by Christin Brown | February 5, 2019 | News Releases
During his annual budget address, Gov. Tom Wolf shared his plan to build ‘the strongest workforce in the nation’ in Pennsylvania while proposing no tax increases.
HARRISBURG, PA, February 5, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today declared her enthusiastic support for Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed Fiscal 2019-2020 budget as detailed by the governor in his annual budget address before a joint session of the Pennsylvania legislature.
Tartaglione, who is the longtime minority chair of the Senate’s Labor & Industry Committee, agreed with the governor that the path toward prosperity throughout the Commonwealth is through the education and training of Pennsylvanians to prepare them for the jobs of the present and the future.
“I applaud Governor Wolf for striving to build upon Pennsylvania’s many recent successes by continuing to grow and integrate our workforce development initiatives, while increasing our investment in education,” Tartaglione said.
In his remarks, Wolf named his package of policies and investments as the Statewide Workforce, Education, and Accountability Program. He identified the new Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center as one of the program’s key components. The center will provide a forum for members of the governor’s cabinet to collaborate with business and labor leaders on efforts to train workers and prepare them to satisfy the industry’s workforce needs. Wolf said his goal for Pennsylvania is “building the strongest workforce in the nation.”
“As a Commonwealth, we face many great challenges,” Tartaglione said. “How do we ensure that our residents can support their families with a living wage? How do we give them access to affordable healthcare? How do we help people escape the downward spiral of addiction? And how do we provide businesses – both established and emerging ones – with the human resources they need to thrive and to bolster our economy? The answer to all of these questions is by strengthening our workforce,” Tartaglione said.
Wolf proposes to increase funding for basic education by $200 million, pre-K and Head Start by $50 million, and special education by $50 million, as well as an additional $7 million for the State System of Higher Education and $8 million for one-time grants to college graduates who remain in Pennsylvania to work.
The governor proposes $10 million in funding to extend the PAsmart program that he initiated last year to support the expansion of career training, apprenticeships, and STEM education. He also proposes to invest $5 million in home-visiting programs for pregnant women and $5 million for wrap-around services so that parents can attend college or skills training that will enable them to secure family-sustaining jobs. Those state investments would be in addition to the allocation of $15 million in federal funds to reduce waiting lists for high-quality child care.
Taxes will not be raised under his plan. Rather, Wolf said his administration has already saved taxpayers billions of dollars by streamlining state government. It has reduced the number of state employees without resorting to furloughs and combined government functions where appropriate, while preserving and improving the services it provides.
Wolf’s budget proposal also includes a projected $120 million reduction in the demand for public assistance that would result from raising the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $12 this year. In the days leading up to his budget address, Wolf outlined the new minimum wage plan in collaboration with Senator Tartaglione and other lawmakers. Under the plan, the minimum wage would increase further in annual increments of 50 cents per year leading to a $15 level by 2025. After then, the minimum wage would be adjusted automatically each year based on the cost of living.
Senator Tartaglione plans to introduce the minimum wage plan as Senate Bill 12 in the near future.
Late last week, Wolf also announced a plan separate from his proposed budget to apply a new severance tax on natural gas extracted in Pennsylvania toward comprehensive infrastructure improvements across the Commonwealth, including hi-speed internet networks, storm preparedness and disaster recovery measures, blight and brownfields rehabilitation, and energy-efficient site development for businesses and residential projects.
“Raising the minimum wage and launching much-needed, job-generating infrastructure projects are measures we can adopt now to improve the economic condition of Pennsylvania, and the financial condition of millions of its workers,” 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 | January 30, 2019 | Minimum Wage, News Releases
In collaboration with the governor and state Rep. Patty Kim, the senator will introduce legislation that will directly help more than one-third of Pennsylvania’s workers.
HARRISBURG, PA, January 30, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today joined Gov. Tom Wolf, state Rep. Patty Kim, many of their legislative colleagues, and many worker advocates to announce their plan to raise Pennsylvania’s outdated minimum wage, which has stagnated at just over $7 per hour for the last 12 years.
Under the new proposal, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage would rise from the federal minimum of $7.25 to $12 on July 1, 2019. It would then increase an additional 50 cents per year until reaching $15 in 2025, after which it would be linked to annual cost of living adjustments. Tartaglione will soon introduce this plan as legislation in the Senate, while Kim will introduce it in the House.
“Minimum wage is one of the most important issues facing us as elected officials and as a Commonwealth because it directly impacts so many of our constituents. Enacting our legislation would give raises to 2.1 million Pennsylvanians, who represent 37 percent of the total workforce,” Sen. Tartaglione said, quoting data compiled by the Keystone Research Center.
Inflation has grown by more than 20 percent nationwide in the last dozen years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and 29 states, along with the District of Columbia, have raised their minimum wages above the federal minimum – including California and Washington at $12, and New York at $11.10.
New minimum wage raises took effect in 21 states this month, and New Jersey lawmakers are planning to vote tomorrow on a plan to raise that state’s minimum wage to $15 over the next five years. All six of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states have higher minimum wages than the $7.25 in effect throughout the Commonwealth.
“Raising the Minimum Wage is long overdue. I know this because I sponsored Pennsylvania’s last successful Minimum Wage legislation in 2006,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “At the time, all the naysayers warned us that we would force Pennsylvania companies out of business and drive away countless jobs. These doomsday predictions never came to pass. Undaunted, our critics are making the same argument now. — that businesses can’t afford to pay a fair minimum wage, A LIVING WAGE!”
“(Pennsylvania) workers and their families would earn an additional $9.1 billion over five years, money that they will spend in their communities in support of businesses,” Senator Tartaglione said. “This new prosperity would benefit people from all walks of life – all ages, all races, all religions, and both women and men. It would help workers in our major cities, those who live in the suburbs, and our rural workforce.”
