Senator Tartaglione Debuts her Annual Senior Expo Series at New Port Richmond Venue

Senator Tartaglione Debuts her Annual Senior Expo Series at New Port Richmond Venue

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.

Senator Tartaglione Presents Assistive Services and Technologies During Disability Awareness Day at PA Capitol

Senator Tartaglione Presents Assistive Services and Technologies During Disability Awareness Day at PA Capitol

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.

Senator Tartaglione’s Second of Three FREE Senior Expos to be held in Port Richmond this Thursday

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.

Senator Tartaglione’s Annual Senior Expo Brings Dozens of Service Providers to Mayfair Community

Senator Tartaglione’s Annual Senior Expo Brings Dozens of Service Providers to Mayfair Community

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.

PA Senate Adopts Tartaglione’s Resolution Recognizing Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month in the Commonwealth

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.

Tartaglione to Host Disability Awareness Day at the PA Capitol

Tartaglione to Host Disability Awareness Day at the PA Capitol

Disability Awareness DayThe 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.

Join Senator Tartaglione this Thursday for her Annual Senior Expo in Mayfair

Join Senator Tartaglione this Thursday for her Annual Senior Expo in Mayfair

Senior Expo- September 27, 2018PHILADELPHIA, 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.

Senator Tartaglione Caps Successful Community Picnic Series with Sun and Smiles at Fox Chase Rec Center

Senator Tartaglione Caps Successful Community Picnic Series with Sun and Smiles at Fox Chase Rec Center

Music, face painting, police horses and the senator’s back-to-school backpack giveaway made it a special occasion for hundreds of children and their caregivers.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 23, 2018 – Sunshine and smiling children highlighted the third and final round of state Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s annual Community Picnic series today as hundreds of youngsters and their caregivers flocked to Fox Chase Recreation Center for an event that has quickly become one of the most popular attractions on the local summer calendar.

Now in its second year at Fox Chase, the gathering carried the momentum built through Senator Tartaglione’s previous two Community Picnics on Aug. 2 at Fairhill Square Park and Aug. 16 at Wissinoming Park. DJ music, free refreshments, face painting, Philadelphia police horses, gift basket raffles and a variety of vendors kept visitors entertained and informed throughout the morning and early afternoon. The excitement peaked when Senator Tartaglione handed out free backpacks and back-to-school supplies to attending children.

All told, the senator distributed 250 backpacks to the young learners at Fox Chase, and about 1,100 at all three picnics combined.

“This never would have been possible without the support of many generous donors and community partners,” Senator Tartaglione said. “These Community Picnics bring together businesses, non-profit organizations and public agencies for a common goal – to advocate for the education of our children. It’s very reassuring and satisfying to know that the picnics get bigger and bigger each year with many new partners and a lot more public attention.”

With the 2018-19 school year mere days away for many local children, the opportunity to get a head start on back-to-school shopping was a big attraction for their caregivers, as was the opportunity to spend a mild late summer day in park-like surroundings.

“I like to teach kids about giving back and I think this was a way for kids to see that when you give to your community, how good things come back to you,” said Marie Louissaint, counselor at Early Learning Children’s Academy of Rising Sun Avenue. “They were excited, especially when they saw the mounted police officers and the face painting. The fire truck was really big with the little ones. Now they have a fresh start (on the school year), a nice new beginning.”

Kids weren’t the only ones to benefit. Fun and games aside, many of the older folks found some time to gather valuable information about a plethora of topics, such as home health care, assistive technologies for the disabled, adult daycare and rehabilitation, insurance and registering to vote.

Many of the same presenters are also scheduled to participate in Senator Tartaglione’s upcoming Senior Expos, an annual series of events to be held on Sept. 27 at Mayfair Community Center (2990 Saint Vincent St.), Oct. 4 at St. Ann’s Rectory PAL (2328 E. Lehigh Ave.) and Oct. 11 at Fox Chase Rec Center (7901 Ridgeway St.). All Senior Expos will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Senator Tartaglione’s district offices at 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 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.

Northeast Philly Families Flock to Wissinoming Park for Senator Tartaglione’s Annual Community Picnic

Northeast Philly Families Flock to Wissinoming Park for Senator Tartaglione’s Annual Community Picnic

Music, face painting, police horses and the senator’s back-to-school backpack giveaway made it a special occasion for hundreds of children and their caregivers.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 17, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s annual Community Picnic was a smash hit with the hundreds of children and caregivers who converged at Wissinoming Park yesterday to delight in free music, soft pretzels, water ice, face painting and the senator’s popular back-to-scbool backpack giveaway. About 500 school children walked away wearing new school bags on their shoulders and smiles on their faces.

The event was the second of Tartaglione’s three Community Picnics scheduled this month in her 2nd Senate District. On Aug. 2, the senator handed out more than 300 backpacks to children at Fairhill Square Park in North Philadelphia. The third picnic will be held on Thursday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St. It is free to attend and open to the public.

“August has become one of my favorite times of the year because it gives me the chance to meet so many beautiful children while helping their families ease the costs of getting a valuable education,” Senator Tartaglione said. “If we can give each child a backpack filled with school supplies, that’s one less cost their caregivers will have to bear. This is a real group effort that brings together our business sponsors, community organizations, recreation centers and day care centers for a day of summer fun.”

Yesterday’s event featured many longtime partners and some popular new ones. Attendees enjoyed refreshing water ice and soft pretzels and had their faces painted like their favorite superheroes. Senator Tartaglione raffled off gift baskets and basketballs before the children lined up for the big backpack giveaway.

 The newly renovated Wissinoming Park provided the ideal backdrop on a hot and steamy day as many visitors cooled off beneath towering shade trees or in the water spray-ground.

“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.

Tartaglione Applauds Governor’s Executive Order Raising the Minimum Wage for State Employees, Contractors

Tartaglione Applauds Governor’s Executive Order Raising the Minimum Wage for State Employees, Contractors

PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 28, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione applauded Gov. Tom Wolf’s signing of an executive order today that raises the minimum wage for state employees and contractors to a level matching the provisions of legislation introduced by Tartaglione in the Senate earlier this year. The executive order raises the minimum wage for state employees and contractors to $12 per hour effective July 1, and institutes incremental annual increases that will raise the minimum wage to $15 in 2024. After then, the minimum wage would be tied to annual cost of living adjustments.

