HARRISBURG, July 23 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, today expressed his support for legislation that responds to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Lee by reforming second-degree murder sentencing while advancing additional criminal justice reforms focused on rehabilitation, accountability and fairness. House Bill 1042 , which passed the House with bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate for further consideration, addresses the court’s ruling that automatic life-without-parole sentences for individuals convicted of second-degree murder under the felony murder rule are unconstitutional. “Pennsylvania’s justice system must uphold both public safety and constitutional protections,” Briggs said. “This legislation provides a responsible path forward by ensuring that sentences are based on an individual’s level of culpability while maintaining safeguards to protect our communities.” Under the bill, the automatic life-without-parole sentence for second-degree murder would be replaced with sentencing that considers an offender’s specific role and level of culpability. Individuals convicted of second-degree murder who receive a life sentence would become eligible to petition for parole consideration after serving 30 years. Briggs emphasized that parole eligibility is not parole, and the legislation does not guarantee release for Read more
HARRISBURG, July 22 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Lee James, R-Venango/Crawford, have introduced House Bill 2709 to increase annual funding for Pennsylvania's Entertainment Economic Enhancement Program (EEEP) by $2 million, from $24 million to $26 million, to attract more touring Broadway productions to the commonwealth. According to Ciresi and James, touring Broadway productions require weeks of technical rehearsals and tour preparations, resulting in extended stays for visiting artists, crew and staff. These long stays generate significant business for local hospitality, restaurant and service businesses. Productions also create new jobs for Pennsylvania workers, including union stagehands, truck drivers, technicians, and other support staff. The EEEP currently provides a tax credit equal to 35% of qualified Pennsylvania expenditures for show design, construction, and operations. If enacted, House Bill 2709 would increase funding to enable venues like the Pittsburgh Cultural District and the Kimmel Center to host more Broadway tour launches. Each production can bring in more than 100 visiting artists and staff where they would work alongside local crews for several weeks. Ciresi and James point to Ohio as an example of the bill’s potential impact. In 2025, Ohio invested $3.5 million in tax incentives to attract four Broadway tours. The funded projects are expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs, generate $150 million in Read more
HARRISBURG, July 21 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, announced that her legislation to require additional trainings and certifications for County Veteran Assistance Directors regarding trauma-informed care, including Military Sexual Trauma, PTSD and traumatic brain injury, has been signed into law as Act 38 of 2026. Act 38, previously H.B. 2024, ensures that the staff supporting our veterans are best equipped to meet their post-service needs. Shusterman says these requirements come at the suggestion of the commonwealth’s Women Veterans Health Care Task Force. “Pennsylvania is home to nearly 700,000 veterans – so many of whom return home from their service with visible and not-so-visible injuries,” Shusterman said. “As with other forms of trauma, survivors of MST live with their experiences in different ways, and their mental and physical health may be significantly affected for years to come. We owe it to our veterans to ensure that the resources and support we provide them are effective. “I extend my gratitude to my co-prime sponsor Rep. Scheuren and Chair Solomon from the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committee for their work on this bill. This is a small step in continuing to provide for our commonwealth’s veterans. I look forward to finding more ways to continue serving those who sacrificed so much for us.” Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Read more
“Pennsylvania’s Medical Officer and Health Officer Incentive Program provides additional financial incentives for skilled medical professionals to enlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard. The program was launched nearly a decade ago and since then has proven to be a meaningful tool for bringing highly qualified health professionals into our National Guard,” Pielli said. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 17 – Two state representatives are introducing a bill to cut unnecessary IT spending across the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s four legislative caucuses to safeguard taxpayer dollars. State Reps. Paul Friel and Joe Ciresi said the UNITE Act would require state House and Senate Republicans and Democrats to work from the same IT providers, saving money and streamlining cybersecurity in Pennsylvania’s Capitol. “Having multiple expensive IT systems and Wi-Fi networks because of partisan mistrust is not a sustainable solution. However, there is an opportunity here – I believe we can save tax dollars and build a better working relationship with our colleagues across the aisle and in the other chamber,” said Friel, D-Chester. “We need to make sure that state government works efficiently for the people, and this is a good first step.” “In order to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars, we need to look for efficiencies and remove redundancies. The cost savings that would be achieved by combining the IT functions of all four caucuses in the House and Senate is something we should not pass up,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. This is not a new issue, the sponsors said. A 2010 statewide investigating grand jury, convened after the Bonusgate corruption scandal, recommended streamlining the legislature’s IT and purchasing operations and found that no witness could offer a Read more
