Featured News

State Rep. Chris Rabb to introduce resolution that would designate Pennsylvania as a Hidden Heroes state

State Rep. Chris Rabb’s statement on the Fair Funding Trial

(Mar 10, 2022)

HARRISBURG, March 10 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila, said he stands in solidarity with the Education Law Center, the Basic Education Funding Commission and all plaintiffs in the historic school funding lawsuit currently taking place in the commonwealth. In 2015, the BEFC made a recommendation for a new formula to fund public schools in Pennsylvania. “The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a duty, enshrined in our state’s constitution, that it must provide an adequately supported education system in which all children have access to a fairly funded and well-supported education – no matter race, class or Zip code,” Rabb said. “We must adhere to the BEFC’s bipartisan recommendation to utilize a fair funding formula immediately.” Rabb has long been a strong proponent for fair funding in public schools and has introduced legislation that would require 100% of state funds be distributed through the fair funding formula. Additionally, the legislation would also expand the duties of the BEFC to ensure the commission also consider ways to provide for school funding that is adequate, equitable and fair. The commission would also make recommendations for ways to increase funding in an upcoming 2022 study. Read more

 

Now open for applications: Student mental health and wildlife funding opportunities

(Mar 07, 2022)

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Support for Student Mental Health Needs Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Nonprofit organizations, school districts, and other school entities. Use : To propose programming and other services to address youth mental health needs that have become apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds : Grants up to $150,000. Application Deadline : March 28, 2022 More Information : Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2022 Resource Center for Prevention Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Any institution of higher education, nonprofit agency, or for-profit organization. Use : To support Pennsylvania’s Resource Center for Evidence-based Prevention and Intervention Programs and Practices (Resource Center). Funds : One award of $945,000. Application Deadline : April 4, 2022 More Information : Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx . Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission: State Wildlife Grant Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Any agency, organization, or entity desiring to participate in the planning or Read more

 

Policy Hearing: Supporting Local Agriculture

(Mar 02, 2022)

The House Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing today in Harrisburg that examined the state of local agriculture, how the legislature can support it, and how it can help address food deserts. Read more

 

State Rep. Chris Rabb holds press briefing on medical cannabis legislation

(Feb 24, 2022)

State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., held a press briefing today in conjunction with Americans for Safe Access, a group that promotes medical cannabis education and reform. Even though medical cannabis has been legal in Pennsylvania since 2016, Americans for Safe Access’ State of the States report graded the commonwealth a “C” and detailed how the state’s program could be improved across an array of key categories. Rabb said medical cannabis patients need protections so they can consume their prescribed medication without fear of retribution. He has introduced several pieces of cannabis-related legislation, including three bills that would seek to rectify these issues. Employee Protections for Medical Cannabis Patients would prohibit an employee from being terminated due to failing a drug test for medically prescribed cannabis. Pennsylvania employees should not have to worry about losing their employment due to consumption of their prescribed medical cannabis. The Tenant Protections for Medical Cannabis Patients legislation would protect patients from being evicted for possessing and consuming their prescribed medication. Another piece of legislation would remove DUI penalties for medical cannabis patients. The 34 states that permit some degree of cannabis use -- except Pennsylvania, which has a no tolerance policy -- have updated their DUI laws to protect medical Read more

 

State Rep. Chris Rabb to reintroduce the Fair Share Tax Plan

(Feb 14, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 14 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila, has co-sponsored legislation with state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Rick Krajewski, both D-Phila, and Sara Innamorato and Summer Lee, both D-Allegheny, to reintroduce the Fair Share Tax Plan. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that the most financially sound citizens pay the least in taxes – while Pennsylvania’s tax system continues to burden financially vulnerable citizens. This legislation would raise $2.8 billion in new tax revenue by doing two things: decreasing the personal income tax on wages to 2.8% from 3.07% and increasing to 6.5% the income tax on passive income from things like net profits, dividends, net gains derived from rents, royalties, patents and copyrights, gambling and lottery winnings and net gains derived through estates and trust. “This bill is vital to struggling Pennsylvania workers who pay a ridiculously high tax rate compared to their more well-off counterparts,” Rabb said. “This legislation would make taxation equitable and fair in Pennsylvania and improve Pennsylvanian’s quality of living.” As a result of this bill, 85% of Pennsylvanians would see a decrease or no change in their taxes. Read more

 

State Rep. Chris Rabb holds dedication ceremony for renaming of Allens Lane

(Feb 14, 2022)

