by Christin Brown | October 3, 2019 | News Releases
Hundreds of seniors and their caregivers joined more than 50 vendors at the Lawncrest Recreation Center to exchange information about vital programs and services.
Philadelphia, PA, October 3, 2019 – Hundreds of Northeast Philadelphia-area senior citizens and their caregivers joined State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione for her Senior Expo today as she brought the annual event series to the Lawncrest Recreation Center for the first time in its more than 20-year history. Eager attendees collected valuable information from more than 50 vendors about topics ranging from health care to financial services to crime prevention.
The event was the second of the senator’s three 2019 Senior Expos following a kickoff session at St. Anne’s/26th District PAL Center on September 19. The third and final session will be held on October 10 at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 Saint Vincent Street. There is no charge to attend or participate. All visitors receive a free boxed lunch.
“This was the first time we’ve held a Senior Expo at Lawncrest, so I was very happy to see the enthusiastic community response,” Senator Tartaglione said. “I think seniors really appreciate being able to get information and sound advice about so many important topics, all under one roof.”
The varied lineup of vendors included agencies from the health care and insurance sectors, banking and financial services, adult day care, retirement communities, consumer advocates, assistive technology providers, veteran services providers, state and local police, public utilities, and elected officials from the federal, state, and local levels. Many attendees also took advantage of the opportunity to get a free flu shot. So did Senator Tartaglione.
“Flu shots are a great way to prevent seasonal illness and to promote public health,” Senator Tartaglione said.
The senator will host her third and final Senior Expo of 2019 on Thursday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 Saint Vincent Street. No appointments or reservations are needed to attend. For the latest news about Senator Tartaglione, visit www.senatortartaglione.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For constituent services, call the senator’s district offices at 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | October 2, 2019 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 2, 2019 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione invites older Philadelphians and their primary caregivers to take part in her next Senior Expo tomorrow at Lawncrest Recreation Center. This is the first time in the 15-year-history of her annual Senior Expo series that it will be held at Lawncrest. This is the second of three expos for 2019. The event will present information about senior-oriented programs and services offered by public agencies and private providers. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The final Senior Expo will be held on October 10 at Mayfair Community Center.
Thursday, Oct. 3: Lawncrest Recreation Center, 6000 Rising Sun Avenue.
Thursday, Oct. 10: Mayfair Community Center, 2990 Saint Vincent Street.
For Information (public): Call 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 (Spanish).
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | October 2, 2019 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 2, 2019 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) is encouraging middle and high school students to share their ideas about how to support agriculture in Pennsylvania as part of the third annual “Talk to Your State Senator” statewide video competition.
This year’s competition challenges students to produce a video that includes ideas about how to ensure the agriculture industry will have a bright future in Pennsylvania. Agriculture is the state’s top industry and a major part of the state and local economies, but the industry faces a variety of challenges based on market conditions and the number of farmers who are expected to retire during the next decade, Senator Tartaglione said.
The contest, which is sponsored by the Senate of Pennsylvania and Rutter’s, is open to Pennsylvania students in grades 6 through 12, including all public school, private school, and home school students. Participants are encouraged to submit video entries of no longer than three minutes that promote the future of farming in Pennsylvania.
A total of $10,000 in prizes will be awarded through the PA 529 college savings program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury. Prizes will be deposited into a college savings account in the winner(s) name. Videos will be judged based on creativity, content and effectiveness of message delivery.
The contest will remain open through January 31, 2020. Winners will be announced in May 2020. More information on the contest is available online at www.legis.state.pa.us/talk-to-your-state-senator/.
Previous “Talk to Your State Senator” video competitions have explored the impact of the heroin and opioid crisis, and generated ideas to help improve school safety.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | September 19, 2019 | News Releases
St. Anne’s/26th District PAL was the setting for the first of the senator’s three 2019 Senior Expos. Vendors delivered vital information to improve the lives of older adults.
Philadelphia, PA, September 19, 2019 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione’s annual Senior Expo was a huge hit among the older adults and caregivers of the Port Richmond area, who gathered at the St. Anne’s/26th District PAL Center and collected valuable information about topics ranging from health care to financial services to crime prevention.
Today’s event was the first of the senator’s three 2019 Senior Expos. Upcoming sessions are planned for Lawncrest Recreation Center on October 3 and Mayfair Community Center on October 10. There is no charge to attend or participate. All visitors receive a free boxed lunch. More than 60 public and private-sector agencies and organizations participated in today’s event, which attracted hundreds of seniors and their caregivers.
“This is the second consecutive year I have held a Senior Expo at St. Anne’s, and the public response continues to grow,” Senator Tartaglione said. “It just goes to show that senior citizens are very interested in learning about ways to improve their quality of life, and that we have many organizations that are committed to helping our older relatives and neighbors to navigate life’s challenges.”
Senator Tartaglione thanked all of the partners and vendors who made the event possible. The lineup featured agencies from the health care and insurance sectors, banking and financial services, adult day care, retirement communities, consumer advocates, assistive technology providers, veteran services providers, state and local police, public utilities, and elected officials from the federal, state, and local levels.
“My goal for every Senior Expo is to provide visitors with a full array of services and information under one roof,” Senator Tartaglione said. “We want to create a one-stop shop where folks can get answers to all of their questions, and where they can get plenty of sound advice about often-difficult topics. I’m certain that we accomplished that here today.”
Senator Tartaglione will host her second 2019 Senior Expo on Thursday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lawncrest Recreation Center, 6000 Rising Sun Avenue. The third 2019 Senior Expo will be on Thursday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 Saint Vincent Street. No appointments or reservations are required to attend. Contact the senator’s district office at 1061 Bridge Street, 215-533-0440, for information about participating as a vendor.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | September 3, 2019 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 3, 2019 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione invites older Philadelphians and their primary caregivers to her annual Senior Expo series in the coming weeks. The senator will host the Expos at three community venues in the 2nd Senate District, including the Lawncrest Recreation Center for the first time!
