News Center

Ciresi applauds Phoenixville rail study, pushes Montco service

(Jul 13, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“Bringing back the train is critical to reviving the downtowns of Pottstown and Royersford, creating new jobs, increasing property values, and improving quality of life. Everyone – not just train passengers – stands to benefit from these positive impacts. I am proud to continue to work with stakeholders on this important priority, and look forward to seeing further developments as we continue to move forward.” Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold public hearing on COVID-19 health disparities Wednesday in Capitol

(Jul 13, 2020) Southeast Delegation

HARRISBURG, July 13 –State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold public hearing on COVID-19 health disparities. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 15 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building of the Capitol Complex. The media and public are invited to attend and watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . The hearing was requested by state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and Democratic Chair of House Health Committee; state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., and chair of Pa. Legislative Black Caucus; and state Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., and chair of the Welcoming PA Caucus to explore the impact of COVID-19 on health disparities. Testifiers and members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Hannah Hardy, MPA, PhD , director, Allegheny County’s Chronic Diseases and Injury Prevention Program. Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD , medical director of the Community Asthma Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the Philadelphia Board of Health. Tiffany Gary-Webb, MHS, PhD , associate professor in the departments of Epidemiology and Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health. Meagan Hume, MDP , health coordinator, HIAS Pennsylvania. For more information about the Policy Read more

 

Delloso announces shred event Saturday, July 11

(Jul 06, 2020) Southeast Delegation

State Rep. David Delloso, D-Delaware, will host his free Shred and Electronic Waste Event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 11 at the Norwood Fire Company. The fire company is located at 336 Chester Pike in Norwood. Read more

 

Williams hosts successful Community Police Partnership Forum

(Jul 02, 2020) Rep. Dan Williams

COATESVILLE, July 2 – State Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, hosted Wednesday night a successful Community Police Partnership Forum shedding light on police/community relations and systemic racism. Dozens of constituents attended while more than 100 tuned in via livestream to interact with Williams, area chiefs of police, Chester County’s sheriff and district attorney. “I want to thank everyone who participated as we attempt to take a step forward together,” Williams said. “We need to open the dialogue around policing to implement effective change. This is only the beginning – 400 years of racism cannot be addressed in only one night. Here in Pennsylvania, we’ve passed legislation, including my own House Bill 1910, to make historic changes that I’m confident will save lives and increase our police force’s efficiency for years to come.” A recording of the discussion is available on Williams’ Facebook page. For more information, those interested can contact Williams’ office at (484) 200-8256. Read more

 

Ciresi, O’Neal call for investigation into unemployment system failures

(Jun 30, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“Week after week, year after year, most workers contributed to the Unemployment Trust Fund through payroll deductions,” Ciresi said. “Yet the failures of this system have left too many without income during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when they need these benefits more than ever.” Read more

 

Renter and homeowner aid available

(Jun 29, 2020) Southeast Delegation

Renters and homeowners who were financially impacted by the economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access applications for rent and mortgage relief beginning Monday, June 29. At that time, applications will be accessible from a red banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website at www.PHFA.org . Homeowners who became unemployed after March 1 or who suffered at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income due to reduced work hours and wages related to COVID-19 may be eligible for financial assistance to help with missed mortgage payments. To qualify for the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program, the applicant must be an owner-occupant of their residence, the dwelling must consist of one or two separate units, the mortgage must be at least 30 days delinquent, and the applicant-homeowner’s annual household income must not exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For renters to be eligible for financial assistance under the CARES Rent Relief Program, they will need to document at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income since March 1 related to COVID-19, or they must have become unemployed after March 1. If unemployed, they must have filed for Unemployment Compensation. Their household income cannot exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For more information Read more

 

Small Business Assistance grants available

(Jun 29, 2020) Southeast Delegation

Applications are expected to be available June 30 for a new program aimed at providing critical funding to local businesses hurt by the coronavirus. The first round of the $225 million COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance grant program is expected to open for applications on Tuesday, June 30 and will remain open for 10 business days. Additionally, applications will continue to be accepted after 10 business days to be considered for future rounds of funding. Those rounds will be announced soon. This program will award grants ranging from $5,000 - $50,000 to small businesses economically impacted by the coronavirus, and money is specifically set aside for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people. For an application preparation checklist, criteria for eligibility and consideration, and a full list of participating Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), please click below to go to the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance website. https://pabusinessgrants.com/ Read more