Sen. Tartaglione issued the following statement regarding the executive order:

Gov. Wolf’s executive order represents a major step forward for state employees and contractors, and for the cause of fair, family-sustaining wages across the Commonwealth. As we have seen through many recent national events, workers have been under attack by forces that seek to stifle their collective voice and their power to negotiate for decent wages, healthcare plans, pensions and working conditions.

Just yesterday, the United States Supreme Court struck down a 40-year-old precedent allowing public-sector labor unions to fund worker advocacy through fair share fees. And the National Labor Relations Board recently changed its rules to allow employers to strip workers of the right to resolve their grievances in a court of law.

The federal government hasn’t raised the minimum wage nationwide since 2009, and Pennsylvania hasn’t raised its minimum wage in more than a decade. At $7.25 an hour, a full-time worker would make about $15,000 a year. That’s below the federal poverty level for a two-person household. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there isn’t a state in the country where a full-time, minimum-wage worker can afford to pay rent for a modest two-bedroom apartment.

Conversely, higher wages boost the economy and reduce employee turnover because workers are also consumers. So when they make more money, they tend to spend more and businesses benefit.

That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 1044 earlier this year, so that employers won’t have the option of paying workers less than a living wage. Today, Gov. Wolf’s executive order makes a bold statement that Pennsylvania cares about working families and recognizes the vital role that a vibrant middle class plays in a healthy and sustainable 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.

Tartaglione Applauds Early Budget with Major Investments in Workforce Development, Education and Community Safety

Tartaglione Applauds Early Budget with Major Investments in Workforce Development, Education and Community Safety

HARRISBURG, PA, June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione applauded today’s early passage of a Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget that includes new investments in workforce development, education, health care and social justice. The Senate voted, 47-2, in support of the budget (HB 2121) previously passed by the Pennsylvania House. The budget now awaits Gov. Tom Wolf’s signature.

“This budget is an example of the great things we can accomplish when we work together in a bi-partisan way to create programs that benefit all Pennsylvanians,” Tartaglione said. “As minority chairman of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, I am especially proud of the workforce development initiatives, such as expanded apprenticeships and partnerships that involve labor organizations, vocational training facilities and the business community. These measures will help more young people find good careers that pay family-sustaining wages and benefits and will help the Commonwealth identify and satisfy its changing workforce needs.”

 

The approved budget includes a $30 million increase in the allocation for career and technical education through the PA SMART initiative. It also includes a new $7 million apprenticeship training program and a $3 million increase to industry partnerships, both through PA SMART, as well as a $3 million increase for combatting the Spotted Lanternfly infestation that threatens our agriculture industry.

Also today, the Senate unanimously approved the creation of the Keystone Scholars Grant Program through the passage of the omnibus Fiscal Code bill (HB 1929). The Keystone Scholars Grant Program will apply to every child born in Pennsylvania on or after Jan. 1, 2019. Upon receiving notice of a child’s birth, the Treasury Department will set aside $100 in a separate account that will be available to the child once they reach age 18 and enroll in a qualifying institution of higher education or a vocational or technical school. The student would be able to collect the $100, as well as investment earnings attributed to the account.

Off the floor Senate Appropriations Committee Meeting “This Keystone Scholars Grant Program makes an important statement about our commitment to improving education opportunities for future generations of Pennsylvanians,” Tartaglione said. “As each child grows, this funding will grow and will provide them with another incentive to pursue post-secondary education or job training.”

During a busy day at the Capitol, Senator Tartaglione also joined members of the Philadelphia delegations in both the Senate and House, as well as other leaders in the General Assembly, to announce the House’s passage of a $60 million school and community anti-violence package. The legislation originated in the Senate as SB 1142 and sets aside $7.5 million for community anti-violence programs. In addition, municipalities, institutions of higher education, community-based organizations and other entities will be able to apply for funds to support anti-violence initiatives.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will administer the grants through a School Safety and Security Committee. The objective is to reduce violence in schools by addressing it at the community level.

“This level of funding is unprecedented,” Tartaglione said. “Hopefully, this will become a watershed moment in our Commonwealth’s fight against violence in our schools and communities, particularly gun violence. I hope what we’ve accomplished today will usher in a new era of cooperation in the General Assembly on this critical issue.”

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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.

Colleagues Pass Senator Tartaglione’s Amendment to Level Election Playing Field for Magisterial Candidates

Colleagues Pass Senator Tartaglione’s Amendment to Level Election Playing Field for Magisterial Candidates

HARRISBURG, PA, June 12, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate voted 46-3 yesterday to approve an amendment by Sen. Christine Tartaglione that would level the playing field for Magisterial District Justice candidates in elections involving an incumbent and one or more non-incumbents.

Under the amended version of Senate Bill 299, incumbent MDJs seeking re-election would no longer be required to collect at least 100 voter signatures to secure a place on the ballot. Instead, they would need only to file a certificate of nomination. But if the incumbent chooses that route, then he or she would be prohibited from challenging the legitimacy of the signatures collected by other hopeful candidates.

“Allowing a sitting Magisterial District Justice to simply submit a certificate of nomination for re-election, as opposed to collecting the 100 signatures, while requiring non-incumbent candidates to collect the requisite number of signatures is unfair,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “My amendment is simple and will level the playing field. It would allow a sitting Justice to submit a certificate of nomination but would prohibit the sitting Justice from challenging any signatures on the opponent’s petition.”

Magisterial District Justices, also known as magistrates, are the judicial system’s first level throughout most of Pennsylvania, excluding Philadelphia where Municipal Court judges serve a similar role. There are more than 500 Magisterial Districts across the state. MDJs preside over hearings involving low-level criminal offenses as well as preliminary hearings for more serious offenses. They further handle low-level civil cases and can preside over weddings, among other duties.