All three events will present information about many senior-oriented programs and services offered by public agencies and private providers. The Expos will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join Senator Tartaglione and dozens of presenters on the following dates at the corresponding locations:
Thursday, Sept. 19: St. Anne’s Parish-PAL Center, Memphis and Tucker streets.
Thursday, Oct. 3: Lawncrest Recreation Center, 6000 Rising Sun Avenue.
Thursday, Oct. 10: Mayfair Community Center, 2990 Saint Vincent Street.
For Information (public): Call 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 (Spanish).
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | August 27, 2019 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, August 27, 2019 – After a months-long review of a sexual misconduct complaint against a former Pennsylvania House member, a Dauphin County grand jury has called for the Pennsylvania Legislature to create a new, independent Office of Legislative Responsibility to create a centralized reporting system for victims to report sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
Among other things, the grand jury recommended the new independent office be led by a qualified investigator, have subpoena power in consultation with the district attorney in the relevant jurisdiction and have authority to investigate any alleged misconduct, not limited to sexual harassment or assault.
Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus have welcomed this idea and plan to move forward when the legislature returns in September.
“Women in the capitol deserve to be safe, to feel safe, to be heard, and to be respected,” said Sen. Larry Farnese (D-1). “We must act swiftly and stand together to enact these policy changes to create a better working environment for everyone in the Capitol.”
“To protect the safety of all individuals in and around the Capitol, as well as those who interact with the General Assembly anywhere throughout the Commonwealth, we must empower and encourage victims to report alleged incidents of harassment and misconduct as soon as possible,” said Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-2). “By creating an office dedicated to investigating these incidents independently, we will be sending a powerful message that the Pennsylvania Legislature takes all allegations seriously and that every voice will be heard.”
“This process has revealed the deficiencies in policy and reporting that has failed to keep women safe in and around the Capitol for years,” said Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11). “It is time that we take this conduct seriously and create a reporting process that affords victims the opportunity to come forward in safety and with dignity. It is time for today’s legislative leaders to lead the way in creating a path forward to ensure that the workplace is a safe place for all.”
“The findings of the Grand Jury Report reiterate what we already know and what the #MeToo Movement has made clear for years: there can be no tolerance for workplace harassment. Period,” said Sen. Maria Collett (D-12). “Our General Assembly needs to hold itself to the highest standards and lead by example by implementing and improving the procedures in which we address all claims of workplace harassment by adopting these recommendations. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature as we take up this issue when we return to session.”
“Having an independent office as a central reporting and investigation unit makes some sense,” said Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-18). “It will help ensure consistency and efficiency in all caucuses and both Chambers.”
“As a career public servant, I believe that members of the General Assembly should be held to the highest standards of ethics and behavior to uphold the public trust,” said Sen. Pam Iovino (D-37). “The establishment of the Office of Legislative Responsibility will serve to ensure that public trust. An independent office will secure credible due process for all victims, regardless of gender, as well as all accused.”
“Our current system of reporting and investigating claims of workplace harassment is woefully inadequate and, in many cases, damaging to the very people it is designed to serve,” said Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-38). “We need to take this opportunity to implement the Grand Jury’s recommendations and create a system that ensures all victims and witnesses alike are protected from retaliation and encouraged to report instances of workplace harassment.”
“The recommendations of not pursuing criminal charges in this incident is a direct example of how the “justice” system and old boys club enable rape culture and abuse of power in our government,” said Sen. Katie Muth (D-44). “How many more of us have to be harassed, bullied, assaulted, and raped before real accountability is enforced? The recommendations made by the grand jury should’ve been mandated decades ago. Until there is true, unbiased, outside oversight of the members of the General Assembly, the current system of internal regulation and self-policing will continue to cause more harm, corruption, and wasted taxpayer dollars on salaries for predators and those that enable them.”
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by Christin Brown | August 22, 2019 | News Releases
Children of the 2nd Senate District frolicked in the summer sun with music, face painting, and refreshments. They took home free backpacks and school supplies, too.
Philadelphia, PA, August 22, 2019 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione concluded her 2019 Community Picnics on a high note today as local school children flocked to Wissinoming Park for the third and final gathering of the annual summertime series.
Senator Tartaglione distributed close to 1,000 backpacks stuffed with school supplies during the series, which included picnics at Fairhill Square Park on August 8, Lawncrest Recreation Center on August 15, and today’s event in Wissinoming. Numerous sponsors and vendors teamed with the senator to make the picnics, supportive, informative, and fun for all the families who participated.
“We’ve been doing these Community Picnics for 15 years and they seem to grow bigger and bigger each year,” Senator Tartaglione said. “No matter what type of school your child attends, education can be a financial challenge. My goal each year is to make attending school a little easier for the kids and their families while giving them one more chance to enjoy the summer before classes begin.”
Wissinoming Park provided an ideal venue. With DJ Carlos Sanchez providing a danceable soundtrack, children beat the heat in the park’s new water spray area. The youngsters eagerly visited the face painting booth and the fingerprinting table staffed by the 15th Police District. Some of the kids and many of their parents also tested out one of the city’s new touch-screen voting machines, courtesy of the City Commissioner’s Office.
A host of sponsors, both longtime and new, made the picnics possible: Acme of Oxford Avenue, Aetna Better Health of PA, All American Home Care, Altrusa International of South Central PA c/o Bobbi Wertz-Hoy, America Health/Keystone First, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Dietz & Watson, West Kensington Ministry/DJ Rev. Adan Mairena, DJ Carlos Sanchez, Giant Supermarket, Hyperion Bank, La Fortaleza, Laundry Café, UFCW Local 1776, Ray Pastrana, Philadelphia Pharmacy, Plaza Allegheny, ShopRite-Harbison & Castor, ShopRite-Oxford & Levick, ShopRite-Zallies, Tom Walter on behalf of the late Jeanne M. Walter, and the 26th Police District.