 

Women’s Health Caucus applauds SCOTUS decision to strike down Louisiana law severely restricting abortions

(Jun 29, 2020) Rep. Mary Jo Daley

“This decision, like others, solidifies that women have a constitutional right to reproductive freedom,” said Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery, who serves as Democratic chairwoman of the Women’s Health Caucus and also serves on the House Health Committee. Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold public hearing on reopening PA schools Tuesday in Capitol

(Jun 26, 2020) Southeast Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 27 –State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the PA House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on reopening Pennsylvania schools. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 30 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are invited to attend or watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . The hearing will feature testimony from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Mathematica about its recent research report that provides guidance for reopening schools. Sturla, who is chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee, will be joined by other committee members in person and virtually. Testifiers will include: Matthew Stem , deputy secretary for elementary and secondary education, Pennsylvania Department of Education. Dr. Brian Gill, senior fellow, Mathematica Dr. Art Levinowitz , school director of Upper Dublin School District and representative for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Dr. Shane Hotchkiss , superintendent of Bermudian Springs School District and representative for the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators. Aaron Chapin , vice president, Pennsylvania State Education Association. For more information about the Policy Committee and copies of testimony, go to www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . ### Read more

 

Ciresi touts unanimous passage of bill protecting mobile home owners

(Jun 25, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Ciresi was an early cosponsor of the bill, supported it in the Local Government Committee and authored an amendment that ensures the most recent evaluating manual would be used to properly assess the value of manufactured homes. Read more

 

Delloso reminds residents to stay safe this summer while enjoying the outdoors

(Jun 25, 2020) Southeast Delegation

State Rep. David Delloso from Delaware County reminds residents to stay safe this summer while enjoying the outdoors. Read more

 

Ciresi praises passage of cosponsored police reform bills

(Jun 24, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“Today’s unanimous votes are a significant first step toward addressing social justice issues that have driven a divide between law enforcement and the community,” Ciresi said. “To bridge that gap, we have much work still to do. This legislation marks the beginning of necessary work we all must do – as a commonwealth and as fellow human beings – to rebuild trust and fulfill our obligation to equal justice under the law.” Read more

 

Sanchez lauds unanimous passage of three reform bills

(Jun 24, 2020) Rep. Ben Sanchez

“These bills, I'm proud to say, passed unanimously today and should soon become law. It was a great day to be a state representative, and please know that I will continue to work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to ensure that all citizens of this great state are treated fairly and equally. There is much work that still needs to be done.” Read more

 

Ciresi slams latest Tower Health insult to Pottstown

(Jun 24, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“How much in uncompensated care is the Pottstown Hospital providing, to justify its non-profit status? Our constituents deserve more than talking points from a hospital spokesman. It’s a shame.” Read more

 

Ciresi legislation would allow municipal boards to meet remotely during emergencies

(Jun 23, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“My bill would make sure that local boards and commissions can continue to conduct public business in any situation, be it the COVID-19 pandemic or anything that might happen in the future.” Read more

 

Hanbidge legislation seeks to permanently improve remote meetings during emergency declarations

(Jun 22, 2020) Rep. Liz Hanbidge

One bill would add public participation requirements when municipal officials meet remotely, and the other bill would suspend time frames for consideration of applications filed with municipal boards and commissions during emergency or disaster declarations. Read more

 

Sanchez bill would add permit extension provisions during emergency declaration

(Jun 11, 2020) Rep. Ben Sanchez

Proposed in late May and officially filed this week, H.B. 2586 would give local governments and authorities the ability to delay the expiration of existing permits issued before a disaster declaration took effect. Read more

 

State legislators: PCCD grants will help at-risk parents and children

(Jun 10, 2020) Rep. Joe Webster, Rep. Joseph Ciresi, Rep. Ben Sanchez, Rep. Steve Malagari

