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Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

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Hohenstein: Sustainable Energy is the Future for PA

(Feb 02, 2024) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

PA state Rep. Joe Hohenstein joins activists, stakeholders, and community leaders in Chester to applaud the Biden administration’s halt on permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects. Hohenstein says there is already sufficient infrastructure in place to export LNG and we should instead be looking for sustainable, non-polluting industries to build our local economies. Read more

 

Hohenstein announces new dog park, $250K in grant funding for community organizations

(Feb 02, 2024) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 2 – State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., today announced The Bridge Clinic’s intention to open a new dog park and the awardees of $250,000 in grants provided by Bridge Industrial. “I’m thrilled to see so many of our Bridesburg community organizations receive support that will go toward continuing the wonderful work they do for our veterans, kids and seniors. And we’ll always welcome having more animal-friendly spaces where dog owners can bring their dogs to play and our community can grow,” Hohenstein said. “Today is a prime example of a community that works together to support one another.” As part of the Community Benefits Agreement, Bridge Industrial donated the parcel of land where the dog park will be developed to The Bridge Clinic. Bridesburg neighborhood organizations receiving grants are: Bridesburg Recreation - $50,000. Bridesburg Boys & Girls Club - $50,000. Riverfront North - $25,000. Bridesburg CDC/BA - $25,000. Bridge Clinic - Dog Park - $10,000. American Legion Post 821 - $7,500. VFW Post 2 - $7,500. Vietnam Veterans - $7,500. United Veterans of Bridesburg - $7,500. Stars & Stripes, Bars & Pipes - $7,500. Boy Scout Troop 120 - $5,000. Bridesburg Cougars (Athletic Club) - $5,000. Bridesburg Home & School - $7,500. Cat Collaborative - $5,000. AIDS Fund - $7,500. Read more

 

Hohenstein Works to Ban Assault Weapons in PA

(Jan 17, 2024) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

PA state Rep. Joe Hohenstein shows his support for legislation that would ban future sales of assault weapons in the commonwealth. Read more

 

Hohenstein, colleagues prepare turkey dinners

(Nov 22, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 22 – State Reps. Joe Hohenstein, Pat Gallagher, Danilo Burgos, Anthony Bellmon, all D-Phila, Sen. Jimmy Dillon, Councilmember Mike Driscoll and their staffs were hosted by Caring for Friends Chair and CEO Vince Schiavone for a turkey dinner preparation event on Tuesday. “I’m proud to follow the tradition of service that my parents have given me in their time of volunteering with Caring for Friends. With so many people in need, we all must answer the call to give what we can, when we can,” Hohenstein said. Caring For Friends distributed 1,000 turkey dinners and prepared over 800 meals with the assistance of federal and state legislators and their staffs. Read more

 

Bill establishing lifetime substance abuse recovery grant program approved by PA House Human Services Committee

(Nov 16, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

HARRISBURG, Nov. 16 – A bill ( H.B. 1650 ) co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., and Jim Gregory, R-Hollidaysburg, that would establish the Lifetime Recovery from Substance Abuse Grant Program was approved this week by the House Human Services Committee with bipartisan support. “This bill recognizes that the scourge of addiction is something that carries throughout the state and is impacting the lives of all of our constituents, neighbors, friends and families,” Hohenstein said. “Treatment and support for people living with addiction is something that lasts a lifetime, and we need to be able to provide people with the tools for getting and keeping jobs, getting housing and receiving peer recovery support in a way that sustains for a lifetime.” The grant program would assist in the development, expansion and improvement of the system of recovery support service delivery in the commonwealth. Recovery support providers offer critical services to those in recovery from substance abuse, including providing peer support, family support, mentoring services, housing and assistance in finding gainful employment. “This will provide support for thousands of Pennsylvanians in recovery so that they can return to their families, friends and the life they were intended to have,” Gregory said. Read more

 

Hohenstein bill protecting public from wild animals passes House

(Nov 13, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

HARRISBURG, Nov. 13 – A bill ( H.B. 1451 ) sponsored by state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., which would protect the public from unsafe encounters with wild animals, passed the House today by vote of 109-94. The legislation was proposed following a decision by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to move away from a safety measure that prohibited direct contact between the public and wildlife, particularly exotic wildlife. This legislation would protect the public and exotic animals by preventing the public from feeding or having direct physical contact with exotic animals without having a sufficient barrier in place. “We have to remember that wild animals are wild, and their intrinsic instincts are going to make them unpredictable,” Hohenstein said. “Scratches, bites and such from exotic animals can be very harmful to individuals and to the public at large by spreading viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections.” Read more

 

