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Kenyatta applauds over $14K in state grants to help preserve local historical landmarks

(Mar 03, 2020) Philadelphia County Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, March 4 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta today announced $14,963 in state grants are headed to the 181 st Legislative District to help support the preservation of two local historical landmarks. Historic Fair Hill, a 300-year-old Quaker burial ground and nature and history education center, and Wagner Free Institute of Science, a natural science history museum founded in 1855, received a $4,000 and a $10,953 state grant, respectively. “Historic Fair Hill and the Wagner Free Institute of Science have both served as longtime community education centers that have fostered and inspired Philadelphians’ hunger for knowledge for centuries,” Kenyatta said. “These sites are also tourist destinations that direct traffic into many of the local businesses here in North Philly. It’s critical that we preserve these organizations and help them continue their invaluable and timeless purpose.” The funding was awarded through the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Society's Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program, which provides general operating support to Pennsylvania museums and official county historic societies. Read more

 

More than 1,300 participate in Cephas’ telephone town hall to address gun violence, other critical issues facing Philadelphia

(Feb 21, 2020) Philadelphia County Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 21 – Amid recent shootings in Philadelphia, more than 1,300 people took part in state Rep. Morgan Cephas’ telephone town hall meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue of gun violence as well as other critical issues facing their neighborhoods. “We can’t let ourselves become numb and simply accept deadly shootings like the one that just happened last month on 54 th Street,” said Cephas. “However, finding a viable solution will take a multi-pronged approach that must involve input from the community. This telephone town hall is just another way I’m working to make sure our middle neighborhoods are part of the conversation.” As part of her effort to end this public health crisis, Cephas talked about the importance of passing commonsense gun safety legislation, like universal backgrounds checks, as well as investing in small businesses to create local jobs while ensuring workforce training is available to help fill those open positions. Cephas also fielded questions about mental health and affordable housing, while pinpointing concerns that participants wanted to see addressed in the 2020-21 state budget. “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’ve been in Harrisburg this week to begin a series of hearings to ensure we create a state budget plan that works for all Pennsylvanians,” Cephas explained. “From reducing crime and enacting anti-gun violence Read more

 

Kenyatta co-hosts bipartisan public hearing on combatting mental health issues among youth

(Feb 13, 2020) Philadelphia County Delegation

WASHINGTON CROSSING, Feb. 13 – Today, longtime mental health advocate state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., co-hosted a public hearing with Rep. Wendi Thomas, R- Bucks, at the Washington Crossing United Methodist Church to discuss solutions for youth struggling with mental health. “I am thrilled to have been a part of this discussion that transcends partisanship because as public servants, we are all obligated to ensure our residents are physically, emotionally and mentally well,” Kenyatta said. “Mental health has always been a pressing and a coincidingly stigmatized issue in our society; I have been a longtime advocate for breaking those stigmas and promoting comprehensive solutions to ensure the well-being of our children.” Thomas concurred with her Democratic House colleague’s praises of the bipartisan cohesion and pointed out that mental health also doesn’t discriminate. “Mental health is an issue that does not discriminate. It affects all ages, races, genders and classes. Chances are that each of us knows an individual who has struggled with mental health issues, and we all hope that those close to us would be able to get the necessary assistance in times of desperation. Unfortunately, as many as 60% of students do not receive the treatment they need due to stigma and lack of access to services,” said Thomas, adding, “It is so encouraging to see, not only so many legislators attend our Read more

 

Philadelphia Delegation lauds Wolf’s 2020-21 state budget proposal

(Feb 04, 2020) Philadelphia County Delegation

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – The House Democratic Philadelphia Delegation today lauded Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2020-21 budget proposal for including many of the priorities they identified as important to improving the quality of life for Philadelphians and for people across Pennsylvania, according to Delegation Chairman Rep. Jason Dawkins, D-Phila. Wolf outlined his proposal before a joint session of the General Assembly this morning. Led by Dawkins, members of the Philadelphia Delegation met with the governor earlier in the year to stress their budget priorities, including state funding to rid Philadelphia schools of toxins and fix crumbling infrastructure; funding to reduce waiting lists and provide more support for seniors, people living in poverty and those with disabilities; raising the minimum wage to a living wage; creating good jobs with an education plan to provide the skills to fill them; and addressing poverty and gun violence as a public health crisis. “The Philadelphia Delegation is grateful for Governor Wolf’s vision for the state in this, his sixth budget plan,” Dawkins said. “His proposals are people-focused and seek to provide more opportunities for everyone, not just the privileged few. We will be a loud voice in making sure they are included this year.” Dawkins said the governor’s budget proposal includes $1.1 billion to ensure students, teachers and staff can learn and work in classrooms that aren’t Read more

 

Kenyatta applauds over $14K in state grants to help preserve local historical landmarks
Mar 03, 2020

More than 1,300 participate in Cephas’ telephone town hall to address gun violence, other critical issues facing Philadelphia
Feb 21, 2020

Kenyatta co-hosts bipartisan public hearing on combatting mental health issues among youth
Feb 13, 2020

Philadelphia Delegation lauds Wolf’s 2020-21 state budget proposal
Feb 04, 2020