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PLBC condemns violent police arrests of teens in Ocean City, MD

(Jun 16, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, June 16 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, and members of the PLBC this week strongly condemned the recent actions of Ocean City, MD police in arresting four Harrisburg teens over alleged vaping and other violations. “I watched the videos of these teens being arrested and saw how quickly things escalated,” Bullock said. “We must ask ourselves – how does a simple citation lead to police violence? How can we better train police to handle these situations? This incident is further proof why there needs to be police reform not just in the commonwealth, but across the nation. We are working on those reforms in Pennsylvania and would hope that other states are following in the same way. “The kind of local mandates and ordinances that led to this incident are similar to pretextual stops. The ordinances allow law enforcement to harass and find reasons to arrest when a simple citation or warning would have sufficed. Instead, we have teens being tased and physically assaulted by law enforcement. “These teens were not armed and to suggest these officers had a right to operate this way is absurd and needs to be addressed. This incident needs to be investigated and these officers need to be held accountable to the fullest extent.” Read more

 

Bullock announces PLBC scholarship awardees

(Jun 03, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, June 3 – State Rep. and PLBC Chair Donna Bullock, D-Phila., this week announced the awardees of the newly renamed James R. Roebuck Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus scholarship for 2021. A virtual award ceremony will take place at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 23. It can be viewed live on Facebook @PALegislativeBlackCaucus and pahouse.com/PLBC. The scholarship recipients are: Jaelynn Pearson, Philadelphia, Hill Freedman World Academy. Labiq Jaigirdar, Philadelphia, George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science. Deiveian Story, Philadelphia, The Workshop School and Community College of Philadelphia, dual enrollment program. Jasmine Vega, Philadelphia, Archbishop John Carroll High School. Abronah C. Taylor, Harrisburg, Kutztown University. Mephki Lopez, Philadelphia, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Mya Hill, Philadelphia, Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School. Annechase Obame , Harrisburg, Central Dauphin East High School. Asia Blocker, Lansdowne, The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr. Norah Ostin, Pittsburgh, Oakland Catholic High School. Criteria for the $1,000 scholarships: A Pennsylvania resident. A person of color. A graduating high school senior or current undergrad at a college or university. Plan to enroll/return in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university for the entire upcoming academic year. Attend the scholarship awards Read more

 

Bullock, Davis take a stand against solitary confinement for vulnerable populations

(Jun 03, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, June 3 — State Reps. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., and Tina Davis, D-Bucks, were joined by state Sen. John Kane, D-Delaware/Chester, at a news conference Wednesday at Eastern State Penitentiary supporting legislation that would prohibit solitary confinement for vulnerable populations. There are over 47,000 inmates in Pennsylvania’s corrections system. One method of discipline is solitary confinement in which inmates are deprived of normal human interaction and any form of intellectual stimulation, such as reading materials. Solitary confinement has been found to induce hallucinations, depression, anxiety, and paranoia, and its impact can be devastating on inmates’ long-term psychological and emotional well-being. House Bill 1037 would prohibit using solitary confinement on: pregnant or postpartum women. women who have recently suffered a miscarriage or terminated a pregnancy. LGBTQ individuals. inmates with certain mental, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. inmates 21 and younger or 55 and older. The bill would also prohibit the use of restraint chairs, chemical agents, and shackles, as well as put an absolute cap on the use of solitary confinement for all inmates at 15 days. “Solitary confinement started at Eastern State Penitentiary in 1829 as an experiment in rehabilitation and prison reform thought to bring out the best in people,” Bullock said. “Instead, the isolation caused extreme mental Read more

 

PLBC Spring-Summer 2021 newsletter

(Jun 01, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

PLBC 2021 NL Read more

 

Preservation projects in 195th District awarded more than $500,000 in state grants

