PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 2 – State Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald, D-Phila., today announced she will host a National Night Out celebration in northwest Philadelphia from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 at Masjidullah, The Center for Human Excellence Parking Lot at the corner of Washington Lane and Limekiln Pike. Fitzgerald said the free event will feature games and activities for children of all ages, free food and more family fun. State and local resources will also be on hand to assist with any concerns or issues families may have. Representatives from the 14 th and 35 th police districts will be present. “Bringing our neighborhoods together is one of my favorite parts of my job,” Fitzgerald said. “This is a great opportunity for the community to have some fun while getting to know the law enforcement in the neighborhood.” Started in the Philadelphia area in 1984, National Night Out has since expanded to 16,000 communities across the country with more than 38 million neighbors involved. The program’s mission is to promote community involvement in local anti-crime programs, heighten neighborhood spirit and to increase knowledge on crime and drug prevention. For more information, call Fitzgerald’s office at (215) 549-0220. Media coverage is invited. Read more

The events that have been unfolding along the U.S.-Mexico border have been heartbreaking and unbearable to see. As a mother, I cannot fathom the idea of having my children taken away from me, let alone the devastating impact on the children. This separation is a vile and inhumane act. I am firmly against the administration’s zero tolerance, family-separation immigration policy. I joined some of my colleagues from the House and the Senate for a rally Thursday in opposition to these actions. I also co-sponsored House Resolution 1000 , which would urge the president to immediately reverse the policy. While the president signed an executive order into place Wednesday that would stop the separation of immigrant children and parents, we all must make sure he stands by it. Using children as political pawns is a tasteless and horrifying tactic to gain immigration policy changes. I hope Congress will work on sensible reform and to ensure these events do not occur again. This country is supposed to be the land of the free for everyone, not just for some. Read more

HARRISBURG, June 21 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., and colleagues today unveiled a package of legislation that would help incarcerated women and parents in Pennsylvania. "I'm glad that we're having vital, bipartisan discussions about criminal justice reform. I think it's crucial for those discussions to include women and girls of color," said Cephas, chairwoman of the Women and Girls of Color Subcommittee of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. "Women are the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population. Since 1985, the rate of incarcerated women has increased at nearly double the male rate. The ACLU reports that African-American women and women of color are significantly overrepresented in the prison population. African-American women are 30 percent of incarcerated women in the United States, but only 13 percent of the female population. In addition, Hispanic women are 16 percent of incarcerated women but only 11 percent of all women in the U.S." Cephas plans to introduce a bill to create a Women and Girls Committee within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. "I believe this would aid the commission in its work as it specifically relates to research and programs that will have a direct impact on women and girls." Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., chairman of the PLBC, said, “This package of legislation would help support incarcerated women in the commonwealth’s prison Read more

I'm happy to announce that the deadline for the 2017 Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2018. The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters. Half of Social Security income is excluded and the maximum standard rebate is $650. Claimants must reapply for rebates every year because they are based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid each year. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may file rebate claims on behalf of deceased claimants who lived at least one day in 2017 and meet all other eligibility criteria. Applications can also be filed online at www.revenue.pa.gov . There is NO charge to apply for this program. If you need assistance with applying, please contact my office. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, May 30 – State Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald, D-Phila., today hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on her House Bill 579 , which would mandate insurance coverage for breast density screenings. Held at the Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, the public hearing brought together women’s health experts and state legislators from across Pennsylvania to further explore why the screening mandate is necessary. “I’m thankful to my colleagues and [House Democratic Policy Committee] Chairman Mike Sturla for coming to Philadelphia to discuss my legislation,” Fitzgerald said. “These screenings and early detection give women the best chance at beating cancer. It’s a simple and reasonable approach that will save lives and hopefully save both patients and insurance companies money with earlier detection.” Sturla added, “I am in full support of any approach we can take to improve women’s access to quality health care, and medical screenings are a key component of that quality care.” Panelists included: Pat Halpin-Murphy, president/founder, Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition; Jessica Graae, patient, Delaware County; Novella Lyons, president/founder, Women of Faith and Hope Inc.; and Gail Mitchell, board member, Women of Faith and Hope Inc. The meeting was one in a series being held across the state on House Democrats’ Plan4PA, which includes putting people first, good jobs, quality Read more

