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Committee approves Harkins bill to remove offensive School Code language

(Mar 02, 2021) Rep. Patrick J. Harkins

Harkins, D-Erie, said he introduced H.B. 365 to eliminate derogatory terminology that reinforces the stigma surrounding mental health issues and disabilities. Read more

 

Reforms needed to address Charter Crisis

(Mar 02, 2021) Policy Committee, Rep. Mary Isaacson

"COVID-19 has had a huge impact on school districts' budgets throughout our commonwealth, presenting new challenges to meet the constitutional mandate. Being able to have a discussion now with administrators on the front lines of dealing with the impact of COVID-19 and the charter school funding crisis was an important step in working toward solutions." Read more

 

Kinkead, Isaacson: Bill would enable students to easily transfer from community college to PASSHE

(Mar 01, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead, Rep. Mary Isaacson

"Community colleges are critical in making higher education accessible and affordable to the most students, especially as we work to address equity in education and economic opportunity." Read more

 

Ciresi: Mark Veterans Day as a school holiday

(Mar 01, 2021) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

As the law stands now, federal, bank and state workers are allowed off work to observe Veterans Day, though schools are not required to close. Read more

 

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta joins Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows Cohort 7

(Mar 01, 2021) Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Kenyatta will join 29 other senior-level elected officials from across the country in Cohort 7, bringing the total number of Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows to 141, which includes former Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale (Cohort 2). Read more

 

Ciresi joins Gov. Wolf in Unveiling Bipartisan Charter School Accountability Plan to Protect All Students and Taxpayers

(Feb 26, 2021) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“We owe it to our students, families, teachers, and taxpayers to fix a broken and out-of-date 25-year-old charter school law, with issues I’ve seen over 12 years as a school board member,” said Rep. Joe Ciresi. Read more

 

Markosek bill would establish epilepsy management and training plans in Pa. schools

(Feb 26, 2021) Rep. Brandon Markosek

House Bill 622, to be known as Haley’s Law, would establish procedures for parents to give their child’s school a physician-approved seizure management and treatment plan. It would also connect teachers, faculty and staff with seizure recognition training and basic first aid skills. Read more

 

With greater numbers at risk, Merski bill takes aim at human trafficking

(Feb 26, 2021) Rep. Robert Merski

Merski, D-Erie, said he introduced H.B. 644 – which would require that the National Human Trafficking Hotline number be posted in stalls, on mirrors, and by all hand dryers and paper towel dispensers – to increase access to a lifesaving tool at a time when pandemic-based hardships have upped the risks for trafficking victims. Read more

 

Merski bill would shed light on local board decision-making

(Feb 25, 2021) Rep. Robert Merski

Merski said H.B. 647 – which would require municipal authorities, boards and other local government bodies to maintain public websites listing board members’ names and other information – would bring greater transparency to the decision-making process. Read more

 

Frankel lauds plans for vaccine registry, encourages ongoing equity efforts

(Feb 24, 2021) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

“The use of a registry system will bring order and transparency to the process, and allow us to clearly see and respond to the communities that need more outreach,” Frankel said. Read more

 

McNeill: We Must Protect the Sanctity of Unions and Religious Freedom for Pennsylvanians

(Feb 24, 2021) Rep. Jeanne McNeill

“Marriage is one of the most important steps two people can take in their lives,” said McNeill. “Sadly, under our current law, couples who have their marriages officiated by a minister ordained online face uncertainty.” Read more

 

COVID Safety and Recovery in Public Transportation at the center of House Democratic Policy Committee hearing

(Feb 23, 2021) Policy Committee

“The vitality of our public transit systems is important to our commonwealth’s success. People need to get to work safely and on time. It’s also a key factor in business development decisions when companies are making decisions on where to set up shop,” Rep. Bizzarro explained. Read more

 

O’Mara reappointed to Public Higher Education Funding Commission

(Feb 23, 2021) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

The purpose of the commission is to review and make recommendations related to higher education funding, affordability and effectiveness, administration, and operations. Read more

 

