Summer 2020 Newsletter

(Sep 18, 2020)

Read my Summer 2020 Newsletter now! Read more

 

Bullock announces $1.4M in historic, cultural and museum preservation grants for local organizations

(Sep 16, 2020)

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

 

Police Reform Working Group issues statement on House Republican Policy hearing on law enforcement; calls for further legislative action

(Aug 27, 2020)

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

 

Bullock announces emergency relief grants for Eastern State Penitentiary, Mighty Writers, to counter effects of COVID-19

(Aug 06, 2020)

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: News from Harrisburg and at home in Philly!

(Jul 27, 2020)

July 27 email. Read more

 

Bullock to host curbside Summer Open House today, July 13, to celebrate 195th Day of 2020 in the 195th Legislative District

(Jul 13, 2020)

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: You’re invited to my Summer Open House TODAY!

(Jul 13, 2020)

July 13 email. Read more

 

Police Reform Working Group issues statement on Vice President Pence’s visit with the Fraternal Order of Police

(Jul 09, 2020)

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

 
 

PLBC mourns Dominique Fells

(Jun 12, 2020)

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

 

Police Reform Working Group looks forward to working with Mayor Kenney

(Jun 09, 2020)

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

 

Police Reform Working Group releases statement on progress toward reform

(Jun 04, 2020)

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 on Gov. Tom Wolf’s adoption today of their request for a state-level deputy inspector general aimed at improving law enforcement conduct, as well as Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s, along with the Fraternal Order of Police’s, support of a confidential database to track complaints against police officers: Read more

 

Philadelphia elected officials call for state, local reform of community-police relationships

(Jun 02, 2020)

In the midst of civil unrest across Pennsylvania ignited by the murder of George Floyd, elected officials from Philadelphia introduced a series of much-needed reforms aimed at improving community/police relationships. Read more

 

Bullock announces more than $500K in education equity grants

(Apr 23, 2020)

PHILADELPHIA, April 23 – State Rep. Donna Bullock announced today that education equity grants totaling more than $500,000 have been awarded to schools in her district to provide access and inclusion for all learners. “Education is the key to opportunity for all of our students,” Bullock said. “Unfortunately, educational opportunities are not equal for all of our students. But grant awards like these help to bring equity to the table, enabling more students to have more access to the tools they need to be their best.” Grants were awarded to: Philadelphia City School District, awarded $500,000. Frederick Douglass Mastery Charter School, awarded $37,926. The grants, Continuing of Education Equity Grants, are designed to help provide access and inclusion for all learners by bridging the gap for students who are currently limited in their ability to participate in continuity of education, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which administers the grants. The grants may be used to purchase computer equipment like laptops, tablets and internet hot spots, or used toward providing instructional materials like paper lessons and coursework. Schools with the highest percentages of students lacking access to resources were given priority in receiving the grants. ### Read more

 

PLBC commends Gov Wolf's new Health Disparity task force

(Apr 17, 2020)

PHILADELPHIA, April 16 - State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus released the following statement Wednesday commending Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman for the newly announced COVID-19 Response Task Force for Health Disparity that will help to identify how the pandemic is impacting communities of color: “Governor Wolf has done a tremendous job tackling the Covid-19 pandemic so far, and his mitigation measures have helped ease some of the stress caused by this unexpected situation,” Kinsey said. “I am in full support of these additional steps that will hopefully reduce the outsized impact that Covid-19 is having on people of color.” "Anyone who has been paying attention knows that there are vast disparities in health care for people of color," state Rep. Donna Bullock, PLBC vice chairwoman, said. "That isn't new, but in the midst of a global pandemic that has upended life for all of us, the disparities in health care for people of color are magnified. I'm grateful that Governor Wolf is prioritizing this issue. I look forward to helping in the effort any way that I can." “I’m grateful that Governor Wolf and Lieutenant Governor Fetterman have decided to take on this challenge,” state Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, PLBC secretary, said. “We cannot pretend that there are no disparities in Read more

 

Funding Relief for Faith & Nonprofit Community

(Apr 15, 2020)

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus presented a webinar to help nonprofit and faith-based organizations find funding relief through the Small Business Administration and other organizations. White House Policy Advisor and SBA Regional Administrator Ashley Bell was a featured speaker, in addition to other advocates and members of the PLBC. Read more

 

Bullock announces $25K safety grant for Metropolitan Baptist Church

(Mar 23, 2020)

PHILADELPHIA, March 23 – State Rep. Donna Bullock announced today that the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded a $25,000 state grant to Metropolitan Baptist Church for safety and security measures. “While it’s difficult to think that safety and security measures are necessary to protect people in the places they gather to worship, it is an unfortunate reality, and I am grateful that this grant fund exists and that Metropolitan Baptist Church has received this funding,” Bullock said. “That said, my hope is that while Metropolitan Baptist Church uses this grant funding to improve safety at its facilities, our communities can continue to work to promote love and equity, and to diminish hate and ignorance.” The grant awarded to Metropolitan Baptist Church is one of 113 totaling more than $5 million that the commission approved this month. Metropolitan Baptist Church’s application for the grant funding was one of 805 applications submitted through the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, which was created after House Bill 859, which established the fund, was signed into law in November. The fund is specifically for nonprofit organizations that serve people, groups or institutions that are included within a bias-motivation category for single-bias hate crime incidents, as identified by the FBI’s 2017 Hate Crime Statistics publication. The grant awards may be used for security Read more

