Providing news and information regarding the PA Senate Democratic Caucus.
While Senator Vincent Hughes is entertaining during his speeches, his wife Sheryl Lee Ralph is the performer of the family.
She has starred in numerous Broadway plays, TV shows & movies over her illustrious career. In 2022, she won an Emmy for her performance on "Abbott Elementary."
Before becoming a PA Senator, Senator Art Haywood worked at Community Legal Services saving families from home foreclosure.
He also worked at Regional Housing Legal Services & in private practice as a lawyer, assisting nonprofit organizations to revitalize neighborhoods.
Did you know?
Before being elected to the Pennsylvania Senate to represent the 42nd District, Sen. Wayne Fontana was a realtor and real estate broker.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey after news that his mother Ellen Casey passed away.
She will be greatly missed and we’re so sorry for his loss.
The signing of the 2023-24 by Gov. Josh Shapiro marks the creation of universal free breakfast for all public-school students!
The $46.5 million increase will now provide universal free breakfast to Pennsylvania’s 1.7 million public school students. This budget delivers on the Governor's promise to provide free breakfast to all 1.7 million public school students in Pennsylvania, because our students can’t learn on empty stomachs.
"Every student in Pennsylvania deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed – and this budget delivers for them," the Governor said.
The budget includes a $567 million increase in basic education funding for Pennsylvania school districts – the largest increase in Pennsylvania history.
Learn more by visiting https://buff.ly/47Beaie
Historic Property Tax Rent Rebate Expansion Signed Into Law
Happy birthday to the U.S. Coast Guard!
Created in 1790, the US Coast Guard has protected the United States' borders, security and sovereignty on the water for over 250 years.
Thank you for your service!
While we are happy to see that the has been signed, there is still more work to do.
We are calling on all parties to return to the table and continue working on the fiscal code and get this over the finish line.
The Property Tax Rent Rebate Expansion bill has passed!
By raising the income limits for the program & tying those limits to inflation, we are improving the lives of so many Pennsylvanians.
This is a great step in delivering on our values and priorities as Democrats.
Earlier today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed the 2023-2024 budget.
We are glad that the Senate was able to finally land this plane and get the budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year sent to Governor Shapiro’s Desk.
It’s the right thing to do for every Pennsylvanian. Many great programs are now able to receive funding, including, schools, violence prevention program, SNAP, CHIP and so much more.
While we are happy to see that the budget has been signed, there is still more work to do. We are calling on all parties to return to the table and continue working on the fiscal code and get this over the finish line.
With the passage of the budget, the majority of Pennsylvania’s crucial programs will be funded until next June.
However, we cannot stop working until we have a fiscal code that delivers funding for state related universities, Level Up, Whole Home Repairs, among others.
It’s time to put politics aside and finish the job once and for all. While this is a step in the right direction, we must continue to negotiate in good faith across parties and chambers until the fiscal codes are done.
Before he ever stepped into the political ring, Senator Marty Flynn had plenty of experience fighting.
That's because he was a professional boxer. He was a PA Golden Gloves champion, the sparring partner for Bernard Hopkins & had a professional record of 10-2.
Did you know a member of the is a former college athlete?
Senator Jimmy Dillon played basketball at the University of Notre Dame from 1996 to 2000. He started all 37 games his senior year as a point guard and was a leader on his team.
Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness
Congratulations to Senator Maria Collett & Senator Lisa M. Boscola!
They have been named to this year’s City and State PA Power of Diversity: Women 100 list.
We can't thank you enough for your dedicated public service to this Commonwealth.
https://www.cityandstatepa.com/power-lists/2023/07/2023-power-diversity-women-100/388870/
Earlier today, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order that looks to expand workforce development and spur economic growth creating jobs in Pennsylvania.
The order creates a first-in-the-nation workforce training program that will allow Pennsylvania companies, contractors, and unions to use hundreds of millions of dollars in federal infrastructure funding to train the next generation of workers and fill critical jobs across the Commonwealth.
Working closely with the Biden Administration, the governor has created the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program to invest federal infrastructure dollars in workforce training and development – from paying new employees to funding apprenticeship programs and training facilities.
The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), we have a historic opportunity to build big things again in this country and complete major infrastructure projects that will connect our communities, grow our economy, and create new opportunities for generations to come.