Hohenstein introduces LNG Task Force minority report

(Nov 01, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

HARRISBURG, Nov. 1 – State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., introduced a minority report as part of his membership on the Philadelphia LNG Task Force during a meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The task force was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly last year and tasked with examining and making recommendations regarding obstacles, economic feasibility, economic impact and security that would be involved with making the Port of Philadelphia a liquified natural gas export terminal. When authorizing the task force, the General Assembly allowed for the submission of a rebuttal to the task force’s majority report by any member of the task force. Hohenstein said he was glad that head of the task force, state Rep. Martina White, R-Phila., accepted the minority report into the official record. “This is a complex topic with many stakeholders holding a variety of views and strong opinions,” Hohenstein said. “And it is my belief that this report accurately addresses the concerns with placing an LNG facility within the geographical area covered by the Philadelphia Port, resulting in the conclusion that there is simply no suitable location for an LNG facility in Philadelphia or Southeastern Pennsylvania. “The commonwealth should be engaged in a transition away from fossil fuels because of the need to address climate change. As such, I plan to propose the formation of a task force to review the state’s energy policy Read more

 

Philadelphia LNG Task Force Minority Report

(Nov 01, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

LNG Task Force Minority Report Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El and Hohenstein introduce legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians

(Oct 17, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Philadelphia, today outlined their new legislation, House Bill 1630 , that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. The lawmakers were joined by representatives from CASA, Church World Services, Lancaster City Council, IU13 Lancaster-Lebanon Refugee Center and Nationalities Service Center–Philadelphia at a Capitol news conference to discuss the bill. “Immigrants have made Pennsylvania the powerhouse it is,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Yet, despite foreign-born workers comprising over 8% of our state’s workforce and paying $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes, they are scapegoated and bear the brunt of punitive policies that drive them from our state. We’re the ones who lose out the most—at the expense of losing skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and community leaders. “Our bill would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians that would support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth,” he said. “Immigration is what makes Pennsylvania strong,” Hohenstein said. “Our collective ability to come together from all different backgrounds and perspectives for the betterment of the commonwealth is truly wonderful. That’s why it’s particularly unfortunate that so often our immigrant communities face the brunt Read more

 

Legislators, PA Coalition for Trans Youth, TAKE, NEPA Stands Up rally for safe and equal schools

(Oct 17, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Reps. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila.; Nancy Guenst, D-Montgomery; Paul Takac, D-Centre; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; Tarik Khan, D-Phila.; the PA Coalition for Trans Youth; Transgender Advocates Knowledgeable Empowering; NEPA Stands Up and allies held a rally for safe and equal schools on the state Capitol steps in Harrisburg on Tuesday. Speakers highlighted a package of bills that would protect students from gender-based discrimination, bullying and harassment, and provide inclusive accommodations and curriculum. The package includes: Legislation introduced by Guenst that would create a statewide policy for all public schools to prohibit student discrimination and harassment based on actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression through anti-discrimination and harassment prevention and early intervention policies to create a supportive and equal opportunity learning environment. “Our children deserve to step into their learning environments across the commonwealth feeling safe and respected. No child should be made to feel less than their peers due to the real or perceived distinction of belonging to classes that do not currently hold statewide protections,” Guenst said. “This legislation would bridge the gaps currently being filled by individual school districts through policies that cover a wide spectrum; Read more

 

Hohenstein: Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

(Sep 22, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month and Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein wants everyone to know that help is just a phone call away. Anyone suffering a mental health crisis can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Helpline. It’s free and available 24/7. #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth #SuicidePreventionMonth Read more

 

Hohenstein Working to Move Pennsylvanians

(Sep 21, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

As a member of the House Transportation Committee, Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein knows how vital transit systems are to social and economic prosperity in the Commonwealth. Hohenstein is proposing legislation that would give counties and municipalities more options to fund their local mass transit systems. Read more

 

Hohenstein: Mass Transit Investments = Investments in Safety

(Sep 18, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein speaks at House Transportation Committee public hearing in Philadelphia about his experience with SEPTA and public transportation, and why it is so important to invest in safe and accessible mass transit across Pennsylvania. The committee took testimony from urban and rural transit providers looking for a solution to the expected shortfall of funding in the near future. Read more

 

Caregiver workforce crisis discussed in latest House Majority Policy hearing

(Sep 14, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

People living with disabilities, their caregivers and advocates testified about the current caregiver workforce crisis to members of the House Majority Policy Committee during a hearing Thursday afternoon. Read more

 

Pa. could pass a ‘lemon law’ for homes to protect residents from shoddy construction

(Sep 11, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

State lawmakers from Philadelphia are trying to pass new legislation that would help prevent rowhomes from being damaged by adjacent demolitions and reduce defects in newly built houses. Read more

 

Hohenstein, Chester community rally against Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force plan

(Aug 22, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 22 – State Reps. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., and Carol Kazeem, D-Chester, and environmental justice organizations and concerned residents of Chester held a news conference at Lathem Hall on Widener University campus following a Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force public hearing. The task force met for a public hearing on its plan to promote a liquefied natural gas processing plant and export terminal in the Delaware River. Zulene Mayfield, chairperson of Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living, and Stefan Roots, a Chester City Council member, testified during the hearing for everyone who would be negatively impacted by the task force’s plan. Hohenstein, Kazeem, Mayfield and Roots spoke during the news conference, along with Earl Wilson, president of the Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition in Philadelphia, and Shawmar Pitts, co-managing director of Philly Thrive, Grays Ferry, Philadelphia, who were both denied participation in the public hearing by the Republican chair of the task force. “This task force has been, in my opinion, inadequate in upholding its duty to ensure that the facts are transparently displayed and that a representative proportion of the commonwealth’s voices and opinions on the matter have been heard, which is unfortunate as it was authorized by the legislature and is being paid for with taxpayer dollars,” Hohenstein said. A Read more

 

Attention Pa. Homeowner Assistance Fund Applicants!

