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Philadelphia House Delegation praises approval of increase in public transit funding

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Hearing details support needed for career and technical education

(Apr 12, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

“A college education is not the perfect fit or even a possibility for every student,” said Rep. Roni Green, who hosted the hearing. “I am a product and living proof of that reality, having graduated from Dobbins Technical School, and I can honestly say the education and skills I learned in technical education have helped me throughout my life.” Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation applauds appointment of JoAnne Epps as acting president of Temple University

(Apr 12, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, April 12 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today announced that the organization praises the election of JoAnne Epps as acting president of Temple University and that it remains closely monitoring the transformative efforts of the Special Committee of the Board. “We are pleased with the appointment of Epps as acting president. The board of trustees made this election by unanimous vote, and it is certainly a clever decision,” said the delegation’s chair, state Rep. Morgan Cephas. “Epps has a proven track record of excellency, unparalleled leadership and expertise. We are looking forward to our collaboration. “We are celebrating this appointment, and we are taking action in favor of the university. Our goal is to help protect the stability of the institution.” On the same note, state Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein, delegation secretary, highlighted some of the qualities that makes Epps an exceptional choice. "JoAnne Epps has my full support as the new interim president of Temple University," Hohenstein said. "She's spent over half of her life there teaching and making a true difference in young individuals’ lives right here at Temple. We're grateful that she has chosen to put her retirement on hold while the university finds its feet." Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, delegation treasurer, pointed out that he has known JoAnn Read more

 

Neilson meets with SEPTA officials to discuss challenges and initiatives

(Apr 11, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

This is a huge update for SEPTA that will take the system we have now and upgrade it to run more efficiently, decrease delays and run more direct routes to get the people who rely on public transit where they need to go, when they need to be there. I look forward to working with SEPTA to implement these updates and provide support where it’s needed. Read more

 

Roundtable examines importance of direct support professionals

(Apr 11, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, April 11 – State lawmakers held a House Majority Policy Committee roundtable discussion today on the importance of ensuring direct support professionals can earn a living wage. “Direct support professionals provide a critical service to our communities,” said state Rep. Tarik Khan, who hosted the hearing and represents portions of Philadelphia. “As we learned today, ensuring our government enables direct support professionals to earn a living wage should be our No. 1 objective in helping these professionals continue to provide the care we know is essential, not only to people with disabilities but also to their community.” The roundtable featured G.N. Janes, the CEO of Valley Community Services; Michael Anderson, an advocate and homeowner; Carrin Butts, a direct support professional who assists Anderson; and Dr. Josie Badger, the founder of Badger Consulting Inc. Direct support professionals are people who support people with disabilities by assisting them. “We’ve created a system that is an obstacle course,” Policy Committee Deputy Vice Chair Rep. Melissa Shusterman said about the many difficulties direct support professionals are encountering. “We have to address so many aspects just to get things back on track, and yet there is still so much more we need to look at, including reduced costs for transportation or how to provide affordable housing or improving benefits – like paid sick Read more

 

Waxman: The Sixers have a new process, and they’re trying to rush it

(Apr 11, 2023) Rep. Ben Waxman

Offering only snazzy artist renderings and grand platitudes, the developers behind this project ask us to trust them. Not so fast, I say. We need details. We need clarity. Read more

 

State Reps. Kenyatta, Bullock and Burgos introduce legislation to increase state oversight of Temple University

(Apr 03, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, April 3 – State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, Donna Bullock and Danilo Burgos, all D-Phila., are introducing legislation to increase state oversight of Temple University to help address violence near the campus. In the last four years, the number of shootings within the Temple campus patrol area nearly tripled, going from 11 in 2018 to 26 in 2022. This year, 2023, there have already been multiple shootings, including one that killed Temple police officer Christopher Fitzgerald. In addition to this, Temple’s enrollment has declined 16.5% since 2017. Recently, Temple University President Jason Wingard resigned from his position, causing an upheaval in the school’s leadership. To combat the issues Temple faces, the lawmakers are introducing legislation to increase the number of state-appointed board members to the Temple University Board of Trustees by giving one more appointment to the governor, the president pro tempore of the Senate, and the speaker of the House of Representatives. The legislators said that more state-appointed board members on the Board of Trustees would ensure that the state has greater oversight over the important decisions before the board and can guarantee that state money is being used effectively. Kenyatta, a Temple alum, said that as a state-related university, Temple enjoys many benefits of state funding each year, and the school should receive more oversight from the state to ensure the safety of Read more

 

Cephas and Kenyatta bill would protect residents from ‘ghost guns’

