Burying a Good Friend & Leader and Getting More Money for Schools, Transit & Roads

Rep. Tarik Khan January 24, 2025

PA Representative Tarik Khan banner image

Dear Neighbor,

As I write this email this morning, I’m traveling on a bus with a bipartisan group of legislators and staff to Allegheny County to bury a friend and colleague, state Rep. Matt Gergely (D-Allegheny).

I worked very closely with Rep. Gergely on several initiatives, including two bills this past session — one protecting hospital workers from violence and another preventing life insurance companies from discriminating against people taking medication to prevent HIV transmission.

When I first met Rep. Gergely, he had a big smile on his face. It was around the time he was seeking the seat vacated by Austin Davis, who had been elected our Lieutenant Governor. Matt appreciated the things people did to show their love and support. Like when I asked him to co-sponsor his first bill, the Patient Safety Act — helping to bring safe nursing staffing to hospitals. Or after I gave him pointers about one of his first legislative videos, honoring his district’s beloved Kennywood Amusement Park.

Image: Standing with Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Rep. Gergely in the House Chamber during a session break last year.

Rep. Gergely was truly one the kindest people you’d want to meet, and he leaves behind a beautiful young family and a grieving community of friends and supporters. Rest in peace Matt.

Image: Memorial Graphic Rep. Gergely (10/5/79 — 1/19/25)

Ensuring the rich pay their fair share — just like the rest of us

When I was a kid, my dad would leave early to catch the R8 for work at the Municipal Services Building. My mom, who worked as a nurse, was not far behind him to leave the house after she made sure my brother and I were ready for school.

Today, families are still working hard, but growing income inequality means the wealthy get richer while working people struggle. Pennsylvania’s tax system hasn’t kept up—it allows millionaires and billionaires to pay the same personal income tax rate as nurses, teachers, and firefighters. In many cases, working Pennsylvanians pay more. That’s not fair.

Other states, like Massachusetts, have taken action. Their "Millionaires Tax" raised over $2 billion in its first year, funding schools, roads, transit, and health care. It even helped them secure universal school lunches — a program I’m leading efforts to implement in PA with state Rep. Emily Kinkead —and major transit investments, which could transform systems like SEPTA.

I’m now working with colleagues on a constitutional amendment to rebalance the scales in Pennsylvania. By taxing personal income over $1 million at a higher rate, we can ensure the wealthiest pay their fair share so we can invest in the resources and services all Pennsylvanians depend on.

House Health Committee holds hearing on my legislation dealing with surgical smoke

Next week the PA House will return to legislative session, and I’m grateful to see my bill to protect healthcare workers from surgical smoke will receive a hearing and vote in the House Health Committee!

My bipartisan bill, introduced with state Rep. Tim Bonner (R- Mercer & Butler), would ensure that operating rooms use surgical smoke evacuation systems to combat the adverse health effects of surgical smoke.

Image: Me and Senator Haywood with hospital workers from Chestnut Hill Hospital

As a nurse, I know the serious and sometimes catastrophic realities of toxic smoke exposure. Hospitals should be healing environments in safe spaces!

In the News

Read my recent Op-Ed on the importance of getting nurses a seat at the budget table here.

PA House Website now more accessible

A government by and for the people only works if its accountable and accessible to the people – which is why we’re happy to announce a major update to www.PaHouse.com.

The new Accessibility Menu allows people living with disabilities to choose a site experience perfectly tailored to their needs – a site experience which will automatically recognize screen reading technology for people living with visual disabilities.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate now open to applications!

PA’s popular Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program is now accepting applications. This program – which I voted to expand – returns up to $1,000 to qualifying families or individuals. For more information or to apply, visit mypath.pa.gov.

Or, if you have questions or need help, my office is ready to assist! To schedule an appointment, call 215-482-8726 or email RepKhan@pahouse.net

PennDOT to host virtual and in-person public meetings for I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) flex lane projects in Montgomery County and Philadelphia

As part of their project to construct a third flexible lane on the Schuylkill Expressway from U.S. 202 to I-476, PennDOT will hold a live virtual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

You can access the meeting by following this Microsoft Teams link. The department’s design team will deliver a project presentation before opening the meeting to questions using the platform’s Q&A feature.

Anyone requiring special assistance for accessibility please contact PennDOT Project Manager Mike Holva at mholva@pa.gov.

With Gratitude,

COMMUNITY UPDATES

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Jan. 21 - The Academies at Roxborough High School was named the Philadelphia Tribunes’ School of the Week!

A shout out to all of the students and staff for their achievement of being named Philadelphia Tribunes’ School of the Week!! It is wonderful to see our local schools receiving recognition for the good they are doing in our community. And thank you to the teachers, admin and staff at Roxborough High School working hard to help these students reach their potential!

Image: Roxborough High School students pose for a photo to celebrate the achievement

Jan. 21 - Working families should not have to shoulder the high costs of drugs so greedy middlemen can grab even higher profits. Last year Pennsylvania House Democrats stepped in and took action to curb abuses. As a nurse I know that healthcare doesn’t work if people can’t afford it. We’ll keep fighting to make healthcare affordable.

Image: Policy Committee graphic on Rep. Jess Benham’s bill to curb abuse of the Pharmacy Benefit Manager system

Jan. 15 - As your state representative, I’m focused on helping investing state resources in our community and the institutions that help make it a great place to live.

I was pleased to join state Sen. Art Haywood recently to present this check for $670,500 to help upgrade the patient elevators at our exceptional Chestnut Hill Hospital! More to come!

Image: Me posing with state Sen. Art Haywood and leadership at Chestnut Hill Hospital to present the grant check

Jan. 13 - Workers are not disposable. They deserve to be respected & have their rights respected- including their right to organize. Proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with my Democratic colleagues, Whole Foods workers, and UFCW 1776 in solidarity with picketing Whole Foods workers!

Image: Me and my colleague state Rep. Roni Green at a UFCW 1776 picket

Jan. 11 - There is no better way to uplift communities than through education.

In our last session, our House Democratic Majority fought hard for more Philly public school funds & delivered $300 million in additional funding.

We’re working to do the same this session!!

Image: Policy Committee graphic about our priorities to address teaching shortages and repair school buildings, photo of classroom in background

Jan. 10 - Excited to announce I’ve been assigned to the PA House Appropriations Committee!!

As a member I will focus on uplifting working Pennsylvanians — fairly funding public schools & mass transit, supporting small businesses, lowering costs & improving access to affordable healthcare!

Image: Graphic announcing my placement on the Appropriations Committee with photo of me speaking at a committee hearing.