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How will your SEPTA route be impacted?

(Aug 12, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

How will your route be impacted? The map and tables below show how service will be modified on each route in August 2025 and January 2026 if funding is not obtained. Read more

 

As school nears, public transit cuts loom over students and families who rely on SEPTA

(Aug 12, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

For Autumn Fingerhood, a single mother who works three jobs, public transportation is the reason her 15-year-old daughter can get to school and back every day. However, the bus her daughter relies on is slated to be cut in a matter of weeks if Pennsylvania’s Republican-led Senate doesn’t quickly pass a state budget or a separate standalone bill with funding for mass transit. Read more

 

House Passes fifth funding package for public transit and roads

(Aug 11, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Today, the House passed H.B. 1788, authored by state Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila. This is the fifth time that the House has passed legislation that would fund public transit across Pennsylvania and repairs for our roads and bridges. The bill would require new oversight and accountability requirements for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, which Senate Republicans demanded be included in any bill. Both authorities have agreed to enhanced safety measures and increased penalties for fare evasion. State Rep. Ed Neilson , majority chair of the House Transportation Committee, said the following: “This bill has everything that Senate Republicans have been demanding for them to move transit funding. This isn’t about dollars and cents, this is about the hardworking people of Pennsylvania – it’s about the parents who use SEPTA to get to their jobs, it’s about their kids who use public transit to get to school. “It’s about the seniors who will lose access to transportation for important medical appointments and medicine. SEPTA alone moves a million people a day – this isn’t about us – it’s about the people who elected us to be their voice in Harrisburg. “We need Senate Republicans to get the message that this won’t just hurt cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, it will affect their districts and the Read more

 

House passes Dougherty’s transformative public transit omnibus legislation; calls on the PA Senate to finally fund public transit

(Aug 11, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, Aug. 11 – Today, the Pennsylvania House passed sweeping public transit legislation ( HB 1788 ), which was introduced by state Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila., and passed with bipartisan support. This legislation would: Fund transit systems plus road and bridge projects in all 67 counties. Invest in SEPTA to avoid service cuts. Set requirements for safety, efficiency and accountability in public transit. Dougherty said this legislation is timely as last week, SEPTA announced that if state funding isn’t assured by Aug. 14, service cuts will begin on Aug. 24 with sharp fare increases coming in September. As a representative from Philadelphia, Dougherty pointed out the urgency that this funding must get passed for not only SEPTA, but public transit operations throughout Pennsylvania. “Northeast Philadelphia runs on SEPTA, and many communities all across the Commonwealth heavily rely on public transit,” Dougherty said. “If they become reality, these service cuts will hurt real people, destroy jobs and hurt businesses of every size, not just in my district, but in communities across all 67 counties. We are out of time! The Senate needs to get back to Harrisburg immediately and finally fund public transit, because our state’s well-being truly depends on it.” This bill is one of five that the House has passed to fund public transit without raising Read more

 

Chester County House Democrats call on Senate to fund mass transit

(Aug 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, along with all Chester County House Democrats and other elected officials, rallied at the West Chester Transportation Center today to call on the state Senate to fund SEPTA and other mass transit systems in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

House Transportation Committee OKs public transit funding for fifth time

(Aug 07, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The bill would increase the existing allocation of Sales and Use Tax to the PTTF from 4.4% to 6.15% to provide approximately $292.5 million for public transit throughout the commonwealth while authorizing the bonding of $325 million for PennDOT, through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, to maintain roads and bridges. Read more

 

Venkat, Fiedler and Williams to introduce legislation to advance geothermal energy development

(Aug 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

With a skilled workforce that has made Pennsylvania a leader in electrical and natural gas production, the state is uniquely positioned to become a leader in next-generation geothermal energy. That is why state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Elizabeth Fiedler and Craig Williams are planning to introduce legislation to establish regulatory clarity that will allow the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Pa. House Democratic statement on SEPTA service cuts

(Aug 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

The only issue remaining is: will senators allow their leaders to hold Pennsylvania’s economy and the livelihoods of millions hostage? Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to SEPTA deadline announcement

(Aug 06, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Following this morning’s announcement by SEPTA of their deadline to avoid initial service cuts in the absence of state funding, Philadelphia state Rep. Morgan Cephas, chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation, issued the following statement:“Our deadline to avoid service cuts is now as real as ever with SEPTA drawing their line on the tracks today. We have eight days, but we’re hopeful that the actions of the House Transportation Committee this afternoon will build the necessary consensus to overcome this impasse and keep our city working and economy moving.” Read more

 

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

(Aug 05, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Here are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. Read more

 

Burgos applauds PECO grant announcement for customers to pay off overdue utility bills

(Jul 31, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Beginning Aug. 4, PECO customers will be able to apply for assistance through the temporary PECO Customer Relief Fund. Read more

 

Freeman proposal focuses on improving math fluency in PA schools

(Jul 30, 2025) Rep. Robert L. Freeman

Freeman said educators could use the program as part of enrichment or extension education, summer learning or to complement current work already being done in the classroom. Read more

 

State investments transforming PA cities, hometowns

(Jul 29, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

“The CRIZ designation for Reading is a game-changer, and what we hope will spur an economic boom in the city of Reading for years to come,” said state Rep. Manny Guzman, who represents portions of Reading and hosted Tuesday’s event. “A rejuvenated downtown will help create jobs and improve the lives of our residents for years to come.” Read more

