January 26, 2024
HARRISBURG, PA – January 26, 2024 − Today, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic caucus praise Governor Shapiro’s new blueprint for higher education, which seeks to expand access to higher education for Pennsylvania’s learners while consolidating governance and moving towards a more predictable, performance-based funding formula.
“I greet the Governor’s higher education blueprint with excitement. As we grapple with dysfunction in higher education and the burdens of student loan debt, we must reimagine our systems in Pennsylvania to set up our students for success and prepare them for the demands of the modern workforce,” said Senator Costa. “The Governor’s plan will strengthen our State System of Higher Education and our community colleges, make higher education more affordable for those who want to seek it, and provide a better governance structure providing for better continuity in our workforce training pipeline and for transparency and accountability. I look forward to continued conversations with all partners and stakeholders coming to the table as we go forward in developing this plan.”
Senator Costa is a proud alumnus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as well as the Community College of Allegheny County, where he presently serves as a board member.
Senator Vincent Hughes, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, said the following:
“The Governor’s proposal has the potential to transform higher education in Pennsylvania. Making higher education affordable has been priority for me and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, and I applaud Governor Shapiro’s focus on tackling Pennsylvania’s shortcomings head on. I look forward to hearing more and working with him to make the Commonwealth’s higher education offerings the best in the nation.”
State Senator Judy Schwank, who sits on the PASSHE board of governors, said the following:
“The Governor has proposed an innovative plan to revitalize higher education in the Commonwealth. During my tenure as a PASSHE board member, I’ve come to recognize the necessity of approaching higher education in a more comprehensive manner. This blueprint is a great starting point that I am excited to support and help further develop.”
Governor Shapiro’s blueprint is accessible in full here. Among other things, the blueprint seeks to:
- Create a new system for higher education that unites the PASSHE universities and 15 community colleges under a new governance system
- Cap tuition at $1000/semester for learners making up to the median income in Pennsylvania
- Fund institutions of higher education on a performance-based formula that incentivize increased enrollment, graduation rate, and workforce development in areas of shortage, specifically education and nursing.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus’ commitment to an excellent education for every Pennsylvanian here.
March 6, 2023
HARRISBURG, PA – March 6, 2023 – On Friday, March 3rd Senators Street, Schwank, Tartaglione and Hughes, reintroduced Sacred Spaces legislation, amending Section 3307 of Title 18 (Institutional Vandalism) to enhance the existing statute to give District Attorneys expanded options for combating vandalism of sacred spaces such as faith institutions, cemeteries, or memorials.
Senator Sharif Street shared that “at minimum, it is our responsibility as a government to ensure Pennsylvanians are free to express themselves, including their religious beliefs, without fear or risk of retribution. The continued defacement of places of worship is meant to intimidate whole communities and an inadequate response to these acts of hate inevitably results in more violent acts of intolerance.”
In recent years there has been an increase in the deliberate vandalism of churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship by those who wish to express hate. On February 25, 2023, a “National Day of Hate” garnered significant attention and warnings from law enforcement about rising antisemitism and possible attacks on religious institutions across the United States.
Senator Judy Schwank stated that “Faith-based hatred and vandalism is deeply disturbing and has no place in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, we’ve witnessed vandalism at religious and sacred spaces increase over the past few years. The protecting sacred spaces legislation we are introducing will send a clear message to those that wish to spread hate and intimidate other that they will be held accountable for their actions.”
In Philadelphia Jewish cemeteries have been targeted by vandals and on February 24th, 2023, the Philadelphia Masjidullah Mosque was defaced. On February 8th, 2023, in Reading, the Jesus is Alive World Center was severely damaged accruing more than $70,000 in repair costs. Religious intolerance, whether through rhetoric or acts of hate, have increasing consequences.
“In a state that was founded on the principle of religious liberty, it is abhorrent to see continued attacks and intimidation on and to our Commonwealth’s places of worship,” said Senator Tartaglione, “expanding the tools prosecutors across Pennsylvania can use to protect sacred spaces is a crucial step in combatting the hate we have seen grow out of the dark and dangerous fringes of society.”
Senator Vincent Hughes echoed that sentiment, stating “I’m proud to partner with my colleagues on this legislation, because acts of vandalism and hate against our sacred spaces have no place in Pennsylvania.”
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December 9, 2021
Reading, PA – December 9, 2021 − First Lady Frances Wolf joined members of the General Assembly and representatives from the charitable food network today at Mary’s Shelter in Reading to announce an $11.4 million investment in cold storage infrastructure for food banks serving every county of Pennsylvania.
“It is critical that we turn the lessons learned throughout the pandemic into meaningful action that will make a difference in the lives of people in Pennsylvania,” said First Lady Wolf. “This investment will result in a better, stronger, more resilient food system, which translates to a better, stronger, more resilient commonwealth.”
The COVID-19 Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan, is a grant program that will allow Pennsylvania’s food banks to purchase, expand, or upgrade cold storage facilities to ensure that they can deliver fresh food to struggling families. Eligible purchases include refrigerators, coolers, freezers, refrigerator trailers and cargo vans, building expansions, and more. This program will touch all 67 counties and is essential to addressing food insecurity and food waste.
The program will fund the following food banks across the commonwealth, through an award of $11,392,345 to Feeding Pennsylvania:
- Alliance for Nonprofit Resources – $276,000, serving Butler County
- Bucks County Opportunity Council – $55,025, serving Bucks County
- Central PA Food Bank – $2,585,000, serving Adams, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties
- Chester County Food Bank — $621,005, serving Chester County
- Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County – $137,000, serving Mercer County
- Fayette County Community Action Agency – $130,000, serving Fayette County
- Food for Families – Cambria – $279,000, serving Cambria County
- Food Helpers – Washington – $346,000, serving Washington County
- Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank – $1,241,740, serving Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Greene, Lawrence, and Somerset counties
- Helping Harvest – Berks/Schuylkill – $1,077,000, serving Berks and Schuylkill counties
- Indiana County Community Action Program – $265,000, serving Indiana County
- Philabundance – $156,000, serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties
- Share Food Program – $2,604,000, serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties
- SHFB of Lehigh Valley and NEPA – $60,900, serving Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne counties
- SHFB of Northwest PA – $748,675, serving Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Mckean, Venango, and Warren counties
- Weinberg NEPA Regional Food Bank – $580,000, serving Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties
- Westmoreland County Food Bank – $80,000, serving Westmoreland County
- York County Food Bank – $150,000, serving York County
“It’s become very clear over the past year or so that food insecurity is a major problem not just in the commonwealth, but across the nation. The investments the Wolf Administration is making in food banks will bolster our ability to get food into the hands of people who need it the most,” said Senator Judy Schwank. “Additionally, offering a great diversity of nutritious, fresh food products thanks to refrigeration units will greatly benefit the health of Pennsylvanians.”
Governor Tom Wolf has worked to simultaneously support the charitable food system and agriculture industry throughout his administration by continuously investing in programs that connect surplus agricultural foods with families in need and funding projects to decrease food waste. Gov. Wolf first funded the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System Program in 2015 and has since invested more than $20 million to support farmers and families facing food insecurity.
In 2019, the Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant Program was created to address cold storage needs for food banks and reduce waste of fresh food. When COVID-19 came to Pennsylvania in 2020, Gov. Wolf expanded the program and increased funding from $4 million to $9.6 million ensure food needs were met. This Cold Storage Infrastructure Program will work further meet the breadth of needs identified during the review process for the Food Recovery Infrastructure Program.
“Feeding more Pennsylvania families requires increasing capacity for transportation, refrigeration and measures to ensure that food is safe,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “These investments help Pennsylvania agriculture continue to grow, feed our economy and strengthen the charitable food system across the commonwealth.”
“The charitable food network is beyond grateful for this investment in our food banks and our partner agencies like Mary’s Shelter to increase our capacity to store and transport fresh and frozen food,” said Feeding Pennsylvania Chief Executive Officer Jane Clements in Reading today. “We are grateful to the Wolf Administration and Democratic Leadership for recognizing this critical need that will support so many food insecure Pennsylvanians.”
The Cold Storage Infrastructure Grant Program was championed by the House and Senate Democrats.
“Since the pandemic, local food cupboards and pantries have shared with me the increase in demand for food and services,” Rep Christine Sappey, D-Chester, said. “The Chester County Food Bank serves as a pivotal connection in the distribution of donated goods to local partner organizations throughout the county, so it’s important that they have the ability to ensure safe, healthy nutrition reaches families that need it. This funding will help the Food Bank accomplish that.”
“Over the course of this pandemic, we saw lines of cars for miles of people waiting for food assistance from our local food banks. It was a stark visual reminder of just how many of our neighbors live with food insecurity or are just one missed paycheck away from it,” Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, said. “I am proud to see the Governor recognizing the essential role food banks played in getting us through this pandemic and that he has made a commitment to ensure that they receive the necessary investments to continue and to expand their vital work in our communities.”
“For many of our neighbors, not knowing when their next meal will be or where it is coming from is a daily struggle,” Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, said. “As food insecurity continues to affect more and more of our most vulnerable citizens, it is vital to take a proactive approach in combatting this epidemic through initiatives such as ensuring our local food banks are properly equipped and funded. I am proud to see these resources be earmarked for such a worthwhile cause and look forward to exploring avenues to expand funding to all area food banks.”
