HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – Today, state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware hosted a news conference to celebrate House passage of her bill that would mandate human trafficking awareness training for Pennsylvania workers in the hospitality industry, including online lodging and reservation companies.House Bill 1286 would amend Act 197 of 2012 to include training requirements approved through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for employees of public lodging establishments who have contact with guests or access to guest rooms, and for operators of short-term rentals. Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – Today, the Pennsylvania House passed a resolution introduced by State Rep. Anthony Bellmon (D-Phila.) urging Congress to take action to reduce health insurance costs for Pennsylvanians who purchase coverage through Pennie, the state’s ACA marketplace. When Congress passed the American Rescue Plan in 2021, it expanded tax credits that allowed many Pennsylvanians to purchase health insurance through Pennie, contributing to the marketplace’s record-breaking open enrollment in 2025. However, these credits expire on Dec. 31 and, as a result, health insurance costs for Pennie customers will, on average, double. “During the 2025 open enrollment period for Pennie, nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians—the most ever—purchased health insurance,” Bellmon said. “With these federal tax credits set to expire at the end of the year, these individuals could face real consequences, including having to choose between paying for housing, food, utilities, or health care. “Only Congress can stop the bleed and keep people covered by extending these credits. That’s why we must urge them to take action to lower health insurance costs for Pennsylvanians who purchase coverage through Pennie.” Read more

Lawmaker, advocates call for legislative action to address news deserts, information gaps Read more

“This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation which will make it easier to start a worker cooperative,” Krajewski said. “Co-ops create safer and happier workplaces that build wealth for the workers and communities who utilize them. We should do what we can to support them.” Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 15 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation offered condolences today to the families of the victims and those injured in the antisemitic gun attack in Sydney, Australia, which occurred on the eve of Hanukkah. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 12 – Today, state Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., released the following statement, supporting the Office of Administration for Children and Families’ recent call to protect foster youth’s benefits and urging the passage of H.B. 151 . "Earlier this week, the Office of Administration for Children and Families sent an official letter to governors across America calling for an end to the rampant practice of local and state agencies intercepting foster youth's Social Security benefits. "This is a powerful victory and clear mandate for action. For the last two sessions, my colleague Rep. Sheryl Delozier, R-Cumberland, and I have sponsored bipartisan legislation to protect foster children's public benefits. Following the lead of 11 states, red and blue, our legislation would ensure that young people's benefits are preserved in a savings account until they exit care. "This is not about ideology, or party. This is about fairness. These benefits belong to young people. Just as other foster children do not pay for their own costs of care or other county services, children who receive public benefits should not either. As the cost of food, housing and education remains sky high, it is unthinkable that our commonwealth would continue to steal from some of the most vulnerable young people. "Our legislation – H.B. 151 – represents a plan, carefully developed in Read more

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 8 – On Saturday, Dec. 6, state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. co-hosted a ceremony at North 63rd Street and Lansdowne Avenue in the Overbrook section of West Philadelphia to rename the 6300 block of Lansdowne Avenue as “Jayanna Powell Way” in honor of the victim of a hit-and-run accident on that block in November 2016. Eight-year-old Jayanna Powell was tragically killed while walking home from school by a reckless driver who was apprehended weeks later after fleeing the scene of the accident. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Today, Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved two major initiatives championed by Councilmember Ahmad: Bill Number 250849, which prohibits employers from discriminating against workers because they are experiencing menopause, perimenopause, or menstruation, and Resolution Number 251004, which urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to advance House Bill 1286 requiring human trafficking awareness training for hotel, motel, and short-term rental workers.“Menopause, perimenopause, and menstruation are daily realities for a huge share of our workforce,” said Councilmember Ahmad. “No one should be mocked, sidelined, or pushed out of a job because of what their body is going through.”Separately, House Bill 1286 would ensure that workers who clean rooms, staff front desks, and handle check-ins are trained to spot the warning signs of human trafficking—someone appearing distressed, heavily monitored, or unable to speak for themselves—and know how to respond safely.“These workers are often the first people to see that something is terribly wrong,” Councilmember Ahmad said. “Giving them real training is common-sense prevention that can change, and even save, lives. We’re calling on Harrisburg to move. I thank State Rep. Young for her unwavering leadership on this pressing matter.”“HB 1286 is about giving hotel, motel, and short-term rental workers the tools to recognize exploitation and a clear, safe way to report it. Human trafficking doesn’t just happen... Read more

“This is a victory worth celebrating as we continue to fight to create a fairer tax system,” said Rabb, D-Phila. “Pennsylvania’s tax system should stop penalizing low-income households while allowing the wealthiest to pay less than their fair share. The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit is a meaningful step toward that vision, and one that will help nearly a million families keep more of what they earn.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Nov. 18 – The Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Reps. Scott Conklin and Ed Neilson that would make it easier for businesses to install high-tech electrified security systems. House Bill 1871 would eliminate the ambiguity and red tape that often prevents businesses from installing these systems by establishing guidelines for their use. “A good commercial security system can be essential for businesses, and some of the best systems available today use state-of-the-art electrified components that are installed inside barrier fences or walls,” said Conklin, who is majority chairman of the House Commerce Committee. “Unfortunately, many businesses attempting to install and use these systems face regulatory red tape that slows or even prevents their use. “My bill would establish parameters for using these systems, to give Pennsylvania businesses quick, simple access to the technology most effective at protecting employees and safeguarding property. Over 30 other states have already enacted similar legislation to ease use of these systems. It’s time to give our own workers the same level of protection and our businesses the security they need to remain competitive.” Neilson, who is the bill’s co-prime sponsor, said: “Businesses are vulnerable to theft or vandalism, and employees can face violence when they lack adequate protective Read more