HARRISBURG, Feb. 17 -- After hearing concerns faced by local education support staff, Pennsylvania state Rep. Mike Schlossberg requested a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing to find out more about what role the legislature could play in assisting, recruiting, and retaining these essential employees. The hearing will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 and can be viewed online at www.PaHouse.com/policy or the Policy Committee’s Facebook page, @PADemPolicy . The media and public are encouraged to attend. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Schlossberg, along with Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee will discuss how the COVID-19 crisis pushed school districts into unknown territory and the challenges that arose and how to best support the support staff essential to every school day, especially for Pennsylvania’s neediest students. Ensuring a quality education for children is enshrined in Pennsylvania’s constitution and is a core issue for Bizzarro and the Policy Committee. You can read more about the committee’s focus and efforts here . Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, issued the following statement regarding the 2021-22 state budget proposal announced today by Gov. Tom Wolf. Read more
Citing the dangerous lies spread by some Republicans in the General Assembly regarding the 2020 election, House Democratic leaders today released the following statement demanding accountability and responsibility as the nation moves forward:“What we saw last week was nothing short of an attempted coup, instigated not only by the president of the United States but by Republican enablers at all levels of government. Words matter, and the falsehoods, misrepresentations and seditious rantings we’ve heard from some Republican members of the General Assembly can’t go unchallenged. Our nation can’t heal without consequences for the first invasion of the United States Capitol since the War of 1812. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 -- The PA House Democratic Caucus leadership team issued a joint statement today as state legislators formally began the 2021-22 Legislative Session: “With 202 members of the House of Representatives due to be sworn in, we celebrate the diversity of our great state and reflect on the shared values common to almost all Pennsylvanians. Yet we also mourn the tragic loss of Representative Mike Reese, whose sudden passing reminded all of us how precious life is. “The importance of the top priorities that House Democrats have consistently promoted -- good jobs with fair pay, quality schools, affordable housing, accessible health care, a safe environment and protection of democracy -- are being highlighted and tested in many ways during this devastating pandemic. “We see the beginning of this new legislative session as a chance to elevate people over partisanship and make gains toward these common goals in all of Pennsylvania’s unique communities – east and west, large and small, urban, suburban and rural. “Democrats in the House hope that our Republican partners will work with us to help people stay in jobs, get back to work and go to school safely; equip healthcare workers properly to battle this pandemic; ensure Pennsylvanians are not evicted from their homes in the middle of a public health crisis; and send targeted relief to the many businesses ravaged by this pandemic. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 10 – State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, issued the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest mitigation efforts to control the spread of COVID-19:“This is tragic. It is also necessary. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 9 – State Reps. Peter Schweyer and Mike Schlossberg, both D-Lehigh, today announced state funding totaling $1.73 million has been awarded to several local organizations to improve programs which support criminal justice and victims of abuse programs. “These programs go beyond keeping our communities safe,” Schweyer said. “They provide support and comfort to victims of abuse, young and old, every day. This funding ensures these unfortunate victims will have access to these services when they need them.” "This is another critical investment for the people of Allentown," Schlossberg said. "I am pleased the PCCD acknowledged the hard work and dedication of these organizations and this money will help them continue to have the staff and the resources needed to continue improving our criminal justive system and supporting victims of abuse." The grants awarded Wednesday in Lehigh County include: Lehigh County Chief Executive Officer, $741,623 to help fund operations at Lehigh County Victim/Witness Unit; and $125,000 for the Lehigh County STOP Violence Against Women Program. Crime Victims Council of Lehigh Valley, $239,570 for the Victims of Juvenile Offenders Program. Lehigh Valley Hospital Inc., $46,992 to strengthen the John Van Brakle Child Advocacy Center’s support of child victims of sexual and physical abuse. Lehigh County Probation, $573,536 to Read more
Read my Capitol Update to Seniors 2020 Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 2 – State Reps. Peter Schweyer and Mike Schlossberg, both D-Lehigh, today announced two state grants totaling $46,942 were awarded to two local organizations to continue their educational and historical endeavors. The lawmakers said the funding will be shared by the following organizations: The DaVinci Science Center - $40,000. Lehigh County Historical Society - $6,942. “ Allentown is fortunate to have educational, scientific and historical programs, that both residents and visitors can readily experience at our local museums,” Schweyer said. “DaVinci and the Lehigh County Historical Society offer some hands on learning and I am pleased these funds are coming back to our district to support these museums for future generations to enjoy.” "It's not every day you get to help organizations that benefit puppies, kittens, children and education,” Schlossberg said. “But DaVinci and LCHS are two fantastic groups that help thousands of lives, including those with two and four legs. I was happy to lend my support to these efforts." The funding is part of a package of nearly $2 million in grants awarded to 155 museums and county historical societies statewide under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program. Administered by PHMC, the program’s goal is to strengthen the commonwealth’s Read more
Legislators ask for release of families, children in face of COVID pandemic, unsanitary conditions Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – The 90 members of the House Democratic Caucus who won election last week to serve during the 2021-22 session today chose their caucus leaders. Due to the high risk of Covid-19 transmission a number of lawmakers participated in the meeting virtually. Read more
