Tartaglione: Contract Awarded to Improve Traffic Flow on Allegheny Avenue

Harrisburg – December 22, 2016 – A $6.3 million contract to improve traffic flow on a section of Allegheny Avenue between Ridge Avenue and Tulip Street in Philadelphia has been awarded by the state Department of Transportation, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said.

“There is an extensive scope of work associated with the contract,” Tartaglione said. “New street lighting plus the installation of sidewalks and stormwater drainage are included in the project.”

Tartaglione said that the project involves a four-and-a-half-mile section of Allegheny Avenue. Construction is expected to start in early 2017. During the course of construction, Allegheny Avenue will remain open but there will be periodic lane restrictions. The work is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

“Once completed, this will be a significant upgrade and traffic flow in this corridor will improve,” Tartaglione said.

The project is fully paid for by federal funding.

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Transit Worker Protection Now!  General Assembly Dawdles, Workers Assaulted

Op-ed by Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione

For transit workers, the news hasn’t changed much and it certainly hasn’t gotten better.  It’s the same story, year after year: “SEPTA bus driver taken to hospital after men throw liquid on her,” “Man charged with assault in punching, beating of SEPTA bus driver,” “Bus driver shooting sparks calls for safety.”

These are just a few of the attacks on transit workers that made the headlines.  The sobering truth is that attacks on public transportation workers are not uncommon.  They are numerous, vicious and terrifying.  As troubling, the General Assembly continues to dawdle and do nothing about the problem. 

It’s not as if there isn’t a proposed solution just waiting for action.  I’ve introduced a proposal to deal with this issue for many years.  Last session, it was Senate Bill 269.  The session before, Senate Bill 282.  The one before that Senate Bill 236.

In 2012, I took to the Senate floor in Harrisburg and gave a speech imploring my colleagues to act to protect transit workers.  I commented then that during the time my proposal was sitting in committee there were more than 100 assaults committed.  A bus driver had been shot, another hit by flying glass and another had three teeth knocked from his mouth by a punch in the face.  

To deter these kinds of attacks, my proposed legislation would toughen penalties against those who commit offenses against public transportation workers.  The idea is to reduce or eliminate assaults and make our public transportation systems safe for both the transit rider and the transit worker.  I will reintroduce legislation protecting workers again in January. 

My legislation is not new; the arguments made years ago in support of upgrading offenses remain valid and the focus on protecting workers is sincere. 

These attacks were unnecessary and most of them were preventable.  Had the legislature passed any of my bills over the years, there is a strong likelihood that we could have halted many of these assaults against transit workers.  

Let’s roll back the clock and think of what protections may have been in place by now.  If the General Assembly had acted and passed my proposal, our public transit agencies could have embarked on an aggressive public education program that outlined the ramifications of assaulting a transit worker.  The higher fine and longer prison sentence — the central feature of my bill — would serve notice that transit workers are protected.  The increased prison time and fine would make potential assailants think twice. 

Maybe the worker hit with a hot liquid would have gone home after work instead of the hospital.  Conceivably, the bus driver punched, pummeled and bitten could have finishing the night shift without incident.  Perhaps, the mace used in assaulting another bus driver would have remained in the purse of the attacker. 

According to the Amalgamated Transit Union, 30 states have enacted laws with tougher penalties for assaulting transit workers.  If we would just act, Pennsylvania would be joining with other states in demonstrating its support for transit workers. 

Moving assertively to protect transit workers is the right thing to do.  Transit workers are men and women who have constant contact with the public often in difficult, frustrating situations.  They work hard and do their jobs well and deserve to be free from assaults. 

There is no cost associated with the legislation, it is a responsible, meaningful and strong step that would protect workers.  It’s time for the General Assembly act. 

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Senator Vincent Hughes & Senator Christine Tartaglione Call for Pennsylvania Senate to Reconvene to Extend Funding for Labor & Industry Service Call Centers

Harrisburg – November 18th, 2016 – Senators Vincent Hughes and Christine Tartaglione issued the following statements on the failure of the Pennsylvania Senate to extend funding for Labor & Industry service call centers:

Senator Hughes: “I am outraged by the failure of the Pennsylvania Senate Republican leadership to hold a vote to extend funding for unemployment compensation service call centers. Because of this inaction, nearly 600 working people will lose their jobs just one week before Christmas. It also means that thousands of unemployed Pennsylvanians will experience longer wait times when seeking assistance while applying for benefits.

“We must be clear that was a choice made by Senate Republicans for political reasons. They control the Senate calendar and Governor Wolf and Senate Democrats made it clear throughout the fall session that this bill was a priority.  The bill should have been voted on October 26 but it was delayed when the Republican pension plan fell apart.  Then, on our final session day Wednesday, the bill was marked for a vote but was pulled again after their plan to further limit a women’s right to make her own health decisions failed.  Because they twice didn’t get what they wanted, Senator Scott Wagner decided to play Scrooge to 600 workers who will lose their jobs just one week before Christmas. 

“The inconsistency in public statements by Senate Republicans is clear proof that this failure to act is pure politics. First, the Senate Republicans tried to blame Governor Wolf even though they control what bills we consider in the Senate. Then, Senator Wagner openly admits that he wanted to cut funding to these call centers and see them shut down. They can’t have it both ways.

