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Powell bill to provide UC benefits during school breaks to education support professionals passes House

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Lindsay Powell

Powell’s legislation would make it possible for clerical workers, bus drivers, janitors, lunch staff, security and related positions employed by the school district to apply for unemployment compensation during an extended break between school terms. Currently, these staff members are forced to rely on temporary positions over the longer breaks to pay bills and feed their families. Read more

 

Pielli’s bill to protect children unanimously approved by PA House

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“We tell our children not to trust strangers. We tell our children what they should do when a stranger approaches them. But we also tell our children that you CAN trust your teacher. You CAN trust a police officer,” Pielli said. “How can we allow adults who break that sacred trust to then benefit from institutional leniencies they do not deserve? This legislation, as amended, allowing for sentencing enhancements for a perpetrator in a position of authority, is a step in the right direction.” Read more

 

PA House passes groundbreaking legislation to eliminate paper statement fees

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat, Rep. Robert F. Matzie

HARRISBURG, May 6 – The PA House today passed bipartisan consumer protection legislation introduced by state Rep. Arvind Venkat along with state Reps. Rob Matzie and Tom Mehaffie that would prohibit businesses from charging additional fees for providing paper account statements. Venkat, D-Allegheny, said the measure would shield lower-income people, older adults and others with limited access to digital technology from unnecessary and often hidden financial burdens. House Bill 81 would classify paper statement fees as an unfair or deceptive practice. While businesses could still encourage digital options through incentives, they would be forbidden from charging consumers more when they prefer paper copies of their account statements. “Far too many Pennsylvanians – especially seniors, those on fixed incomes, and people without reliable internet – rely on paper statements to manage their finances,” said Venkat, the prime sponsor of the bill. “Charging a fee just to access basic account information and manage one’s finances is an unnecessary expense for consumers. This legislation puts an end to that.” Financial institutions sometimes charge between 50 cents and $5 per month for paper statements – fees that can add up to $60 annually per account. These charges disproportionately impact consumers least able to afford them. “This is about fairness,” said Read more

 

Abney bill to help access to mental health services advances

(May 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney announced today his legislation to improve access to mental health services and modernize professional licensing for social workers, has been unanimously approved by the House Professional Licensure Committee. The bill now advances to the full House of Representatives for further consideration. House Bill 554 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, an interstate agreement that allows licensed social workers to practice across state lines with greater ease. This compact would reduce administrative burdens for qualified professionals and increase the availability of critical mental health services, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the Commonwealth. “As the only degree-holding social worker serving in the Pennsylvania legislature, I understand firsthand the challenges facing both providers and the people who rely on mental health services,” Abney said. “This bill is a practical, bipartisan solution that will strengthen our workforce, expand care options for Pennsylvanians, and bring us one step closer to meeting the growing demand for mental health support across our state.” In addition to improving access to care, the legislation is expected to have a positive economic impact by reducing barriers to employment for social workers and making Pennsylvania a more attractive place for qualified professionals to live and Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee approves legislation to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse

(May 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, Majority, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, announced that today the committee voted to approve critical legislation introduced by state Rep. Nathan Davidson that would open a long-awaited path to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. “These bills are about fairness, healing and restoring the rights of people who were silenced for far too long,” Briggs said. “We owe survivors the chance to be heard in a court of law, no matter how much time has passed.” The committee’s action followed a productive hearing held on Monday, where advocates and legal experts offered powerful testimony in support of the legislation. Their voices helped reinforce the urgent need for these long-overdue reforms. Both bills now advance to the full House for further consideration. H.B. 462 : This legislation would provide a statutory two-year window during which survivors of childhood sexual abuse could file previously time-barred civil claims. It also would waive sovereign and governmental immunity retroactively, allowing survivors to pursue justice against state and local agencies. H.B. 464 : This joint resolution would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to establish a two-year window for survivors to bring forward civil claims that were previously blocked due to expired statutes of limitations. These proposals follow Read more