“Food banks play a vital role in helping those in our community put food on the table,” Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, said. “By bolstering cold food storage, food banks can focus on providing quality, healthy food to those who need it rather than worrying about if their donations are going to spoil.”
“On the heels of the pandemic, I’m thrilled that Gov. Wolf’s administration is making this much needed investment to help strengthen food banks across the Commonwealth. As well, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage falls woefully short of what individuals need to make ends meet,” said Sen. Tim Kearney. “Having a strong foundation for our food banks will help ensure no individual or family will have to choose between putting food on the table or paying for other critical bills like rent or prescription medication.”
“I’m thrilled to see ARP funds being used to fund cold storage infrastructure for our food banks. Getting these dollars into the communities that have been hardest hit by not just the pandemic, but also by factors such as the loss of reliable public transportation, the lack of healthy options available in neighborhoods, and economic downturns that began long before 2020 has been an enormous priority for me and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus,” said Sen. Lindsey Williams. “We need to spend this money in ways that give us the best return on our investment, and the Cold Storage Infrastructure Program is a perfect example of how to do this.”
For more on the Wolf Administration’s efforts to improve food security throughout the commonwealth, visit agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity.
May 12, 2021
Harrisburg, Pa. – May 12, 2021 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats unveiled the “New Deal for PA” – a $6.15 billion investment of federal funds coming to the Commonwealth pursuant to the American Rescue Plan.
“My Senate democratic colleagues and I today announced our plan to help Pennsylvania recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic. The New Deal for PA focuses on three major topics: Jobs, Opportunity and Equity,” Schwank said. “It’s going to take time to bring us back to “normal,” but this plan starts us on the right foot.”
The New Deal for PA focuses on Jobs, Opportunity, and Equity with the following breakdown:
People — $2.470 billion
21st Century Child Care
Business Assistance
Education/Community Supports
Job Training/Workforce Development
Utility Assistance
Projects — $2.493 billion
Economic Development
Infrastructure
Public Health — $1.185 billion
Public Health Equity/Vaccine Confidence
Rewarding Frontline Worker Service
By making targeted investments in people, projects, and public health, we can use this once-in-a-lifetime infusion of federal funds into PA to make positive, long-lasting improvements that will lay the foundation to create transformative change across the Commonwealth.
The New Deal for PA uses a data-driven approach to respond to what we learned during the pandemic.
The caucus looked at the current situation to determine where financial assistance is still necessary to help individuals, families, and small business recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic. Then, the caucus looked ahead and assessed how to best invest ARP funds to ensure that we come out of the pandemic better than we went in and build resiliency across the commonwealth in preparation for the next crisis.
Finally, the caucus compared its proposal with the U.S. Treasury guidance released on May 10, 2021, to ensure we are on solid footing in using the funds as we propose.
Federal guidance on allowable uses of the funds coming to Pennsylvania from the American Rescue Plan’s (“ARP”) State Fiscal Relief Fund was released on May 10, 2021. Pennsylvania will receive approximately $7.3 billion in flexible funding from the State Fiscal Relief Fund. Senate Democrats believe it is time to begin the conversation on investing these funds so we can allocate the monies with the FY 2021-2022 budget
The Senate Democrats’ proposal distributes $6.05 billion from the following sources:
State Fiscal Relief Fund — $4,797,500,000
Capital Projects Fund — $280,000,000
ESSER Fund — $505,000,000
Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools — $150,000,000
Pandemic Response Fund — $25,000,000
Other Funds — $55,000,000
Local Matching Funds — $335,000,000
Counties and municipalities will receive approximately $6.1 billion from the American Rescue Plan’s Local Fiscal Relief Fund and school districts will receive approximately $4.5 billion from the ESSER Fund. If these local government units take advantage of these programs, state matching funds will average approximately $4 for every $1 of local funding.
The Senate Democratic Caucus plan targets investments to craft a just recovery so Pennsylvania can Build Back Better.
More information on the plan can be found at PASenate.com/NewDeal
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March 12, 2021
BUCKS COUNTY − March 12, 2021 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) was joined by Democratic colleagues today in New Hope to announce their action to protect clean drinking water for millions of Pennsylvanians from the environmental hazards of fracking. Their action is in response to a lawsuit filed by Republican senators against the Delaware River Basin Commission to allow natural gas drilling in the Delaware River Basin in Pennsylvania.
Arguing for the constitutional right of millions of Pennsylvanians to clean water, the motion to intervene was filed earlier in the day in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in the case of Yaw v. The Delaware River Basin Commission. Republican caucus members had filed suit against the DRBC in January 2021, and in late February the Delaware River Keeper Network successfully intervened in the case.
“Clean water and air is a constitutional right for all Pennsylvanians, and it’s the duty of the General Assembly to ensure those rights are not infringed upon,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “The people of Bucks County – and the rest of the Delaware River Basin – have a constitutional right to clean, safe drinking water. We are not going to allow the oil and gas industry to contaminate that water. Working within its authority, the DRBC has been a steadfast champion for protecting the assets of the Delaware River Basin since its inception. Thanks to the DRBC and the work of environmental advocates, an incredible amount of progress has been made over the years to clean our waterways and create a reliable source of drinking water for millions of people. We have come too far to cede that progress to the damaging effects of fracking on our environment and land.”
“The DRBC was created 60 years ago to manage the river system and protect our water resources, including protecting the watershed from the harmful impacts of fracking,” said Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-19), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “The DRBC exercised its authority, with all four basin states voting to ban fracking. Individual Pennsylvania legislators don’t get to pick and choose when it comes to the compact’s decisions. We support the DRBC in its decision to ban fracking – one that upholds Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment and protects our right to clean water.”
More than a decade ago, DRBC unanimously voted in favor of a moratorium on fracking pending the adoption of new regulations. Since then, the Commission has received almost 80,000 public comments which have been considered in updated draft rules.
“There is mounting evidence from throughout our Commonwealth that fracking cannot be conducted safely and, in many cases, permanently and completely contaminates our shared drinking water resources,” said Sen. Katie Muth. “I applaud the Delaware River Basin Commission for preventing this dangerous and harmful industrial activity from rendering the drinking water for 8.3 million Pennsylvanians unsafe and unusable. Moreover, I am appalled that my Senate colleagues from the Majority Party are willing to sacrifice the health of their constituents in the name of industry profit. Without water, our homes are rendered valueless, our public health severely deteriorates due to toxic and radioactive fracking waste, and our environment is polluted for generations to come. I stand in defense of the public health and environmental quality for all Pennsylvanians and strongly oppose any effort to harm our drinking water resources in the name of corporate greed.”
“Clean drinking water is a constitutional right in Pennsylvania, and an imperative to our health and survival as a species,” said Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-17). “The Delaware River Basin delivers drinking water to 13.3 million people. We joined the DCRB to maintain the safety of that water. Legislators who are threatening that mission should be ashamed of their thinly veiled attempt at a power grab. The citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvanian and the citizens of New York, New Jersey and Delaware have an inviolable right to keeping this water, their drinking water, clean.”
Five million Pennsylvanians across 17 counties reside in the Basin, which includes Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia counties. The Delaware River Basin spans 6,471 square miles in the Commonwealth, across 522 municipalities.
“I chose to sign on as an intervenor in this case because I know my constituents and all Pennsylvanians take seriously their constitutional right to clean air and water,” said Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11). “It is my solemn and sworn duty to protect that right. This may be our last stand in attempting to protect the waters of the Delaware River Basin from the environmental hazards created by fracking. These waters are a drinking, agricultural and industrial water resource for more than 13 million Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and New Jersey residents.”
Sen. Maria Collett (D-12) added, “My constituents and I know firsthand what it’s like to have to fight for “pure water” as guaranteed by the Environmental Rights Amendment of the Pennsylvania Constitution and the terror felt when that bond has been broken. The argument made by my Republican colleagues that, as trustees of Pennsylvania’s national resources under this Amendment, they must protect the pecuniary value of such resources over the health and survival of the people and ecosystems dependent on them is not just unconstitutional, it’s inhuman.”
Sen. Vince Hughes (D-7) said, “Protecting the quality of ground and surface water and the future of the Delaware River Basin has broad support from the public in Pennsylvania and the other three states impacted by the Delaware River Basin Commission. Simply put, the commission is acting to protect those interests and the right to pure water. We join in this suit to protect those rights and to prevent adverse impacts from affecting our region.”
In a February 2021 DRBC meeting the 4 member states unanimously voted to ban fracking in the Delaware River Basin. During the special meeting, the United States abstained from the vote, but indicated support for the result.
“My colleagues and I are intervening to fight for the 13 million people who get their water from the Delaware River Basin and protect the Constitutional right of all Pennsylvanians to clean air and clean water,” said Sen. John Kane (D-9). “The DRBC voted unanimously to ban fracking after hearing tens of thousands of comments over several years — that’s what our communities want, and that’s how to keep Pennsylvanians safe. I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues in intervening in support of the DRBC.”