“Republicans also cannot simultaneously claim to be the champions of the working class and force the closure of facilities that help people who are unemployed. I call on the Senate Republicans to immediately reconvene the Senate to pass an extension of funding to unemployment compensation service calls centers.”       

State Senator Christine Tartaglione, Democratic Chairwoman of Senate Labor & Industry Committee, offered the following statement:

“I join my colleague in calling for Senate Republicans to move on this important issue. I have been calling for the funding to be restored to these calls centers as one of my top priorities for the entire legislative session and offered my own bill, Senate Bill 1335 that would have reauthorized this funding for an additional four years. It is important to realize that this money is available, it simply needs to authorized. There is no reason that the Senate should not have acted to prevent these layoffs. Now, nearly 600 workers will lose their jobs and thousands of unemployed Pennsylvanians will see diminished services.”

State Senator Vincent Hughes represents the 7th Senatorial District and is the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Christine Tartaglione represents the 2nd Senatorial District and is the Democratic Chair of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee.

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Tartaglione Selected to Head Philadelphia Senate Delegation

Harrisburg – November 16, 2016 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione has been selected by her peers to lead the Philadelphia delegation in the Senate.

“As delegation chair, I will have an incredible opportunity to influence statewide policy and ensure that Philadelphia’s needs are addressed,” Tartaglione said.  “There are a great many policy challenges and issues that are important to the city and its citizens that can be resolved if our delegation is united.”

Seven Senate Democrats represent Philadelphia in the 50-member body.  Tartaglione is succeeding Sen. Shirley Kitchen who is retiring at the end of this term.

“I have proudly served the City of Philadelphia for many years,” Tartaglione said.  “I am well aware of the problems and issues it faces, but I am also confident of its future.

“Leading the delegation is a great honor, but it also carries with it tremendous responsibilities.”

Tartaglione was elected to the state Senate in 1994.  She is the long-time Democratic chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.  Previously, she worked as an executive in the state treasurer’s office and was business representative of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

Tartaglione credited Kitchen for her strong delegation leadership over the last several sessions.

“In the next session, Senate Democrats will face a great many tough and controversial issues where strong leadership is needed,” Tartaglione said.  “I hope to keep our delegation together and strong as it works to solve problems and improve lives.”

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Tartaglione Lauds Gov. for Signing U.C. Bill, 44,000 Workers Impacted

uc_billsigning_nov3_2016

Harrisburg – November 4, 2016 – Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation into law that will help 44,000 seasonal and cyclical workers gain eligibility for unemployment compensation insurance, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said.

Tartaglione, who is the Democratic chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, helped develop and shepherd the measure through the legislative process.  The bill (House Bill 319) was signed into law on Nov. 3. 

The legislation reduces the percentage of income earned outside an employee’s high quarter in order to be eligible for unemployment compensation benefits.

The formula was changed four years ago by Act 60.  Under that law, a worker earning less than 49.5 percent of income in the three quarters outside the high quarter was ineligible for UC benefits.  The legislation reduces the percentage to 37 percent and restores it to the previous rate.

The change is estimated to benefit 44,000 workers.  

Tartaglione said she was very pleased that Gov. Tom Wolf signed the measure into law.  She released the following statement in support of the governor’s action:

“I am pleased that the governor signed the unemployment compensation measure into law.  Seasonal and cyclical workers should not be ineligible for benefits because they earn a large portion of their wages in a single quarter.  This measure is about fairness for our construction workers, and other seasonal workers, who experience periods of intense work following by lulls in employment.”

The lowering of the earning percentage removes an eligibility hurdle that proved far too high for too many workers and their families, Tartaglione said.

The legislation also includes other measures to ensure that the U.C. Trust Fund remains fiscally sound.

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Tartaglione Comments on Legislation to Help Workers Gain UC Eligibility

Harrisburg – October 26, 2016 – Legislation designed to fix a problem created four years ago by a change in the unemployment compensation law that has impacted seasonal/cyclical workers cleared the Senate and will now go back to the state House of Representatives for concurrence, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said.

House Bill 319 changes how unemployment benefits are calculated as it relates to seasonal and cyclical workers.  Under current law, a worker earning less than 49.5 percent of income in the three quarters outside the high quarter was ineligible for UC benefits.  The legislation reduces the percentage to 37 percent and restores it to the previous rate.  The change is expected to make an estimated 44,000 seasonal workers eligible for benefits.

Tartaglione serves as Democratic chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.  She was involved in helping craft the change and issued the following comments about the legislation:

“For several years, seasonal and cyclical workers and their families have had to deal the inadvertent consequences of the previous change in the unemployment compensation law.  If approved by the House, this legislation makes those workers who were affected eligible for benefits.

“We cannot wait another year to repair this flaw in the statute.  I am hopeful that the House will adopt this measure and the governor will sign it into law.”

House Bill 319 passed the Senate on a 39-8 vote.

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Tartaglione: Unemployment Compensation Legislation to Aid 44,000 Workers

Harrisburg – October 25, 2016 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said that an amendment was approved by the Senate today that would aid seasonal/cyclical workers who were negatively impacted by a change in the unemployment compensation (UC) law adopted four years ago.

