Bipartisan legislation for safe and responsible use of e-scooters advances to Senate Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 20 – State Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, said today that he was proud to sponsor and vote for legislation that would prohibit data centers from obtaining public-utility status in Pennsylvania. House Bill 2674 passed the state House by a bipartisan vote of 202–1. It now needs to be passed by the Senate and signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro to become law. Without the change, data-center developers can attempt to invoke eminent domain and operate as a monopoly, acquire property through rights-of-way, and generally expand with little or no public oversight. “Without H.B. 2674, decisions about data centers will be made behind closed doors and likely benefit corporate profit holders first,” Friel said. “We need to enact what guardrails we can to protect against reckless data-center development in Pennsylvania. This is the bill we need in the Commonwealth right now.” The bill also defines what a commercial data center is, drawing a clear distinction between them and utility companies that provide electricity to the public. It also protects consumers and communities by preventing data centers from receiving regulatory treatment intended for public utilities. Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 19 – The PA House Communications & Technology Committee today held a hearing on two bills that would regulate safety practices for the most capable “frontier” AI models. Read more

On a bipartisan vote, the state House today approved a bill sponsored by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, to protect drivers’ privacy by regulating the use of automated license plate readers such as Flock cameras by government agencies in Pennsylvania. Read more

A new effort was launched in Pennsylvania today to enact “Marnie’s Law,” which would require healthcare providers to be educated on the deadly cancer that killed Emmy-nominated actor Marnie Schulenburg. Read more

“The Route 222 corridor has experienced a vast demographic transformation, and it has benefitted from this growth economically,” said state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, who represents portions of Berks County and serves as the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus chair. “Our young Latino population has faced challenges and obstacles, yet we have persevered to create better lives and stronger, safer neighborhoods.” Read more

State funding awarded for concession stand, ADA upgrades Read more

Rep. Lisa Borowski and Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, both D-Delaware, today announced $500,000 in state funding awarded to Radnor Township to support its ongoing project to extend the multi-use Radnor Trail. The legislators worked together to help secure the state funds. Read more

CHESTER, Oct. 7 – Two Upper Chichester Township projects will receive $550,000 in funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources thanks to state Rep. Carol Kazeem's advocacy. "I am very proud to bring home this state funding that will increase recreational opportunities in Upper Chichester," Kazeem, D-Delaware, said. "Residents will have more space to play and to gather at the expanded Peach Street Park and enjoy more walkways and expanded parking at the rehabilitated Baseball League Park." Upper Chichester Township will receive $300,000 to acquire approximately 6.68 acres for an addition to Peach Street Park and $250,000 to rehabilitate Upper Chichester Baseball League Park, including the construction of pedestrian walkways and a parking area; installation of lights; ADA access, landscaping, signage and other related site improvements. The funding comes from DCNR's Environmental Stewardship Fund, which goes to support state parks, conservation and outdoor recreation. More information about the ESF and other Community Conservation Partnership Program funding sources is available here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/programs-and-services/grants/grant-funding-sources . Read more