Materials from a public hearing hosted by State Rep. Mike Driscoll. Read more

Materials from a public hearing hosted by State Rep. Joe Hohenstein. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 17 – State Rep. Michael J. Driscoll, D-Phila., hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee public roundtable today to discuss Pre-K reimbursement rates and early education. “Pre-K and early learning are vital to our children and to the world in which they will need to function as they grow into young adults and finally adults who will compose our work force,” Driscoll said. “It is imperative that we find solutions to properly fund Pre-K and early childhood educational opportunities for all children across Pennsylvania so that the burden of footing the bill doesn’t fall solely to providers.” Driscoll requested the roundtable to explore how state funding gaps impact early childhood education programs. He was joined by fellow state legislators, including HDPC Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. “Today’s discussion shows there are many opportunities for us to consider as we continue to make investing in early childhood education a priority,” Sturla said. “With gaps as high as 30% between current funding provided by the state and the operational costs of these programs, early childhood education programs at SPIN and across the state are seriously underfunded, resulting in underpaid teachers, programs that operate in deficit, and potential for program closures.” Panelists of the roundtable included Tracey Campanini , deputy secretary of the PA Office of Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 17 – To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, state Rep. Joe Hohenstein spearheaded a series of events held Thursday at Community Behavioral Health geared toward improving disability rights and services across Pennsylvania. The freshman legislator kicked off the series with his first Disabilities Summit, which focused on the successes of disability rights in the three decades since the enactment of the ADA and explored other progressive measures through discussions among community and business stakeholders, and federal and state elected officials. “I am excited to have this summit to initiate conversations reflecting on the progress the ADA has made for disability rights and how we as advocates from the government, the business community, and local advocacy groups, can work together to build upon that progress,” Hohenstein said. “Demanding and ensuring rights for citizens living with disabilities takes a concerted effort from all advocacy factions. I am especially grateful for our partners at SpARC and Philadelphia Autism Project who have worked tirelessly to put together the program.” To bolster disability rights through governmental policy, Hohenstein also hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing to discuss more comprehensive approaches to strengthen the ADA and ensure accessibility to services, equal rights and equal opportunities for all Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 14 – State Rep. Michael J. Driscoll, D-Phila., will host a House Democratic Policy Committee public roundtable discussion on Pre-K reimbursement rates and early education. The discussion will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at SPIN, 10980 Norcom Road, Philadelphia, Pa. 19154. Members of the public and media are invited to attend. Driscoll requested this roundtable to explore how state funding gaps impact early childhood education programs. He will be joined by fellow state legislators, including HDPC Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. Panelists include: Tracey Campanini, deputy secretary, Pa. Office of Child Development and Early Learning Kathy McHale, president & CEO, SPIN Fred Wright, president, AFSCME Local 1739 Ann O’Brien, CEO, Wonderspring Maddy Malis, president & CEO, Federation Early Learning Services Donna Cooper, executive director, Public Citizens for Children and Youth Tyrone Scott, director of government and external affairs, First Up This roundtable is among a series being held across the state on House Democrats’ Plan4PA, focused on putting people first by growing good jobs, providing health care access, creating quality schools and providing training for jobs in a fair economy. More information about the plan is available at www.plan4pa.com and hearing materials are at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . ### Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 13 – To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., announced today he will host a series of events geared toward improving disability rights and services across Pennsylvania. Hohenstein will host his first Disabilities Summit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at Community Behavioral Heath, 801 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 . Coinciding with the summit, at 3 p.m ., the freshman legislator will also host a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on disability rights in policy. Members of the public and media are invited to attend. Hohenstein requested the hearing to discuss more comprehensive approaches to strengthen the ADA and ensure accessibility to services, equal rights and equal opportunities for all Pennsylvanians living with disabilities. He will be joined by fellow state legislators, including HDPC Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. Testifiers will include: State Senator Christine Tartaglione, D-Phila. Official from Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Karen Goss, director, Mid-Atlantic ADA Center Neil McDevitt, executive director, Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre Representative from the Pennsylvania Home Care Association Latoya Maddox, advocate and independent living specialist Liam Dougherty, advocate and member of Disabled in Action of Pennsylvania Inc. Read more

Materials from a public hearing hosted by State Rep. Mary Isaacson. Read more

Materials from a joint public hearing with Senate Democratic Policy Committee hosted by State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler. Read more

Materials from a public roundtable hosted by State Rep. Pam DeLissio. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 10 – State Rep. Mary Isaacson, D-Phila., hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing today at the Crane Center on her H.B. 1974, which would prohibit someone from distributing sexually explicit images without consent from the receiving party. “It’s concerning that there’s nothing in place currently to protect unsuspecting Pennsylvanians from opening a text message or an email to find an unsolicited sexually explicit image,” Isaacson said. “Unsolicited sexually explicit images aren’t a flirtation tool nor are they a joke. They’re a form of sexual harassment, a contributor to rape culture, and a serious breach of consent, which is why I’ve introduced this legislation and why today’s hearing to discuss the issue was so important.” Testifiers during the hearing included Caroline Ellis Roche, chief of staff at Bumble; Jovida Hill, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission for Women; and Monique Howard, executive director of WOAR. This hearing was one in a series being held across the state on House Democrats’ Plan4PA, a legislative and policy agenda focused on putting people first by growing good jobs, providing healthcare access, creating quality schools and providing training for jobs in a fair economy. More information about the plan is available at www.plan4pa.com . Hearing materials will be available at Read more