Krajewski introduces legislation to help struggling families stay in their homes

(Feb 22, 2021) Rep. Rick Krajewski

The legislation, which Krajewski introduced with state Reps. Jared Solomon and Morgan Cephas, both D-Phila., would allow a mortgage modification to be finalized in advance of the payment of municipal liens assessed on a property. Current state law requires lien satisfaction before a mortgage modification can be finalized. Read more

 

Isaacson leads discussion on protecting the Delaware River Basin

(Feb 22, 2021) Policy Committee

Isaacson, who represents the River Wards along the Delaware River from Old Richmond to Queen Village, highlighted the state’s responsibility to fully fund its commitment to the basin. Read more

 

House, Senate Democrats call for repairs to hazardous, toxic schools across the commonwealth

(Feb 19, 2021) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

The legislators said they are hopeful to gain bipartisan support for the initiative to repair schools statewide. Beyond the clear benefits in creating healthier, safer schools, they point to the potential economic impact from the jobs that would be created as a result of the infrastructure investment. Read more

 

Ciresi: Pharmacist-administered vaccinations must be covered by health insurers

(Feb 18, 2021) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“Now more than ever, it’s imperative we ensure affordable, potentially life-saving immunizations administered by pharmacists are covered by all health insurers.” Read more

 

Schlossberg leads discussion on key role paraprofessionals have in Pa. Education services

(Feb 18, 2021) Policy Committee

Rep. Schlossberg said he will continue to advocate for fair, equitable education funding that would provide additional resources for paraprofessional training, acquisition and retention. Read more

 

Benham introduces legislation aimed at ensuring all Pennsylvanians safeguarded from pandemic debt

(Feb 17, 2021) Rep. Jessica Benham

“Safeguarding every Pennsylvanian, especially those medically impacted by the pandemic, on top of other economic costs associated with COVID-19 needs to be a top priority,” said Benham. “The people of this commonwealth deserve access to treatment and prevention options that don’t add to, or create any additional financial burden.” Read more

 

McNeill introduces legislation to address children’s educational disruption during district residency disputes

(Feb 17, 2021) Rep. Jeanne McNeill

House Bill 458 seeks to provide protection for children in the event of a residency dispute. Under McNeill’s legislation, a school district would not be permitted to remove a child from school until the dispute has been fully resolved and it has been determined which school district should correctly enroll the child. Read more

 

Committee approves Harkins bill to remove offensive School Code language
Mar 02, 2021

Reforms needed to address Charter Crisis
Mar 02, 2021

Kinkead, Isaacson: Bill would enable students to easily transfer from community college to PASSHE
Mar 01, 2021

Ciresi: Mark Veterans Day as a school holiday
Mar 01, 2021

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta joins Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows Cohort 7
Mar 01, 2021

Ciresi joins Gov. Wolf in Unveiling Bipartisan Charter School Accountability Plan to Protect All Students and Taxpayers
Feb 26, 2021

Markosek bill would establish epilepsy management and training plans in Pa. schools
Feb 26, 2021

With greater numbers at risk, Merski bill takes aim at human trafficking
Feb 26, 2021

Merski bill would shed light on local board decision-making
Feb 25, 2021

Frankel lauds plans for vaccine registry, encourages ongoing equity efforts
Feb 24, 2021

McNeill: We Must Protect the Sanctity of Unions and Religious Freedom for Pennsylvanians
Feb 24, 2021

COVID Safety and Recovery in Public Transportation at the center of House Democratic Policy Committee hearing
Feb 23, 2021

O’Mara reappointed to Public Higher Education Funding Commission
Feb 23, 2021

Krajewski introduces legislation to help struggling families stay in their homes
Feb 22, 2021

Isaacson leads discussion on protecting the Delaware River Basin
Feb 22, 2021

House, Senate Democrats call for repairs to hazardous, toxic schools across the commonwealth
Feb 19, 2021

Ciresi: Pharmacist-administered vaccinations must be covered by health insurers
Feb 18, 2021

Schlossberg leads discussion on key role paraprofessionals have in Pa. Education services
Feb 18, 2021

Benham introduces legislation aimed at ensuring all Pennsylvanians safeguarded from pandemic debt
Feb 17, 2021

McNeill introduces legislation to address children’s educational disruption during district residency disputes
Feb 17, 2021