“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
While schools are closed, the Pennsylvania Department of Education is offering a grant opportunity for schools to help provide continued learning for students. Read more
From the stay-at-home order being extended to schools now closed indefinitely, here are the COVID-19 updates you need to know from the week of March 30, 2020. Read more
As we work to overcome the ongoing challenges associated with COVID-19, I am committed to bringing you up-to-date information about the virus and connecting you with the available resources aimed at helping you overcome this public health crisis. Here's new information you need to know from this week. Taking action to provide COVID-19 relief for Pennsylvanians I'm working to protect myself, my colleagues and you by working from home, while still working to make sure you have a voice in Harrisburg. In our fight against COVID-19 this week, we passed bills to: Reschedule Pennsylvania’s Primary Election from April 28 to June 2, 2020. Provide $50 million in emergency funding to assist hospitals, nursing homes and emergency medical services in acquiring the supplies needed to care for the influx of patients and protect health care workers. Support education by guaranteeing that teachers, bus drivers and other school employees don't lose their salaries or benefits while schools are closed. It also waives the requirement that schools provide 180 days of instruction this school year. Assist employees/employers by easing Read more
As schools remain closed, state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Peter Schweyer are introducing legislation to help connect all students with the critical resources they need to continue their education during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Advanced technology has made it possible for young people to learn outside of the classroom. However, not all families are able to afford these services and devices," said Cephas, D-Phila. "Access to quality education should not be based on your ZIP code, especially during times of crisis. This is just another way I am working ensure children in our communities have access to the same tools as everyone else." The bill would allocate grant money to school districts to provide or expand access to technology and technological equipment, like laptops or tablets, for students who do not have the means to purchase them or are unable to access the Internet from home. “As a parent of two children in the Allentown School District, I know that so many of our talented kids only have access to technology at school," said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. "When the need arrives when schools need to be closed, we must make sure students have the tools they need to continue their studies, regardless of their economic circumstances. This legislation will help close the digital divide for those less fortunate Read more
** 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
The City of Philadelphia has published lists of hospitals, urgent care clinics equipped to accept seriously ill patients, and lists of schools and community centers serving free breakfast and lunch for students and others. Please find resources near you on the map below: Read more
I am committed to transparency and accountability among public servants and value this as an instrument to keep you informed on my work but also engaged with our shared decision-making process. Read more
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
Out of an abundance of caution, our office will be closed to the public starting Monday, March 16th until further notice. Tomorrow, March 13th, our office will also be closed for complete office cleaning. For any assistance with state services, please contact our staff by phone (215) 879-6625, email RepCephas@pahouse.net or fax (215) 879-8566. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 11 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., today announced a $25,000 state safety and security grant to Mahdieh Inc., a nonprofit Islamic educational center established in February 2000. The center serves the Iranian American Muslim community of the Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware area and is founded and operated by its members. It serves as a resource for Muslim parents to raise their children and celebrate Muslim holidays. This grant will be used to bolster the organization’s efforts to reduce hate crimes and help those who are victims of hate. “This critical grant will ensure the sustainable operations of Madhieh, an organization important to the Iranian American community in our district,” Cephas said. “Today and every day I celebrate the decision to award these funds. I am proud to be an advocate for our diverse community.” According to Cephas, the grant is provided through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, established by Act 83 of 2019. The act directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations who have been or who are likely to be targets for hate crimes. Priority consideration was given to organizations that indicated they – or their membership – were victims of a hate crime or had a credible hate-crime threat. ### Read more
Pa. state Rep. Morgan Cephas is fighting to make higher education affordable and accessible for everyone. She talked with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education about reducing student loan debt and the need to "ban the box" on college applications Read more
