"This project is important to Bucks County, not only in terms of education and research, but also in promoting economic growth and sustainability," said Rep. Brennan. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 22 – State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, today announced that bipartisan legislation ( Act 146 of 2024 ) to better protect victims’ pets in domestic violence situations has been signed into law. The bill (H.B. 1210), introduced by Sappey with state Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R- Allegheny/Washington, amends Pennsylvania’s Protection from Abuse Act to give judges the ability to order defendant to refrain from possessing, abusing or harming a petitioner’s companion animal. Previously, Pennsylvania’s Protection from Abuse Act gave judges the ability to order many kinds of relief to prevent further abuse but did not give explicit authority to order protective measures for a victim’s pets. “We have known for some time the horrific link between domestic violence and animal abuse, Sappey said. “Abusers will use harming pets to further torment the victim or keep them from leaving, exacerbating an already traumatic situation.” According to the Humane Society of the United States, data on domestic violence and child abuse cases reveal that a staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses. In one survey, 71% of domestic violence victims reported their abuser also targeted pets. Researchers have found links between coercive control and the abuse of pets, with abusers often using family pets as leverage in the torment of their victims, threatening to harm or kill Read more
“I am excited for this new opportunity,” Pielli said. “West Chester University houses some of the best and brightest students in all of Pennsylvania. I consider this a great honor to be chosen as the next legislative fellow. Describing the storied history of the legislature is no easy task, but I look forward to tackling this challenge together with the students of Dr. John Kennedy’s class.” Read more
State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara will commence her second term as chairwoman of the Pennsylvania House Democrats’ powerful Southeast Delegation. Read more
“We know families that experience financial hardships will do whatever they can to survive, living with relatives by couch surfing or spending nights in a car to stay together at all costs,” said state Rep. Gina H. Curry, who represents portions of Delaware County. “Homeless youth oftentimes go undetected, with parents unwilling to reveal their financial struggles out of the fear protective services will break up their family. That’s why we suspect this problem is even greater than the reported numbers, and it’s one of the driving forces in passing legislation to address this growing population.” Read more
Pa. state Rep. Gina H. Curry spoke on the need to further the resources of schools and agencies to help combat homelessness among the youth of the commonwealth. Curry says that changes need to also be made to shelters as many will not take in unaccompanied minors, leaving them to fend for themselves in the end. Read more
Mirmont received a grant of $250,000 that will support their facilities enhancement project. Nemours received two grants in amounts of $260,000 and $192,5000 for their Care Closets and Maternal and Newborn Kits programs. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – After nearly a decade of legislative efforts to create a study on conservation corridors, state Reps. Mary Jo Daley and Jason Ortitay said today that their offices have examined The Current Status of Conservation Connectivity in Pennsylvania , which was completed by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee and released this summer. The study was conducted as a result of the adoption of H.R. 87 by the House of Representatives, and the fall season represents an important time to highlight the report. Conservation corridors, also known as wildlife corridors, are paths that join two or more areas of wildlife habitat, allowing for safe passage from one area to another, typically via over- and underpasses on roads but also through waterways and wetlands. The purpose of the study was to determine how best to preserve and reconnect habitats, reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions, and maintain and enhance Pennsylvania as one of the nation’s top destinations for outdoor recreation. “With deer becoming more active, and Daylight Saving Time ending, deer move most during these times, and that should serve as A reminder to look out more closely,” said Daley, D-Montgomery. “It’s also a good time to relate the findings of Pennsylvania’s study on its crossing corridors.” The LBFC’s report notes that Pennsylvania led the country in animal-collision Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 1– State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, R-Montgomery/Berks, announced today that they secured $2.5 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants for projects in Montgomery County. “This $2.5 million in capital funding for Pottstown and Limerick will improve the quality of life in our district by restoring and expanding business operations to a disused historic building in Pottstown, improving transportation infrastructure in Limerick, and building up our area’s pharmaceutical and sustainable energy sectors,” Ciresi said. “This money