Under state law, MDJs must remain non-political except when running for re-election. Their terms last for six years. Current law requires all candidates for the position to collect at least 100 petition signatures to secure a ballot position. Supporters of the original SB 299, which Sen. Richard Alloway introduced on April 9, contend that the non-political nature of the position places incumbents at a disadvantage because non-incumbents are free to build their political support regardless of the election calendar.

Sen. Tartaglione’s amendment strikes a fair balance in that it would ease the political obligation of the incumbent while ensuring that incumbents cannot benefit from unequal treatment under election law.

With the Senate’s approval, SB 299 moves to the House for consideration.

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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.

Senator Tartaglione Joins Governor Wolf to Unveil Gender Pay Equality Measures

Senator Tartaglione Joins Governor Wolf to Unveil Gender Pay Equality Measures

Two new Senate bills would amend Pennsylvania’s 1959 Equal Pay Law and help women earn the same as their male counterparts for comparable work

HARRISBURG, PA, June 6, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione joined Gov. Tom Wolf, other elected officials and women’s advocates at the Capitol today to announce an executive order and new legislation that seek to eradicate Pennsylvania’s gender pay gap.

Pennsylvania’s working women collect just 79 cents for every dollar that their male counterparts make based on median annual earnings, ranking the Commonwealth 29th among U.S. states according to the American Association of University Women. Nationally, women make about 80 cents for every dollar that men make.

“In 1959, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a law to correct the gender pay gap, yet here we are, almost 60 years later, and women are still getting short-changed,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “Women with the same education, training, skills and job responsibilities as their male counterparts should be paid the same. But that’s still not happening.”

Sen. Tartaglione’s Senate Bill 1200 focuses on several key areas of Pennsylvania’s existing Equal Pay Law. It would broaden the definition of “wages” to include other forms of compensation such as salary, fringe benefits and other wage supplements. It would also broaden the concept of “comparable work” to encompass factors including skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions, while eliminating job title as a potential factor in pay differential.

Further, SB 1200 would require employers to defend pay differentials based on bona fide seniority or merit systems, or systems that measure quantity or quality of production or sales.

It would expand the powers of the state’s Department of Labor and Industry and Attorney General to pursue unpaid wages and damages claims on behalf of employees individually or as a group. The bill would extend the statute of limitations from two years to three years in cases where an employer willfully violates the Equal Pay Law.

Sen. Schwank’s companion bill would make it unlawful for an employer to make an employee sign a waiver preventing the employee from discussing his or her wages, and would make it unlawful for the employer to require a prospective employee to disclose past wages as a condition of the hiring process. Sen. Schwank’s bill prohibits employers from relying a prospective employee’s earnings history to determine the wages offered to the prospect, unless the prospect offers wage history information to negotiate a higher wage.

Also, Sen. Schwank’s bill bans employers from contracting with employees to avoid compliance with the Equal Pay Law, while creating whistleblower and retaliation protections to protect employees who report violations of the Law. The bill includes provisions for victims to recover unpaid wages and damages.

Gov. Wolf endorsed both new Senate bills and issued an executive order mandating pay equality for state employees.

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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.

Proposed PECO Rate Hike will be Subject of Public Hearing at Northeast Philadelphia’s Devon Theater on June 14

Proposed PECO Rate Hike will be Subject of Public Hearing at Northeast Philadelphia’s Devon Theater on June 14

Senator Tartaglione encourages residents and businesses to share their opinions of PECO Energy’s proposed 3.2 percent rate increase

PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 29, 2018 – Constituents from state Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s 2nd District and from throughout the Philadelphia region will have a chance to comment publicly on PECO Energy’s latest proposed rate increase during a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission hearing on June 14 at 6 p.m. at Kingdom Life Christian Center, also known as the Devon Theater, in the Mayfair section of Northeast Philadelphia.

What: Public Utility Commission Public Input Hearing on Proposed PECO Rate Increase

When: Thursday, June 14, 2018, 6 p.m.

Where: Kingdom Life Christian Center (Devon Theater), 6325 Frankford Ave., Phila., PA 19135

Who: PECO ratepayers, including residents and businesses, will be able to testify for the record about the impact a rate increase would have on them and their overall opinions of a rate increase. They may also submit printed testimony.

The hearing will be the last of five that the PUC has scheduled to gather public input on PECO’s requested electric rate hike. The utility company filed its new rate request on March 29, prompting the Commonwealth’s Office of Consumer Advocate to file a formal complaint. The PUC has suspended the proposed rate increase pending a thorough investigation of PECO’s request.

A key part of that investigation includes five public input hearings to be held throughout the Philadelphia region when constituents will have an opportunity to express their views on the proposed rate hike. Constituents may testify in person and/or by submitting printed testimony. In addition to representing consumer interests at the hearings, the Consumer Advocate will review PECO’s filings, including costs and expenses claimed by the company, its revenue requirements, operating and maintenance expenses, income tax expense and quality of service. PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge will review the evidence and issue a final decision on the rate increase request.

If the increase is granted, PECO has said it will recover an estimated annual increase in electric distribution rates of $81.9 million, which would be a 6.7 percent increase over present distribution revenues. The rate hike would result in a 2.2 percent increase in PECO’s total revenues. Under the proposal, a residential customer who uses 700 kilowatt hours per month would see their total electric bill increase by $3.28 a month (3.2 percent) to $105.93. PECO also proposes to increase the monthly residential customer charge from $8.45 to $12.50. The new rates would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

PECO last received approval for a rate increase in December 2015 when customers saw a four percent hike. The company provides electricity to about 1.6 million customers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York counties.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments. Testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision. Those wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to prepare their statements beforehand and to bring several copies, including two for the court reporter (stenographer) and several copies for the administrative law judges and other participants. The parties may ask a commenter to explain or clarify their testimony.

Anyone with special needs may call the PUC Scheduling Office AT LEAST FIVE BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE of the hearing at 717-787-1399 to arrange accommodations. For the hearing impaired, the AT&T Relay Service number is 1-800-654-5988.

Those who require a language interpreter should call the PUC Scheduling Office AT LEAST 10 BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE at 717-787-1399 to submit a request.

Visit www.puc.pa.gov for more information about the ratemaking process and additional hearing dates and locations.

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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.

