“The causes that matter to us – social justice, human rights, equality in education, women’s health, the quality of our natural resources like air and water – are worth using both our individual and collective voices for change,” Webster said. Read more
For the safety of the community at large and to prevent further spread of COVID-19, I encourage all individuals over the age of 2 to wear masks unless your health care provider has exempted you. More than 200,000 Americans have already died during this pandemic, and we know that mask wearing is an important way to prevent others from becoming infected if one is unknowingly carrying the virus. Read more
FOLSOM, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Leanne Krueger will host a senior scams and fraud protection webinar at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5. Krueger will be joined by Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer and officers from his office’s Criminal Investigation Division to discuss scams and fraud frequently targeted toward seniors and what seniors should do if they find themselves a victim. Topics will include identity theft, fiduciary theft, credit and debit card fraud, home improvement fraud, telemarketing fraud and internet fraud. “Unfortunately, scammers often try to take advantage of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including seniors,” said Krueger, D-Delaware. “It’s critical that seniors and their loved ones know what to watch out for and how to respond if they think they are being scammed. I’m pleased to work with the district attorney’s office to help share this important information.” Anyone interested can watch at www.RepLeanne.com . Questions can be emailed in advance to RepKrueger@pahouse.net and will be taken during the event. Anyone who needs more information should contact Krueger’s office at 610-534-6880. Read more
FOLSOM, Sept. 28 – State Rep. Leanne Krueger will host a free shredding and prescription drug collection event from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 17 at the Aston Community Center, 3270 Concord Road, Aston. Residents of the 161 st District are invited to bring up to five boxes of old papers that contain personal information to have them shredded on-site and recycled. In addition, the Delaware County District Attorney’s Mobile Drug Collection Unit will be on-site to collect any unneeded medications for proper disposal. “Shredding personal documents helps protect against identity theft, and safe discarding of prescription drugs keeps them from falling into the wrong hands or being abused. I’m pleased to be able to host this event to help community members get rid of these items safely,” said Krueger, D-Delaware. Those attending should wear a mask and put materials for shredding in the trunk of their vehicle, where someone will retrieve them. Anyone with questions should contact Krueger’s office at 610-534-6880. Read more
LIMERICK, Sept. 25 – Area officials expressed their excitement over news today that Globus Medical will expand manufacturing of musculoskeletal implants in Montgomery County. The decision is expected to create 243 jobs and help retain more than 1,000 other Pennsylvania jobs, according to the announcement made by Gov. Tom Wolf this morning. “Manufacturing strength is a core marker of a healthy economy, and with all that’s going on across the globe, this is truly encouraging news,” said state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Globus made a wise choice investing in the hard workers and family-sustaining neighborhoods found in the 146 th District community.” Globus Medical will purchase and renovate a facility in Limerick Township near its worldwide headquarters in Audubon, which has been vacant for nearly two years. The company will invest $36 million into the expansion. The Pennsylvania company received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for a $750,000 Pennsylvania First grant and $729,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs. “Limerick is pleased to welcome Globus Medical to our community and excited to work with them on the expansion of their medical manufacturing operation,” Limerick Township Manager Daniel Kerr said. “The township is proud of the proactive relationship that Limerick has with the entire Read more
The radical right agenda has infiltrated the Pennsylvania legislature and threatens the independence of our judiciary. We rely on a fair and independent judicial system to administer equal justice under the law, free from outside pressure and influence. But, as we approach a critically important election, that independence is on the line because of a politically motivated attempt to rig our courts. The most radicalized Republican members of the legislature reign over districts simply because they picked their constituents through gerrymandering. The lack of compromise, civility and gridlock in Harrisburg can be directly linked to gerrymandering. The same radicalized Republicans in control in Harrisburg are pushing H.B. 196, which would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to create judicial districts for our appellate courts, rather than elect them on a statewide basis. It’s a bad bill that shows a fundamental lack of understanding about the judiciary and its role in our society. Appellate court decisions impact the rights of all Pennsylvanians, from Erie to King of Prussia and everywhere in between. Appellate judges are elected to interpret our laws, not to represent any particular special interests or regional biases. Judges are to be free of influence and not bring their own agenda to the courts. Electing judges from districts drawn by radicalized politicians would make those judges increasingly beholden to special interests instead of the law, Read more
