’s budget would include significant fare increases and reductions in service -- cuts that would directly impact the West Trenton Regional Rail Line and the broader region,” Warren said. “Public transportation connects our communities, supports our economy, and helps reduce traffic and pollution,” Warren said. “When service is cut, it affects how people get to work, school, and vital appointments -- it impacts everyday lives.” Warren emphasized that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has repeatedly taken steps to support transit funding, including SEPTA. “I voted for, and the House passed, legislation to fund SEPTA and other mass transit systems three times over the past year,” Warren said. “The House Democratic Caucus is ready to do the right thing again, and I’m hopeful the Senate will join us in delivering the support our communities need.” Without enhanced state funding, SEPTA service cuts would include reducing service on the West Trenton Line, which serves Yardley Station -- a station that received a $5 million renovation, completed in 2018. “I was there for the dedication and ribbon cutting,” Read more

LEVITTOWN, April 10 – State Rep. Jim Prokopiak today strongly condemned SEPTA's newly released fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, which includes the elimination of the Trenton Regional Rail Line — a profitable service that connects Lower Bucks County residents to Philadelphia and New Jersey and includes the recently modernized Levittown-Tullytown Station. SEPTA's proposal also includes the elimination of bus lines 127 and 128 within Prokopiak's district. "These cuts are a direct consequence of inaction in the Pennsylvania State Senate," Prokopiak said. "House Democrats are committed to working to securing a future where public transit is expanded, not gutted. The ball is now in the Senate's court." Prokopiak joins Governor Josh Shapiro and House Democratic leaders in calling on the Pennsylvania Senate to support the governor's statewide public transit funding plan — legislation that the House has already passed three times and intends to pass again next month. "Public transportation is a public good — and it's time the legislature treats it that way. We need long-term, sustainable funding for SEPTA and transit systems across the state, not a death spiral of service cuts and fare hikes. If SEPTA's goal is to attract new riders, eliminating service is the absolute wrong way to do it," Prokopiak said. "The elimination Read more

BRISTOL, April 10 – State Rep. Tina Davis today expressed serious concern about SEPTA’s proposed elimination of the Trenton Regional Rail Line and key bus routes that serve Lower Bucks County, calling the proposal “deeply troubling” and urging state and regional leaders to work toward a sustainable funding solution. Under SEPTA’s recently released Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget proposal, the Trenton Line—which serves Levittown, Bristol, and Croydon—would be discontinued beginning Jan. 1. Bus Routes 127 and 128 are also slated for elimination, leaving only Route 129 to serve the area. “These proposed service reductions would have a significant impact on Lower Bucks County residents who rely on SEPTA to get to work, school, medical appointments, and other essential destinations,” Davis said. “The Trenton Line, in particular, is not only well-utilized—it’s also a profitable line. Eliminating it would reduce access and opportunity for thousands of commuters.” The proposed cuts come as SEPTA faces a projected $213 million structural budget deficit in Fiscal Year 2026, the result of rising operating costs and the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds. Without new state funding, SEPTA has warned it may need to eliminate five Regional Rail lines, discontinue 50 bus routes, and impose fare increases averaging 21.5%, along with a 9 p.m. Read more