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House passes Cephas bill to reduce costs for homeowners

(May 12, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., that would permit mortgage lenders to offer discount points to borrowers to lower their interest rate and monthly payments. House Bill 1103 would expand opportunities for affordable credit so that home buyers wouldn’t need to turn to higher interest options like personal loans or credit cards. Read more

 

PA House passes Williams’ bill to increase pensions for blind, disabled veterans

(May 12, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 12 – State Rep. Dan Williams’ bill that would increase pension amounts for injured veterans passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today. “Pennsylvania offers pension programs for veterans who are blind, have lost limbs or are paralyzed. Under our current law, the program pays $150 per month to qualified veterans, but that amount has not been raised since 1999,” Williams said. House Bill 1144 would increase the pension amount from $150 per month to $200 for both the Blind Veterans and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans pension programs. “This $50 increase is the first step in right-sizing this program for the veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country,” Williams said. “This increase is meant to repay a small part of the debt we owe to those who put their lives on the line for our protection.” State Reps. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia), Mark Gillen (R-Berks) and Dane Watro (R-Schuylkill/Luzerne) joined Williams in sponsoring the bill. The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration. Read more

 

House passes Bizzarro bill to cut taxes for first-time homebuyers

(May 12, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

In response to skyrocketing mortgage rates and the number of first-time homebuyers falling drastically, the Pennsylvania House passed legislation to cut taxes for people looking to buy their first home, bill sponsor Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) announced Monday. Read more

 

Conklin’s PIAA playoff reform bill advances from committee to full House

(May 12, 2025) Rep. Scott Conklin

HARRISBURG, May 12 – In a move to level the playing field for Pennsylvania’s public school athletes, the Pennsylvania House Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations Committee today approved state Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill that would allow the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to create separate playoffs and championships for boundary and non-boundary schools. Conklin, D-Centre, said he introduced H.B. 41 because reforming the current PIAA playoff system – which jeopardizes the health and safety of public school athletes – is an urgent priority. “The current system isn’t just putting public school athletes at a disadvantage, it’s endangering their health and safety,” Conklin said. “It’s forcing students from public schools, which must recruit from within district boundaries, to compete against students from private schools, which can recruit from anywhere and amass teams that are larger and stronger. “The system is also depriving public school students of scholarship and recruitment opportunities and teaching them the wrong lessons. K-12 sports are supposed to be about building confidence and reinforcing concepts of fair play and good sportsmanship. We can’t be doing that with a system that puts some students on an unlevel playing field before they even walk out onto the field.” Conklin emphasized that his bill Read more

 

Venkat, Cutler to introduce bill that would reduce state costs, ensure Medicaid patient access to GLP-1 medications

(May 12, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, May 12 – With the growing demand for GLP-1 medications to treat obesity, state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Bryan Cutler are preparing to introduce legislation that would ensure those drugs remain available to Medical Assistance patients while significantly cutting costs to the state. The bill would allow Pennsylvania to purchase GLP-1 medications for Medicaid patients at a lower cost by implementing a “subscription model” – a system in which a state agrees to pay a certain amount per treatment up to a cap, at which point the drug manufacturer provides additional treatments at no cost. “GLP-1 drugs that treat obesity can also help patients avoid serious and costly diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and potentially others,” said Venkat, a physician and legislator who is a member of the House Health and Human Services committees. “For the state, healthier outcomes for Medicaid patients translate to significant cost savings. “The challenge is that these medications are costly to the state now, while the savings from lower disease rates won’t be realized until future years. By implementing a subscription model, our bill would help the state significantly reduce upfront costs without limiting the number of patients who can receive needed treatment for obesity.” The subscription model – colloquially also known as the “Netflix model” Read more

 

House Communications & Technology Committee discusses Pennsylvania’s AI Pilot Program, a first in the nation

(May 09, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 9 – The newly formed House Communications & Technology Committee today held an informational meeting with Governor’s Office of Administration Emerging Technologies Director Harrison MacRae on Pennsylvania’s first-in-the-nation program with OpenAI, exploring how artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT could enhance productivity and improve customer service to the commonwealth’s residents. “It’s clear that AI is going to have a significant impact on Pennsylvanians’ lives and thanks to this first-in-the-nation collaboration between the commonwealth and Open AI, we’ve learned key lessons about how integrating AI into the workplace will empower employees,” committee Chair Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, said. “It’s both clear from the testimony today that AI can enhance employee performance in improving outcomes and operations, but is no replacement for employee experience and judgement, which are needed to evaluate and refine ChatGPT’s output.” Following the September 2023 Shapiro Executive Order that established a comprehensive framework for AI governance in Pennsylvania, the commonwealth in January 2024 launched a year-long pilot program with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Enterprise to explore the benefits of generative AI in the workplace. The Office of Administration collaborated with leading generative AI experts and researchers from Carnegie Mellon University Block Center for Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation celebrates major investment for Navy Yard development