This year’s vendors included Aetna Better Health of PA, All American Home Care, America Health/Keystone First, Brightside Academy, City Commissioner’s Office, West Kensington Ministry/DJ Rev. Adan Mairena, DJ Carlos Sanchez, Hyperion Bank, The 6th Man Project, 25th Police District, 26th Police District, 2nd Police District, and 15th Police District.
Senator Tartaglione will move indoors for her upcoming Senior Expo series in September and October. The events will be held at St. Anne’s Parish, Lawncrest Recreation Center, and Mayfair Community Center. Dates and times will be announced. For information, follow Senator Tartaglione on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | August 16, 2019 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA – August 16, 2019 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione handed out free backpacks and back-to-school supplies to more than 400 appreciative children at the Lawncrest Recreation Center yesterday as she hosted a Community Picnic at the bustling neighborhood playground for the first time in the 15-year history of her late-summer event series.
Youngsters and their caregivers enjoyed Dietz & Watson hot dogs, Philly Pretzel Factory soft pretzels, Philadelphia Water Ice, and DJ music. A Face painting booth, child fingerprinting, a coloring book contest, and a basketball raffle kept the excitement going throughout the four-hour picnic. The picnic also benefitted from a special contribution by Altrusa International, a nonprofit community service organization that donated books for each child to take home with them as part of its ongoing commitment to youth literacy.
“Lawncrest is a vibrant family community with many dedicated leaders and volunteers. I was thrilled when they asked me to host one of my Picnics at the rec center. And the public response was outstanding,” Senator Tartaglione said. “These events are a great opportunity for folks to meet their neighbors in a purely social setting and to help their kids get a head start on the upcoming school year. Lawncrest took full advantage of those opportunities today.”
The Lawncrest event followed Senator Tartaglione’s successful picnic on August 8 at Fairhill Square Park in North Philadelphia. The third and final picnic of 2019 is scheduled for Thursday, August 22, at Wissinoming Park. All activities will be set up around the park’s multi-purpose building on Cheltenham Avenue, between Frankford Avenue and Charles Street. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Children must be accompanied by an adult and obtain a ticket from the senator’s table to receive a backpack.
Each backpack comes stuffed with pencils, erasers, notebooks, and other school supplies.
“The start of a new school year can be a serious financial burden for many parents. I hope these backpacks and supplies make the transition from summer to fall easier for local families,” Senator Tartaglione said.
Many longtime partners and some popular new ones teamed up with the senator to make the event possible. All-American Home Care provided the child face-painting station, while the Philadelphia City Commissioner’s Office showed off its new touchscreen, paper-ballot voting machines. Hyperion Bank, Brightside Academy, Fortaleza Rehabilitation and Wellness, and Oak Street Health were among the participating vendors.
“I look forward to seeing the families of Wissinoming and neighboring communities at Wissinoming Park next week,” Senator Tartaglione said.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | August 8, 2019 | News Releases
Music, face painting, hot dogs and the senator’s back-to-school backpack giveaway made it a special occasion for local children and their caregivers.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – August 8, 2019 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s Community Picnic was a huge hit with the children and their families who gathered at Fairhill Square Park today to delight in free music, hot dogs, soft pretzels, water ice, face painting, and the senator’s popular back-to-school backpack giveaway. Hundreds of youths walked away wearing new school bags on their shoulders and smiles on their faces.
The event was the first of the senator’s three annual Community Picnics in her 2nd Senate District. The next two will be held on August 15 at Lawncrest Playground and on August 22 at Wissinoming Park. All three events last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are open to the public. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Each child may receive one backpack.
“This is a great time of year to be a youngster in the 2nd District and it’s a pleasure for me too. I really enjoy mingling with the children and their families while helping them ease the costs of the upcoming school year,” Senator Tartaglione said. “When we give each child a backpack filled with supplies like pencils, erasers, and notebooks, it means they will have the tools to succeed during the upcoming school year.”
Many longtime partners and some popular new ones teamed up with the senator to make the event possible. Picnic-goers enjoyed Dietz & Watson hot dogs, Philadelphia Water Ice, and soft pretzels from the Philly Pretzel Factory. All-American Home Care brought its child face-painting station, while the 26th Police District conducted child fingerprinting.
The Philadelphia City Commissioner’s Office showed off its new touch-screen, paper-ballot voting machines, and the folks from Hyperion Bank handed out lollipops along with information about their financial services. Brightside Academy was on hand to inform parents about their child daycare programs.
Senator Tartaglione is looking forward to the next Community Picnic at Lawncrest Playground, 6000 Rising Sun Avenue, on August 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children wishing to get a free backpack must first visit the senator’s table to obtain a ticket from a staff member.
“I welcome everyone to join us again next week. It’s a great chance to meet new friends and enjoy the summer one more time before the new school year!” Senator Tartaglione said.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | August 1, 2019 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA, August 1, 2019 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione today announced that Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) has awarded almost $2.5 million in grants to applicants within the 2nd Senate District.
RCAP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. Beneficiaries in the 2nd District include the Free Library of Philadelphia, Friends of Father Judge High School, and Esperanza Health Center, which was awarded grants for two projects.
“I am very pleased to share the good news with these benevolent organizations and the communities that they serve. Each of the four projects selected for funding will greatly improve the lives of people throughout the district and beyond,” Senator Tartaglione said. “They will create new jobs while improving community access to education, career training, healthcare, and wellness.”
Projects funded in Senator Tartaglione’s district include:
- Esperanza Health Center was awarded a $500,000 grant to develop its new medical care and wellness campus in Kensington. The center will provide primary medical, dental, and behavioral health services, along with substance abuse and opioid use disorder treatment, while offering a gymnasium, fitness center, and multipurpose community space. A second $500,000 grant was awarded to Esperanza for a second phase of development on its new campus, including the renovation of a 35,000-square-foot former bank building at Kensington and Allegheny avenues.
- Friends of Father Judge High School was awarded a $1,000,000 grant to develop two spaces known as the Brisson Center for Academic Excellence and Welding Lab that will provide enhanced career training to prepare students for high-demand jobs of the present and future.
