News Center

Student loan forgiveness moves the needle for all to advance

(Sep 01, 2022) Rep. Darisha Parker, Rep. Donna Bullock, Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

For Black women in particular, the alleviation of a small bit of student loan debt can be the difference between investing in a home, paying for child care, starting a business, saving for retirement -- or not. Read more

 

Harris: Expanding Clean Slate would give thousands more Pennsylvanians their second chance

(Aug 31, 2022) Rep. Jordan A. Harris

“What we’ve seen since Clean Slate was first enacted is countless Pennsylvanians having doors opened for them to better education, housing and employment that were previously not available due to a minor crime they committed in their past,” Harris said. Read more

 

GRANT MEMO: Youth Agriculture, Urban Agriculture, and Watershed Cooperative Funding Opportunities

(Aug 30, 2022) Appropriations

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

 

Kinkead named as PA Prison Society board member

(Aug 29, 2022) Rep. Emily Kinkead

An experienced attorney, Kinkead has been a strong voice for criminal justice overhaul since her election to the PA House in 2020. Read more

 

Ciresi, Webster introduce legislation to designate a part of Trappe’s Main Street in honor of State Trooper Branden T. Sisca

(Aug 24, 2022) Rep. Joseph Ciresi, Rep. Joe Webster

Sisca, 29, and another trooper, Martin F. Mack III, were on duty when they were struck and killed by a drunk driver along a section of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia. Read more

 

Cephas to introduce a bill that would protect homeowners and address racial bias in real estate appraisals

(Aug 23, 2022) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas

“Current laws do not prevent home appraisers from discriminating against people of color, or other marginalized communities for that matter. With little regulation or oversight, appraisals can make or break the value of a home,” Cephas said. Read more

 

Harkins: Time to start treating our caregivers fairly

(Aug 23, 2022) Rep. Patrick J. Harkins

Caregivers have been sounding the alarm for decades. It’s time for nursing home administrators to stop stonewalling and start listening. Our most vulnerable are depending on it. Read more

 

O’Mara, Stephens invited to a White House meeting to discuss Extreme Risk Protection Order legislation

(Aug 23, 2022) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

During the meeting, state lawmakers shared how they successfully passed ERPO laws, while O’Mara and Stephens discussed plans to advance their H.B. 1903 in the Pennsylvania legislature. Read more

 

Policy hearing focuses on youth violence intervention and prevention

(Aug 23, 2022) Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Policy Committee

The committee heard testimony from nonprofit leaders, community organizers and advocates working to end gun violence. They highlighted success stories in programs designed to prevent youth violence and intervene when young people are involved in crimes and violence. Read more

 

Policy Committee tours local businesses, development projects in Erie

(Aug 22, 2022) Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, Policy Committee

“Today was a great opportunity to show members of the House the area I represent and let them see first-hand the vision and positive momentum of our city,” said Bizzarro. “The work we do in Harrisburg impacts all corners of the state, and it’s important for my colleagues to witness the influence they have with each vote.” Read more

 

Guzman hosts Policy Committee for tour of Reading businesses

(Aug 17, 2022) Rep. Manuel Guzman, Policy Committee

“I want to thank today’s hosts for teaching me and my colleagues a little about their operations and projects, and how they will benefit the community,” said Guzman. “We’re looking forward to doing everything we can in Harrisburg to continue supporting these and other businesses so they can thrive and drive our community.” Read more

 

Benham applauds executive order to deter conversion ‘therapy’

(Aug 16, 2022) Rep. Jessica Benham

"Misnomered as ‘therapy,’ this abusive tactic reinforces the idea that LGBTQ+ individuals are inferior because of their sexual preference. Furthermore, it has devastating effects on the mental health of those who are subjected to it, especially young people." Read more

 

Rep. Kenyatta applauds executive order to prevent conversion abuse

(Aug 16, 2022) Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

“LGBTQIA+ individuals deserve to be treated with respect and dignity,” Kenyatta said. “As one of just three LGBTQIA+ members of the state legislature, I will continue to push for legislation such as the PA Fairness Act to protect LGBTQIA+ Pennsylvanians from discrimination and to codify the governor’s action today.” Read more

 