State Awards $2 Million in Transportation, Pedestrian Improvements to Senator Tartaglione’s 2nd District

State Awards $2 Million in Transportation, Pedestrian Improvements to Senator Tartaglione’s 2nd District

New projects include sidewalks and bus stops along Roosevelt Boulevard, along with a traffic safety zone around Cramp Elementary School

PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 8, 2018 – Residents of state Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s 2nd District will benefit from two new major transportation and pedestrian safety projects announced by Gov. Tom Wolf and PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards today in Harrisburg.

The projects are among 82 approved by the administration statewide through the Surface Transportation Block Grant program Set-Aside and Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside, representing a combined investment of $66.8 million.

“These initiatives will improve the lives of people throughout Pennsylvania and in the 2nd district,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “One project will support public transportation and pedestrian safety along one of Philadelphia’s busiest traffic corridors, Roosevelt Boulevard, while the other will protect children and their families as they travel to and from Cramp Elementary School in my district.”

The administration awarded $1 million to the City of Philadelphia to construct six sidewalk segments for pedestrian improvements along SEPTA’s Direct Bus route, and to prepare sites for Direct Bus stations. The Direct Bus route serves Roosevelt Boulevard between Frankford Transportation Center in the 2nd district and the Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem Township, offering an efficient and reliable travel option with frequent service and fewer stops.

The Direct Bus route took effect on February 25, 2018, and includes a fleet of 60 buses easily recognizable by their distinct branding, including a bright green color scheme and large “D” logo.

Meanwhile, the City was also awarded $995,000 to establish a school slow zone at William Cramp Elementary School in the Fairhill neighborhood. The zone will consist of traffic calming interventions to reduce vehicle speeds, promote safety and advance the city’s commitment to eliminating all traffic deaths, an initiative known as Vision Zero.

Cramp serves children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Students there are taught in a supportive educational environment that meets their individual needs and desires, with special emphasis on reading, math, science and technology in all content areas. The school strives to teach character development skills that enable children to assume their roles as productive citizens in a technological and global society.

“Building for the future includes improving access to a variety of transportation options and these investments will promote safety and mobility for communities across Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf 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.

Senator Tartaglione Announces Opening of Keystone Library Grants Application Period

Senator Tartaglione Announces Opening of Keystone Library Grants Application Period

Public libraries have until June 15 to apply for up to $750,000 in funding.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 26, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione wishes to remind public libraries and their supporters that the application period is open for the 2018 Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Grants for Public Libraries program.

Keystone grants are competitive grants of up to $750,000 that may be used for planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public libraries. Each grant must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the library’s municipality. To be eligible, the sponsoring municipality and the library’s board must jointly prepare and submit an application. Their matching funds must be on-hand at the time of application.

Applications are due to the Office of Commonwealth Libraries by June 15 and are available via statelibrary.pa.gov and by following the “For Libraries,” “Subsidies and Grants” and “Keystone” links. Applicants should be notified by early September if they have been awarded a grant.

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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.

Senator Tartaglione Walks Again While Honoring Two Fellow MossRhab Patients

Senator Tartaglione Walks Again While Honoring Two Fellow MossRhab Patients

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MossRehab hosted the Thursday evening reception to open its annual All About Art exhibition featuring works by professional artists with physical and cognitive disabilities.

ELKINS PARK, PA, April 13, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione took her first steps in 18 months on Thursday evening as she helped MossRehab honor two of her fellow patients while opening the facility’s annual All About Art exhibition, featuring dozens of works by professional artists with physical disabilities.

Senator Tartaglione has required the use of a wheelchair since she injured her spine in a 2003 boating accident, but she reached a major milestone in her rehabilitation when she walked to a podium with the assistance of the ReWalk exoskeleton and presented Empowerment Awards to fellow Moss patients Alysse Einbender and Jack Cavanaugh.

“I want to thank Doctor (Alberto) Esquenazi and I want to thank Moss. You’ve given me my life back,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “I’ve been sitting in that chair for 15 years and I can’t tell you what it feels like to be able to stand here today and have some air.”

Dozens of MossRehab patients and staff joined their families and friends to pay tribute to the senator and the Empowerment Award recipients. New, original paintings, photographs, sculpture, jewelry and other forms of artwork adorned the walls of the rehab facility for the reception and ceremony. The artwork will be on display through May 30 and is available for purchase.

Senator Tartaglione shared her distressing, yet inspirational story with the assembled guests. She was injured at the Jersey Shore in 2003 while on a small fishing boat. A much larger vessel approached at a high rate of speed and jarred her boat, causing the senator to crash to the deck. She broke her spine and lost feeling in her lower extremities.

“And just like that, my life changed,” she said. “I went through so many stages. I pitied myself. I was angry. But I finally realized that God wanted me to be an advocate for physically challenged people because I am in a place where I can do that. And I intend to do that.”

Seven years later, after extensive rehab and with the assistance of a brace and a walker, she was able to walk to her seat in the Pennsylvania Senate chamber for the first and only time to date. In October 2016, she rose to her feet once again to demonstrate the innovative ReWalk device at Moss. The unit is designed to allow the user broad freedom of movement to including sitting, standing, walking, turning and navigating stairs. While enhancing a user’s mobility for practical daily use, it is also a rehabilitative tool, assisting in physical training and therapy.

Unfortunately, while training on the device, Senator Tartaglione suffered a fall and broke both bones in her lower leg.

“When you have a spinal cord injury and you sustain a fracture, it takes a long time for it to heal,” Dr. Esquenazi said. “So we had to nurture the injury all of this time.”

Senator Tartaglione was still hospitalized with her leg fractures when Moss received delivery of the next generation ReWalk device. The unit sat in Doctor Esquenazi’s office as the senator continued her rigorous recovery and rehab regimen.

“Every time I went, he had me do the training to straighten out my legs and my abdomen,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “And I kept saying, ‘Please, just let me try the ReWalk. Please, just let me try it,’ And he would say, ‘In good time.’ ”

That time finally came on April 5, when the senator tested the new ReWalk for the first time. One week later, she used the device to walk from the rear of an auditorium to the front podium, where she spoke of two other Moss patients who are using their personal experiences to help others. The Empowerment Awards recognize current or past patients who have demonstrated extraordinary tenacity during their rehabilitation, the achievement of goals beyond expected outcomes, a commitment to serve others with disabilities and a commitment to support MossRehab.

