COVID Safety and Recovery in Public Transportation at the center of House Democratic Policy Committee hearing

(Feb 23, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 23 -- Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, said the House Democratic Policy Committee heard compelling testimony about public health and safety efforts in public transportation during today’s hearing. “The vitality of our public transit systems is important to our commonwealth’s success. People need to get to work safely and on time. It’s also a key factor in business development decisions when companies are making decisions on where to set up shop,” Bizzarro explained. “COVID has created unimaginable challenges and communities across the commonwealth have been resourceful in keeping things operating as safely as possible.” The committee heard testimony from Leslie Richards, general manager of SEPTA, and Katharine Kelleman, CEO of the Allegheny Port Authority. Both shared regional transportation funding concerns. Richards, former secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, shared the need for additional funding mechanisms to ensure they have the dollars needed to maintain public safety efforts and protect vulnerable populations. “Today’s discussion highlighted the need to invest in infrastructure that would put Pennsylvanians to work and improve public transit,” said Bizzarro. “Our recent hearing on the National Infrastructure Bank could provide solutions to the concerns today’s testifiers brought to light and I look forward to continuing to advocate for projects Read more

 

Health and Safety in Public Transportation - Testimony

(Feb 23, 2021)

Health and Safety in Public Transportation - Testimony Read more

 

Health and Safety in Public Transportation

(Feb 23, 2021)

The House Democratic Policy Committee will host a public hearing to discuss the future of public transportation. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 and can be viewed at www.pahouse.com/policy or www.facebook.com/padempolicy. Read more

 

Isaacson leads discussion on protecting the Delaware River Basin

(Feb 22, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 22 – At today’s House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing, state Rep. Mary Isaacson highlighted the importance of the Delaware River Basin and Pennsylvania’s role in preservation efforts. Isaacson, who represents the River Wards along the Delaware River from Old Richmond to Queen Village, highlighted the state’s responsibility to fully fund its commitment to the basin. “Pennsylvania has the most square mileage of any state in the basin. While the agreed upon funding contribution was $893,000 annually, the state is only fulfilling $217,000 of that commitment. We must do better. Water quality, recreation and economic development in the region depends on it,” Isaacson explained. The committee heard testimony from Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, deputy executive director of the Delaware River Basin Commission, Dr. Ron MacGillivray, senior environmental toxicologist of the Delaware River Basin Commission, and Beth Brown, director of the Delaware Watershed Program for the Pennsylvania Audubon. “Efforts to defund the Delaware River Basin Commission have greatly impacted their monitoring abilities and this ultimately impacts keeping the waterways clean. Healthy waterways can boost local economies. They attract businesses, recreational users and we have to do our part to give the commission the resources they need to carry out these functions,” state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, the Policy Committee chairman, said. Read more

 

Health and safety in public transportation focus of Tuesday’s House Democratic Policy Committee hearing

(Feb 22, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 22 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced the House Democratic Policy Committee will host a public hearing to discuss the future of public transportation, including health and safety efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. The public and media are encouraged to tune in virtually at www.pahouse.com/policy or at the committee’s Facebook page -- @PADemPolicy. Bizzarro, D-Erie and chairman of the committee, will be joined by House Democratic colleagues to learn more from testifiers from the Allegheny Port Authority, SEPTA and the Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition on how the legislature can support health and safety efforts for transit workers and support projects that will create jobs and improve infrastructure. The committee’s primary priorities this session include COVID-19 recovery, creating jobs, and delivering affordable training, infrastructure, education, economic fairness and community development. Read more

 

Protecting the Delaware River Basin - Testimony

(Feb 22, 2021)

Rep. Mary Isaacson hosts a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on Protecting the Delaware River Basin. Read more

 

Delaware River Basin

(Feb 22, 2021)

State Rep. Mary Isaacson is hosting a House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing to discuss the protecting the Delaware River Basin. The hearing, held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22 is viewable at www.pahouse.com/policy or at www.facebook.com/padempolicy. The public and media are encouraged to tune in and may submit questions to policy@pahouse.net You watch the hearing below: Read more

 

Pa.’s botched vaccine rollout is causing ‘tremendous anxiety and mistrust

(Feb 22, 2021)

The bill mirrors a House proposal sponsored by House Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, and three more lawmakers. Read more

 

Protecting the Delaware River Basin focus of House Democratic Policy Committee hearing Monday

(Feb 19, 2021)

HA RRISBURG, Feb. 19 -- At the request of state Rep. Mary Isaacson, the PA House Democratic Policy Committee will host a virtual hearing to discuss the Delaware River Basin and the value it brings beyond the region. The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22 and can be viewed at www.pahouse.com/policy or the committee’s Facebook page -- @PADemPolicy. The public and media are encouraged to tune in and can submit questions to policy@pahouse.net . Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, Isaacson and members of the Democratic Policy Committee will discuss the health of the Delaware River Basin, the resources and economic activity it generates, and state and federal efforts to improve water quality. Isaacson serves the 175th Legislative District representing the River Wards along the Delaware River from Old Richmond to Queen Village and has taken an active role in preserving and enhancing the economic and environmental vitality of the Delaware River Basin. Read more

 

Racial & Gender Bias in the Court System

(Feb 19, 2021)