(May 26, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, May 26 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., announced more than $500,000 in Commonwealth Financing Authority grants awarded to projects in the 195 th Legislative District. “These projects are important to the district,” Bullock said. “The pandemic was catastrophic, but we cannot let it derail these important works being done to preserve history, architecture and culture in our communities. I’m thankful this administration has maintained a sense of importance with programs like CFA, even during the challenges of our economic recovery from the pandemic.” The projects include: $300,000 for Coltrane House Project. The Strawberry Mansion Community Development Corporation will use the Blight Remediation Program funds to restore the currently blighted Coltrane House and its neighboring blighted properties which will expand the footprint of the Coltrane House to lead to the creation of the John Coltrane Museum and Cultural Arts Center. $100,000 for Dox Tharsh House. Beech Interplex Inc. will use the Blight Remediation Program funds to rehabilitate a blighted structure that is currently a 3-story brick façade wall and a partial side-bearing wall with internal wood bracing to support the structure that is known as the Dox Trash House. Exterior improvements will be completed to ensure historical accuracy, to establish the Read more

 

We’ve lived the pain of separation from incarcerated loved ones. Pa. can do better for families.

(May 25, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

Reps. Donna Bullock and Rick Krajewski discuss the topic of visitation and communication with incarcerated parents, including their personal perspectives as people who grew up with an incarcerated parent. Read more

 

Bullock condemns misleading mailings to Black and Brown communities

(May 07, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, May 7 – Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Chair and state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., released a statement regarding the upcoming ballot questions that will be posed to voters May 18 as a result of legislation passed by the General Assembly in two consecutive sessions. “Since the pandemic began special interest groups funded by out-of-state billionaires have been spreading lies about COVID-19 and the governor’s effort to save lives. They hosted maskless rallies and demanded an end to mitigation efforts- spreading the virus, putting essential workers at risk, and making our recovery more challenging. “Now these same special interests are spending millions of dollars clogging mailboxes with misinformation about the upcoming ballot questions. They claim to be speaking for workers everywhere, but especially for workers of color. It’s outrageous, it’s appalling, and it’s insulting. These groups have spent years opposing every attempt to improve the lives of working people and now they’re trying to say supporting equality also means risking lives and destroying the existing checks and balances against any governor’s ability to declare a disaster. “There’s an old adage among attorneys: If the facts are on your side pound the facts, if the law is on your side pound the law, but, if you don’t have the facts or the law on your side then pound the table. These lie-filled mailers are Read more

 

PLBC outlines legislative agenda for systemic equity

(May 05, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, May 5 – State House members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and supporters today outlined their legislative agenda for systemic equity at a Capitol news conference. Members spoke about bills that would resolve bias, create diversity and provide inclusion, bridging the racial divide and inequities in legislation, state government agencies and health care. “This agenda is a road map for changing the way we deliver services, distribute resources and otherwise do business in the Commonwealth in all matters so that everyone, regardless of the color of their skin, gender, or Zip code, will have the same access and the same expectation as residents of Pennsylvania,” said PLBC Chair and state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila. “The inequities in health care, housing and employment that were exacerbated by the pandemic are not new. They are systemic and often rooted in generations of racism. To address these systemic inequities, we have to remove stigmas, address implicit bias, and invest in systemic equity in ways that provide fair and equitable access to wealth, health, safety and more. We cannot continue doing things as we’ve done in the past and expect the outcome to be different. I have said that before, it still holds true and will continue to be true until we make substantial changes. We won’t relent until we see these changes.” “I truly appreciate the leadership of PLCB Chairwoman Bullock to keep us Read more

 

Pa. Legislative Black Caucus holds budget information session with state Budget Secretary Jen Swails

