News Center

County Election, Rail Freight, and Environmental Education Funding Opportunity For Your District

(16 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development: Election Integrity Grant Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Pennsylvania counties. Use : To support the work of county governments and their election offices. Funds : Funding is allocated proportionally based upon the number of registered voters within the county in the previous primary election. Application Deadline : August 15, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/Login.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Transportation: Rail Freight Assistance Program (Funding Source: Multimodal Transportation Fund) Who May Apply : Freight railroads, freight railroad-served shippers, and economic development entities. Use : To support investment in rail freight infrastructure. Funds : The maximum state funding for a RFAP project is 70 percent of the total project costs, not to exceed $700,000. Application Deadline : September 2, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.penndot.pa.gov/Doing-Business/RailFreightAndPorts/Pages/Grants-and-Loans.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Transportation: Rail Transportation Assistance Program (Funding Source: General Obligation Debt) Who May Apply : Freight railroads, freight railroad-served Read more

 

First responders applaud tax exemption bill during Democratic Policy hearing

(16 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The House Democratic Policy Committee convened a hearing in Monroeville Monday afternoon to gather stakeholder feedback on a bill that would provide a tax exemption to firefighters who purchase equipment with their own money. Read more

 

Shusterman supports L&I decision to end waitlist for vocational rehabilitation services

(17 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

PAOLI, Aug. 8 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery, today applauded the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s decision to end waitlists for all significantly disabled and non-significantly disabled individuals seeking vocational rehabilitation services. “As co-chair of the Autism and Intellectual Disabilities Caucus and a member of the state Workforce Development Board, I consistently advocate for removing barriers that people with disabilities face when seeking employment,” Shusterman said. “I am pleased to see an end to the waitlist and am hopeful that it can remain open so more individuals will be able to gain career experiences and receive essential services.” L&I’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation assists Pennsylvanians with disabilities in obtaining and retaining employment while keeping their independence. Since 2016, nearly 370,000 individuals have received services from OVR, including vocational counseling, evaluations, medical diagnostic services, medical restoration services, employment training, placement services and career support services. L&I announced that this change is effective through June 30, 2023. OVR will then review the fiscal outlook and decide whether the services to all groups can remain open without the waitlist. More information on OVR services is available by visiting the local OVR office , or apply for OVR Read more

 

Cephas applauds $500,000 funding provided by City of Philadelphia to the Abortion Liberation Fund of Pennsylvania

(19 hours ago) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 8 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas today commended the announcement made by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney of a 500,000 investment by the city to the Abortion Liberation Fund of Pennsylvania. Cephas, who is co-chair of the legislative Women’s Health Caucus, indicated that she is appreciative of the city’s effort because the funds heading to ALF-PA will help to remove barriers for people in need of abortion that cannot afford insurance or pay out-of-pocket for services. “These funds will expand the current capacity of the Abortion Liberation Fund of PA to address critical needs. As co-chair of the Women’s Health Caucus, this is a proud moment. It’s uplifting to know that our voices are being heard and that this issue is being prioritized in Philadelphia”, Cephas said. Cephas also reaffirmed her commitment to strengthen reproductive health care and maintain access to abortion and other reproductive services in the state of Pennsylvania. “Philly has taken a step forward, but much more is needed; we have to keep in mind not only residents of the commonwealth, but also people traveling from other states to Pennsylvania in search of care. I will continue championing for safety and sustained access to the procedure. I hope this investment could also serve as a call to action Read more

 

Guzman demands accountability from Berks County Commissioners in light of recent report describing ‘chaos’ during primary election

(Aug 05, 2022) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

READING, Aug. 5 — State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today issued the following statement in response to the surge of problems linked to the elections process in Berks County. “The people of Berks County deserve better. From the failures hitting people of color the hardest before the election, to the refusal to obey state law and count legal ballots, to the curious resignation of the person who was in charge for those debacles, it’s clear we have to refocus on what matters: restoring the people’s faith in their democracy,” Guzman said. The lawmaker said he plans to call for public hearings and investigate ways to guarantee an open and truthful process before November’s general election. “I plan on calling for open public hearings to find out how these mistakes happened and, more importantly, how we can make sure the people are never denied their voice again for any reason,” he said, added: “I want to thank the Reading Eagle for this vital journalism and always holding government at every level accountable, especially when our sacred constitutional rights are at stake.” Guzman, who has been on the front lines of election’s issues, also warned the community of irregularities with voting machines during the past primary election. Read more

 

PA Women’s Health Caucus applauds defeat of anti-abortion constitutional amendment by Kansas voters

(Aug 03, 2022) Women's Health Caucus

This victory in Kansas shows the power collective action has in defeating these minority-held, antifreedom policies. We hope this wakeup call will deter the Pennsylvania constitutional amendment from receiving a vote next session, and we can instead focus on legislation that would actually help our constituents like increasing the minimum wage, requiring paid family leave, and requiring insurance coverage for contraceptives. Read more

 

McClinton praises Supreme Court ruling on Act 77 as win for PA voters & voting access

(Aug 02, 2022) Rep. Joanna E. McClinton

"Looking ahead, I will continue to champion measures like the K. Leroy Irvis Voting Rights Protection Act, to further improve access and security, while restoring public faith in our election system and our local election officials.” Read more

 

