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Philadelphia House Delegation reacts to adoption of state budget

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Waxman celebrates House passage of his measure to reduce cell phone bills

(Jun 13, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 13 – State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., today celebrated the passage of his legislation that would reduce cell phone bills for families across the state. “ This is about providing financial relief to individuals and families across the entire state ,” Waxman said. “ We all rely on cell phones for communication, work, and staying connected to loved ones. They have become an essential part of our lives, and it’s only fair that we work to alleviate the excessive tax burdens placed on Pennsylvanians.” Waxman’s legislation would exempt cell phone service from the 6% sales and use tax, as well as the 5% gross receipts tax. This legislation follows Gov. Josh Shapiro’s state budget plan and would save Pennsylvania families an estimated $124 million per year. According to Waxman, Pennsylvania has the seventh highest combined rate of taxes and other government fees and surcharges on cell phone bills at 16.62%. At this time, 68% of American households do not have a landline and rely solely on cell phones for voice communication. Waxman said lower-income households and younger individuals are more likely to be wireless-only. Further, 15% of Americans use cellular data on their smartphones as their only method of accessing the internet, as these families do not have broadband internet service. For more information, those interested can contact Waxman’s Read more

 

Dawkins Moving the Needle on Minimum Wage

(Jun 13, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Pa. House Labor and Industry Committee Majority Chairman Jason Dawkins says workers earning minimum wage have waited long enough for a raise. Dawkins and his Democratic colleagues voted to advance legislation that would increase the minimum wage to $15/hr. over the next three years. Read more

 

Why some lawmakers think this will be the year Pa. raises its minimum wage

(Jun 13, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

At the moment, Pennsylvania’s wage floor is $7.25 an hour — the same as the federal minimum. The legislature last increased the state’s minimum wage in 2006, and every neighboring state currently has a higher wage floor. Read more

 

Green Votes to #RaiseTheWage

(Jun 13, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

As a lifelong supporter of workers rights, Pa. state Rep. Roni Green voices her support for a long overdue raise in the state's minimum wage. In a House Labor & Industry Committee meeting, Green called out the fear mongering of the House GOP, calling for a living wage so that hard working Pennsylvanians can support themselves and their families. Read more

 

The Pa. legislature should make speed cameras permanent

(Jun 13, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

Although our speed camera enforcement program is having a dramatic impact on public safety on Roosevelt Boulevard, it is set to legislatively expire in December unless the General Assembly acts to make it permanent. Currently, State Rep. Ed Neilson has sponsored legislation that would do just that, while also permitting the use of automated enforcement cameras to protect children on school buses and in designated school zones. Read more

 

Gallagher celebrates House passage of Keystone Saves

(Jun 12, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 12 – State Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., today celebrated the passage of his legislation that would establish Keystone Saves, a voluntary employee retirement savings program that would expand access to private sector individual retirement accounts (IRA) to the over two million Pennsylvania workers who currently have no opportunity to save for retirement at their place of employment. “ Unfortunately, more and more Pennsylvanians are reaching retirement age without enough savings to age gracefully after a lifetime of hard work ,” Gallagher said. “ We’re working in a bipartisan manner to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to save for retirement. With many employees lacking employee sponsored retirement plans, there have to be more options for retirement. This is one more step to giving Pennsylvanians more independence and preparing them for life on a fixed income.” The State Treasurer’s Retirement Security Task Force Report highlighted the vast number of Pennsylvanians who are unprepared for the financial challenges of retirement. It’s a problem not just for retirees but also for the commonwealth as financially unprepared retirees are projected to cost the state an additional $14 billion in social services between 2015 and 2030, an average of nearly $1 billion per year. Additionally, lower consumer spending by retirees over this same time is estimated to cost the state Read more

 

Neilson Thanks First Responders at I-95 Disaster

(Jun 12, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

At a Pa. House Transportation Committee meeting one day after the collapse disaster on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, Chairman Rep. Ed Neilson thanks the first responders and officials who came to Northeast Philadelphia to assist in the response and recovery. Read more

 

Boyle bill protects access to mental health screenings and other preventive health care

(Jun 12, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 12 – Today, H.B. 1050 , introduced by PA House Insurance Committee Chair Kevin Boyle, D-Phila., passed the House Insurance Committee and will head to the House floor for consideration. This bill would require health insurers to cover preventative health care services including mental health treatment without cost-sharing. A similar law is part of the federal Affordable Care Act, which gives Americans access to no-cost preventive health care. But earlier this year, a judge in Texas struck down that part of the Affordable Care Act . If appeals are unsuccessful, millions of Pennsylvanians could lose access to potentially life-saving preventative health care such as cancer screenings, depression and anxiety screenings, multiple vaccines, and annual well-woman visits. Boyle’s legislation would protect Pennsylvanians regardless of what the federal courts do. “We must ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to life-saving preventive health care without having to pay a copay, coinsurance or deductible,” Boyle said. “It’s good to see this bill pass the Insurance Committee, now I hope to see my colleagues do right by the people of Pennsylvania and pass it out of the House.” Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation Reacts to I-95 Collapse Emergency