(Mar 31, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, March 31 – Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. Donna Bullock and PLBC Subcommittee Chair of Budget Equity Rep. Napoleon Nelson this week held a budget information and listening session with members of the PLBC and featured guest speaker state Budget Secretary Jen Swails. The discussion centered on state budget priorities for Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color communities across the commonwealth and concerns as well as suggestions for how the state budget could be fair and equitable. The PLBC plans to use the information from the listening session to formulate a response and requests for upcoming state budget negotiations. "We heard from business leaders, educators, advocates, and parents from communities of color across the commonwealth,” said Bullock, D-Phila. “We will use this information to inform our budget priorities as a caucus and advocate for equitable state investments in our communities. We can’t continue doing the same things when addressing the budget and expect a different outcome or result." "We do not take lightly the obligation to fight for the residents in our commonwealth who have known suffering, poverty and inequalities for generations,” said Nelson, D-Montgomery. “Leaders from these many communities came together to speak to their needs and seek our support. We have heard their call, and we will respond. The Legislative Black Caucus Subcommittee on Budget Equity will Read more

 

PLBC Chair Bullock, Rep. Kim joint statement on AAPI violence, racist attacks

(Mar 18, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, March 18 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, and state Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin, a member of the PLBC and an Asian American, are speaking out against the recent violence against Asian Americans and the uptick in harassment toward the AAPI community in light of the attack in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 16. “This week, we saw another attack on people of color at a time when our country is still reeling from a global pandemic and overt racist acts and violence,” Bullock said. “For weeks, the AAPI community has reported a rise in hate crimes against their loved ones and small businesses. Their calls for action were ignored by many; their voices silenced in discussions about racism in this country. We in the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus want our brothers and sisters in AAPI communities to know we stand with you, beside you and support you in every way possible. We recognize this attack on Tuesday, March 16 for what it is: a hateful, racist attack on Asian Americans and, in particular, on women of color. As legislators, we must do everything in our power to protect these communities of color and stand in solidarity with them at this time.” “Asian-American communities are vitally important, and we want to make sure that all of our neighbors in these communities feel safe and supported,” Kim said. “The worst thing we can do is nothing. I plan to work with Read more

 

Shusterman, O’Mara, Bullock and Davis hosting virtual press conference on Equal Pay Day

(Mar 17, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, March 17 -- State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, Jennifer O’Mara, Donna Bullock and Tina Davis will host a virtual news conference to discuss the gender wage gap and their legislation to help close it on Equal Pay Day, March 24. The public may livestream the event at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 24 by visiting PAHouse.com . “We’re going to talk about pay inequality on March 24 because this day marks how far into the year the average woman must work to earn what the average man earns in the previous year, regardless of experience or job type,” said Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery. “Equal Pay Day should be January 1 for everybody. Pay disparities among women, especially women of color whose Equal Pay Day does not come until later in the year, cause them to annually miss out on tens of thousands of dollars. It is long overdue that we close the gender wage gap.” “On average, a woman who works full-time in Pennsylvania earns 20% less than our commonwealth’s working men,” said O’Mara, D-Delaware. “It’s time that we discuss what contributes to this wage gap and how we can close it so Pennsylvania women can better support themselves and their families. Our commonwealth has not updated its equal pay law in half a century, so this is a topic we desperately need to revisit to ensure that working women are protected.” “I know women who were paid less than men while performing the same Read more

 

Breaking down information barriers key to supporting communities of color through COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine efforts

(Mar 11, 2021) Policy Committee

HARRISBURG, March 11 – Trust and inclusive policies are key in getting COVID-19 vaccines distributed to communities of color and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee heard from multiple researchers, doctors and advocates on how to execute those strategies. Read more

 

