HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. today announced that the School District of Philadelphia has been awarded two grants from the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program totaling $8.65 million to support renovation projects at Overbrook High School. The projects will renovate the auditorium and replace the roof at the historic 98-year-old building. •$5 million was awarded for roof replacement, HVAC, energy savings, plus health and safety upgrades in the school auditorium, including complete asbestos and lead paint abatement, and removing moldy walls and ceilings.•$3.65 million was awarded for the roof replacement project for the entire school, due to ongoing leak issues that have escalated air quality and mold concerns. The School District of Philadelphia will provide $10.75 million in matching funds to cover the total cost of both projects. “At nearly 100 years old, Overbrook High School is one of the oldest and most iconic school buildings in Philadelphia but riddled with environmental concerns following years of disrepair. With its easily distinguishable architecture and beauty, these renovation projects will keep this star of our community shining for future generations,” said Cephas.“This is part of our commitment to remediating toxic school buildings across the state. I’m thankful that the Shapiro administration understood the dire need of these restorations so that we can keep Overbrook High healthy, safe and clean for our students,... Read more
As Co-Chair of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus, PA state Rep. Morgan Cephas knows that proper nutrition is a key component in the larger effort to lower maternal mortality rates in the commonwealth. In a recent budget hearing Cephas questions Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding about his agency’s efforts to expand their Farmers Market Nutrition Program, as well as improving the redemption of WIC dollars, to better serve expecting birthing people. Read more
“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
"We understand that our budget serves as a moral compass, reflecting our society's priorities, and given the current state of Philadelphia, these discussions are crucial to our collective success as a city," Cephas said. Read more
Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia), chairperson of the Philadelphia House Delegation said that the proposed $161 million increase in state funding to SEPTA, which would bring the state funding total to $1 billion, should be a “priority of everyone” in the state Legislature. She noted the city is slated to welcome the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game, and the America 250 Celebration in 2026. Read more
“We applaud the governor for working with us to address this crisis so we may ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to equitable health care of the highest quality.” Read more
Today, leaders of the Philadelphia House Delegation said that they are pleased with the direction of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024-25. Among the many positives, the delegation is excited about the proposed investment in SEPTA and mass transit, as well as equitable education funding for the School District of Philadelphia. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., is inviting the senior residents of her legislative district to a special event she’s co-hosting with Main Line Health to promote senior heart health during American Heart Month, held each February. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Calvary Baptist Church, 6122 Haverford Ave. “I encourage all of my senior constituents to join us for this heartwarming gathering, where they can expect engaging conversations about maintaining their heart health, receive valuable health information, enjoy a delicious meal and have the opportunity to connect with fellow seniors,” Cephas said. “This event is all about promoting healthy lifestyles for our wisest neighbors.” Cephas said the gathering is just one of many issue-based Senior Chat and Chew events she holds throughout the year. More information about the event and a variety of state-related programs and services available to district residents is available by calling her office at 215-879-6625. Read more
Winter 2024 Newsletter Read more
Today, leaders of the Philadelphia House Delegation said that they are encouraged by the announcement by Gov. Josh Shapiro that he will include a major investment in public transportation in his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024-25. Shapiro said that he will include a proposal to increase of the state’s share of public transit funding by 1.75%, which would be an investment of nearly $300 million into transit companies across the state. Read more
“In observance of Maternal Health Awareness Day, we will continue our work to address Black maternal morbidity and mortality in Pennsylvania by reducing barriers and increasing access to quality and equitable care across the state,” Cephas said. “To do so, we will work to pass the PA MOMNIBUS, which will aim to decrease racial disparities in health care and address the social determinants of health. Through House Resolution 278, we begin our work to address the maternal health care crisis in Pennsylvania.” Read more
Today, the PA House Judiciary Committee approved a measure sponsored by state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Malcolm Kenyatta, both D-Phila., aimed at ending the proliferation of “ghost guns” in Pennsylvania Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 12 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed their satisfaction for the appointment of Pedro Rosario, a 29-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department who will serve as deputy commissioner of the department’s Kensington Initiative. “Winds of change keep blowing in Philadelphia and we cannot be more excited about the outcome,” said Rep. Morgan Cephas, chairwoman of the delegation. “Mayor Cherelle Parker started strong. She is not only vowing to fight the overdose crisis and the drug market in Kensington; Parker is taking the bull by the horns. The designation of Rosario to work on specific duties in Kensington is a bold action that has our wholehearted support,” she added. Rep. Jose Giral, who represents the180 th Legislative District in the Kensington area, is confident that Rosario will be an effective commissioner, based on Rosario’s expertise and solid credentials. Giral witnessed his work firsthand while Rosario was assigned to the 24 th Police District. “I have known Pedro Rosario for a long time. I met him while I was a member of the Police Advisory Commission and this conferred me the opportunity to work hand in hand with him and the 24 th Police District,” Giral said. “Rosario is boots on the ground from day one because he knows exactly all the particulars of the issues impacting our Read more
Every Pennsylvanian has the right to be protected from the environmental and health harms caused by pollution, especially people in historically marginalized neighborhoods who have suffered under years of environmental injustice and where air quality is a significant health concern. I am delighted to see the state investing in cleaner energy and directing money where it is needed so that the city can build cleaner infrastructure and we all can breathe cleaner air. Read more
Today, leaders of the Philadelphia House Delegation expressed their excitement for the inauguration of Cherelle Parker as the first woman and 100th Philadelphian to serve as mayor of Philadelphia. Read more
State House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-191st Dist.) and Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas (D- are applauding $225,000 in state funds being awarded to Achieveability, a neighborhood revitalization organization that has served West Philadelphia for more than 40 years. Read more
State House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas are applauding $225,000 in state funds being awarded to Achieveability, a neighborhood revitalization organization that has served west Philadelphia for more than 40 years. Read more
Delegation Chair state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., said that the tragedy is felt across the region.“Our love and sympathy is sent to the families of the crew and to the 6abc family. News staff are part of the fabric of our communities and seen everywhere in the region,” Cephas said. “The sudden and tragic loss of the pilot and videographer in the line of service is heartbreaking for everyone, especially so close to the holidays.” Read more
Delegation Chairwoman, Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., said these grants will solidify the foundation of city water and sewer utilities to be better prepared in the case of an emergency. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 14 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., today announced that Gov. Josh Shapiro will sign her legislation ( H.B. 1478 ) , which facilitates more dental screenings in schools, into law. This is the second bill introduced by Cephas that will have been signed into law in the 2023-24 legislative session. “I’m excited this is becoming a reality for our students. Aside from when they first enter school and in third and seventh grades, many students go unchecked for years,” Cephas said. “This legislation relaxes current law and will allow school districts flexibility to get more students checked and catch potential dental problems while also preventing future issues down the road.” Once signed, H.B. 1478 will allow a public dental hygiene practitioner to perform basic dental screenings in public schools. Currently, a dental exam must be performed by a dentist in Pennsylvania. Poor oral health in children can: Lead to painful infections and cavities. Result in missing more school and lower grades, directly impacting their educational journey. Affect their overall development, speech and eating habits. “Children with poor oral health status were nearly three times more likely than were their counterparts to miss school as a result of dental pain, which further creates an urgency to fill the gaps in our overall dental system,” Cephas Read more
The bill creates important protections, including restricting shackling and solitary confinement; providing trauma informed care training of corrections officers interacting with pregnant and postpartum women; and providing up to three days of post-delivery bonding time between a mother and newborn child, among other protections. No one should be deprived of respect or be forced to risk their health or the health of their child. Read more
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