HARRISBURG, June 10 – The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded two Montgomery County programs a total of $247,007 to meet the needs of Montgomery County children and parents affected by domestic violence, substance abuse and crime. Family Services of Montgomery County, in partnership with the Montgomery County Reentry Initiative, was awarded $147,010 in Violence and Delinquency Prevention Program funding to expand the Positive Parenting Program helping parents who are recently released from incarceration. Montgomery County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Mission Kids program will receive $99,997 to continue family advocacy work, particularly to accompany children to medical evaluations court appearances. “In addition to providing direct support to returning parents, this money also supports a key position at Mission Kids,” said state Rep. Steve Malagari, D-Montgomery. “With the increased demands for these services, Mission Kids needs a family advocate who can appropriately support the needs of our communities.” "In my role as a state representative – specifically with regard to my position on the Children and Youth Committee – and most importantly in my role as a parent, the safety and wellness of children and families will always be my top priority,” said state Rep. Ben Sanchez, D-Montgomery. “That is why I am grateful for this opportunity to improve Read more

 

Hanbidge: H.R. 836 could have devastating effects for Pennsylvanians

(Jun 10, 2020) Rep. Liz Hanbidge

Broad reopenings, or reopenings that are not structured around ongoing social distancing, universal masking and other public health guidance, would likely result in a spike of cases and new stay-at-home and closure orders. Read more

 

Galloway Introduces two COVID-19-related financial services bills

(Jun 10, 2020) Southeast Delegation

HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. John Galloway, D-Bucks, announced that his Covid-19 related bills, which would waive penalties for early CD withdrawals during COVID-19 (H.B. 2580) and would waive fees for remote banking and ATM charges during COVID-19 (H.B. 2581), were both introduced and referred to the House Consumer Affairs Committee on Monday. “Families across Pennsylvania have been hard hit financially from the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Galloway said. “My bills are aimed at alleviating the pains that have ensued by removing penalties from early withdrawals of CDs and by making it illegal for financial institutions to charge fees for remote transactions or uses of ATMs. “If they were enacted, both bills would be in effect until 90 days after the COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration issued by the governor has expired.” Galloway said that CDs, or a certificates of deposit, are popular products offered by banks and credit unions because they provide higher interest rates in exchange for leaving a lump-sum deposit untouched for a period of 6 months to 3 or more years.. At the end of the term, known as the maturity date, the depositor can withdraw his or her funds penalty free, and with a few dollars in earned interest on top of the initial deposit. According to Galloway, CDs are a safer and more conservative way for people to invest their money than Read more

 

Ciresi applauds Phoenixville rail study, pushes Montco service
Jul 13, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold public hearing on COVID-19 health disparities Wednesday in Capitol
Jul 13, 2020

Delloso announces shred event Saturday, July 11
Jul 06, 2020

Williams hosts successful Community Police Partnership Forum
Jul 02, 2020

Ciresi, O’Neal call for investigation into unemployment system failures
Jun 30, 2020

Renter and homeowner aid available
Jun 29, 2020

Small Business Assistance grants available
Jun 29, 2020

Women’s Health Caucus applauds SCOTUS decision to strike down Louisiana law severely restricting abortions
Jun 29, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold public hearing on reopening PA schools Tuesday in Capitol
Jun 26, 2020

Ciresi touts unanimous passage of bill protecting mobile home owners
Jun 25, 2020

Delloso reminds residents to stay safe this summer while enjoying the outdoors
Jun 25, 2020

Ciresi praises passage of cosponsored police reform bills
Jun 24, 2020

Sanchez lauds unanimous passage of three reform bills
Jun 24, 2020

Ciresi slams latest Tower Health insult to Pottstown
Jun 24, 2020

Ciresi legislation would allow municipal boards to meet remotely during emergencies
Jun 23, 2020

Hanbidge legislation seeks to permanently improve remote meetings during emergency declarations
Jun 22, 2020

Sanchez bill would add permit extension provisions during emergency declaration
Jun 11, 2020

State legislators: PCCD grants will help at-risk parents and children
Jun 10, 2020

Hanbidge: H.R. 836 could have devastating effects for Pennsylvanians
Jun 10, 2020

Galloway Introduces two COVID-19-related financial services bills
Jun 10, 2020