Alysse Einbender suffered a spinal injury that resulted in paralysis to both legs and an inability to ambulate. But she has returned to work as a landscape architect while raising her two sons. She was the first person in the United States to test ReWalk. She is a member of the MossRehab Advisory Board and project manager for All About Art. She is co-director of the United Spinal Association of Philadelphia and volunteers for organizations that help individuals with disabilities.

Jack Cavanaugh sustained a severe brain injury over four years ago. Since then, the former track and cross country runner for Cardinal O’Hara High School has worked to regain his abilities, including speech and the ability to run and ride a bike. During his recovery, he learned how to surf and now volunteers for Moss’ annual They Will Surf Again event. He also volunteers while continuing to receive services at Moss’ Elkins Park facility. He has returned to college and is a member of a fraternity based on his academic success.

MossRehab’s Main Campus is at 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027. For information on the All About Art exhibition, including opportunities to purchase art, visit mossrehab.com/all-about-art/

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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.

Senator Tartaglione Provides Financial Services to Dozens of Constituents During Financial Freedom Event

Senator Tartaglione Provides Financial Services to Dozens of Constituents During Financial Freedom Event

The senator partnered with PA Treasurer Joe Torsella to help folks with tax returns, unclaimed property searches and financial benefits programs.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – April 12, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione joined PA Treasurer Joe Torsella and the Campaign for Working Families Inc. on Tuesday to provide a myriad of personal financial services to dozens of constituents at her Financial Freedom for Working Families event.

“In today’s economic environment with rising costs and stagnant wages, working people should try to take advantage of every opportunity to get ahead,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Through this program, Treasurer Torsella and I were able to connect residents of the 2nd Senate District and the Philadelphia area with the free financial resources available to them.”

About a dozen visitors were already on hand when the four-hour event kicked off at 10 a.m. And response to the program grew as the hours progressed. Volunteer CWF tax professionals prepared 2017 income tax returns for many visitors, while other patrons took advantage of the state treasurer’s unclaimed property search services. One constituent found the hidden proceeds from an old blue-chip stock transaction, while another found savings in a long-forgotten bank account. Others claimed old, uncashed paychecks and unused retail credits or gift cards.

Those wishing to search for unclaimed property on their own can do so anytime by visiting the website PATreasury.gov and following the “Unclaimed Property” link on the “Programs” menu. Make sure to use the official PA Treasury site. The home page URL address must contain the “.gov” domain.

In addition to those services, Senator Tartaglione’s staff helped many constituents prepare their rent and property tax rebate forms and their home-heating assistance (LIHEAP) applications. The extended deadline for LIHEAP applications is April 13. All LIHEAP applications must be filed by then. The rent and property tax rebate application process is ongoing.

Contact Senator Tartaglione’s district offices at 215-533-0440 (1061 Bridge St.) or 215-291-4653 (400 W. Allegheny Ave.) for information about state-related financial 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.

 

Tartaglione Applauds Governor’s Executive Order Raising the Minimum Wage for State Employees, Contractors

Tartaglione’s Legislation Would Lift Tens of Thousands of Tip-Earners Out of Poverty-level Wages

Op-ed By Christine M. Tartaglione

In February, I introduced legislation in the Pennsylvania Senate to give the state’s low-wage earners a much needed and long overdue raise this year, next year and for years to come based on a consistent, predictable and sustainable schedule for both workers and employers.

Pennsylvania hasn’t raised its standard minimum wage ($7.25 an hour) since 2006 or its minimum wage for restaurant servers, bartenders and other tip-earners ($2.83), the so-called subminimum wage, in more than two decades. My Senate Bill 1044 and Sen. Art Haywood’s companion legislation, SB 1045, would lift hundreds of thousands of workers out of poverty-level wages, putting more spending power in the pockets of consumers while protecting business and employment across the Commonwealth.

On March 21, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com printed a guest commentary submitted by a Maine man who identifies himself as a $28 an hour waiter and founder of a new “employee advocacy” group that purports to protect tip-earners’ rights while fighting against “union-aligned interests that want to upend our industry.” The group recently branded itself Restaurant Workers of America, not to be confused with the Restaurant Workers Association, which supports the kind of measures that I and Sen. Haywood have proposed.

The author, Joshua Chaisson, and his organization – which has at least two restaurant proprietors on its six-person board – has fought to preserve the hourly wage discrepancies endured by most tip-earners, arguing that wage equality will actually cost tip-earners money. In his column, he attempted to discredit my legislation and a long-established workers’ advocacy non-profit, the Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC), using unsubstantiated personal anecdotes and his distorted application of selected facts.

But in his zeal to misrepresent verifiable data and legitimate academic research while repeatedly sourcing management-side blogs and anecdotal commentaries, the author ignored the elephant in the room: based on his own statements, he clearly is NOT a typical restaurant server and does not understand the professional and financial difficulties encountered by Pennsylvania’s 230,000 tip-earning hospitality industry workers.

While he says he makes $28 an hour, tip-earners nationally have a median wage including tips of about $10.22, according to a 2014 Economic Policy Institute study. Half of them earn less than $10.22. By comparison, hourly workers in general have a median wage of $16.48 nationally.

That means in one year, the median tipped worker makes just $21,257 – barely above the federal poverty level for a family of three – based on a 40-hour work week. Incidentally, all workers can thank labor unions for standardizing the 40-hour week almost 80 years ago.

The same EPI report, co-authored by a Ph.D. and labor economist from the University of California along with a Georgetown-educated public policy researcher, further provides stunning data about the working poor, including those in the hospitality industry, which accounts for about 577,000 Pennsylvania jobs (tipped and non-tipped employees).  Almost 13 percent of tipped workers live in poverty, nearly twice as many non-tipped workers (6.5 percent), while about 46 percent of tipped workers and their families rely on public benefits, compared to 35.5 percent for non-tipped workers. That means our wage structure for tipped workers places an unnecessary burden on all taxpayers.

