por Christin Brown | 26 de marzo de 2024 | reportaje, Comunicados de prensa
Filadelfia, PA - 26 de marzo 2024 - Hoy, el senador Christine Tartaglione anunció que $ 1,550,000 en subvenciones del Fondo de Transporte Multimodal se han concedido a dos proyectos en el 2 º Distrito Senatorial para ayudar a crear paisajes urbanos más seguros y la infraestructura peatonal.
"Traer estos fondos al 2º Distrito ayudará a financiar dos proyectos transformadores para mejorar la movilidad urbana y la vitalidad de la comunidad", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "Estas iniciativas siguen mostrando nuestra priorización y dedicación a la seguridad peatonal y la conectividad, lo que refleja nuestro compromiso con la infraestructura de transporte accesible y sostenible."
El Fondo de Transporte Multimodal concede subvenciones para fomentar el desarrollo económico y garantizar la disponibilidad de un sistema de transporte seguro y fiable en nuestra Commonwealth. Los fondos pueden utilizarse para desarrollar, rehabilitar y mejorar los activos de transporte a las comunidades existentes, así como el paisaje urbano, la iluminación, la mejora de las aceras, la seguridad de los peatones, la conectividad de los activos de transporte y el desarrollo orientado al tránsito.
Los dos proyectos del 2º Distrito que recibirán financiación son:
- Proyecto de mejora de la Avenida Castor - 1.300.000 $.
- Proyecto Frankford Creek Greenway - 250.000 dólares
Más información sobre el Fondo de Transporte Multimodal y todas las demás oportunidades de financiación disponibles a través de la Autoridad de Financiación de la Commonwealth y el Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario y Económico puede encontrarse en línea.
###
by Christin Brown | February 6, 2024 | feature, Minimum Wage, News Releases
Harrisburg, PA - 6 de febrero de 2024 - Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Whip Christine Tartaglione emitió la siguiente declaración tras el discurso del gobernador Shapiro sobre el presupuesto:
"El discurso de hoy del Gobernador traza una hoja de ruta que hace que nuestra Commonwealth pase de ser un seguidor a un líder en nuestra nación. Las históricas propuestas de financiación para la educación, el transporte y el desarrollo económico impulsarán a Pensilvania a la vanguardia de los problemas a los que se enfrenta nuestra Commonwealth. Junto con los llamamientos para aumentar nuestro salario mínimo y aumentar la financiación y el pago de áreas cruciales como la asistencia sanitaria a domicilio y el cuidado de niños, tenemos la oportunidad de hacer inversiones dramáticas en nuestro futuro colectivo."
###
by | January 24, 2024 | News Releases
Filadelfia, PA, 24 de enero - Hoy en día, el senador Christine Tartaglione anunció $ 135,000 en subvenciones de la zona costera se han concedido a proyectos que beneficiarán al 2 º Distrito Senatorial.
Las Subvenciones para Zonas Costeras de Pensilvania se financian a través del Programa de Gestión de Recursos Costeros (CRM) del Departamento de Protección Medioambiental de Pensilvania, que recibe subvenciones de la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA) para financiar proyectos subvencionables.
"Asegurarnos de que somos buenos administradores del medio ambiente es una parte primordial de nuestra responsabilidad como seres humanos", declaró el senador Tartaglione. "Al destinar estas subvenciones a proteger el medio ambiente y las zonas costeras, contribuimos activamente al objetivo crucial de garantizar a las generaciones futuras la capacidad de utilizar los mismos recursos naturales que nos resultan tan vitales para la vida cotidiana."
Entre los proyectos que recibirán financiación figuran:
- Comisión de Planificación Regional del Valle de Delaware - 50.000 $ para prestar apoyo al Programa de Gestión de Recursos Costeros del PADEP en la aplicación del componente del Estuario de Delaware del programa de Gestión de Zonas Costeras.
- PA CleanWays DBA Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful - $ 35,000.00 para trabajar con los afiliados locales / socios para facilitar las limpiezas como una herramienta para reducir los desechos marinos.
- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission - 50.000 $ para trabajar con los municipios para determinar sus necesidades de regulación de las aguas pluviales y elaborar un informe sobre sus conclusiones.
