HARRISBURG, Aug. 10 — State Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila.; Robert Leadbeter, R-Columbia; Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware; Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery; and Nate Davidson, D-Cumberland/Dauphin, today announced plans to introduce bipartisan legislation establishing statewide privacy and accountability protections for automated license plate reader systems, including Flock Safety cameras.License plate readers are becoming increasingly common across Pennsylvania. While the technology can assist law enforcement in recovering stolen vehicles and solving crimes, its expansion raises important questions about personal information, privacy, and civil liberties. Reports from around the country have documented concerns about misuse, including instances in which individuals with authorized access allegedly used the data to stalk former partners, track acquaintances, or conduct searches for personal reasons. Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 6 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, acknowledged the completion of Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan's independent investigation into the February 2026 incident involving Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree and student protesters. The PLBC will be joining the NAACP of Bucks County for a news conference at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7 outside of the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown. “We thank District Attorney Khan and his office for conducting an independent review and for providing transparency regarding the legal standards that guided the prosecutorial decision,” said Nelson, D-Montgomery. “While criminal charges were not filed, the investigation itself underscores why Pennsylvania must continue strengthening police accountability through legislative action. “For some reason, police in Quakertown are still able to place the borough’s own residents in choke holds for everyday policing needs like traffic stops and keeping pedestrians on sidewalks. Years after Chief McElree was signatory to the adoption of best practices from the Bucks County Police Chiefs that would prohibit this exact behavior, that unified approach to policing has been ignored in Quakertown and, thus, has permitted the sort of violation of personal rights that every other Bucks County law enforcement professional has outlawed. “For Read more
Join my staff to easily sign up for a SEPTA senior card and learn about other senior resources! Read more
Join me for a community town hall to learn about state resources, ask questions, share your concerns, and discuss issues affecting Cheltenham Township. Staff will also be available to assist with state-related programs, services, and constituent matters. Please RSVP here . Read more
This has been a busy Friday. I'm wrapping up the summer with an outstanding intern, celebrating the well-earned retirement of our police chief, digging out from a wonderful (and well-deserved) vacation with my wife, and getting my daughter ready to head back to college in a few days. So, I'll keep this brief. But there is one thing that has been weighing on my heart this week. Read more
For far too long, our criminal legal system has strayed from its fundamental purpose of promoting justice and public safety, evolving into one that too often relies on excessive punishment and disproportionately impacts poor and indigent people as well as our black and brown communities. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 23 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, has issued the following statement following the House's passage of H.B. 1042 and adoption of language into the legislation that provides for the replacement of life without parole for second degree murder: "Today's vote is about more than passing legislation, it is about fulfilling our constitutional duty and reaffirming our commitment to a justice system that is fair, accountable, and rooted in the belief that rehabilitation strengthens public safety. The bill, with today’s vote, also includes language originally found in H.B. 150 , legislation introduced by Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., that would allow petitions to the sentencing court for the release of extremely ill individuals from prison. “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court made clear in Commonwealth v. Lee that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for second-degree murder are unconstitutional. As legislators, we have a responsibility to provide a constitutional remedy that protects the integrity of our justice system while honoring the rights of victims, the safety of our communities, and the rule of law. “Now, we will see thousands of individuals, whether they are dying in prison or previously sentenced to death unconstitutionally, finally find a path home. With the passionate work of Rep. Krajewski, this bill is Read more
Join my staff and I for Growing Greener Together, a community conversation about local environmental priorities. Residents are invited to share their thoughts on sustainability, stormwater management, recycling, renewable energy, litter prevention, and other environmental issues that impact our communities. Your feedback will help shape future conversations and identify opportunities for local action. You can RSVP here . Read more
After weeks of hard work and negotiations throughout June and July, Pennsylvania has a new state budget. While no budget is ever perfect, this one represents real progress and reminds us that when we work together, we can make a difference for families across our Commonwealth. Read more
Representatives from federal, state, county and local agencies, as well as other vendors, will be available to offer information on health care, volunteer opportunities, prescription drug plans, preventing identity theft and more! My staff and I will be on-hand to answer questions and provide direction on a host of state government-related programs and services. Interested in attending? You can RSVP here . Read more
