HARRISBURG, June 26 – State Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery, released the following statement following the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s vote to cut services and raise fare prices in their budget. “As a Pennsylvania state lawmaker and elected representative born and raised in Montgomery County, I’m dismayed that SEPTA was forced today to vote for shutting down 45% of its service and raising fare prices more than 21%,” Daley said. “Make no mistake, this development is unprecedented and will send Philadelphia regional transit as we know it into what engineers, city planners and economists have called a death spiral for the region. “What’s more, today’s vote could have been avoided altogether. As a Democrat in the state House of Representatives, we voted not once, but four times to fund transit across Pennsylvania , including for SEPTA. Each bill has gone ignored by Senate Republican leadership. “These service cuts and fare hikes are so far reaching that they will create a ripple effect on economic activity across the state. They will also put people out of jobs and hundreds of thousands of cars onto our already struggling and expensive roads, polluting our air and adding to commute times and congestion. “Many service cuts would begin January 1, 2026, but others are slated to go into effect as soon as August of this year. While this timeline spells disaster for Read more
PCN recently interviewed Rep. Lisa Borowski about the fight to pass her crucial legislation, the Health System Protection Act, that would prevent bad businesses deals like the one that resulted in the Crozer crisis. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 27 – Legislation to close the “ Delaware loophole ” and institute combined reporting was approved by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Wednesday. HB1610 was introduced by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler , D-Phila., and Rep. Mary Jo Daley , D-Montgomery. This is the first time the House has passed a bill that would truly close the loophole in state law. In Pennsylvania, it is perfectly legal for highly profitable, multi-state corporations to shield their profits in states like Delaware, that have low or no corporate net income taxes. Combined reporting simply closes that loophole by requiring companies making profits in Pennsylvania, report to Pennsylvania. "When 73% of the corporations active in this state pay no corporate taxes at all — and working people struggle to afford the basics — that's not fairness, that's exploitation,” Fiedler said. “It’s ridiculous, puts small businesses at a disadvantage, and leaves our public services without adequate funding. We can generate millions by closing this loophole alone." Thanks in part to corporate tax loopholes, Pennsylvania has one of the most regressive tax structures in the nation. When multi-state corporations pay less than their fair share, a greater tax burden is placed on Pennsylvania-based companies, small businesses, and individual taxpayers. “Just like every hard-working Pennsylvanian has to Read more
“Hundreds of Korean Americans who became naturalized U.S. citizens served bravely alongside American troops during the Vietnam War, yet many have been denied access to the benefits they deserve,” Cerrato said. "This legislation honors Korean American veterans’ courage and strives to uphold Pennsylvania’s commitment to all who have served alongside us in times of war." Read more
HARRISBURG, June 26 – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, that would make the cosmetology out-of-school training program a permanent career and technical education offering was overwhelmingly passed by the House today ( 195-7 ). Act 55 of 2022 established the Cosmetology Training Through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program with the aim of providing high school students enrolled in career and technical education programs with the academic, technical and real-world skills needed to succeed as cosmetologists. “I sponsored House Bill 1627 because this practical and successful pilot CTC program would immensely benefit our local communities if it became a permanent offering,” Kazeem said. “This program gives interested students real-world experiences that provide insight into what a career in cosmetology would be like and the opportunity to develop the skills that would make them attractive to potential employers after graduation. “But it’s more than about getting a job after high school. The expansion of our CTC programs to include cosmetology will provide young people in Pennsylvania with a new pathway to building sustainable careers in a lucrative industry that will enable them to raise families, buy homes and become productive members of our communities.” The legislation would enable participating schools that are part of the Cosmetology Training Through Career and Technical Center program to Read more
“Childcare is not a luxury. It’s a necessity and it’s vital to us having a functional and growing economy. No qualifying family should be left behind. State tax laws meant to benefit working families should not be overly complicated nor set up to exclude families who are using all options available to them to ensure their children are safe and cared for while they work,” Hanbidge said. Read more