The amended legislation (House Bill 319) is expected to be considered for final passage in the Senate tomorrow.

“It is imperative that we restore unemployment compensation eligibility for seasonal and cyclical workers who were disadvantaged by the law,” Tartaglione said.  “Far too many workers were negatively impacted and this needs to be rectified as soon as possible.”

Tartaglione said the legislation was amended to reduce the percentage of income earned outside an employee’s high quarter in order to be eligible for unemployment compensation benefits.

The formula was changed four years ago by Act 60.  Under that law, a worker earning less than 49.5 percent of income in the three quarters outside the high quarter was ineligible for UC benefits.  The legislation reduces the percentage to 37 percent and restores it to the previous rate.

Tartaglione said the change is estimated to benefit 44,000 workers.  She said many of the workers are in the building trades who became victims of the unintended consequences of the change.

“Families were needlessly impacted and lives disturbed,” Tartaglione said.  “Seasonal and cyclical workers were being penalized through no fault of their own.”

Tartaglione, who serves as Democratic chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, was involved in negotiating the legislative language to help the workers, in addition to other provisions in the legislation.

She said that she was pleased with the bipartisan work that went into developing the amendment and thanked the chair of the committee, Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) for her assistance.

The amendment includes a number of other UC provisions including an increase in the reserve, a modification of the benefit rate, amnesty and anti-fraud provisions and solvency trigger changes that are intended to preserve the integrity of the UC Trust Fund.

The amendment was approved on a 39-9 vote.

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$2 Million Grant Approved for Nueva Esperanza, Tartaglione Says

Harrisburg – October 14, 2016 – A $2 million state grant was approved for Nueva Esperanza, Inc. to renovate and build on its campus in North Philadelphia, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said today.

“This grant is excellent news,” Tartaglione said.  “The funding will allow renovations to occur and new construction to take place at the campus.”

Tartaglione said that the state grant will address various needs on Esperanza’s 7-acre campus.  The project includes the addition of a middle school gym, theatre and removal of a blighted building.

“The grant will address immediate needs and bolster the quality of the physical plant at Esperanza,” Tartaglione said.  “The facility’s footprint will change as a result of the removal of the blighted building which will open up more parking and landscaping at the site.”

Tartaglione said the grant was approved through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).  RACP grants can be used for acquisition and construction of economic development projects in a number of categories including cultural, civic, recreation and historical.

“I am very pleased that the governor has released funding for this important project” Tartaglione said.  “The ability to access state funds for critical local projects is essential to transforming communities and expanding services.”

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Tartaglione Senior Expos Scheduled for Oct. 13, Oct. 27

Harrisburg – Oct. 12, 2016 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today reminded seniors that she is hosting two Senior Expos in Philadelphia in October.

“The Senior Expos provide very valuable information,” Tartaglione said.  “There will be free health screenings and representatives of various agencies will be on hand to answer questions and help seniors navigate government programs.”

The first expo is being held on Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Mayfair Recreation Center, 2900 St. Vincent Street in Philadelphia.  The Senior Expo begins at 10 a.m. and concludes at 1 p.m.

Tartaglione’s second Senior Expo in October is scheduled for Oct. 27 at Community Academy of Philadelphia Charter School, 1100 East Erie Avenue beginning at 10 a.m..

“It is important for seniors and their caregivers to have access to crucial programs and services that aid seniors,” Tartaglione said.  “Senior expos are an excellent way to open lines of communication and gain insight into how various programs can be helpful.”

Tartaglione said that all seniors and primary caregivers are invited to attend.

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Tartaglione Presents Resolution in Capitol Rotunda on “World Suicide Prevention Day”

Harrisburg − Sept. 28, 2016 − State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today presented a copy of a Senate resolution declaring Sept. 10, 2016 as “World Suicide Prevention Day” to a group of advocates and families in the Capitol Rotunda.

Sen. Tartaglione at the "World Suicide Prevention Day" event in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.

Sen. Tartaglione at the “World Suicide Prevention Day” event in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.

“The goal in declaring ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’ and presenting a copy of the resolution to advocates and families is to raise awareness about how suicides are a major health concern,” Tartaglione said.  “The hope is that we can save lives by calling attention to this very difficult issue.”

Tartaglione said that each year on Sept. 10 the International Association for Suicide Prevention and World Health Organization (WHO) observe “World Suicide Prevention Day.”

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States.  There are about 800,000 people who die from suicide every year, according to WHO.  Suicide survivors are 25 times more likely to commit suicide in the future.

“Heightened awareness about suicides may result in a friend in distress going to see a mental health professional for treatment,” Tartaglione said.

On behalf of Gov. Tom Wolf, Tartaglione also presented a gubernatorial proclamation to the advocates and families.

Tartaglione’s legislation, Senate Resolution 425, was approved by the full Senate on Sept. 26.

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Tartaglione Unemployment Compensation Legislation Clears Committee

Harrisburg − Sept. 26, 2016 − Legislation designed to preserve a fund that aids in the processing, administration and adjudication of unemployment claims has cleared the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, according to the bill’s sponsor state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia).

“The Service and Infrastructure Fund was created to help process unemployment compensation claims, remove backlogs and make the system more efficient,” Tartaglione said.  “Unemployed workers should be assured that their claims are handled quickly and that the benefits they are due will be promptly disbursed.”

