HARRISBURG, Feb. 17 - State Rep. Melissa Shusterman introduced three pieces of legislation that would boost Pennsylvania’s economy and reform the commonwealth’s lobbying laws. Shusterman’s H.B. 267 would ensure that early and mid-stage businesses using the Second Stage Loan program create more job opportunities in Pennsylvania, and businesses that receive loan guarantees are not only located in Pennsylvania, but stay in Pennsylvania. “The Second Stage Loan Program provides vital assistance to help businesses grow and thrive, and we want to make sure we’re boosting Pennsylvania’s economy, too,” Shusterman said. “This bill would provide a stronger economy and create sustainable jobs in my district and around the state.” The Second Stage Loan Program is a loan guarantee administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority that guaranteed loans made by commercial lending institutions to life science, advanced technology or manufacturing businesses. The program provides banks with an extra measure of security to encourage them to provide early-stage companies with working capital. Shusterman said that in order to receive a loan guarantee, her bill would require businesses to remain and conduct services within the commonwealth. Shusterman’s lobbying reform legislation, H.Bs. 268 and 269 , both currently await consideration in the House State Government Committee. House Bill 268 would institute a Read more
State Rep. Melissa Shusterman's Winter 2021 Report to Constituents Read more
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the committee to spread awareness of the wealth of Pennsylvania’s activities, promote Pennsylvania to both out-of-state and in-state tourists, and support the artistic, cultural and historical industries that make our state diverse and unique.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 11 – State Rep. Tim Briggs has been appointed to serve on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. “PCCD makes an impact on some of the most pressing issues in our society by working to improve our justice system, keep our schools and neighborhoods safe, provide resources to victims of crime and more,” said Briggs, D-Montgomery. “I am honored to receive this appointment, and I look forward to working with the commission on programs and initiatives that will make communities across the commonwealth safer, more supportive places to live.” The mission of PCCD is to enhance quality, coordination and planning within the criminal and juvenile justice systems, to facilitate the delivery of services to victims of crime, and to increase the safety of Pennsylvania communities. Briggs was appointed to serve on the commission by House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton. He previously served as a member of PCCD during the 2009-10 legislative session. He also serves as the minority chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, a member of the Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and as vice chairman of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. Read more
In the Women’s Health Caucus, we listen to women. We know that whether Republican, Democrat, Independent or other; whether wealthy, poor or middle class; whether residing in the city, the suburbs or rural Pennsylvania; whether young or old; there are real issues affecting women’s free choice, financial well-being and life itself. Read more
Specifically, H.B. 461 would promote the purchase and use of WaterSense and Energy Star products by annually excluding those products from sales and use taxes from April 22 (Earth Day) through April 29. Read more
The discussion and interviews will be led by students from Norristown Area, Methacton, Spring-Ford and Perkiomen Valley high schools. Read more
Pennsylvanians deserve competent, decisive leadership, especially in times of crisis. COVID-19 isn't partisan. The virus does not care how you voted. Read more
Ciresi said he is especially pleased with the funding to help restaurants, hotels and theaters – and the people who work there – as he’s been consistently working to allocate additional funding to these struggling industries. The legislation establishes a $145 million Hospitality Industry Recovery Program to support hotels, restaurants, bars and taverns that suffered a decline in revenue in 2020. Read more
I am grateful to see a bold commitment to education, especially addressing the long-time inequities in how our state has funded K-12 education that were disproportionately affecting our communities. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joe Webster is excited about Gov. Tom Wolf's budget address. He says it's all about equity for our children in education and for the working class and our economy. Read more
FOLSOM, Jan. 28 – State Rep. Leanne Krueger announced today that her Folsom office will move to a new location effective Feb. 1. The new office will be at 1300 E. MacDade Blvd., Suite 1, at the corner of MacDade Boulevard and Folsom Avenue. The office is just one block from the traffic light at the Swarthmore Avenue intersection. Krueger and her staff will be offering services remotely while they set up the new office. Anyone in need of assistance with a state-related issue should reach out by phone at 610-534-6880 or by email at RepKrueger@pahouse.net . “My staff and I are excited to continue helping community members from our new location, which is still conveniently located and is just a few blocks from the old space,” said Krueger, D-Delaware. Krueger also maintains an office with part-time hours at 2 Cambridge Road, Brookhaven. Read more
State Rep. Mark Rozzi applauds his colleagues in the House for joining him in passing legislation to help victims of childhood sexual abuse get closure and redress on their harrowing experiences. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 27 – As the legislature’s foremost advocate for justice on child sexual abuse, state Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, hailed today’s House passage of legislation that moves a two-year window for childhood sexual assault victims to file civil lawsuits closer to reality. Read more
COVID-19 vaccinations are on everybody’s minds right now, so here's a collection of some important and hopefully helpful information into one location. Read more
I wonder, to whom are these men directing their rage and their hateful, hurtful so-called jokes? How and why has it gotten to this point where these types of words – this vengeful and incendiary type of messaging – is becoming more common? Read more
Watch the replay of an online forum on Pennsylvania's election infrastructure and law, ft. Sec. Kathy Boockvar. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 26 – State Rep. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, announced that his bill, which would establish a Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force to help reduce the cost of flood insurance premiums, was approved unanimously today by the House Insurance Committee. Warren’s H.B. 70 would address this financial issue which resulted from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s redrawing of its flood maps. When FEMA in recent years revised its flood maps to require many more properties in Pennsylvania to hold flood insurance, its goal was to mitigate the financial harm and help lessen the emotional devastation caused by floods. However, the remapping has had a negative financial impact on homeowners and communities in floodplains as many more Pennsylvanians now are struggling to pay rising flood insurance premiums, and many more communities along Pennsylvania's rivers and creeks are at risk of reduced property sales and values due to those premiums. “The increasing number of homes required to have flood insurance has had a deleterious effect on homeowners’ finances, local property values and our communities’ economies,” Warren said. “My legislation would address the problem of rising premiums through the establishment of a Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force, which would help to reduce flood insurance costs by recommending potential programs that provide premium discounts and by supporting programs Read more
This event will be held outside. Face masks and adherence to social-distance practices are required. Candles and hot cocoa will be available, and attendees are encouraged to bring handmade posters. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Mary Jo Daley, co-chair of the Women's Health Caucus, encourages Governor Wolf to allocate the $302 million allocated for PA for child care in December's federal relief package during a recent forum with Public Citizens for Children & Youth. Read more
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