PHILADELPHIA, May 24 – As part of the House Democratic Caucus’ Plan4PA, state Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald, D-Phila., will host a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on her House Bill 579 , which would mandate insurance coverage for breast density screening. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 at the Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Sheerr Building Auditorium, 1101 West Tabor Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141 . Fitzgerald requested the hearing to highlight the significance these screenings play in women’s health and that insurance coverage of the screenings should be mandated. Fitzgerald will be joined by state legislators from across the state, including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. The current agenda is: 2 p.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks 2:10 p.m. Panelists: Pat Halpin-Murphy , president/founder, Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition Jessica Graae , patient, Delaware County Novella Lyons , president/founder, Women of Faith and Hope, Inc. Gail Mitchell , board member, Women of Faith and Hope, Inc. 3:20 p.m. Closing Remarks The meeting is one in a series being held across the state on House Democrats’ Plan4PA that includes putting people first, good jobs, quality schools and fair taxes. Visit www.plan4pa.com for additional information about the Plan4PA and www.pahouse.com/policycommittee for Policy Committee materials. The media and public are Read more

PHILADELPHIA, May 21 – To celebrate spring, family and community, state Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald is hosting the Northwest Philly Spring Fest. The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26 on Ogontz Avenue, between the 7100 and 7200 blocks, 19138. Fitzgerald said this free event will feature activities and information on city and state services, as well as employment opportunities available within state government. “This event is a perfect opportunity to gather the family and spend some time together. We’ll have a health pavilion, a children’s corner, live entertainment and a handcrafted marketplace. I encourage all to attend,” Fitzgerald said. Fitzgerald’s office will also be shredding unwanted documents from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information, call Fitzgerald’s office at (215) 549-0220. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, April 19 – State Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald, D-Phila., has announced the approval of up to $2.1 million in state financing for two local housing initiatives. "I'm pleased the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority has approved financing for more affordable housing in Northwest Philadelphia. This will help to meet an important need in our communities," Fitzgerald said. Most of the funding – up to $1.7 million – was approved for the planned Golden Age Living Accommodations building, to be built at 2030 E. Haines St. The four-story building for people 62 or older will have 50 units, including seven accessible units, and two elevators. Plans call for 46 one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units. GALA has been approved for up to $1.2 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits and $500,000 in funding from the realty transfer tax. Fitzgerald said Rebuilding Together Philadelphia has been awarded $400,000 in realty transfer tax funding for its Safe and Healthy Homes Northwest Philadelphia program. The funding will be used in northwest Philadelphia to make safety renovations to the homes of middle-income homeowners 55 or older who have significant barriers to maintaining the overall safety of their homes. These much-needed home improvements will allow residents to age in place and improve the overall safety and livability of their homes. This is an issue Fitzgerald and state Sen. Art Haywood, D-Phila./Montgomery, have been working Read more

PHILADELPHIA, April 4 – State Reps. Isabella Fitzgerald and Stephen Kinsey, both D-Phila., announced they will host an event for people to talk and learn what’s being done on a state and local level to support public education. The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12 at Martin Luther King High School, 6100 Stenton Ave., 19138. Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Pedro Rivera and Otis Hackney from Mayor Jim Kenney’s Office of Education, along with a representative from the School District of Philadelphia, will be in attendance to offer insight and answer questions. “From a proposed increase in education funding to a new local school board, a quality education for all of our students remains a top priority on the state and local levels,” Kinsey said. “This forum will allow people to engage in meaningful dialogue that is critical to our children’s future.” Fitzgerald echoed Kinsey’s comments. “We are seeing great things for the School District of Philadelphia, thanks to Governor Wolf’s budget proposal to provide more funding for education,” Fitzgerald said. “We are also seeing a switch in leadership from the School Reform Commission to a school board that will be appointed by the mayor.” Read more

Scholarships from the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus are now available for high school seniors and first-year college students who will be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year Pennsylvania college or university. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, April 30. Students applying for the $1,000 scholarships must be a minority student, have a minimum grade-point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, reside in the legislative district of and be sponsored by a PLBC member, and demonstrate leadership qualities. A 500-word essay on the student’s academic plans and career goals also must be submitted. Only the first 250 applications submitted will be considered. To obtain an application and more details about the program, students can visit http://pahouse.com/PLBC/Scholarships . Read more