PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 7 - Two historical institutions in the 195 th legislative district have been awarded cultural and historical support grants totaling more than $45,000, according to state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila. Eastern State Penitentiary Historical Site was awarded $40,000 and Girard College Foundation was awarded $5,178. The money is part of nearly $2 million in grants being awarded across Pennsylvania by the state’s historical and museum commission, going to 155 eligible museums and official county historical societies from 58 Pennsylvania counties. “Eastern State Penitentiary has played a significant role in prison reform,” Bullock said. “Considered the world's first true penitentiary, Eastern State Penitentiary closed in the 1960s and now serves as a museum and crucial player in today’s conversation about mass incarceration, prison overcrowding and prison reform. “Keeping the history of this institution alive is very important not only to entertain and educate people but also to inform policy,” she added. In addition to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission grant, they also received a $50,000 Marketing to Attract Tourists state grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development. Girard College is an independent college preparatory boarding school. Originally founded as a school for orphaned white males, the school admitted its first African American male Read more
Legislators ask for release of families, children in face of COVID pandemic, unsanitary conditions Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 19 – A resolution introduced by state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., was adopted this week by the PA House and urges awareness about students experiencing homelessness. House Resolution 1086 declares the week of Nov. 16, 2020, as Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week and designates Nov. 20, 2020, as Red Shirt Day. The measure raises awareness of student homelessness and encourages students and their friends to seek help and support. Bullock said in the 2018-19 school year, more than 39,000 school children experienced homelessness in Pennsylvania, an increase of 8% over the last school year and nearly 30% higher than the year before. “Statistics like those are alarming and show the need for help and support,” Bullock said. “It is critical especially at a time like this when we are facing so many obstacles with Covid. If the numbers looked like that last year, there is no doubt they are even more dire now.” Bullock explained that there is a federal law, the McKinney-Vento Act, that requires school districts to accommodate students who are experiencing homelessness to keep at least one aspect of their lives stable. “This may mean providing accommodations for transportation from wherever the student is staying to providing additional services to ensure the student is able to keep up with their classmates,” she said. State Sen. Larry Farnese, D-Phila., introduced S.R. 408 in the Senate, Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 13 – Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Stephen Kinsey congratulated his successor state Rep. Donna Bullock for being elected to head the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus for the 2021-22 legislative session. Bullock, who currently serves as vice chair of the PLBC and will be the third woman to chair the caucus in its 47-year history, was elected by returning and new members of the 27-member bicameral caucus during caucus-wide leadership elections on Tuesday. PLBC members also elected Rep. Summer Lee, D-Allegheny, as vice chair, while Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, will retain her role as secretary, and Rep.-Elect Manny Guzman, D-Berks, will serve as treasurer. “Representative Bullock has been an outstanding vice chair of the PLBC, and I’m thrilled to see manifestations of her dedication in ensuring communities of color are uplifted and recognized in the legislative fabric of our commonwealth,” said Kinsey, D-Phila. “I also want to congratulate other members for being elected to serve in their respective leadership roles. Each of these members has been championing equality and justice as activists and now as lawmakers. It’s solid track records like these that continue to propel the mission of this esteemed caucus forward.” In the current legislative session, Kinsey and the PLBC unveiled a platform that focused on investing in schools and educational opportunity, reforming a criminal Read more
With Philadelphia's homicide rate already surpassing the numbers from 2019, state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Donna Bullock are fighting to provide critical support for gun violence prevention. "Too many lives are being cut short because of this public health crisis, especially our young people," said Cephas, D-Phila. "We have a responsibility as legislators to connect our communities with the tools and resources they need to help stop the bloodshed. Part of that is expanding upon prevention ideas that have worked in strengthening neighborhood safety." Cephas said their bill ( H.B. 2717 ) would create a competitive grant program, known as the Violence Intervention Program, for municipalities that have been disproportionally impacted by gun violence. VIP grants would be awarded to eligible applicants from a fund of $30 million for three years and be administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to support, expand and replicate