Wolf stated that raising the minimum wage would reduce demand for public assistance and save taxpayers a combined $155 million over the next two years. Nearly 17,000 people would leave the state-funded Medicaid program next year, and another 51,000 would leave the following year. A portion of that savings will be reinvested to raise wages for workers who provide Department of Human Services-supported childcare and home care for seniors and people with disabilities.
“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,” said Governor Wolf. “Raising the minimum wage lets people afford the basics, like food, rent and transportation.
“It also lets people work their way off of public assistance rather than having taxpayers subsidizing employers that are paying poverty wages. One fair wage saves tax dollars, grows the middle class and creates new customers for businesses, which benefits all of us.”
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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 | January 22, 2019 | News Releases
The Bureau of Recreation and Conservation can provide funding and technical assistance to plan, acquire, develop, protect, and restore natural resources.
HARRISBURG, PA, January 22, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today invited Pennsylvania’s nature lovers and conservationists to apply for the latest series of grants being offered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
The department’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation will be accepting applications now through April 10 for grant funding and technical assistance to help plan, acquire, and develop parks, recreation facilities, and trails. Grants may also be used to benefit critical conservation areas and watersheds, or to support many of the commonwealth’s conservation, recreation, and heritage partners.
“One of the greatest gifts we can present to our children and grandchildren is a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “This is more than a goal. It’s an essential responsibility that we can fulfill by working together as a community with contributions from the public and private sectors; professionals and volunteers; city dwellers, suburbanites, and those who live in Pennsylvania’s vast and beautiful rural counties.”
The Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2014-19 (www.paoutdoorrecplan.com) identifies outdoor recreation priorities, strategies, and actions for the state. The bureau has identified additional priorities including community parks and recreation, land conservation and watershed protection, watershed restoration and rivers implementation, and trails development and rehabilitation.
Bureau staff is available to help prospective applicants develop competitive applications. Applicants are encouraged to register for either or both of two upcoming webinars on Jan. 30 and Feb. 27 via www.dcnr.pa.gov (follow the “Events” link and search the keyword “grants.”) More information on other grant programs is also available via the DCNR website.
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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 | January 17, 2019 | News Releases
Funded through the PAsmart workforce development initiative, the grant will support MaST II Community Charter School, serving 500 students in grades K to 5.
HARRISBURG, PA, January 17, 2019 – A grade school in State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione’s Philadelphia district was among 765 schools across Pennsylvania that were awarded a combined $8.7 million in targeted grants today in support of their computer science programs.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced the grants through the administration’s PAsmart initiative to invest in the commonwealth’s existing and future workforce needs. MaST II Community Charter School, at 6238 Rising Sun Ave. in the city’s Lawncrest section, will use the funding to expand computer science classes and teacher training. MaST II serves 500 students in grades K through 5.
“MaST is a National Blue Ribbon institution that has a strong track record of delivering high-quality, technology-focused education to students from throughout my district and surrounding communities. This funding will further enhance the school’s ability to prepare young people for the jobs of the future,” said Sen. Tartaglione, who serves as minority chairwoman of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee.
Founded in 1999 as Math, Science and Technology Community Charter School, MaST opened the doors on its first campus in the Far Northeast that fall. In 2016, the School District of Philadelphia granted a second charter for MaST II at the site of the former St. William Catholic School.
Construction is well underway for a second MaST II campus along the Delaware River in the city’s Tacony section. Plans are for it to open in time for the 2019-20 school year, with the Lawncrest campus continuing as the “lower school” for K to 5 students. MaST officials have asked the school district to permit an additional 650 students to enroll at MaST II.
In recent years, the mission of both MaST schools has expanded to cover all STREAM topics (science, technology, robotics, engineering, arts, and math).
The targeted grants represent a new phase of the governor’s PAsmart initiative, which will provide $20 million to bring high-quality computer science and STEM education in elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as professional development for teachers. With this commitment, Pennsylvania now ranks second in the nation for investments in K-12 STEM and computer science.
Over the next decade, seven in 10 new jobs in Pennsylvania will require workers to use a computer and an estimated 300,000 STEM jobs will be available in the commonwealth by 2026, according to the administration.
Targeted grants of up to $35,000 each are available through the program. In addition to helping schools introduce and expand computer science programming, the targeted grants will provide greater opportunities for students of color, low-income students, and girls to learn critical skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce.
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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 | January 10, 2019 | News Releases
Harrisburg, PA – January 10, 2019 – On behalf of the 12,000 Pennsylvania federal employees, contractors and subcontractors who are not receiving a paycheck during the partial federal government shutdown, Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) are taken steps to help those in need.
After hearing reports from constituents facing financial hardships during the shutdown, the senators wrote the 10 largest banks, relative to number of branches, in Pennsylvania. Their hopes are to share information about banks’ existing assistance programs or to spur action on behalf of working people with banks that have not addressed the issue.
“Ten years ago, we bailed out failing banks during a recession and now it is time to help working people during their financial crisis,” Sen. Hughes said. “These hard-working folks are suffering through no fault of their own. The least we can do is get them help until are get paid again.”
Motivations for the letter came from the senators understanding that 78 percent of U.S. workers live paycheck to paycheck and there are no furloughs for essential expenses. Mortgages, rent, groceries, car payments and other bills must be paid whether the government is functioning.
“We cannot stand by and do nothing while these federal employees are left without paychecks,” said Sen. Costa. “These are folks ready and willing to work in service of the federal government, but now face eviction and piling bills. I hope that financial institutions are willing to step up to help them, and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure these federal employees are not punished for this shutdown.”