(Jul 20, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

Attention Pa. Homeowner Assistance Fund applicants! PHFA is traveling around Pa. to help current PAHAF applicants re-register in the new system and to confirm information. Current applications can’t move forward until this step is taken. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation pleased with increased funding on budget priorities

(Jul 07, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

HARRISBURG, July 7 – As we close out this week with the passage of the 2023-24 state budget, the Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed that the spending plan is far from ideal, but still delivers major support to disadvantaged families in Pennsylvania. Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas explained that the delegation is pleased to see the inclusion of some of their top priorities for Philadelphia. “We certainly praise the nearly $1.7 billion (7.6% increase) for the School District of Philadelphia,” Cephas said. “We also voted to support $7.5 million to fund indigent defense for the first time in Pennsylvania history, ensuring public defenders have the resources they need to provide legal representation to defendants who cannot pay for it on their own, among other wins. We are moving the state in the right direction,” she added. State Rep. Danilo Burgos, vice-chair of the delegation, pointed out that the budget showcases the commitment of the House Democratic majority with Pennsylvanians, while managing to evade the unnecessary impasses of a bipartisan legislature. “Not a perfect budget; we wished it could have gone further in some areas and programs, but I am proud to say that we didn’t bargain our principles and that we prioritized our school system,” Burgos said. “I am appreciative of the investments in apprenticeships Read more

 

Hohenstein celebrates budget, education funding increases

(Jul 05, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

HARRISBURG, July 5 – State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., tonight applauded passage of a $714 million increase for education funding in the bipartisan budget that’s headed to the governor with no tax increases. “Pennsylvania has passed a budget that prioritizes education, expands the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program, and paves the way for a brighter future,” Hohenstein said. “The passage of this budget signifies a significant step forward, but let us be clear, this budget is just the beginning. With Commonwealth Court’s decision, it is absolutely clear that we are failing our students. It’s up to us to build on this foundation and deliver a high-quality public education. We must fight for equitable funding that ensures we have the resources necessary to provide a first-class education to every student.” The Philadelphia School District will receive $1.7 billion, a $119.6 million and 7.6% increase from the previous fiscal year. “But let us not forget that there is more work to be done beyond education. That includes justice for survivors of sexual abuse, a minimum wage increase, commonsense gun measures, and the Fairness Act to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. We must invest in our crumbling infrastructure, improve access to affordable health care, and champion renewable energy to protect our environment and generations to come. We need to restore the early childhood Read more

 

Hohenstein: Fair Processes for Victims of Crime

(Jun 29, 2023) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

Pa. state Rep. Joe Hohenstein delivers remarks to support the passage of his U visa bill out of the House Judiciary Committee. This bill would provide immigrant victims of serious crimes with protection, safety, and a pathway to citizenship. He is working to give courts, law enforcement, and other justice agencies the clarity and guidance they need to help these victims recover from their trauma and thrive as survivors. More at http://www.pahouse.com/Hohenstein. Read more

 

Hohenstein: Sustainable Energy is the Future for PA
Feb 02, 2024

Hohenstein announces new dog park, $250K in grant funding for community organizations
Feb 02, 2024

Hohenstein Works to Ban Assault Weapons in PA
Jan 17, 2024

Hohenstein, colleagues prepare turkey dinners
Nov 22, 2023

Bill establishing lifetime substance abuse recovery grant program approved by PA House Human Services Committee
Nov 16, 2023

Hohenstein bill protecting public from wild animals passes House
Nov 13, 2023

Hohenstein introduces LNG Task Force minority report
Nov 01, 2023

Philadelphia LNG Task Force Minority Report
Nov 01, 2023

Smith-Wade-El and Hohenstein introduce legislation to create Office of New Pennsylvanians
Oct 17, 2023

Legislators, PA Coalition for Trans Youth, TAKE, NEPA Stands Up rally for safe and equal schools
Oct 17, 2023

Hohenstein: Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
Sep 22, 2023

Hohenstein Working to Move Pennsylvanians
Sep 21, 2023

Hohenstein: Mass Transit Investments = Investments in Safety
Sep 18, 2023

Caregiver workforce crisis discussed in latest House Majority Policy hearing
Sep 14, 2023

Pa. could pass a ‘lemon law’ for homes to protect residents from shoddy construction
Sep 11, 2023

Hohenstein, Chester community rally against Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force plan
Aug 22, 2023

Attention Pa. Homeowner Assistance Fund Applicants!
Jul 20, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation pleased with increased funding on budget priorities
Jul 07, 2023

Hohenstein celebrates budget, education funding increases
Jul 05, 2023

Hohenstein: Fair Processes for Victims of Crime
Jun 29, 2023