CHESTER, July 17 – New funding of $4.8 million from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program will support major construction, renovation and community development projects across the 159th Legislative District, state Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, announced today. “I’m beyond proud to have brought these dollars home,” Kazeem said. “The breadth of projects funded reflect our district’s rich diversity and respond to the needs of our communities. Whether it’s expanding educational opportunities, creating community gathering spaces or investing in infrastructure improvements, this funding will strengthen our neighborhoods, enhance our quality of life and energize our local economy. I’m committed to bringing back every single grant dollar to invest in projects that create opportunities for our residents.” $2.5 million for Widener University to renovate and modernize Latham Hall. Improvements will include construction of a masonry retaining wall, site grading to improve drainage, installation of an accessible entrance ramp and landscaping enhancements. $1.5 million for the Chester Upland School District to build a state-of-the-art athletic complex featuring an athletic training facility, grandstands, a concession stand, an eight-lane track, an artificial turf field and designated off-street parking. $500,000 for Monroe Energy LLC to install a new cooling tower to replace Read more
HARRISBURG, July 15 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, today announced the award of a $34 million low-interest state loan to help Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority replace its current chlorine gas-based disinfection system with a safer, ultraviolet light-based system. The benefits of the UV system will eliminate the need to use chlorine gas for wastewater disinfection, simplifying operations, removing the requirement for DELCORA’s chlorine risk management plan, and substantially improving facility operations and public safety. DELCORA will continue to use sodium hypochlorite for non-disinfection purposes, including return activated sludge treatment, chlorination, odor control, and utility water, as well as for backup disinfection. "This investment will help protect the health and safety of Delaware County residents while modernizing our wastewater treatment infrastructure," Kazeem said. "Replacing chlorine gas with a UV disinfection system reduces potential risks to workers, nearby communities, and the environment. I'm proud to support projects that make our public utilities safer, more efficient, and better equipped to serve our communities for years to come." PENNVEST is an independent agency that provides financial assistance for drinking water, sewer, and stormwater projects across Pennsylvania. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 14 – New guardrails regulating the use of food processing residuals are now law in Pennsylvania after being included in the newly passed state budget, establishing necessary oversight for commercial food waste that is disposed of on some farms. State Rep. Paul Friel, who advanced the proposal with bipartisan support, said that he was glad to see the General Assembly take action on a pervasive problem in the state. "For four years I've been working with stakeholders and with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers to pass protective legislation. The process was extensive and worthwhile, because it led us to legislation that could pass with wide support, be signed into law, and get the job done," said Friel, D-Chester. Food processing residuals, also known as FPR, are the leftover products created by commercial food processing. They can include vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps and liquid waste from cleaning processes that might contain blood, fat, hair, feathers, and a variety of other vegetable and animal byproducts, as well as chemicals used in processing. The results of spreading FPR on farmland have included noxious odors, air quality problems and contaminated drinking water. Surrounding states have heavily restricted or banned the use of these residuals, making Pennsylvania a target for the cheap disposal of this commercial waste stream. "By embedding these Read more