In total, there are 62,000 federal workers in Pennsylvania and about 12,000 who are furloughed or working without pay. Nationally 800,000 federal employees have had their jobs disrupted, with 380,000 furloughed or sent home without pay. These figures speak to an economic crisis that must be addressed, the senators said.
“As the stalemate in Washington is about to enter its fourth week, thousands of hard-working Pennsylvanians are suffering a very heavy burden,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “I can’t think of any greater commitment to purpose and level of professionalism than we are seeing from those who want to work, but can’t, and from those who continue to work, but aren’t receiving their just compensation. It is imperative that we do all we can as a community to support them in their time of need.”
Rallies and protests across Pennsylvania also drew the attention of the senators who have made the fight for working people a central issue. Pennsylvania’s furloughed federal workers not receiving paychecks include TSA officers, federal prison workers, national park workers and employees of the Environmental Protection agency.
“The financial strain placed on federal government employees, contractors and subcontractors in the commonwealth continues to grow,” Sen. Street said. “This is a heavy burden on individuals and families who they cannot endure such hardships for an extended period of time. Banks have an opportunity to mitigate these hardships and must help the people. As the Democratic chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee, I encourage the banks to act with urgency in this regard.”
The full letter to the banks can be found here.
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by Christin Brown | January 8, 2019 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, January 8, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) has been reappointed as minority chairwoman of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee, where she will continue her work to protect the rights and promote the interests of Pennsylvania’s workforce.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Jr. announced the appointments of minority chairs for all 22 of the chamber’s standing committees yesterday for the 2019-20 legislative session, which began on January 1.
“As a former union organizer and business representative, I am keenly aware of and focused on the issues affecting all Pennsylvania workers,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “During my 24 years in the Senate, I have taken a leadership role in Harrisburg and in my home district on priorities including raising the minimum wage, workplace safety, wage equality, overtime pay protection, protection from discrimination and harassment, and workforce development. I look forward to continuing my collaboration with the Labor Committee, labor organizations, independent workers, and employers to further these paramount objectives and to grow family-sustaining jobs.”
Prior to being elected to the Senate in 1994, Tartaglione served as an organizer and business representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776. During the 2005-06 legislative session, her bill to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage was enacted. The legislature hasn’t raised the minimum wage again since then.
In the 2009-10 session, Tartaglione’s bill to address the Commonwealth’s short-term and long-term healthcare workforce challenges and to ensure an adequate supply of quality workers in the industry was enacted. During the 2011-12 session, her bill to fund the hiring of additional Pennsylvania State Police troopers was enacted.
Additionally, Tartaglione has taken a leading role in extending unemployment compensation benefits for jobless workers, and in providing for a shared work alternative to the termination of job positions by employers.
The 2019-20 Pennsylvania Senate session is scheduled to resume on January 15, when Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman will be sworn into office.
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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 | January 3, 2019 | News Releases
Unionized nurses from St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Hahnemann University Hospital have been working without a contract since November.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, January 3, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) joined picket lines today at two Philadelphia hospitals where registered nurses are fighting for a safe staffing commitment and fair compensation from their common employer.
Nurses from St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Juniata Park and Hahnemann University Hospital in Center City have been negotiating since August with American Academic Health System, the private, for-profit company that bought both medical facilities last January. The nurses are members of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) and have been working without a contract since their last collective bargaining agreement expired in November.
Union leaders say that management has been unwilling to include minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in a new contract while offering fair compensation that will enable the hospitals to retain and recruit talented nurses.
“I know that on the table were safe staffing levels that you had agreed to, and at the last minute, they were pulled and they said you had to choose between a raise and safe staffing levels,” Sen. Tartaglione told dozens of picketing nurses outside St. Christopher’s. “That is unacceptable. I want to know, would anybody on the other side of the table, would they bring their kids to St. Chris with the staffing levels they want to implement? I doubt it.”
PASNAP leaders cite research documenting that increased nurse staffing levels correlate directly to fewer patient fatalities, fewer medical complications, earlier patient discharge dates, and improved satisfaction for patients and their families. Meanwhile, wage improvements correlate to higher nurse retention and job satisfaction.
“You’re a mother, you’re a father, you’re a social worker for those children when their parents aren’t there,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “You’re the ones holding their hands and saying, ‘Baby, it’s gonna be OK.’ I know what you do every day. You deserve to be paid for it and you deserve to give the children the services they need.”
Tartaglione has been a leading advocate in the Pennsylvania Senate for safe nurse staffing levels. During the 2017-18 legislative session, she co-sponsored S.B. 214 to establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios under state law. The state already has minimum staffing ratios for child daycare facilities. But there are no such requirements for hospitals.
Today’s picketing did not coincide with work stoppages at St. Christopher’s or Hahnemann. Organizers described the events as informational in nature. PASNAP represents about 1,400 nurses at the two medical facilities and more than 8,000 members statewide.
For video coverage of today’s demonstrations, visit the Facebook page @SenatorTinaTartaglione.
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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 | January 1, 2019 | News Releases
During a ceremony in the Pennsylvania Capitol, State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione and her new and returning Senate colleagues were sworn into office.
HARRISBURG, PA, January 1, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today commenced her seventh consecutive four-year term as she was sworn into office at the Pennsylvania Capitol alongside 24 colleagues who were reelected or newly elected to the Senate in November.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Associate Justice Kevin M. Dougherty led Democratic senators in reciting the oath of office. Tartaglione’s mother, longtime Philadelphia City Commissioner Marge Tartaglione, took part in the ceremony by holding the Holy Bible used by her daughter to take the oath.
Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor administered the oath to Republicans. The 25 newly sworn senators will comprise half of the 50-member legislative body during the 2019-20 session. Twenty-five other senators are now midway through their current four-year terms.
“I am honored and proud that the voters of the 2nd Senatorial district chose me once again to serve them as their advocate and voice in Harrisburg,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “I enthusiastically accept this responsibility with the intention of continuing to fight for the best interests of the working people, retirees, school children, and community-based organizations of the district and throughout the entire state.”
In the 2018 election, Democrats gained five seats in the Senate and reduced the Republican majority to 29-21. Tartaglione noted that the Senate welcomed five new women senators today. Women now hold 11 seats, a net gain of four over the 2017-18 session. When Tartaglione was first elected in 1994, she became only the fifth woman ever elected to the PA Senate.
“I am thrilled to see that Democrats and women are finally gaining significant ground in their struggles for equitable representation in the Senate,” Tartaglione said. “More than 51 percent of the Pennsylvania population is female, while Democrats comprise the largest political party in the state by more than 815,000 registered voters. It’s only fair that those statistical facts are reflected in the composition of the Senate.”
With the 2019-20 legislative session at hand, Tartaglione said she will continue to push for workplace rights, educational opportunities, and healthcare protections for the people of the 2nd Senatorial District and all of Pennsylvania.
“We are at a critical juncture for our state and for the nation, a time when the economic gap between the very rich and the rest of us continues to widen, and when many corporations, large and small, along with their political allies are driving a coordinated campaign to repeal long-established labor protections, keep wages low, undermine affordable healthcare, and jeopardize retirement security,” Tartaglione said.
“History tells us that a thriving middle class is the foundation of a prosperous society, and that strong labor unions support a vibrant middle class. That’s why I will continue to lead the fight in Harrisburg for a family-sustaining minimum wage and for fair labor laws that allow unions to balance the playing field between workers and management.”
“Education is another pillar of a strong middle class and prosperous economy, so I will continue to advocate in the Capitol for equitable public-school funding, along with apprenticeship and vocational programs that will prepare future generations of workers for success.”
Along with these vital initiatives, Tartaglione also maintains a keen focus on the state’s opioid epidemic, which has negatively impacted the 2nd district as much as any area of Pennsylvania.
“Working together with state and local officials, healthcare providers, community organizations, the recovery community, and those afflicted by opioid use disorder, I am determined to develop solutions to a problem that is killing Pennsylvanians by the thousands, solutions that will deliver help directly where it’s needed and will enhance the quality of life in affected communities.”
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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 | November 30, 2018 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, November 30, 2018 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today encouraged prospective college students who may be applying for financial aid in 2019 to consider the new PA Forward Student Loan Program as part of their financial planning.
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) recently announced the creation of the loan program, which is designed to complement other forms of student aid, such as the PA State Grant Program and low-cost federal loans. PHAA described the new program as a borrower-friendly suite of low-cost alternative loans that will be available to Pennsylvania students starting with the 2019-20 academic year. Application deadlines have not been announced.
“As higher education costs continue to rise in Pennsylvania and around the nation, many students face a seemingly insurmountable financial burden that scholarships, grants, and other loan programs fail to meet,” Senator Tartaglione said. “This new program will help bridge the funding gap for students with high aspirations, but limited resources.”
PHEAA is the lender and servicer of the loans, with tax-exempt financing provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program offers affordable loans for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as parent borrowers. Also, borrowers who are in repayment may apply for a PA Forward Refinance Loan to consolidate outstanding student debts and achieve lower monthly payments.
PA Forward participants can borrow up to the total cost of attendance with competitively low interest rates. There are immediate credit approvals and flexible repayment options, with no application or origination fees. Borrowers can get discounted interest rates by enrolling in an automatic direct debit repayment program and simply by graduating.
“I am a firm believer that a strong education starts young people on the road to success. And for many of them, college is the best avenue,” Senator Tartaglione said. “When we give them greater access to higher education, we position them to support their future families and to bolster a healthy Pennsylvania economy.”
PHEAA encourages students and their families to exhaust all eligibility for grants and scholarships before considering a student loan. When borrowing, students should first apply for low-cost federal student loans before turning to alternative student loans, which often have higher interest rates.
Visit PHEAA’s MySmartBorrowing.org website for information about how different career, school, and financial decisions during the college planning process can influence the total cost of education and a student’s ability to repay student loans. Visit PHEAA.org/PA-Forward for information about the PA Forward program and to access the application when it becomes available in 2019.
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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 | November 14, 2018 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, November 14, 2018 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione was selected today by her peers to serve her second consecutive term as chairwoman of the Senate’s Philadelphia delegation for the 2019-20 legislative session.
As chairwoman, Senator Tartaglione will lead the delegation of seven Democrats who represent portions of Philadelphia in the 50-member Senate. Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s most populous county with more than 1.5 million residents.
“I am very honored that my fellow Philadelphia Democrats chose me to continue as the leader of our delegation,” Tartaglione said. “Serving in this role is a tremendous privilege and a major responsibility. Philadelphia is a great city, but it also faces many significant challenges. As chairwoman, I will have a strong opportunity to influence statewide policy while ensuring that the city’s needs are addressed.”
Senator Tartaglione was first elected to the Senate in 1994 representing the 2nd District and will be one of the three longest-serving senators during the 2019-20 session. She is the longtime minority chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee and was first selected as Philadelphia delegation chair for the 2017-18 legislative session, which is scheduled to adjourn Nov. 30.
“As a delegation, we have many important causes to advocate such as educating our children, growing the middle class through family-sustaining employment, eradicating the opioid epidemic, ensuring full access to healthcare, helping the needy and promoting social justice,” Tartaglione said. “I will continue to work hard to ensure that our delegation remains united in our mission to solve our problems and improve the lives of all Philadelphians.”
