PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20 – State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., released the following statement regarding a complaint she filed today with the Pennsylvania Department of Health: “Today I filed a state Department of Health COVID-19 complaint against the Pennsylvania State House for failing to ensure safe working conditions, including for the refusal to wear masks and social distance on the House floor and even in committee meetings held in confined spaces. This drastic step reflects the high stakes that we face in protecting the health and safety of all staff and members who step foot in the building, as well as their families and communities at home.” Fiedler said that she did not make the decision to file the complaint lightly but felt it necessary after reckless disregard for safe working conditions within the Capitol walls continued eight months into a deadly and intensifying pandemic. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, families, schools and small businesses across the state have been hit hard. We are now facing another very serious wave of COVID-19 illness with hospitalizations reaching 2,900 on Thursday — more than at the peak in April. While families across our state mourn the loss of loved ones and are taking the difficult step to stay away from many people they love this holiday season, the unsafe working conditions within the Capitol continue to contribute to the pain and suffering felt across the state. In fact, Read more
HARRISBURG, April 22 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., announced a $68,751 Commonwealth Financing Authority grant was awarded to the Southeast Youth Athletic Association for the installation of lights at its baseball field. “SEYAA is a multi-sport volunteer organization that has served kids from south Philly, and across the region, for over 25 years,” Fiedler said. “They reach more than 800 kids through their baseball programs. This investment will allow them to continue to meet the needs of the families that they serve, enabling extended programing beyond daylight hours to keep up with the growing size of their community leagues. This project represents an important pillar of their overall vision to modernize their fields, to ensure the children who participate in their programs have a safe and sustainable place to play.” "SEYAA is so grateful and elated to receive this grant,” said Joann McAfree, SEYAA administrator. “State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler and Senator Nikil Saval assisted us in achieving this great goal. We now can light our main baseball field which never had lights. This will allow for more playing time for our older divisions. It is an accomplishment that we have been trying to reach for the past 20 years.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to Read more
PHILADELPHIA, April 20 -- A coalition of local progressive elected officials issued the following statement on the unanimous guilty verdicts in the Derek Chauvin case, and called for systemic change through a new vision of public safety that ends the continual increasing of police budgets, instead investing in communities and public services that prevent violence in all forms. State Sen. Nikil Saval, City Councilmembers Helen Gym, Kendra Brooks and Jamie Gauthier, and State Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, Rick Krajewski and Chris Rabb issued the following statement: “The violence that was done to George Floyd was simultaneously singular and universal. It was violence enacted on his body, and it was violence done to a family, to a community, to a nation, and to an entire world. The jury’s verdicts signify that the murder committed has been recognized as such by the State: a murder. “This is a reflection of ‘justice’ in accordance with our current systems. But these verdicts alone do not bring healing to a grieving family and to Black and Brown communities across our country. They do not right the fundamental injustice that George Floyd should be alive today. And they do not change the reality that throughout our city and country today, people feel unsafe in their own communities. People feel unsafe because housing is insecure, their families struggle paycheck to paycheck, and if violence happens, few structural supports Read more
PHILADELPHIA, April 17 — Councilmember Kendra Brooks, state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, state Sen. Nikil Sava and community partners Book Smiles, PGW, PECO, Revzilla, and Caring for Friends, collaborated to hold a Community Book Drive and Resource Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at John H. Taggart Elementary, 400 W. Porter St. "As Philadelphia recovers from the difficulties of this past year, it is critical that we bring resources, information, and supports directly to families,” said Brooks (At-Large). “Neighborhood-based events like these are the foundation of building strong communities and providing our young people with bright futures. I am proud to work with my state colleagues and Taggart Elementary School on this great event.” At this fair, community members picked-up free grocery boxes, book bags, donated age-appropriate books and resources and information for families. “Families are still struggling in South Philadelphia. I am happy to collaborate with my colleagues Councilmember Kendra Brooks and State Senator Nikil Saval to provide needed resources and information for families,” Fiedler said. Representatives from both Brooks’ and Fiedler’s offices provided information and resources at the fair. