“Families shouldn’t have to choose between going to work and having quality care for a loved one, or have to work just to pay for care,” said Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas. “We fought and won for working families prioritizing this significant increase in the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit. I’m elated to know that so many families across Philadelphia will greatly benefit from this increase.” Read more
State Reps. Morgan Cephas and Mary Jo Daley announced today that a $23,518 grant is going to help Saint Joseph's University reduce underage and reckless drinking. "Just like in our efforts to shut down stop-and-gos, curbing underage and reckless drinking can save lives and rid our neighborhoods of the violence that can come with it," said Cephas, D-Phila. "I will keep fighting to secure critical resources like this, which invest in educating our young people about the real-life risks of abusing alcohol and the need to set a responsible example for this generation and generations to come." The state funding is part of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's 2020-22 Alcohol Education Grant Program and, according to Cephas, will go toward a number of prevention initiatives, including: Social norms campaign. EVERFI AlcoholEdu. e-CHUG. e-TIPS University. PLCB conference. Safety App. "While it's inevitable that young adults in college test newly discovered freedoms, there are ways to do it safely, and programs like these at St. Joseph's help educate students to be more responsible in their actions," said Daley, D-Montgomery, who added that Plymouth Township Police Department and the CTC Wellness Foundation in Conshohocken each received $40,000 in PLCB grants Read more
In her ongoing efforts to ensure everyone in her communities is counted, state Rep. Morgan Cephas on Tuesday helped local residents complete the 2020 Census ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. "It's not just about showing people how to fill out the form but also educating them about what's at stake if they don't," said Cephas, D-Phila. "Census data is used to decide how billions in federal dollars are spent each year and, for every person who isn't counted, Pennsylvania stands to lose about $2,000 per person, per year. These are critical funds to invest in improving schools, roads, health care, food security and other assistance programs and services that so many of our most vulnerable neighbors rely on to live." According to Cephas, individuals came out to her West Philadelphia office to fill out their census form and get their questions answered, as well as receive free masks, hand sanitizer and important information about state-related programs. "This opportunity only comes once every 10 years and participation is paramount," explained Cephas. "At last check, the census response rate for our section of Philadelphia was just over 45%, which is extremely low. We must do better to ensure the 192nd Legislative District doesn't miss out on its fair share of resources that our communities need and deserve Read more
The House Democratic Housing Working Group announced a package of bills to protect people across Pennsylvania as the state’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosures expires Read more
As Pennsylvania gears up to head to the polls, state Rep. Morgan Cephas hosted a virtual town hall Tuesday to connect her neighbors with information they needed to prepare for the upcoming general election. "Whether voting by mail or in person, I am encouraging everyone to devise their voting plan now to ensure they can cast their ballot safely and securely without worry," said Cephas, D-Phila. "We must come together and overcome attempts of voter suppression and reinforce how critical casting a ballot is in November to shaping the future of our city, state and country." As part of her Making Your Voice Count series, Cephas teamed up with Philadelphia City Commissioner Omar Sabir along with Philadelphia Local BMC 7048 to discuss mail-in voting, the critical role the United State Postal Service is playing and ways to get more young people involved in the election process. The U.S. Census Bureau also participated to remind individuals about the importance of taking part in the 2020 Census. "There is certainly more than one way to make your voice heard and that includes being counted," Cephas explained. "Right now, Philadelphia's response rate to the 2020 Census is hovering just over 50%, which is lower than Pennsylvania's overall rate of around 67%. It's crucial we increase this number to help ensure our communities don't miss out on our fair share of federal funding." Read more
The Police Reform Working Group, a collection of local and state elected officials and advocates, issued the following statement in response to a Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee hearing on law enforcement interactions with the community:“We appreciate the House Republican Policy Committee shining a light on how law enforcement interacts with communities around the state. This is a necessary discussion that is long overdue and it’s encouraging to hear presenters today acknowledge that police reform is necessary. Read more
Ahead of the upcoming school year, state Rep. Morgan Cephas announced today $98,009 in grant funding is going to help West Philadelphia Achievement Charter Elementary School improve educational services for its students during the COVID-19 pandemic. "As the new school year approaches, the priority must be to ensure our young people have a safe learning environment," said Cephas, D-Phila. "This funding goes toward our ongoing efforts to provide schools with the tools they need to adapt to these unprecedented times and overcome educational challenges brought on by the coronavirus." According to Cephas, the state resources are part of Governor's Emergency Education Relief Funds aimed at helping education agencies, including school districts throughout the state, that are designated for Additional Targeted Support and Improvement under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act authorizes governors to determine the educational use of GEER Funds. Under ESSA, states develop plans to designate schools for support based on student groups in key areas, including academic achievement, graduation rate and regular attendance. Student groups include race, economically disadvantaged, English language learners and students with disabilities. Grants were calculated based on elements of the federal Read more
Check out my latest update for information about Access Centers that will be available for students during digital learning, voting by mail and how much more time you have to respond to the 2020 Census. Read more
Check out my latest update to read about how you can help us address the housing crisis, COVID-19 relief that's available for small businesses and much more. Read more