Under this initiative, the Commonwealth will reserve at least 3% of all funding it receives from the IIJA and IRA to fund workforce development and on-the-job training.
This could mean as much as $400 million over the next five years for workforce training in Pennsylvania – the largest infusion of funding for workforce training in our Commonwealth’s history.
Watch today's press conference at https://buff.ly/3QkMlUV
Before being elected to the Pennsylvania Senate, Senator Jay Costa worked in law enforcement.
Sen. Costa was a deputy sheriff in Allegheny County & Allegheny County Register of Wills. He also worked as an attorney - a career he continues today.
Learn more 🔻
https://buff.ly/458ndFb
We want to wish Senator Judy Schwank a very happy birthday!
We hope you have a day filled with happiness and a year filled with joy!
Did you know?
Senator Carolyn Comitta was the first woman and first bipartisan-elected mayor of West Chester, PA.
Before she became mayor, she served on the West Chester Borough Council from 2006 to 2010. During her time on council and as mayor, she helped guide local, state, national and international organizations and gained a deep and broad knowledge of public policy and governance.
After her time in local government, she was elected to two terms representing the 156th Legislative District in the PA House of Representatives. In 2020, she was elected to represent the 19th Senatorial District in the PA Senate.
Happy National Intern Day!
We are fortunate to have three incredible interns in our Communications Department this summer.
Maya, Chris and Ash have been doing great work and we’re excited to have them as part of the team!
Senator Maria Collett was an attorney and nurse before being elected to represent the 12th Senatorial District?
She began her career as an attorney representing the interests of children victimized by abuse and neglect as a Deputy Attorney General in Camden County, New Jersey. She then transitioned to a career in nursing, where she worked at the bedside as a Level I trauma nurse, in pediatric home health and in long term care working with aging adults.
Learn more 🔻
https://buff.ly/3Ovd2Fk
Today is Black Women's Equal Pay Day - which represents the day in average Black women must work into the next year before the make what men made ending on Dec. 31.
The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus advocates for every woman to get the that she deserves for the work that she does.
Happy Birthday to the Americans with Disabilities Act!
The landmark legislation prohibits discrimination based on disability.
It was and continues to be a critical law that ensures fair treatment of men, women and children with disabilities.
Even before being elected to represent the 17th Senatorial District, Senator Amanda Cappelletti has been heavily involved in serving her community and bettering the Commonwealth.
She served on the East Norriton Board of Supervisors, worked for Rep. Donna Bullock and was a Fellow for the ACLU of Pennsylvania .
She was a member of the first group awarded the William Penn Fellowship through the Governor’s office: first as an advocate for children at the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, and then at the Department of Human Services as a policy specialist tracking legislation to assess implementation.
Before taking office, Sen. Cappelletti served as the Director of Policy at Planned Parenthood. She has been on the front lines fighting for reproductive rights and comprehensive healthcare in Pennsylvania for years.
Before being elected to represent the 45th Senatorial District, served as councilman and then mayor of McKeesport.
As mayor, Jim was credited for bringing $27 million in state, county and federal dollars to the city.
Meet Our Members!
First elected to the PA General Assembly in 1994, Senator Lisa M. Boscola has served two terms in the PA House of Representatives and is now serving her fifth term representing the 18th Senatorial District.
Learn more 🔻
https://buff.ly/3Dt8mt4
We want to wish Senator Maria Collett a very happy birthday!
We hope your day is filled with lots of laughter and love.
Today we are celebrating !
We will be highlighting the various aspects we love most about Pennsylvania -- the people, the food, the culture & more -- throughout the day.
What do you love most about Pennsylvania and what makes you ?
Disasters can happen anywhere, any time. That’s why it’s important you’re prepared.
Do you have a plan for yourself, your pets and your family?
Consider the specific needs you might have in an emergency.
Learn more 🔻
https://www.ready.pa.gov/BePrepared/MakeaPlan/Pages/default.aspx
Happy !
Pennsylvania is home to so many incredible ice cream makers and parlors.
Who makes your favorite ice cream in Pennsylvania?
🛑 SCAM ALERT 🛑
Sophisticated phishing emails imitating the Pennsylvania Treasury Department have been circulating recently. The scammers’ emails are designed to look like they come from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department.