will create jobs in our district, strengthening our district’s reputation as a thriving economic area.” “I am thrilled to see that these projects were approved. This funding will have a significant impact on our regional economy by creating high-paying jobs and expanding our local transportation network to allow for a more efficient movement of people and goods,” Pennycuick said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with my fellow legislator, Rep. Ciresi, to secure these grants for our constituents.” The grants awarded are: Downtown Pottstown Job Retention and Creation Initiative Montco Tech Center, LLC Pottstown Borough $500,000 RACP funds will be used for construction to renovate the old Harp Taxi Building, a Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 1 – State Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, today announced that he secured $1 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants for projects in the 74th Legislative District. Read more
The Delaware County House and Senate Delegation stands united in full support of Attorney General Michelle Henry’s civil lawsuit against Prospect Medical Holdings. This aggressive action is crucial to hold accountable a company that has repeatedly placed profits over the health and well-being of Delaware County residents. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 25 - State Rep. Williams, D-Chester, said today he was proud to report state investments to protect people who could be vulnerable to acts of hate. The following organizations received awards from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Domestic Violence Center of Chester County $70,000 Masjid Al Rahman of Chester County Inc. $25,000 “Every Pennsylvanian deserves the right to feel safe, whether in their own home or in their space of worship,” said Williams. “This funding will go to proven measures that deter violence at home and be targeted towards specific religious communities, and help foster a community that continues to stand up to hate. I applaud the administration for protecting people in harm’s way, and I look forward to supporting this life-saving program in future budgets.” PCCD administers the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program , which has provided $25 million in funding to more than 580 organizations since its inception. This latest, seventh round of grants will go to 208 nonprofit organizations, including 102 organizations that had never received funding through this program. More information about the 208 selected applicants, the county served and award amounts can be found on the PCCD website . Read more
“Resolving family law disputes through court proceedings can be a bitter and financially ruinous process,” Shusterman said. “The partner with deeper pockets and access to the best legal counsel often has an advantage, frequently placing children in the middle of drawn-out legal battles. This law will give families another option to settle disputes, which can be especially helpful in matters of domestic violence as arbitration can lead to quicker resolutions." Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara is heralding the final passage of legislation she wrote to provide Workers’ Compensation coverage for emergency responders who sustain post-traumatic stress injuries in the line of duty. The legislation has been a passion project for O’Mara, who lost her father – a Philadelphia firefighter – to suicide. “In the aftermath of suicide, we're haunted not just by the loss, but by the silence of what might have been prevented,” said O’Mara, D-Delaware. “That feeling has driven me to see this legislation through, so that it can majorly reduce harm to our emergency-responder community in Pennsylvania.” O’Mara’s bill language from her H.B. 1632 was amended into S.B. 365 , which, upon its final passage today, will be sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his signature into law. An estimated 30% of emergency responders develop behavioral health conditions, including depression and PTSI. “While individuals in many other professions can already qualify for Workers’ Compensation for a mental-mental injury like PTSI, Pennsylvania Supreme Court determined first responders do not qualify because witnessing tragedy after tragedy is part of their normal working conditions,” O’Mara said. “But nothing about what first responders experience during an emergency is normal, and this legislation corrects Read more
“It’s a shame that Pennsylvania has accepted its status as an outlier when it comes to filial law,” Howard said. “The commonwealth needs to get caught up to the 21st century and eliminate this antiquated practice. I thank my colleagues in the House for their support and I hope the Senate adds their approval so that this may get signed into law by the governor.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced that eight grants from the Statewide Local Share Account were awarded to projects in the 185th Legislative District totaling $2,055,232. In Delaware County, the Colwyn Borough Police Dept. received $227,500 to improve environmental and egress issues in their facility, as well as technology upgrades to increase the department’s capacity to accurately investigate incidents of crime and serve and protect the community.In Southwest Philadelphia, the PIDC Financing Corp. was awarded seven separate grants for projects throughout the area, as follows:•$250,000 for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Inc. toward construction of a freshwater mussel hatchery at Bartram's Garden.