Furthermore, according to 2017 U.S. Department of Labor data, 11.1 percent of people who work in the “food service and drinking places” sector of the hospitality industry make below the federal minimum wage, compared with just 0.6 percent for all other private-sector industries combined. Food service and drinking place workers comprise one-tenth of all private sector workers, but account for two-thirds of all workers who earn less than minimum wage.

So no, Mr. Chaisson, my legislation would NOT “actually lead to a pay cut” for restaurant servers. And no, it is not “rare” for tip-earners to come up short of prevailing minimum wage even with tips included, as he callously claimed. Likewise, tip-earners cannot rely solely on their employers to make up the difference in such instances, although business owners are legally required to do so.

Just last month, the New York Times reported that the U.S. Department of Labor found 84 percent of full-service restaurants it investigated between 2010 and 2012 had violated labor laws, including but not limited to tip violations.  And a 2012 study by the aforementioned Restaurant Opportunities Centers, along with the Philadelphia Restaurant Industry Coalition, found that 58 percent of workers surveyed around the city claimed they have experienced overtime wage violations, while 40 percent claimed they worked “off the clock” without getting paid. The survey also found that 10 percent said management took a share of their tips.

Another pillar of Mr. Chaisson’s argument is that businesses couldn’t bear the brunt of paying fair hourly wages, that they’d fail financially and close at the expense of countless lost jobs. Indeed, the “tip credit” law has allowed restauranteurs and bar owners to avoid paying prevailing hourly wages for years. In a set-up unique to the industry and to the United States, gratuities count as wages even when they never (or should never) pass through the pockets of the employer.

While it may be true that restaurants operate on razor-thin profit margins, generally three to five percent, it also may be true that about 60 percent of all restaurants fail within their first three years of existence. Both statistics appear in a restaurant management blog post that Mr. Chaisson cited in his column. Therefore, it should have come as no surprise that a bunch of allegedly popular restaurants closed their doors in New York State after the enactment of a statewide tipped-wage increase in 2016. It also should have come as no surprise if restauranteurs blamed the wage increase rather than their own business models.

Another one of Mr. Chaisson’s sources, an anti-Andrew Cuomo opinion piece in Forbes, acknowledges that even with those New York restaurant closures, employment in the state’s full-service restaurant industry STILL grew in 2016. It grew at a slower rate than previous years, but grew nonetheless.

Out on the West Coast, there’s additional research available involving the impact of minimum wage increases on California’s Bay Area. In his column, Mr. Chaisson relies upon another blog post from a conservative-leaning thinktank, the Washington Policy Center, to interpret the results of a 2017 Harvard Business School study.

Chaisson hangs his hat on a conclusion that higher minimum wages resulted in an increase in restaurant closures in the region. What he didn’t report in his own column was that the study looked at localized wage hikes, not those enacted on a statewide level – as would be the case with my legislation. The Harvard study only reinforces the need for minimum wage uniformity, not like we see in Pennsylvania where all six of our bordering states are among 29 across the nation with higher minimum wages than we have.

Another interesting conclusion emerged from the Harvard study, which was aptly titled “Survival of the Fittest”: minimum wage increases had negligible impact on highly regarded restaurants but had a much higher impact on those businesses rated poorly by their own customers. This again begs the question, are they really closing because of the minimum wage or are they failing to meet the demands of their own markets?

Ominously, Mr. Chaisson’s column issues a stern warning to Pennsylvania legislators to “take note of what happened in Maine” last year when, he says, thousands of restaurant servers pressured lawmakers to reverse a minimum wage increase for tip-earners after 55 percent of voters had endorsed the raise in a statewide referendum. In the Maine House, 110 members voted for the repeal while 37 voted against. While it may make for compelling news fodder that a relatively small portion of an 80,000-strong workforce could have such a decisive impact, the fact remains that Mainers support raising the minimum wage and so do I.

Senator Tartaglione Joins Governor, Colleagues to Strengthen Sexual Harassment Protections

Senator Tartaglione Joins Governor, Colleagues to Strengthen Sexual Harassment Protections

During a news conference at Temple University, Tartaglione highlighted new legislation to expand the protections of PA’s Human Relations Act.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 6, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione yesterday announced new legislation that proposes to add sexual orientation and gender expression as protected classes under Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act, while expanding the act’s worker protections to include non-employee contractors and unpaid interns.

Sen. Tartaglione’s bill is part of a package of legislation authored by Senate and House Democrats and supported by Gov. Wolf. The governor and legislators announced their initiative at Temple University’s Liacouras Center.

 

Sen. Tartaglione’s comments appear below:

“Thank you to the Governor, my legislative colleagues and all the public officials who have gathered here to mark this important occasion. Also thank you to the advocates who are fighting on the front lines to prevent sexual harassment and to help victims when sexual harassment does occur.

Believe me, sexual harassment does occur more often than we think and more often than it’s reported.

The focus of my legislation – my part of the package – is to make sure that victims of sexual harassment in the workplace feel empowered to report these incidents and that the law is fully inclusive of the many different people who suffer sexual harassment.

I want workers to understand the protections available to them. I want the reporting process to be easier. I want to protect victims from retaliation by their employer when they do report it.

As we’ve said, this is a BIG problem with many facets. Often, workplace sexual harassment coincides with other discriminatory behavior by a boss or employer. And the victim may be part of more than one protected class – such as age, gender, race, national origin or religion. But consider this for context: in the last six years, the Human Relations Commission has resolved more than 14,500 cases of all types. Among those, more than 12 thousand – that’s 83 percent – involved the workplace.

That’s probably only the tip of the iceberg. For one thing, current law doesn’t classify sexual orientation or gender expression as a protected class. So, if a boss harasses a subordinate because the worker happens to be gay, Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act may not apply. My bill would add sexual orientation and gender expression as protected classes.

Likewise, current state law doesn’t explicitly protect unpaid interns or independent contractors. This loophole can help an employer avoid accountability not on the merits of a case, but on a technicality. My bill adds those protections for interns and contractors who, for all practical purposes, are employed.