As of this writing, there are approximately 750,000 Pennsylvania votes that need to be counted. That is more than 750,000 Pennsylvanians who lawfully casted their vote and deserve to be heard. Counting every citizen’s legal, timely vote is imperative. As workers securely make progress on tallying the results, we must be patient. This process may take several days, but the integrity and sanctity of the vote in our state must be maintained. Last Fall, in a bipartisan showing, the Pennsylvania General Assembly agreed to allow for mail-in ballots. Since then, House Democrats have made many efforts to help clarify any confusion about the process and give local election boards the tools needed to securely and expeditiously process votes cast by mail. Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues chose political gamesmanship over a genuine effort to ensure a smooth election. Their inaction failed to allow for the early processing of ballots received – as 32 other states permit-- and, in turn, why there is a delay in knowing the outcome of this election. The ambiguity in the law did not address their local official’s concerns; nor does it protect every Pennsylvanian’s constitutional right to vote and our obligation to make sure those votes are counted. Now, more than ever, we must ensure that we uphold the freedoms guaranteed in our state and nation’s constitution. In these unprecedented times, the voters must have the final say, not the candidates or Read more
Rep. Schlossberg latest newsletter Read more
State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, today announced a combined total of more than $144,000 in relief funding was awarded to two cultural organizations in Allentown through the COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant program for cultural organizations and museums to offset lost revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
The House Democratic Housing Working Group announced a package of bills to protect people across Pennsylvania as the state’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosures expires Read more
HARRISBURG, July 15 -- Bipartisan legislation introduced by state Reps. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, and Frank Farry, R-Bucks, that would establish an emergency responder mental wellness and stress management program in Pennsylvania is headed to the governor’s desk. Read more
ALLENTOWN, July 12 – State Rep. Mike Schlossberg issued the following statement regarding a disturbing video showing Allentown police. Read more
Renters and homeowners who were financially impacted by the economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access applications for rent and mortgage relief beginning Monday, June 29. At that time, applications will be accessible from a red banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website at www.PHFA.org . Homeowners who became unemployed after March 1 or who suffered at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income due to reduced work hours and wages related to COVID-19 may be eligible for financial assistance to help with missed mortgage payments. To qualify for the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program, the applicant must be an owner-occupant of their residence, the dwelling must consist of one or two separate units, the mortgage must be at least 30 days delinquent, and the applicant-homeowner’s annual household income must not exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For renters to be eligible for financial assistance under the CARES Rent Relief Program, they will need to document at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income since March 1 related to COVID-19, or they must have become unemployed after March 1. If unemployed, they must have filed for Unemployment Compensation. Their household income cannot exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For more information Read more
Applications are expected to be available June 30 for a new program aimed at providing critical funding to local businesses hurt by the coronavirus. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – State Reps. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, and Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, held a “ PA Needs a Just Recovery” Zoom press event to discuss the steps the Pennsylvania General Assembly needs to take to create a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to heed the call for racial justice demanded by Pennsylvanians. A Just Recovery for all Pennsylvanians includes: Racial justice and police reforms. Making sure that Pennsylvanians returning to work have the resources they need to protect themselves from COVID-19. Instituting additional small business stimulus packages. Making sure schools and students have the resources, including internet access, to facilitate proper socially distant learning. Working towards providing quality housing for every Pennsylvanian. Instituting tax fairness initiatives. Continuing to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to the vote so their voices can be heard. Madden said House Democrats are determined to work together, not just to protect and reward frontline workers during this crisis, but to ensure that everyone -- with no exceptions -- can secure fair pay, a safe workplace and to be able to stay in their homes. “Our constituents are undergoing record levels of unemployment and hourly work reductions, and they now have to face the grueling reality of paying rent,” Read more
HARRISBURG, June 15 – State Reps. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, and Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, plan on introducing legislation aimed at helping renters stay in their homes by establishing a Tenant Eviction Mitigation bill package . Both lawmakers said among the hardships Pennsylvanians are facing across the state due to COVID-19, is the fear of possibly losing their home. It’s one of the most prominent fears, and for this reason they will introduce a bill package to help renters. “We are on the brink of a housing crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic and we need to do everything we can to keep people in their homes,” Madden said. “Our constituents are undergoing record levels of unemployment and hourly work reductions, and they now have to face the grueling reality of paying rent. While we work to protect our essential workers and our most at-risk people, it is our responsibility to ensure they are safe in their homes.” “In the aftermath of the Great Recession, several counties in PA—including Lehigh County, took steps to create a mortgage mitigation program,” Schlossberg said. “Courts took steps to protect endangered homeowners and helped to keep people in their homes. This legislation takes a similar approach to protect tenants and also helps landlords work toward a process for securing past-due rents. These are terribly difficult times and the more we can do help landlords and tenants navigate this Read more
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