 

COVID-19 Resources and Information

(Mar 21, 2020)

** Below is a list of informational links for resources in and around Philadelphia related to COVID-19. This will be updated as more/new information becomes available ** The latest info on COVID-19 cases and other data statewide from the Pennsylvania Department of Health : https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx The latest information on COVID-19 cases and other data in Philadelphia from the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health : https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/environmental-health-hazards/covid-19/ The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has activated a Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline . It’s available 24/7. If you have questions about symptoms and risk factors, what to do if you think you may have been exposed, testing resources, or recommendations for social distancing, you can contact the helpline at 1-800-722-7112. More info: https://www.phila.gov/2020-03-14-greater-philadelphia-coronavirus-helpline-opened-by-health/?fbclid=IwAR2HZUc0yYdy66IMO4nrx8g4Z8vKMHE9qWUXmmLDe3OZFIjVhiwGDu0ZFIo List of essential Philadelphia services and how to access them: https://www.phila.gov/2020-03-18-essential-city-services-remain-open-here-is-how-to-access-them/?mc_cid=7f7be1d618&mc_eid=eda5e48c86 . Information about how SEPTA is operating: http://www.septa.org/service/rail/midday-schedule.html Information about how Amtrak is Read more

 

My district office is closed.

(Mar 16, 2020)

To reduce the risk of exposure and spread of the coronavirus, please be advised that my district office is closed to the general public until further notice. My staff and I will remain available remotely by phone and email, and meet with constituents by appointment as deemed necessary. Here's all my office contact information and a form to submit an email to me: https://pahouse.com/bullock/contact . Read more

 

Philadelphia House leadership, legislators, call on Governor Tom Wolf to halt all Public Utility Commission utility disconnections in wake of the COVID-19 virus

(Mar 12, 2020)

PHILADELPHIA, Mar. 12 – Members of Philadelphia leadership team in the state House were joined by fellow Philadelphia legislators in asking Gov. Tom Wolf to place a moratorium on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from further utility shutoffs for the foreseeable future for all Pennsylvanians in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Philadelphia members in leadership positions, including Reps. Jordan Harris, Democratic whip; Joanna McClinton, Democratic chairwoman; Rosita Youngblood, Democratic secretary; Jason Dawkins, Philadelphia Delegation chairman; Stephen Kinsey, Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus chairman; and Jim Roebuck, Education Committee chairman, were joined by Philadelphia Reps. Donna Bullock, Morgan Cephas, Joe Hohenstein, Malcolm Kenyatta, Brian Sims, Maria Donatucci, Danilo Burgos, Isabella Fitzgerald, Mike Driscoll, Mary Isaacson, Pam DeLissio, Chris Rabb, Elizabeth Fiedler, Jared Solomon and Kevin Boyle in issuing the following statement: “The COVID-19 virus situation is literally evolving by the hour in Pennsylvania as we continue in what’s a situation many Pennsylvanians have never experienced. Many of our neediest residents have life-saving medical equipment that they use in their home, and it’s of the utmost importance that they have consistent access to that equipment through their electric utility. Our emergency rooms and first responders can’t be asked to spend finite resources on Read more

 

Summer 2020 Newsletter
Sep 18, 2020

Bullock announces $1.4M in historic, cultural and museum preservation grants for local organizations
Sep 16, 2020

Police Reform Working Group issues statement on House Republican Policy hearing on law enforcement; calls for further legislative action
Aug 27, 2020

Bullock announces emergency relief grants for Eastern State Penitentiary, Mighty Writers, to counter effects of COVID-19
Aug 06, 2020

July 27, Email: News from Harrisburg and at home in Philly!
Jul 27, 2020

Bullock to host curbside Summer Open House today, July 13, to celebrate 195th Day of 2020 in the 195th Legislative District
Jul 13, 2020

July 13, Email: You’re invited to my Summer Open House TODAY!
Jul 13, 2020

Police Reform Working Group issues statement on Vice President Pence’s visit with the Fraternal Order of Police
Jul 09, 2020

July 7, Email: Reopening schools – have your voice heard this week!
Jul 08, 2020

PLBC mourns Dominique Fells
Jun 12, 2020

Police Reform Working Group looks forward to working with Mayor Kenney
Jun 09, 2020

Police Reform Working Group releases statement on progress toward reform
Jun 04, 2020

Philadelphia elected officials call for state, local reform of community-police relationships
Jun 02, 2020

Bullock announces more than $500K in education equity grants
Apr 23, 2020

PLBC commends Gov Wolf's new Health Disparity task force
Apr 17, 2020

Funding Relief for Faith & Nonprofit Community
Apr 15, 2020

Bullock announces $25K safety grant for Metropolitan Baptist Church
Mar 23, 2020

COVID-19 Resources and Information
Mar 21, 2020

My district office is closed.
Mar 16, 2020

Philadelphia House leadership, legislators, call on Governor Tom Wolf to halt all Public Utility Commission utility disconnections in wake of the COVID-19 virus
Mar 12, 2020