- The Free Library was awarded $480,000 to repair and upgrade two branch libraries, including McPherson Square and Kingsessing, as part of the 21st Century Libraries Initiative. The project will make the buildings more structurally sound, enhance their telecommunications and technological capabilities, ensure their compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and improve their security systems.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | July 30, 2019 | News Releases
During a public information session hosted by the legislators, Medical Marijuana experts shared information about the potential benefits of the alternative medicine.
Philadelphia, PA, July 30, 2019 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione and State Representative Angel Cruz welcomed dozens of constituents to the senator’s district office in Fairhill today to share valuable information about Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana program and to help folks access the potentially life-changing medicines.
Senator Tartaglione and Representative Cruz partnered with the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, known as Philly NORML, for the four-hour event, which was also attended by a physician from Medically Assisted Recovery Services, along with representatives from Hemp Health Labs and Herbology, a company that operates nine licensed medical marijuana dispensaries across the state.
“I truly hope and believe that the information we shared here today will help members of the community who are struggling to cope with many different medical conditions and those who seek access to a safe, non-addictive, and legal way to relieve their symptoms,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Opioid use disorder is a major public health crisis across Pennsylvania and especially in the 2nd Senate District. Medical marijuana offers people an alternative, whether they have cancer, glaucoma, autism, chronic pain, or any of more than 20 different diagnoses.”
“We had a packed house, which is a sign that people need more information and are looking for ways to get help with chronic medical conditions,” Representative Cruz said.
The list of eligible conditions continues to grow. Earlier this month the Pennsylvania Department of Health added anxiety and Tourette syndrome to the list. The Commonwealth is one of just three states to allow medical marijuana prescriptions for anxiety.
Robert Rudnitsky, executive director of Philly NORML, said that public events like today’s information session help to shed light on the state’s medical marijuana program, break down the stigmas often associated with the substance, and educate people about marijuana’s medical uses.
“My goal is to remove the negative stigmas and have people know this is an alternative to the traditional pharmaceuticals,” Rudnitsky said. “It’s safe with minimal to no side effects, and for many people it’s an effective way to treat their ailments.”
Todd Eachus, managing partner for Hemp Health Labs, said that events like this provide “remarkable access for products that people really need to relieve their symptoms. The healthcare community knows so little of this because it has just emerged, but it’s not going away.”
Information about the Department of Health’s Medical Marijuana Program is available online by visiting www.health.pa.gov. Each week in Philadelphia, Philly NORML hosts a series of state medical marijuana card registration events. For a listing, visit www.PhillyNORML.org.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | July 29, 2019 | News Releases
Harrisburg, Pa. – July 29, 2019 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation, urging that the federal Department of Agriculture does not end automatic eligibility for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This change would impact 3.1 million Americans; 120,000 living in Pennsylvania.
The caucus urged the Congressional delegation to stand united in opposition to this devastating rule change that would strip food from Pennsylvania families in need.
Writing jointly in its letter, the caucus wrote:
This proposal is heartless, callous, and Pennsylvanians cannot afford it.
Feeding America estimates that more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians are food insecure. Worse, 1 in 6 of Pennsylvania’s children struggles with hunger. These numbers are staggering enough without the addition of 200,000 more who could soon be without SNAP. The current rules allow those food insecure individuals who are single parents, disabled veterans, victims of domestic violence and individuals with a disability to receive vital benefits that allow them to put a healthy, fresh meal on their table.
Societies are judged by how they treat their most vulnerable; if we let this change to SNAP go unchallenged, we will fail that judgement.
Our caucus will oppose the rule change in every way that we are able, and we ask that our federal representatives join us in that fight. We, and our constituents, thank you for the advocacy you have already undertaken.
Download Letter →
by Christin Brown | July 15, 2019 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA, July 15, 2019 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) is pleased to announce that seven elementary schools within the 2nd Senate District have been selected to receive federal funding to provide students with fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will distribute almost one-quarter of a million dollars to the seven schools in the form of grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The program’s goals are to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices, expanding the variety of fruits and vegetables students experience, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and positively impacting students’ health. FFVP was first implemented in Pennsylvania in 2004 and expanded to all 50 states in 2008.
“Good nutrition is critical for young scholars so that they arrive in class ready to learn,” Senator Tartaglione said. “This program provides children with healthy food options and teaches them how to eat balanced meals.”
Schools that receive grants are required to spend the majority of the funds to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables. They also must provide nutrition education to students. Funding priority is given to schools with the highest rates of students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
“Children are better prepared to learn when they have access to healthy food choices during the day,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “By expanding breakfast programs, offering reduced-price meals, and providing fresh produce, we’re improving the conditions to help students succeed.”
“Fresh fruits and vegetables provide vital nutrients to growing children,” Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera said. “These grants are another way to help address food security in our schools while also providing an opportunity to teach students how to make smart and nutritious choices.”
More than 220 elementary schools from across the Commonwealth were chosen to receive grants totaling $5.5 million. In the 2nd Senate District, seven schools received $228,332 in grants, including Pan American Academy Charter School, Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, Visitation BVM School, Mastery Charter School-Smedley Elementary, William Cramp School, Lewis Elkin School, and Fox Chase School.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | June 27, 2019 | News Releases
Despite additional funding for education, workforce development, human services, and healthcare services, budget bill ignores minimum wage.
Philadelphia, PA, June 27, 2019 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today voted ‘no’ on House Bill 790, the $34 billion 2019-2020 state spending plan that failed to include language to raise the Commonwealth’s long-stagnant minimum wage.
Despite vocal opposition, the Republican-led Senate adopted the budget bill, 42-8, and advanced the legislation to the governor’s office for his consideration.
The full Senate vote occurred one day after the Senate adopted legislation, 26-24, mostly along party lines to eliminate the state’s general assistance program that provides modest, temporary, and reimbursable cash assistance to poor people in crisis, including those with disabilities and illnesses, crime victims, and disabled military veterans.