(Mar 31, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, March 31 – In an effort to protect the safety of all Pennsylvanians and provide the commonwealth’s law enforcement officials the tools that they need to protect residents, state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Malcom Kenyatta, both D-Phila., introduced House Bill 777, that would ban the manufacturing, sale, and possession of ‘ghost gun’ parts in the commonwealth. “Without necessary regulations of these firearms, individuals ineligible to possess firearms under state and federal law would easily be able to get their hands on these deadly weapons,” Cephas said. “We urge support for this Gun Ghost legislation in order to ensure the safety of our friends, families and neighbors. We must ban the production and distribution of these firearms.” Kenyatta explained that while these devices should already be illegal under current federal law, it falls on members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to act and protect Pennsylvanians from the danger these firearms pose to public safety. “Ghost guns are one of the main drives of gun crimes in our city — they are unaccountable and too frustratingly simple to obtain,” Kenyatta said. “Putting an end to the gun violence crisis in our city means getting serious about ghost guns. Ending the runaway gun crimes on our streets is my number one priority. Now is the time to get these weapons out of our community.” Rep. Cephas has also Read more

 

Benham, Kenyatta and Smith-Wade-El introduce bill to protect minors from conversion therapy in PA

(Mar 31, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, March 31 – State Reps. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny; Izzy Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Malcom Kenyatta, D-Phila., have introduced legislation (H.B. 575) to protect minors from conversion therapy. “There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that tells us efforts to change an individual’s sexual identity through so-called ‘therapy’ causes serious harm to their mental health,” said state Benham, who co-chairs the PA LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. “It is shameful that in 2023 Pennsylvania still allows the abhorrent practice known as conversion therapy to occur, and I am looking forward to outlawing it to protect and affirm LGBTQ+ youth across our Commonwealth.” “Conversion therapy is anti-gay bias masquerading as science,” said Smith-Wade-El. “This abusive practice has caused immense harm on patients, including depression, trauma, drug use, homelessness and suicide. It reinforces the idea that there is something psychologically wrong with LGBTQ people because of their sexual identity. It’s long past time that PA joins 20 other states and the District of Columbia in banning this abhorrent practice to protect the physical and psychological well-being of LGBTQ minors.” The legislation, the Protection of Minors from Conversion Therapy Act, seeks to address harms associated with conversion therapy by prohibiting a mental health professional from engaging in this archaic treatment with an Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation amplifying tactical pressure on gun safety reforms

(Mar 30, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, March 30 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today announced that the organization is aggressively working on key actions that will boost prevention efforts and regulate reckless gun access in the commonwealth as part of a strategic plan to put a halt on the gun violence crisis that is assaulting the city. Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas, who was not able to attend today’s news conference, explained earlier that the delegation was implementing a strategic plan to put a halt on the gun violence crisis that is assaulting the city. “Ending gun violence is a top priority for us. We're approaching this with a multi-pronged strategy, working closely with our state and city stakeholders. We cannot wait any longer to take action. Gun violence is preventable,” Cephas said. Rep. Danilo Burgos, vice chair of the delegation, explained that the institution has also formed a strong alliance with gun control advocacy groups in order to amplify efforts to combat gun violence. “Gun violence is not a responsibility that pertains to one person or one organization, this is a task for all of us,” Burgos said. “Public safety is everyone's responsibility. We are grateful to count on the powerful input of organizations like CeaseFire PA and Every Murder is Real, but also families of victims and survivors of gun violence who are incessantly raising awareness about this issue,” Burgos said. On Read more

 

Policy Committee examines expanding reproductive health care

(Mar 29, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

“Physicians testified before the committee about how eliminating the physician-only abortion laws in Pennsylvania would strengthen our health care workforce while at the same time improve care for pregnant people, and help reduce maternal mortality,” hearing co-host Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler said. “These are recommendations based on science, published reports by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control, and by the very physicians who train advanced practice clinicians. This change would have a beneficial impact on the lives of many Pennsylvanians.” Read more

 

I-95 North Ramp to Bridge Street/Harbison Avenue (Exit 27) to Close Permanently Next Month in Northeast Philadelphia

(Mar 28, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PennDOT has announced the upcoming permanent closure of the existing northbound I-95 ramp to Bridge Street/Harbison Avenue (Exit 27). Plan a new route for your commute! Read more

 

Majority Policy Committee examines affordable housing crisis

(Mar 28, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

“Rising prices for rent and construction costs continue to displace people,” said Rep. Danilo Burgos, who is the Policy Subcommittee chairman of Progressive Policies for Working People. “But this hearing helped illustrate that the housing crisis also has a negative impact on equity and environmental issues – forcing workers to commute great distances since acquiring housing near available jobs is not always possible.” Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation looking ahead to protect tap water safety

(Mar 27, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, March 27 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed its position on the challenges faced by the city following the Delaware River pollution incident occurred Friday when 81,000 gallons of acrylic latex polymer were spilled in the river by a chemical processing plant. “We are relieved to say that Philadelphia’s water remains safe to drink -- that it has not been impacted by the chemical spill caused as a result of equipment failure at a Trinseo PlC plant,” said the delegation’s chair, state Rep. Morgan Cephas. “This opens a door to adjustments and an exhaustive reevaluation of our emergency plan when it comes to critical situations like the one we experienced this past weekend. “The Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees the right to pure water for all Pennsylvanians. While it appears we may have avoided an environmental catastrophe in this situation, our city and state must be prepared for potential disasters in the future,” Cephas said about the spill that happened Friday in Bucks County. Danilo Burgos, vice chair of the delegation, emphasized that as the city moves forward, the Philadelphia House Delegation will diligently collaborate with city officials to improve the emergency response to similar health threats. “We have been closely monitoring the situation and we know that that this incident has raised concerns with our residents. We want to make sure that they know that public Read more