Tartaglione said that her legislation (Senate Bill 1335) would extend the fund until 2020.  The fund was created in 2013 to address system backlogs and make improvements in claim processing.  Funds can be also be used for staff and employee training, information technology and other improvements.

“The fund was created to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the unemployment claims processing system,” Tartaglione said.  “My legislation would ensure that resources will continue to be available.”

The legislation requires Labor and Industry to report yearly to the General Assembly on the status of the fund.  The amount in the fund may not exceed $200 million.

Unemployment Compensation provides 26 weeks of benefits for those who lose a job through no fault of their own.

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Tartaglione: Mobile District Office on Thursdays at CORA

Harrisburg, Sept. 14, 2016 − State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) announced today that her office will be hosting a Mobile District Office each Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CORA, 8540 Verree Road in Philadelphia.

“My staff will be available every Thursday at CORA to process PennDOT forms, free senior SEPTA passes, Property Tax and Rent Rebate applications and help resolve problems and issues involving state government,” Tartaglione said.

The senator said that the staff can also address PECO and PGW questions, unemployment compensation problems and public assistance inquiries among other concerns.

“Finding ways to bring the services of my office into various communities throughout the district improves an individual’s access to important state and local programs and services,” Tartaglione said.

If local residents have questions about the Mobile District Office at CORA they can call Gizela Burnside at (215) 533-0400 or email at gburnside@pasenate.com.

Tartaglione said that if residents are unable to visit during mobile district office hours, they can call her permanent district offices in Philadelphia.  She has a district office at 1061 Bridge Street that is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that can be reached by phone at (215) 533-0440.  Another office is located 2301 Front Street, which is also open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The telephone number for the Front Street office is (215) 291-4653.

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Tartaglione Uses ReWalk Demonstration to Aid Drive for New Clinic for Vets

Casey, Brady, Evans, Carrelli attend demonstration, discussion

Philadelphia – June 17, 2016 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) employed a demonstration of ReWalk — a motorized exoskeleton suit that allows patients with lower limb paralysis to stand and walk – to detail her vision for a clinic to address specific rehabilitation needs of veterans.

ReWalk

“There are so many veterans who might be helped by this technology and other robotic rehabilitative technologies offered by MossRehab and other facilities,” Tartaglione said. “By working together, we can put a new clinic together that will prove beneficial for veterans and change lives.”

Tartaglione demonstrated the suit for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), U.S. Rep. Bob Brady (D-Phila.), state Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Phila.) and Acting Adjutant Gen. Anthony Carrelli at MossRehab in Elkins Park. Following the demonstration, Tartaglione detailed her plan for the clinic.

“Our men and women in uniform have made tremendous sacrifices for their country, giving what President Lincoln called the ‘last full measure of devotion,'” Casey said. “This state-of-the-art technology will change lives, and help in the rehabilitation needs of our nation’s veterans. I am grateful for Senator Tartaglione’s hard work and determination in improving the lives of our veterans and all persons with disabilities.”

“I thank both Senator Tartaglione for her continuing advocacy and Moss Rehabilitation for its commitment to utilizing the newest technology on behalf of our wounded hero men and women veterans,” Brady said.

“Given the extraordinary sacrifice by those in the military and the need for exceptional rehabilitation facilities for veterans, I felt it was important to detail how a clinic featuring technologies like those at MossRehab can assist veterans,” Tartaglione said.

Tartaglione is seeking federal and state assistance in constructing the clinic. Tartaglione’s idea was supported by officials at MossRehab.

“MossRehab commends Senator Tartaglione’s vision and commitment to the rehabilitation needs of our veterans,” said Thomas Smith, Assistant Vice President of Rehabilitation. “The application of state-of-the-art technology by our clinical experts with a caring personal touch allows MossRehab to further our mission of enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities.”

The senator said she knows from first-hand experience that rehabilitation is incredibly difficult and frustrating, but through the efforts of specialists employing new technologies veterans can receive life-changing services.

“We at MossRehab are thrilled with Senator Tartaglione’s progress and the increasing walking ability, endurance and gains in joint motion she has made by using ReWalk,” said Dr. Alberto Esquenazi, John Otto Haas Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at MossRehab. “Her efforts and determination, combined with staff expertise and advanced technology at MossRehab make this improvement possible.”

Tartaglione said that while it may be challenging to try and address the funding needs associated with the establishment of a clinic to aid veterans, it is worth the effort because of the benefits for veterans.

“Veterans made the sacrifice for us and we need to come through for them when they return with medical issues that requires intensive rehabilitation,” Tartaglione said.

The lawmaker said that it will take a significant effort to educate her colleagues at the state level about the necessity of the clinic and was hoping that the demonstration and discussion with Sen. Casey, Reps. Brady and Evans and Gen. Carrelli will spur federal action.

“I can’t thank Senator Casey, Representative Brady, state Representative Evans and General Carrelli enough for their interest in learning more about the technology and my vision for a clinic to aid veterans,” Tartaglione said.

Tartaglione said she will seek state funding for the clinic in the state budget.