“It has been 4,736 days since Pennsylvania last raised the minimum wage. It is unconscionable that we are walking out of here without doing that,” Senator Tartaglione said. “People are having to choose between food on the table, medicine, rent. They need this!”
Pennsylvania last raised its minimum wage in June 2006 via Senator Tartaglione’s SB 1090 as part of the budget negotiations that year. The measure raised the state’s minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.15. Pennsylvania’s minimum wage later increased another 10 cents an hour when the federal government enacted a $7.25 minimum wage.
At that rate, a full-time, year-round worker would make just over $15,000 a year, which is less than the federal poverty threshold for a single parent with one child or any other two-person household. About 13 percent of Pennsylvania’s 5 million households fall below the poverty threshold.
All six of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states have raised their minimum wages above the federal minimum and are among 29 states that have done so nationwide in recent years.
“Every state bordering Pennsylvania has raised the minimum wage and some have done it twice. (Many minimum wage workers) have children to take care of and many are working two or three jobs,” Senator Tartaglione said.
Senator Tartaglione’s SB 12 proposes to raise the minimum wage to $12 this year and to $15 by 2026 through annual increases of 50 cents. It also would eliminate the sub-minimum wage for tip-earning workers, who can make as little as $2.83 in hourly wages. After 2026, the bill would tie the minimum wage to annual cost of living adjustments.
SB 12 awaits action in the Senate Labor and Industry Committee. The same proposal awaits action as a separate bill in the Pennsylvania House. Both bills have the governor’s support. Senator Tartaglione will continue fighting for legislative action on the issue.
Senator Tartaglione also voted “no” on HB 33 on Wednesday, the legislation that proposes to eliminate the general assistance program that provides temporary transitional income of about $200 a month to just over 11,000 Pennsylvanians as they await approval for federal safety net benefits.
Despite her opposition to the budget, Senator Tartaglione supported many of the provisions contained within it, including funding increases for early education, public education, higher education, career and technical training, student grants, and public libraries. The bill also funds health care and social services for more than 4,000 additional senior citizens and people with disabilities.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | June 24, 2019 | News Releases
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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by Christin Brown | June 10, 2019 | News Releases
Pennsylvania State Senator Christine Tartaglione Receives Honor
Philadelphia, PA − June 10, 2019 − Marsy’s Law for Pennsylvania, which is aimed at providing equal rights to crime victims in Pennsylvania by ensuring constitutional protections, announced that State Senator Christine Tartaglione has been presented the Guardian of Victims’ Rights Award.
The Guardian of Victims’ Rights Awards are presented to people who have served as advocates and ambassadors for crime victims across the state, working to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect. Sen. Tartaglione is one of the co-sponsors of Marsy’s Law legislation, which is seeking an amendment to ensure that the Pennsylvania Constitution enumerates rights for victims of crime.
“The Guardian of Victims’ Rights Award is a tremendous honor and I am very thankful to Marsy’s Law for PA and all of your partners for choosing me to receive it,” Sen Tartaglione said. “The issue of victims’ rights is very important to me and to the constituents of the 2nd Senate District. Acts of crime can be very traumatic to victims and their families, but the pain does not stop with the act itself.”
The award was recently presented to Sen. Tartaglione on June 10 during a meeting with Marsy’s Law for Pennsylvania and Jennifer Storm, Commonwealth Victim Advocate.
Although the state constitution enumerates rights for individuals accused and convicted of crimes, Pennsylvania is one of only nine states that does not afford the same protections to crime victims. Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) recently introduced House Bill 276 for Marsy’s Law, which was approved by the House of Representatives on April 8, 2019. Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) is sponsoring the bill in the Senate during this legislative session.
For the state constitution to be amended, legislation must pass in two consecutive legislative sessions before being added to the ballot for voter approval. During the 2017-18 legislative session, Marsy’s Law passed unanimously in the state Senate and House.
“Victims shouldn’t have to relive the trauma each time they go to court, and they shouldn’t have to live in fear not knowing if their tormentor may be walking free,” Sen Tartaglione said. “Just as our state Constitution protects the due process rights of the accused, it should protect the rights and the peace of mind of those who have been victimized through no fault of their own.”
by Christin Brown | May 23, 2019 | News Releases
As part of a statewide “RealJobs RealPay” Day of Action, the senator visited La Barberia in Suburban Station and highlighted the benefits of raising the minimum wage.
Philadelphia, PA, May 23, 2019 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today led Pennsylvania legislators on a tour of a successful Philadelphia business that chooses to pay its employees a far, living wage, rather than Pennsylvania’s outdated minimum wage.
The visit to La Barberia, a full-service barber shop inside Suburban Station, was one of many events held across the Commonwealth in conjunction with the “RealJobs RealPay” day of action. Senator Tartaglione and her colleagues seek to heighten awareness about the need to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage and showcase businesses that understand the interdependent relationship of higher employee wages, satisfied customers, and financial success.
Senator Tartaglione is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 12, which proposes to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage for the first time in a decade. The legislation calls for an increase from $7.25 per hour to $12 this year, and additional annual increases that would lead to a $15 minimum wage by 2025.
“Many entrepreneurs are proving that taking care of your employees goes hand-in-hand with taking care of your customers and taking care of your bottom line,” Senator Tartaglione said. “This formula works, no matter where you do business: whether it’s in the heart of a major city, in the suburbs, or in Pennsylvania’s beautiful rural communities.”
La Barberia has locations in Philadelphia and in Jenkintown, Montgomery County. Owner Michael O’Connor said: “We know that by paying fair wages, our employees are happier and they stick around, providing the great service that keeps our customers coming back and recommending us to others. When the minimum wage goes up, businesses will see costly turnover go down.”
Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is also the federal minimum, which was last raised in 2009. Pennsylvania lawmakers last acted to raise the state’s minimum wage in 2006. Since then, all six of Pennsylvania’s border states have raised their minimum wages above the federal minimum. In all, 29 states mandate wages greater than $7.25.