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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 | November 8, 2018 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, November 8, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione today issued the following statement regarding the mass shooting of at least 12 people in a Thousand Oaks, California, night club last night:
“Today, we are witnessing another heartbreaking, senseless American tragedy. Just 11 days after a person with guns murdered 11 worshipers in a Pittsburgh synagogue, another person with a gun murdered at least 12 innocent victims in a California nightclub. Words cannot express the grief I feel for these victims and their loved ones. As a nation, it’s our obligation to do everything in our power to stop these catastrophes from happening. We cannot wait any longer.”
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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 | October 30, 2018 | News Releases
The Frankford CDC is partnering with the Water Department, the PA Horticultural Society and the Sustainable Business Network to offer eco-friendly events.
HARRISBURG, PA − October 30, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione today announced that the Frankford Community Development Corporation will host a Rain Check Workshop at the Frankford Branch Library, 4634 Frankford Ave., on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m.
The Philadelphia Water Department is partnering with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Sustainable Business Network on the Rain Check program, which enables volunteer participants to obtain a free rain barrel for storm water collection, as well as reduced pricing for downspout planters, rain gardens, depaving, and permeable pavers.
“Storm-water management is a pressing environmental concern in the 2nd Senate District and throughout Philadelphia,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “The Rain Check program gives participating residents the knowledge and tools to relieve the burden on the city’s storm sewers during major rain events. The program helps to ease flooding and prevent pollution from spilling into our streams.”
The Nov. 14 workshop will last one hour and will be followed by a question and answer session. It will be held in the library’s downstairs meeting room. Visit www.pwdraincheck.org or call 215-988-1698 for information.
Also, The Frankford CDC is still accepting registrations for its Yard Tree Giveaway on Nov. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Frankford Pause Park, 4673 Paul St. (In case of rain, the event will be inside the Daral Building at 4667 Paul St.)
Registrants are eligible to receive a free tree suitable for planting in their yard. Trees must be planted in the ground, not in containers. They must planted on private property and not along the public sidewalk. Participants will also have access to free recycling bins and other sustainability resources. Contact Ellie Vamos at evamos.fcdc@gmail.com or 215-743-6580 ext. 105 to register.
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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 | October 24, 2018 | News Releases
KYW Newsradio will host Flashpoint LIVE: Women Who Work! in Philadelphia this Thursday, Oct. 25. The public is invited to register.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 24, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione will be among the panelists in an event to be hosted by KYW Newsradio on Thursday, Oct. 25, to ignite dialogue about the politics and policies that impact women in the workplace. Organized in partnership with Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus, Flashpoint LIVE: Women Who Work! is a networking event that will feature two 30-minute, fast paced, panel discussions among women leaders with diverse experiences and points of view. These women, along with input from the audience, will highlight the major issues that promote and hinder women’s success at work.
“Unemployment is at an historic low, yet more and more working-age adults are no longer seeking jobs and wages are failing to keep pace with the rising demand for workers. I think it’s vital that we examine whether we are doing enough as a society to promote gender equality in the workplace,” Senator Tartaglione said. “I can tell you that almost 60 years after the enactment of Pennsylvania’s Equal Pay Law, the state’s working women make just 79 cents for every dollar that their male counterparts make. I also know that Pennsylvania ranks 29th among U.S. states in this category. Women have made significant gains in the workplace over the last six decades, but we still have a lot more work to do.”
The first panel will discuss women and politics – what it takes to run for office, the gender issues on the table for the upcoming mid-term election, the impact of #MeToo on women’s leadership in politics and beyond, as well as what it will take to get more buy-in from men. The panel will include Sen. Tartaglione; Jasmine Sessoms, founder of She Can Win, a nonpartisan training program that provides support, mentorship and education to women who possess a passion for civic leadership; and Dr. Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, as well as an assistant professor of political science at Chatham University.
The second panel will discuss public and workplace policies that impact women. The issues will include regulations related to gender equality, as well as common practices within workplaces that aid or block women as they strive to climb the ladder of success. Panelists will include Philadelphia Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown; Rue Landau, Esq., executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and the Fair Housing Commission; and Amal Bass, Esq., a staff attorney at the Women’s Law Project.
KYW Newsradio Community Affiars Reporter Cherri Gregg, Esq., will moderate the panels. Audience participation is encouraged in person, via livestream and on Twitter hashtag #FlashpointLive
The event will start at 6 p.m. at the KYW Newsradio Broadcast Center, 1555 Hamilton St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. Registration is required.
If you wish to attend the Flashpoint Live: Women Who Work event in person, please register via the following link: https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/events/flashpoint-live#//
The livestream will be available via the following link: https://www.senatortartaglione.com/live
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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 | October 19, 2018 | News Releases
Nearly 1,000 Carnell School children and their community will benefit from a more accessible, engaging and welcoming space for active play and learning.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 19, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione, State Rep. Jared Solomon and City Councilwoman Cherelle Parker joined School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite, leaders of the Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association and the Laura H. Carnell Elementary School community to present $250,000 in state and city funding for the development of much-needed green playspace that will provide nearly 1,000 Carnell students with new learning and active play opportunities.
The green playspace project is a partnership that seeks to transform Carnell’s empty asphalt schoolyard into a more welcoming community-centric space that engages students and families in safe, accessible, creative exercise. OCCCDA partnered with the Community Design Collaborative, along with students and parents, to design the playspace. This funding kicks off the process to bring this multi-phase project to life.