Sen. Sharif Street (D-3) said, “The Delaware River Basin Commission’s decision is not only within their authority as custodians of the waters of the Delaware River Basin but is also constitutionally sound. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to protect our environment and the people of Pennsylvania. ”
Environmental groups have long advocated for protecting the Delaware River Basin and for the constitutional right of all Pennsylvanians to clean air and water. They shared their overwhelming support for the Democratic Senators’ intervention in the lawsuit in written statements.
In a statement read during the press conference, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania said, “We would like to thank Senator Santarsiero and his colleagues in the Pennsylvania Senate for filing a motion to intervene in Yaw v. DRBC. Thousands of residents and countless elected officials and experts have spoken out in support of banning fracking in the Delaware River Basin.”
Maya van Rossum, leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network said, “The Delaware River is irreplaceably important to our entire region. To allow it to be sacrificed to the fracking industry, to be used to advance the climate crisis, and to be used to help advance an industry that is devastating the health, safety, lives, property values, quality of life and local economies of entire communities is indefensible. It is even worse that the republican legislative caucus, Senators Yaw and Baker would be seeking to misuse Pennsylvania’s constitutional environmental rights amendment and to deny Pennsylvania’s support for the Delaware River Basin Commission is an abuse of power and trust. I would like to thank Senator Steve Santarsiero and the legislators of the Democratic Caucus for seeking to join the ongoing lawsuit so they can rise up and defend our river, our environment and the environmental rights of the people of Pennsylvania.”
“PennEnvironment applauds the state senators who’ve come together today from across the Delaware River watershed to stand up and defend this great river,” said PennEnvironment Executive Director David Masur in a written statement. “Fracking shouldn’t be allowed anywhere, much less near an iconic natural waterway like the Delaware River, which provides drinking water for millions of Americans. Given that local Pennsylvanians voiced their overwhelming support for protecting the Delaware River from fracking during the public input processes, it’s unfortunate that the elected officials who are the plaintiffs in the ‘Yaw v. DRBC’ case are using the courts to undo the will of local residents.
The Democratic Caucus members who have signed onto the lawsuit are Senators Steve Santarsiero (D- Bucks), Carolyn Comitta (D- Chester), Amanda Cappelletti (D- Montgomery, Delaware), Maria Collett (D- Montgomery, Bucks), Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Art Haywood (D- Montgomery, Philadelphia), Vince Hughes (D- Philadelphia), John Kane (D- Chester, Delaware), Tim Kearney (D- Delaware), Katie Muth (D- Berks, Chester, Montgomery), John Sabatina (D- Philadelphia), Nikil Saval (D- Philadelphia), Judy Schwank (D- Berks), Sharif Street (D- Philadelphia), Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) , and Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia).
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February 19, 2021
HARRISBURG – February 19, 2021 – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia) were joined by several Democratic House and Senate members from a cross Pennsylvania on Friday to call for repairs to hazardous and toxic schools across Pennsylvania.
Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland), Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Rep. Kyle Mullins (D-Lackawanna) pointed to public school buildings in their districts in desperate need of repair during the virtual press conference. The legislators spoke in support of recently unveiled proposals in the House and Senate pushing for significant investment in school infrastructure.
“Today’s event addressed conditions in schools all across the commonwealth, and make no mistake, these same hazardous and toxic conditions exist in communities represented by the Republican caucuses,” Sen. Hughes said. “Rural, suburban and urban communities alike face daunting challenges because of our aging public school buildings. We cannot wait any longer to act. I am grateful to my colleagues for their support on this legislation, as well as the awareness they are helping raise for this important issue.”
The first proposal would expand the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) by $1 billion to help address health hazards in public school buildings across Pennsylvania. Gov. Tom Wolf put forth the RACP proposal as a top priority in his recent 2021-22 budget address.
“Our schools were already dangerous places for students, educators and staff before the pandemic hit,” Rep. Fiedler said. “As we seek to make schools safe in the age of COVID, we are determined to also remediate the lead, asbestos and other toxins. Our coalition is powerful. Together, we are committed to investing state dollars in our public buildings and giving communities across Pennsylvania the schools they deserve!”
The second proposal would create the Public School Building Emergency Repair and Renovation Grant program, distributing grants to public schools for emergency repairs including lead and asbestos abatement or remediation, HVAC repair or replacement, electrical system repair or replacement, plumbing repair or replacement, roof and window repair or replacement and other repairs or replacements that present a health or safety issue. This proposal would rely on federal funding provided through the American Rescue Plan.
“Safe and healthy school environments are vital to the success of our students, teachers and staff,” Sen. Brewster said. “As a former educator, I know firsthand the importance of a safe environment for a student’s physical health and academic achievement. While touring schools throughout the district and discussing concerns with numerous school officials, it is evident that assistance in bringing our public school buildings up to date is a top priority. The proposals discussed this morning will give districts the opportunity to make these necessary upgrades.”
Pennsylvania has some of the oldest school buildings in the nation. Most school buildings were constructed between 1950 and 1959. More than 200 buildings constructed prior to 1950. The aging buildings pose many health hazards including lead in the drinking water; asbestos in cracked floor tiles; mold outbreaks in classrooms; broken boilers in the winter; and no air conditioning in the summer.
“Pennsylvania students’ ability to access a quality education is fundamental to our Commonwealth’s future,” Sen. Schwank said. “But how can we expect our students to learn if they are in unfit and unsafe classrooms? Too many schools were in terrible physical condition even prior to the pandemic. They should have been repaired long ago, and now we are facing a crisis. If we truly want to provide a safe environment for our students, faculty and staff these bills must be passed.“
Legislators are hopeful to gain bipartisan support for the initiative to repair schools statewide. Beyond the clear benefits in creating healthier, safer schools, they point to the potential economic impact from the jobs that would be created as a result of the infrastructure investment.
“No child’s health, safety, or the quality of their education should be safeguarded any less simply because of what school district they happen to live in,” Rep. Mullins said. “It is long overdue that state leaders finally rectify these chronic inequities across our school districts and recognize these as matters of civil rights and public health.”
In 2018, the Public School Building Construction And Reconstruction Advisory Committee released the PlanCon final report. The legislature has not funded programs to address the facilities issued raised in the PlanCon report. Conditions in many districts have worsened, and become more costly, as a result of inaction.
Click here to watch the full press event.
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December 10, 2020
HARRISBURG – December 10, 2020 – Today the following members of the Pennsylvania State Senate signed a joint statement – set forth below – denouncing the brazen attempt of the attorneys general of Texas and seventeen other states to disenfranchise millions of Pennsylvanians and voters in three other states by asking the United States Supreme Court to prevent electors in Pennsylvania and those other states that voted for Joe Biden from certifying him the winner when they meet in Harrisburg and the other state capitals on Monday, December 14.
The statement reads as follows:
“The lawsuit by the attorneys general of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia is based on the outright lie that voter fraud prevented Donald Trump from getting re-elected. Since Election Day, the Trump legal team has filed scores of such suits trying to overturn the will of the people. Time and again, the judges in those matters – in many cases conservative, Republican judges, some of whom Donald Trump appointed himself – have found that there was no evidence to support those claims and dismissed the suits accordingly.
The bedrock of our democracy is the right to vote and the right of voters to be sure that their votes will be counted. This lawsuit and the others like them are a direct attack on that fundamental principle. It seeks to perpetuate the lie that the presidential election was somehow stolen. While partisan politics – and a desire to appease the president’s restive base – may be the motivation for this latest court challenge, allowing it to go forward in silence is dangerous and, we believe, would constitute a dereliction of our duty as elected representatives of the people to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The facts are these: Joe Biden received over 81 million votes, more than any candidate for president in the history of the United States and about 7 million more than Donald Trump. He received 80,555 more votes than the president in Pennsylvania. Mr. Biden received the most votes in 25 states and the District of Columbia, and, therefore, on December 14 when the Electoral College convenes, will be awarded 306 electoral votes, 36 more than the 270 needed to be elected president. Every vote cast for Joe Biden was cast freely and fairly, whether in person or by mail. In each state the vote-counting process was transparent and undertaken pursuant to law. Local and state officials, both Republican and Democratic alike, have attested to those facts, and, as noted, the courts have agreed. Joe Biden won the election.
Donald Trump has lost his bid for re-election; he seems incapable of accepting that fact. For the first time in American History, a sitting president who lost re-election has refused to acknowledge his loss, acting instead like a would-be autocrat who cannot accept any outcome that does not have him staying in power. While that may be a commentary on the character of the man, it cannot be a cause for setting aside the will of the people.
All of us have a responsibility – indeed we would go so far as to say a sacred duty – to ourselves, our fellow Americans and generations to come to prevent the lie that this election was stolen from living on and undermining future elections. For these reasons we have signed this statement and call upon others to likewise speak out and denounce this lawsuit against our state for what it is: an attack on our democracy.”