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 14 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila, held a dedication ceremony at Allens Lane to commemorate the memory of Richard Allen. Rabb said Allens Lane was originally named after William Allen, the 26 th Mayor of Philadelphia. But Allen was an enslaver and a British loyalist who was condemned in his own lifetime by abolitionists for his stance in favor of the continued enslavement of Black people. City Council passed a resolution to redirect the street name to honor Richard Allen. Councilmember Cindy Bass, D-Phila, introduced the resolution, under the behest of Rabb. Rabb said Richard Allen was a man of integrity who fought endlessly for racial justice and equality. Born into slavery, he bought his freedom for $2,000 from his enslaver, Benjamin Chew, the namesake of Chew Avenue. Active in his faith community, he led a walk-out from St. George’s Episcopal Church because Black worshippers we’re relegated to the back pews. Allen went on to co-found the Free African Society and the African Methodist Episcopal Church where he become a bishop. It was the first national Black church denomination in the United States. “When we take time to research our history, it gives us a chance to reflect and correct choices made with the inclusion or consideration of a diversity of stakeholders,” Rabb said. “We must closely examine the history we choose to memorialize and honor, especially Read more

 

State Rep. Chris Rabb’s statement on the Washington Commanders name change

(Feb 04, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila, hopes the long-awaited change of the Washington NFL team name will inspire Pennsylvania public schools to do the same statewide. “There are two schools in our commonwealth that still embrace the same team’s name once long connected to the NFL team in Washington whose origin is literally rooted in white supremacist-based, government-funded bounties for the killing and mutilation of indigenous peoples. Still, there are over 60 other school names that include ‘Indians’, ‘braves’, ‘chiefs’, ‘raiders’ and ‘warriors.’” Rabb has forthcoming legislation that would ban public schools from using Native mascots and prohibits any entity operating in Pennsylvania from infringing on the rightful intellectual property of Native peoples. “We know the proven trauma inflicted on Native youth when their culture and history is reduced to caricatures,” Rabb said. “Yet, when indigenous peoples and students of various backgrounds speak up to denounce these mascots -they are confronted with racist taunts and threats, we know that apologists for these team names value convenience and privileged nostalgia over concern for those closest to the pain.” Rabb said he has received calls and emails from students across the commonwealth who are dealing with bullying, taunting, Read more

 

Rabb: Full and Fair Education Funding Now

(Feb 04, 2022)

Pa. state Rep. Chris Rabb has been fighting for fair and equitable education funding since taking office in 2017. The pandemic further exposed and exacerbated the need for investments in school infrastructure. He anticipates that Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal for 2022-23 will include the Governor's full support of full and fair funding of Pa. schools. He says that fair education funding is not just an issue that needs to be addressed in his district or Philadelphia, but across the state. Read more

 

State Rep. Chris Rabb to introduce resolution making Feb. 3 Emancipation Day, a state holiday

(Feb 03, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila, introduced a resolution to make Feb. 3 Emancipation Day, an official state holiday. PA Legislative Black Caucus Chair State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila, is the co-prime sponsor of the bill. The holiday would celebrate the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s ratification of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in America – changing the lives of African Americans within and beyond Pennsylvania forever. While Pennsylvania was one of the first states to vote to ratify the amendment in 1865, too often we forget that slavery was not completely abolished until the 13th Amendment was ratified. Our state’s complicity in slavery and subjugation of Black people was long and troubled despite consistent dissent from a multiracial group of abolitionists for centuries, starting with the Germantown Quaker Petition in Philadelphia in 1688, the first formal protest chattel slavery by a religious order in the English colonies. “I believe in celebrating parts of our history that honor true liberty and justice, but only in context,” Rabb said. “While the 13th Amendment abolished slavery – we cannot forget that it would be another century before African Americans even had a semblance of equality.” Rabb said the resolution honors the fruit of the collective labor of Black Pennsylvanians and their allies in the cause of freedom and racial equity who fought for generations Read more

 

Rabb to introduce bill that would cut at heart of Commonwealth’s illegal drug trade

(Jan 26, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 26 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila, is planning to introduce legislation with co-prime sponsor state Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, that would amend the state’s current Drug Delivery Resulting in Death statute. Rabb and Kinkead both serve on the PA House Judiciary Committee. One bill would eliminate criminal prosecution of friends, family members and intimate partners who share drugs that result in a fatal overdose while focusing criminal liability on people who commercially sell illegal drugs. “Substance use should be recognized for what it is – a health issue – not a criminal justice issue,” Rabb said. “This bill would arrest and convict the real criminals instead of villainizing people who are battling with an illness.” A second bill would require the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to conduct a study regarding how the Drug Delivery Resulting in Death statute is affecting communities and individuals. Read more

 

Rabb testifies at Legislative Reapportionment Commission public hearing

(Jan 07, 2022)