 

Representatives, testifiers advocate to Raise the Wage

(Mar 27, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

“We are here to fight on behalf of workers, and – I think I can speak for my colleagues here today – we will not stop until we get it done,” said hearing host Rep. Roni Green from Philadelphia. “The old cliché holds true, a happy worker is a productive worker. We can do better, we must do better.” Read more

 

The Philly region has a lot more power in Harrisburg now that Dems control the House. Here’s why.

(Mar 22, 2023) Philadelphia Inquirer

Rep. Morgan Cephas, the Philadelphia delegation chair, hopes the number of House Democrats from the region should make it possible to make “big transformations” for the city. “This puts us in a position to deliver,” Cephas added. “We’re all laser-focused on our agenda to help move the needle.” Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation appraises impact of Shapiro budget plan on city

(Mar 17, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

The Philadelphia House Delegation today characterized Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed spending plan for 2023-24 as an ideal blueprint that can accelerate the pace at which the City of Brotherly Love could reach new levels of progress. Read more

 

The Philadelphia Platform 2023-24

(Mar 16, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Budget and Policy Priorities of the Philadelphia House Delegation for the 2023-24 Legislative Session. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation praises Shapiro’s budget priorities

(Mar 09, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, March 9 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed their endorsement of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which he provided during an address to the General Assembly. The delegation said the spending proposal, that will cover the fiscal year 2023-24, displays a solid approach to the most critical issues facing the commonwealth. “We are greatly satisfied in being assured by the governor that our core priorities as a delegation are included in his plan and that the voices of our city are being heard,” said the delegation’s chair, state Rep. Morgan Cephas. “Improving educational outcomes by investing in K-12 funding and school buildings and reducing gun violence through the Neighborhood Infrastructure Initiative are among the most crucial needs of Philadelphia. We are confident that this budget will allow us to work on more efficient ways to eradicate the inequities and deficiencies in our city,” Cephas continued. State Rep. Danilo Burgos, vice chair of the delegation, emphasized the fact that the governor’s budget has innovation and development as two of its key words. “Shapiro’s budget pitch is for the benefit of every Pennsylvanian,” he said. “We are excited to see a 50% increase for the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program, which connects colleges and universities, the Industrial Resource Center and Read more

 

Solomon appointed to chair of Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee

(Mar 08, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

"I will fill this role with an eye to making the veteran experience -- both during and after military service -- part of the Pennsylvania experience," Solomon said. Read more

 

New hope for Philly Dems and wary GOP optimism: Shapiro’s budget a rare sign of unity in Harrisburg

(Mar 08, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Lawmakers say the proposal could pump much-needed money into Philadelphia’s economy. Read more

 

Hearing details support needed for career and technical education
Apr 12, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation applauds appointment of JoAnne Epps as acting president of Temple University
Apr 12, 2023

Neilson meets with SEPTA officials to discuss challenges and initiatives
Apr 11, 2023

Roundtable examines importance of direct support professionals
Apr 11, 2023

Waxman: The Sixers have a new process, and they’re trying to rush it
Apr 11, 2023

State Reps. Kenyatta, Bullock and Burgos introduce legislation to increase state oversight of Temple University
Apr 03, 2023

Cephas and Kenyatta bill would protect residents from ‘ghost guns’
Mar 31, 2023

Benham, Kenyatta and Smith-Wade-El introduce bill to protect minors from conversion therapy in PA
Mar 31, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation amplifying tactical pressure on gun safety reforms
Mar 30, 2023

Policy Committee examines expanding reproductive health care
Mar 29, 2023

I-95 North Ramp to Bridge Street/Harbison Avenue (Exit 27) to Close Permanently Next Month in Northeast Philadelphia
Mar 28, 2023

Majority Policy Committee examines affordable housing crisis
Mar 28, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation looking ahead to protect tap water safety
Mar 27, 2023

Representatives, testifiers advocate to Raise the Wage
Mar 27, 2023

The Philly region has a lot more power in Harrisburg now that Dems control the House. Here’s why.
Mar 22, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation appraises impact of Shapiro budget plan on city
Mar 17, 2023

The Philadelphia Platform 2023-24
Mar 16, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation praises Shapiro’s budget priorities
Mar 09, 2023

Solomon appointed to chair of Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee
Mar 08, 2023

New hope for Philly Dems and wary GOP optimism: Shapiro’s budget a rare sign of unity in Harrisburg
Mar 08, 2023