Signed,
Senator Steve Santarsiero, 10th District
Senator Vincent Hughes, 7th District
Senator Maria Collett, 12th District
Senator Judy Schwank, 11th District
Senator Tim Kearney, 26th District
Senator Christine Tartaglione, 2nd District
Sen.-Elect Amanda M. Cappelletti, 17th District
Sen.-Elect Carolyn Comitta, 19th District
Senator Jay Costa, 43rd District
Senator Anthony H. Williams, 8thDistrict
Senator Katie Muth, 44th District
Senator Art Haywood, 4th District
Senator Sharif Street, 3rdDistrict
Senator Lindsey Williams, 38th District
Sen.-Elect Nikil Saval, 1st District
Sen.-Elect John Kane, 9th District
August 27, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – August 27, 2020 – Today, State Senators Iovino, Street, Brewster, Schwank, and Hughes joined members of the Commonwealth’s small business community via Zoom to advocate for bipartisan legislation that would help Pennsylvania businesses file claims on their business interruption insurance policies, a potential source of funds that could help prevent businesses from being forced to close their doors. Business interruption insurance is coverage that replaces income lost in the event that business is halted due to a disaster. Since the pandemic and resulting shutdown, many Pennsylvania small businesses have sought financial relief by filing claims on their business interruption insurance policies, only to be denied due to ambiguous insurance policy language.
“To confront the most daunting economic challenge of our time, we need to put in place every available option to provide safety nets and recovery tools to support our businesses and our economy – and that includes business interruption insurance,” said Senator Pam Iovino (D – Allegheny & Washington). “Businesses that have consistently paid their business interruption insurance premiums expect their insurance coverage to provide security during a time of need. They need to know that a lifeline they planned for is available and within reach, and this bipartisan bill would do just that.”
Senator Iovino’s legislation, Senate Bill 1127, is designed to clarify Pennsylvania law and specifically applies to businesses with business interruption coverage that contains a “civil authority” clause. These clauses provide protections when government action, typically taken in response to a natural disaster or similar life-threatening event, prevents the business from operating. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has characterized the pandemic as a “natural disaster and a catastrophe of massive proportions.” Also, the legislation would clarify that the presence of COVID-19 in a community constitutes “property damage.”
Under this legislation, businesses would not receive additional payment beyond what their existing coverage permits. Insurance companies would not be mandated to immediately pay claims – the normal claims review process would take place before any payments are made.
Senate Bill 1127 was referred to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on April 30. The next step in the legislative process would be a Senate hearing.
“The economic damage caused by the pandemic is something our communities have never faced,” said Senator Sharif Street (D – Philadelphia). Small businesses are the foundation of economic ecosystems throughout communities in the Commonwealth, we must do all we can to sustain them. As Democratic Chair of the Banking & Insurance committee I am committed to working with Chairman Scavello (R) to convene a hearing pending growing reports of businesses across communities having their insurance claims denied. This bill will ensure that we protect the small businesses that drive our economy which have been interrupted through no fault of their own. I’m proud to join Senator Iovino, a leader in this bipartisan effort. “
“Businesses that have paid insurance premiums to financially protect themselves when there is an interruption in operations – such as when the coronavirus pandemic struck – shouldn’t have to struggle when a claim is made,” said Senator Jim Brewster (D – Allegheny & Westmoreland). “Entrepreneurs and small business owners rely on insurance to cover these types of situations.
Covering losses from situations beyond the control of businesses is exactly why you buy and pay for insurance. There should be no problems when operations are suspended and claims are filed.”
Lori Poe, who co-owns The Tandem Connection Bike & Running Shop in Washington County with her husband, said “if we were able to get some reimbursement from our insurance company for the business interruptions and loss of our second store, it would help us stay above water in the winter months when we are typically very slow. We appreciate Senator Iovino, her staff, and other legislators going to bat for the small businesses in our area.”
“As President/CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest regional chambers in the Commonwealth, I feel compelled to advocate and to support legislation that is specifically designed to add a ‘lifeline’ to our small business community devastated by the pandemic,” said Chris Heck. “Financial relief should not be denied to those due to ambivalent insurance policy language. We support Senate Bill 1127, introduced by our PA Senator, Pam Iovino.”
“There’s no doubt about it – small businesses in Pennsylvania are suffering,” Senator Judy Schwank (D – Berks) said. “These businesses, which have done everything we’ve asked of them, should not be further penalized by their insurance carriers because of vague language.”
Jack Goodrich, a Pittsburgh attorney who specializes in business interruption insurance claims, said that “all we want to do is protect the small business owners that are the backbone of this country. They paid their premiums for years and deserve compensation now for their business losses through no fault of their own.”
“Small businesses all across Pennsylvania are bearing an undue share of the economic collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” said state Senator Vincent Hughes (D – Philadelphia & Montgomery). “Taking action on business interruption insurance is a must. We should be providing every option possible to help their survival and recovery because they are the backbone of our economy.”
A downloadable video of today’s virtual press conference can be accessed here.
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June 8, 2020
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19 Emergency Supplement to the General Appropriation Act of 2019 and was a centerpiece of the caucus’ PA CARES Plan.
The aid will be distributed as follows: $100 million is set to go to the Main Street Business Revitalization Program, $100 million to the Historically Disadvantaged Business Revitalization Program, and $25 million for loan payment deferment and loss reserves for loans impacted by COVID-19. The aid will be directed by the Department of Community and Economic Development to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), which are intimately familiar with the needs of the most vulnerable small businesses in our communities.
“I want to thank Governor Wolf for engaging leadership in the General Assembly to inform the process of moving federal aid out to those who have been most harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. I also want to thank the leadership of the Senate Democratic caucus who worked with our members to formulate a strategic plan for the deployment of nearly $4 billion in federal assistance,” said state Senator John Blake (D-Lackawanna). “The Main Street Business Revitalization program is a reflection of that cooperation and leadership and it will meet Pennsylvania’s small business owners where they are, on Main Street, after nearly three months of lost or no sales. It will enable small business owners throughout the commonwealth to meet their insurance payments, rents, health insurance premiums, local taxes and other expenses that they otherwise could not meet due to lost sales. Finally, I want to thank the 17 CDFIs throughout the state as well as DCED for their professionalism, agility, urgency and dedication to getting this federal funding to the small businesses who need it most as quickly as possible.”
Eligible businesses will apply through one of the CDFI Network partners and will have to have been operating on or before February 15, 2020, and must have paid taxes to state and federal governments. Qualifying main street and historically disadvantaged small businesses must have 25 or fewer employees and experienced losses as a result of Gov. Tom Wolf’s March 19 stay-at-home order. Organizations seeking grants from the historically disadvantaged small businesses program must also be 51 percent owned and managed by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
“The announcement of the Main Street and Historically Disadvantaged Business Revitalization Programs will provide welcomed relief for mom and pop businesses in neighborhoods across the commonwealth,” said State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery). “Since this pandemic began, we have heard the needs of the auto body shops, the barbershops, the beauticians, the pizza shop owners, the soul food establishments and other businesses in our communities. The needs of these businesses that were unable to get much needed help from other state and federal programs were a priority in our Senate Democratic Caucus’ April 29 PA CARES Program announcement. For months, my office has worked with a network of trusted community organizations that have a proven track record of working with our small CDFIs to find a solution to assist our neighborhood businesses. I believe these programs are that solution. There is still more work to be done, but these programs are a win for Pennsylvania and its small businesses.”
Businesses will be eligible for up to $50,000 in grants. Grants can be used to cover operating expenses during the shutdown and in the transition period to reopening, technical assistance and training, debt payment relief for CDFI borrowers and loan loss reserves.
“Our small businesses all across the state made sacrifices so that we could flatten the curve of COVID-19 and save lives,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. “Now as we begin to recover, our businesses will need and deserve assistance to reopen their doors, rehire their staff and serve our communities again. We thank them for their patience through this difficult time, and are ready to offer the programs, loans and assistance they need.”
Businesses will be required to submit proposals for review documenting sales losses, projected revenues, the duration of closure as a result of COVID-19, and relief receipts for other federal, state and local government aid. Eligible businesses will apply directly through a local CDFI.
“One of the goals of the pandemic-recovery stimulus plan that I offered in March, was to jump-start business operations and speed the economic recovery by making resources readily available to get more men and women back to work quicker,” Brewster said. “Using federal CARE dollars to bolster business and smooth the back-to-work transition is critically important. The caucus CARES initiative includes one piece of the plan and will be especially useful to small businesses as they cover expenses and manage start-up costs. Plus, it will usher in help for small businesses who may not have been able to access other state or federal business assistance programs.”
Distributed funds will be monitored by DCED to track the total number of grants awarded under these programs including county, the number of jobs saved by the grants, the total amount of loan payment and deferment, administrative costs and more.
“Thank you to Governor Wolf and his administration for recognizing the need for our Main Street Business Revitalization Program and incorporating that proposal into the Commonwealth’s plan to support our small businesses, which represent nearly half of the private sector workforce in Pennsylvania – 2.5 million jobs,” said Senator Iovino (D-Allegheny/Washington). “Small businesses are the job creators in our communities, the revenue generators for our Commonwealth, and the cornerstone of vibrant main streets. As small business owners are struggling to hang on, this $225 million grant package is exactly the kind of lifeline that these economic drivers need to support our recovery.”
For more about the caucus’ comprehensive, people-focused COVID-19 recovery plan, visit pasenate.com/pacares.
April 8, 2020
Harrisburg, PA − April 8, 2020 − The Senate adjourned Tuesday afternoon after the House Republicans indicated they would not be taking up Senate Bill 841, legislation that would have enabled local municipalities to hold their meetings remotely, permitted e-notary use; lengthened the time period a property tax payer can receive an early payment discount and delay penalties for late payments to Dec. 31st; and allowed businesses to make delayed payments on EITC. Another important amendment offered by Senator Pam Iovino (D-Allegheny) allowed school districts to renegotiate contracts to ensure contracted school workers can get paid and continue to receive benefits.