(Jun 11, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

This morning, the Philadelphia House Delegation responded to the emergency in Northeast Philadelphia where a portion of Interstate 95 collapsed due to a vehicle fire. It appears that there were no injuries in the collapse, but city, state and federal agencies continue to fight the fire and investigate the disaster. Read more

 

Young Preparing Educators for Urban Schools

(Jun 08, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

As a former educator, Pa. state Rep. Regina Young knows the importance of a quality education and how that begins with quality teachers. Young introduced a House Resolution aimed at the creation of urban teaching programs to inform potential educators on the experience of teaching in an urban setting. This will recruit and retain good teachers for city schools that will help ensure students have qualified educators that share their experience. Read more

 

Isaacson announces local Keystone Historic Preservation grants

(Jun 07, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

“2026 is right around the corner, and with such an important celebration to be hosted in our incredible city, Philadelphia, I am honored to see this funding being invested in our country’s history in the birthplace of our nation,” Isaacson said. “I am proud to support these institutions that have made it a priority to preserve our past and welcome in the future.” Read more

 

Chairman Boyle insurance cyber consumer protection bill passes Senate

(Jun 07, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 7 – Today, H.B. 739 , introduced by PA House Insurance Committee Chair Kevin Boyle, D-Phila., passed the PA Senate and will head to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk to be signed into law. This legislation would require insurance companies and agents to develop cybersecurity policies and report cybersecurity events to the state insurance commissioner. “I want to give gratitude to my colleagues in the Senate for passing this important piece of legislation that will go a long way in ensuring insurance consumers’ data is protected online from hackers,” said Boyle. “I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law to protect our consumers every day who purchase insurance products in the commonwealth.” Read more

 

Krajewski kinship care legislation clears House committee

(Jun 07, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 7 – Today, the House Children and Youth Committee voted to report to the full House for a vote H.B.1058 , introduced by Rep. Rick Krajewski D-Phila., which would make child custody proceedings more inclusive of potential kinship care providers. Krajewski said that when a child is taken from their home and into the custody of a county youth agency it can be a deeply traumatic experience. Living with kin – such as relatives, grandparents, and close family friends – is better for children, minimizing childhood trauma and increasing well-being. Despite this, only 42% of Pennsylvania’s children receiving care are placed in a kinship home , and potential kin providers can be excluded from consideration because of implicit bias, family poverty and red tape. This bill would require that in child custody proceedings, courts solicit and consider the opinions of those who engaged with family finding and kinship care programs. This would ensure that courts are fully aware of the strengths and qualifications of potential kinship providers before they place a child in a county youth agency. “As advocates of Kinship Care for youth in Pennsylvania, we believe this bill would strengthen support systems for young people in the child welfare system,” wrote Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia in a joint letter of support for H.B.1058. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for thorough investigation on teen fatally shot by state trooper and prevention of more tragedies

(Jun 07, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

PHILADELPHIA, June 7 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today stated that the group is closely following the death of a teenager killed in the city Sunday by a state trooper during a drag race on I-95. The organization expressed concern about issues involved in this incident as they could develop into more tragedies. Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas indicated that it is essential that the state police and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office collaborate hand-in-hand for transparent scrutiny. The delegation also hopes for accountability and answers to many of the critical questions surrounding the deadly shooting. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim, and we are looking forward to seeing all the facts that resulted in this death,” Cephas said. “As a delegation, we see two sides of this tragedy -- the first one is a family mourning in our city, the second is an unfortunate series of issues that are prompting us to take bold action and work fast on prevention. “It is alarming to see more and more illegal drag racings on city streets and interstates, car meetups and large unregulated gatherings all over the city. The aftermath of these scenarios is always the same: property damage, assault and participants throwing objects at the police. “As we head into the summer, we need to take control of these Read more

 

Fiedler, PA Building Trades, AFT, Evangelical Enviro Network, call on lawmakers to vote for Solar for Schools legislation

(Jun 05, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 5 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., today called on lawmakers to pass Solar for Schools legislation (H.B.1032). Fiedler was joined on the steps of the state Capitol by a diverse coalition including Mike Ford, secretary-treasurer of the PA Building & Construction Trades Council; Arthur Steinberg, president of PA American Federation of Teachers; Carolyn Heckman, PA policy and outreach coordinator for the Evangelical Environmental Network; Katie Blume, political and legislative director of Conservation Voters of PA; Tony Seiwell, business manager for LIUNA Eastern Region; and Bishop Dwayne Royster, executive director of POWER Interfaith. Fiedler’s bill passed was approved in committee with a unanimous bipartisan vote in late May. Fiedler said she anticipates a House floor vote on the bill before the end of June. “I’m excited that Solar is passing through the House. This legislation is truly blue-green, bringing new jobs to our Commonwealth while protecting and preserving our environment,” Fiedler said. She said the diverse coalition of supporters demonstrates the broad appeal of Solar for Schools. “Solar leverages state and federal dollars to support the creation of solar arrays at public schools across the Commonwealth. It will save school districts and taxpayers money, create new learning opportunities and invest in statewide clean Read more

 