“I am very proud to join with Representative Solomon, Councilwoman Parker, the School District and the community on this project, which will benefit these young learners for many years to come,” Tartaglione said. “In an era when public schools in our cities face many challenges, this partnership is a shining example of what we can accomplish when we work together on the state, local and community levels toward a common goal. That goal is to provide our children with the education they deserve.”
“I am thrilled to be part of this great project team to help bring these kids at Carnell a beautiful new schoolyard,” Solomon said. “This has been a truly collaborative and inclusive process, and the final product is all the stronger because of that. These kids are going to have a great place to play, and I am excited to work with Councilwoman Parker and Senator Tartaglione to make this happen.”
Parker said: “By transforming this empty, asphalt schoolyard into an inviting and vibrant green play space, it will provide a safer, greener, more welcoming environment for our youth and families to actively learn and play. This growing and diverse community deserves a quality space, and it’s a pleasure to team up with Sen. Tartaglione, Rep. Solomon, the District and OCCCDA to help bring this vision to fruition.”
“The School District of Philadelphia is thrilled to have green schoolyards at a growing number of schools across the city, which will soon include Carnell Elementary School,” said Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent. “Not only will the green space at Carnell provide students the opportunity to play and exercise, but it will also offer a hands-on way for students to learn. These are the types of spaces all students should be able to utilize and we are working to make them more accessible throughout Philadelphia.”
“I believe that all children deserve access to a quality education,” said Anita Lyndaker-Studer, executive director of OCCCDA. “We have been working to support this vision through our Carnell Family Resource Center and are so excited to see the community vision for green play and learning space come to life in the designs from Stantech and the Community Design Collaborative. The DCED Greenways grant has been a true city and state supported initiative with the match provided by Councilwoman Parker and the full support of Representative Solomon and Senator Tartaglione moving the grant through the approval process. The village has truly spoken out on behalf of our children at Carnell and we thank you!”
The conceptual plans include a centrally located ground mural and running path intended to celebrate the cultural diversity of the student population. The basketball courts will include two basketball and two soccer goals and a 15-foot chain link fence behind the goals. Recycled rubber play surfaces and mounds will help to demarcate play areas between the younger and older students.
Additionally, a rock wall and play surface will allow students to strengthen body coordination, and an access pathway and ADA approved ramp will provide greater accessibility.
The total project cost is roughly $1 million. OCCCDA and Carnell are pursuing additional grants from the Philadelphia Water Department to fund stormwater management improvements (rain garden).
For video of the full news conference, visit: https://www.facebook.com/PHLCouncil/videos/321948021931479/
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For additional information contact:
Andrew Dalzell
Office of Rep. Jared G. Solomon
215-342-6340
ADalzell@pahouse.net
Solomon Leach
Office of Councilwoman Cherelle L. Parker
215-686-3455
Solomon.Leach@Phila.gov
by Christin Brown | October 11, 2018 | News Releases
Senator Tartaglione concluded her annual Senior Expo series by helping hundreds of community members with information about aging-related topics.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 11, 2018 – The Fox Chase community welcomed State Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s annual Senior Expo with open arms today as hundreds of older adults and their caregivers gathered at Fox Chase Recreation Center for free health screenings and for information about an array of senior-specific topics such as healthcare, housing, accessibility for the disabled, financial services, estate preparation, consumer protection and crime prevention. Some folks even got their annual flu shots.
Dozens of exhibitors filled the rec center gymnasium representing public agencies, elected officials, private service providers and non-profit organizations that share a common goal of improving the lives of older people in the community. Today’s event was Senator Tartaglione’s third and final Senior Expo of the year. Previous expos at Mayfair Community Center (on Sept. 27) and St. Anne’s PAL Center (Oct. 4) also attracted large community responses.
“My Senior Expos are a tremendously effective community outreach because they help our presenters make a positive, meaningful impact on the lives of these seniors,” Tartaglione said. “Our visitors go from table to table and consult with exhibitors face-to-face about issues that are important to each individual person. They really appreciate being able to seek help for many different needs all in one place in the span of just a few hours. This is a convenient way for seniors to get answers to their many questions without leaving their own neighborhood.”
Although Senator Tartaglione’s annual Senior Expos series has concluded for 2018, planning is already underway to renew the popular program in Fall 2019.
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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 | October 4, 2018 | News Releases
In her second Senior Expo this fall, the senator brought more than 50 exhibitors together to share information about a multitude of topics vital to older Philadelphians.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 4, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione brought her annual Senior Expo series to St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL Center in Port Richmond for the first time today, and it was an overwhelming hit with the community as more than 50 exhibitors shared valuable information with hundreds of older residents and their caregivers.
Visitors to the Lehigh Avenue venue benefitted from free health screenings, flu shots and consultations with public agencies and private organizations about a multitude of senior topics, such as prescription medication assistance, housing finance, consumer protection, home healthcare, accessibility for the disabled, transportation, and estate planning. Exhibitors represented state and local government offices, utilities, the healthcare sector, education, banking, investment and law enforcement, to name a few.
“These agencies and organizations all help seniors throughout the year, but today was a rare opportunity for people to meet them all in one place. My goal for all of my senior expos is to make it convenient for constituents to network with these resources in their own neighborhood,” Tartaglione said.
Each year, Senator Tartaglione hosts three Senior Expos in the early fall. This year’s first event was held in Mayfair on Sept. 27. The third and final Expo will be on Thursday, Oct. 11, at Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to local seniors and their caregivers.
“Growing older can bring great joy to each of us, but it can also bring many new challenges,” Tartaglione said. “I’m thankful that there are so many organizations in our community that care about senior citizens and want to help them enjoy their Golden Years.”
Call the senator’s district office at 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 (Spanish) for information about the next Senior Expo.