En la página web del Departamento de Protección Medioambiental de Pensilvania encontrará más información sobre las subvenciones disponibles.
by Christin Brown | January 10, 2024 | feature, News Releases
Filadelfia - 10 de enero de 2024 - Hoy, la senadora Christine Tartaglione, Demócrata del Senado, ha anunciado que se han concedido 5.659.462 dólares a dos proyectos en Filadelfia para ayudar en la adquisición de vehículos de emisiones cero y la infraestructura para apoyarlos.
Las subvenciones se conceden a través del Programa de Subvenciones de Incentivos para Combustibles Alternativos, creado en virtud de la Ley 166 de 1992 para ayudar a crear nuevos mercados de combustibles alternativos en Pensilvania.
"Ayudar a ampliar el parque y la infraestructura de vehículos de emisiones cero en Filadelfia y Pensilvania demuestra el compromiso de nuestra Commonwealth con el impulso de la innovación y la sostenibilidad", declaró el senador Tartaglione. "La financiación de estos proyectos no sólo se alinea con los objetivos de un futuro energético más limpio y seguro, sino que también muestra nuestro compromiso con el bienestar económico y medioambiental de nuestras comunidades."
Los siguientes programas de Filadelfia recibieron financiación:
- Sysco Leasing, LLC - 3.975.000 dólares - para sustituir 10 semirremolques elegibles de Clase 8, de corto recorrido, por BEV. Instalar 10 enchufes de carga rápida de CC.
- Autoridad de Transporte del Sureste de Pensilvania - 1.684.462 $ - Sustitución de 6 camiones de carga y reparto elegibles por camiones BEV e instalación de infraestructura de carga EV de apoyo.
Acerca del programa AFIG:
El Programa de Subvenciones de Incentivos para Combustibles Alternativos (AFIG) se estableció en virtud de la Ley 166 de 1992 para crear nuevos mercados de combustibles alternativos en Pensilvania. Al invertir en vehículos, flotas, infraestructuras de repostaje y tecnologías de combustibles alternativos, el AFIG pretende aumentar la seguridad energética, mejorar la calidad del aire y estimular las oportunidades de gestionar los recursos de combustible de Pensilvania de forma respetuosa con el medio ambiente. Para más información, visite el sitio web del Departamento de Protección Medioambiental de Pensilvania.
###
by Christin Brown | January 5, 2024 | feature, News Releases
Philadelphia − January 5, 2024 – Today, Senator Christine Tartaglione, Senate Democratic Whip, announced $350,000 has been awarded to the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) for the Tacony Reaches Green Infrastructure Stormwater Mitigation Project.
The project will use the funds to design and create a green stormwater infrastructure along Tacony Creek. This project is a part of the PWD’s Strategic Watershed Improvement Plan for stabilizing and improving stream corridors and this work will directly support the city’s 25-year green stormwater management program, Green City, Clean Waters.
“Investing in green infrastructure projects, like the Tacony Reaches Project, displays our commitment to a sustainable, resilient, and greener future,” said Senator Tartaglione. “When government invests in green infrastructure, it not only benefits our environment but also sets the stage for new economic opportunities, cleaner communities, and increased and more equitable public health.”
As part of this work, the Philadelphia Water Department is planning to stabilize several portions of stream bank along the Tacony Creek, just south of E Roosevelt Blvd.
The funds are made available through the Growing Greener grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Projects are awarded funding to help address Pennsylvania’s critical environmental concerns of the 21st century.
For more information about the Tacony Creek project visit the city’s website. For more information regarding Growing Greener Grant funding visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website.
###
by | December 19, 2023 | News Releases
Today, Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-2) announced that $1,073,969 in Arts & Culture grants will be awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Agency for projects both in the 2nd District as well as to programs that will benefit all of Philadelphia.
“These grants are a testament to the Commonwealth’s commitment to the cultural richness of our city and our state,” said Senator Tartaglione. “These funds are going to be a game-changer for the arts community in Philadelphia, providing the means to amplify their impact and ensure the arts continue to be a force for positive change by creating a more vibrant and enriched Philadelphia.”