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Tartaglione: Grant Funding Approved for Norris Square Senior Community Center

Harrisburg – June 14, 2016 – A grant of $80,877 has been awarded to the Norris Square Senior Community Center, state Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said today.

“Grants for senior centers help bolster activities and provide critical assistance to seniors in Philadelphia and the surrounding region,” Tartaglione said. “The funding approved today for the Norris Square Senior Community Center will help the center continue providing invaluable service to the area.”

According to the Department of Aging, 43 senior centers from around the state will share in $2 million in grant funding in this round.

The funding helps advance programming for seniors. It also enables senior centers to complete critical projects, improve technology, recruit new members and meet the needs of area seniors. Grants enhance social and recreational activities while providing a safe community meeting place, Tartaglione said.

“The grants are resources that can be used to help seniors stay involved in the community,” Tartaglione said.

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Kitchen, Tartaglione Join Gov. Wolf on Tour of Temple Addiction Research Site

PHILADELPHIA, June 2, 2016 − State Sens. Christine M. Tartaglione and Shirley M. Kitchen today joined Gov. Tom Wolf for a tour of one of the nation’s leading research centers investigating the causes of drug addiction.

The Center for Substance Abuse Research (CSAR), at Temple University’s Lewis J. Katz School of Medicine, brings together dozens of experts from across Temple campuses to carry out interdisciplinary research to understand the biological basis of drug addiction and other effects of addictive drugs that result in altered states of biological function.

“As we face an opioid overdose epidemic in Pennsylvania, we are fortunate to have the substantial resources of Temple University to approach the problem at the most fundamental level,” Tartaglione said. “It’s inspiring to be in the midst of incredibly talented people doing incredibly important work.”

CSAR recently received a $1 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to develop and implement an educational program called SEADAP (Science Education Against Drug Abuse Partnership) to teach students in grades 6 through 12 about how commonly abused drugs work in the brain to produce addiction.

“While we face this very serious challenge in our community, it’s encouraging to see that we have the tools here that can lead to success,” said Kitchen, who, for years, has worked closely with the recovery community. “We have the talent right here in North Philadelphia that can help transform lives across Pennsylvania.”

The senators joined the governor on a tour of Temple research facilities and took part in a roundtable discussion about the intersection of academic research and public policy.

After the tour, Wolf, who has made mitigating the opioid crisis a priority for his administration, said the facility is “bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and drug addiction.”

“The challenge is how we take the good research that’s going on here and turn it into good public policy,” he said.

Kitchen and Tartaglione recently announced support for a legislative package intended to address the opioid addiction crisis from prevention through recovery. To read details of that effort, click here.

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Senate Hearing Focuses on Budget Impasse’s Impact on Schools

Harrisburg – October 28, 2015 – At the request of state Sen. Vince Hughes (D-Phila.), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing on the devastating impact that the state’s 120-day budget impasse is having on schools across the state.

“While many of the budget dispute points remain unresolved, what is clear is that the consequences of this impasse are far-reaching,” said Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), who chairs the committee. “This hearing gives lawmakers a sense of how schools are handling the funding shortfall, and what problems they’ll face if this stalemate continues to drag on.”

Hughes added, “A growing number of schools have been cornered into borrowing money and taking out credit lines just to keep their doors open. Hopefully, this hearing’s focus on this worsening statewide financial crisis will encourage greater urgency, cooperation and compromise in the ongoing budget negotiations.”

During the hearing, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale testified that at least 27 school districts have taken out loans totaling more than $431 million. He projected that interest payments will total $30 million if the stalemate reaches mid-November.

Those who testified decried how the impasse has harmed students, depleted reserves and how taxpayers will be needlessly saddled with paying the interest on the growing number of loans and credit lines that schools are obtaining to keep their doors open.

Erie Public Schools Superintendent Jay Badams lamented that his district will need to borrow $30 million just to get through January.

“That’s $114,000 in wasted interest money that could have been used for so many badly needed educational expenses,” Badams said.

Dr. Joseph Roy, who serves as superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District in Northampton County, added that “choices at the state level continue to hammer school districts.” He said the diversion of funds to charter and cyber schools and a “punitive” approach to public education has blown up school expenditures.

Dr. Rula Skezas, who serves as superintendent of the McKeesport Area School District in Allegheny County, noted that even if the district receives its proposed funding it would still fall short of what it received during the 2011 school year. She said McKeesport has taken out a $5 million line of credit to make it to December. She said the district has already eliminated 110 staff positions to try and make ends meet.

Hughes, who serves as Democratic chair of the Appropriations Committee, said public, charter and private schools are already reeling from years of being underfunded. He noted that the Philadelphia School District has already borrowed $275 million during the impasse. Fran Burns, who serves as chief operating officer for the School District of Philadelphia, testified that the district has struggled to contend with a “structural deficit.”

Lamenting the impact on local working families who fund schools through property taxes, Boscola pointed toward an educational survey conducted earlier this year showing that nearly 75 percent of districts were planning to impose property tax hikes, 30 percent were planning on making additional program cuts, and 41 percent were making more staff cuts. She said the state has withheld approximately $3 billion in school funds since the budget impasse began in July.