Check out the details of our Job and Resource Hub event Thursday, March 5. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 27 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas announced a $425,219 school safety grant for Overbrook School for the Blind. “This funding reflects my commitment to ensure all children have access to a safe learning environment,” said Cephas, D-Phila. “Overbrook School for the Blind plays a critical role in offering young people in our community who are blind, visually impaired or living with multiple, complex disabilities a quality education. These resources are meant to provide the tools necessary to strengthen security measures that help best protect some of our most vulnerable students in the commonwealth.” Cephas said Wednesday the school will use the state funds to: Upgrade protective lighting. Increase video surveillance. Install emergency call boxes in the parking lot and bordering 64 th Street. Develop an all-hazard plan to improve emergency response capabilities. Strengthen ability to swiftly evacuate non-ambulatory students. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency receives hundreds of applications for the School Safety and Security grant program . The School Safety and Security Committee approved 524 grants Wednesday. Read more
Join us on March 14th for our Dignity for Women Expungement Clinic. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 21 – Amid recent shootings in Philadelphia, more than 1,300 people took part in state Rep. Morgan Cephas’ telephone town hall meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue of gun violence as well as other critical issues facing their neighborhoods. “We can’t let ourselves become numb and simply accept deadly shootings like the one that just happened last month on 54 th Street,” said Cephas. “However, finding a viable solution will take a multi-pronged approach that must involve input from the community. This telephone town hall is just another way I’m working to make sure our middle neighborhoods are part of the conversation.” As part of her effort to end this public health crisis, Cephas talked about the importance of passing commonsense gun safety legislation, like universal backgrounds checks, as well as investing in small businesses to create local jobs while ensuring workforce training is available to help fill those open positions. Cephas also fielded questions about mental health and affordable housing, while pinpointing concerns that participants wanted to see addressed in the 2020-21 state budget. “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’ve been in Harrisburg this week to begin a series of hearings to ensure we create a state budget plan that works for all Pennsylvanians,” Cephas explained. “From reducing crime and enacting anti-gun violence Read more
Find out what your friends and neighbors had to say about the issues that matter to our community Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 14 – As gun violence continues plaguing Philadelphia, state Rep. Morgan Cephas hosted her State of the 192 nd Town Hall on Tuesday to address this public health crisis. Dozens of people attended the panel discussion entitled the "Roadmap to Safer Communities: City and State Measures to Address the Gun Violence Crisis," which featured: Vanessa Garret-Harley: deputy managing director of criminal justice and public safety, City of Philadelphia. Kiana Brown: Philadelphia Office of Violence Prevention. Capt. Robert McGeever: 19 th Police District. “If we want the best chance to stop this growing epidemic, our neighbors, police and community leaders must be part of the conversation,” said Cephas, D-Phila. “I want to thank everyone who came out to listen and let their voices be heard. Showing up is an important part of moving our communities forward.” Members from the Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network were also in attendance. “There isn’t just a single answer that can solve gun violence,” Cephas explained. “Protecting Pennsylvanians requires a multipronged approach, which includes investing in mental health programs, fully funding our schools, teaching our children the difference between right and wrong from the beginning, and passing commonsense gun safety laws.” Cephas is fighting to pass Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., today released the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s $36.1 billion budget proposal for the 2020-21 fiscal year: “A society’s priority is based on where they put their funds, and I strongly believe the governor’s no-tax-increase budget plan addresses the critical issues facing families across Philadelphia. “He understands that quality education should not be determined by your ZIP code. It’s evident through his push to implement all-day kindergarten for all children across the commonwealth, while investing student loan forgiveness to help make higher education more affordable in our state school system. “I’m proud the governor is joining our fight to protect communities from gun violence by putting $10 million towards prevention programs and pushing to pass commonsense gun safety legislation, like universal background checks and safe storage laws. “I also fully support the governor’s renewed efforts to raise the minimum wage. Too many people I serve suffer, earning $15,000 a year in a city that requires at least $30,000 a year to pay the bills and put food on the table. It’s time we give hardworking Pennsylvanians the raise they deserve. “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this budget plan on time and help move Read more
Each year, the Pennsylvania Treasury receives millions of dollars of unclaimed property. It is estimated that roughly one in 10 Pennsylvanians has unclaimed property. Unclaimed property may include: Closed bank accounts; Uncashed checks, including paychecks; Lost stocks and bonds; Contents of safe deposit boxes; Proceeds from the demutualization of insurance companies; Expired gift cards/gift certificates. To find out if you have unclaimed property, search your name in the Unclaimed Property database at www.patreasury.gov/Unclaimed/Search.html , call 1-800-222-2046, or contact my office . There is NO CHARGE to claim your unclaimed property. Read more
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