The grants are funded through the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program which was created to support nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local arts and culture districts as well as arts and culture professionals located in the Commonwealth to ensure the stability of the Commonwealth’s arts and culture sector.
Programs receiving funding include:
- Artistas y Musicos Latino Americanos – $10,000
- ARTZ Philadelphia – $13,928
- COSACOSA art at large, Inc. – $10,558
- Enchantment Theatre Company – $11,294
- Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance – $558,387
- JUNK – $10,636
- Philadelphia Chamber Music Society – $56,123
- Philadelphia Orchestra Association – $95,000
- Philadelphia Scenic Works – $18,848
- Philadelphia Youth Orchestra – $47,786
- Taller Puertorriqueño – $38,375
- Theatre Philadelphia – $13,034
- Walnut Street Theatre Corp – $95,000
- Zoological Society of Philadelphia DBA Philadelphia Zoo – $95,000
Programs eligible for the grants include Arts Organizations, Culture Organizations, Arts or Culture Organizations that manage a Local Arts or Culture District, Museums, and more. More information on the Arts and Culture grant can be found on the DCED website. Other grant and funding opportunities can also be found online.
###
by Christin Brown | December 13, 2023 | feature, News Releases
Harrisburg – December 13, 2023 – Today, Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-2) announced the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has awarded $902,000 to non-profits, governmental, and community organizations across Philadelphia.
Grants were awarded from the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program, Federal STOP Violence Against Women Act Funds, State Children’s Advocacy Center Funds, Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Funds, and State Violence and Delinquency Prevention Program Funds. All awards from these programs are approved pending fiscal or programmatic concerns.
“Our Commonwealth making investments in the safety and security of our community buildings, religious sites and neighborhoods needs to remain one of our highest priorities,” said Senator Tartaglione. “I am delighted to announce the resources are flowing into the 2nd Senatorial District and the entire City of Philadelphia, so we can ensure our neighbors are safe whether they be in a house of worship, riding public transit, or just using our public spaces.”
The grant recipients and totals are listed below:
Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program:
St. John’s Lutheran Church – $5,000
Al-Hidaya Islamic Center – $50,000
Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program:
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) – $200,000
State Children’s Advocacy Center Fund:
Philadelphia Children’s Assistance – $47,000
Federal STOP Violence Against Women Act Funds:
Friends of Farmworkers – $125,000
Nationalities Services Center of Philadelphia – $125,000
Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Funds:
The Pennsylvania DMC Corporation – $250,000
State Violence and Delinquency Prevention Program Funds:
Philadelphia Treasurer – $95,000
Support Center for Child Advocate – $5,000
More information on PCCD grant opportunities can be found online.
###
by Christin Brown | November 30, 2023 | feature, News Releases
November 30, 2023 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus, including Senator Vincent Hughes, Senator John Kane, Senator Christine Tartaglione, and Senator Lindsey Williams, issued a joint statement in response to the PA Supreme Court’s opinion that supports PennDOT’s jurisdiction to enforce the Prevailing Wage Act and their authority to disqualify G.O. Hawbaker Inc. from state roadwork contracts.
The four Senators are sponsors of Senate Bill 987, legislation that would require employers to notify workers about the illegal practice of wage theft, while also helping to protect workers who report it from retaliation.
“When our commonwealth goes into business with private organizations, Pennsylvanians deserve to know companies we contract with are the best of the best and operate themselves completely above board. We applaud the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for holding G. O. Hawbaker accountable for stealing money from employees. And we support PennDOT’s efforts to disqualify G. O. Hawbaker from future state projects.
Wage theft is a morally and financially abhorrent practice. Any employer found misappropriating employee pay and benefits should be forced to make their employees whole, as G.O. Hawbreaker was, and held to a different standard moving forward. These companies should not simply be allowed to resume business as usual after they exhibit such malicious intent and lack of respect for employees’ time and work.
Workers deserve the support and protections that have been affirmed by both the PA Supreme Court and PennDOT. Moving Senate Bill 987 and other Senate Democratic proposals to combat wage theft (like Senate Bill 46, Senate Bill 47, and Senate Bill 577), would be another tremendous step forward for workers in Pennsylvania.