•$250,000 for the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to replace an electric substation located at the Navy Yard.•$250,000 for the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for electrical, mechanical and structural system repairs on the Navy Yard Lift Bridge, which was constructed in 1942.•$500,000 for Sharing Excess Food rescue redistribution and composting expansion effort.•$375,000 for the Caring People Alliance to replace the roof and all windows at the South Philadelphia Boys & Girls Club.•$69,644 for The Friends of FDR Park to buy a new vehicle and equipment for park maintenance.•$133,088 for the Inglis Foundation, for the installation of sidewalks and crosswalks along Mario Lanza Boulevard at the... Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – House lawmakers and advocates today held a news conference at the state Capitol to urge for the passage of bipartisan legislation that would better protect victims’ pets and further protect victims in domestic violence situations. House Bill 1210 , introduced by state Reps. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, and Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny/Washington, would amend Pennsylvania’s Protection from Abuse Act to give judges the ability to order the defendant to refrain from possessing, abusing or harming the petitioner’s companion animal. Sappey said Pennsylvania’s current Protection from Abuse Act gives judges the ability to order many kinds of relief to prevent further abuse. However, judges have no explicit authority to order protective measures of a victim’s pets. “We have seen through data the horrific link between domestic violence and animal abuse,” Sappey said. “Abusers will often abuse or threaten the abuse of pets to further torment the victim or keep them from leaving, exacerbating an already traumatic situation. Strengthening the law to address and prevent this clear and devastating form of abuse is needed now. We have the time in the current legislative session to make this right.” Mihalek, a former county prosecutor, said she’s seen the situation occur in countless numbers. “We know through studies and statistics Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, today announced that he has brought in more than $2.3 million in Local Share Account grants for public safety improvements in the 74th district. “I’m very proud to have secured more than $2.3 million in funding to strengthen our police force and first responder services,” Williams said. “Thanks to funds that will go to purchasing new ambulances to license plate readers to a new fire engine and responder trucks, our district’s fire, police and EMS teams will be able to more quickly come to our aid in times of crisis. Our families can feel safer knowing that this state funding is going to ensuring their safety and welfare.” $50,000 Valley Township Municipal Complex The funding will help provide enhanced safety and security at the Valley Township municipal complex by installing 1,035 linear feet of 8-foot-high aluminum black coated security fencing. $57,345 South Coatesville Borough Police Department The money will be used to help purchase a printer, replace five outdated computers and buy a license plate reader which will aid the department in ticketing speeding vehicles without having an officer in pursuit. $93,863 Modena EMS The funds will help purchase medical and safety equipment for emergency medical service first responders. Equipment includes ballistic vests, power gurneys, bilateral splints, suction unit, backboards, stretchers, restraint Read more
Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia) was a co-prime sponsor of the postpartum depression bill with Reps. Gina Curry, D-Delaware and Lisa Borowski D-Delaware. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The Pennsylvania House today voted in broad bipartisan fashion to pass two of state Rep. Paul Friel’s bills changing the way that Pennsylvania handles and safeguards food-processing residuals – creating a statewide tracking process, updating operating procedures, and putting appropriate guardrails in place. Food processing residuals, also known as FPR, are the leftover product created by commercial food processing. Food processing residuals can include vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps, and liquid-like cleaning fluid that includes blood, fat, hair and feathers, and a variety of other vegetable and animal byproducts and chemicals used to process them. While FPR can be used to fertilize the soil, it can create numerous problems if care is not taken. For example, some areas of Pennsylvania have seen groundwater contamination. Many other areas find themselves dealing with consistent, noxious odors. Compounding the issue, surrounding states have heavily restricted or banned the use of FPR, making Pennsylvania a target for cheaply offloading the commercial product. Under H.B. 2393 , the Department of Environmental Protection in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and the State Conservation Commission will update guidance for those who store and apply FPR and would require the creation of a land application system to guide how, when, and in what quantities FPR can be applied. House Bill 2594 Read more
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