Pa. state Rep. Chris Rabb testifies before the Legislative Reapportionment Commission noting his appreciation for the rigor and transparency of the redistricting process. He states that district boundaries are re-drawn every 10 years to reflect communities of common interest and changing demographics. The preliminary map, which has drastically changed the 200th Legislative District, has divided the historically connected communities of Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to compare the maps and submit comments to the Commission by the January 18, 2022 deadline for public input. Read more

 

State Rep. Chris Rabb to reintroduce bill to bypass Electoral College to elect candidates by national popular vote 

(Jan 06, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 6 – Exactly one year after the insurrection on our nation’s Capitol, in which people who were misled about the validity of the presidential election results tried to overturn a presidential election, state Rep. Chris Rabb is reintroducing legislation that would put democracy back in the hands of the people. He is joined by state Sen. Maria Collett who will be introducing an identical version of this bill in the state Senate. House Bill 270 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the agreement among the states to elect the president of the United States by the popular vote, eliminating any confusion when it comes to election results. “The decision about who should become our commander in chief should be decided by the majority of Americans who exercise their right to vote and cast their ballots for the candidate of their choice, not by violence from an angry mob who seeks to suppress democracy for its own purposes,” according to Rabb. Currently, 15 states and the District of Columbia have agreed to this legislation, which make up 195 of the 270 electoral votes needed to elect the president through the Electoral College. That means, if enacted into law, Pennsylvania would add its 20 electoral votes toward the 75 remaining votes this measure would need to give this agreement legal force. “We need to ensure that the voice of the people is heard, and that no election official can bow to public pressure to change the results Read more

 

Rabb Looks Back on 2021

(Dec 30, 2021)

Pa. state Rep. Chris Rabb and his team worked hard to serve his constituents in 2021. He introduced 23 bills, circulated 39 co-sponsorship memos, and filed 12 amendments. He said he’ll keep serving his community by working for justice and equity in 2022. Read more

 

Honoring the National Day of Mourning

(Nov 23, 2021)

The National Day of Mourning, a counter-commemoration to Thanksgiving which has been celebrated since 1970, is a recognition of the dark and shameful past imbedded in colonial history. The holiday honors Indigenous ancestors and Native resilience in Pennsylvania and across the nation. To recognize the perspective of Native peoples and to draw attention to the genocide of their people, theft of their lands, and assault on their culture, I plan to introduce a concurrent resolution recognizing November 25, 2021, as the National Day of Mourning in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Summer 2021 Newsletter

(Nov 16, 2021)

Read my summer 2021 newsletter now. Read more

 

Rabb: House Emerging Tech Caucus on EV Policy

(Nov 15, 2021)

Pa. state Rep. Chris Rabb hosts a Fireside Chat on the Electric Vehicle Policy Landscape in Pa. with special guests Christine Knapp, Director of the Office of Sustainability for the City of Phila., and Cher Griffith Taylor, Senior Programs Manager from the Electrification Coalition. More at http://www.pahouse.com Read more

 

Kinsey hosts public safety meeting to discuss solutions to gun violence

(Oct 29, 2021)

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 29 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., hosted a public safety meeting last night to address solutions to the gun violence that is occurring in Philadelphia. The meeting was held in partnership with U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Phila.; Councilmembers Cindy Bass, Cherelle Parker and Derek Green; State Reps. Isabella Fitzgerald, Darisha Parker and Chris Rabb, all D-Phila.; and State Sens. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery/Phila. and Sharif Street, D-Phila. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner were present as well as Police Inspector Jerreau Thomas, Police Captain Nicholas Smith of the 14 th Police District and Captain Michael Zimmerman of the 35 th Police District. There were also representatives from Governor Tom Wolf’s Office, Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s Office, and Mayor Jim Kenney’s office present to hear the potential solutions offered by the audience. Kinsey noted that the meeting was moderated by the Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, which helped the meeting flow smoothly along. Roughly 400 community members attended the meeting with ideas and solutions to stop the gun violence in their communities. Some of the solutions presented were community policing, emphasizing skilled trades, teaching history in a different way, a citywide campaign against gun violence and better role models for children in the community. “We had a great Read more

 

Ahead of Election Day, Rabb promotes various bills designed to make elections more equitable, accessible, fair

(Oct 29, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – Keeping in mind that free, fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy, state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., is promoting several bills he’s introduced ahead of Election Day, which are designed to ensure a more equitable, accessible and fair election process for all eligible voters. “Every single vote cast in an election is the voice of a person in that democracy exercising their right to shape that democracy,” Rabb said. “Voting in our country is an almost sacred right. People have died for this right. For too long, more than half the people in this country didn’t have the right to vote and couldn’t make their voices heard. Now, more people have the right to vote, but that doesn’t mean voting is accessible for everyone, nor does it mean that our election process is fair. I want to change that.” The following are just some of the pieces of elections-related legislation that Rabb has introduced: Making Election Day a state holiday : This legislation would remove Columbus Day as a holiday and make Election Day an official holiday. Ranked choice voting : This legislation would enable voters to rank candidates by order of preference rather than simply choosing one candidate. National popular vote : This legislation would guarantee the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Establishing rotating ballot positions Read more

