“I am thrilled this legislation, which builds on our state’s commitment to criminal justice reform and reducing recidivism, passed the House,” said Nelson. “Strengthening incentives through earned education credits for people who participate in and complete these proven programs will allow for a leaner, more targeted corrections system, better safety outcomes, and less crime.” Read more
Working hard should mean being able to afford the basics, and right now, too many Pennsylvanians are doing everything right but still struggling to get by. Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has not kept pace with the cost of living, and we now lag behind every neighboring state. Read more
PA CareerLink staff will be visiting my office to assist with career counseling, job training, resume development, and more! Read more
WYOMISSING, March 19 – State Reps. Emily Kinkead, Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, and Napoleon Nelson congratulated the workers of Teamsters Local 429 and their president, Bill Shappell, along with the leadership at Sunnyside Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Wyomissing, on reaching a labor agreement on Tuesday, March 17. The labor agreement comes as the future of cannabis access, employment, and entrepreneurship remains a legislative priority in Harrisburg. Such agreements between labor and cannabis operators are a central component to legislation the legislators said they hope will finally legalize adult-use cannabis in PA, achieving Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget priority and bringing the Commonwealth in line with neighboring states. House Bill 20 , offered by Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Rep. Abby Major, R-Armstrong, presents a bipartisan path to legalizing adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania and includes a requirement that dispensaries execute labor peace agreements in order to receive licenses. These contracts between the employer and a union require employers not to interfere with efforts of employees to organize in exchange for concessions like avoiding labor disruptions through strikes, picketing, or lockouts. “Cannabis legalization in Pennsylvania is estimated to create around 30,000 family-sustaining jobs in our Commonwealth and ensuring that those workers have access to a union if they want one, free from any employer interference, only makes Read more
State Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, Lisa Borowski, and Napoleon Nelson were joined by child and family advocates this week at a news conference to urge the passage of bipartisan legislation to create a family and medical leave insurance program in Pennsylvania. Read more
Winter is over. It’s Springtime now. I’m not interested in cold weather anymore. I reject the forecast for this coming Tuesday. Shovels are for gardening now. ?? Anything contrary to this will really jack up my psyche. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 9 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus has announced four honorees for the 2026 Crystal Bird Fauset Award, which recognizes the contributions of Black women as leaders across Pennsylvania. This year’s honorees include: Ciera Dent , Mayor of Steelton Borough Marita Garrett , former Mayor of Wilkinsburg Borough and current CEO, Civically Inc. La Tasha Williams , Judge of the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas Jamila Winder , Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chair “These phenomenal leaders embody the spirit of service, resilience and dedication to justice and opportunity for all,” said state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, Chair of the PLBC. “Their work continues to inspire the next generation of changemakers and reflects the powerful legacy of public leadership in our communities.” The award is named for former Rep. Crystal Bird Fauset, who was the first Black female state legislator elected in the United States. The award honorees will be recognized online on March 26. The event will be streamed on the PLBC Facebook account . Read more
Sometimes legislation is long and complicated and sometimes it is not complicated at all. Cursive is making a comeback in Pennsylvania because of a 7-word bill! Read more
Join us as we remember the Six Triple Eight, the only all female, all African American battalion to serve in World War II with a screening of the movie The Six Triple Eight (2024). Light refreshments and information on state resources will be provided. Read more
Stephen Covey wanted us all to be our best selves. The author who penned such books like "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Principle Centered Leadership" has articulated practices that can help us all live balanced and rewarding lives. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 23 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, has issued the following statement commending Gov. Josh Shapiro for flying flags at half-staff in honor of the Rev. Jesse Jackson . “Reverend Jackson was a giant in American history,” said Nelson. “He fought endlessly for justice and taught us that faith without action is incomplete. “We commend Gov. Shapiro for taking this step to recognize Rev. Jackson and his life’s work, while encouraging all Pennsylvanians to observe this tribute and carry his memory with us.” Jackson, a longtime civil rights leader and protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., died earlier this month. Shapiro’s order will require all U.S. and commonwealth flags on state facilities, public buildings, and grounds across Pennsylvania to be flown at half-staff in Jackson’s memory until March 7, the final day of his memorial services. Similar declarations have been made in several other states. No such declaration has been made at the federal level. Read more
Lately, I have been thinking about how different kinds of milestones can all nudge us in the same direction. On one hand, many of us just spent time cheering on Olympic athletes, marveling at the kind of discipline it takes to train for years for a moment that lasts seconds. On the other, members of our community are entering sacred seasons like Lent and the upcoming Ramadan, times centered on reflection, generosity, and renewal. Read more