Joining Boscola and Hughes at the Capitol committee hearing were Senators John Blake (D-Lackawanna), Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny), Andrew Dinniman (D-Montgomery), Christine Tartaglione (D-Phila.) and Sean Wiley (D-Erie),

Those testifying included:

  • The Honorable Eugene DePasquale
    Pennsylvania Auditor General
  • Fran Burns
    Chief Operating Officer, School District of Philadelphia
  • Joseph Gorham
    Superintendent of Schools, Carbondale Area School District
  • Dr. Joseph Roy
    Superintendent of Schools, Bethlehem Area School District
  • Dr. Jay D. Badams
    Superintendent, Erie Public Schools
  • Dr. Rula S. Skezas
    Superintendent, McKeesport Area School District
  • Marjorie Neff
    Chair, School Reform Commission
  • Anthony Pirrello
    CEO, Montessori Regional Charter School of Erie, and Vice President of Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools
  • Matt Przywara
    Member, PASBO
    Chief Financial and Operations Officer, School District of Lancaster
  • Bill LaCoff
    President, Pennsylvania School Boards Association
  • Susan Gobreski
    Education Voters of Pennsylvania
  • Dr. Pearl English
    School Nurse, School District of Philadelphia

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Tartaglione, Senate Democrats Detail Budget Priorities, Highlight Corbett Budget Failures

Philadelphia, Jan. 30, 2014 – Senate Democrats gathered in seven communities across Pennsylvania today to challenge Gov. Tom Corbett to produce a spending plan that is aligned with the needs of Pennsylvanians.

Sen. Christine Tartaglione joined Philadelphia senators here to highlight the negative impact of previous Corbett budgets and describe why the upcoming budget is so important.

[hdvideo id=14 ]

“Pennsylvania’s state budget is an identification of priorities and a strategy for investment,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “We can do better than what Gov. Corbett and his administration have provided.

Tartaglione and Senate Democrats said their budget priorities reflect needs shared by all Pennsylvanians, including job creation, expansion of health care through Medicaid, increasing the minimum wage, repairing the social safety net and restoring education funds.

“Under Gov. Corbett’s leadership, Pennsylvania has fallen to the bottom in job creation and government efficiency, and we must do a better job of identifying policy priorities,” she said. “Senate Democrats have concrete plans to move the state forward and our payment method does not involve a broad-based tax increase.”

Senate Democrats said they will push for the following in this budget:

  • Creating jobs by funding targeted water and sewer rehabilitation projects, strengthening school-to-work programs and expanding community economic zones throughout the state;
  • Investing in education with a $300 million boost, bolstering funds for early education and committing to a long-term financing plan that restores funding;
  • Increasing the state’s minimum wage to at least $9 per hour, indexing the wage to inflation and raising the tipped minimum wage;
  • Expanding Medicaid and extending health care to 500,000 Pennsylvania families while generating budget savings of $400 million; and
  • Repairing holes in the social safety net by using $85 million in Medicaid budget savings for human services programming such as drug, alcohol and mental health.

Sen. Tartaglione said her priorities for the new budget are for the state to restore education funding and for the governor to finally take the lead on raising the minimum wage.

“Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is currently $7.25/hour,” she said. “That isn’t enough for a person living in this state to pay rent, buy a car or purchase groceries for themselves, much less a family. My legislation will raise the minimum wage incrementally to $9.00/hour by 2015, after which it would automatically increase every year with inflation.”

Without an adequate base wage that is competitive with neighboring states, Tartaglione said educational initiatives, if the governor proposes any, would be moot.

“All the education and career preparation in the world won’t help present and future generations if we don’t ensure access to quality jobs and quality income when they graduate,” the senator said. “Right now, we have too many minimum wage jobs and too many educated, over-qualified, minimum wage workers.

“We need to ensure individuals working full-time jobs are able to support themselves and their family members,” she said.

Senate Democrats said they will provide immediate reaction to the governor’s budget address following his scheduled speech to the General Assembly Feb. 4.

 

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Senate Democrats Outline Billion Dollar Budget Savings and Revenue Plan

Harrisburg – December 10, 2013 – In advance of the governor’s planned mid-year budget briefing, state Senate Democrats today announced details of a plan to generate more than $1 billion in budget savings and revenues they say can be used to make key investments, avoid deep cuts or tax increases in dealing with a projected $839 million budget deficit.

“Senate Democrats have identified ample revenues to not only deal with the significant budget deficit that has developed under Gov. Tom Corbett’s watch, but we’ve also found resources to fund key job creation initiatives, education investments and safety net repairs that are needed as a result of short-sighted administration policies,” Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), the Senate Democratic leader said.

In a November budget status report, the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) reported that Pennsylvania was facing a structural deficit of $839 million.

At today’s news conference in the state Capitol, Costa detailed the Senate Democratic $1.091 billion savings and revenue plan. The plan includes the following features and fiscal benefits:

  • Expanded Medicaid — $400 million;
  • Escheat Reform — $150 million;
  • Wine and Spirits Modernization — $125 million;
  • Charter School Reform — $85.5 million;
  • Capital Stock and Franchise tax phase-out freeze — $75 million;
  • Multi-state claims processing for SSP/SSI – $75 million;
  • Enhanced tax collection — $55 million;
  • Medicaid Managed Care — $50 million;
  • Tobacco products tax — $36 million;
  • Vendor discount elimination — $40 million.