At 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, the minimum wage converts to annual earnings of just over $15,000 a year, which is below the federal poverty level for a family of two, such as a single parent and child. Among those who would benefit directly from Senator Tartaglione’s minimum wage legislation, 61 percent are women, 55 percent work full time, and 24 percent are parents.
In Philadelphia, 35 percent of workers would benefit directly. In dozens of Pennsylvania’s rural counties, more than 40 percent of workers would benefit. Statewide, more than 1.1 million workers would benefit directly from a $12 minimum wage this year, while another 500,000 would get raises as pay scales rise. A $15 minimum wage would directly benefit 2 million Pennsylvania workers.
“Higher wages put more money into workers’ pockets. Seeing as workers are consumers too, they will be able to spend more at the businesses they patronize,” Senator Tartaglione said. “In turn, businesses will grow and be able to employ more people.”
For more information about minimum wage and businesses that choose to pay fair, living wages, visit RealJobsRealPay.com.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | May 20, 2019 | News Releases
Pennsylvania − May 20, 2019 − Advocates, lawmakers and state officials will participate in tours and a statewide day of action on Thursday, May 23rd with businesses that choose to pay their employees a living wage.
Pennsylvania’s minimum wage remains at a regional low of $7.25 per hour, the minimum still set by the federal government. The state is beyond due for an increase in this poverty-level wage.
According to a recent report from the Keystone Research Center, an increase in the state’s minimum wage to $12/hour on July 1, 2019 (as proposed by Governor Tom Wolf and members of the General Assembly as part of this year’s budget negotiations) would impact a total of 1.7 million Pennsylvania workers. More than 1.13 million would see a direct increase; 540,000 people who make slightly more than $12/hour would see their wages increase as payscales are adjusted upwards.
Despite a decade without a mandated increase from the state or federal government, business owners throughout Pennsylvania understand that a $7.25 wage is unacceptable and have taken it upon themselves to ensure that their workers are able to support themselves through full-time work. Those businesses are thriving.
Members of the press are invited to attend these tours and ask questions of the legislators and business owners. Tour stops include:
Harrisburg
2:00pm at Elementary Coffee
Broad Street Market, 1233 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17102
Pittsburgh
3:30pm at Bar Marco
2216 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Philadelphia
1:30pm at La Barberia
Suburban Station Concourse, 17th St. & JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Delaware County
5:00pm at Five Points Coffee Shop
47 Long Ln, Upper Darby, PA 19082
Chester County
3:00pm at Mabel’s BBQ
607 East Market St. West Chester, PA
Bucks County
1pm at Exact Solar
82 Walker Lane, Newtown PA 18940
Lancaster
11am at El Pueblito Mexican Restaurant
1027 Dillerville Rd., Dillerville Square, Lancaster
Follow along with the day of action on Twitter with #RealJobsRealPay
For more information on the urgent need to raise the minimum wage, visit realjobsrealpay.com
by Christin Brown | May 8, 2019 | News Releases
The senator will join Governor Wolf, Philadelphia Mayor Kenney and leaders from the Commonwealth’s private and public sectors on the university’s governing body.
HARRISBURG, PA, May 8, 2019 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) was appointed by the Senate today as the newest member of the Temple University Board of Trustees. She will join Governor Tom Wolf, Philadelphia Mayor James Kenney, and other high-ranking leaders from Pennsylvania’s public and private sectors on the body that governs the 135-year-old state-related research institution.
“It is an honor to serve such a venerable and influential institution. I accept this appointment knowing that it comes with a tremendous responsibility,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Higher education is one of the pillars of prosperity for this Commonwealth and its citizens. As a trustee, I will seek to ensure that willing and deserving students have access to the many programs offered at Temple. And I will also seek to ensure that the university makes optimal use of the resources invested in it.”
Based in North Philadelphia, Temple has four branch campuses in Southeastern Pennsylvania, one in Harrisburg, and foreign campuses in Rome and Tokyo. It is the second-largest university in the Commonwealth with an enrollment of more than 40,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The university offers more than 500 academic programs.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | April 1, 2019 | News Releases
The city’s Complete Count Committee held its inaugural meeting at the National Constitution Center to discuss strategies for a new public awareness campaign.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 1, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today joined federal, state, and local public officials, along with community, corporate, and labor leaders, at the National Constitution Center to launch a new committee that will promote public participation in the 2020 national census.
Tartaglione is one of six honorary co-chairs of the Complete Count Committee, along with U.S. House members Brendan Boyle, Dwight Evans, and Mary Gay Scanlon; Pennsylvania House member Jason Dawkins; and Philadelphia City Councilman Derek Green. Mayor James F. Kenney chairs the committee.
“I can’t think of a better place to begin our work because this is where our American experiment in representative democracy began,” Senator Tartaglione said. “The United States Census is explicitly required by the Constitution and is the foundation for our system of government. It’s vital that we make sure all Americans are counted.”
Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution requires the government to count the nation’s population every 10 years. The last census was completed in 2010. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the count via questionnaires that it distributes electronically and in paper form. Next year’s census will be largely conducted via the Internet, but the bureau will deploy workers door-to-door in an effort to contact those who don’t respond initially. Individual responses provided to census takers must be kept confidential per federal law.
Throughout the next 18 months, the committee will meet to prepare and carry out community engagement programs that explain the reasons for the census and to reassure residents that it’s in their best interests to participate.
Following the organizational meeting, committee members addressed the news media and local high school students to emphasize the importance of the project. Senator Tartaglione informed the young scholars that the size of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation relative to other states is determined directly by the census. In addition, the new census data will be used to reconfigure State Senate and State House districts. Furthermore, allocations of federal funding for public functions such as education, healthcare, housing, transportation, and college financial aid are tied to census data.
“Participating in the census enables Americans to have a voice in the public affairs that affect our daily lives. I encourage all of my constituents in the 2nd Senatorial District, and all Pennsylvanians to fill out those census forms and to take full advantage of the rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution,” Senator Tartaglione said.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | March 26, 2019 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, March 26, 2019 – Democrats from the Pennsylvania House and Senate today introduced a package of legislation aimed to curb harassment in the workplace, along with support from Governor Tom Wolf and Victim’s Advocate Jennifer Storm.