The amended SB 841 passed the Senate with bipartisan support. While the Senate Democrats and Republicans chose to put partisan difference aside, the House Republicans were pushing to please special interests and big donors. Intending to use this crisis as leverage, Speaker Turzai and his caucus passed legislation to prematurely allow businesses to reopen during this public health crisis and create a partisan task force to interfere with the Governor’s disaster response, both of which unnecessarily risk lives and threaten to expend the emergency.
“While the Governor and Department of Health Secretary offer leadership on public safety in daily briefings and Democratic members of the PA House and Senate draft legislation to protect working people who are either out of work or employed on the front lines of essential businesses, Republicans are putting lives at risk and undermining the Governor and Secretary Levine’s best efforts to end this crisis,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. “Instead of taking the advice of our Health Secretary, they are trying to slow down our response and hasten the re-opening of non-essential businesses against the guidance of every public health entity in the country.”
The House Republicans were seeking even more egregious measures to provide civil immunity to big businesses, upend school districts ability to pay their teachers, and leave our corrections department employees at serious threat of the Coronavirus. Perhaps worst of all, the language does nothing to protect frontline workers, provide assistance to those that are out of work, or to help small businesses weather this crisis.
In an amendment to Senate Bill 327, House Republicans designed a task force with partisan appointees to usurp the Governor’s ability to rapidly respond to this quickly-evolving crisis. Their bill would require the Secretary of Health to leave PEMA, take hours away from public health crisis planning and defend her work in front of a redundant, political body.
The Senate Democratic Caucus will not support these bills. Alternatively, this caucus will be supporting legislation on the following issues:
- The American Working Family Relief Action Plan for front-line worker protections (Collett/L. Williams)
- Protecting workers during public health emergencies (Santarsiero)
- COVID-19 Food Worker Safety Act (Tartaglione)
- COVID-19 Grocery Store Worker Safety Act (Tartaglione)
- Payment of contract services in schools (Iovino)
- Childcare assistance (Schwank/L. Williams)
- Emergency expansion of the Family Medical Leave Act to provide paid sick leave (Farnese)
- Crisis grants for volunteer fire and EMS companies due to COVID-19 (Brewster)
- Require business interruption insurance to cover COVID-19 related business closures (Hughes)
- Eviction protection for all disaster emergencies (Farnese)
- Coronavirus disease and schools: allowing for online instruction (Dinniman)
- Creating a Common Wealth Fund to collect donations from individuals to provide for essential needs of those in need (AH Williams)
- Providing a presumption of eligibility for Workers’ Compensation benefits for workers that get sick in the workplace (Tartaglione)
- Ensuring receipt of a stimulus check from the Federal government is not included in an individual’s income for purposes of qualifying for social safety nets (Schwank)
- Exempting stimulus checks from the Federal government from State and local taxation (Brewster)
- Collaborating with financial institutions to mandate mortgage loan forgiveness, assistance to homeowners that were laid off due to state emergencies (Farnese)
“While many working Pennsylvanians are suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, facing lost hours or even complete unemployment, others who find themselves in more fortunate circumstances have expressed a desire to help their fellow citizens by either donating to a local charity or patronizing local businesses,” said Senator Anthony H. Williams. “By establishing the “Pennsylvania Common Wealth” restricted account, taxpayers could redirect all or a portion of their stimulus check to the state, which in turn would be authorized to direct those funds into programs which help the neediest Pennsylvanians – property tax & rent rebates, temporary assistance for needy families, CHIP or medical assistance.”
“Pennsylvania needs solutions that help protect its working people who have been hit the hardest by the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic,” Senator Vincent Hughes said. “We in the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus have put forth a number of policy proposals that would do just that, meanwhile House Republicans have chosen to ignore these needs and push an agenda that jeopardizes public health and puts additional pressure on working people by delaying immediate relief. Our mission should be helping people in this unprecedented time of need and we will remain vigilant in protecting hardworking folks across the commonwealth.”
“As public servants, our most important duty is to protect the health, safety and welfare of our citizens. This includes making difficult decisions in challenging times. We all want businesses to reopen, employees back on the job, students back in classrooms and some semblance of normal life to resume, but that cannot happen unless we first continue mitigation efforts and follow the advice of our scientists and experts,” said Senator Wayne D. Fontana. “Anything contrary can set back progress and cause further harm on our economy and most importantly, on human health. The bipartisan legislation the Senate approved provides some necessary guidance and relief to local governments, businesses, school employees and property taxpayers during this unprecedented situation. It is unconscionable that House Republicans blatantly disregarded that duty and have chosen not to act.”
“The spread of coronavirus has not quieted the voice of special interests in Harrisburg and that’s tragic,” said Senator Larry Farnese. “Mitigation through isolation is working and we have to recognize that sacrifice through legislation that actually helps front-line workers instead of just saying nice things on social media.”
“This crisis and the Commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic requires leadership, transparency and cooperation – not partisan politics,” said Senator John Blake. “While we’ve worked well with the Senate majority on real solutions that actually help people in this crisis, the House majority looks to undermine the executive authority of the Governor as well as the advice of medical and scientific experts regarding public health. I applaud the work being done by Governor Wolf and his administration to keep Pennsylvanians safe and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. I will continue to support important legislation to help our business community, front-line workers and medical professionals; and to protect our citizens, schools and local governments across this state. We need to remain vigilant in following the recommendations of the PA Department of Health and the federal CDC.”
“Issues that the Commonwealth was already facing have been exacerbated by this pandemic, and child care services and early learning programs are near the top of the list. Childcare centers are teetering on the brink of insolvency, which is why part of our legislative package addresses early childhood learning and safe, quality childcare. We will not be able to restart Pennsylvania’s economy without this key component,” Senator Judy Schwank said. “Additionally, it’s vital that the income requirements of state programs like PACENET and Property Tax and Rent Rebate are adjusted so that Pennsylvanians receiving federal aid are not penalized later.”
“The key to an effective response to the pandemic is to ensure that our citizens are protected, health risks are addressed, and our economy restarts quickly,” Senator Jim Brewster said. “That’s why I introduced a six-point stimulus plan that will help small business, protect workers and create jobs once we are clear the threat posed by the pandemic. In addition, we need to make sure to address the immediate and long-term needs of first responders and all workers and businesses who are providing essential services during this time of extraordinary stress.”
“There is no segment of our Commonwealth that hasn’t been upended by this crisis. Everything is a priority. But in order to save livelihoods, we must first save lives,” said Senator Maria Collett. “As a nurse, I know firsthand the challenges our health care workers are up against and the urgency of passing legislation like the American Working Family Relief Action Plan for Front-Line Workers. Our doctors, nurses, first responders, senior care aides and others should not have to worry about getting sick or infecting others while performing their essential work.”
“It is irresponsible for the state to reopen businesses at the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. Those who are not essential workers should remain home,” said Senator Art Haywood. “We need to do all we can as legislators to support essential employees risking their lives on a daily basis,” said Senator Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia). “I will continue to support the work Governor Wolf and Secretary Levine have done to inform the public to remain safe and stay home.”
“The citizens of Pennsylvania are counting on their elected representatives to save lives by responding swiftly, pragmatically, and in a bipartisan manner to slow the spread of this highly contagious virus,” said Senator Pam Iovino. “To fulfill our duty to the public, we must follow the consensus guidance of public health professionals, focus on protecting front-line essential workers, and put in place protections that allow furloughed or unemployed workers and small businesses to weather the economic disruption.”
“As the Democratic chair of the Local Government Committee, I worked with stakeholders for weeks to craft the provisions of SB 841, I am disappointed these commonsense measures, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support, are being held up by House Republicans for little reason,” said Senator Tim Kearney. “The House should immediately pass SB 841 and focus on bringing relief to Pennsylvanians, rather than sabotaging the Governor’s efforts to keep our families safe.”
“Yesterday, the majority party in both chambers failed to use their legislative power, where they can literally pass any bill they want to, and instead decided to pack up and go home without,” said Senator Katie Muth. “Failing to pass meaningful bills when people are fighting for their lives is simply negligent.”
“Now is not the time to play politics,” said Senator Steve Santarsiero. “Saving lives has to be the first priority. In order to do that, we must all do our part and follow the Governor’s and Department of Health’s plans as they’ve been explained to us countless times. SB 841 is just one of many ways our caucus has worked in a bipartisan effort to provide relief to those who need it most. However, SB 327 is exactly what our healthcare professionals warn us against. Promoting a premature return to normalcy will only undermine our effort to keep the public safe, and further endanger thousands of lives.”
“Government’s most important role is the protection of its people. Since the COVID-19 crisis the Senate has met three times, with little to show for it. Communities across the commonwealth have no interest in the paralysis of government especially in the most desperate of times. What they do care about is the protection of our essential workforce, the interruption of our small businesses, job loss, staying in their homes and educating their children. The only thing that matters is the preservation and protection of every resource needed to keep families safe during this health crisis,” said Senator Sharif Street.
“We need to be back in Harrisburg, we need to get back to work. We must work together to ensure our communities are protected during uncertain times.”