PLBC awardees for inaugural Crystal Bird Fauset Award, Women’s History Month

(Mar 10, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, March 10 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, today announced the awardees of the PLBC inaugural Crystal Bird Fauset Leadership Award during Women’s History Month. The award is named in honor of former state Rep. Crystal Bird Fauset, who was a Democrat elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1938 and represented Philadelphia’s 18th District. She was the first African American woman elected in any state legislature. The honorees will be presented at a virtual event at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 18. It can be viewed live here: www.facebook.com/PALegislativeBlackCaucus . “ I am honored to present each of these accomplished Black women with the inaugural PLBC Crystal Bird Fauset Leadership Award,” Bullock said. “From the Underground Railroad to the Black Lives Matter movement, Black women have led the way. Too often their contributions to society are minimized or ignored. That is why we named this award after the first Black woman elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly and to any state legislature, Crystal Bird Fauset. The three women we are honoring embody the spirit of Fauset and have made a significant impact in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through their leadership in state government. ” The honorees are former state Sen. Leanna Washington, D-Phila./Montgomery; former state Rep. Rosita Youngblood, Read more

 

COVID-19 impact on communities of color focus of public hearing Thursday

(Mar 09, 2021) Policy Committee

HARRISBURG, March 9 – State Reps. Donna Bullock and Stephen Kinsey will host a joint hearing of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and House Democratic Policy Committee this week to explore how communities of color have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

 

Bullock announces renamed PLBC scholarship, application period

(Mar 08, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, March 8 – State Rep. and PLBC Chair Donna Bullock, D-Phila., this week announced that the newly renamed James R. Roebuck Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus scholarship application period is now open. The $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to Pennsylvania residents who meet the following criteria: Be a person of color. Be a graduating high school senior or current undergrad at a college or university. Plan to enroll/return in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university for the entire upcoming academic year. Attend the scholarship awards presentation in Harrisburg. Complete the online application. Deadline to apply is April 30 and only the first 100 applicants will be processed. Go to https://www.pahouse.com/PLBC to apply online and for more information. “Students are selected based on their academic success, leadership, extracurricular activities, community participation and financial need,” Bullock said. “These students excel in the classroom and will be the future leaders we want in business, education, medicine and our communities. This is our opportunity to assist them in achieving their goals, in particular helping with the exorbitant costs associated with college.” This year’s scholarship was renamed the James R. Roebuck Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Scholarship after former state Rep. Jim Roebuck of Philadelphia. He is a former chairman of the Read more

 

Bullock, members of General Assembly named to inaugural PIEA board

(Feb 25, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, Feb. 25 -- The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association this week announced the addition of members of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly to the organization’s board of directors including state Reps. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., and Mike Puskaric, R-Allegheny/Washington, and state Sens. Scott Martin, R-Lancaster, and Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh. The legislators will join educational and community leaders on the board with the goal of providing regulatory oversight and competition guidelines for interscholastic esports in Pennsylvania. The PIEA was established in 2019 as one of the first governing bodies focused solely on esports in the country, and recently opened registration for their 2021 competitive season. “I have witnessed firsthand the variety of benefits that esports has to offer, which is why I am honored to be serving on the PIEA’s board of directors to help advance their mission,” said Bullock, who also serves as the chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. “As a mother of young boys who are interested in STEM learning and playing video games, I want to ensure that every student from all communities in Pennsylvania has the same level of access to esports competitions. There is a connection between academic and social-emotional achievement for students engaged in esports and that opportunity needs to be available to all students.” Esports, or Read more

 

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus responds to DHS equity report

(Feb 16, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus recently commended the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on its first Equity Report, according to PLBC chairwoman, State Rep. Donna Bullock (D-195th Dist.). Read more

 

Miller, Bullock bill would provide certificate for former inmates to re-enter the workforce

(Feb 12, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, Feb. 12 – A bill authored by state Reps. Dan Miller and Donna Bullock to improve access to jobs for former inmates and reduce recidivism will soon be introduced in the PA House. The bill would require every person to receive a reentry certificate after leaving incarceration. The certificate would serve as proof to employers of the person’s achievements in skill development, rehabilitation, education and their readiness for safe reentry. “When a person pays their debt to society and simultaneously acquires or hones a skill to help them when they re-enter that society, we should provide them with every opportunity to do so,” said Bullock, D-Phila. “This is a bill that not only helps a person put their life back in order, but also provides employers with a workforce that is ready to go. It is a plus for everyone.” The legislation would also provide protections for employers in relation to negligence actions based solely on the hiring of a person with a criminal record. Applicants would still have to pass required clearances for employment. “This certificate would provide employers with one less reason not to take a chance on someone committed to bettering their future,” said Miller, D-Allegheny. “It helps ease the often-difficult transition back into the workforce and the community, as well as reduces the chances for a person to reoffend or return to prison.” Miller and Bullock are seeking Read more

