HARRISBURG, April 13 -- State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila, is advocating for formal acknowledgement of the extraordinary work of caregivers of Pennsylvania’s veterans through the Hidden Heroes campaign. “Many times, a veteran’s caregiver is a spouse, parent and other loved ones whose lives are transformed, their goals set aside, and they rearrange their lives to help the ones who sacrificed the most for us,” Rabb said. “We need to recognize that these women and men are heroes and sacrifice more than we currently understand.” The Hidden Heroes campaign is an initiative through the Elizabeth Dole Foundation that seeks to raise awareness of the struggles of these special caregivers. It also seeks to establish a national registry where veterans and their caregivers can access resources available to them. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 29 – Responding to the Capitol insurrection in January and the signing of new restrictions on voting rights last week in Georgia, House Democrats are taking action to protect American democracy. Today, a website was launched that summarizes policy proposals to defend democracy as well as links to more information and the ability for people to quickly email their elected officials, noting their support of the bills. The House Democratic Caucus has been working on these proposals since a House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing in January, when members were briefed by legal scholars, hate crimes experts and members of Congress on the language of false conspiracy and election fraud being used to undermine democracy. That same language has shifted from encouraging outright attack to what many perceive as insidiously undermining basic voting rights. “We cannot allow the outrage and disgust of the American people watching an armed invasion of our government to be subverted by a slick rebranding into attacks on our right to fair and free elections” Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said. Members of the House Democratic Caucus have introduced dozens of measures to expand voting rights, preserve election security, protect access to mail-in ballots and polling places, and to clarify and consolidate the often-outdated Election Code. Bizzarro said the site – www.pahouse.com/policy/defendingdemocracy -- will serve as a great Read more
HARRISBURG, March 22 – State Rep. Chris Rabb on Monday lauded Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement of a major clean energy initiative that will produce nearly 50% of state government’s electricity through seven new solar energy arrays – the largest solar commitment by any government in the U.S. announced to date – and called for support to get Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy by 2050. “I was thrilled to hear the news of this historic initiative by Governor Wolf to invest in renewable energy,” said Rabb, D-Phila. “Science has made it clear that climate change is real, it’s happening and the consequences to Earth and its inhabitants – our children, grandchildren and future generations – will be severe if we don’t take immediate measures to change course. “This action from Governor Wolf deserves applause, but the climate crisis that’s underway requires more from us,” Rabb continued. “Which is why I’ve previously introduced bipartisan legislation to transition Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy by 2050 , and why I’m still asking for support for that goal.” Rabb said a transition to 100% renewable energy is what’s best for the environment and it would be a boon to the economy, creating family-sustaining, green-collar jobs by harnessing a newly skilled workforce and giving Pennsylvania’s academic institutions and other stakeholders the Read more
State Rep. Chris Rabb, along with Reps. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny; Manuel Guzman Jr., D-Berks; Carol Hill-Evans, D-York; Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny; Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny; Rick Krajewski, D-Phila.; Summer Lee, D-Allegheny; Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester; Joe Webster, D-Montgomery; and Napoleon J. Nelson, D-Montgomery, has introduced legislation to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour and expand it to apply to vulnerable members of the workforce. Read more
I will be hosting a virtual town hall on March 25 where we will be honoring the Phenomenal Women of the 200 th who are essential workers. Frontline/essential professions include: health care professionals, hospital workers (maintenance staff, cafeteria staff etc.), SEPTA drivers/workers, Gig workers (Uber/Lyft drivers, delivery drivers), warehouse workers, personal caregivers, sanitation workers, grocery store employees, mail carriers and retail sales/cashiers. Read more
“We need more sites in Northwest Philadelphia. We need sites that address the issue of overrepresentation of Black folks being hospitalized and dying from COVID ... We need to take charge and we need to collaborate,” said state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-200th District. Read more
It is hard to look at our state as a commonwealth when what has been most common in our history is the exploitation and marginalization of Black people in all facets of life as fomented or condoned by our legislature, courts and state agencies.For these reasons, and because systemic problems require systemic solutions, the legislation I am introducing will focus solely on the culpability of Pennsylvania in systemic racism against its Black residents. The same government that created these enduring injustices must be the one responsible for solving the societal damage it caused. Read more
State Rep. Chris Rabb, of Philadelphia, is planning to recirculate a co-sponsorship memo soon to introduce a bill that would repeal Act 33.“We should eliminate the presumption that a child should be treated as an adult by prohibiting direct filing of cases involving children to the adult system,” Rabb wrote in his memo, noting that Act 33 was inspired by the “racist, bipartisan trope of the ‘super-predator.’” Read more
STATE GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Hemp Promotion, Education and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Nonprofit agricultural product promotion and marketing organizations. Use : Projects aimed at increasing sales, export or consumer awareness of Pennsylvania hemp products. Eligible projects may include regional or national promotion. Funds : Reimbursement grants up to 50% of project costs. The minimum matching grant is $1,000. A total of $253,000 will be available statewide. Application Deadline : March 5 More Information : See the February 13, 2021, PA Bulletin at Pennsylvania Bulletin (pacodeandbulletin.gov) . Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (Funding Source: Federal Fund ing ) Who May Apply : State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders. Use : Projects that will increase visibility and competitiveness of the state’s horticultural specialty crops including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal plants and nursery crops. Funds : Requests may be made for a minimum of $20,000, provided the amount reasonably represents the cost of the Read more
“My bill addresses the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s complicity in systemic racism including and well beyond enslavement of Black people,” Rabb told the Capital-Star on Thursday. “This includes both deliberate transgressions against and inaction in defense of Pennsylvanians of African descent through laws, court rulings and governmental programs & practice. Read more
