State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, along with all Chester County House Democrats and other elected officials, rallied at the West Chester Transportation Center today to call on the state Senate to fund SEPTA and other mass transit systems in Pennsylvania. Read more

Beginning Aug. 4, PECO customers will be able to apply for assistance through the temporary PECO Customer Relief Fund. Read more

“This change will allow the Pennsylvania Lottery to more effectively compete with other forms of entertainment and put the lottery on better financial footing,” Shusterman said. “Reducing the profit margin ensures the continued health of the lottery, helping our aging population maintain their independence and quality of life.” Read more

HARRISBURG, July 16 – Water line replacements are coming to the city of Coatesville, thanks to $4.2 million secured for major water system improvements, state Rep. Dan Williams announced today. The funds -- awarded to the Pennsylvania American Water Co. -- will replace 240 lead-impacted water service lines. Rates are not expected to increase. Williams said the combined grant money and low-interest loans -- secured through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority -- will eliminate potential health risks associated with lead. “Lead exposure -- even at low levels, presents a silent danger that cannot be ignored,” said Williams. “The combined funding will be used to fully replace all impacted water service lines, ensuring clean water, safeguarding residents’ health, and building a stronger, safer community.” The funding includes a $1.2 million grant and a $2.9 million low-interest loan with a 1% interest rate . The Pennvest loan will provide the grant-equivalent of $1.4 million over the life of the loan. Pennvest provides low-cost financial assistance for sewer, stormwater and drinking water projects across the Commonwealth. The funding is designed to support affordable solutions to help ensure safe drinking water for all Pennsylvanians. Read more

HARRISBURG, July 15 – – A bipartisan group of state lawmakers from the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force -- state Reps. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, and David Zimmerman, R-Berks/Lancaster, along with state Sens. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks, and Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming -- announced the advancement of legislation that would give Pennsylvania homebuyers information regarding flood risks when purchasing residential property. House Bill 1704 , introduced by Warren and Zimmerman and approved unanimously by the House Insurance Committee, would require home sellers to disclose critical flood-related information to prospective buyers. The legislation is based on recommendations made by the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force, which was created through legislation introduced by Warren and Santarsiero and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro. “This bill would alert prospective buyers of residential real property of the existence of a potential risk of flood damage,” said Warren, who chairs the House Insurance Committee, “and would ensure that prospective home buyers are aware of a property’s history of flooding or flood insurance requirements so they can consider flood risk and the availability of flood insurance coverage.” House Bill 1704 would require sellers to disclose: Whether a property has previously Read more

The state House has passed a pair of bills aimed at tamping down on dubious subscription services — just as a federal court moved to throw out similar rules proposed by federal regulators. Read more

HARRISBURG, July 8 – Legislation aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania consumer protections for online subscriptions, sponsored by Rep. Joe Ciresi, overwhelmingly passed the House today (181-22). “My House Bill 1299 would empower Pennsylvania’s consumers by creating a ‘click to cancel’ rule to make it easy for them to cancel unwanted subscriptions online instead of having to speak with a customer service representative and listen to lengthy sales pitches when they just want to terminate an unwanted subscription quickly,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would also require clarity and transparency in online subscription contracts, so consumers know about the ‘strings’ attached to free gifts and trial periods.” Ciresi’s bill would amend the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by requiring businesses which offer automatic renewals to: Provide renewal terms, cancellation policy, and how to cancel in a “clear and conspicuous Manner.” Provide a clear and conspicuous explanation of the price that will be charged after a free trial ends and the deadline by which a consumer must cancel to avoid being charged. Allow a customer who signs up online to cancel online (“click to cancel”). Disclose any material changes in the automatic renewal in a clear and conspicuous manner that can also be retained by the consumer. Not intentionally misrepresent automatic Read more

“This bill ensures that Intermediate Units can maintain their Pre-K Counts grants even without a Head Start affiliation. Our children deserve uninterrupted, high quality early education, and Pennsylvania must act to secure it,” Hanbidge said. “If the federal government eliminates or defunds Head Start, as many as an additional 2,500 Pennsylvania children could lose access to Pre-K Counts programming and it’s essential we take this step to help them.” Read more