FOLSOM, Sept. 21 – State Rep. Leanne Krueger will host a webinar at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 for community members to get the latest information on the upcoming election and the latest changes to voting laws. Those interested can watch “Ready to Vote 2020” by visiting www.RepLeanne.com . Questions can be submitted in advance to RepKrueger@pahouse.net and will be taken during the event. “I hear regularly from residents of my district who have questions about the November election, whether about mail-in ballots, drop boxes or the status of polling places. I’m happy to host this webinar to help them get some answers,” said Krueger, D-Delaware. Krueger will be joined by Christine Reuther, Delaware County Council member. Anyone with questions should contact Krueger’s office at 610-534-6880. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 17 – State Rep. Christina Sappey’s resolution designating September 2020 as “International Underground Railroad Month” in Pennsylvania was adopted today in the state House of Representatives. “Pennsylvania’s history shows it was pivotal in the freedom of slaves via the Underground Railroad,” said Sappey, D-Chester. “The more research that was done, the more we uncovered safehouses, escape routes and hiding places across the entire state. Ordinary citizens and some former slaves known as ‘stationmasters’ would risk their own freedom to help their loved ones escape. It’s time to recognize the importance of the Underground Railroad. This designation honors this state, its people, and all of those who have fought and continue to fight for true freedom of all peoples.” “This moment in time is a chance to reflect on all of those who fought tirelessly for their right to vote and true freedom,” said Dr. James Trotman, founding director of the Frederick Douglass Institute at West Chester University. “I tend to think of Douglass himself, and the North Star, his first newspaper, in another challenging time. After he attended the 1848 Women’s Rights Conference in Seneca Falls, New York, he changed the newspaper’s masthead to reflect the impact of the conference on him and our common struggle. The masthead read, ‘Right is of no sex; truth is of Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 8 – State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, invites residents of the 158th Legislative District to her next presentation in a series of virtual panel discussions on race: “Institutionalized Disadvantage: Law Enforcement, The Community and Healing.” The discussion will stream live at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at www.RepSappey.com . Panelists include state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan, Chief Gerald Simpson of the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department, and Rev. Annalie Korengel, pastor of Unionville Presbyterian and the police chaplain for Kennett Township, Kennet Square, and Southern Chester County Regional Police Departments. Those interested in participating should RSVP by emailing Sappey’s office at RepSappey@pahouse.net or signing up online at https://www.pahouse.com/Sappey/RSVP/?id=1277 . “Throughout this series of discussions, we have explored the origins of systemic racism in the American institutions of education, housing, health care and justice,” Sappey said. “This upcoming panel will focus on law enforcement changes, community healing and the path forward. I look forward to this event and hope that as many people as possible can join to help chart a new course together.” Questions and comments for panelists may be emailed to RepSappey@pahouse.net before or during the Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 4 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public briefing on “The Vanishing Trial” film and the implications of Pennsylvania’s harsh sentencing laws on plea bargaining and trials. The briefing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by state Rep. Tina Davis, D-Bucks, the briefing will feature a showing of “The Vanishing Trial” and testimony from policy experts. Presenters will speak remotely while committee members will participate in person and remotely. Speakers will include: K. Celeste Trusty , Pennsylvania state policy director, FAMM. Marirosa Lamas , former superintendent, SCI-Chester. Chester Hollman , legal assistant, Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project. Nyssa Taylor , criminal justice policy counsel, ACLU-PA. Following the briefing, testimonies and full briefing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more
KING OF PRUSSIA, Aug. 18 – The global pandemic and upcoming presidential election demonstrate the critical importance of teaching media literacy, starting at a young age, said state Rep. Tim Briggs, who has been advocating for the establishment of media literacy curriculum in Pennsylvania schools. “As we are all bombarded with information on a daily basis, particularly through social media, it can sometimes be difficult to discern fact from fiction – and during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s critical to ensure we are consuming accurate information from reliable sources,” said Briggs, D-Montgomery. “I’ve reintroduced legislation to establish a media literacy curriculum in our schools because we need to prepare our youngest citizens with the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate information and sources. The health of our democracy – and right now, the health of our citizens – depends on it.” House Bill 992, assigned to the House Education Committee since March 2019, would require the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop an age-appropriate media literacy curriculum for kindergarten through grade 12 that would be made available to school districts throughout Pennsylvania. The curriculum may include, but would not be limited to: developing critical thinking skills; understanding how media messages shape culture and society; identifying targeted marketing strategies; naming Read more
H.B. 2791 would utilize federal CARES Act funding, focus on smaller, community businesses rather than chains and national conglomerates, and place a cap on assistance to help as many businesses as possible. Read more