Learn more about the event here . Tune in at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at PennLive.com | Facebook . Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 8 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., has joined his voice with the chorus of lawmakers, unions and advocacy groups calling for Philadelphia School Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. and Mayor Jim Kenney to devote themselves to remedying building concerns as soon as possible. “I support the reopening of our schools as soon as the School District of Philadelphia plan conforms with science, is based in reality and is informed by the substantive input of all stakeholders,” Rabb said. A letter from Fund Our Facilities Coalition, signed by 31 lawmakers and community leaders, cited the longstanding hazardous conditions in School District of Philadelphia buildings, which have caused devastating health issues, including cancer, asthma and other breathing issues before COVID-19 became an issue. “Philadelphia families deserve to have complete confidence that their lives will not be put at risk when they enter a Philadelphia public school building: that remains true as relates to lead and asbestos, and now in the face of a devastating pandemic, it is doubly true as relates to the deadly COVID-19,” the letter says. “… We call for the District and the city to devote themselves to transparency about decision making and to completely remedying building concerns before proceeding to reopen schools.” Rabb, a longtime advocate for fair funding for public schools so that every child in every school district Read more
To register for this event, visit https://tinyurl.com/yyhwg6j9 . Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., said he has been ranked No. 1 among lawmakers for his legislative voting record on issues related to civil rights and civil liberties in the ACLU-PA’s recently released Legislative Scorecard. “Standing up for the human rights, civil rights and civil liberties is one of my priorities in life – in my role as son, father and neighbor, as well as in my role as state representative, elected to serve the best interests of the people in my community who rely on me to be their voice in Harrisburg,” Rabb said. “Being named by the ACLU-PA as the top lawmaker in the state for my record on how I voted on these critical issues is a tremendous honor, one I share with the people of my district who have entrusted me with the responsibilities of serving them.” Elizabeth Randol, legislative director of ACLU of Pennsylvania, commended Rabb’s leadership and encouraged other lawmakers to consider their responsibility when it comes to standing up for people’s rights. “State legislators play a critical role in protecting the rights of all Pennsylvanians,” Randol said. “With the highest score in the General Assembly last session on the ACLU-PA Legislative Scorecard , Representative Rabb has shown true leadership in protecting and advancing civil liberties in the commonwealth. As we start a new legislative session, we hope more legislators will work alongside us, Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 27 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., today voted against a measure that would allow victims of childhood sexual abuse for whom the statute of limitations has expired a two-year window during which they could file a civil lawsuit, saying he does not take issue with the objective of the legislation, rather that legislation that would amend the state constitution should have a public hearing. “I am elated at the passage of the House Bill 14, however, I’m saddened that I had to vote against it – not because I opposed the bill itself, but due to my consistent outcry against running legislation that amends the state constitution without the majority caucus convening at least one public hearing in each legislative term in which such legislation is introduced,” Rabb said. “Integrity matters most when the stakes are highest. I take no joy in being the only Democrat in the House to vote against my colleague, Representative Mark Rozzi’s bill. He’s a man I have sat next to for four years on the House floor. His personal story of sexual abuse at the hands of a priest has both enraged me and opened my eyes to the evil that we as a society have permitted to endure for generations. “This is a bittersweet moment for me as someone who supports victims’ rights – and this legislation in particular – and who believes that process matters, too,” Rabb said. “Whether a bill Read more
Philadelphians now have a way to tell the Department of Public Health that they want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Residents are encouraged to provide contact information and some limited personal information on the City’s website — phila.gov/vaccineinterest — which is available in English and Spanish. Those who complete the interest form will be contacted later by the Department of Public Health or one of the City’s many vaccine partners when they can schedule an appointment. The information collected on this form is protected using the same level of security as other health information maintained by the Department of Public Health and is completely secure. Due to extremely limited vaccine supply at this time, residents cannot set appointments using this website. Furthermore, it may take weeks or months before residents will be able to schedule appointments. However, by registering on the phila.gov/vaccineinterest website, residents can ensure that they will be notified when the vaccine becomes available to them. Read more
You can join in the meeting via my Facebook page . Read more
Join the COVID Vaccine Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Read more
PA 200th House District Case Outcomes, compiled by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office DATA Lab, for reports dated between Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2020.This report is a summary of case outcomes, with tables that show the breakdown of case dispositions withineach year. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 7 -- On Thursday, progressive elected and movement elected officials from Philadelphia released the following statement. They include: Philadelphia Councilmember Helen Gym (D-At Large), Philadelphia Councilmember Kendra Brooks (WFP-At Large), Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-District 3), Senator Nikil Saval (D-PA SD 1), Representative Chris Rabb (D-PA HD 200), Representative Elizabeth Fiedler (D- PA HD-184), Representative Rick Krajewski (D-PA HD 188). “What we saw Wednesday in Washington D.C. was insurrection. Its perpetrators marched Confederate battle flags through the halls of Congress and threatened our country’s elected representatives. They were stoked by hate, lies, and misinformation and steeped in white supremacy. They were led by Donald Trump and his enablers across this country, including a sitting Pennsylvania state senator who joined the insurrection and seven Pennsylvania congress members who voted to overturn the presidential election. Just the day before, in Harrisburg, Republican state senators denied a duly-elected Democratic senator from taking his seat, in flagrant disregard of the state constitution. “In this time of resurgent mass movements and popular politics, the right is attempting to upend our constitution and democracy. This is an attack on all of us. And it is up to us to win the struggle, not just for our politics but for our future. “It is no accident that this particular armed Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State Rep. Chris Rabb took the oath of office at the state Capitol today to begin his third term representing the 200th District in Philadelphia. Read more
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