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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 | October 3, 2018 | News Releases
The Capitol’s Main Rotunda was the setting for the senator’s annual gathering of public agencies and private organizations dedicated to helping people with disabilities.
HARRISBURG, PA, October 3, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Capitol became a one-stop resource for people living with physical and cognitive disabilities today as a multitude of public and private providers gathered in the Main Rotunda for State Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s annual Disability Awareness Day.
Exhibitors shared information about assistive services and technologies to help the senator kick off National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“People living with physical and cognitive challenges often face an uphill battle as they seek to work, go to school and manage their daily lives,” Tartaglione said. “Fortunately, Pennsylvania has many public agencies and private organizations whose mission is to help disabled people do the job. My objective here is to bring these resources directly to the people who will benefit from them.”
Hundreds of Capitol visitors and passers-by stopped to chat with exhibitors such as the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, PA Assistive Technology, the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, AgrAbility PA, Einstein/Moss Rehab, Living Well Your Way, the Center for Independent Living of Central PA, United Cerebral Palsy and Uniquesource. They also met a couple of the beautiful life partners from Susquehanna Service Dogs. These agencies and organizations offer tools and programs that help disabled people maximize their potential in the workforce and in their communities.
“People with disabilities fulfill a vital role in Pennsylvania’s workforce and they should be given every opportunity to participate,” Tartaglione said. “My annual Disability Awareness Day is a great way for advocates to network with the constituents they serve.”
Disability Awareness Day occurred one day after the Senate unanimously passed Tartaglione’s resolution to recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the Commonwealth. The observance calls attention to disability employment issues and celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is America’s Workforce: Empowering All.
Senator Tartaglione has long been a leading advocate in Pennsylvania for people with disabilities. She was instrumental in creating the state’s Office for People with Disabilities, which serves as a go-to source for information about the many state and county agencies that offer services for people who need assistance in their daily lives.
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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 | October 2, 2018 | News Releases
The senator’s annual Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol will highlight ways that people with disabilities can contribute meaningfully in the workplace and beyond.
HARRISBURG, PA, October 2, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously adopted Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s resolution recognizing October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in the Commonwealth. Tartaglione will kick off the month-long campaign tomorrow, Oct. 3, when she hosts her annual Disability Awareness Day in the Capitol’s Main Rotunda.
Pennsylvania’s observance coincides with National Disability Awareness Month and shares the same goals: to call attention to disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is America’s Workforce: Empowering All.
“Twenty-eight years ago, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities,” Tartaglione said. “Today, millions of Americans are living with disabilities, including many military veterans – and including myself. We deserve the opportunity to work productively, to support ourselves financially and to contribute to the economic prosperity of our society.”
Senator Tartaglione urged all employers, labor organizations and community groups to participate in Disability Employment Awareness Month in any number of ways. Companies or employees may hang a commemorative poster at the workplace or do something more elaborate, like implementing a disability education program. For more ideas and resources, visit the U.S. Department of Labor website here: https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/
More disability employment resources will be available to visitors to the Capitol’s Main Rotunda this Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., when Senator Tartaglione will host her annual Disability Awareness Day. Exhibitors will share information about assistive technologies, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, service animals and many other topics.
“Together, we can help foster a more inclusive workforce where people are recognized not for their limitations, but for their abilities,” 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 | October 2, 2018 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 2, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione invites older Philadelphians and their primary caregivers to the second of her three annual Senior Expos this Thursday at the St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL Center in Port Richmond from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Expo will offer flu shots, free health screenings and information about a multitude of senior programs and services offered by more than 50 public agencies and private providers. Topics will include healthcare, housing, financial services, consumer protection and crime prevention. This annual series of events will conclude on Thursday, Oct. 11, at Fox Chase Recreation Center. Media coverage is encouraged.
Thursday, Oct. 4: St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL Center, 2328 E. Lehigh Ave., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 11: Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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 email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | October 2, 2018 | News Releases
After Tartaglione addressed the advocacy group in the Capitol’s Main Rotunda, the Senate unanimously adopted her Suicide Prevention Day resolution
HARRISBURG, PA, October 2, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione yesterday called upon Pennsylvanians to take a more proactive approach in preventing suicide, which is a problem that continues to grow statewide, across the nation and around the world.
A short time after Senator Tartaglione provided details of the harrowing problem in her remarks during the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day in the Capitol’s Main Rotunda, the senate unanimously adopted her resolution recognizing World Suicide Prevention Day in the Commonwealth.
“It’s the tenth-leading cause of death in the United States – more prevalent than liver disease, high blood pressure or murder,” Tartaglione said. “Almost 45,000 Americans took their own lives in 2016. About 2,000 of those deaths occurred in Pennsylvania. Those figures don’t account for the estimated one million suicide attempts that occur each year. Nor do they reveal the immeasurable harm endured by countless survivors: the relatives, friends, coworkers and classmates of those who die by suicide.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the nation’s suicide rate has grown by 30 percent since 1999. In Pennsylvania, the growth has been closer to 35 percent, according to Prevent Suicide PA, which organized yesterday’s observance at the Capitol.
Suicide affects all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, education, income or sexuality. Men die by suicide more than three times as often as women, but women attempt suicide three times more than men. Suicide rates are highest for Americans aged 45 and older, but suicide is the second-leading cause of death for those in their teens and early 20s. Suicide rates are exceptionally high for LGBTQ people, those with chronic pain, those on the Autism spectrum, active-duty military and veterans.
“Yet, we don’t discuss suicide nearly enough,” Tartaglione said. “How often in our daily lives do we approach the subject of suicide on a truly personal level? My hope is that World Suicide Prevention Day will inspire more public dialogue and more private, personal conversations about suicide. I hope that we will become more educated about the risk factors and warning signs. I hope that families, friends, coworkers and classmates will learn to recognize when a loved one is in danger. And I hope the many troubled souls who are contemplating suicide will know where to find help and will feel empowered to seek it.”