We hope all companies take note of our fierce commitment to workers and the wages they are justly owed.”
by | November 22, 2023 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, November 22, 2023 – Senator Christine Tartaglione released the following statement regarding the mass shooting in Fairhill.
“Yesterday evening, just a few hundred feet from my Allegheny Avenue office, a heart-wrenching incident of violence unfolded, casting a chilling shadow over our community just days before Thanksgiving. A tragic mass shooting resulted in the loss of two lives and left five others injured.
The pervasive issue of gun violence has become an affliction upon our nation, commonwealth, and city, tearing at the very fabric of our communities.
It is crucial that we unite in solidarity to advocate for the enactment of sensible and comprehensive gun control measures. Additionally, we must actively support and elect politicians and leaders who share the belief that we can take meaningful action to curb this senseless violence.
We must act and act swiftly to safeguard our neighborhoods and work collectively to prevent the pervasive cycle of these gut-wrenching events in our city.”
by Christin Brown | November 14, 2023 | feature, News Releases
Harrisburg, PA − November 14, 2023 – Today, State Senators Christine Tartaglione (D-2), John Kane (D-9), and Jimmy Dillon (D-5) announced a package of legislation aimed at overhauling Pennsylvania’s addiction recovery system.
States across the nation, including Pennsylvania, face an alarming addiction crisis. With the 9th-highest drug overdose mortality rate in 2021, it is clear more must be done to combat this devastating issue.
“Our Commonwealth is facing an unprecedented addiction and overdose crisis that is ravaging communities and families,” said Senator Tartaglione. “The legislation we highlighted is in part born out of my 20-year-long experience with recovery and sobriety from an alcohol addiction along with countless conversations with people from all sides of the addiction treatment system and will help our neighbors get access to the lifesaving care they so desperately need.”
The legislative package announced today includes six bills aimed at bolstering addiction recovery efforts across Pennsylvania:
SB 874: Encourages SUD counselors to join the fight by offering student loan forgiveness for a 2-year commitment. Mental Health and Intellectual Disability professionals committing to 4 years also qualify. We must retain and inspire our dedicated workforce.
SB 875: Addresses the recovery workforce shortage by ensuring clear and achievable certification practices for recovery workers and considers marginalized communities’ access to these positions.
SB 876: Improves care quality by mandating continuing education on addiction for healthcare professionals and strengthens the referral link between hospitals and addiction treatment organizations.
SB 877: Enhances transparency and disclosure of addiction treatment coverage by requiring insurers to provide clear, semi-annual notifications to policyholders.
SB 878: Introduces standardized reporting by insurers regarding addiction treatment to identify gaps in coverage and access.
SB 879: Requires insurers to testify that they are in compliance with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act which requires insurance companies to treat mental health and substance use on an equal basis with physical ailments.
“These bills provide desperately needed support for those on the path to recovery by tackling workforce challenges, boosting professional development, enhancing transparency in insurance coverage, and implementing reporting measures to guide strategic improvements in addiction services,” added Senator Dillon.
The legislative package announced today joins a large group of other, bipartisan addiction recovery-related bills introduced both in both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature and was drafted in consultation with the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania (DASPOP).
“Forty years ago, I began my own recovery journey. Today, I’m proud to be part of this initiative that will simplify the process for others following the same path,” Senator Kane stated. “Through our partnership with DASPOP, we aim to ensure that no Pennsylvanian is denied the life-saving treatment they need due to confusing insurance coverage rules. We are committed to tearing down the barriers between people who need help and the treatment they deserve.”
More information on the bills in this package and other legislative packages can be found online.
by Christin Brown | October 10, 2023 | feature, News Releases
PHILADELPHIA – October 10, 2023 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10), Tina Tartaglione (D-2), Jimmy Dillon (D-5) and John Kane (D-9), and representatives from the building trades announced Build Better PA, a package of bills to promote fairness, quality, and skilled craftsmanship within the tax incentive programs designed to stimulate economic growth.
“Union labor means quality work done right the first time,” said Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10). “As businesses enjoy the benefits of tax incentive development zones, it is in the best interest of taxpayers and workers to make sound investments in how the work is done. While these programs have been instrumental in driving economic development, they also provide a unique opportunity to raise the bar in terms of labor standards and workforce quality. Building trades and apprenticeships invest in workers, ensuring fair, family-sustaining wages and high-quality final products.”