 

Rabb introduces bipartisan bill to tackle deed fraud

(May 06, 2025) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Legislation to establish new criminal offense protecting Pennsylvania homeowners Read more

 

Shusterman’s Equal Pay Bill approved by House

(May 05, 2025) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

“To attract and keep our workforce, Pennsylvania must ensure we are competitive with our neighbors,” Shusterman said. “Currently, the pay gap in the Commonwealth trails not only behind the national average, but also behind five of our six neighboring states. The pay gap leads to less income for women to support their families. It also means women experience higher rates of poverty, lower financial earnings over a lifetime, and less money saved for retirement than their male colleagues. It’s past time that our Commonwealth ensures all Pennsylvania workers receive equal pay for equal work.” Read more

 

Pielli’s bill to incentivize National Guard enlistment unanimously passes House

(May 05, 2025) Rep. Chris Pielli

“Over a decade ago, Pennsylvania launched the Medical Officer and Health Officer Incentive Program to provide additional financial incentives for skilled medical professionals to enlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard,” Pielli said. “In the time since Act 78 of 2014, this program has proven to be a meaningful tool, bringing highly qualified health professionals into our forces. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El’s legislation to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing reported out of committee

(May 05, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 5 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El’s legislation that would seal eviction records for the millions of Pennsylvanians whose records prevent them from being able to secure adequate housing was reported out of committee today with overwhelming bipartisan support, 23-3. “Pennsylvania’s families deserve access to safe and affordable housing where they can raise their children and our workers deserve the opportunity to secure career-advancing jobs,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But millions of Pennsylvanians, who have eviction records, can’t find housing because of a past eviction, creating instability in family life and disrupting workforce development for entire communities.” Smith-Wade-El introduced H.B. 1095 to protect communities and ensure fair housing access by instituting a statewide policy that would establish procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions. In cases where the tenant has been determined to be at fault by a judge, the records would remain accessible to the public for seven years, bringing them into line with policies related to bankruptcies and foreclosures. According to Smith-Wade-El, most landlords and property managers now use automated tenant screening measures that deny the application of anyone with a single eviction record. That’s even the case if the motion to evict was withdrawn, the court found in favor of the tenant, or the tenant Read more

 

Lawmakers, workers rally for PA to Raise the Wage

(May 05, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“It’s time! We must raise the wage,” said state Rep. Roni Green, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “We know we have to raise our voices and rain doesn’t stop us. Our six neighboring states have raised the wage and if lawmakers don’t know how they can vote for this, maybe they should visit one of our neighboring states to find out.” Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee approves five measures

(May 05, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 5 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, majority chair of the House Judiciary Committee, announced today that the committee approved a package of justice-focused bills. These bills, which aim to modernize the state’s approach to incarceration, supervision and rehabilitation, now move to the full House for consideration. “These bills reflect a growing, bipartisan understanding that smart justice means safer communities, more efficient systems, and better outcomes for everyone involved,” Briggs said. “I’m proud that our committee is moving forward with meaningful legislation to support rehabilitation, treatment and public safety.” The approved legislation is as follows: House Bill 282 (Sponsored by Briggs): This bill ensures individuals leaving incarceration have access to substance use disorder treatment and case management before release. The program would be optional for counties and designed to reduce relapse and recidivism during reentry. "Far too many people reenter our communities without the support needed to stay on the path to recovery," Briggs said. "This bill makes sure they aren’t starting from scratch on day one. It’s about giving people the tools to succeed—and making our communities safer in the process. “House Bill 282 is rooted in compassion and common sense. We know the first days after release are the most Read more

 

Krajewski, Frankel introduce landmark Adult-Use Cannabis Legislation

(May 04, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Reps. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., and Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, officially introduced long-awaited legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania — a bold, thoughtful proposal designed to center public health, repair communities harmed by prohibition, and create a stable, sustainable market. Read more

 