 

LIHEAP: Expanded Home-Heating Assistance is Available to PA Renters, Homeowners

(Oct 21, 2021)

As winter approaches and we prepare to spend even more time indoors, utility bills are only going to get more expensive. Additionally, we know that the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn have made it difficult for many to keep up with home energy bills. No Pennsylvanian should ever have to worry that their heat will be shut off during the coldest and darkest months of the year. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) that provides assistance for home heating bills so Pennsylvanians can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for both renters and homeowners. LIHEAP helps some of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens — children, older Pennsylvanians, people with disabilities, and low-income families — make ends meet. Anyone who may need help, or anyone who has loved ones or neighbors who could benefit from this program, is encouraged to apply for LIHEAP today. APPLY FOR LIHEAP LIHEAP FACTS How do I apply for LIHEAP? Depending on preference, different options are available to apply for LIHEAP: Apply online: Pennsylvanians can apply at www.compass.state.pa.us . Paper applications: Call the LIHEAP Helpline at 1-866-857-7095 to request a paper application. Paper applications can also be downloaded from the DHS LIHEAP web page . County Assistance Office (CAO) services are available if clients Read more

 

Rabb will host virtual town hall today on Native American history, racialized mascots and allyship; plans to introduce legislation to ban Native American mascots in schools

(Oct 14, 2021)

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 14 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., is hosting a virtual town hall on Native American history, racialized mascots and allyship from 7 to 8 p.m. today, and has announced he will introduce legislation to ban Native American mascots in schools. “As a commonwealth borne of a colony that would not have existed without the Penn’s Treaty at Shackamaxon in 1683 between British immigrants and the Lenape Turtle Clan, Pennsylvania must commit itself to ending the extended era of collective disregard for indigenous heritage and egregious cultural appropriation,” Rabb said in a memo he circulated about the legislation he intends to introduce . Rabb noted that many public schools and sports teams across Pennsylvania use or refer to indigenous culture in their mascots and logos, and social science research has shown that derogatory mascots have a negative psychological and social impact on people with indigenous heritage. Department of Justice data shows that American Indians are more likely than people of other races to experience violence at the hands of someone of a different race, and it’s been well established that mascots, logos and the like that stereotype or fetishize Indigenous peoples highly correlates to the high suicide rate among Native youth. “At its core, the use of ‘Indian’ mascots is a denial of the personhood of Native peoples, which has real consequences,” Rabb’s memo said. Read more

 

State Rep. Chris Rabb’s statement on the Fair Funding Trial
Mar 10, 2022

Now open for applications: Student mental health and wildlife funding opportunities
Mar 07, 2022

Policy Hearing: Supporting Local Agriculture
Mar 02, 2022

State Rep. Chris Rabb holds press briefing on medical cannabis legislation
Feb 24, 2022

State Rep. Chris Rabb to reintroduce the Fair Share Tax Plan
Feb 14, 2022

State Rep. Chris Rabb holds dedication ceremony for renaming of Allens Lane
Feb 14, 2022

State Rep. Chris Rabb’s statement on the Washington Commanders name change
Feb 04, 2022

Rabb: Full and Fair Education Funding Now
Feb 04, 2022

State Rep. Chris Rabb to introduce resolution making Feb. 3 Emancipation Day, a state holiday
Feb 03, 2022

Rabb to introduce bill that would cut at heart of Commonwealth’s illegal drug trade
Jan 26, 2022

Rabb testifies at Legislative Reapportionment Commission public hearing
Jan 07, 2022

State Rep. Chris Rabb to reintroduce bill to bypass Electoral College to elect candidates by national popular vote 
Jan 06, 2022

Rabb Looks Back on 2021
Dec 30, 2021

Honoring the National Day of Mourning
Nov 23, 2021

Summer 2021 Newsletter
Nov 16, 2021

Rabb: House Emerging Tech Caucus on EV Policy
Nov 15, 2021

Kinsey hosts public safety meeting to discuss solutions to gun violence
Oct 29, 2021

Ahead of Election Day, Rabb promotes various bills designed to make elections more equitable, accessible, fair
Oct 29, 2021

LIHEAP: Expanded Home-Heating Assistance is Available to PA Renters, Homeowners
Oct 21, 2021

Rabb will host virtual town hall today on Native American history, racialized mascots and allyship; plans to introduce legislation to ban Native American mascots in schools
Oct 14, 2021