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