Neilson introduces legislation to target speeding in Pennsylvania

(Jun 01, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

According to the AWZSE Annual Legislative Report, speeding in AWZSE enforced work zones has been reduced to 17.2% for all traffic, and excessive speeding (11+ mph over the posted speed limit) has been reduced to 2.6% since the start of the program. Read more

 

Boyle introduces legislation on localized minimum wage

(May 24, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, May 24 – State Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Phila., has introduced legislation to allow individual municipalities to adjust their minimum wage based on factors that affect workers in those communities . Boyle’s legislation would repeal a section of the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act that prohibits municipalities from enacting a minimum wage separate from the statewide wage. “The 2006 amendment to our minimum wage law that prohibits individual municipalities from setting their own wages is outdated,” Boyle said. “We have to give local governments the tools to customize solutions that work best for their communities.” Boyle said the legislation would allow Philadelphia to set a minimum wage that is higher than the rest of the state. Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation lauds passing of gun safety bills

(May 24, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, May 24 – The Philadelphia House Delegation today expressed satisfaction on the passing of two pieces of legislation aimed at implementing extreme risk protection orders and regulating universal background checks. The firearm safety bills were approved by the House and sent to the Senate. The state House passed H.B. 714 which would expand background checks for firearm purchases. It was introduced by state Rep. Perry Warren. The second bill H.B. 1018 would provide emergency protection for gun owners who are at risk of harming themselves or others. Rep. Jennifer O’Mara is prime sponsor of this legislation. ERPO, or “red flag,” laws temporarily disarm people in crisis to disrupt spontaneous acts of violence against themselves or others. Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas said that the passing of the bills represents a major step forward in the delegation’s quest for public safety. “Having two gun reform bills pass this House is certainly cause for celebration, however we know there is much more work to be done. Our city, as well as the whole commonwealth, is in crisis and we need the General Assembly to recognize there are commonsense ways to help all Pennsylvanians while not infringing on their rights. “We will continue to work in the House for passage of safe storage and lost-and-stolen reporting -- two of the biggest priorities of our delegation Read more

 

PA lawmakers form Progressive Caucus

(May 23, 2023) Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, Rep. Rick Krajewski, Rep. Christopher M. Rabb

Focusing on prioritizing people over profit, fighting social inequality Read more

 

House committee unanimously approves Solar for Schools legislation

(May 23, 2023) Philadelphia House Delegation

HARRISBURG, May 23 – The House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee voted unanimously today in support of House Bill1032, state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler’s Solar for Schools legislation. Solar for Schools would provide grants to install solar to public k-12 schools, community colleges, and career technical schools across Pennsylvania. The program would fund 50% of the cost of project construction. Federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act would cover 30- 50% of the remaining installation costs, with school districts responsible for the remaining 0- 20%, plus costs associated with operation and maintenance. The vote comes on the heels of Fiedler’s tour of solar arrays at various schools across Pennsylvania. "I've been able to see firsthand the value that solar arrays bring by reducing costs for school districts and taxpayers, limiting our carbon footprint, and creating new jobs,” Fiedler, D-Phila., said. “I am thrilled Solar for Schools passed the committee. This legislation merges labor and environmental priorities to improve our environment and bring new jobs to our commonwealth.” Committee Chair Robert Matzie, D-Beaver, commended the legislation after voting in favor of the bill. “Solar for Schools is a solid bill that will help school districts and taxpayers save money,” Matzie said. “As chairman of the committee, I was happy Read more

 

Waxman celebrates House passage of his measure to reduce cell phone bills
Jun 13, 2023

Dawkins Moving the Needle on Minimum Wage
Jun 13, 2023

Why some lawmakers think this will be the year Pa. raises its minimum wage
Jun 13, 2023

Green Votes to #RaiseTheWage
Jun 13, 2023

The Pa. legislature should make speed cameras permanent
Jun 13, 2023

Gallagher celebrates House passage of Keystone Saves
Jun 12, 2023

Neilson Thanks First Responders at I-95 Disaster
Jun 12, 2023

Boyle bill protects access to mental health screenings and other preventive health care
Jun 12, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation Reacts to I-95 Collapse Emergency
Jun 11, 2023

Young Preparing Educators for Urban Schools
Jun 08, 2023

Isaacson announces local Keystone Historic Preservation grants
Jun 07, 2023

Chairman Boyle insurance cyber consumer protection bill passes Senate
Jun 07, 2023

Krajewski kinship care legislation clears House committee
Jun 07, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation calls for thorough investigation on teen fatally shot by state trooper and prevention of more tragedies
Jun 07, 2023

Fiedler, PA Building Trades, AFT, Evangelical Enviro Network, call on lawmakers to vote for Solar for Schools legislation
Jun 05, 2023

Neilson introduces legislation to target speeding in Pennsylvania
Jun 01, 2023

Boyle introduces legislation on localized minimum wage
May 24, 2023

Philadelphia House Delegation lauds passing of gun safety bills
May 24, 2023

PA lawmakers form Progressive Caucus
May 23, 2023

House committee unanimously approves Solar for Schools legislation
May 23, 2023