“As a caucus, we’ve worked with stakeholders and advocates and our own employees to craft a package of legislation that we believe can curb sexual harassment and do more to protect its victims,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. “Each of our bills in this package is aimed at expanding protections to individuals regardless of the size or type of their employment, because time is up on workplace harassment.”
“Workplace sexual harassment and discrimination didn’t begin overnight, and so it will take some time to properly correct,” Gov. Wolf said. “It’s not as easy as putting a few big-name figures in jail. We need to identify the everyday behaviors and correct them if we want Pennsylvania to be a great place to live and work. People can’t do their best work when they feel uncomfortable. You deserve to be treated in a way that meets basic standards that represent how we want all workers in Pennsylvania to act, and you should be treated with the respect and dignity that all workers in Pennsylvania deserve. That’s why I’m advocating for legislation to prevent workplace sexual harassment and discrimination in both the public and private sectors.”
The bills will be introduced in identical form in each chamber. They do the following:
- Cover contractors and unpaid interns under the protections of the Human Relations Act
- Amend the Human Relations Act to require employers to provide training to employees and to require standardized fair practice postings to specifically include examples of harassment and discrimination
- Require sexual harassment training for lobbyists
- Extend the Human Relations Act to include domestic workers
- Provide right to jury trial, punitive damages and an extended statute of limitations under the Whistleblower Bill
- Expand the Human Relations Act to include coverage from four employees to one employee, add the right to a jury trial, punitive damages, attorney fees and extend the statute of limitations
- Require employers to adopt written workplace harassment policies and reporting procedures
- Add sexual orientation and gender expression or identity to the list of classifications protected under the Pa. Human Relations Act
“For years, workplace harassment has been a pervasive issue in career fields across Pennsylvania and this nation. We need to harness the momentum and strength of the #MeToo movement and reverse years of discrimination in the workplace,” said Senator Larry Farnese. “No one, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, should be pressured by, or suffer from, the weight of workplace harassment.”
“We need to make it clear that there is no place for any form of harassment and there will be no tolerance for it either,” said Senator Wayne D. Fontana. “With this legislative package, we are taking definitive steps that both send a strong message and back it up with substantive changes to how harassment can be prevented, how it should be handled and how victims should be treated.”
“Protecting whistleblowers on workplace harassment and discrimination is a small part of the solution to change our culture.” said Senator Haywood. “I am introducing this legislation again knowing that we have a long way to go.”
“In today’s business climate, when employers often turn to independent contractors and unpaid interns to fulfill their staffing needs, Pennsylvania law must account for and protect all worker classifications. Everyone is entitled to a workplace that is free of harassment and discrimination,” Senator Tartaglione said.
For more information, visit PaSenate.com/harassment
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by Christin Brown | March 26, 2019 | News Releases
Senator Tartaglione welcomes MaKen City, which will offer many new family-sustaining jobs and will contribute to an economic renaissance of the community.
HARRISBURG, PA, March 26, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) is pleased to announce that Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority has awarded a $750,000 Multimodal grant to a Philadelphia-based social impact real estate group that will rehabilitate an idle industrial facility in Kensington into a food and beverage sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution facility.
The CFA board awarded the grant to 956 Erie Partners LLC, an affiliate of the Shift Capital real estate group, during the board’s meeting today in Harrisburg. The project is within Tartaglione’s 2nd Senatorial District.
“This is great news for a community that was once an economic engine for the region, but has long endured the debilitating effects of a decline in the city’s industrial manufacturing sector,” Senator Tartaglione said. “This project will bring new energy and many family sustaining jobs to a neighborhood challenged by high poverty. Yet, this neighborhood still has a wealth of willing workers and a great transportation infrastructure.”
Supported by experienced architects and consultants, Shift Capital plans to refurbish a 741,063-square-foot structure that sits on 19 acres at 956 E. Erie Ave., between “G” and “I” streets. The new facility will be known as MaKen City. The project will create jobs during the construction phase, as well as permanent full-time employment opportunities for local workers.
The developers hope that the improvements will have a ripple effect on the surrounding community, which is already home to Shift Capital’s MaKen Studios (a multi-use development with residential, entrepreneurial, and artistic spaces), as well as Liberty Coca-Cola’s corporate offices and production facilities.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | March 22, 2019 | Minimum Wage, News Releases
Crafted in partnership with Governor Wolf, Senate Bill 12 would raise the minimum wage to $12 this year and $15 by 2025, followed by annual cost of living increases.
HARRISBURG, PA, March 22, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today introduced Senate Bill 12 that would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $12 per hour this year, and $15 by 2025, after which the rate would be adjusted automatically each year based on a cost of living index. The measure would directly impact about 1 million Pennsylvania workers in 2019.
Senator Tartaglione crafted the bill in partnership with Governor Tom Wolf. The legislation has been referred to the Senate’s Labor & Industry Committee, of which Senator Tartaglione serves as minority chairwoman.
“It’s been 13 years since Pennsylvania last raised its minimum wage and this raise is long overdue,” Senator Tartaglione said. “All six of our neighboring states have raised their minimum wages above the federal minimum, as have 29 states across the nation. Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has stagnated as the cost of living and worker productivity have soared throughout the Commonwealth and the around the country, and while income inequality has reached an all-time high.”
Pennsylvania’s minimum wage stands at $7.25 per hour, which is also the federal minimum. S.B. 12 calls for employers to pay workers at least $12 per hour starting on July 1, 2019. The minimum wage will increase by 50 cents each ensuing July 1 until reaching $15 in 2025. Starting on July 1, 2026, and each succeeding July 1 thereafter, the minimum wage would increase in proportion with the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland area.
In addition, the legislation would eliminate the sub-minimum wage for tip earners, workers with disabilities, apprentices, and students. It would eliminate the preemption on municipal wage ordinances, expand the powers of the Department of Labor & Industry to recover wages and penalties for violations of the Minimum Wage Act, increase monetary penalties for violations, and bring enforcement in line with the nation’s Fair Labor Standards Act.