My team and I will be out in the community to connect you with various state resources! Call (215) 572-5210 or email RepNelson@pahouse.net to RSVP. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 17 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus issued the following statement on the death of the Rev. Jesse Jackson. “A giant has transitioned, but his legacy will never leave us. Rev. Jackson taught us that faith without action is incomplete, that justice is worth the fight, and that ordinary people can create extraordinary change. “Because of his courage, generations have more room to dream, lead, and demand dignity. May we honor him by continuing his life’s work, lifting our communities, speaking truth, and never letting hope go silent.” Jackson, who died on Tuesday, was a long-time civil rights leader, a protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a two-time presidential candidate. Read more
We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. We’ve hoped and prayed for this. We’ve told stories of the last time this phenomenon occurred. Songs have been written about this moment and so many folks began to doubt whether it would ever come to pass, but it’s here. The temperature is finally going to remain above freezing this week! Won’t he do it! Read more
New Year’s Day clearly holds its significance, and, in my house, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend really marks the end of the holiday season. But here in Harrisburg, the Governor giving his annual budget address sets the stage for the year. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 6 – The Pennsylvania House has advanced three measures this week, including two introduced by state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, that will serve to recognize the history and contributions made by Black communities to the United States. The House adopted H.R. 401 with overwhelming bipartisan support, which recognizes February 2026 as the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. Established in 1926, Black History Month was first recognized federally in 1976. “As we mark the centennial year of Black History Month and the 250th anniversary of our nation, I am proud to have so many of my colleagues come together and recognize that Black history is American history and recommit our efforts to justice and equity,” said Nelson, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. The House State Government Committee this week also advanced H.B. 1806 , which would designate March 9 of each year as “6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day,” recognizing the service of the only all African American and all-female battalion deployed during World War II. Eighty-one of the 850 women in the battalion were residents of Pennsylvania when they enlisted. “The contributions that Black women have made to our history have often been forgotten or ignored, especially in the military,” Nelson said. “However, the resilience and patriotism of these women helped to ensure our Read more
READING, Feb. 4 – State Reps. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and Napoleon Nelson, chairs of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, respectively, today issued the following statement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s purchase of a 520,000-square-foot warehouse to be used as an immigration detention facility: “Across this country, ICE enforcement has led to devastating consequences for families and communities -- including family separation, aggressive raids, and the targeting of individuals who pose no threat to public safety. These actions have created fear and instability, particularly within immigrant communities,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “Now, ICE is preparing to establish a detention operation in Berks County. This decision risks provoking fear, disrupting families, and endangering the wellbeing of our neighbors -- regardless of citizenship status. The pattern of cruelty and lack of accountability we have seen from ICE has no place in Berks County or anywhere in Pennsylvania. “Berks County has faced an ICE detention facility before, and after years of sustained community advocacy, that center ultimately closed. That history matters. “While many questions remain about the scope and operations of this proposed facility, I will continue to use every tool available to demand transparency, protect due process, and stand with our Read more
“The cruelty is the point,” a phrase coined by journalist Adam Serwer, remains one of the clearest ways to understand the Trump Administration’s approach to immigration and governing at large. The term first gained prominence in 2018, when family separation policies placed migrant children in detention cages while their parents were deported. Those actions were not accidental. They were meant to be cruel, to inflict harm as a deterrent. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – The executive team of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus have issued the following statement recognizing February 2026 as the 100th annual Black History Month. Black History Month was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson in his work founding the group now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The celebration, formerly known as Negro History Week, expanded into Black History Month in 1970, with the first federal recognition coming from President Gerald Ford in 1976. “This year marks not only the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, but also the 250th anniversary of our nation,” said Rep. Napoleon Nelson, chair of the PLBC. “Black history is American history, and it has made our nation what it is today. Especially now, it is important that we reflect on our history and use it to shape a more just future for people of color across Pennsylvania and our nation.” “Considering no one can erase what we have built, we cannot let one person’s actions define our present, erase our past and preserve our future. We will do that,” said Rep. Darisha Parker , vice chair of the PLBC. “And we will continue to do so by strategically supporting, uplifting and empowering Black communities. No weapon formed against us shall prosper.” “In this perilous time, it has never been more clear that preserving and Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates...
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Napoleon Nelson.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
115 E Glenside AveSuite 8Glenside, PA 19038
P*: (215) 572-5210
F*: (215) 517-1423
Hours of Operation - Monday-Friday, 9am-4:30pm
Email: RepNelson@pahouse.net
325 Irvis OfficePO Box 202154Harrisburg, PA 17120-2154
P*: (717) 783-1079
F*: (717) 787-2713