 

Transportation Chairs Reach Across the Aisle to Warn Pennsylvanians About Scam Messages

(Jul 29, 2025) Rep. Ed Neilson

“If you are suspicious about any message, email or phone call you receive,” House Transportation Committee Transportation Chairman Ed Neilson said. "Make sure you err on the side of caution and verify the legitimacy of the call before making a payment, clicking a link or giving away personal information.” Read more

 

Rabb proposes nonpartisan investments in local journalism, civic information

(Jul 28, 2025) Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Legislation establishing consortium, fellowship to strengthen community news Read more

 

PA winemakers explore how to grow local industry

(Jul 28, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Regulation, climate change and unfair out-of-state competition were some of the topics discussed with growers and producers in the winemaking industry at a roundtable co-hosted by the House Majority Policy Committee and Central PA House Delegation. Read more

 

State lawmakers to introduce bipartisan legislation to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence in health care

(Jul 28, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, July 28 – Artificial Intelligence is being rapidly implemented across the health care industry by insurers, hospitals, and clinicians. It has been utilized for patient care, billing, research, claims management, utilization reviews, and assessments of cost-effectiveness. To ensure all Pennsylvanians, especially patients, can be assured that this technology is being used in a beneficial manner, state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Joe Hogan, Tarik Khan, Bridget Kosierowski, and Greg Scott are proposing bipartisan legislation that would regulate the application of AI in health care. Read more

 

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

(Jul 22, 2025) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Broadband Development Authority: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Who May Apply: Cooperative organizations, non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, private companies, public or private utility companies, public utility districts, municipalities or units of local government, internet service providers registered through the FCC Use: Deploying and/or upgrading broadband network facilities, data collection, broadband mapping and broadband planning Funds: Pennsylvania received $1,161,778,242 in federal funding pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This is the second round of BEAD funding. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount for any project Application Deadline: August 1, 2025 More information: PBDA Website Historical & Museum Commission: Cultural and Historical Support Grants Who May Apply: Museums located in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person or an official county historical society. Use: To strengthen Pennsylvania’s museums and allow applicants to determine how to use funds for operating expenses Funds: Grant awards range from $2,500 to $65,000 Application Deadline: August 22, 2025 More information: PHMC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Sequential Intercept Model Training Initiative (SIM) Read more

 

Shusterman’s lottery reform bill signed into law

(Jul 22, 2025) Rep. Melissa Shusterman

“This change will allow the Pennsylvania Lottery to more effectively compete with other forms of entertainment and put the lottery on better financial footing,” Shusterman said. “Reducing the profit margin ensures the continued health of the lottery, helping our aging population maintain their independence and quality of life.” Read more

 

Pa. lawmakers to introduce bill to rein in masks worn by government agents

(Jul 21, 2025) Rep. Paul Friel

HARRISBURG, July 21 – A group of state House lawmakers are proposing a law to restore trust and public safety in government operations by seeing that all government agents and law enforcement officers operating within Pennsylvania do not conceal their official identities or wear masks during what they say have tragically become routine raids. Reps. Paul Friel, Joseph C. Hohenstein, Rick Krajewski, Chris Pielli, Abigail Salisbury, Greg Scott, Ben Waxman and Joe Webster released the following statement regarding their bill , which is being circulated for cosponsors and has yet to be assigned a number. “Trust and public safety are essential pillars of a secure community,” the lawmakers said. “When government agents and law enforcement conceal their faces and act without identification, it jeopardizes both of those pillars. “This legislation will ensure that the public is able to identify that someone is a government officer, strengthening the community's confidence in law enforcement, and protecting officers and community members from those who would use obscurity to cause harm.” Read more

 

How will your SEPTA route be impacted?
Aug 12, 2025

As school nears, public transit cuts loom over students and families who rely on SEPTA
Aug 12, 2025

House Passes fifth funding package for public transit and roads
Aug 11, 2025

House passes Dougherty’s transformative public transit omnibus legislation; calls on the PA Senate to finally fund public transit
Aug 11, 2025

Chester County House Democrats call on Senate to fund mass transit
Aug 07, 2025

House Transportation Committee OKs public transit funding for fifth time
Aug 07, 2025

Venkat, Fiedler and Williams to introduce legislation to advance geothermal energy development
Aug 06, 2025

Pa. House Democratic statement on SEPTA service cuts
Aug 06, 2025

Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to SEPTA deadline announcement
Aug 06, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Aug 05, 2025

Burgos applauds PECO grant announcement for customers to pay off overdue utility bills
Jul 31, 2025

Freeman proposal focuses on improving math fluency in PA schools
Jul 30, 2025

State investments transforming PA cities, hometowns
Jul 29, 2025

Transportation Chairs Reach Across the Aisle to Warn Pennsylvanians About Scam Messages
Jul 29, 2025

Rabb proposes nonpartisan investments in local journalism, civic information
Jul 28, 2025

PA winemakers explore how to grow local industry
Jul 28, 2025

State lawmakers to introduce bipartisan legislation to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence in health care
Jul 28, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 22, 2025

Shusterman’s lottery reform bill signed into law
Jul 22, 2025

Pa. lawmakers to introduce bill to rein in masks worn by government agents
Jul 21, 2025