Due to inflation, the minimum wage has lost 29 percent of its earning power over the last 50 years. At $7.25 per hour, a full-time, year-round worker would earn just $15,080 per year, which is below the federal poverty level for a two-person household, such as the single parent of an only child. Data show that most of Pennsylvania’s low-wage workers are women and age 20 or older. Low-wage workers contribute more than half of the average family income in Pennsylvania.
“Vital members of our community, such as child care and home health workers, bank tellers, construction workers, retail and hospitality workers who work full-time while making the minimum wage only earn about $15,000 a year,” Senator Tartaglione said. “They cannot afford basic necessities such as rent, transportation, food, and prescriptions. Many are forced to rely on public assistance to get by. The inability for hard-working people to care for their basic needs, or those of their families, is morally wrong and is economically unsound.”
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | March 13, 2019 | Minimum Wage, News Releases
In a letter released today, 38 researchers and analysts agreed that now is the time for a ‘bold increase’ in a minimum wage that has stagnated for more than a decade.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 13, 2019 – The $15 minimum wage proposal crafted by State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione(D-Philadelphia) in partnership with Governor Tom Wolf hasearned the endorsement of 38 economists and social scientists, who have co-signed a letter calling for a bold increase in Pennsylvania’s outdated minimum wage.
The economic researchers and analysts represent academic institutions from throughout the Commonwealth and across the nation, as well as the Washington, D.C., based Economic Policy Institute and Harrisburg-based Keystone Research Center, which released the letter today. The full text of the letter and its signatories is available at www.keystoneresearch.org.
“It’s been 13 years since the Commonwealth last raised its minimum wage and a decade since the federal government enacted its most recent minimum wage adjustment. Meanwhile, executive salaries have continued to soar, the middle class has continued to shrink, and income inequality has reached an all-time high. All of this has happened as worker productivity has reached unprecedented heights,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Thirteen years is far too long to wait for a raise.”
Senator Tartaglione will soon introduce Senate Bill 12 which would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $12 this year, followed by annual raises of 50 cents until it reaches $15 by 2025. Thereafter, the minimum wage would be linked to automatic annual cost of living adjustments. The legislation would also eliminate the sub-minimum wage, which allows employers to pay as little as $2.83 per hour to certain categories of workers, such as tip-earners, those with disabilities, trainees, and students.
The economists stated that the new minimum wage proposal would directly lift the wages of 1.5 million Pennsylvanians by 2025, in addition to another 500,000 who make just above $15 now and would likely receive a pay raise as their employers adjust internal wage scales. Adjusted for inflation, today’s minimum wage workers in Pennsylvania earn 29 percent less per hour than their counterparts did 50 years ago, although worker productivity has doubled in Pennsylvania in that time.
“The vast majority of employees who would benefit are adults – disproportionately women – in working families, who work at least 20 hours a week and depend on their earnings to make ends meet,” the economists wrote.
In addition, the economists stated that the “weight of the evidence” of “rigorous academic research” has shown that measured increases in the minimum wage elsewhere have had “little or no negative effects” on the employment status of low-wage workers. On the contrary, the raises for two million Pennsylvanians would amount to $6.5 billion in higher wages, which would benefit their families and the communities in which they live, including local businesses.
“It’s time to support a bold increase in Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to address the fact that our wages for workers at the low end of the labor market have continued to stagnate, and to help reverse decades of growing pay inequality,” the letter stated.
“These economists are at the forefront of research on the topic. I welcome their endorsement of my plan and their reaffirmation that Pennsylvania must act now to raise the minimum wage. It’s long overdue,” Senator Tartaglione said.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | February 8, 2019 | Minimum Wage, News Releases
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, numerous elected officials, labor leaders, and commuters gathered at Frankford Terminal to join the call for a living wage
PHILADELPHIA, PA, February 8, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf led a coalition of elected officials, labor leaders, worker advocates, and commuters at the bustling Frankford Transportation Center today to rally support for a long overdue raise in Pennsylvania’s minimum wage.
It’s been 13 years since the legislature last raised the state’s minimum wage, and a decade since the federal government’s last minimum wage increase. Pennsylvania workers have been subject to a $7.25 minimum wage since then. At that rate, a 40-hour-per-week worker would earn just $15,080 per year. That’s barely above the federal poverty level for an individual, and about $1,400 below the poverty level for a two-person household.
“Let’s be clear about the people who we’re going to help by raising the minimum wage,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “It’s not just the teenagers who work at fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and other part-time, entry level jobs. The overwhelming majority of those who would see their paychecks get bigger – 90 percent in fact – are in their 20s or older. And half of them are full-time workers. On average, these folks earn more than half of their family’s total income.”
Numerous elected officials joined Tartaglione and the governor for the high-energy rally, including Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Tartaglione’s Senate colleagues Vincent Hughes, Art Haywood, and Tim Kearney. Wolf and Tartaglione each detailed the minimum wage proposal that the senator will soon introduce as Senate Bill 12.
“Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have raised their minimum wages above the federal minimum. New raises took effect in 18 states just last month,” Sen. Tartaglione said.
The legislation would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 this year, followed by annual increases of 50 cents until it reaches $15 in 2025. After then, the minimum wage would be adjusted annually, automatically, based on the cost of living. The legislation would also create safeguards to protect workers from employers who willfully underpay.
“I’ve said it before, I’ll say it today, and I’ll keep saying it – it’s past time that we raise the wage in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said. “Pennsylvania must be a place where hard work is rewarded, but our minimum wage hasn’t changed in a decade and too many hardworking people are struggling to get by. We must raise the wage.”
Raising the minimum wage to $12 this year would directly benefit more than one million workers, most of whom make more than the current minimum wage, but less than $12.
“This raise would put more money into their pockets, helping them to pay their bills,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “And it would inject billions of consumer dollars into our economy.”
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com