If you or someone you know may be facing a crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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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 27, 2018 | News Releases
Public and private providers shared valuable information on topics ranging from healthcare and financial services to housing and consumer protection
PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 27, 2018 – Aging can pose many challenges, but Pennsylvania Sen. Christine Tartaglione made it a lot easier for hundreds of Northeast Philadelphia seniors and their caregivers today as she hosted the first of her three annual Senior Expos at the Mayfair Community Center.
Attendees from throughout the community met with exhibitors representing a variety of sectors including government, healthcare, banking, investment, housing and law enforcement, to name a few. Representatives shared information about prescription medication assistance, housing finance, consumer protection, accessibility for the disabled, home healthcare, transportation and estate planning.
“We should make it our highest priority to take care of our older relatives, friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, many families don’t know where to turn for help when life presents them with challenging circumstances,” Senator Tartaglione said. “My hope in hosting these Senior Expos is to provide a single venue where people can find help regardless of their specific needs.”
Individuals who were unable to attend today’s event may benefit from many of the same resources at Senator Tartaglione’s two upcoming Senior Expos. The first will be on Oct. 4 at St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL, 2328 E. Lehigh Ave.; followed by Oct. 11 at Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St. All Expos run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call the senator’s district office at 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 (Spanish) for information.
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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 27, 2018 | News Releases
September offers an opportunity to learn about spinal cord injuries, recognize the daily challenges encountered by injured people and acknowledge their achievements
PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 27, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously adopted a resolution introduced by Sen. Christine Tartaglione this week recognizing September as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month in the Commonwealth.
“More than 300,000 Americans are living with spinal cord injuries, including 40,000 military veterans and thousands of Pennsylvanians,” Tartaglione said. “Every 48 minutes, another American becomes paralyzed from a spinal cord injury. That means there will be close to 12,000 new spinal cord injury patients in the United States this year.”
“This month offers us the opportunity to learn about spinal cord injuries, recognize the daily challenges encountered by injured people and acknowledge the achievements of those Americans living with spinal cord injuries.”
Senator Tartaglione has overcome many challenges since she injured her own spine in a 2003 boating accident and has been one of the leading advocates in the Pennsylvania legislature for people with spinal cord injuries, as well as those with other physical and intellectual challenges. She was a leading force in the creation of Pennsylvania’s Office for People with Disabilities, which serves as one-stop resource for information about supportive services available to people facing physical and intellectual challenges.
First designated by the U.S. Senate in 2013, National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month enables advocates to highlight recent medical breakthroughs and to share the urgent need for new treatments to reduce, reverse and prevent paralysis.
“Every person with a spinal cord injury deserves the chance for a better quality of life,” 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 | September 26, 2018 | News Releases
The event coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month and will feature many exhibitors offering information about accessibility products and services.
HARRISBURG, PA, September 26, 2018 – Sen. Christine Tartaglione invites the community to the Pennsylvania Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 3, to learn about a multitude of resources available to persons with disabilities. Tartaglione’s annual Disability Awareness Day will be held in the Main Rotunda from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature many exhibitors offering information about accessibility products and services.
Disability Employment Awareness Day coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month throughout October. This month-long national campaign raises awareness about disability employment issues and honors the many contributions of workers with disabilities. The observance further promotes positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities and endeavors to expand ideas about what youths with disabilities can achieve when they receive encouragement and support for their ambitions.
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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 25, 2018 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 25, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione invites older Philadelphians and their primary caregivers to the first of her three annual Senior Expos this Thursday at the Mayfair Community Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Expo will offer free health screenings and information about a multitude of senior programs and services offered by dozens of public agencies and private providers. Topics will include healthcare, housing, financial services and crime prevention. This annual series of events will continue Thursday, Oct. 4, at St. Anne’s Rectory PAL Center; then on Thursday, Oct. 11, at Fox Chase Recreation Center.
Thursday, Sept. 27: Mayfair Community Center, 2990 Saint Vincent St.
Thursday, Oct. 4: St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL Center, 2328 E. Lehigh Ave.
Thursday, Oct. 11: Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St.
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 email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | September 24, 2018 | News Releases
The month-long national observance will continue through October 15 and recognize the achievements of Hispanic Americans while celebrating their rich culture
PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 24, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously adopted Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s resolution designating Hispanic Heritage Month in the Commonwealth. The commemoration began on Sept. 15 and will continue through Oct. 15. It coincides with National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States.
The commemoration recognizes the many achievements of Hispanic Americans and celebrates their rich contributions to the American melting pot. President Lyndon Johnson created Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. Twenty years later, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the inaugural National Hispanic Heritage Month, starting on Sept. 15 that year. That date coincides with independence observances in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence in mid-September.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to indulge in cultural fiestas, but it’s also a wonderful educational opportunity,” Tartaglione said. “We can learn how some of the nation’s earliest settlers brought Hispanic traditions and customs to Pennsylvania during the 1400s, and how Hispanic Americans constitute the nation’s largest and fastest growing ethnic group.”
Senator Tartaglione noted the contributions of many distinguished Hispanic Americans including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Astronaut Ellen Ochoa, Labor Organizer Cesar Chavez, Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Member Carlos Santana and multi-award-winning Performer Rita Moreno.
She also invited all Pennsylvanians to visit Philadelphia on Sept. 30 for the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival, a community tradition for more than 50 years.
“The Hispanic community has made a profound and positive influence on our Commonwealth through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work and service,” 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.