Right now, you may be asking: What’s the advantage of giving a victim access to the Human Relations process? Why can’t the victim just file a civil lawsuit or criminal complaint?

It’s true that federal law mirrors Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act in many instances. The jurisdictions overlap. But state law gives victims access to potentially faster, sustainable resolutions that satisfy all parties. The PHRC conducts independent, impartial investigations and offers mediation with penalties. If that doesn’t work, violators can be forced to pay uncapped damages. So it’s usually in their best interest to cooperate.

In closing, I’d like to reinforce that this package is just a starting point for meaningful legislative action. We want to do more research on workplace sexual harassment and gather as much information as possible so we can advance prevention and education while continuing to protect victims.”

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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.

Tartaglione: PAsmart Initiative Grants Totaling Nearly $1 Million Approved

Tartaglione: PAsmart Initiative Grants Totaling Nearly $1 Million Approved

Harrisburg — April 3, 2017 — Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said that nearly $1 million in PAsmart Initiative Grants were awarded to various pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs in Philadelphia.

“These grants are incredibly important in our community because they train well-qualified candidates for long-term family sustaining jobs,” Tartaglione said. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry awarded the grants through Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs).

The grant recipients in Philadelphia include:

  • District 1199c – $85,000 pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship grant and $50,000 capacity building grant;
  • International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local #14 – $75,000 pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship grant;
  • International Association of Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 19 – $62,000 pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship grant and $45,495 capacity building grant;
  • International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 – $45,495 capacity building grant;
  • JEVS Human Services – $99,956.60 pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship grant and $49,996 building capacity grant;
  • Philadelphia Carpenters JATC – $50,000 capacity building grant.

Tartaglione has been working to ensure that Pennsylvanians have access to quality jobs and that workers are fairly compensated.  The senator is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 1044 which would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024.

“There is nothing more important to me than my community – and a skilled, well qualified workforce employed in quality jobs helps create a stable, prosperous community,” Tartaglione said. 

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Tartaglione’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month Resolution Passes PA Senate Unanimously

Tartaglione’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month Resolution Passes PA Senate Unanimously

April 2018 will be Sexual Assault Awareness Month throughout the Commonwealth.

HARRISBURG, PA, March 29, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed a resolution authored by Sen. Christine Tartaglione this week declaring April 2018 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month throughout the Commonwealth. In her March 26 remarks from the Senate floor, Tartaglione described sexual assault and violence as a “pervasive epidemic that affects all of us.”

“Nearly one in five women and one in 71 men in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape sometime in their lives,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “Additionally, 44 percent of women and 23 percent of men have experienced other forms of sexual violence during their lives, including sexual coercion, unwanted sexual contact and other non-contact sexual experiences.”

The theme for this year’s observance is “Embrace Your Voice,” a slogan that recognizes and reflects the burgeoning #MeToo movement. Sen. Tartaglione encouraged survivors to speak out about their experiences and to seek help in overcoming the lifelong trauma resulting from sexual assault. She also spoke of the need for communities to educate themselves about prevention.

 

Here is the full text of Sen. Tartaglione’s remarks:

“Today I offer this resolution to bring awareness to an important issue in the state, Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault is a pervasive epidemic that affects all of us. Nearly one in five women and one in 71 men in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape sometime in their lives. Additionally, 44 percent of women and 23 percent of men have experienced other forms of sexual violence during their lives, including sexual coercion, unwanted sexual contact and other non-contact sexual experiences.

“Of the 20 percent of women and 1.7 percent of men that have been sexually assaulted during their lifetimes, nearly 80 percent of women were assaulted before the age of 25, with forty percent of them experiencing their first rape between the ages of 11 and 17. And 28 percent of men were first raped before their 10th birthday.

“We need to act to stop this violence now. We all have a responsibility to help prevent sexual assault. We must work together to educate our communities about sexual assault prevention. The more we talk about sexual assault, and the more educated people become about it, the better chance we have to prevent it. Every one of us can make a difference in someone’s life by teaching people how to recognize the signs of sexual abuse and what to do when someone is attacked.

“Therefore, I ask my colleagues for support to combat sexual violence, to take steps to prevent it, and to help survivors seek counseling to overcome the lifelong trauma resulting from sexual assault. Thanks to organizations like Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, these efforts are already underway. This year’s theme is ‘Embrace Your Voice,’ which encourages every person to speak out against sexual violence in all forms and to find ways to prevent it in our 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.

Senator Tartaglione Will Host Financial Freedom for Working Families Event on April 10

Senator Tartaglione Will Host Financial Freedom for Working Families Event on April 10

Free tax return help, unclaimed property search, rent/property tax rebate applications and Earned Income Tax Credit help will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – March 28, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione invites the community to visit her Bridge Street district office on April 10 to take advantage of a free Financial Freedom for Working Families event. The senator will partner with PA State Treasurer Joe Torsella and the Campaign for Working Families Inc. to “Show YOU the Money!”

There will be free income tax return preparation available, along with unclaimed property search, rent and property tax rebate application preparation and Earned Income Tax Credit assistance. Visitors can also open a PA 529 College Savings Plan with a waiver of the usual $50 enrollment fee. The event will occur at 1061 Bridge St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“In today’s economic environment with rising costs and stagnant wages, working people should try to take advantage of every opportunity to get ahead,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Through this program, Treasurer Torsella and I want to connect Pennsylvanians, especially those in the 2nd Senatorial District, with the free financial resources available to them.”

This event is the final installment of a six-stop, month-long statewide tour. No appointment is necessary. Visitors will be served in the order in which they arrive. Spanish language service will be available.

Campaign for Working Families Inc. will provide tax return preparation services for filers reporting less than $54,000 income. The federal deadline to file is April 17 this year. Filers must bring the following documents: social security cards for the filer and all dependents, valid state-issued photo ID or driver’s license, all 2017 income documents (W-2 and 1099 forms), a voided check if you wish to receive your return as a direct deposit, any child care co-pay statements with provider’s Social Security information or EIN, any education credit form 1098-T, last year’s tax return, health insurance form 1095-A (if applicable) and identity theft protection PIN (if applicable).

