South Philly’s largest park will see a little more green.FDR Park will receive more than a quarter of a million dollars in state grants for improvement projects, officials announced on Feb. 11. Leaders from the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation joined state Rep. Regina Young to announce $275,000 in newly awarded state grants for improvement projects at the historic park.“FDR Park, by design, has been a community resource for recreation and nature for over 100 years,” Young said. “There are immense public benefits of both, especially for children.” Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 11 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, joined leaders from the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to announce $275,000 in newly awarded state grants for improvement projects at historic FDR Park in South Philadelphia.Funding through the CFA Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program:•$125,000 to Fairmount Park Conservancy for the FDR Park Nature Phase Franklin 5K to connect all the landscapes in the park for cyclists and pedestrians, allowing for safer travel and exploration from the plaza to the park's natural lands and beyond. Funding through the PA Watershed Restoration Protection Program:•$150,000 for ecological restoration along Shedbrook Creek to bring stronger ecology, thousands of climate-resilient trees, and biodiverse native plants to FDR Park.Young said that she was happy to advocate for these grants to support the FDR Park Plan and develop open, green, recreational and education spaces for children and families.“FDR Park, by design, has been a community resource for recreation and nature for over 100 years. There are immense public benefits of both, especially for children,” said Young. “We cannot say the word ‘park’ without thinking of children, which is why we must continue creating spaces for our youth in Philadelphia. At a time when so many young people are facing challenges related to mental health and access to safe physical spaces, we must work together to support their overall well-being. These... Read more

“I am honored to represent a legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with such deep and meaningful historical roots in the founding of our nation and our great commonwealth,” Isaacson said. “I encourage all Pennsylvanians to learn about the significance of the Pennsylvania Provincial Conference during America’s 250th anniversary, to visit Carpenters’ Hall, and to become more familiar with the vital document that formed -- and continues to govern -- Pennsylvania: our Constitution.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – Today, the Pennsylvania House passed H.B. 1936, a bill that would require courts to account for the total time a child spends in secure detention when determining the duration of their sentence. The bill was introduced by state Reps. Anthony Bellmon and Andre D. Carroll, both Democrats from Philadelphia. Currently, in Pennsylvania, if a youth in the juvenile justice system waits for a bed to open at a treatment facility, the time spent waiting is not counted toward their sentence, even though the youth is already detained. “When I had the opportunity to tour a juvenile justice center, I saw that the state was wasting many young people’s time,” Bellmon said. “Advocates told me that waiting for a bed could take up to 18 months. This practice is cruel, unjust, and unacceptable. Our bill will fix this, providing real justice while keeping our communities safe.” “Our juvenile justice system should prioritize rehabilitation, not prolonged confinement that can cause further harm,” Carroll said. “Too many children are sitting in detention for weeks simply because treatment beds aren’t available -- separated from their families, schools, and communities without receiving the services they need. This legislation ensures courts consider the full impact of those delays and regularly review alternatives to secure detention. It’s a commonsense step Read more

“Diversion helps youth take accountability, saves taxpayer dollars and makes our communities safer,” said state Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., prime sponsor of H.B. 144. “It shouldn’t depend on what county you’re from; all of our children should have access to these services.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – The Pennsylvania House Communications and Technology Committee today advanced two bills aimed at supporting the development of local journalism across the commonwealth. “For the past 20 years, we’ve seen a troubling decline in the number of local newspapers and reporters covering important community issues,” said state Rep. Joseph Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Thousands of newspapers have closed, and the number of newsroom employees has dropped by more than half. Local journalism in Pennsylvania needs support. The first weeks of 2026 underscore the urgency: the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced it will shut down, the Clinton County Record ceased publication, and the LNP Media Group in Lancaster, along with Lehigh Valley Public Media, announced significant layoffs. “The decline in local news reporting is having a devastating impact on our democracy,” Ciresi added. “If residents don’t know what’s happening in their towns and cities, how can they understand what issues need attention or hold leaders accountable? An informed electorate is the foundation of an engaged one.” Ciresi noted that the proposed bills aim to reduce news deserts by placing journalists in communities where they are needed most, preserving a strong local media environment across Pennsylvania. Introduced by state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., the legislative package addresses the growing shortage of Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – The Philadelphia House Delegation offered their support for the 2026-27 state budget proposed today by Gov. Josh Shapiro. Chairwoman Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., said the proposal is a great starting point that would deliver for all Philadelphians. Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – On the verge of the one-year anniversary of the Northeast Philadelphia Plane Crash that occurred on Jan. 31, 2025, state Reps. Sean Dougherty, Jared Solomon, Anthony Bellmon, Ed Neilson and Pat Gallagher, all D-Phila., offered the following statement. The crash occurred between Dougherty and Solomon’s districts. “Last year, our community here in Northeast Philadelphia witnessed an unimaginable tragedy when a plane crashed onto Cottman Avenue. Six individuals on board and one civilian on the ground lost their lives, and more were injured. “This crash ravaged our community and affected it for months. However, thanks to the tireless work and bravery of our Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments, the Emergency Office Management Team, PGW team, and first responders, and the remarkable leadership of Mayor Cherelle Parker and Gov. Josh Shapiro, our community was able to recover. “We must also note the volunteer work of so many of our neighbors -- everyday Northeast Philadelphians who love this community. In Northeast Philly, we look out for and protect one another. It’s what makes our community so strong. “As we look back on the one-year mark of this tragedy, we are thankful for the successful recovery, and we look to continue building on that recovery to ensure Northeast Philly is the best community possible for all our neighbors.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 29 – The application period has opened for the second year of the popular Solar for Schools Grant Program, a bipartisan initiative passed into law in 2024. The program received another $25 million in the 2025-26 state budget, following the initial state investment of $25 million. An impressive bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers, along with solar organizations and advocates, applauded the renewed funding. The program comes as consumers and schools are struggling with rising costs: energy prices have outpaced inflation over the past six years and are currently the second highest cost for schools in Pennsylvania. “Schools are facing a massive energy affordability crisis, just like people are at home with their utility bills,” said Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler , D-Phila, who sponsored the initial legislation. “Year one of the Solar for Schools Program was a huge success, and applications are now opening at a perfect time for year two of the program. As prices go up and the federal government continues to slash programs and funding to increase renewable energy supply in PA, our state government must step up to help produce more energy right here in PA. Solar for Schools shows that we have the bipartisan support, in both chambers, to achieve this.” School districts, charter schools, career and technical schools, community colleges, and intermediate units are eligible to apply now on the Department Read more

“This is how authoritarianism operates. These measures reflect the escalating fascism that our current federal government continues to embrace: a regime that wields state power to suppress inconvenient truths, glorify oppressive narratives, and punish those who dare to insist on accuracy, accountability and dignity." Read more