HARRISBURG, Sept. 23 – State Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila., on Tuesday chaired a public hearing on legislation he introduced, H.B. 2835 , that would extend the privilege to obtain a driver’s license to undocumented Pennsylvanians. The hearing featured testimony from advocates, policy experts and undocumented residents about the importance of his legislation to Pennsylvania’s economy and workforce. “Throughout this pandemic, countless undocumented Pennsylvanians have sacrificed their lives, and the lives of their families, filling the role of essential workers to ensure communities across the commonwealth aren’t without critical supplies,” Burgos said. “ We express our gratitude for their labor during this time, but it falls flat when we fail to make them feel like esteemed members of our community. My legislation would provide them—our neighbors—with the safety and the dignity they deserve. “From an economic perspective, the revenue generated from application costs to PennDOT and purchases on car insurance policies would greatly benefit Pennsylvania’s economy -- a much needed relief as our economy struggles to gain stability during this crisis,” he said. Burgos’ legislation would allow people without a Social Security number to apply for a driver's license or learner's permit using secure alternatives such as a federal taxpayer identification Read more

HARRISBURG, Sept. 23 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced that the House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on legal aid for tenants facing evictions that was scheduled for 9 a.m. today has been moved to Friday, Oct. 9 due to the House being called into session on short notice. Requested by state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila, Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., and Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, the hearing will still be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg on Oct. 9. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Read more

Full public hearing held in the Capitol on September 22, 2020. Read more

Materials from a public hearing held in the Capitol and co-chaired by State Rep. Danilo Burgos. Read more

HARRISBURG, Sept. 22 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, and state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus will hold its sixth hearing on police reform and community solutions. Read more

Materials from a public hearing held in the Capitol and co-chaired by State Rep. Mary Jo Daley. Read more

Materials from a public hearing held in the Capitol and co-chaired by State Rep. Mary Jo Daley. Read more

HARRISBURG, Sept. 21 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on voting issues. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in in the Capitol Complex. The media and public are invited to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by state Rep. David Delloso, D-Delaware, the hearing will feature testimony from Delaware County and state officials about their preparation for the general election. Testifiers will speak remotely, while members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon , Pennsylvania’s 5 th Congressional District. Kathy Boockvar , secretary, Pennsylvania Department of State. Christine Reuther , councilwoman, Delaware County Council. Joe Rodgers , president, National Association of Letter Carriers-Branch 157. Brynne Madway , staff attorney, Disability Rights Pennsylvania. Carol Kuniholm , vice president of government and social policy, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Kayla Cocci , high school senior and first-time voter. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

HARRISBURG, Sept. 18 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on legal aid for tenants facing evictions. The hearing will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila; Morgan Cephas, D-Phila.; and Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, the hearing will collect testimony from policy experts as they work on legislation to provide legal aid for tenants. Testifiers will speak remotely while members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Patrick Cicero , executive director, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. John Pollock , staff attorney, Public Justice Center. Rasheedah Phillips , managing attorney of housing policy, Community Legal Services, Inc. Bob Damewood , staff attorney, Regional Housing Legal Services. Kevin Quisenberry , legislative director, Community Justice Project. A. Michael Snyder , chancellor, Philadelphia Bar Association. Catherine Carr , civil Gideon and Access to Justice Task Force co-chair, Philadelphia Bar Association. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

HARRISBURG, Sept. 17 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on H.B. 2835 , which would allow individual taxpayer identification number holders to apply for a driver’s license. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by state Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila, the hearing will feature testimony from policy experts and ITIN holders about the importance of his legislation to Pennsylvania’s economy and workforce. Testifiers will speak remotely while members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Luis Larin , statewide coordinator, Driving PA Forward Coalition. Desi Burnette , statewide coordinator, Movement of Immigrant Leaders PA. Olga Velasquez , member, Casa San Jose (Pittsburgh). Dewa Sukma , member, New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia. Diana Polson , policy analyst, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. Justina Almontes , member, CATA-The Farmworker Support Committee. Guillermo Perez , president, LCLAA Pittsburgh. Casey Stokes , social worker, John Harris High School. Karen Gardner , policy associate, National Young Farmers Read more