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
“Since 2020, when data centers started to be constructed, Pennsylvania’s energy costs have risen by over 70%,” Pielli said. “With there being estimates of up to 130 active data centers with an additional 55 data centers being proposed, planned or under construction, this problem will only get worse without proper regulation. If data centers gain public utility status, they will essentially become digital dictators that could preempt local municipal zoning ordinances and reduce communities’ control over land-use decisions. We need to place guardrails on this issue immediately and ensure that Pennsylvanians have a voice in where these data centers are developed.” 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
State Rep. Dave Delloso announced today that $337,100 in state grants were awarded for implementation, rehabilitation, and development projects throughout the 162nd Legislative District. Read more
ROYERSFORD, Oct. 7 – Two local parks will be rehabilitated and improved thanks to new funding state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, secured from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: $263,000 for Sanatoga Park in Lower Pottsgrove Township and $250,000 for Pollock Park in Pottstown Borough. “This funding will make these two parks even more welcoming spaces for residents of all ages,” Ciresi said. “At Sanatoga Park, it will add walkways and a pavilion for community events. At Pollock Park, it will help advance Phase II of the redevelopment. Both projects will give our communities more opportunities for recreation and spaces for families and friends to gather.” At Sanatoga Park, funding will be used to construct a pavilion and pedestrian walkways; install play equipment with required safety surfacing, stormwater management measures, fencing, lighting and utilities; ADA access, landscaping, signage and other related site improvements. The Pollock Park grant will fund the construction of pedestrian walkways and parking area; install play equipment with required safety surfacing, stormwater management measures and fencing; ADA access, landscaping, project sign 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 Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced that $145,000 has been awarded to Colwyn Borough for the rehabilitation and development of Water Street Park. The funding was awarded through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants, which are managed by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.The work is expected to include renovation of basketball courts; construction of pedestrian walkways and a parking area; installation of stormwater management measures and fencing; ADA access, landscaping, a project sign, and other related site improvements. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – Smart glasses would have to indicate when they are recording and would be prohibited from using biometric identification, and AI chatbots would be prohibited in children’s toys for three years, under legislation advanced today by the PA House Communications & Technology Committee, committee chair state Rep. Joe Ciresi announced. Read more
The Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Dave Delloso that would require quarterly firearms training for law enforcement officers. Read more
Twenty-six lawmakers vote to advance regulatory framework for e-scooters Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – The House Communications & Technology Committee today advanced a Senate bill that would require the disclosure of content generated or substantially modified by artificial intelligence, or AI, when used to sell consumer goods. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, last week introduced H.B. 2821 , which would give residents a say in whether high-impact data centers are approved in their communities. “Data centers can have substantial impacts on local infrastructure, electricity demand and water resources,” Ciresi said. “Pennsylvania residents should be able to have a meaningful opportunity to decide whether a large-scale data center development would be appropriate for their community.” The bill would amend the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to require municipalities to put the approval of a proposed high impact data center before voters in a local referendum. To make sure voters are informed, a detailed description of the development would appear on the ballot before the referendum question. “This measure would increase transparency, strengthen local decision-making, and give communities a direct voice in determining whether high impact data center developments are appropriate for their municipality,” Ciresi said. Read more
"These officers work to serve their community every day, and everyone benefits when we have a clear record of those encounters,” said Malagari. “I was proud to secure this funding, and I thank Chief Martin and Township Manager Hammer for their work on the application.” Read more
Highmark Mann Center has been awarded a $250,000 state grant for operational support for its educational and cultural programming. Read more
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