Looking to build on the continued success of the Northeast region in the Commonwealth, state Rep. Jeanne McNeill assumed the role of chair of the Northeast Democratic Delegation in the PA House of Representatives today, a role previously held by state Rep. Maureen Madden. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 8 – In an effort to help more residents reduce their prescription drug costs, state Reps. Emily Kinkead and Eddie Day Pashinski have introduced legislation that would direct the Pennsylvania Department of Health to study the potential savings of importing less expensive medicines from Canada. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Pashinski, D-Luzerne, said H.B. 833 would also design a potential prescription drug importation program in Pennsylvania when the study demonstrates significant cost savings for consumers. “Pharmaceutical companies claim the costs are driven by market forces and due to the high cost of research and development of new medicines, but those and other arguments they pose lack validity,” said Kinkead. “Drug companies want to enjoy a monopoly to discourage competition, to the detriment of our consumers here in Pennsylvania, including many who rely on life-saving medications and are forced to ration or forego medications they simply cannot afford. That’s reprehensible, and we already know of other states already implementing such programs. It’s time we do the same.” "The increasing cost of prescription drugs is driving up health care expenses, which is driving up every Pennsylvanian's cost of living," Pashinski said. "This legislation makes sure Pennsylvania is developing a long-term solution to this problem. We can potentially save the state and consumers millions of dollars by Read more
As of this writing, there are approximately 750,000 Pennsylvania votes that need to be counted. That is more than 750,000 Pennsylvanians who lawfully casted their vote and deserve to be heard. Counting every citizen’s legal, timely vote is imperative. As workers securely make progress on tallying the results, we must be patient. This process may take several days, but the integrity and sanctity of the vote in our state must be maintained. Last Fall, in a bipartisan showing, the Pennsylvania General Assembly agreed to allow for mail-in ballots. Since then, House Democrats have made many efforts to help clarify any confusion about the process and give local election boards the tools needed to securely and expeditiously process votes cast by mail. Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues chose political gamesmanship over a genuine effort to ensure a smooth election. Their inaction failed to allow for the early processing of ballots received – as 32 other states permit-- and, in turn, why there is a delay in knowing the outcome of this election. The ambiguity in the law did not address their local official’s concerns; nor does it protect every Pennsylvanian’s constitutional right to vote and our obligation to make sure those votes are counted. Now, more than ever, we must ensure that we uphold the freedoms guaranteed in our state and nation’s constitution. In these unprecedented times, the voters must have the final say, not the candidates or Read more
State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh, is calling for additional funding to assist first responders and others working in essential and frontline jobs who were omitted from the hazard pay grants awarded by the Department of Community and Economic Development earlier this week. Read more
State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today more than $104,000 was awarded to seven area school districts to enhance educational services for special education students who may be negatively impacted by pandemic mitigation measures. Read more
State Rep. Jeanne McNeill announced today that $947,864 in federal funding has been allocated to several area schools and Career and Technical Education centers in her district to assist with implementing public health and safety plans. Read more
State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh, today announced that a $563,933 grant has been awarded to Catasauqua Borough from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The borough will use the funding to construct new public streets and make improvements for pedestrian and bicyclists in and around the former Crane Iron Works brownfield site. Read more
The Whitehall Active Community Center was awarded a $10,038 grant, state Rep. Jeanne McNeill announced today. Read more
As the July Fourth holiday draws closer, so too do the calls and complaints to my office about fireworks activity. Read more
A new form of financial assistance for renters and homeowners financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will begin accepting applications July 6, state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh, announced today. Read more
State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh, joined her colleagues in unanimous passage of S.B. 1122 to provide one-time crisis grants to each volunteer fire and emergency medical services company across the state to assist in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
TAYLOR, May 21 – State Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today she has joined others in asking Gov. Tom Wolf to allow curbside transactions for retail businesses still shuttered by the administration’s closure order, including those in Lackawanna County. Read more
A bill that would protect people working in Pennsylvania’s long-term care facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been introduced in the PA House, according to prime co-sponsor state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna. Read more
TAYLOR, May 8 – State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, is encouraging area school districts to consider applying for funds to assist them in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Education submitted an application to the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Once the state’s application is approved, school districts will need to apply for the funding. “We’ve already observed the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our educational system, and, as we move forward, our schools will need the ability to properly face any additional challenges that come their way,” Kosierowski said. “Funding like this will aid our districts in ensuring quality education in a safe environment.” Locally, it is anticipated that school districts would receive the following funding: Abington Heights School District: $226,310 Carbondale Area School District: $629,788 Forrest City Regional School District: $187,215 Lakeland School District: $196,233 Mid Valley School District: $486,487 Old Forge School District: $186,968 Riverside School District: $323,316 The U.S. Department of Education is expected to approve the application within a week and is working on a streamlined application process to ensure Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.