Those applying for EITC must bring photo ID, proof of income and their social security number. Those seeking an unclaimed property search must bring photo ID and proof of residency such as a utility bill. Those opening a PA 529 account must bring a bank account number and routing number or voided check, along with the birthdate and social security number of the child/student beneficiary.

Visit PASenate.com/FinancialFreedom or call 215-533-0440 for more 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.

Senator Tartaglione Secures $1.1 Million Grant for Roosevelt Boulevard Safety Project

Senator Tartaglione Secures $1.1 Million Grant for Roosevelt Boulevard Safety Project

The funding will reduce conflicts between pedestrians and motor vehicles near Adams and Summerdale avenues.

HARRISBURG, PA, February 9, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione has secured a $1.1 million Pennsylvania transportation grant to fund pedestrian safety improvements where Adams and Summerdale avenues intersect with Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia.

The $1,113,612 PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund grant was among 45 highway, bridge, bike/pedestrian and ports/waterways projects selected by the state agency in 22 Pennsylvania counties. The grants were chosen from among 222 applications and total $41.5 million in statewide investment.

“Roosevelt Boulevard has long held a terrible reputation as one of the nation’s most dangerous roads for pedestrians and motorists. And that reputation is well-deserved,” Senator Tartaglione said. “We must do all we can to protect pedestrians as they cross this major highway.”

Designed and constructed just over a century ago, Roosevelt Boulevard is 300 feet wide and carries U.S. Route 1 from Ninth Street in Philadelphia’s Hunting Park neighborhood to the Philadelphia-Bucks County border in the Far Northeast. At the Adams/Summerdale intersection, the highway serves about 78,000 cars, trucks and busses a day while bisecting a dense residential neighborhood featuring homes, retail stores, parks, a hospital, a school, a playground and a cemetery. Summerdale Avenue intersects with the Boulevard from the northeast, while Adams Avenue intersects with the Boulevard from the southeast.

In its grant application, the City of Philadelphia’s Streets Department cited its plan to “improve the intersection geometry in the southwest corner of Adams/Summerdale avenues and Roosevelt Boulevard in order to mitigate the conflict point between pedestrians and vehicles.” Last November, Senator Tartaglione secured a $500,000 Commonwealth Financing Authority grant for the Streets Department in support of the same roadway safety initiative.

In awarding Multimodal Transportation Fund grants, PennDOT considered safety benefits, regional economic conditions, technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency and operational sustainability.

The Multimodal Transportation Fund was created by the Pennsylvania legislature in Act 89 of 2013, Pennsylvania’s far-reaching transportation funding plan. Act 89 enabled transit, aviation, rail freight and pedestrian/bicycle modes of transportation to obtain dedicated sources of funds for the first time, placing the modes on firmer footing for future initiatives.

PennDOT will open a new round of Multimodal Transportation Fund applications on Feb. 26, 2018, with applications due on March 30, 2018. Visit www.penndot.gov and click on “Multimodal Transportation,” then “Projects & Programs” 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.

Tartaglione Applauds Governor’s Workforce Development, Minimum Wage Advocacy in 2019 Budget Plan

Tartaglione Applauds Governor’s Workforce Development, Minimum Wage Advocacy in 2019 Budget Plan

HARRISBURG, PA, February 6, 2018 – Sen. Christine Tartaglione applauded Gov. Tom Wolf’s commitment of $100 million toward workforce development programs as well as his support for raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage in the Fiscal 2019 budget proposal that the governor delivered today to a joint session of the General Assembly.

Tartaglione is further encouraged by the governor’s intention to close the Delaware corporate tax loophole; his plan to expand access to substance abuse treatment and prevention; his renewed effort to require municipalities that rely exclusively on Pennsylvania State Police to pay for those services; as well as his call for more state investment in home- and community-based services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

“I’m glad that Governor Wolf shares my conviction that Pennsylvania must improve its economic competitiveness by developing our workforce with programs like education and training, apprenticeships and industry partnerships, as well as mandating that employers pay workers fair, living wages.

“Just yesterday, I announced my sponsorship of Senate Bill 1044 to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 over the next six years. We haven’t raised our minimum wage since 2006. All of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states and 28 states across the country have a higher minimum wage than we do. Raising the minimum wage will make Pennsylvania a more attractive place for workers to raise their families and will improve the economy by putting more money in the hands of consumers.”

During his budget address and in a more-detailed overview of his plan distributed through the Office of the Budget, Wolf proposed raising the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $12 this year.

Wolf also outlined a $50 million investment to improve access for Pennsylvania students and workers to education, training and career readiness programs; and $25 million to grow STEM and computer science-related education in K-12 and postsecondary programs. The budget plan further invests $7 million in apprenticeship and work-based training, along with $3 million for partnerships between employers and public workforce providers.

“These are issues that I’ve been attempting to advance for quite some time,” Sen. Tartaglione said.

Similarly, Sen. Tartaglione supports the governor’s renewed effort to close the “Delaware loophole.” That’s the law allowing Pennsylvania-based corporations to establish holding companies in neighboring Delaware, where their profits are not subject to a corporate income tax.

“For all intents and purposes, these corporations are Pennsylvania-based. They occupy land here and do business here. They should be paying their fair share of corporate taxes to support the infrastructure and services that enable them to succeed here.”

Requiring municipalities to pay for local State Police coverage is another Wolf proposal that would have a positive impact on Pennsylvania’s fiscal outlook, according to Sen. Tartaglione. The senator further supports the governor’s plan to allocate an additional $74 million to services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism, including $16 million to provide 965 people with supports and services enabling them to keep living in their homes and communities after they reach age 21 and no longer qualify for the special education system.

In the ongoing fight against substance abuse, specifically opioid use disorder, the governor plans to leverage $26.5 million in federal funding to supplement the state’s existing efforts to expand and sustain access to treatment services. Wolf also proposes a $4.5 million state allocation for training home-treatment providers and another $2 million to expand accredited drug treatment courts.

“Opioid addiction and opioid-related deaths have risen to catastrophic levels and are a public health crisis,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “We must commit significant resources strategically and thoughtfully in response to this emergency.”

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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.