proven and effective community-based violence reduction initiatives. "Balloons and candles should signify a joyous occasion, but in my neighborhood, they are symbols of remembrance for the lives lost to gun violence," said Bullock, D-Phila. "As a mother of two young boys, I won't sit back and accept these constant shootings as the Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 7 – State House lawmakers representing the House Philadelphia Delegation and Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus today pledged their full weight behind major legal action being taken against the commonwealth for preventing local governments from enacting their own gun-safety laws. The lawsuit filed by the city and private law firms on behalf of Pennsylvanians who have been impacted by gun violence was announced at a news conference in Philadelphia today. Philadelphia Delegation Chairman Jason Dawkins and PLBC Chairman Stephen Kinsey said it was long past time for the many people who have been impacted by gun violence to receive true acknowledgement and justice for their pain. They said the delegations they lead have worked for years to enact sensible gun-safety measures in the state but have been hampered by a Republican majority legislature determined to give no one in the state the ability to reduce gun violence and save lives. “Philadelphia and municipalities across the state took action tragedy after tragedy on behalf of the residents they serve when the state would not, only to be met with callous laws specifically designed to prevent them from doing so,” Dawkins said. “I am equally tired of the hallow promises to help reduce gun violence being made by the Republican majority following each tragedy. They hold the power to move the commonsense gun safety legislation we put forward. Yet, they continue to deny Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., will be holding Pedal for Peace bike riding event in her district from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 10. Bullock said she hopes the event will promote public safety and community relations in the 195 th district and communities across Pennsylvania. The event is scheduled to start at 33rd Street and Diamond. Water will be provided. Bikes will not be provided; however, a local vendor attending the event will provide shared bikes at a discount on a first-come basis. “Wear a mask. Wear a helmet. Join us as we pedal for peace in our communities,” Bullock said. For more details or any questions about the event, contact Bullock’s district office by email at RepBullock@pahouse.net or by phone at 215-684-3738. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – Days before the annual kick-off of “Love Your Avenue Week,” state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., today announced that her resolution designating the week of Oct. 4-10, 2020, as “Love Your Avenue Week” in Pennsylvania —an effort to raise awareness about community revitalization — was unanimously adopted by the House. Throughout the year, Bullock said, communities across Pennsylvania host various initiatives, such as corridor clean ups, festivals, parades, and sidewalk sales to mark the occasion. “‘Love Your Avenue Week’ enforces a sense of pride among residents in their communities. It’s especially notable in the 195 th Legislative District, where we have a huge celebration along Girard Avenue,” Bullock said. “However, the pandemic has put a damper on many of these plans, ultimately coming as a blow to the strength of countless business corridors. The adoption of my resolution not only serves as an ongoing reminder as to how critical these central local businesses are, but also raises awareness to how dire community support is during these times.” Bullock pointed to the Pennsylvania Downtown Center as among the proponents for revitalization. PDC is the only statewide nonprofit dedicated solely to the revitalization of the commonwealth’s core communities. By providing outreach, technical assistance and educational services, the PDC assists communities in Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., announced her legislation to update the state’s Vehicle Code regarding “pedalcycles with electric assist” (e-bike) has been advanced from the Transportation Committee. Bullock said the legislation, House Bill 2646, would have the state code reflect industry standards being adopted across the country and clarify where e-bikes may be operated. Currently, the code has a very specific definition of e-bike that does not allow for the various classes of e-bikes currently being manufactured. “This bipartisan effort will ensure Pennsylvania’s regulation reflects technological advancement. It will help establish safe rules for owners to operate e-bikes on our roads and offer clarity in how this mean of transport is categorized in our Vehicle Code,” Bullock said. “Let’s move our state forward and keep up with industry and states across the country.” According to Bullock, who introduced the bill with Rep. Parke Wentling, R- Crawford/ Erie/Lawrence/Mercer, the legislation would define in statute the following classes: Class 1: the electric motor only provides assistance when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance once the e-bike reaches 20mph. Class 2: the electric motor can propel the e-bike regardless if the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance once the e-bike reaches Read more