“As thousands of Pennsylvanians continue to get sick and hundreds die, now is no time to play partisan politics,” Senator Tina Tartaglione said. “As public leaders, we must unite behind the common goal of reducing the threat of this virus and mitigating the harm being done to our constituents. The package of bills we have proposed will directly help all Pennsylvania families, including essential workers, displaced workers, first responders, school children, those who have become sick, and those in need. I urge all legislators from all political parties to support these bills.”
“Stopping the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives is our top priority. We also need to protect and support our constituents, our communities, and our businesses,” said Senator Lindsey Williams. “Our front-line essential workers – our hospital workers, grocery store workers, emergency service personnel and others – cannot afford to wait for PPE. They needed it weeks ago. Our childcare facilities need our help to stay open and provide care to the children of our essential workers while they risk their lives for us. Our small businesses need financial support to stay afloat. Our municipalities need the ability to meet remotely and make decisions that will ensure the safety of all of residents. There are a lot of needs right now and our constituents do not have time for us to waste playing partisan games or naming bridges. The Senate Democrats have offered concrete solutions that will help people. We should all be working together to get them to the Governor’s desk for signature as soon as possible.”
More information on the work of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus during the COVID-19 crisis can be found at pasenate.com/covid19.
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June 24, 2019
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 24, 2019 − Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today jointly sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf requesting a disaster declaration for gun violence in the Commonwealth.
“We believe it is necessary to raise the public’s awareness of the massive loss of human life and the suffering inflicted on affected family, friends and neighbors where this tragedy is unfolding daily,” they wrote. “Just as you have signed six disaster declarations to provide every tool at the Commonwealth’s disposal to combat the opioid epidemic, the death toll and impact from illegal guns should merit immediate and coordinated attention.”
Specifically, a disaster declaration could do the following:
- Establish a task force led by the Department of Health to create and implement a public health framework for addressing gun violence
- Establish a command center in the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to coordinate state and local law enforcement response
- Enhance the Joint-Local State Firearm Taskforce through additional personnel and funding to take illegal guns off the street
- Expand information gathering and sharing between all levels of law enforcement and community groups
- Increase law enforcement presence, both local and state, in targeted areas where gun violence is most prevalent
- Expedite and expand grants and other funding sources for community groups and nonprofit associations with a proven record of violence reduction and prevention
- Provide additional state resources for behavioral and mental health
- Bringing to bear the significant wealth of knowledge and experience in the Departments of Health and Human Services to provide de-escalation and de-confliction training throughout the community
- Require the Pennsylvania Department of Education provide training and professional development on trauma-informed education
View full letter →
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June 4, 2019
Harrisburg PA – June 4, 2019 – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-Pittsburgh) led House and Senate Democrats in announcing several voting reform proposals Tuesday in the Main Capitol Rotunda.
The legislators were joined by a large group of advocates and supporters pushing for automatic voter registration, no excuse absentee voting, same day voter registration and campaign finance reform. Sen. Hughes and Rep. Innamorato are proposing similar bills that would allow those eligible to register to vote when signing up for critical state services such as renewing drivers licenses or applying for a public benefit administered by the state.
“Our democracy depends on its voters, which is why we are fighting to ensure every eligible person has a chance to voice their opinion at the ballot box,” said Sen. Hughes, who is proposing Senate Bill 608. “We have a broad coalition of folks who understand this and are fighting for Pennsylvanians ability to have their voices at the ballot box. Expanding access and simplifying the processes will help do that for our communities across the commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania has 8.6 million registered voters, but less than 55 percent of voting-age citizens turned out in the 2018 midterm elections, with varying reasons impeding participation including work, illness, and other unforeseen circumstances. Research shows higher voter turnout in states that have enacted some or all of the reforms the coalition is seeking.
“Participatory government demands equal access to participation,” said Rep. Innamorato, who has proposed House Bill 1556 on automatic voter registration. “Too often, the complicated registration process we have in place poses a significant obstacle to access to the ballot. Automatic voter registration and our other proposals would make it easier for all Pennsylvanians to have a voice, get informed and be heard. We need to be removing barriers to participation, not erecting new ones. These are the first steps in the fight for a fair, secure democracy in our commonwealth and our communities.”
Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-Springfield) discussed their proposals to expand early voting, which aim to expand voting beyond the 13-hour time frame Pennsylvania currently mandates. Both proposals would expand the time frame greatly and add options to vote on the weekend. Sen. Fontana is proposing SB 294 and Rep. O’ Mara is proposing HB 1558.
“If people don’t vote, democracy doesn’t work,” Sen. Fontana said. “If people can’t vote, we are shortchanging our democracy. During the most recent primary election last month, many counties across the state were lucky to have even a 20 percent voter turn-out. It’s obvious we need to find ways to improve voter access and participation and to me, the task is simple. We need to find ways to make voting easier and more accommodating.”
“Introducing an early voting bill is a priority for me because voting should be easier for everyone,” Rep. O’Mara said. “When I was campaigning, I met a young woman named Kate who uses a wheelchair. She told me her polling pace is not ADA accessible, and voting is a big challenge for her. So, one reason I decided to introduce early voting is so people like Kate have the ease and access to practice their constitutional right. It’s about time Pennsylvania steps up to make voting easier for all its eligible citizens.”
Sen. Judy Schwank (D- Berks) introduced her proposal for no-excuse absentee voting, SB 411, which would allow voters to submit absentee ballots for any reason. Currently, 27 other states and the District of Columbia have enacted no-excuse absentee voting.
“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy,” Schwank said. “We need to remove needless barriers that keep people from being able to vote or from having their votes counted.”
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) announced HB 101, which aims to bring same-day voter registration to Pennsylvania while also simplifying the process. His legislation would help increase voter turnout because of increased convenience, while also maintaining integrity in the voting process by not counting same-day registrant votes until the Department of State has verified eligibility.
“The right to vote is the perfect symbol of our democracy,” Rep. Bizzarro said. “Unfortunately, it’s perfect in theory, not in practice. Our outmoded laws – including the one requiring that residents register 30 days in advance of an election to vote in that election – discourage participation by imposing unnecessary hurdles. Our legislation to streamline the process would help fix that.”
Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) is proposing shifting ballot positions for candidates running for public office in Philadelphia. The goal of SB 602 is to eliminate the advantages held by candidates who draw first position on the ballot.
“A growing number of Pennsylvanians, especially young voters, are unaffiliated with major parties or uninterested in party politics,” Sen. Williams said. “Those voters still deserve to have a voice in who represents them in city council and the mayor’s office, which is why I’m offering legislation to conduct nonpartisan, ranked-choice voting in the Commonwealth’s largest city, Philadelphia.”
Advocates in attendance included the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, Common Cause, Pennsylvania for Fair Elections, Committee of 79, League of women Voters, Brennan Center for Justice, Keystone Progress, SiX.
May 7, 2019
Harrisburg, May 7, 2019 – Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) joins legislative members of the Task Force on Lead Exposure at a press conference today to discuss the legislative recommendations that were part of ‘Lead Exposure Risks and Response in Pennsylvania: Report of the Advisory Committee and Task Force on Lead Exposure.’ The legislative members of the task force included Senators Lisa Baker (R – Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming), Wayne Fontana (D – Allegheny), Judy Schwank (D – Berks), Pat Stefano (R – Fayette/Somerset/Westmoreland) and Gene Yaw (R – Bradford/Lycoming/Sullivan/Susquehanna/Union).
“The members of the Advisory Committee and Task Force on Lead Exposure, created by Senate Resolution 33, have worked tirelessly to analyze the public health threat of lead exposure and their report underscores that lead exposure is an issue in every Pennsylvania county. We come together today, in the spirit of bipartisanship, to advance the legislative policy recommendations put forth by the Joint State Government Commission that will better protect Pennsylvania children from the risks of lead exposure and lead poisoning,” said Senator John Yudichak.
The advisory committee and task force made the following recommendations, several of which are being addressed through legislation announced at today’s press conference:
- Require universal blood screenings for children;
- Mandate inspections/certifications of child-care facilities with vulnerable populations;
- Ensure safe housing is available to families through a residential rental property certification program;
- Establish a statewide rental housing registry;
- Establish a lead abatement grant program to assist property owners in conducting lead abatement;
- Establish an interagency council to coordinate implementation of lead prevention programs and policies among the relevant state agencies;
- Require all school drinking water systems to be inspected and certified;
- Clarify plumbing system lead ban;
- Permit municipal authorities operating public drinking water system to replace lateral lead service lines;
- Require lead service line replacements and restrict partial lead water service line replacements;
- Adopt the Uniform Property Maintenance Code; and
- Provide guidance on private well construction.
Senator Lisa Baker and Senator Yudichak have introduced Senate Bill 312, which would require universal blood testing for children. Senate Bill 312 has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
“We have known for a while now how debilitating lead exposure is to the health and development of children. Recent revelations of lead tainted water in schools and homes have raised additional alarms. There is an obligation to have every child tested, in order to find out who has been affected, to monitor and treat those who have, and to locate the source of contamination so preventative measures can be taken,” said Senator Baker.