The messages include a link to what appears to be Treasury’s website, but instead leads to a fake version that prompts users to enter login credentials.
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department will NEVER ask you to share personal information through unsolicited emails or text messages.
If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department or have any other questions, you can contact Treasury through its secure website: patreasury.gov/contact.
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program will be accepting application to help Pennsylvanians with low incomes maintain access to drinking & wastewater services.
Applications are now being accepted.
You can apply online 🔻
http://dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS
Our Hate Crimes package cleared an important hurdle as all four bills were passed on second consideration.
The House must pass the package on final consideration before it makes its way to our chamber, where we will continue fighting for its passage.
Scroll through the graphics to learn more about the Hate Crimes package.
Today, our Anti-Hate Crimes package cleared another big hurdle in the House of Representatives and is one step closer to passing. I have been so proud to work with Rep. Dan Frankel, Rep. Napoleon Nelson, and the countless activists who have helped us advance this critical legislation.
Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed bills from Senator Judy Schwank and Sen. Wayne Fontana into law.
Senate Bill 262 from Sen. Schwank adds “severe maternal morbidity” to the list of reportable events within the PA Dept. of Health. This change will allow Pennsylvania to gather data on short and long-term health complications from childbirth.
Senate Bill 202 from Sen. Fontana provides land banks in Allegheny County a streamlined process for acquiring abandoned & tax delinquent properties for blight mitigation.
Congratulations on getting these two important pieces of legislation through both chambers and to the Governor's desk for his signature!
Part of Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget proposal was expanding eligibility & increasing the amount of the rebates that each Property Tax & Rent Rebate Program qualifier receives.
We are thrilled that this important legislation passed with bipartisan support in the Pennsylvania Senate.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is now tasked with passing the bill and sending it to the Governor's desk for his signature.
The ideals we fought for during the Revolutionary War are just as important this 4th of July as they were in the 18th Century.
🔴 Freedom
🔴 Equality
🔴 Democracy
Let's make sure EVERY. SINGLE. AMERICAN. has the chance to experience them.
Happy !
On Friday, the Pennsylvania Senate passed legislation amending the PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program to increase income thresholds to qualify for the program to expand eligibility and to increase the amount of the rebates that each senior property owner or renter is eligible to receive.
This legislation was part of Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget proposal. Leader Senator Jay Costa had this to say about passing these critical improvements to the program.
"This program has proven successful for our seniors, disabled individuals and renters so that they can afford to stay in their homes and I’m thrilled we are able to expand eligibility requirements so that more individuals can benefit from it.
I will continue to champion legislation alongside my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus to ensure our seniors, our families, and our neighbors can stay in communities they built in the homes they love.”
Before it can go into effect, the PA House of Representatives must concur on changes that were made. Then, it's off to the Governor's desk for his signature!
In Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2023-2024 budget proposal, he called increasing income thresholds to qualify for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program.
The proposal would expand eligibility & increases the amount of the rebates that each senior property owner or renter is eligible to receive.
On Friday, the Pennsylvania Senate -- with bipartisan support -- passed the proposal. This program has proven successful for Pennsylvania's seniors, disabled individuals and renters so that they can afford to stay in their homes.
The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus is thrilled that we are able to expand eligibility requirements so that more individuals can benefit from it.
We need the PA House of Representatives to concur on changes we made and then it's off to the Governor's desk for his signature!
On this day, 59 years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.
Guests included Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., advocates & lawmakers.
The ideals of this bill - freedom, justice & equality - are just as important today as they were back then.
PA
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PA Senate Democratic Policy Hearing: Deceptive Practices of Anti-abortion Centers II
PA Senate Democratic Policy Hearing: DHS Overnight Stays
Did you know a number of popular books take place in Pennsylvania? These books include: 📘 "The Catcher in the Rye" 📗 "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" 📙 "Christine" #NationalReadABookDay
Here’s the deal. We hear you. We understand you. Folks are hurting in the pocket book and wallet. This is the time to invest in people. There are proposals in the Pennsylvania Senate right now that could money back into your pockets. We have the resources to get it done. Senate Democrats are fighting to get things done. We need cooperation from the Republican majority. Let’s put the people of Pennsylvania first.
School Funding Rally
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