Senate Democratic Whip Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia) said Pennsylvanians should not accept the recurring rhetoric from the Corbett administration that they have to cut and slash each and every year due to a revenue shortfall.

“Every year we have heard the same tune from the governor that his hands are tied because revenues are soft and the job market is flat,” Williams said. “For the last three years, Senate Democrats have put forth plans outlining how we can generate budget savings and additional revenues to make key investments without severe cuts.

“The song the governor keeps singing about his budget woes is stale and taxpayers are tired of it. The fact is we need a new more aggressive approach,” he said.

Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said the reason Pennsylvania keeps having budget deficits and scrambling for money each year is the Corbett administration does not have a comprehensive and coherent job creation strategy.

“Under the governor’s leadership, we’ve gone from eighth in job creation to near last among all states, dead last among all our neighboring states and last among all big states,” Hughes said. “We have a Corbett jobs deficit of 166,000 on top of a Corbett budget deficit of $839 million.

“The reason we can’t move forward is that the Corbett corporate tax cuts of over $1 billion, combined with a lack of attention to the needs of everyday Pennsylvanians in job creation, education and safety net protections, weigh us down.”

Senate Democrats also continued to lament the $1 billion in cuts in education funding authored by the Corbett administrations several years ago. The Democrats said this policy has been counterproductive and costly to the average taxpayers because the state simply shifted the burden.

“We can devise a better approach to budgeting and revenue generation that will not result in our local taxpayers paying more in property taxes and children losing opportunities in school,” Costa said. “The Senate Democratic plan provides a path that is responsible and deals with the Corbett budget deficit.”

In addition to the budget and savings plan, Senate Democrats said they would soon announce their budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: State Senator Christine Tartaglione to Introduce Bill to Raise Pennsylvania Minimum Wage from $ 7.25 to $ 9.00

WHO:
State Senator Christine Tartaglione, Democratic Chair of Senate Labor and Industry Committee
State Senator Vincent Hughes, Democratic Chair of Senate Appropriations Committee
Elizabeth McLroy, Secretary-Treasurer of Philadelphia AFL-CIO
Mark Price, Labor Economist at Keystone Research Center
Kathy Black, President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women
John Dodds, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Unemployment Project

WHAT: Senator Tartaglione will announce the introduction of new legislation to increase Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.00. She will be joined by Sen. Hughes and advocates who support the bill.

Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is currently set at $7.25 for most hourly employees, which is required by federal law. Eighteen states have passed minimum wage rates above the federal level. Pennsylvania lawmakers have not increased the state minimum wage since 2006.

WHEN:  Tuesday, September 17th @ 2pm

WHERE:  Philadelphia City Hall, Mayor’s Reception Room (Room 202)

CONTACT:  Please contact Ben Waxman via e-mail: bwaxman@pasenate.com or 717-787-7112 for more information

Tartaglione on Corbett Interview: ‘Damn Lies and Statistics’

HARRISBURG,  April 30, 2013 — Gov. Corbett’s contention that drug use is responsible for Pennsylvania’s high unemployment rate is disturbing, but not the most troubling part of his interview on PAMatters.com, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione said today.

“The governor’s disdain for the unemployed and the thousands of families affected is long-held and already well-known,” Tartaglione said. “But the rest of the interview showed a state executive with a poor grasp on Pennsylvania economics and a propensity to freely make statements unburdened by facts.”

Among the glaring misstatements of fact Corbett made in the interview is the contention that “we now have more people working than ever before.”

“There are, in fact, more unemployed Pennsylvanians today than there were the day the governor was inaugurated,” Tartaglione said. “And the size of the labor force is still more than 100,000 short of its peak during the Rendell administration. These are numbers that are easy to obtain by anyone with a computer. It’s stunning.”

In one of the interview’s more eye-opening moments, Corbett questioned the accuracy of the U.S. Labor Department’s employment calculations, saying he recently learned how the unemployment rate is calculated.

Addressing criticism that Pennsylvania has fallen from the top ten to the bottom five among states in job creation, Corbett didn’t dispute the figures.

“What I dispute is the use of statistics,” he said. Corbett went on to misattribute the quotation about “lies, damn lies and statistics” to Mark Twain, who had actually misattributed it himself in a 1906 magazine article.

Corbett also claimed that Pennsylvania’s stubbornly high unemployment rate is due to more people re-entering the workforce after having given up.

Figures released by U.S. Department of Labor this week indicate the opposite, with two consecutive monthly drops in the size of the labor force.

Before making his statement that prospective employees failing drug tests was a chief reason for high unemployment, Corbett also blamed poorly trained Pennsylvania workers who are unable to take advantage of opportunities in the gas drilling industry.

The governor suggested workers need more training through vocational schools and community colleges.

“Year after year the governor has proposed cuts in funding for the types of training he’s suggesting, including for community colleges, which haven’t received a state funding increase since before the gas boom began,” Tartaglione said. “You can’t just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.”

Tartaglione said Pennsylvania’s 512,000 unemployed should worry that the Corbett administration has not only pushed for cuts in benefits and created havoc in unemployment call centers, but he’s seemingly out of touch with Pennsylvania’s economy.

“The governor needs to look at the statistics and admit they are real. When our chief executive compares the unemployment rate to a ‘damn lie,’ then there is no hope for policy change from the top.”