Read my Summer 2020 Newsletter now! Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 16 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., announced Wednesday that more than $1.4 million in grants have been awarded to four local historic, cultural and museum organizations. The Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded $20 million in COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation grants to cultural organizations and museums across the state to offset lost revenue caused by COVID-19. Three local organizations that received grant funding are: Zoological Society of Philadelphia, which was awarded $500,000. Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was awarded $500,000. Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc., which was awarded $313,181. “The effects of COVID-19 on so many of our local institutions have been devastating,” Bullock said. “This funding will hopefully provide some financial assistance to these invaluable local organizations and shine a light on how important the organizations are in our community.” Also approved recently for 52 historical and heritage organizations in 24 counties across the state are $2.6 million in Keystone Historic Preservation grants. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $25,000 for project grants and $5,000 to $100,000 for construction projects. All grants require a 50/50 cash match and were awarded through a competitive selection process. In the 195 th Legislative District, the following organizations were awarded grants: Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, which was 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
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 6 –State Rep. Donna Bullock on Thursday announced Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site Inc. and Mighty Writers were among dozens of cultural organizations awarded federal funding designed to counter the effects of COVID-19. Read more
July 27 email. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, July 13 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., will host a curbside Summer Open House outside her district office on the 195 th day of the year, Monday, July 13, to offer a variety of services to folks who live and work in the 195 th Legislative District. “COVID-19 has changed so much about the way we live, work and play, but it doesn’t change the ties that bind us together in our community,” Bullock said. “We can all come together while practicing social distancing and wearing masks to stop the spread of COVID-19, and my hope is that this open house will offer an opportunity for my neighbors in the 195 th to do just that.” Bullock and her staff will host the open house today at 4 p.m. outside her office at 2835 W. Gerard Ave. There will be light refreshments and a variety of information about state government-related services and programs. Anyone in need of assistance with a particular issue is welcome to bring their questions to the open house, too. Guests must wear masks or other face coverings and practice social distancing. Bullock recently reopened her district office for curbside services, Monday through Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Folks in her district in need of assistance can call 215-684-3738 to schedule an appointment or for remote help. Read more
July 13 email. 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
July 7 email. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, June 12 – Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus today mourned the death of Dominque Fells, a Black trans woman who was murdered in Philadelphia this week, and called for greater emphasis on addressing the growing crisis of violence against Black transgender people. “The transgender community has faced unspeakable violence for too long. Their stories have been silenced and overlooked,” said state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila. and PLBC chairman. “We will continue to say Dominique’s name, as well as the names of so many other transgender people who were killed for simply being themselves. When we say Black Lives Matter, we mean Black trans lives too.” "What was done to Dominique Fells is horrific, and those responsible must be held accountable," state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila. and PLBC vice chairwoman, said. "Dominique was a beautiful Black woman. Her life mattered. "The brutalizing of Black people must stop," Bullock continued. "Black trans women are Black women. They are our sisters. And yet we see them killed and assaulted at an even higher rate than other groups of people. They deserve the dignity and security that every woman, every person deserves." The lawmakers said they want to open a dialogue with the community, advocates, law enforcement and others to address the crisis and to identify solutions Read more
The Police Reform Working Group, a collection of elected officials and advocates working to bring accountability and transparency reforms to law enforcement, released the following statement in response to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s commitment to police reform: “To bring about true and meaningful law enforcement reform, we must work together with leaders at all levels of government so the voices of those we represent can be heard and forward-thinking change achieved. We’ve already had several conversations with Mayor Kenney’s administration and those discussions have been promising. We appreciate the mayor’s willingness to listen and believe that his announcement today is the first step in what will be a long, but productive, journey to reform. Read more
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