Guzman urges authorities to put a halt to gun violence in Reading

(Aug 01, 2022) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

READING, Aug. 1 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today released the following statement in the wake of two homicides that took place early Sunday and within an hour of each other in the city of Reading. “We need to put a halt to gun violence; I urge the residents to cooperate with local authorities,” Guzman said. “I am profoundly saddened by these tragic events. Enough is enough. We cannot acknowledge violence as part of our daily routine, as part of our lives, we must keep fighting to curb this spate of horror. “As a concerned resident and elected official, I’m working to secure more effective actions. I believe that gun violence is preventable. I’m proactively collaborating with Berks County DA John Adams and state Attorney General Josh Shapiro and I will not stop until we reach bolder actions on gun control. I will not cease until we bring peace of mind to our community.” The Reading Police Department is investigating the deadly shooting. The officers found the first victim on Spring Garden Street and a second one on Church Street. Read more

 

Kenyatta: 'We must be proactive' in addressing monkeypox

(Jul 29, 2022) Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Rep. Brian K. Sims

“As this virus is just beginning to hit the commonwealth, we are already seeing the effect it’s having across the commonwealth. Fear. Anxiety. Panic. We must be proactive in addressing this virus." Read more

 

PLBC statement on Sesame Place 

(Jul 28, 2022) Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus

“The events viewed online and on the news about the actions of Sesame Place characters and interactions with Black children is disturbing and further evidence of the need for diverse hiring and training at all levels by employers." Read more

 

Anniversary of the ADA – How far we have come and how far can we go?

(Jul 27, 2022) Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

Take some time today to learn the stories behind the ADA, and the people who made it happen. Read more

 

Policy hearing continues discussion of navigating post-Roe Pennsylvania

(Jul 26, 2022) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas, Rep. Mary Jo Daley, Policy Committee

The House and Senate Democratic Policy Committees continued a series of hearings Tuesday to further discuss the impacts of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, and what the future of reproductive healthcare looks like in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Democratic lawmakers tour Chestnut Hill Hospital, talk pandemic response

(Jul 25, 2022) Rep. Stephen Kinsey, Policy Committee

The House Democratic Policy Committee toured the Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia and learned about their pandemic response during a hearing Monday afternoon. Read more

 

State programs now open for applications

(Jul 25, 2022) Appropriations

Here are some of the latest state programs now open for applications. Read more

 

Conklin: Expand the accountability — keep domestic abusers out of public office

(Jul 21, 2022) Rep. Scott Conklin

Embezzlers. Perjurers. Those engaged in bribing others. There are already laws on the books that forbid such individuals who commit these sorts of crimes from holding any public office at the state level. Yet, individuals committing acts of domestic violence are currently exempt from this restriction. Read more

 

Policy hearing identifies facts and fiction of post-Roe Pennsylvania

(Jul 19, 2022) Rep. Mary Isaacson, Policy Committee, Women’s Health Caucus

The House and Senate Policy Committees convened a hearing Tuesday morning to explore what the future of healthcare looks like in Pennsylvania after the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade. Read more

 

Housing, Public Health Infrastructure, and Clean Energy Funding Opportunities

(Jul 18, 2022) Appropriations

Check out the latest state programs now open for applications. Read more

 

VIDEO: McClinton Joins CNN State of the Union to Continue Fight to Defend Reproductive Rights

(Jul 18, 2022) Rep. Joanna E. McClinton

Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton appears on CNN's State of the Union to discuss access to abortion and reproductive rights in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Vice President Harris joins House & Senate Democrats to protect the rights of citizens

(Jul 17, 2022) Rep. Joanna E. McClinton, Rep. Morgan B. Cephas, Rep. Mary Jo Daley

Harris traveled to Philadelphia Saturday to meet with more than three dozen state House and Senate Democrats, plus members of the state’s congressional delegation, to join the lawmakers in a call to action and to discuss the relentless effort of right-wing extremists to take away rights, starting with the right to abortion and reproductive health care. Read more

 

Kinsey introduces legislation to clarify pension beneficiaries

(Jul 15, 2022) Rep. Stephen Kinsey

“Folks work hard for their pension, and they should be able to make their beneficiary whomever they want,” Kinsey said. Read more

 

County Election, Rail Freight, and Environmental Education Funding Opportunity For Your District
16 hours ago

First responders applaud tax exemption bill during Democratic Policy hearing
16 hours ago

Shusterman supports L&I decision to end waitlist for vocational rehabilitation services
17 hours ago

Cephas applauds $500,000 funding provided by City of Philadelphia to the Abortion Liberation Fund of Pennsylvania
19 hours ago

Guzman demands accountability from Berks County Commissioners in light of recent report describing ‘chaos’ during primary election
Aug 05, 2022

PA Women’s Health Caucus applauds defeat of anti-abortion constitutional amendment by Kansas voters
Aug 03, 2022

McClinton praises Supreme Court ruling on Act 77 as win for PA voters & voting access
Aug 02, 2022

Guzman urges authorities to put a halt to gun violence in Reading
Aug 01, 2022

Kenyatta: 'We must be proactive' in addressing monkeypox
Jul 29, 2022

PLBC statement on Sesame Place 
Jul 28, 2022

Anniversary of the ADA – How far we have come and how far can we go?
Jul 27, 2022

Policy hearing continues discussion of navigating post-Roe Pennsylvania
Jul 26, 2022

Democratic lawmakers tour Chestnut Hill Hospital, talk pandemic response
Jul 25, 2022

State programs now open for applications
Jul 25, 2022

Conklin: Expand the accountability — keep domestic abusers out of public office
Jul 21, 2022

Policy hearing identifies facts and fiction of post-Roe Pennsylvania
Jul 19, 2022

Housing, Public Health Infrastructure, and Clean Energy Funding Opportunities
Jul 18, 2022

VIDEO: McClinton Joins CNN State of the Union to Continue Fight to Defend Reproductive Rights
Jul 18, 2022

Vice President Harris joins House & Senate Democrats to protect the rights of citizens
Jul 17, 2022

Kinsey introduces legislation to clarify pension beneficiaries
Jul 15, 2022