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, April 9 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler and State Sen. Nikil Saval held a virtual Town Hall to help constituents navigate the unemployment compensation systems. Many people have applied for the first time, during the past year, and continue to have frustrating and slow interactions with the system. Rep. Fiedler said the decision to hold the event was based on need in the community. “We’ve been helping thousands of people across our district in South Philadelphia get the benefits they are owed.” In many cases, Rep. Fiedler said, people are waiting for weeks or months. “It’s ridiculous that our neighbors have to wait so long for this money. The last year has been very hard for a lot of people. On top of health, safety and education concerns, many people who lost their jobs have struggled to pay their bills. While my staff and I continue to work very hard to advocate for our constituents, and for large system improvements, I was glad to co-host this virtual event as an additional step to get people information about the system, its challenges, and how we can help.” Sen Saval shared, “Since my office opened on Dec. 1st, our staff has made thousands of calls to residents throughout the 1st Senatorial District with their unemployment questions and claims. We know how hard it has been. We know many of you have been waiting months to receive responses to your claims, let alone the payments you need to Read more
As Chair of the House Democratic Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler joined Senator Vincent Hughes and the House Democratic Policy Committee to discuss the state of school buildings in Pennsylvania. She showed this video from a rally she organized more than a year ago pointing out that nothing has improved in that time. Fiedler has vowed to continue fighting until all Pa. students, staff, and teachers have a safe and healthy environment to work in. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 8 -- Schools statewide are in urgent need of upgrades for the health and safety of students and staff, and today’s meeting of the House Democratic Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People highlighted what actions the state can take to address toxic schools. The public virtual hearing, hosted by Subcommittee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler and state Sen. Vincent Hughes, brought together educators from across the state, healthcare and legal professionals, and labor experts to discuss the implications of inaction and benefits of investment in school safety. Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro explained, “Pennsylvania schools need repair. Addressing these concerns will put our skilled laborers to work at family sustaining wages and set children and educators up for good health and success now and in the future.” “Most of Pennsylvania’s schools were built in the 50s when the knowledge of safe materials was limited,” Fiedler said. “But there are plenty of schools built even before that. Those old buildings pose so many health problems to our children, teachers and the community at large where they are.” “While we are in the middle of conversations to make upgrades and accommodations to our schools because of COVID, let’s take this time to discuss what overall solutions are available to make these sick buildings healthy for our kids and everyone who Read more
HARRISBURG, April 6 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, chair of the Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People, is partnering with state Sen. Vincent Hughes to host a public hearing to discuss the current state of toxins in schools and the impacts they have on health and learning outcomes. The hearing will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 8 . The media and public are invited to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy or on the committee’s Facebook page--@PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Fiedler will be joined by Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee for members to learn more about repair and remediation options available to schools and how the General Assembly can support efforts to address the issue. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here . Read more
COVID-9 updates and vaccination resources, district events and community calendar, net neutrality and public hearings. Read this week's newsletter. Read more
COVID-19 information, AAPI advocacy, families with incarcerated parents, and our community calendar. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 19 – The House Democratic Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People hosted a roundtable discussion focusing on incarcerated parents and the impact of incarceration on families. Read more
COVID-19 vaccination resources, economic mitigation updates, community news and events, and other useful information. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 18 – State Rep. Summer Lee today hosted a hearing of the Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People, bringing together advocates statewide to highlight the need for eliminating cash bail in Pennsylvania. The hearing’s first panel included Larry Krasner, district attorney, city of Philadelphia; Bethany Hallam, at-large member, Allegheny County Council; Jessica Lopez, community activist and Lancaster County resident; and Muhammad “MAN-E” Ali Nasir, community activist and co-founder of Jailbreak PGH. Krasner highlighted reforms Philadelphia implemented that resulted in public health and safety improvements through the pandemic and called for reforms at the state level. Hallam, Lopez and Nasir shared their personal experiences with cash bail that exposed systemic racism and traumatic practices that ignored the presumption of innocence and implemented punitive detainment practices. Lee, D-Allegheny, said, “While we must eliminate debtors’ prisons, we cannot replace it with other pre-trial practices and conditions that impose unjust and harmful physical and financial barriers for folks who -- until convicted by a jury of their peers -- are presumed innocent! We have to proceed with caution to ensure we're not replacing one harm with another. Today’s discussion clearly showed the benefits to eliminating cash bail and making the system more fair and equitable.” “Cash bail punishes Read more
Reflection after one year of COVID-19 in the city, vaccination sites, SEPTA guidance, childcare centers, work in our District, #YouthArtMonth. Read more