Kazeem to hold information session on May 6 about healthcare, employment options in the wake of Crozer Health’s closure

(May 02, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

CHESTER, May 2 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, will hold an information session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 at Widener University, 1 University Place, Chester regarding healthcare, transportation and employment options for residents of the 159th Legislative District in the wake of Crozer Health’s closure. “The communities of Delaware County have lost a mainstay of their health care, and some their means of employment, with the closure of Crozer Health on May 2,” Kazeem said. “As I know that many residents are scared and confused about what options are now available to them, I’m offering this information session to provide them with critical information about different local health system options and how to navigate them, how to reach them via local transportation systems, as well as employment options for job seekers and insurance options provided by the state.” For more details, residents should call Kazeem’s district office at 610-876-6420 or by email at RepKazeem@pahouse.net . Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to refocus Pennsylvania’s cyber charter school law on students and taxpayers

(May 02, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, May 2 – A long-time champion for accountability in cyber charter schools, state Rep. Joe Ciresi this week introduced legislation that would modernize Pennsylvania’s charter school law to save taxpayers’ money, require more openness and transparency, and ensure taxpayer-funded tuition payments to cyber charter schools are focused on educating students. “Auditor General Timothy DeFoor is the third auditor general who has called for reform of cyber charter schools, and it is long past time that the legislature made cyber charter schools as accountable as any entity receiving public funds," Ciresi said. “It’s unacceptable that the public must bear the costs of millions of taxpayer dollars being spent on handing out gift cards to students, growing fund balances, sponsoring professional sports teams, and funding advertising to promote schools that rank among the lowest in the state. My legislation modernizes our out-of-date and broken cyber charter school law, while setting new rules to address this type of spending that doesn’t help educate our students but continues to raise property taxes throughout the commonwealth." In 2015, the General Assembly passed a law to create an education funding formula based on actual student enrollment and cost factors to address an outdated, flawed and inequitable system of funding school districts. However, the bill did not address cyber charter schools, which continue to Read more

 

House Finance Committee hears testimony on expanding next generation energy projects

(May 02, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The state House Finance Committee held a public hearing Thursday on legislation that would expand investments in next generation energy projects and economic development across the Pennsylvania. The EDGE 2.0 plan builds on the existing Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Program and is part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s energy strategy known as the “Lightning Plan” to better position the Commonwealth to continue to be a national energy leader for decades to come. Read more

 

Davis, Santarsiero present funding to Bristol to help commemorate Lincoln’s 1861 visit to the borough

(May 01, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

This project will not only preserve a significant moment in our national and local history, but it will also draw visitors and residents alike to experience Bristol’s rich cultural heritage. I’m proud to help support a community-driven initiative that highlights our town’s role in one of the most consequential chapters in American history. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El holds news conference to encourage state investment in small businesses

(May 01, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

LANCASTER, May 1 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El held a news conference Wednesday to draw attention to the critical importance of state investments in small businesses as drivers of local economies. The news conference at ASSETS in Lancaster specifically highlighted the role that the PA Department of Community & Economic Development’s Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program has played in helping minority-owned businesses succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. Historically disadvantaged small businesses are defined under this program as minority businesses generating annual revenues of $1 million or less and employing fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees. According to DCED, disadvantaged businesses on average have less access to capital, are three times more likely to be denied loans, are more likely to pay a higher interest rate and are more likely to receive lower loan amounts than non-minority owned firms. To rectify this historical economic inequity, Gov. Josh Shapiro secured $20 million in state funds for historically disadvantaged small businesses for the first time in the 2023-24 state budget. The new state-funded Historically Disadvantaged Business program opened in 2024, disbursing microgrants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to qualifying minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses. “As we prepare to pass another budget — a moral statement of Read more

 

