Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti and Representative Tim Briggs announce Act 13 Grants for the Southeast

(Jan 18, 2024)

Act 13 grants give us the opportunity to invest our resources in the projects that protect, preserve, and enhance our outdoor spaces,” said Representative Briggs. “Phase two of the MacKenzie Park project in West Conshohocken will offer our community more outdoor recreation spaces to utilize with their friends and families, which is something we can all use more of these days. I’m proud to support this investment that will boost our quality of life for the whole region. Read more

 

House Judiciary approves Cephas/Kenyatta bill to end ‘ghost guns’

(Jan 17, 2024)

Today, the PA House Judiciary Committee approved a measure sponsored by state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Malcolm Kenyatta, both D-Phila., aimed at ending the proliferation of “ghost guns” in Pennsylvania Read more

 

Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti and Representative Tim Briggs announce $217,600 for Harriton Preserve

(Jan 08, 2024)

I’m proud to support the Growing Greener Program and its investment in the Preserve at Harriton’s restoration signifies a commitment to safeguarding natural havens for passive recreation. This grant fuels not just revitalization, but the longevity of our community's ecological legacy, setting a strong precedent for responsible open space management. Read more

 

House committee to consider Reproductive Rights Amendment

(Dec 13, 2023)

The Otten and Hanbidge bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would reaffirm and protect every individual’s right of reproductive liberty with respect to personal, sexual, and reproductive healthcare decisions, including the right to choose or refuse an abortion, the right to choose or refuse contraceptives, and the right to choose or refuse fertility care, without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status. Read more

 

Gergely’s bill to enhance quality of donated plasma in PA passes House unanimously

(Dec 11, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely’s bill that would ensure plasma donated throughout Pennsylvania is suitable for subsequent use in health and medical forums passed the state House of Representatives unanimously. The legislation (H.B. 1795 ) would require that source plasma specifically, undergoes extensive testing upon donation and before it is ultimately integrated into essential pharmaceuticals. Gergely’s bill, co-sponsored by state Rep. Tim Briggs of Montgomery County, would also allow more focus to be devoted to developing such pharmaceuticals by eliminating a signification portion of subsequent testing conducted in labs during the clinical development phase. “Having several source plasma centers local to the citizens I represent is a big part of why it’s such a priority for me. Safeguarding healthy and viable plasma will save lives and enhance quality of life throughout the 35th District and the Commonwealth at large,” said Gergely, D-Allegheny. “Thank you to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for moving this commitment to human welfare a step closer to reality.” “Plasma is a lifeline for countless individuals battling critical conditions. This proposed legislation aims to optimize this life-saving resource, ensuring its safety while expediting its availability for pharmaceutical use,” Briggs added. “Collaborating on this bill underscores our dedication to advancing Read more

 

2023 Judiciary Newsletter

(Nov 03, 2023)

2023 Judiciary Newsletter Read more

 

Gergely introduces bill to enhance quality of donated plasma in PA

(Oct 30, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, introduced a bill today that would ensure plasma donated throughout the state is suitable for subsequent use in health and medical forums. The legislation (H.B. 1795 ) would require that source plasma, specifically, undergoes extensive testing upon donation and before it is ultimately integrated into essential pharmaceuticals. Gergely’s bill, co-sponsored by state Rep. Tim Briggs of Montgomery County, would also allow more focus to be devoted to developing such pharmaceuticals by eliminating a signification portion of subsequent testing conducted in labs during the clinical development phase. “Plasma is vital for treating rare diseases, chronic conditions, and emergencies like trauma and burns,” Gergely said. “My bill would help ensure that PA has a safe and sustainable plasma supply necessary for bettering and saving countless lives.” “In a world where plasma can mean the difference between life and death, we cannot afford to hinder the flow of this precious resource,” Briggs added. “By proposing legislation to align Pennsylvania's laws with federal standards for source plasma donation centers, we are taking a crucial step toward ensuring a reliable plasma supply for our state.” In 2017 alone, approximately 30 million liters of source plasma were collected in approximately 40 million procedures in the United States, per a work published Read more

 

2023 Newsletter

(Sep 22, 2023)

2023 Fall Newsletter Read more

 

PENNSYLVANIA STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

(Aug 22, 2023)

PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development: Keystone Communities Program Who May Apply : Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofit organizations to include economic development organizations, housing corporations, etc., community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use : Multiple uses, including: Planning grants (address a particular need or circumstance within a community, undertake a study relevant to an identified need, or study the results of implementing a specific activity) Implementation grants (assist designated KC program communities in implementing critical components of their approved Five-Year Strategy) Façade grants (to stimulate private investment in properties, foster an attractive environment, and preserve the architectural heritage of properties and communities. The grant funds may be used for primary street-facing, exterior building improvements in a defined target area of a downtown or neighborhood such as storefront signs, exterior façade painting, design assistance, etc.) Development grants (available to fund a variety of physical improvements, see program guidelines for full list) Public improvement grants (available to assist communities in a variety of development projects to help Read more