Report from Harrisburg, fair funding for schools, COVID-19 resources, tax tips and unemployment information, Pennsylvania's birthday and Women's History Month. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 2 -- State Reps. Liz Fiedler and Rick Krajewski hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing Monday to highlight how an education budget focused on the people could best impact Pennsylvania students, especially the neediest populations. The committee heard testimony from a panel of pre-k advocates, including Shalonda Spencer, director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Trying Together; Damaris Alvarado-Rodriguez, CEO of Children's Playhouse Early Learning Center; and De’Wayne Drummond, president, Mantua Civic Association Parent Engagement Specialist, Head Start at Philadelphia School District. The panel shared concerns regarding workforce retention, low pay and the need for additional funding so they can increase pay for workers. The panel also described the devastating mental and emotional toll COVID-19 has taken on them, and on childcare center workers and families. They called for renewed investment in the care and education of Pennsylvania’s youngest residents. “I am deeply invested in the equitable education of Pennsylvania’s children from birth on up. As a mother, it’s personal for me and as a legislator, it’s my mission to ensure our children have access to high-quality care and education,” Fiedler explained. “We must draw a line and refuse to let some children be viewed as less valuable than others by the General Assembly. That starts by valuing the labor of the Read more
PHILADELPHIA, March 2 — Nearly one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, which has dramatically changed life in Philadelphia and across the world, a group of elected officials who represent South Philadelphia in city, state and federal government called for improved vaccine access in South Philadelphia. State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., said that while acknowledging doses remain limited, it is nonetheless concerning that the city’s map of vaccination sites clearly shows that South Philadelphia is dramatically unserved. “I hear from constituents everyday who have spent the last year just trying to get by. Many South Philly senior citizens are unable to travel the considerable distance that is currently required of them to get the vaccine. I am advocating for them to get local access to a shot that could save their life!” Fielder said. Fiedler was joined by state Rep. Regina Young, state Sen. Nikil Saval and city Councilman Mark Squilla in sending a letter to city Health Department Commissioner Thomas Farley calling for the city to work quickly to add vaccination sites in South Philadelphia. They identified the need for vaccination sites for senior citizens specifically, as well as supporting a proposal submitted to the city by Jefferson Health, in partnership with SEAMAAC and others, to create a vaccination site at their new health clinic -- the Wyss Wellness Center -- along with other possible Read more
Letter to city Health Department Commissioner Thomas Farley calling for the city to work quickly to add vaccination sites in South Philadelphia. Read more
COVID-19 vaccine status in Philadelphia, report from Harrisburg, fighting for safe schools in PA, community mental health virtual fair, unemployment resources, community updates. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 26 -- State Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Rick Krajewski, both D-Phila., will host Monday’s House Democratic Policy Committee meeting on the state’s early childhood and k-12 education budget. The hearing will be held at 3 p.m. March 1. The public and media may tune in at www.pahouse.com/policy or the committee’s Facebook page --@PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted to policy@pahouse.net . Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro will join Fiedler, Krajewski and House Democratic colleagues for a look at how the education budget should take a fair and equitable approach that provides quality educational opportunities regardless of zip code. This hearing is part of the People’s Budget project which includes public hearings on environmental policy, education and infrastructure. The committee hopes to generate legislative policy that upholds Pennsylvania’s constitutional obligation to provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the commonwealth. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 25 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, with city and state partners, held a virtual mental health fair Tuesday, Feb. 23, to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to connect constituents with mental health support and resources. Fiedler partnered with state Rep. Regina Young, City Councilmember Kendra Brooks, and City Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson to hold the event. “Many people are struggling with job loss, housing and food insecurity, virtual schooling, and the physical toll of COVID-19,” Fiedler said. “We are now nearly one year into the pandemic and it has taken other tolls on our families as well: trauma, stress, anxiety, intense fear and loss. There is a lot of stigma around asking for mental health help, but it’s critical for us to break down those barriers, to get through this pandemic and beyond.” Andrea October from the Department of Behavioral Health & Intellectual disAbility Services encouraged viewers to “validate, center and allow space,” especially for teenagers and children who may be coping with the stress of the pandemic in a different way than adults in the home. Chantay Love, from EMIR Healing Center which provides education and advocacy, talked about the additional struggles many families face due to ongoing gun violence. “Grandparents are raising grandkids during a pandemic,” she Read more
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