We’re on the back half of September and we still do not have a state budget.

It was due to be signed at the end of June. I am still relatively new to legislative bodies, but I believe that we can all appreciate the impact that leverage plays during a negotiation.

The SEPTA service reductions created one of those critical leverage points where lawmakers who are in the service area, a heavily Democratic region, might be willing to accept a deal that offers Mass Transit funding in exchange for accepting Republican priorities or, at least, sacrificing other Democratic priorities.

If you haven’t been paying attention, a judge ruled that the service cuts had to be reversed and SEPTA is not accessing funding from a state Transit Trust fund, ensuring operations thru 2026. This is great news for SEPTA riders, but settles a major point of leverage, casting negotiations into a new state of flux.

I am looking at the delays in school funding as the next major crisis moment that might change that negotiating leverage moment. Perhaps we will see a deal in the next few weeks.

Yes, this is either the messy process of governing in divided government or governmental dysfunction. However you view this, I wouldn’t argue against you.

Let me be transparent with my priorities for this budget.

I believe that our governing bodies have gotten too used to drips and drabs of legislative progress and have written off the prospect of doing big things on behalf of those who need us. Education is one of those spaces.

I do not accept our current public education system as it is currently funded and operating. We know that public education needs over $4B in new money from the state and I will not accept a budget that does not make our planned investment in our underfunded and overtaxed schools.

Similarly, I will not accept a budget that does not make meaningful reforms in cyber charter funding, yielding significant savings to every school district.

Second, I expect this budget to finally raise the minimum wage in PA. Did you know that every neighboring state (yes, including West Virginia and Ohio) has a higher minimum wage than Pennsylvania? Did you know that there are over 250,000 PA residents over the age of 18 who work hourly jobs making less than $12/hr and over 670,000 PA residents over 18 who make less than $15/hr? 

This EXCLUDES the nearly 35,000 residents who make less than $7.25 (heavily influenced by servers who have their own wage structure which considers tips).

Many of our social service workers are impacted by these low wages in PA, and staffing problems for homecare workers, daycares, and other sectors will continue to suffer without an increase. This video tells the story of Willette, a direct support professional of 28 years, who decided it would be better to move to a different state to make more money in another field, because Pennsylvania has failed to support these life-sustaining jobs. Here is another video we shot to elaborate on the need for higher wages. 

Let me also point you to a post from the folks at Keystone Research that looks at the intersection of the new work requirements on food support benefits and our low wages.

This budget, whenever it gets finished, has got to make meaningful movement in spaces that have seemingly been intractable. I know we can do it, because I know that we must do it!

Yesterday’s Senior Resource Fair was a wonderful success!

Thank you to all the seniors and families who joined us to connect with local programs and services. We’re especially grateful to our vendors and community partners for sharing their expertise, to the volunteers who made the day run smoothly, and to Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel for hosting us for the 5th year in a row.

Events like these highlight the strength of our community and the importance of coming together to support one another. We look forward to continuing to serve our seniors with resources and opportunities that make a difference.

I’m proud to invite local veterans to a Veterans Resource Fair on Thursday, November 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 444 York Road, Jenkintown. This free event is my way of honoring your service and connecting you with the resources and support you’ve earned.

You’ll have the chance to meet representatives from state, local, and federal agencies for assistance with claims, veterans ID discount cards, employment resources, and more. My team and I will also be on hand to help you navigate state programs and answer any questions.

Remember to bring your DD214 to record with the Recorder of Deeds!

To RSVP or learn more about programs you may qualify for, please call my office at (215) 572-5210 or visit RepNapoleon.com.

You may have heard that a couple of weeks ago, one of Mitzvah Circle Foundation’s storage trailers caught fire. While everyone is safe, and emergency responders were able to put out the fire, the loss was insurmountable. Damage from the fire, water and smoke caused a loss of $1.2 million in new, wholesale purchased goods that were planned to be distributed to families in their communities.

These items included new clothing and back packs for students to begin their school year with dignity, undergarments, shoes, diapers and 200 pack n plays. The pack n plays typically go to hospitals, which they give to families who cannot afford a crib, ensuring infants can sleep safely at home.

The initial news story can be found here. 

My office is collecting the items in the graphic above to help replace some of the items they lost. You can drop off these items at my office, 115 E. Glenside Ave., Suite 8. Please call my office with any questions, 215-572-5210.

Join Senator Art Haywood for the State of the State on Monday, October 6th, 6:30-7:30p.m. at Glenside Memorial Hall (185 S. Keswick Ave., Glenside). 

RSVP at Senatorhaywood.com/events or call 215-242-8171. 

Harrisburg Office

325 Irvis Office Building

PO Box 202154

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-1079

Glenside Office

115 East Glenside Avenue

Suite 8
Glenside, PA 19038
(215) 572-5210