 

Expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

(Aug 21, 2023)

My office assists seniors in completing the forms for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. For too long, many folks didn’t meet the qualifications to take advantage of this rebate. That is why I championed changes to the law and we are now able to expand the rebate to more eligible seniors. Starting next year, more Pennsylvanians will qualify for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate. Read more

 

Briggs celebrates education and public safety budget wins

(Jul 06, 2023)

This budget represents a significant milestone in our efforts to build an inclusive economy, enhance community safety, and ensure quality education for all Pennsylvania children,” Briggs said. “Our commonwealth is poised for growth thanks to its unprecedented funding for K-12 education, robust investments in workforce development, strong support for community and economic development, and substantial allocations for agriculture and public safety. Read more

 

E-Waste and Paper Shredding Event

(Apr 19, 2023)

This Sunday, April 23, I will be joining Senator Cappelletti in co-sponsoring Upper Merion Township’s Earth Day E-recycling and Document shredding event. This will take place at Upper Merion Area Middle School which is where I have held my shredding events the last several years. See the graphic below for acceptable items for E-waste collection and the guidelines for paper waste. Read more

 

Briggs announces Commonwealth Finance Authority grants for region

(Mar 16, 2023)

“These grants make our community more safe, sustainable, and accessible for everyone in the district. In addition to improving trails and intersections, this funding will provide for a rooftop garden on Mainline Hospital, improvements to the Union Fire Building, renovations to the New Horizons Senior Center, and a street sweeper for Upper Merion Township. I’m happy to have advocated for and see local projects that support so many of our residents receive funding,” Briggs said. Read more

 

Briggs leads newly formed Judiciary Committee

(Mar 03, 2023)

The people of Pennsylvania asked for recourse for victims of sexual assault – not voter ID or onerous changes to unrelated Pennsylvania regulation codes,” Briggs said. “I’m keeping our public pledge to survivors -- with no strings attached. It is shameful to make that commitment contingent on partisan policy agendas; survivors have waited long enough for justice. Read more

 

Delivering Justice to Victims of Sexual Assault

(Feb 22, 2023)

These victims have been fighting for justice for over a decade and I will not sit idly by while obstructionist politicians try to derail legislation and a constitutional amendment to do what is right for these victims. Read more

 

House Democratic Members of Speaker's Workgroup Issue Statement on Efforts to End House Gridlock

(Jan 25, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 25 – State Reps. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., and Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, issued the following statement on the progress of the Speaker’s Workgroup to Move Pennsylvania Forward, who are tasked with finding a bipartisan agreement to end gridlock in the House: "This bipartisan workgroup is committed to prioritizing seeking justice for child sexual abuse survivors and drafting appropriate operating rules for the Special Session and regular session. “The workgroup members have met frequently with serious and honest conversations, but we have not yet agreed to, and should not agree to, anything until we have public input. That's why we look forward to the Speaker's upcoming statewide listening sessions .” The first listening session will take place today, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. in the Simmons Auditorium at the Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business in Pittsburgh. Read more

 

Rozzi, Special Work Group to Host Listening Session in Montco.

(Jan 25, 2023)

House Speaker Mark Rozzi announced that the second stop of his planned listening tour will be held Friday, January 27 in Merion Station, Montgomery County.The session will take place at 6 p.m. at the Cardinal John P. Foley Campus Center at St. Joseph’s University. Read more

 

Special Election Update

(Jan 14, 2023)

On November 8th, Pennsylvania voters delivered a clear message that they were done with the political games in Harrisburg. Democrats won statewide in both the gubernatorial and senate races, as well as flipping the House for the first time in over a decade with democrats going from a 90-113 minority to a 102-101 majority. Read more

 

Briggs brings public safety funding to Montco

(Dec 20, 2022)

“This is a crucial step in the process of reducing gun violence in our communities,” Briggs said. “Due to the General Assembly’s inability to bring forward any common-sense gun legislation, this is the best option we have to curb future acts of violence.” Read more

 

Briggs celebrates $2 million in funding for Life Sciences Campus

(Nov 21, 2022)

“Discovery Labs is an exciting, transformational opportunity for our Commonwealth,” Briggs said. “As co-chair of the PA Legislative Life Sciences Caucus, I know the positive impact the Life Sciences has on our region and have been committed to making it even stronger. I’ve been active in bringing members of the legislature and the administration to tour and discuss the vision of Discovery Labs and am thankful that Governor Wolf has continued to make these investments.” Read more