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Tartaglione Statement on Lottery Decision

HARRISBURG, February 14, 2013 — State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement regarding Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s decision to reject the lottery contract with Camelot Global Services:

“The Attorney General used her authority to support what many of us have been saying all along—that the administration’s lottery fire sale was a disturbing overreach of his authority and, quite simply, a lousy deal for workers, seniors and supporters of open government.

It is reassuring to know that there does exist in Pennsylvania a system of checks and balances on executive authority.

The Attorney General used sound reasoning to put a stop to a bad plan that contained illegal expansion of gambling, significant risks to senior programs and foreign control of a highly successful state agency.

More importantly, she made sure the people of Pennsylvania again have a voice in deciding issues critical to their future and their finances. Hopefully, this will end the back-room deal-making and allow state lottery officials and employees chart their own revenue plan under the bright light of public scrutiny.”

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Tartaglione Statement on Budget Proposal

HARRISBURG, February 5, 2013 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement regarding Gov. Corbett’s proposed budget:

“In two years, Pennsylvania has fallen from the top ten into the bottom third in job creation. If this budget were passed as proposed, that freefall would continue and thousands more Pennsylvanians will be spending their days on hold with the unemployment office.

The governor’s budget takes a ‘wishing well’ approach to the economy by throwing money at corporations and wishing for jobs. The administration has made no attempt to enforce Pennsylvania’s tax laws and shows no support for closing the Delaware loophole, leaving hundreds of millions of dollars flowing out of our state instead of into our schools.

Tying education funding to an ill-advised plan to eliminate thousands of good-paying jobs and millions in profit through the state liquor stores is a cynical, political gimmick that will only delay a reasonable solution to the challenge of educating children for a competitive 21st century economy.

Under this administration, the economy is leaving Pennsylvania behind. Another budget that proposes job cuts and corporate giveaways will only continue our race to the bottom.

School taxes are going up. Corporate taxes are going down. Gas prices are going up. Buying power is going down.

This is not a plan that works for working families.”

Tartaglione: Voter ID a “Costly Mistake”

HARRISBURG, June 30, 2012 – Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement on today’s Commonwealth Court ruling:

“I’ve been confident all along that the courts would see the serious flaws and dubious reasoning behind voter ID.

With just over a month to go before the election, we have to switch our focus to making sure that people know they can vote just as they did in the primary and that their votes will be counted.

Unfortunately, the ruling comes after the millions of dollars were wasted trying to get this done in time to affect the presidential election. The effort was a costly mistake and it comes at a time when we’re cutting back on help for families with disabled children and other important social services.

For months I’ve been hearing from frustrated seniors, students and others who didn’t know what the requirements were and the requirements kept changing.

Now, I can tell them that they can express their frustration the way the Founders intended them to: by voting.”

Tartaglione: Seniors, Students Pay the Price for Politics

HARRISBURG, June 29, 2012 –   Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement on the final 2012-13 budget:

“I commend the thousands of Pennsylvanians who took the time to come to Harrisburg over the past five months for their persistence and determination in moving this budget from where it started in February to what was passed today.

I also want to thank some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for recognizing the governor’s proposal for what it was and understanding its potential impact on our most vulnerable citizens.

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Despite the efforts of citizens and the understanding of my colleagues, this budget fails the test put forth a half century ago by the writer Pearl S. Buck who said we ‘must make it right and possible for old people not to fear the young or be deserted by them, for the test of a civilization is the way that it cares for its helpless members. 

This budget, along with changes in the welfare code, allows our seniors to fear being deserted by the government they supported throughout their lives.

This budget takes its pain and payment from working families, minimum-wage workers, the nameless, the frail and the seniors who are struggling to live at home.

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This budget makes its promises and payments to the powerful, the privileged and the faceless corporations that live in mailboxes in Wilmington, Delaware.

Even as we claim to have no more money to spend, we are paying for those mailboxes in Delaware.

Our students are paying.  Our homeowners are paying.  Our college graduates are paying.

This budget lets the previous generation, and the next generation, pay the price for the politics of this generation.”

Tartaglione Joins Colleagues in Call for New Budget Priorities

HARRISBURG, April 3, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione joined Senate Democratic colleagues at a Capitol news conference today calling on the Corbett administration to focus budget priorities on jobs and working families.

“Last year’s budget and this year’s proposal put a heavy burden on Pennsylvania’s vulnerable families while large corporations reap the rewards of their political support,” Tartaglione said. “The governor’s priorities have resulted in stagnant employment, spiking property taxes and insolvent school districts.  There is still time to shift direction.”

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Tartaglione is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 679, which would require “combined reporting” for businesses in Pennsylvania and close the “Delaware Loophole.”

“Working families and small businesses are paying the price for the administration’s hands-off approach to corporate taxes,” Tartaglione said.

In addition to combined reporting, Senate Democrats have identified numerous ways the state could raise additional revenue to invest in infrastructure, schools and job creation.

Tartaglione said Senate Democrats would like to add at least $250 million into Accountability Block Grants and higher education along with another $225 million in job creation strategies that include research and development.  Senate Democrats are renewing their call to refocus unused cash in the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) for job creation.