With temperatures expected to reach the upper 90s and even low 100s this holiday weekend, please take precautions if you plan to attend celebrations. Drink plenty of water, wear light clothing, seek shade whenever possible, and check on older adults, neighbors, and anyone else who may be vulnerable to the extreme heat. Also, if you are so inclined, leave out water for wildlife that may also be suffering in this heat. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 30 -- Today, the United States Supreme Court upheld the Constitution and reaffirmed the guarantee of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment—protecting thousands of Pennsylvania children born each year. Every year, over 400,000 children are born to immigrant families in Pennsylvania. Today's decision reaffirms that children born in the U.S., who are raised here and pledge allegiance to our flag, are just as American as those born to citizens. This ruling ensures that these children, along with all children born on U.S. soil, will continue to be recognized as citizens with full rights and protections. “This decision affirms what we have always known: that the Constitution does not discriminate,” said Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus . “But while we celebrate today, we must remain vigilant. The rights of our communities should never be one court case away from being taken.” “The fact that this administration saw fit to challenge a founding tenant of this nation, birthright citizenship, is an indictment of a racist, nationalist governing theology,” said Rep. Napoleon Nelson, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus . “It is also a doomed governing theology that simply doesn’t understand that to be an American and to love this country does not rely on the country loving us back. America has never loved all of its Read more
I have frequently spoken about Environmental Justice in these emails and at my annual environmental conferences. Well, this week we began moving some important legislative language that helps address Environmental Justice (EJ) considerations, this time in the buildout of data centers and the rate case reviews by the Public Utility Commission. Read more
Hi, my name is Grace Richter and I am excited to return to Rep. Nelson's office as an intern this summer. In May, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ursinus College with a degree in political science and a minor in theater. I am proud to say that, while in college, I was inducted into two honors societies, the Cub & Key and Whitian Society (which is one society) and Pi Sigma Alpha (our nation's political science honor society). Read more
QUAKERTOWN, June 12 – Leaders of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, including state Reps. Napoleon Nelson, Darisha Parker, Justin Fleming and Ismail Smith-Wade-El, released the following statement calling on Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan to expedite the investigation into the actions of Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree: “Video footage and eyewitness accounts describing a physical confrontation between the police chief and student protesters have raised significant questions that warrant a swift and transparent investigation. “It is difficult to ignore the concerns raised by members of the community while questions regarding law enforcement conduct remain under review. Public confidence in our justice system depends on all parties being held to the same standard of accountability. “The public deserves a prompt and impartial resolution to this matter, not nearly four months of uncertainty. Continued delays in the investigation of Police Chief McElree only prolong unanswered questions for those involved and for the broader community. “We therefore call upon District Attorney Khan and his office to expedite the investigation into Chief McElree and any officers involved and to announce their findings and charging decisions as soon as practicable. Transparency and timely action are essential to maintaining public trust in the integrity of the justice system. “Our Read more
In case you haven't heard, some truly historic events are kicking off right here in Philadelphia this weekend! It's shaping up to be an exciting and busy year for our region. As we prepare to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Philadelphia will also welcome the FIFA World Cup and the MLB All-Star Game, bringing visitors from around the world to our backyard. And, here in Harrisburg, we're hopeful that a state budget will be finalized by the end of June. Read more
Hi, my name is Zhanna Ivanick, and I am excited to return as a summer intern in Representative Nelson’s office. I graduated from Springfield Township High School in 2024 and am currently a rising junior at The George Washington University (GW). I’m majoring in Political Science and double minoring in Russian Language and Literature, and Peace Studies. Read more
Hello everyone! My name is Isaiah Brooks, and I am Rep. Nelson's newest intern. This fall, I will start my second year at Morehouse College as a sociology major on the pre-law track. Though I spent my early years growing up in Philadelphia, I spent my middle and high school years attending Cedarbrook Middle School and Cheltenham High School. Read more
As another election season comes to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the minority and majority inspectors, the judge of elections, and the hardworking staff of Montgomery County Voter Services who helped make Election Day possible. Read more
Tuesday is Primary Election Day! That means most of you get to pick your candidates to represent your party in November’s General Election. For a few of you, the Primary is particularly uneventful. Read more
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