HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – On Wednesday, the state House of Representatives passed legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s efforts to combat human trafficking. House Bill 1286, sponsored by state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila., would equip hospitality workers with the training and tools to recognize and respond to trafficking activity. House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee Chair Mary Jo Daley said that it was an honor to see the bill pass unanimously and head to the Senate, where she hopes it’s met with fast approval. “Hospitality workers are often on the front lines, interacting regularly with guests and observing day-to-day activity in lodging environments,” Daley said. “By ensuring these workers are properly trained, the legislation seeks to improve early identification and reporting of suspected trafficking, helping prevent exploitation and protect victims, guests and staff. “Thank you to Representative Young for her tireless efforts on the bill, and to all of my House colleagues who took a stand for trafficking victims across the state.” House Bill 1286 would require lodging establishments, third-party listing platforms, and operators of short-term rentals across the commonwealth to provide human trafficking awareness training to their workers. The training would educate employees on what human trafficking is, how to identify common warning signs, and the Read more

State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced that nearly $1.5 million in grants has been awarded for eight projects that will benefit the 165th Legislative District. Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced nearly $1.9 million in state funding for public safety and infrastructure projects within his legislative district. Ciresi advocated for grants awarded from the Statewide Local Share Account, which is funded by the PA Race Horse Development Gaming Act. “These state grants are smart investments in both public safety and our infrastructure,” Ciresi said. “Residents will feel safer walking the streets or traveling around Pottstown and Royersford thanks to new security improvements. First responders will reach people in distress more quickly with the addition of two ambulances and a firetruck. The water our residents use to drink and cook with will be safer thanks to upgraded service lines. And our community will have a refreshed space to connect and gather in a renovated community center. “As a long-time advocate for resuming commuter rail service from Philadelphia to Reading, I am especially thrilled that this funding will allow the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority to enter its final phase of construction and soon restore passenger rail service,” Ciresi said. “Our community will see significant benefits from this project, including greater access to jobs, higher property values, and stronger local businesses. “These grants will help us achieve the future we’ve planned for.” Projects awarded LSA funding in Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, today announced nearly $1.9 million in state funding for community improvement projects in her legislative district. Kazeem advocated for grants awarded from the Statewide Local Share Account, which is funded from the PA Race Horse Development Gaming Act, along with the Act 13 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, which supports projects involving the development, rehabilitation and improvement of public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation. “I went to Harrisburg to advocate for my community’s needs, and I am honored to bring back funds this year that will protect the health and safety of the district’s residents by replacing failing city vehicles with 23 new ones, purchasing an ambulance to help improve response times, rehabilitating a decaying fire house, and improving a locality’s sewer system. This nearly $1.9 million I’ve brought home will build up our infrastructure, making the 159th District safer for everyone.” The projects awarded LSA funding in Kazeem’s legislative district are: $882,050 to Chester for City of Chester Multi-Departmental Fleet to purchase 23 vehicles and upfitting costs to replace 14 failing vehicles. The replacement will reduce financial strain, increase public safety, and streamline operations for the municipality. The vehicles will serve a multitude of purposes throughout the municipality. Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today approved a joint resolution sponsored by state Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would allow Pennsylvania residents to add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the state constitution. The Otten, Hanbidge and Mayes bill, H.B. 1957 , proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution that would reaffirm and protect every Pennsylvanians’ right to privacy and ensure that the state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate personal decisions. The amendment would ensure that every individual has a right of privacy with respect to personal, sexual and reproductive health care 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, all without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion or relationship status. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support by a vote of 102 to 101. Today’s action represents a significant step toward advancing the legislation, which could ultimately appear on a future ballot for Pennsylvania voters to decide whether fundamental reproductive rights should be explicitly protected in the state constitution. For the first time in recent legislative history, Pennsylvania is taking proactive steps to protect Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 -- Today, the Pennsylvania House Environmental & Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue recommendations on litter law enforcement in Pennsylvania. The legislation, H.R. 352, was introduced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. The resolution stems from the Pennsylvania Litter Research Study (2018–19) and the subsequent Litter Action Plan (2021). Conducted by DEP, PennDOT, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, these initiatives urged the Commonwealth and the General Assembly to evaluate the effectiveness of Pennsylvania’s litter ordinances, laws, statutes, and regulations, and to take steps to enhance enforcement. “The Pennsylvania Litter Research Study found more than 500 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania roadways. While 90% of Pennsylvanians believe litter is harming the state in every possible way -- damaging the environment, polluting waterways, depressing property values, reducing tourism, and hurting businesses -- the overwhelming majority feel it’s unlikely that anyone will actually be caught or fined for littering,” Ciresi said. “We need to strengthen our litter laws and improve their enforcement.” Described as a 'first step in this process,' PalmettoPride and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful completed a joint study on litter law enforcement in 2023, highlighting key issues raised Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – Today, state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware hosted a news conference to celebrate House passage of her bill that would mandate human trafficking awareness training for Pennsylvania workers in the hospitality industry, including online lodging and reservation companies.House Bill 1286 would amend Act 197 of 2012 to include training requirements approved through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for employees of public lodging establishments who have contact with guests or access to guest rooms, and for operators of short-term rentals. Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced the approval of $67,050 in funding through the Neighborhood Assistance Program to support educational initiatives for at-risk students and public safety improvements in Pottstown. The funding was approved this week by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Through NAP, businesses can receive tax credits of up to 95% for contributions made to qualifying community projects. “These investments in Pottstown’s youth and public safety will go a long way toward improving the quality of life,” Ciresi said. “Together, these state awards look to the future by supporting young learners and helping protect downtown Pottstown for everyone’s enjoyment.” The approved funding includes: • $51,300 to RSVP Volunteers to provide critical math and reading support to at-risk and vulnerable students in the Pottstown and Norristown school districts. The funding will also support family literacy programs for Pre-K MCIU Head Start students and essential digital literacy training across Montgomery County, both directly and in collaboration with community partners. • $15,750 to Pottstown Area Industrial Development Inc. to enhance public safety and strengthen community trust in the 300 block of East High Street in Pottstown. The project includes installing a new security camera to complete the police department’s monitoring Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced his opposition to President Donald Trump’s executive order which would override states’ authority to regulate artificial intelligence. Ciresi serves as the majority chair of the House Communications & Technology Committee. According to The New York Times , the order gives the U.S. attorney general immense authority to sue states and overturn laws that the Administration views as not in alignment with its goal of global domination of the AI industry. Trump has directed federal regulators to withhold funds for broadband and other projects if states keep their laws in place. Trump’s argument is that his order would provide a federal regulatory framework that would override the patchwork of state regulations that might limit technological innovation and give China a competitive edge, according to The Hill . Some critics contend that Trump’s order is a “carve-out for Big Tech” as it both fails to offer a strong national standard on AI regulations and blocks states from regulating the technology. The Trump executive order is the latest move in Washington to limit regulation of AI, including the president’s previous executive orders allowing access to federal data and making it easier for companies to build AI infrastructure. Congressional Republicans have twice this year tried to pass moratoriums on state AI laws, with both efforts Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – The PA House Democratic Delaware County Delegation today announced the approval of $408,500 through the Neighborhood Assistance Program to help low-income people and communities and improve distressed areas in Delaware County. The funding was approved this week by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Through the NAP, businesses can receive tax credits of up to 95% on contributions they make to a qualifying community project. “Nearly 90 organizations in our region have been selected for funding through the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program,” Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, said. “These groups work tirelessly to serve our neighbors and strengthen our communities. I’m proud to partner with many of these groups on projects that provide food, job training, and healthcare to so many of our neighbors.” “This investment through the Neighborhood Assistance Program will make a real difference for families and neighborhoods across Delaware County,” said Rep. Leanne Krueger. “These funds will strengthen our communities and improve quality of life, and I’m proud to support programs that ensure resources reach the neighborhoods that need them most.” “These public-private partnerships are a concrete way for our local businesses to give back to our communities AND reap the economic dividends from these investments in Read more