“The medical community still has a lot to learn about what triggers SUDEP, and this legislation would help supply them with the data they need to be able to better educate patients and their families about its signs and risks,” Borowski said. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 25 – Bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by state Reps. Bridget Kosierowski and Kristin Marcell to help childcare facilities better manage food allergies ( H.B. 928 ) overwhelmingly passed the House on Tuesday with bipartisan support ( 197-6 ). “As a nurse for nearly 30 years, I saw how crucial it is to quicky and expertly identify the signs of an allergic reaction and provide the right medication,” said Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna. “This bill will provide the necessary training and medication so that Pennsylvania day care workers can immediately identify the signs of an allergic reaction and provide life-saving medication like epinephrine. The lives of some of our most vulnerable residents depend on it. “As more and more hospitals are closing and with proposed federal budget cuts threatening to overwhelm our already overwhelmed emergency rooms with Pennsylvanians who’ve lost their Medicaid coverage, the day care will have to replace the emergency room as the site where life-saving care is provided. This legislation will save lives.” Known as Elijah’s Law, the bill is named after 3-year-old Elijah Silvera who died from an allergic reaction to a dairy product he ingested at his day care. Following his son’s death, Thomas Silvera has advocated for the passage of Elijah’s Law that would require the education and provision of life-saving medicine to childcare workers and teachers. The bill Read more
“House Bill 1250 is about more than just policy — it’s about ensuring dignity, stability and protection for people living in manufactured home communities,” Hanbidge said. “Manufactured homes provide a stable and affordable housing option, especially as the market becomes increasingly unaffordable. I’ve heard from many residents who tell me that excessive rent increases are forcing them to choose between paying for their lot and paying for basics like food and medication. Everyone deserves a safe, affordable home without being exploited. My legislation would preserve that right by shielding residents of manufactured home communities from financial abuse.” Read more
HARRISBURG, June 24 – Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, that would make the cosmetology out-of-school training program a permanent career and technical education offering was unanimously approved by the House Education Committee today. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 23 – Legislation that would seal eviction records for the millions of Pennsylvanians who are unable to secure adequate housing due to an eviction passed the House today (105-98), announced the bill’s sponsors, state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, Jordan A. Harris, Elizabeth Fiedler and Rich Krajewski. “Evictions have contributed to the spiraling housing crisis in Pennsylvania by making it difficult, if not impossible, for deserving working Pennsylvanians to access safe and affordable housing in which to raise their children and help them secure and keep career-advancing jobs,” the bill’s prime sponsor, Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, said. The legislation, H.B. 1095 , aims to protect communities and ensure fair housing access by instituting a statewide policy that would establish procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions. In cases where the tenant has been determined to be at fault by a judge, the records would remain accessible to the public for seven years, bringing them into line with policies related to bankruptcies and foreclosures. "Secure, affordable housing is more than a roof over someone’s head – it’s a critical building block for economic mobility, family stability, and safer neighborhoods," said Harris, who is majority chair of the House Appropriations Committee. "This legislation ensures that Pennsylvanians aren’t forever Read more
HARRISBURG, June 23 – State Rep. Tina Davis today announced the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed her legislation that would require municipalities to notify residents when changes to flood plain classifications occur — a crucial step toward better protecting homeowners and communities from flood risks. “As we’ve seen in Bucks County and across the Commonwealth, flooding can strike with little warning and isn’t confined to traditional high-risk zones,” Davis said. “Our landscapes are constantly evolving, and so is the information provided by FEMA. When a property’s flood risk changes, homeowners deserve to know.” House Bill 1282 mandates that municipalities provide written notice to property owners if their flood plain status changes, based on updates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The notice must include: Confirmation that a change in flood plain classification has occurred. Contact information for the National Flood Insurance Program. The name and contact details for the municipality’s designated flood plain administrator. Davis said the bill empowers residents with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about insurance coverage, home safety measures, and emergency preparedness. “This legislation is about transparency and giving people the Read more
“Private lateral water and sewer lines connect houses or properties to the main lines of the water and sewer system. However, when lateral lines leak, have root intrusions, or allow rainwater to infiltrate, they can have a drastic impact on the water or sewer system as a whole,” Cerrato said. “The maintenance and repair of these lines are costly and, unfortunately, these costs typically fall on homeowners, who may not have the resources to do the job.” Read more
“Veterans have served all of the United States, not just one state. Their ability to enjoy the great outdoors should be enjoyed nationally with as little hindrance as possible,” said Pielli, who is an Army veteran. Read more
“Children need a secure and legal parent-child relationship for so many aspects of their overall well-being, and this bill will provide the stability that fulfills that need,” Sanchez, D-Montgomery, said. “This relationship is essential for medical insurance coverage, decision-making regarding medical care and education, financial support, custody and visitation time, along with protecting the emotional wellness of children from protracted and harmful litigation.” Read more
