Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

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Pa. House advances Reproductive Rights Amendment with bipartisan support

(11 hours ago) Rep. Danielle Friel Otten

HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today approved a joint resolution sponsored by state Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would allow Pennsylvania residents to add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the state constitution. The Otten, Hanbidge and Mayes bill, H.B. 1957 , proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution that would reaffirm and protect every Pennsylvanians’ right to privacy and ensure that the state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate personal decisions. The amendment would ensure that every individual has a right of privacy with respect to personal, sexual and reproductive health care decisions, including the right to choose or refuse an abortion, the right to choose or refuse contraceptives, and the right to choose or refuse fertility care, all without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion or relationship status. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support by a vote of 102 to 101. Today’s action represents a significant step toward advancing the legislation, which could ultimately appear on a future ballot for Pennsylvania voters to decide whether fundamental reproductive rights should be explicitly protected in the state constitution. For the first time in recent legislative history, Pennsylvania is taking proactive steps to protect Read more

House passes bill to enshrine reproductive freedom in state constitution

(11 hours ago) Rep. Mike Schlossberg

“The Reproductive Freedom Act will give Pennsylvania’s voters the opportunity to decide if the right to privacy should be enshrined in the Pennsylvania Constitution. My views are clear and straightforward: I believe Pennsylvanians have the right to control their reproductive health decisions. Until recently, federal caselaw preserved these rights for all Americans. Read more

Ciresi’s House resolution on litter enforcement in PA unanimously referred out of committee

(12 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 -- Today, the Pennsylvania House Environmental & Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue recommendations on litter law enforcement in Pennsylvania. The legislation, H.R. 352, was introduced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. The resolution stems from the Pennsylvania Litter Research Study (2018–19) and the subsequent Litter Action Plan (2021). Conducted by DEP, PennDOT, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, these initiatives urged the Commonwealth and the General Assembly to evaluate the effectiveness of Pennsylvania’s litter ordinances, laws, statutes, and regulations, and to take steps to enhance enforcement. “The Pennsylvania Litter Research Study found more than 500 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania roadways. While 90% of Pennsylvanians believe litter is harming the state in every possible way -- damaging the environment, polluting waterways, depressing property values, reducing tourism, and hurting businesses -- the overwhelming majority feel it’s unlikely that anyone will actually be caught or fined for littering,” Ciresi said. “We need to strengthen our litter laws and improve their enforcement.” Described as a 'first step in this process,' PalmettoPride and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful completed a joint study on litter law enforcement in 2023, highlighting key issues raised Read more

$1 million in tax credits awarded to residential and neighborhood revitalization projects in Philadelphia’s Lower Northeast

(12 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Giral said the tax credits will support ongoing community development projects and create opportunities for new initiatives aimed at enhancing affordable housing, public safety, childhood health, and multilingual services. Read more

PA House passes Young bill to increase human trafficking awareness training

(13 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – Today, state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware hosted a news conference to celebrate House passage of her bill that would mandate human trafficking awareness training for Pennsylvania workers in the hospitality industry, including online lodging and reservation companies.House Bill 1286 would amend Act 197 of 2012 to include training requirements approved through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for employees of public lodging establishments who have contact with guests or access to guest rooms, and for operators of short-term rentals. Read more

PA House urges Congress to lower health insurance costs

(13 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – Today, the Pennsylvania House passed a resolution introduced by State Rep. Anthony Bellmon (D-Phila.) urging Congress to take action to reduce health insurance costs for Pennsylvanians who purchase coverage through Pennie, the state’s ACA marketplace. When Congress passed the American Rescue Plan in 2021, it expanded tax credits that allowed many Pennsylvanians to purchase health insurance through Pennie, contributing to the marketplace’s record-breaking open enrollment in 2025. However, these credits expire on Dec. 31 and, as a result, health insurance costs for Pennie customers will, on average, double. “During the 2025 open enrollment period for Pennie, nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians—the most ever—purchased health insurance,” Bellmon said. “With these federal tax credits set to expire at the end of the year, these individuals could face real consequences, including having to choose between paying for housing, food, utilities, or health care. “Only Congress can stop the bleed and keep people covered by extending these credits. That’s why we must urge them to take action to lower health insurance costs for Pennsylvanians who purchase coverage through Pennie.” Read more

Pa. House approves bipartisan update to medical release system

(13 hours ago) Rep. Rick Krajewski

Krajewski said the bill creates a robust process to carefully consider early, medical release for seriously ill inmates, reviewing their time served, victim feedback, disciplinary records, and physical condition among other factors. In recent years similar state reforms have passed in Maryland, North Carolina, and more. Read more

Neilson recognizes December as “Impaired Driving Prevention Month” in Pennsylvania

(14 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

December is statistically one of the most dangerous months for drivers.Please don’t let a bad decision be the reason someone doesn’t make it home this holiday season Read more

Bill to help domestic violence victims receive unemployment heads to Gov’s desk

(14 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Benefits would be available for victims who leave work because of safety concerns Read more

House adopts Matzie resolution recognizing Dec. 2, 2025, as ‘World Nuclear Energy Day’ in Pennsylvania

(14 hours ago) Rep. Robert F. Matzie

“Nuclear energy is the key to a cleaner, more sustainable and more affordable energy future,” Matzie said. “Spreading awareness of the benefits of nuclear energy is vital to securing that future. That is why World Nuclear Energy Day is so important. I am proud to have sponsored H.R. 372 alongside Representative Tom Mehaffie, and equally proud to serve as co-chair with Representative Mehaffie and Senators John Kane and Lynda Culver of the Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus. We will continue, in a bipartisan fashion, to support nuclear energy as a safe, proven solution to the capacity challenges we face moving forward.” Read more

Guzman welcomes more than $1 million in tax credit awards for 10 local organizations

(14 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

READING, DEC. 18 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, today announced that more than $1 million in tax credits were awarded to 0 organizations working to strengthen the 127th Legislative District through community support. The awards come from the Neighborhood Assistance Program and its subprograms Charitable Food Program, Enterprise Zone Program and the Special Program Priorities. The grants were awarded to: Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank - $109,850 will be used for food purchases and distribution expenses, supporting over 350 locations, Mobile Markets, and a new Community Kitchen. Reading Historic Properties, LP - $500,000 to help transform two underutilized buildings into the Community Support Center, a new hub for economic and social revitalization. This $2.67 million initiative will create 11 new jobs and restore the buildings' exteriors and interiors. The center will house a Real Estate Developer (RED) University to train local BIPOC entrepreneurs and provide classroom space for free HIV and STI testing. It may also serve as the headquarters for a statewide homeownership program. Berks Encore - $22,750 to provide medically tailored meals to 100 aging adults with chronic conditions. Using funds to cover the $15 daily per-client food cost, the project aims to improve health, reduce hospital admissions, and boost independence. Reading Science Center - Read more

Rabb spotlights two bills to strengthen local journalism

(17 hours ago) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Lawmaker, advocates call for legislative action to address news deserts, information gaps Read more

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(18 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Learn more about the latest grant opportunities. Read more

Krajewski co-op bill passes PA House 194-9

(1 day ago) Rep. Rick Krajewski

“This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation which will make it easier to start a worker cooperative,” Krajewski said. “Co-ops create safer and happier workplaces that build wealth for the workers and communities who utilize them. We should do what we can to support them.” Read more