Senator Judy Schwank has introduced Senate Bill 39, which will require lead testing at child daycare programs. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to include lead testing of water, paint, soil and dust in the licensing process for child daycare programs. Senate Bill 39 has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
“My bill, SB 39, aims to protect children in day care programs by ensuring the facilities where they play and learn at the earliest ages are tested for lead,” Senator Schwank said.
Senator Gene Yaw will introduce legislation that requires all school drinking water systems to be tested for lead contamination.
“Lead contamination in schools and in public drinking water supplies is a real threat across our state and our nation,” said Senator Gene Yaw. “It’s unfortunate that schools, a place where our children spend much of their time, can have unsafe levels of lead in their water supply. The bill is one more step we can take to protect our children and school employees from potential health hazards.”
Senator Wayne Fontana plans to introduce a bill that will establish a statewide rental housing registry.
“Our fundamental job as public officials is to protect the health, safety and welfare of our citizens. With increasingly aging infrastructure throughout our Commonwealth, it’s imperative that we do all we can to help local communities on lead abatement projects,” said Senator Fontana. “We must also monitor the sources of lead contamination in our public spaces and in private homes, so that people are educated to what degree they may be exposed. As a result of the study recommendations, my legislation will establish a statewide rental housing registry that has been certified as lead free or lead safe so as to allow potential tenants to verify if housing they are considering will be safe for their families.”
Senator Pat Stefano will be introducing legislation that clarifies the plumbing system lead ban.
“Consumer education is key in preventing lead exposure. That’s why I am introducing legislation that would put educational information in the hands of consumers who may be most at risk for led exposure,” said Senator Stefano.
The Advisory Committee and Task Force on Lead Exposure was formed after legislation sponsored by Senator Yudichak, SR 33, was approved in 2017. The Joint State Government Commission released the report in April. The report is available online at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/
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March 6, 2019
Hughes, Schwank, Haywood offer multi-faceted approach
Harrisburg – March 6, 2019 – Senate Democrats said today that they are sponsoring a three-bill legislative package designed to provide additional tax credits to farmers, encourage the use of locally sourced food and expand farmers’ markets.
State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Democratic Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Sen. Art Haywood, (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) who serves as Democratic chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee are the prime sponsors of the package.
Hughes’ legislation would raise the Rural Jobs and Investment Tax Credit from its current capped amount of $1 million per year to $20 million over four years.
“A comprehensive economic plan requires investments in a broad array of industries, including agriculture,” Hughes said. “There is strong justification to raise the tax credit cap and allow farmers to retain and reinvest because agriculture is a key feature of our economy.”
Hughes noted that 48 of 67 counties in Pennsylvania are classified as rural and that more than a quarter of the state’s population lives in rural counties.
Schwank, who has a long record of involvement in agriculture issues, is the prime sponsor of a measure to help farmers sell their products locally. Under Schwank’s legislation, the requirement for using the lowest bidder on a state contract for the purchase of food would not apply to locally sourced products, provided the deviation in price was not more than 10 percent from the lowest bidder.
“It is important that local markets be better developed, and one way to achieve this goal is through a pricing incentive that encourages the use of food produced in state,” Schwank said. “Our farms are able to deliver high-quality foods to local markets at reasonable prices.”
Pennsylvania has more than 58,000 farms and an estimated 7.7 million acres are involved in agriculture production. According to survey data, 93 percent of Pennsylvanians prefer locally produced food.
Haywood said rising demand has opened an opportunity to expand the Farmers’ Market Development Program to serve more communities. His legislation would enable grants through the program to be used for agritourism initiatives, renovations, and establishment of new satellite locations the bill also increases grants per market from $10,000 to $100,000.
“Consumer demand for fresh blueberries, mangoes, and spinach continues to grow exponentially and the expansion of farmers’ markets provide local access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” Haywood said. “Farmers’ markets offer an effective way to make fresh foods available, especially in areas where they are not.”
Pennsylvania has the fourth-largest market in the nation for direct farm sales.
The senators indicated that they were reintroducing the legislation. The bills were initially introduced last session (Senate Bills 1075 -1077) but were not scheduled for a vote.
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March 12, 2018
Local Food, Farmer’s Markets, Rural Jobs and Investment Initiatives Featured
Harrisburg – March 12, 2018 – Bolstering farms and farmers, promoting the use of locally produced food and significantly increasing a tax credit to spur job creation and investment in rural communities is the focus of a package of bills offered by three state Senate Democrats.
Senate Democratic Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Chair Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia) and Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) are the prime sponsors of the initiatives which are designed to aid farmers, increase access to healthy foods and ensure markets for locally produced food.
“From my many years of work with farmers and the agriculture industry, I know there are specific initiatives that will help immediately and immeasurably,” Schwank said. “The elements in this package of bills will address key aspects of farm production, market development and making the finances of farming work that much better.”
Schwank’s legislation would allow governmental entities to accept a bid higher than the lowest bid by 10 percent if they use locally-sourced food.
According to the state Department of Agriculture, 93 percent of Pennsylvanians prefer food that is locally produced. There are 58,000 farms and nearly eight million acres devoted to agricultural production in Pennsylvania.
“Giving this small price adjustment to support local food production and use is important to farmers and the farming community,” Schwank said.
Haywood, who serves as Democratic chair of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, said his legislation would significantly expand the Farmer’s Market Development Program. Under Haywood’s plan, grant eligibility could be used for agritourism, construction and renovation of farmer’s markets, satellite markets and other infrastructure needs. The maximum grant would increase to $100,000.
“Farmer’s markets have become an integral part of the food delivery system,” Haywood said. “Fresh food is now available through farmer’s markets, which have become very popular.”
Pennsylvania has the fourth largest market in the country for direct farm sales.
“The goal of my legislation is to expand access to farmer’s markets to boost local sales and generate more income for farmers,” Haywood said. “Helping develop farmers’ markets is a win for farmers and a win for consumers.”
Another key component of aiding farmers and helping agriculture is providing fiscal stability for farmers and the industry. Hughes’ legislation would raise the rural jobs and investment tax credit from $1 million per fiscal year to $20 million over the next three years. The credit would increase $5 million each year for three fiscal years after rising to $5 million in fiscal 2018-19.
“Ensuring that farmers have capital on hand is important to successful farming and the agriculture industry,” Hughes said. “Increasing the tax credit for investment into our rural areas is critical, given that a large portion of Pennsylvania is designated as a rural area.
“Spurring investment and job creation in rural areas helps the entire state and provides direct financial assistance for farmers and the industry.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 48 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are designated as rural. These counties hold more than a quarter of the state’s population. More than 37 percent of rural household had incomes below $35,000.
The senators said that the bill package would help focus policymaking on issues impacting farmers and the agricultural industry.
“We need to do more to assist farmers and help them become more productive and successful,” Schwank said. “This legislation addresses three key components that are important to agriculture: local production, access to markets and capital.”
Hughes, who is the Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, echoed Schwank’s comments.
“Finding ways to resolve issues that impact farmer productivity is a benefit to every Pennsylvania resident,” Hughes said.
Haywood said that he was pleased that the legislation was being developed as a package and said he was hopeful that the measures would be considered by the Senate this year.
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September 1, 2017
Senate Democrats have been in the forefront of efforts to address exposure to lead
Harrisburg – September 1, 2017 – State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes and Senate Democrats applauded Gov. Tom Wolf’s support of universal testing of children under the age of 2 to determine their risk of lead poisoning.
The governor has urged the state Department of Health to work collaboratively with the General Assembly and community partners on crafting legislation to compel testing of children under the age of 2 for lead exposure.
Hughes (D-Philadelphia), along with several Senate Democrats, including Sens. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) Judy Schwank (D-Berks), John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia) have been leaders in the effort to combat lead poisoning.
Senate Democrats have offered a comprehensive legislative package to help children, day care centers and home buyers deal with the threat of lead poisoning. Senate Resolution 33, which called for a task force to study lead exposure, was approved by the Senate in early June.
“The governor’s call for universal lead testing of children under the age of 2 is a huge step forward,” Hughes said. “Finding out the depth of the problem will enable us to better design a more effective strategy to deal with lead and help prevent problems associated with lead.”
According to the Department of Health, 28 percent of children in Pennsylvania under 2 years of age were tested for lead in 2015. Several years ago, lead seeping into Flint, Michigan’s public water system caused a devastating health crisis and spurred governments to examine the levels of lead exposure. Eighteen Pennsylvania cities tested higher than Flint for elevated blood lead levels.
Senate Democrats first introduced a comprehensive package of measures dealing with lead in 2016 following the Flint crisis. The legislative package included five bills that would establish a task force to study the issue and account for the age of the state’s housing stock, pipelines and school buildings; require school buildings to be tested for lead; require the licensing of lead testing centers; require property sales agreements to include an option for water testing for lead; and create a “Superfund for Lead Abatement” that would help pay lead remediation costs.
“We can do better and protect children and families from lead poisoning,” Hughes said. “The governor’s support is key to our success in addressing lead in our communities, homes and schools.
“My Senate Democratic colleagues and I are ready to move aggressively on legislation that gets to the root cause of the problem.”
Information about the incidence of lead exposure would enable families to access available services, Hughes said.
In December 2016, Hughes announced that $125,000 in state grant dollars were available to help Philadelphia deal with lead issues.