HARRISBURG, July 13– State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, celebrated the 2026-27 state budget ’s delivery on three key priorities he has long championed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives: increased education funding, charter school oversight and data center transparency. “I’m gratified that my long-standing advocacy for protections for cyber charter students and data center transparency has been reflected in this budget,” Ciresi said. “Together with historic investments in education, this budget will create a stronger future for our students and a safer, healthier environment for our communities.” The budget makes a $670 million investment statewide in education, which includes a $565 million increase to help rectify historic funding discrepancies and $50 million increases in both basic education and special education funding to ensure every student can succeed. Ciresi said school districts in the 146th Legislative District will benefit from significant funding increases totaling more than $3.5 million: Pottstown School District: $2.5 million (7.9% increase) Pottsgrove School District: $681,000 (4.6% increase) Spring-Ford Area School District: $347,000 (1.8% increase) “This budget will strengthen our schools, ensuring Pennsylvania’s children have access to the education they need to succeed in the 21st century,” Ciresi said. “I am especially pleased that the budget will Read more
HARRISBURG, July 13 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, celebrated the 2026-27 state budget’s historic investments in education and support for Pennsylvania’s working families. “Our students deserve a high-quality education, so they have the skills and knowledge to adapt and thrive in an increasingly competitive global workforce,” Kazeem said. “This budget will ensure that all Pennsylvania’s students have access to educational opportunities that will lay the foundation for life-long success.” The budget makes a $670 million investment statewide in education, which includes a $565 million increase to help rectify historic funding discrepancies and a $58 million increase in basic education and $47 increase in special education funding, to ensure every student can succeed. Kazeem said the school districts in the 159th Legislative District will benefit from significant funding increases: $6.3 million, or 4.9% increase for Chester-Upland School District $1.5 million, or 7.1% increase for Chichester School District $1.3 million, or 5.1% increase for Ridley School District $404,000 or 3.4% increase for Penn-Delco School District Kazeem also praised the budget’s increased support for key healthcare programs: $615.2 million or 7% increase, for Medical Assistance managed care program $484.7 million or 16.1% increase, for Medical Assistance Capitation $130.5 million or 2.3% increase, for Medical Read more
A proposal championed by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, to require parental notification of bullying in schools is headed to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his signature after passing the General Assembly today. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 2 – The House Communications & Technology Committee held an informational meeting on Tuesday on space exploration and Pennsylvania’s leadership in space technology, scientific research, and airspace security. “Today’s meeting stressed the need for increased technological development to protect our airspace,” state Rep. Joe Ciresi, House Communications & Technology Committee Majority Chair, said. “Pennsylvania has the talent and the resources to lead the charge in developing technology to explore space and protect our airspace.” The committee heard from three speakers: Dr. Jason Wright, Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Penn State University on astronomical and scientific research, Ryan Graves, Founder/Executive Director, Americans for Safe Aerospace on aerospace and aviation perspectives, and Chris Mellon, Chairman of the Board, The Disclosure Foundation; Former Deputy Secretary of Defense; and Former Minority Staff Director, US Senate Intelligence Committee. “Exploration begins with curiosity,” state Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila. said. “Pennsylvania has the talent and institutions to help push the boundaries of scientific discovery, and today's hearing was an important step in that direction — wherever the evidence leads" Wright said that the search for the means to find extraterrestrial intelligence is leading the development of detection technology, Read more
Hanbidge bill to protect homeowners’ rights to install solar energy systems on roofs passes PA House Read more
HARRISBURG, June 30 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, to increase transparency in data center development in Pennsylvania passed the House today with overwhelming bipartisan support,171-31. “Today’s vote demonstrates how my colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree that Pennsylvanians shouldn’t be left in the dark about the impact data centers will have on their localities and their lives,” Ciresi said. “My necessary legislation would require developers to be open and transparent about the environmental impact with area residents and would give the public the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns about the proposed development.” House Bill 2359 would require developers of data centers with a peak electrical demand of over 10 megawatts to engage with local communities and their residents before construction and disclose information about the facilities’ impact to qualify for a sales tax exemption for data center-related computer equipment. The legislation specifically targets large-scale/high-impact data centers and excludes smaller data centers that do not pose the same environmental or quality-of-life risks to nearby residents. Qualifying data centers would specifically be required to: submit a “community protection plan” documenting the owner/operator’s engagement with the community and municipality before construction, including holding public Read more