HARRISBURG, June 20 – Legislation (H.R. 142) sponsored by State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, would direct the General Assembly’s bipartisan and bicameral research agency to conduct a study of Pennsylvania’s juvenile detention centers was approved by the House Children & Youth Committee this week. The legislation is in response to the December 2022 PA Attorney General’s Grand Jury Report, which found that the now-closed Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center failed to provide safe and secure accommodations to juveniles in its care. The report called the DCJDC a “kid jail” where the DCJDC staff exploited their power, cursing, bullying, physically abusing and sexually harassing the children, aged 10-18, in their care. The staff’s unprofessionalism was permitted by a “hands off” director, a video surveillance system characterized by “blind spots” and non-functioning equipment, a lack of oversight from county and judicial officials, and inadequate staff training, the report said. “As a state representative, I take seriously my job as a public servant to use my voice to protect the most vulnerable in our society,” Kazeem said. “The lack of standards and oversight at the DCJDC resulted in the abject failure to protect the physical, psychological and emotional welfare of the kids at the facility for decades or to provide them with the education and tools needed to reform and grow Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday passed H.B. 1364 , a landmark piece of bipartisan legislation aimed at providing long-term, sustainable funding for mass transit systems across the state – including a significant and needed boost for SEPTA, said state Rep. Mary Jo Daley. The bill would increase the transfer of existing sales tax revenue to the Public Transportation Trust Fund from 4.4% to 6.15%, providing an expected additional $1.5 billion for transit systems over the next five years, including $292 million for next fiscal year, without a tax hike. It also would invest an additional $500 million into road and bridge projects across Pennsylvania, the most significant investment for roads and bridges in over a decade. Daley, D-Montgomery, said the bill is an important first step for commuters, environmental sustainability and Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness. The bill will need to be passed in the Senate, where three previous bills to fund mass transit have been ignored by that chamber’s Republican leadership. “This would be a game-changing investment in the future of Pennsylvania,” Daley said. “With H.B. 1364, we are saying loud and clear that we believe in reliable, affordable and modern transit systems – not just around Philadelphia, but in every corner of the commonwealth. Senate Republican leadership must act now to avoid irreparable Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – State Reps. Jim Prokopiak and Nancy Guenst have introduced critical legislation aimed at addressing the growing housing affordability crisis in Pennsylvania. The bill is one of several initiatives being offered by the PA House Democratic Caucus to mitigate the rising cost of housing and provide relief to both renters and perspective homebuyers across the state. In Pennsylvania, over 43% of renters are considered rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their monthly income on rent. The consequences of this financial strain can be devastating, including an increased risk of eviction, reduced access to health care, and negative developmental impacts on children raised in such households. "As legislators, we have a duty to protect the wellbeing of our constituents, and that includes ensuring they have access to affordable housing,” Prokopiak said. “This legislation will provide critical protections by instituting reasonable limits on rent increases, ensuring they don’t outpace inflation or wage growth. It’s time for Pennsylvania to take action and adopt solutions that help make our state a more affordable place to live." “As housing costs continue to climb, many Pennsylvanians are being priced out of their homes, and that is unacceptable,” Guenst said. “This bill is about fairness and stability, offering a practical solution that Read more
House lawmakers from Delaware County are leading efforts to regulate private equity transactions after the closure of Crozer Health last month. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 11 – Private-equity health care mismanagement is quickly expanding a health care desert in Southeast Pennsylvania and stressing medical systems across Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery counties, said state Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery. “House lawmakers have been sounding the alarm over failed private-equity management for years, and yet we still see executives and shareholders run off with pay days and bonuses after they close a hospital and leave patients to the wind ,” said Daley, who co-chairs the bicameral Women’s Health Caucus in the General Assembly . “What’s more, the widening deserts in Delaware and Chester counties strain remaining systems here in Montgomery County and all over the region, affecting even more patients’ well-being.” The closures have led to dangerously long ambulance rides and overcrowded emergency rooms in the remaining regional hospitals. "At Lankenau Medical Center and across Main Line Health, we take pride in providing compassionate, high-quality care for everyone who comes through our doors,” Lankenau Medical Center President Katie Galbraith said. “However, it wasn't right that patients had to experience increased wait times at our hospital in 2022 when Delaware County Memorial Hospital closed, and it's not right that patients in need of a trauma center from the Chester area now have to travel to Lankenau or elsewhere Read more
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