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February 1, 2017
Harrisburg – February 1, 2017 – State Senate Democrats said that Gov. Tom Wolf should call a special session of the General Assembly to ensure that legislation that results in significant property tax relief or total elimination is passed and signed into law this session.
At a news conference today at the state Capitol, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said taxpayers of Pennsylvania have waited too long for relief from escalating tax bills.
“We believe there should be a full, complete and transparent discussion of any and all tax relief or elimination proposals,” Costa said. “A special session provides the kind of platform that is needed for citizens and lawmakers to understand specifics about each proposal.”
Leading the call for the special session, state Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) said, “Relief from property tax needs to be addressed without delay.”
In the letter to the governor, the Democrats stated, “Our taxpayers have waited far too long for action on this important issue. They want lawmakers to set aside partisan agendas and enact a significant property tax reform or elimination measure–NOW.”
Working families are struggling to pay mortgages and save for college for their children while seniors have to scrape resources together to make ends meet; property taxes add to their burden, the letter said.
Boscola, who has been a long-time advocate of property tax elimination and relief, said that “my goal is to pass legislation that will eliminate the property tax and replace it with a better system to fund public education. Our homeowners deserve it and our children need it.”
Another strong proponent of calling the special session is Senate Democratic Whip Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware).
“Addressing property tax relief or elimination needs to be a top priority, but is critical that we look at all the plans closely and find common ground,” Williams said. “A special session will force the General Assembly to focus on the issue, act assertively and come forward with a proposal that is balanced and equitable.
“Our property taxpayers have waited long enough.”
Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) endorsed the call for a special session.
“The issue of property taxes has been a top priority for Pennsylvanians, many of whom have seen significant tax increases over the past few years,” Hughes said. “This special session would serve as an opportunity to thoroughly examine how we can provide the sustainable property tax relief that Pennsylvanians want and deserve while ensuring that our school districts are still properly funded.”
Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna) said that a special session will allow lawmakers to fashion a plan that strikes a balance between property tax relief and reliable state support for public education.
“For many Pennsylvanians – particularly our seniors and lower income property owners – there is a very real school property tax crisis. I remain committed to a responsible solution that can significantly reduce and, if possible, eliminate the property tax burden on these lower income property owners,” Blake said. “I believe strongly that a special session on property tax reform can finally allow the legislature to strike the appropriate balance between property tax relief and the assurance of sufficient, predictable and reliable state financial support for public education.”
Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said he hoped a special session will spur lawmakers to act.
“For too long our taxpayers have watched while the General Assembly has tried to deal with reducing property taxes,” Brewster said. “There are many plans now being drafted or considered and lawmakers need to come together on a plan that provided real relief or elimination. Taxpayers have waited too long.
“A special session is an excellent forum for all plans to be discussed, including the plan to totally eliminate property taxes.”
Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) said that there are several approaches to address tax reform, but lawmakers need to be thoughtful about how tax elimination impacts schools.
“If we’re going to get serious about providing property tax relief or elimination, we must do it thoughtfully. We certainly can’t hastily approve an elimination plan at the expense of our public schools,” Street said. “There are several approaches to addressing property taxes, so a special session would provide us with a clearer path toward true relief.”
Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), who has long been an advocate of property tax elimination, said school property tax is a complicated issue.
“One large source of revenue for school funding must be replaced with multiple other sources, and we must do this fairly and uniformly,” Schwank said. “Let’s use this special session to strike a balance between relieving the heavy burden property owners face, while also providing our schools with a reliable source of investment.”
Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) said that property tax reform is a complex issue, but one that must be addressed.
“Property taxes remain an important issue to address. I still maintain that the appropriate solution will prove complex. We must dedicate time and effort to ensure the solution is successful,” Haywood said.
“The property tax is no longer sustainable as the sole source of funding for public education. It is high time for us to come together in the spirit of bipartisanship to develop and enact new and lasting solutions to the ongoing burden of rising property taxes on Pennsylvania homeowners,” Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) who serves as minority chair of the Senate Education Committee said. “This is a process that must involve both school districts and direct input from taxpayers and homeowners.”
The governor is empowered to call a special session of the General Assembly under the provisions of Article II, Section 4 and Article IV, Section 12 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
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May 18, 2016
Harrisburg, May 18, 2016 – With drug overdose deaths reaching epidemic levels, Senate Democrats unveiled legislation today to address the opioid addiction crisis from prevention through recovery.
“Addiction is a disease that does not discriminate and there is no easy solution to fix the problem,” Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said. “When addiction finds its way into a family, it can nearly paralyze them for fear of what the future may hold.”
Recognizing the need to provide support at all levels, the Senate Democrats’ legislation focuses on providing new opportunities for education and treatment as well as expanded support options in the community for addicts, professionals and families.
“We cannot address this problem in a vacuum and must work to provide the necessary services and support to everyone involved,” Costa said. “Families are being affected and communities torn apart as a result of opioid abuses and heroin addiction.”
Opioids are a class of drug that include heroin as well as the prescription pain relievers oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl and others. According to a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health study, fatal drug overdoses in Pennsylvania increased 14 fold between 1979 and 2014.
“We are in the midst of the worst ever overdose death epidemic and the worst public health crisis of the last 100 years, Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs Gary Tennis said. “It will continue to take a collaborative effort among many partners to effectively address this crisis.”
The package of legislation includes:
Emergency Addiction Treatment Program – Charging the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs with establishing a comprehensive program that includes new addiction treatment facilities for those drug users that are currently going without care; new intake methods to provide information to those with addiction problems or their family and friends; advice and assistance in accessing treatment; and data collection to help identify patterns of addiction.
School Aged Children Opioid Awareness Education Program – Requiring the Departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Health, and Education to work cooperatively to design an opioid awareness education programs to be delivered in schools.
Addiction Treatment Professional Loan Forgiveness Program – Require the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to develop an addiction treatment professional loan forgiveness program.
Opioid Addiction Prevention and Treatment Assessment – Impose a 10 percent assessment on the first sale of an opioid into the state. Revenues from the assessment will be used to support the purchase of naloxone for local law enforcement and emergency management personnel in addition to supporting addiction prevention and treatment programs.
Responding to the Senate Democratic proposals to the drug and alcohol problem, Deb Beck from the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania said that the drug and alcohol problem “has reached epidemic levels in the state and these proposals will be life saving in impact.”
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May 13, 2013
No Legislative Oversight, Lack of Financial Backing Panned by Senate Democrats
Harrisburg, May 13, 2013 – A new unfunded education mandate now being quietly pursued by the Corbett administration will soon saddle school districts with a $300 million expense and threaten graduation for thousands of students across Pennsylvania, Senate Democrats said today at a Capitol news conference.
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Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) Democratic chair of the Senate Education Committee, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Sens. Judy Schwank, John Blake and Jim Brewster all expressed their displeasure and concerns about the proposed changes.
“We are not opposed to the implementation of Common Core standards for Pennsylvania’s students,” Dinniman said. “But we are opposed to Common Core standards without adequate state financial resources for our schools so that all of our students have the opportunity to succeed under those standards, including those in financially distressed school districts.
“For the Commonwealth to increase standards without the adequate fiscal resources is a charade. It is a sham that will only lead to false hope,” Dinniman said.
Common Core standards are being sought by the state Department of Education as a way to determine proficiency and graduation eligibility.
According to Dinniman, the implementation of Common Core standards will result in an unfunded mandate of at least $300 million for local schools. There is no specified funding or plan to provide for the remedial instruction, the redesign of curriculum, or the project-based assessments for those who repeatedly fail the tests.
“The implementation of these new standards should be reviewed thoroughly by the General Assembly,” Costa said. “This whole new testing structure will cost taxpayers dearly and it is being implemented without a full understanding of the benefits for students, teachers, administrators and taxpayers.
“A complete explanation of what is being sought by the department is necessary before Pennsylvania schools put these new standards into play.”
Schwank, who represents the economically and academically struggling Reading School District, said the new testing will be particularly devastating to fiscally challenged schools.
“School districts like Reading, as well as many others around the state, are drowning in red ink now,” Schwank said. “These new mandates, without proper fiscal support, will make their financial plight even worse.
“There is certainly nothing wrong with increasing proficiency standards but students, teachers and schools must have resources to invest to address deficiencies.”
To implement new standards and testing procedures without adding dollars makes no sense, Blake (D-Lackawanna) noted. Especially, he said, after the Corbett administration has slashed basic education support by $900 million.
“To add new core testing procedures and a mandate at a cost exceeding $300 million after cutting education support is irresponsible,” Blake said. “The local property taxpayer is going to get squeezed and economically strapped schools and taxpayers will bear an even greater burden.”
Brewster said instead of implementing more tests and costs, educators and the Corbett administration need to step back and decide whether the current testing structure is constructive. He has proposed Senate Bill 823 to create a bi-partisan commission to recommend changes or a total scrapping of the current student testing procedures.
“My belief is we need to look at what we are doing with student testing and come up with a new, better approach that accurately reflects student, school, teacher and community performance,” Brewster said. “Today’s tests are flawed and the whole system is need of restructuring.”
Senate Democrats also lamented that the new Common Core tests involve 10 days of testing, which takes even more time away from traditional instruction.
They added that districts could receive a deeper financial bludgeoning if students fail to pass the tests.
The new Common Core standards will exacerbate the problem of teaching to the test, Senate Democrats said.