(May 08, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., joined Gov. Josh Shapiro, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger, and other elected officials at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia this morning to announce a state investment of $30 million to develop the Philadelphia Navy Yard Greenway District.The grant is awarded to Ensemble/Mosaic Navy Yard LLC. through the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites program – a strategic and targeted strategy to unlock economic growth by preparing sites for business expansion and job creation. The project will target life sciences, research, and manufacturing. Cephas touted the major investment as a key to unlocking economic growth and prosperity for the Philadelphia region. Read more

 

Ciresi’s legislation to prevent gift card scams reported out of committee

(May 08, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 8 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s (D-Montgomery), legislation (H.B. 1067) that would help people avoid falling victim to gift card scams was reported out of the Commerce Committee this week. According to Ciresi, gift cards have become an increasingly widespread way for scammers to defraud Pennsylvanians. Gift cards are easy to purchase, almost impossible to track and allow fraudsters to quickly move money on them, making them a popular payment method demanded by scammers. Sometimes fraudsters claim to be associated with government agencies, legitimate businesses, or even victims’ families, creating a sense of urgency to get their victims to buy gift cards as payment. “In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported that victims lost $217 million due to gift card fraud last year, and reports of gift card fraud to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker increased by 50% that same year,” Ciresi said “My office has been contacted by constituents who’ve lost thousands as a result of these scams, and there’s a need to do more to prevent them.” Introduced in a previous session as H.B. 2186, this legislation would require retailers selling gift cards to post clear signage warning consumers about gift card scams where gift cards are displayed and at the point of sale, and to ask for photo identification for gift card purchases. Retailers would also be required to train their employees on how to identify and Read more

 

House passes landmark cannabis bill, moving Pennsylvania closer to safe, equitable legalization

(May 07, 2025) Rep. Rick Krajewski and Rep. Dan Frankel

"For far too long, cannabis prohibition was used as a weapon against Black and brown communities. Today, we took a major step toward a meaningful repair and durable justice," state Rep. Rick Krajewski said. "This bill is about building a legal marketplace that puts working Pennsylvanians first, delivering hundreds of millions to the neighborhoods most devastated by criminalization and preventing a harmful corporate takeover of the market." Read more

 

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

(May 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Here are the latest grant opportunities that are open for applications. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation celebrates Super Bowl LIX Champion Philadelphia Eagles in the PA House

(May 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the PA House of Representatives recognized the Super Bowl LIX Champion Philadelphia Eagles in the House chamber. House Resolution 217, sponsored by Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., recognizes May 7, 2025, as Philadelphia Eagles Day at the state Capitol, honoring the team’s second Super Bowl victory and fifth NFL Championship in the 92-year history of the organization. Read more

 

House passes Cephas measure to protect homeowners from unfair realty agreements

(May 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., that would protect Pennsylvania homeowners from signing away their home and generational wealth to unscrupulous realty agents. Read more

 

Ciresi bill to require clear signage for land development projects reported out of committee

(May 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 7 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation (H.B. 375) to create signage requirements for proposed subdivision and land development projects was reported out of the House Local Government Committee today with overwhelming bipartisan support, 25-1. Read more

 

House adopts Matzie’s ‘National Train Day’ resolution

(May 07, 2025) Rep. Robert F. Matzie

HARRISBURG, May 7 – The Pennsylvania House today adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution recognizing the importance of railroads and their impact on the commonwealth’s history. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said he introduced H.R. 187 – recognizing May 10, 2025, as “National Train Day” in Pennsylvania – as a reminder of how railroads transformed the commonwealth’s landscape physically, economically and socially. “From the mid-1800s on, the rail industry played a huge role in powering our economic growth and shaping our landscape,” Matzie said. “Once businesses were freed from having to rely on water-based shipping, they began locating all over the state, and towns and urban centers began growing up around them. “At the same time, the rail industry’s demand for materials and fuel boosted our steel and coal industries, and with new trains carrying our steel, iron and coal throughout the state and beyond, we grew into an industrial powerhouse.” Matzie said that today, trains also play a key role in easing congestion on our roads, linking cities and rural communities and providing a means of mass transportation that is more environmentally friendly than air travel or gas-powered cars. National Train Day was first established in 2008 and is celebrated annually on the Read more

 