State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, a leading advocate of providing greater access to mental health services, today applauded passage of a bill to allow Pennsylvania to join a national compact that helps get mental health treatment to more people in need. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 24 – Legislation to give Pennsylvania municipalities the time and authority to rein in data center projects across the state continues its way through the General Assembly, announced the measure’s sponsor, state Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester. The state House of Representatives today by an overwhelming bipartisan majority passed H.B. 2496 to empower local governments in Pennsylvania to place up to a six-month “pause” on the consideration of any data center application. Municipalities could adopt, amend or repeal sections of their related land-use ordinances during the pause. “This pause window allows local governments the time they need to thoroughly research, draft and pass comprehensive land-use ordinances pertaining to data centers,” Friel said. “The bill gives our local officials necessary breathing room to update these ordinances, evaluating demands like water and energy usage and other considerations related to protecting our communities from potential harms caused by data center development.” Critically, the pause dates back to the moment the public was notified of the meeting agenda, and any application filed during the pause is subject to the new rules. ?“Large-scale data centers cannot be allowed to bypass community scrutiny,” said state Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-Lackawanna. “With development surging across Pennsylvania, this bill ensures Read more
The bipartisan H.B. 2162, co-prime sponsored by state Reps. Lisa Borowski, D-Delaware; Paul Friel, D-Chester; and Thomas Kutz, R-Cumberland, would allow makers of a drug or medical device to apply for a temporary product license from the commonwealth at the same time they begin its FDA approval process. Read more
“For working families, childcare is too expensive and all too often parents struggle to find care,” Shusterman said. “The current situation for working parents, childcare facilities, and the professionals who take care of our children requires that we take action in the General Assembly. We owe it to the working parents, businesses and childcare providers of our Commonwealth to put in the effort and step up to create a viable path forward.” Read more
HARRISBURG, June 23 – The Pennsylvania House Communications & Technology Committee today approved legislation that would implement technological safeguards to enhance school safety and protect users of artificial intelligence companion applications. The legislation considered included the following: House Bill 634 (Cepeda-Freytiz) – Requires schools to consider implementing a panic alarm system as part of their reviews of their school safety and security practices. House Bill 2006 (Shusterman) – Establishes safeguards on the use of AI companions, including protocols for detecting and responding to suicidal ideation, self-harm and violent intentions; age assurance, parental consent requirements and protections for minor users; and transparency that the user is not communicating with a human. House Resolution 560 (Pickett) – Recognizes the week of June 22 through 28, 2026 as “Amateur Radio Week” in Pennsylvania. “The two bills advanced today reflect the crucial role that the House Communications & Technology Committee plays in evaluating legislation regarding emerging technologies’ potential impact on our children’s safety,” said state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, chair of the committee. “While the silent panic alarm system can help save lives by alerting law enforcement about a school emergency, we’ve already seen how AI companions can harm individuals—especially those Read more
HARRISBURG, June 22 – Bipartisan legislation to give Pennsylvania farmers expanded access to low-interest financing to grow and modernize their operations unanimously passed the state House of Representatives today. State Reps. Paul Friel and John Lawrence said that when signed into law, their H.B. 2207 would go straight to work providing capital for critical agricultural operations in Pennsylvania. The investments will keep Pennsylvania competitive in an increasingly challenging economic environment. The sponsors said that Pennsylvania farmers face rising costs for land, equipment, buildings and other investments necessary to sustain and expand their operations. While the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority's Small Business First Fund provides valuable financing opportunities, agricultural businesses are limited to loans of $400,000, far below the $2 million cap available to non-agricultural enterprises. "Our farmers are small business owners, job creators and essential contributors to Pennsylvania's economy," said Friel, D-Chester . "As costs continue to rise, access to affordable capital is more important than ever. This legislation would ensure that farmers have the same opportunities as other businesses to invest in their operations, create jobs, and strengthen our agricultural economy." “I’m grateful for the strong bipartisan support to modernize agricultural lending at Read more
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