 

Bullock, chair of PLBC, responds to Gov. Wolf’s budget address, looks for budget equity

(Feb 05, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, said she is optimistic about Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2021-22 budget address and looks forward to working with the administration and members of the General Assembly on an equitable and inclusive final budget plan for Pennsylvanians. “While we know that compromise will have to come from across the aisle,” Bullock said, “the governor shapes what our talks will look like and we are hopeful that the outline he gave us in the form of his budget address will be a guiding point for both sides as we navigate equal and meaningful help for all Pennsylvanians, especially in this time of COVID. “As we said in the letter we sent to him two weeks ago from the PLBC, the budget sometimes impacts Pennsylvania’s Black, indigenous and people of color communities adversely, albeit maybe unintentionally. That’s why it is so important to have serious dialogue about addressing those inequities with the governor’s office and our colleagues at the beginning of budget talks. I know I will be seeking answers while sitting in on budget hearings throughout the coming weeks.” Bullock is a member of the House Appropriations Committee as well as the committees on Consumer Affairs, Professional Licensure and Urban Affairs. Read more

 

Harris names deputy whips for 2021-22 legislative session

(Jan 26, 2021) Rep. Donna Bullock

The PA House Democratic whip, state Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., today announced that state Reps. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny; Donna Bullock, D-Phila.; Danilo Burgos, D-Phila.; Morgan Cephas, D-Phila.; Patty Kim, D-Dauphin; Kyle Mullins, D-Lackawanna; Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh; Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery; Pam Snyder, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington; and Jared Solomon, D-Phila., will serve as deputy whips for the 2021-22 legislative session. Read more

 

PLBC condemns violent police arrests of teens in Ocean City, MD
Jun 16, 2021

Bullock announces PLBC scholarship awardees
Jun 03, 2021

Bullock, Davis take a stand against solitary confinement for vulnerable populations
Jun 03, 2021

PLBC Spring-Summer 2021 newsletter
Jun 01, 2021

Preservation projects in 195th District awarded more than $500,000 in state grants
May 26, 2021

We’ve lived the pain of separation from incarcerated loved ones. Pa. can do better for families.
May 25, 2021

Bullock condemns misleading mailings to Black and Brown communities
May 07, 2021

PLBC outlines legislative agenda for systemic equity
May 05, 2021

Pa. Legislative Black Caucus holds budget information session with state Budget Secretary Jen Swails
Mar 31, 2021

PLBC Chair Bullock, Rep. Kim joint statement on AAPI violence, racist attacks
Mar 18, 2021

Shusterman, O’Mara, Bullock and Davis hosting virtual press conference on Equal Pay Day
Mar 17, 2021

Breaking down information barriers key to supporting communities of color through COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine efforts
Mar 11, 2021

PLBC awardees for inaugural Crystal Bird Fauset Award, Women’s History Month
Mar 10, 2021

COVID-19 impact on communities of color focus of public hearing Thursday
Mar 09, 2021

Bullock announces renamed PLBC scholarship, application period
Mar 08, 2021

Bullock, members of General Assembly named to inaugural PIEA board
Feb 25, 2021

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus responds to DHS equity report
Feb 16, 2021

Miller, Bullock bill would provide certificate for former inmates to re-enter the workforce
Feb 12, 2021

Bullock, chair of PLBC, responds to Gov. Wolf’s budget address, looks for budget equity
Feb 05, 2021

Harris names deputy whips for 2021-22 legislative session
Jan 26, 2021