State Representative Summer Lee, the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus in collaboration with the House and Senate Policy Committees will host a public hearing to discuss racial and gender bias in the court system. The hearing will held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19 and can be viewed at www.pahouse.com/policy or the House Democratic Policy Committee's Facebook page-- @padempolicy. Read more

 

Schlossberg leads discussion on key role paraprofessionals have in Pa. Education services

(Feb 18, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 18 – The House Democratic Policy Committee and state Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Allentown, hosted a roundtable discussion today on the crucial role paraprofessionals play in student success and what the state can do to support those efforts. “These professionals help ensure students receive a quality educational experience and have the resources needed to overcome any obstacles or difficulties they are facing. It was an important discussion on how we can better support them at the state level. Today’s hearing further highlighted the need for education dollars to go through a fair and equitable education formula,” Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said. Schlossberg added, “Paraprofessionals play an integral role in serving our students and community. They help students living with disabilities, disadvantaged students, those living with homelessness and more overcome those challenges. We have an obligation to provide a quality education for all students and their role in that process is absolutely essential. I look forward to further exploring meaningful ways we can provide the funding and support needed to cultivate future generations of empowered individuals who know they can overcome their challenges, achieve their dreams and make meaningful contributions to their communities." Roundtable participants included Dr. Lucretia Brown, deputy superintendent at the Allentown School District; Elizabeth Moyer, president Read more

 

Paraprofessionals - Testimony

(Feb 18, 2021)

Agenda and testimony from the Feb. 18, 2021 hearing on paraprofessionals hosted by Rep. Mike Schlossberg. Read more

 

Paraprofessionals

(Feb 18, 2021)

The House Democratic Policy Committee and state Rep. Mike Schlossberg is hosting a virtual hearing to discuss paraprofessionals. The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at www.pahouse.com/policy and on the committee's Facebook page . The public and media are encouraged to tune in. Media questions may be submitted to policy@pahouse.net. Watch here: Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hear about school paraprofessional needs

(Feb 17, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 17 -- After hearing concerns faced by local education support staff, Pennsylvania state Rep. Mike Schlossberg requested a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing to find out more about what role the legislature could play in assisting, recruiting, and retaining these essential employees. The hearing will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 and can be viewed online at www.PaHouse.com/policy or the Policy Committee’s Facebook page, @PADemPolicy . The media and public are encouraged to attend. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Schlossberg, along with Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee will discuss how the COVID-19 crisis pushed school districts into unknown territory and the challenges that arose and how to best support the support staff essential to every school day, especially for Pennsylvania’s neediest students. Ensuring a quality education for children is enshrined in Pennsylvania’s constitution and is a core issue for Bizzarro and the Policy Committee. You can read more about the committee’s focus and efforts here . Read more

 

Improving rail, roads, waterways, technology could fuel jobs and public safety efforts

(Feb 17, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 17 – Economic recovery, job creation, improved infrastructure and statewide development could benefit from a $4 trillion National Infrastructure Bank as discussed at today’s House Democratic Policy Committee hearing. The committee heard testimony and held a roundtable discussion on how implementation of the National Infrastructure Bank would help the state improve broadband access, address transportation needs and invigorate the economy. “We’re in need of a revolutionary approach to addressing technological and public safety needs. Invoking the National Infrastructure Bank would have impacts that reach every community of this state,” Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said. State Rep. Ed Neilson, co-host of today’s hearing, added, “If we have an opportunity to bridge the digital divide for both cities and rural areas, we must take it. Ultimately, our future depends on this investment. We can improve the trajectory of our economic recovery, help develop a workforce for the future and be a leader in both.” Macroeconomist Alphecca Muttardy noted that every $1 invested via the National Infrastructure Bank could generate a $3 to $7 return and that .09 cents of every dollar would go back to the state government in revenues. This return would help repay the low-interest loans used to fund projects. Stanley Forczek, an infrastructure expert having previously served Amtrak, highlighted that Read more

 

A National Infrastructure Bank - Testimony

(Feb 17, 2021)

Testimony on the House Democratic Policy Committee's discussion on a national infrastructure bank Read more

 

National Infrastructure Bank

(Feb 17, 2021)

The House Democratic Policy Committee is hosting a virtual hearing to discuss the development of a national infrastructure bank. Representatives Ed Neilson, Eddie Pashinski, Mary Jo Daley, Joe Ciresi, Pam Snyder and Kyle Mullins will co-host the hearing. The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 17 at www.pahouse.com/policy and on the committee's Facebook page . The public and media are encouraged to tune in. Media questions may be submitted to policy@pahouse.net. Watch here: Read more

 

Collaboration and accountability between administration, care providers key in long-term care COVID-19 recovery

(Feb 16, 2021)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 16 -- State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., hosted today’s House Democratic Policy Committee hearing where legislators heard from state agencies and long-term care facility staff about how long-term care facilities are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

 

COVID in Long-Term Care - Testimony

(Feb 16, 2021)

Testimony from the Feb. 16, 2021 hearing on COVID in Long-Term Care. Read more

 

Virtual Hearing: Mental Health in Schools

(Feb 16, 2021)

Rep. Nick Pisciottano - Mental Health in Schools Read more