Balance in the rental market focus of House Democratic Policy hearing

(Aug 16, 2022) Rep. Darisha Parker, Policy Committee

Many of the testifiers discussed the economic hardships that the COVID-19 pandemic brought on both landlords and tenants. Read more

 

Frankel: Conversion therapy ban a step forward

(Aug 16, 2022) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

Frankel, who also serves as Democratic House Health Committee Chairman, noted that every major medical and mental health organization in the United States condemned the use of conversion therapy. Read more

 

Policy Hearing: Healthy Parks and Open Spaces

(Aug 15, 2022) Rep. Morgan B. Cephas, Rep. Rick Krajewski, Policy Committee

“We have many beautiful spaces in our region and the potential to have many more. It’s important to have clean and healthy parks, recreation centers, and community spaces to give our neighbors incentive to be outside and provide alternatives to spaces that breed unwanted litter and blight,” said Rep. Cephas. Read more

 

Burns renews push for ‘American Made Jobs Plan’ to bring back manufacturing

(Aug 11, 2022) Rep. Frank Burns

Burns, D-Cambria, said his “American Made Jobs Plan” is a three-bill package designed to end our economy’s heavy reliance on China and other countries and reverse decades of unfair trade policies, driven by corporate greed and special interests, that have helped wipe out the middle class in Pennsylvania and Cambria County. Read more

 

Health care providers detail complications, difficulties in post-Roe PA

(Aug 11, 2022) Rep. Dan B. Frankel, Policy Committee

“Since the Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the health care landscape in Pennsylvania has changed significantly and become more complex,” Frankel said. “As we have heard during previous hearings and again today, restrictions on health care never makes a country healthier and it creates a number of underlying problems for residents as well as our health care providers.” Read more

 

Women’s Health Caucus Holds Third Post-Roe PA Policy Hearing in Pittsburgh

(Aug 11, 2022) Women’s Health Caucus

The four co-chairs of the WHC said after the hearing that expanding access to reproductive health care and supporting providers should be a legislative priority. Read more

 

Aerion Abney: Despite the attacks, let’s vote — mail-in voting’s still an option in Pa.

(Aug 10, 2022) Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney

Voting by mail also gives voters an opportunity to see who or what is on their ballot and have time to do their own research on a candidate(s) or issue(s) before making a selection. Read more

 

Student loan forgiveness moves the needle for all to advance
Sep 01, 2022

Harris: Expanding Clean Slate would give thousands more Pennsylvanians their second chance
Aug 31, 2022

GRANT MEMO: Youth Agriculture, Urban Agriculture, and Watershed Cooperative Funding Opportunities
Aug 30, 2022

Kinkead named as PA Prison Society board member
Aug 29, 2022

Ciresi, Webster introduce legislation to designate a part of Trappe’s Main Street in honor of State Trooper Branden T. Sisca
Aug 24, 2022

Cephas to introduce a bill that would protect homeowners and address racial bias in real estate appraisals
Aug 23, 2022

Harkins: Time to start treating our caregivers fairly
Aug 23, 2022

O’Mara, Stephens invited to a White House meeting to discuss Extreme Risk Protection Order legislation
Aug 23, 2022

Policy hearing focuses on youth violence intervention and prevention
Aug 23, 2022

Policy Committee tours local businesses, development projects in Erie
Aug 22, 2022

Guzman hosts Policy Committee for tour of Reading businesses
Aug 17, 2022

Benham applauds executive order to deter conversion ‘therapy’
Aug 16, 2022

Rep. Kenyatta applauds executive order to prevent conversion abuse
Aug 16, 2022

Balance in the rental market focus of House Democratic Policy hearing
Aug 16, 2022

Frankel: Conversion therapy ban a step forward
Aug 16, 2022

Policy Hearing: Healthy Parks and Open Spaces
Aug 15, 2022

Burns renews push for ‘American Made Jobs Plan’ to bring back manufacturing
Aug 11, 2022

Health care providers detail complications, difficulties in post-Roe PA
Aug 11, 2022

Women’s Health Caucus Holds Third Post-Roe PA Policy Hearing in Pittsburgh
Aug 11, 2022

Aerion Abney: Despite the attacks, let’s vote — mail-in voting’s still an option in Pa.
Aug 10, 2022