“While the recent hazard pay grants provided important support to many of our frontline heroes, we need to do more,” Ciresi said. “Unfortunately, due to program guidelines and funding limitations, many of those putting themselves in harm’s way were left out, including firefighters and EMS. We have a responsibility to them – as fellow Pennsylvanians – to honor their long-term sacrifices and risks with financial assistance.” Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joe Webster says we demand that Black Lives Matter. This extends beyond policing reform and applies to any situation in which Americans, specifically Americans of color, are discriminately impacted by policy and legislation: intentionally or not. There is no time for diversion & deliberate misinformation. It is time to recognize Black Lives Matter in all things, so all of Pennsylvania can move forward. Read more
I read state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s recent column on the need to prioritize our children’s safety, not politicize it. While I believe Rep. Benninghoff is sincere in his concern for children throughout the commonwealth, I think he and many others in his party are missing the mark when they talk about what our children need from us as this school year gets underway. Read more
JEFFERSONVILLE, Aug. 13 – State Reps. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus; and Joe Webster, D-Montgomery, along with PLBC members state Reps. Margo Davidson, D-Delaware, and Patty Kim, D-Dauphin, today participated in a “Free from Hate” news conference led by PA Women Rise at the West Norriton Municipal Center. The group’s “Free from Hate” platform was centered around increased demands for the ousting of Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph Gale for his comments earlier this summer referring to people involved in the Black Lives Matter movement as terrorists. To further amplify their demands, the state legislators unveiled Webster’s H.R. 920 , which would impeach Gale and which Webster introduced in response to the offensive statement. “In our quest to free our communities of hate, we must condemn actors like Commissioner Gale who used his official capacity to perpetuate hate by vilifying residents’ calls for equality and justice,” Kinsey said. “Instead of being an active agent of change in upholding those calls, Gale chose to side with the powers of oppression. His actions demonstrate his complacency with injustice, making him unfit to serve the public, and for that, Gale must be removed immediately.” Concurring with Kinsey, Webster acknowledged the solidarity among lawmakers and community members, and also Read more
The WHC chairs called the actions of the nonprofit into question, writing, “For more than 20 years, an organization known as Real Alternatives has been enriching itself and its executives, mismanaging state-appropriated funding, and potentially misdirecting that funding for advertising and legal services, including using Pennsylvania dollars in other states.” Read more
“A student’s first off-campus apartment is an exciting and crucial step in his or her growth, but most student tenants are unaware of their rights as tenants or what to do if they experience an unsafe condition in their apartment,” Ciresi said. “This leads too many of our young people living in unsafe conditions or being treated unfairly by landlords.” Read more
HARRISBURG (August 7, 2020) – Today, a group of state lawmakers from Delaware County called for District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer to investigate violence and intimidation aimed at Black Lives Matter supporters during a march in Ridley Township on Saturday, August 1 st . State Sens. Tim Kearney and Anthony Williams as well as State Reps. Leanne Krueger, Margo Davidson, David Delloso, Brian Kirkland, and Joanna McClinton signed the letter, which details how peaceful protesters were met with violence and intimidation by a group of counter-protesters. The letter calls for Delaware County’s District Attorney to investigate the counter-protesters’ actions and the Ridley Township Police Department’s response. “I was proud to participate in the Black Lives Matter protest and stand with people of all races and all ages against systemic racism,” said Sen. Tim Kearney . “But I was disturbed by the hate and intimidation that I witnessed firsthand from counter-protesters. We are better than that. We need to make sure our community feels safe when peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights.” “I join others across our community in expressing horror that this demonstration of love and support for Black lives was met by a menacing group with a mission to taunt and intimidate peaceful protesters,” said Rep. Leanne Krueger . “Instead of actively protecting the First Amendment rights of our Read more
RIDLEY, Aug. 5 – State Rep. Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware, released the following statement denouncing violence and intimidation aimed at Black Lives Matter supporters during a march over the weekend here. “I am in awe of our neighbors, especially the young people, who organized a peaceful march through Ridley in support of Black Lives last weekend. By all accounts — from community members with whom I have spoken and video I have seen on social media — the group marching in support of Black Lives was inclusive and peaceful. “I join others across our community in expressing horror that this demonstration of love and support for Black lives was met by a menacing group of predominantly white men, some brandishing weapons and openly intoxicated, standing outside of the Ridley Township Police Station. White men in trucks and on motorcycles were also seen driving recklessly on MacDade Boulevard, dangerously close to protesters. “Videos posted online clearly show hostile and vitriolic language hurled at our neighbors, some of whom marched with young children, and the violent act of ripping a BLM flag out of the hands of a protester. Other incidents captured on camera and by the media suggest a potentially unsafe situation for the protesters. “Instead of actively protecting the First Amendment rights of our neighbors, it appears that Ridley Police were both late to the scene and seemed to be protecting the white counter-protesters Read more
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