Pielli bill to help seniors stay in their homes approved by House

(May 07, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“As a former court-appointed guardianship attorney, I saw clients who lost their homes as a result of unpaid property taxes,” Pielli said. “Too often, these were individuals with cognitive impairment or those who were otherwise incapacitated and could not pay tax bills without assistance. Read more

 

Rivera bill to promote recovery-oriented language passes House

(May 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 6 -- State Rep. Nikki Rivera’s bill that would update Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Program statutory language with recovery-oriented terminology passed the House today with overwhelming bipartisan support, 201-2. “Words matter. Too many people suffering from substance use disorders don’t seek the help they need due to stigmatizing language surrounding the condition,” Rivera said. “Though positive, recovery-oriented programs in treatment and prevention are the standard, DDAP’s archaic and negative statutory language is perpetuating negative stereotypes about substance abuse. The department should be leading the way in discussing substance abuse in today’s evidence-based and recovery-focused terms. Substance use is a treatable disease and should be discussed as such to promote treatment. “As DDAP plays a central role in the commonwealth’s response to the substance use crisis, I’ve worked with the agency to introduce this legislation that updates the language defining the department’s duties with recovery-oriented language that promotes dignity, respect, and greater access to care and substance abuse disorders as chronic but treatable conditions. “The commonwealth needs to model the supportive approach to treating substance abuse disorders so that families and communities can provide the necessary support to those struggling with substance abuse,” Rivera said. Read more

 

Inglis bill for veteran-owned business logo clears PA House

(May 06, 2025) Rep. John Inglis

Legislation creating state logo to identify veteran-owned businesses advances Read more

 

House passes Sappey’s Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit bill

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Christina Sappey

“A state credit that mirrors the federal credit is a smart investment in our workforce and our economy,” Sappey said. “For every dollar spent on a state EITC, Pennsylvania would receive four dollars back in economic growth and save three dollars on social spending.” Read more

 

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure in PA

(May 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation ( H.B. 789 ) that would help create more EV charging stations throughout Pennsylvania, at no cost to the Pennsylvania taxpayer, passed the House today. “Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly common each year, with over three-million electric vehicles on the road nationwide in 2023 and projections anticipating that electric vehicles could account for a majority of total passenger car sales by the 2030s,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “As this trend continues, businesses are increasingly looking to provide access to EV charging at their locations, as a way of attracting customers or as a benefit to their employees. My legislation would connect the growing demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure with a successful funding mechanism that is funded through private capital.” Introduced in a previous session as H.B. 1474 , which had previously passed in the House, the legislation would add electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects as an eligible project type under Pennsylvania’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE). C-PACE, which was created by Act 30 of 2018 , has facilitated more than $250 million in investments in energy efficiency, clean energy, conservation, and other projects by connecting property owners with long-term financing. The investments are funded entirely through private capital, so it would not impose any financial burden Read more

 

Hanbidge and Briggs legislation streamlining child custody determination factors passes House

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Liz Hanbidge

Legislation introduced by state Reps. Liz Hanbidge and Tim Briggs, both D-Montgomery, to clarify Pennsylvania’s overly complex child custody process passed the House today. Read more

 

House passes Cephas bill to reduce costs for homeowners
May 12, 2025

PA House passes Williams’ bill to increase pensions for blind, disabled veterans
May 12, 2025

House passes Bizzarro bill to cut taxes for first-time homebuyers
May 12, 2025

Conklin’s PIAA playoff reform bill advances from committee to full House
May 12, 2025

Venkat, Cutler to introduce bill that would reduce state costs, ensure Medicaid patient access to GLP-1 medications
May 12, 2025

House Communications & Technology Committee discusses Pennsylvania’s AI Pilot Program, a first in the nation
May 09, 2025

Philadelphia House Delegation celebrates major investment for Navy Yard development
May 08, 2025

Ciresi’s legislation to prevent gift card scams reported out of committee
May 08, 2025

House passes landmark cannabis bill, moving Pennsylvania closer to safe, equitable legalization
May 07, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 07, 2025

Philadelphia House Delegation celebrates Super Bowl LIX Champion Philadelphia Eagles in the PA House
May 07, 2025

House passes Cephas measure to protect homeowners from unfair realty agreements
May 07, 2025

Ciresi bill to require clear signage for land development projects reported out of committee
May 07, 2025

House adopts Matzie’s ‘National Train Day’ resolution
May 07, 2025

Pielli bill to help seniors stay in their homes approved by House
May 07, 2025

Rivera bill to promote recovery-oriented language passes House
May 06, 2025

Inglis bill for veteran-owned business logo clears PA House
May 06, 2025

House passes Sappey’s Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit bill
May 06, 2025

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure in PA
May 06, 2025

Hanbidge and Briggs legislation streamlining child custody determination factors passes House
May 06, 2025