Justice reform lawmaker eager to build legal framework following state Supreme Court ruling Read more

Automatic, annual minimum wage bump at same rate of lawmaker pay raises Read more

State Rep. Morgan Cephas (D., Phila.) cast doubt on the district’s current blueprint.“I’m here to express deep concern about a facilities plan that took years to create, when you’re giving families weeks to digest,” Cephas said. “Which is not equity, and not what we fight for. Read more

Pennsylvania state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-West Philadelphia, said that while the Facilities Master Plan took years to develop, the district is giving families and school staff just weeks to understand a decision that will determine their future.Cephas said the school closures will have an effect not just this year but for generations to come.“We have been blindsided by this process being rushed in a way that is a shock to our system, a shock to Philadelphia, a shock to our families,” Cephas said. Read more

Shapiro has sought legislation enacting legal marijuana, skills game regulation, a minimum wage increase and closing a tax loophole that allows out-of-state corporations to avoid higher payments in each of his four budget proposals, said Rep. Regina Young, D-Delaware/Philadelphia.Young asked Reber how much collective revenue the four initiatives would generate if they were in place. Reber’s answer: $3 billion.“So, if we would have enacted these proposals when the governor first called for them, we would have profited $3 billion to date?” Young asked, an unmistakable nod to opponents who bemoan the lack of new revenue streams.“That’s correct,” Reber replied. Read more

Democrats counter that Shapiro keeps proposing new revenue streams such as taxing skill games, legalizing cannabis and closing the Delaware loophole that allows big businesses to avoid paying state corporate taxes by establishing holding companies in Delaware.“How different would our budget picture look today if the legislature had enacted these proposals when the governor first called for them?” said Rep. Regina Young (D-Delaware/Philadelphia), an appropriations committee member.Zachary Reber, secretary of the governor’s budget office, estimates the state would have pulled in an additional $3 billion.Lawmakers could previously ignore new revenue streams because they didn’t need extra cash, but much of the budget goes toward schools and human services. Read more

The 2026 House Appropriations Committee hearing for state-related institutions came just six weeks after Temple unveiled its strategic plan, Forward with Purpose, which will serve as the university’s compass over the next decade. The initiatives that will support one of the plan’s key priorities, Place-based Impact, garnered attention throughout the hearing, first when Rep. Regina Young brought forth the topic of public safety. “It’s important that we are creating spaces where the families of students can feel comfortable,” said Young, who represents the 185th District located in Delaware and Philadelphia counties. “With the rise of so many concerns around student safety on campuses, can you tell us some of the efforts you’re doing to ensure that students are safe on your campus?” In response, President Fry mentioned the work pursued since 21CP Solutions completed its audit of Temple’s Department of Public Safety, citing that 98% of the recommendations are complete or ongoing with the final two to be finished later this year. He also referenced the recently completed independent staffing study for the Department of Public Safety and the plans to hire 29 patrol officers, one detective, six sergeants and one lieutenant over the next five years. But he made it clear that the university’s strategy goes beyond that. Read more

Overlooking the driving range and golf course at Cobbs Creek, state Rep. Morgan Cephas recalled when the area across Lansdowne Avenue was known for illegal activity. New city investment, she said, will help restore nature to the creek bed.Mayor Cherelle Parker and other officials announced Monday that more than $9 million in city funds will be used to restore 25 acres of floodplains and wetlands along a three-mile stretch of Cobbs Creek. The project will include planting more than 49,000 trees and other native vegetation to help return the area to a more natural state.Cephas, who represents the neighborhood in the Pennsylvania House, spoke about the land’s troubled past and the long-standing lack of investment. She thanked Parker, state Sen. Vincent Hughes and Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. for their work. Efforts to revitalize the area date back to former Mayor Michael Nutter’s administration. Read more

State Rep. Morgan Cephas said investing in mass transit is essential to statewide economic success.“One of our top priorities is mass transit,” she said. “We understand early and often that when we invest, we win.” Read more

Supporters of two SEPTA programs that offer free rides rallied at Philadelphia City Hall on Friday. Their concern is that the new city budget will cut funding for the programs.SEPTA has issued 68,000 Zero Fare cards to qualifying riders, though not all of them are used, according to the agency’s Andrew Busch. More than 20,000 Philadelphians currently benefit from the program, and about 13,000 city workers enjoy free rides via the Key Advantage program. Read more