HARRISBURG, July 16 — Reps. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Abby Major, R-Armstrong/Westmoreland, have introduced a bipartisan bill to legalize recreational cannabis for adult use in Pennsylvania. House Bill 20 would establish a stable, well-regulated cannabis market that prioritizes public safety and public health, protects children from exposure, promotes social justice and fosters economic opportunity. “By failing to legalize, Pennsylvania is sending millions in needed revenue to other states and failing to address generations of injustice done in communities as a result of the criminalization of recreational cannabis,” Kinkead said. “This bipartisan legislation was crafted with considerable input from stakeholders at every level and reflects the strong support for legalization among Pennsylvanians.” Kinkead said the bill would boost local economies and create more than 30,000 new jobs, while also creating a much-needed new revenue stream for the state. “Representative Kinkead and I have worked diligently to craft a piece of legislation that we believe both parties can get behind using lessons learned from the other 24 states that have already done so,” Major said. “Anyone who believes in personal liberty and fiscal responsibility for Pennsylvania should support the legalization of adult-use cannabis.” Key features of the bill include: Independent regulation Read more

HARRISBURG, July 14 – State Rep. Dr. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, issued the below statement on the potential loss of health insurance for nearly a half-million people if federal Medicaid cuts impact premium tax credits currently subsidizing people who get their health insurance from Pennie and the Affordable Care Act. “As an emergency physician, I have seen what happens when people lose health insurance and fall into medical debt when they become ill. Patients fear seeking necessary health care and present later in illness and sicker than they should. I have unfortunately even seen patients die from fears of medical debt hanging over them. No one chooses to have medical debt -- it happens unexpectedly when one becomes ill at the worst time imaginable. No one thinks this is a positive feature of our health care system. “I have spoken out about the threat to Medicaid from the federal reconciliation bill. But there is a more immediate threat to the health of all Pennsylvanians from this legislation. “Nearly half a million Pennsylvanians get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act through the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange, or PENNIE. These are middle- and working-class folks who can afford health insurance because of enhanced premium tax credits from the federal government reducing their costs. This benefits all of us as when more people are insured, those costs do not get shifted onto those with Read more

“This is really about making sure veterans know where to turn for resources they’ve earned while serving our country,” state Rep. Dan Deasy said. “Whether they need help accessing benefits, support for their families, or just a connection to local resources, this will point them in the right direction. It might seem like a small change, but it can make a big difference for someone who needs it.” Read more

HARRISBURG, July 7 – After unanimously passing through the Pennsylvania General Assembly, legislation that would allow family of members of the Pennsylvania National Guard to claim additional education benefits each time the Guard member reenlists or renews their service commitment has been signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro, the bill’s co-prime sponsors, state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Craig Williams, announced. Act 32 of 2025 (formerly H.B. 865) amends the state’s Military Family Education Program, also known as the Pennsylvania GI Bill, to clarify that the program’s education assistance is a renewable benefit each time a Guard member reenlists or renews their service obligation for an additional six-year term. “The work of our military members comes with many sacrifices, including some taken on by their families as their loved one leaves to serve,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “Now that it is clear the education benefit is renewable with each enlistment, the Military Family Education Program will now be able to give back an even greater amount to these resilient families while also boosting retention within the Guard.” “Every reenlistment is a sacrifice. Not just for the service member, but for their entire family,” said Williams, R-Delaware/Chester. “As a Marine Colonel and combat veteran, I know what that continued commitment requires. House Bill 865 reflects our promise to Read more

HARRISBURG, July 7 – On the heels of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s announcement that Pennsylvania has officially joined interstate compacts to expand access to physicians, nurses and physical therapists, the state House today unanimously passed legislation introduced by Reps. Arvind Venkat and Kristin Marcell that would enable Pennsylvania to enter a similar compact for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Venkat, D-Allegheny, said he introduced H.B. 80 to address the growing shortage of professionals in these fields. “Thousands of Pennsylvanians of all ages require treatment for hearing, speech and language-related disorders, but increasing demand for these services has led to a shortage of professionals that can make it difficult to access these services,” Venkat said. “Today, we move a step closer to closing those gaps with the House’s passage of my legislation, with Representative Marcell, that would enable Pennsylvania to join Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. “Joining the compact would allow audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed through the ASLP-IC in 36 states and one territory, including our neighboring states of Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia, to practice here in the Commonwealth. It’s an important way we can ease the shortage of these health care professionals in our state and ensure that patients get the services they need.” Read more

State Rep. Dan Frankel, chair of the Pennsylvania House Health Committee, and Rep. Aerion A. Abney, chair of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation, issued a joint statement in response to UPMC’s apparent efforts to prevent nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital from voting in a union election, and UPMC’s failure to engage with local legislators seeking to safeguard a fair election process. Read more

“I introduced this bill to help ensure easier interactions between law enforcement and drivers with a communication impairment,” said state Rep. Brandon Markosek. “By recognizing a designation on the driver’s license of an individual with a communication impairment, an officer can appropriately adjust and communicate effectively with the driver.” Read more

“Occupational therapists assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help people with disabilities or developmental delays build or regain the skills they need for daily living and independence,” said state Rep. Brandon Markosek. “Joining the compact will help reduce barriers to care, especially in rural and underserved communities, while giving providers the ability to practice across state lines without jumping through redundant licensing hoops.” Read more

HARRISBURG, July 1 – State Reps. Carol Kazeem and Heather Boyd, both D-Delaware, and Andre Carroll, D-Phila., of the relaunched bipartisan House PA Youth & Public Safety Caucus on Monday announced a public safety initiative in Harrisburg. Read more

“Too often, veterans miss out on benefits they’ve earned simply because they don’t know what’s available,” Deasy said. “This bill is a commonsense way to make sure that every eligible veteran sees the support that they’ve earned through serving our country, right where they work. I’m proud to see this bill headed to Governor Shapiro’s desk.” Read more