Kenyatta joins Legislators for a Guaranteed Income

(May 01, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta has joined 23 other legislators from 17 states as part of Legislators for a Guaranteed Income, a major national effort, to reaffirm his commitment to advancing bold, people-first policies that promote economic equity and close the growing gap between the ultra-wealthy and working families. This newly expanded network -- building on the work of mayors and county officials --has already launched 72 pilot programs delivering over $335 million in direct economic relief to families across the country. “Poverty is the moral and economic issue of our lifetime,” said Kenyatta. “And too often, it’s treated like a personal failure instead of a policy choice. We have the resources -- we just haven’t had the political will. Basic income flips that script.” Kenyatta, who has long championed guaranteed income policies, emphasized that millions of Pennsylvanians work full-time jobs -- or multiple jobs -- and still struggle to cover necessities like rent, groceries and childcare. “Living paycheck to paycheck is not a character flaw. It’s the byproduct of rigged systems that reward billionaires while families fight to survive,” Kenyatta said. “A guaranteed income is not just about stability—it’s a tool to make the economy work for working people again. “At a time when federal programs are getting slashed while tax breaks for Read more

 

Guzman announces $450K grant for Alvernia University

(Apr 30, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

READING, April 30 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, today announced that Alvernia University will benefit from nearly half a million dollars through the PAsmart Advancing Grants for Career and Technical Education programs and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Guzman explained that the funds are aimed at supporting efforts to improve STEM education and workforce development in Berks County. The funding comes as part of a $10.35 million investment that expands access to computer science and science, technology, engineering and math education for learners across Pennsylvania. The grant was awarded to: Alvernia University. - $450,000 for innovative projects to expand access to CTE computer science and STEM experiences for both students and adults. “I welcomed these grants with great enthusiasm. This state funding will create more opportunities for professional development in our community and help students keep pace with a constantly evolving job market,” Guzman said. “I believe it is crucial to equip students with the necessary tools and skills to match industry needs and these high-demand careers paths,” he said. Read more

 

Arts and culture breathing new economic life into PA communities

(Apr 30, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“Too often conversations about economic development overlook the arts and cultural sector, a sector that is deeply woven into the fabric of our community,” said Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Fretiz, who hosted the roundtable and represents portions of Berks County. “The arts and culture sector is a powerful economic engine, breathing life into our community by generating more than $25 billion annually in Pennsylvania.” Read more

 

Powell bill to provide UC benefits during school breaks to education support professionals passes House
May 06, 2025

Pielli’s bill to protect children unanimously approved by PA House
May 06, 2025

PA House passes groundbreaking legislation to eliminate paper statement fees
May 06, 2025

Abney bill to help access to mental health services advances
May 06, 2025

House Judiciary Committee approves legislation to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse
May 06, 2025

Rabb introduces bipartisan bill to tackle deed fraud
May 06, 2025

Shusterman’s Equal Pay Bill approved by House
May 05, 2025

Pielli’s bill to incentivize National Guard enlistment unanimously passes House
May 05, 2025

Smith-Wade-El’s legislation to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing reported out of committee
May 05, 2025

Lawmakers, workers rally for PA to Raise the Wage
May 05, 2025

House Judiciary Committee approves five measures
May 05, 2025

Krajewski, Frankel introduce landmark Adult-Use Cannabis Legislation
May 04, 2025

Kazeem to hold information session on May 6 about healthcare, employment options in the wake of Crozer Health’s closure
May 02, 2025

Ciresi introduces legislation to refocus Pennsylvania’s cyber charter school law on students and taxpayers
May 02, 2025

House Finance Committee hears testimony on expanding next generation energy projects
May 02, 2025

Davis, Santarsiero present funding to Bristol to help commemorate Lincoln’s 1861 visit to the borough
May 01, 2025

Smith-Wade-El holds news conference to encourage state investment in small businesses
May 01, 2025

Kenyatta joins Legislators for a Guaranteed Income
May 01, 2025

Guzman announces $450K grant for Alvernia University
Apr 30, 2025

Arts and culture breathing new economic life into PA communities
Apr 30, 2025