State Rep. Morgan Cephas announced today $100,000 in funding is going to the Trades for a Difference organization to support their housing project aimed at offering affordable living to those who need it most. Cephas said the organization will use these resources, which were made available through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund, to rehabilitate eight donated properties in her legislative district to provide stable, affordable housing for low-income, first-time homebuyers. "Affordable housing is a continuing problem, especially in poorer communities, and COVID-19 has only intensified the housing crisis across Philadelphia and the entire commonwealth," said Cephas, D-Phila. "This funding helps to ensure families and our most vulnerable neighbors have access to the assistance and services they need to keep a roof over their heads during this pandemic." Cephas went on to say the project also will help reduce gentrification, violence and blight while creating jobs. "Trades for a Difference's Construction Leadership Development Program readies youth from under-resourced communities for employment in the building trades," explained Cephas. "We must continue investing in these types of opportunities that are meant to aid our young people in Read more
At the request of state Senator Judy Schwank (D- Berks) and state Representatives Morgan Cephas (D- Philadelphia) and Mary Jo Daley (D- Montgomery), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a joint virtual public hearing with the House Democratic Policy Committee on maternal mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers and experts in the field discussed the innovative responses to maternal mortality before and during the coronavirus pandemic, which put a unique strain on the overall healthcare system and traditional services. “The increasing rates of maternal mortality in the United States were extremely concerning before the coronavirus pandemic hit, but as we continue to fight the spread of COVID-19, we need to make sure that we are continuing to work for policies that give new moms and babies the healthiest outcomes possible,” Schwank said. “Not only must our healthcare system continue bracing for the effects of COVID-19, it must also continue to be vigilant in making sure that pregnant and new mothers are receiving the best treatment and care possible.” Senator Lisa Boscola (D- Lehigh/Northampton), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, continued, “We have spent a lot of time during this pandemic discussing the best ways to protect so many different segments of society. Maternal mortality is not just a women’s issue, it affects the family unit as a whole. Today we had the opportunity to discuss the best ways Read more
The WHC chairs called the actions of the nonprofit into question, writing, “For more than 20 years, an organization known as Real Alternatives has been enriching itself and its executives, mismanaging state-appropriated funding, and potentially misdirecting that funding for advertising and legal services, including using Pennsylvania dollars in other states.” Read more
Pennsylvania House Democrats seek your experiences relating to the housing crisis in light of COVID-19. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 8 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., said several career and technical education schools in her 192 nd legislative district will receive pandemic relief grants to help them implement safety plans for students and staff. According to information from the Wolf administration, Continuity of Education and Equity Grants were awarded to the following schools : $39,724 to Overbrook High School. $27,651 to the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber. $29,250 tor Ad Prima Charter School. $19,000 West Philadelphia Achievement Charter Elementary School. “These grants will help sustain crucial educational programs in our community, which have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cephas said. “This funding will help ensure the safety of students, continuity of services and essential educational programs, which often lead to jobs right here in our community, sustaining the well-being of our district’s and state’s economy.” The funding comes from the federal CARES Act and authorizes governors to determine the educational use of these relief funds. Continuity of Education and Equity Grants provide funding to support effective continuity of education programs such as summer and other expanded programming and industry credential assessments for students enrolled in career and technology centers negatively impacted by COVID-19 mitigation. Grants for the schools in Cephas’ district Read more
“It is vitally important to our area that economic engines like Saint Joseph’s University continue to operate as close to normal as possible,” said Cephas, whose 192nd Legislative District covers the Philadelphia section of St. Joe’s. “These funds will allow them to provide their exceptional education while keeping students, staff and faculty safe from potential coronavirus exposure. I want to thank Governor Wolf for ensuring that students are able to continue their education with a measured, practical approach to COVID-19 mitigation.” Read more
As the countdown continues to the general election, state Rep. Morgan Cephas is ramping up her efforts to help prepare voters to head back to the polls in November amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Cephas teamed up with the Mayor's Office of Youth Engagement and the Philadelphia Youth Commission Tuesday night for a virtual town hall meeting focused on pinpointing strategies to increase voter engagement among young people. "Voting gives us the opportunity to reshape our future and redefine our priorities as a community," said Cephas, D-Phila. "We need to ensure the younger generation is part of that conversation because they play such an integral role in deciding which direction our country, commonwealth and city will go moving forward." From civics education and online strategies to initiatives geared towards getting young adults involved in the election process, the group took participant questions and highlighted various ways to demonstrate the importance of casting a ballot to millennials and members of Generation Z. "Affordable education, public safety and police reform aren't just top priorities in the legislature but are also issues of high interest to 18 to 24-year olds," explained Cephas. "It is our responsibility to provide these individuals with the resources, information Read more
Check out details about how employers can apply for hazard pay to provide their employees on the frontlines of COVID-19 along with a new digital school program launched by the School District of Philadelphia. Read more
Check out my latest update to read about the new police reform bills signed into law, plans to reopen schools safely and funding to help provide hazard pay to frontline workers. Read more
From protecting homeowners and renters to relief for small businesses, check out my latest update from Harrisburg. Read more
From passing police reform legislation to helping you through the COVID-19 pandemic, it's all in my Summer Newsletter. Read more
In response to Vice President Mike Pence visiting with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5, the Police Reform Working Group, made up of state and county elected officials and advocates, released the following statement:“As members of the Police Reform Working Group, we believe that the path to achieving community safety and racial justice in Pennsylvania must be two-fold. First, we must improve our current system of policing through accountability, oversight, and tangible policy changes that will diminish instances of police brutality against all citizens, but especially against the Black community. Second, we must work with communities to transform and re-envision policing itself through bold systemic changes that center around those most impacted by police violence and structural racism. Read more
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