HARRISBURG, June 20 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, said the PLBC recognized seven Pennsylvania students as scholarship recipients at the PLBC scholarship award reception at the Capitol today. The recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship to their chosen accredited four-year college or university. "The PLBC Scholarship Program lets us reward hardworking students by helping to offset some of the costs of higher education," Kinsey said. "I am honored that we can continue to reward dedicated students of color in Pennsylvania.” The 2019 scholarship recipients are: Name of Student College/University Legislator Sponsors Ariana Cruz Ohio State University Rep. Kim Domenique Ross Howard University Rep. Wheatley Jae Fitch York College Rep. Hill-Evans Nahla Turner Howard University Rep. Kinsey/Sen. Haywood Jayla Hayden North Carolina A&T State University Rep. Cephas/Sen. Hughes Alphonso Samukai Cheyney University Rep. McClinton/Sen. Williams Tai Humphery Florida A&M University Rep. Fitzgerald/Sen. Read more
As a crime victim herself, Pa. state Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell spoke in favor of strengthening Pennsylvania's crime victims protections, notifications, and involving them more directly in the process. Read more
Pa. Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Stephen Kinsey joined the Lt. Governor and colleagues to announce the new secretary of pardons. He explains why Brandon Flood is the perfect person for the job. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Patty Kim joined the Lt. Governor and colleagues to announce the new secretary of pardons. She explains why Brandon Flood is the best choice for the position. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Donna Bullock joined advocates in Harrisburg to continue her fight for equal pay across the commonwealth. She explains why she’s confident women will finally make the same as men for doing the same job. Read more
Pa. state Representative and chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Stephen Kinsey held a House Democratic Policy Hearing about addressing bullying to find ways to protect children and stop the pain. Read more
Pa. state representative and House Democratic whip Jordan Harris joined hip-hop artist Meek Mill, advocates, and legislators on both sides of the aisle to introduce probation and parole reforms. He explains why this bill is critical for families across the commonwealth. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Ed Gainey joined advocates in Philadelphia to introduce legislation that calls for probation and parole reforms. He explains why this bill is critical to Pennsylvanians. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta joined advocates and a bi-partisan group of legislators to lay out a bill that would bring probation and parole reforms to Pennsylvania's criminal justice system. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Chris Rabb joined a bi-partisan group of legislators and advocates to call for reforms to the state's parole and probation laws. He explains why these changes are needed to help Pennsylvania move forward. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Stephen Kinsey hosted the House Democratic Policy Committee for a public hearing to address how to combat bullying. He discussed why addressing this issue now is critical to children across the commonwealth. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Ed Gainey traveled to Philadelphia to participate in a House Democratic Caucus policy hearing about ways to combat bullying across the commonwealth. He discussed why we must act now to protect our children. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald joined her colleagues for a public hearing in Philadelphia to discuss the best ways to combat bullying. She explains why we must address the issue now to protect our children. Read more
As chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Subcommittee on Women & Girls of Color, state Rep. Morgan Cephas hosted the House Democratic Policy Committee to Saint Joseph’s University in her district for a discussion on how to reduce the state’s rising rates of maternal deaths and how doulas can best be integrated in maternal care. Read more
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PHILADELPHIA, April 4 – State Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila., announced today he will be hosting a Veterans and Family Members Outreach event on April 11. Burgos said the event focused on veterans will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at The Lenfest Center, 3890 N. 10th St., Philadelphia. There are a wide range of federal, state and county benefits available to qualified veterans and their families. Burgos’ staff will be informing veterans on benefits and services available to them, including assistance with applying for VA benefits and healthcare. Referrals to community resources and employment, as well as information on housing, public benefits and counseling also will be discussed. “When our veterans return home, they should not have to fight any longer just to be taken care of,” Burgos said. “We owe them so much for their sacrifices. I look forward to working with them and their families to make sure their needs are met and they can easily access the services they need for a happier and healthier life.” Interested residents may contact Burgos’ office at (215) 223-1890 with any questions or for more information. ### Attention assignment editors : Media coverage is encouraged. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 4 – State Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Phila., today announced legislation that would urge the attorney general to file a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies, distributors and manufacturers that have contributed to the state's opioid addiction and overdose crisis. “I am urging the attorney general to pursue wrongful-death suits on behalf of the thousands of Pennsylvania families that have lost loved ones to this epidemic,” Cruz said. “Great strides have been taken -- including a statewide disaster declaration and making naloxone available to everyone to help save thousands of lives from overdose death. But Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states that has yet to pursue legal action over this opioid problem. We need to get to the root of the problem, and that started decades ago with the questionable and possibly illegal marketing and sales of these opioids.” Nearly 5,500 drug-related overdose deaths occurred in Pennsylvania in 2017 alone. Purdue Pharma recently settled its first lawsuit with Oklahoma on March 26, 2019. Cruz noted that Pennsylvania needs to act now to save as many lives as possible. More information about Cruz' legislation and other state-related matters is available by contacting his Harrisburg office at 717-705-1925. ### Read more
HARRISBURG, April 4 – State Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Phila., today announced legislation that would require African American, Native American and Hispanic history, culture and diversity to be included in history curricula in public schools. “Many of us were taught history in school, but from a homogeneous perspective,” Cruz said. “Other races are often portrayed in negative, over-simplified, or victimized ways. I want to ensure that our schools give a more complete picture of history. History should include all stories, regardless of culture or race.” Cruz noted that research has shown that inclusive lessons lead to fewer absences, higher grades and better graduation rates. Additionally, inclusive lessons help to bridge differences that exist in experiences and perspectives, building tolerance and understanding in communities. More information about Cruz's legislation and other state-related matters is available by contacting his Harrisburg office at 717-705-1925. ### Read more
HARRISBURG, April 2 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., today announced his opposition to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to include a citizenship question in the 2020 Census. “I am proud to sign on with more than 150 bipartisan state and local elected officials to oppose the decision to include a citizenship question in the 2020 Census,” Kinsey said. “The addition of this citizenship question will result in inaccurate census data and the diversion of hundreds of millions of dollars away from vital programs that support education, health care, criminal justice, rehabilitation centers and unemployment compensation, among many other programs. The improper allocation of these funds impacts the lives of millions of Americans who need it the most." On Monday, April 1, an amicus brief was filed in support of plaintiffs in Department of Commerce v. New York , currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, which addresses the important issue of whether a citizenship question should be added to the 2020 Census. The addition of a citizenship question in the Census will significantly impair the accuracy of the Census, which is used to determine the allocation of more than $900 billion of federal funding. “I urge the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm the decision of the lower court and reject the addition of the question to ensure the proper allocation of federal funds to the communities and people who need and rely on this Read more
HARRISBURG, April 2 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., today announced his resolution to amend the House rules to create a motion to censure. “All members of the House are here to serve based on the trust that has been given to us by the public and our constituents,” Rabb said. “If a member decides to act without any sense of common decency, it should fall upon all of us in the chamber to demand that order is maintained and a certain level of respect is shown when we are doing business in the People’s House. Rather than waiting for a committee, I want to put the power back in our hands so that we may act swiftly to condemn the words or actions of a fellow member when they choose to dishonor this institution.” Rabb’s resolution would create a motion to censure a member of the House that would require a two-thirds vote to be effective. Currently, to censure a disorderly member, a resolution must be introduced and sent to committee, which can take time or even be used to block a resolution. Rabb continued that although the motion should be taken very seriously, the power to censure should be exercised under the direct control of the House as a whole, not up to a committee. “By requiring a two-thirds vote, we can ensure that the motion is not used aimlessly, and we can now provide for immediate action of the House to enforce its own rules,” Rabb said. Rabb said he plans to push for passage of his resolution next Read more
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