“Voting is our primary civic duty and central to how government is organized and staffed,” Webster said. “This town hall presents an opportunity discuss what residents might like to see to enable more eligible citizens to vote, be that more time, more polling places, simpler ballots. I am excited to see what ideas the participants and soon-to-be-announced panelists bring to the table during this discussion.” Read more

“This Monday being Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is a national day of service,” Nelson said. “As such, I wanted to create an opportunity to serve our community with a chance to learn about vaccinations and how important and safe they are as we all work together to get through this ongoing coronavirus pandemic.” Read more

“I am grateful to be given the opportunity to serve on the Education Committee and look forward to working on many important priorities, including achieving real fair funding for education, charter school reform, comprehensive education reform, cost savings and shared services, and more.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 13 – The House State Government Committee today reorganized for the 2021-22 legislative session with Chairwoman Margo Davidson, D-Delaware, at the helm on behalf of the Democratic Caucus. Chairwoman Davidson is the only Black woman serving as chair of a legislative committee this term. This was Davidson’s first time chairing a House standing committee on behalf of Democrats and today’s committee members were the first in Pennsylvania history to participate in committee debate remotely via video. According to Davidson, minutes after the committee reorganized, the Republican majority called up two bills that could negatively change Pennsylvania’s constitution in ways that would endanger the commonwealth by severely restricting the process by which Pennsylvania funds public emergency response across the state. One bill would restrict a governor’s ability to handle a declared disaster, such as the COVID-19 pandemic (H.B. 55) or any other future disaster, while also immediately ending the current shutdown and making Pennsylvania ineligible for Federal funds or disaster relief support. The other bill (H.B. 71) would set arbitrary, inflexible spending limits just ahead of the state budget negotiations. “I am excited to welcome both new and returning members to the House State Government Committee. This year promises to include a busy agenda for the committee, with two dozen hearings on the election code already Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 13 – House Republicans rammed a proposed constitutional amendment that threatens the independence of the judiciary system through a newly formed committee today, with little notice and no public hearing, said state Rep. Tim Briggs, Democratic chairman of the Judiciary Committee. House Bill 38 would amend the state constitution so that appellate judges would be elected by district rather than statewide. It advanced from the Judiciary Committee by a 13-12 vote. “This bill would have a devastating effect on the balance of power in our government. It shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the independent role of our judiciary and further politicizes our courts. Some Republicans want to rig the system, and they want to do it quickly – without public input,” said Briggs, D-Montgomery. “A vote on legislation that would substantially change our courts should be given proper consideration and discussion. And yet, the Judiciary Committee was given less than 24 hours’ notice that our reorganization meeting would take place today and would include a vote on this constitutional amendment, which amounts to judicial gerrymandering.” Briggs added that the bill will disenfranchise all Pennsylvania voters. Under the current system, voters have an opportunity to vote on all 31 statewide judges and justices, but under H.B. 38, voters would only have the opportunity to vote for three judges and justices. Today, Briggs made Read more

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with the Policy Committee, now as one of its vice chairs,” Ciresi said. “The committee’s policy agenda is one that will help us lead the way out of this pandemic and create a better, stronger economy for all Pennsylvanians. I look forward to working on these important issues – the work we were sent to Harrisburg to do – with my fellow committee members.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 – The House Democratic Caucus’ Southeast Delegation elected Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, as the delegation’s chair for this legislative session. As chairwoman, O’Mara will lead the 35-member delegation on legislative initiatives and negotiations. The southeast delegation is the caucus’ largest and fastest-growing delegation, consisting of members from Berks, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery and York counties. “I’m humbled that my colleagues chose me to lead the southeast delegation for the next two years,” O’Mara said. “As someone who doesn’t come from a political family -- my dad was a firefighter and my mom a school bus driver-- my experiences growing up are the reality of many hard-working Pennsylvanians. I am honored to lead the delegation and look forward to lifting up the voices of not just my constituents, but every Pennsylvanian in need of social and economic equity.” O’Mara took the oath of office on Jan. 5 to begin her second term. She said that she will continue to focus in the new term on supporting first responders, addressing the student debt crisis and removing the stigma surrounding mental health. Questions may be directed to O’Mara’s office by calling 610-544-9878. Read more

“I am grateful to our House Democratic leadership for entrusting me with the great responsibility of serving on these outstanding committees," Webster said. "The work we do as legislators is largely determined by what takes place in committee. I look forward to offering my perspective and identifying ways to help important pieces of legislation get the bipartisan votes that they deserve.” Read more

“I hope to be able to fight for our seniors and their abilities to age in the right place, to fight for fair tax policies for our residents and small businesses, and to invest in our youth, the future of our communities and society.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 11 – State Rep. Nancy Guenst today announced her appointments to the PA House Agriculture, Children & Youth, Game & Fisheries, and Human Services committees. “I am honored be in a position to influence legislation supporting Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable communities -- our seniors and our financially disadvantaged -- on these powerful committees,” Guenst, D-Montgomery/Phila., said. “Agriculture is a leading economic driver in our state,” Guenst said. “On this vitally important committee, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to formulate legislation that will both grow opportunities and ensure that the necessary regulatory oversight needed to protect human, livestock, environmental and plant health is in place. “And, as a sporting aficionado, I’ll make sure that our sportsmen and women can easily hunt and fish in Pennsylvania,” Guenst added. “I take to heart my role as a public servant in Harrisburg, as I did first when I was in the military and later when I was in local government in Hatboro,” Guenst continued. “I am here to be your voice in Harrisburg, and I will make sure that your concerns and your needs are heard and heeded.” The descriptions of the committee functions are as follows: The Agriculture & Rural Affairs Read more