Build Better PA introduces two essential benchmarks for businesses making capital investments exceeding $25,000 in construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, or repair of facilities within designated tax zones:
- Prevailing Wage Requirement: This provision ensures that businesses within the tax program pay their workers fair wages in line with regional standards. It aims to prevent the exploitation of labor and maintain equitable compensation for workers contributing to these projects.
- Skilled Craft Labor Mandate: To further enhance the quality of workmanship, the bill mandates that at least 70% of the workforce on prevailing wage-eligible projects are “skilled craft laborers.” This criterion ensures that projects funded through tax incentives maintain high standards of craftsmanship and expertise, promoting both worker skill development and the overall quality of construction.
“For decades our Commonwealth has supported business development and created special tax incentives to drive growth,” said Senator Tina Tartaglione (D-2). “These bills will make sure while we keep driving Pennsylvania forward, we don’t leave the working class behind. Unions, skilled trades and apprentice programs are the key to continuing to grow the middle class, which is imperative for our continued success.”
“I have witnessed the challenges that workers in the construction industry face, both as a plumber and as the Business Manager for the largest Plumbers Union in Pennsylvania. This legislation will benefit our labor force by giving them a stronger voice, ensuring fair wages for their hard work, and emphasizing apprenticeships that will properly train our next generation of skilled laborers,” said Senator John Kane (D-9). “As Minority Chair of the Labor and Industry Committee, I am committed to doing everything I can to create a more equitable future and improve Pennsylvania’s position in the construction industry, and this legislation does exactly that.”
The “zone” programs the legislation would apply to are: City Revitalization and Improvement Zones, Neighborhood Improvement Zones, Keystone Opportunity Zones, Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zones, Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zones, Keystone Special Development Zone Program, Keystone Innovation Zones and Airport Land Development Zones.
“These tax incentive programs have fueled economic development across the Commonwealth, but we owe it to ourselves to make sure they also uplift our workers,” said Senator Jimmy Dillon (D-5). “I’m honored to partner with Senators Santarsiero, Tartaglione, and Kane to make sure that businesses investing in our communities benefit both themselves and the hardworking men and women who make it all possible.”
“Thank you, Senators Santarsiero, Tartaglione, Kane and Dillon for recognizing the value of union labor to ensure quality construction projects, and fair wages with good benefits for workers,” said Fran McLaughlin, Business Manager for District Council 21. “Apprenticeship programs offer a path for individuals looking not just for a job, but a career that offers family-sustaining wages. Quality work and fair wages will enable us to build a better Pennsylvania and protect investments for taxpayers.”
Senator Nikil Saval (D-1), a co-sponsor of the legislation, voiced his support saying, “Any form of state investment, whether direct or through tax incentives, that drives our Commonwealth’s economic growth should primarily center the creation of jobs with family sustaining wages. This legislation will ensure that Pennsylvania carefully balances our responsibility to attract capital investments and do so in a manner that lifts working class families.”
Any business found in violation of the law would have to refund the full amount of the tax exemption, deduction, abatement or credit awarded for the year that they violated the provisions, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
###
by Christin Brown | September 20, 2023 | feature, News Releases
Harrisburg PA – September 20, 2023 – Today Sen. Tartaglione announces over $16 million in funding for Philadelphia County-based agencies and organizations from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). This funding will deliver support and resources to keep Philadelphia County residents safe in the places they call home.
“Our city and commonwealth for too long have experienced the pains that come with the epidemic of crime we have been seeing,” said Senator Tartaglione. “The investments we are making through PCCD will help organizations across the city serve and support the victims of crime. As we continue the work to prevent violent crime, it is crucial we don’t forget the victims of crime and the ramifications of victimization.”
The recipients are listed below:
Continuing County Adult Probation and Parole Grant Funds
- Philadelphia County – $4,018,618 for CCAPPG Funds
Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Funds
- Central Division Victim Services – $446,337 for CDVS VOCA Grant
- Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia – $945,033 for AVP VOCA 2023-2025 (non-Competitive)
- Center for Advocacy for the Rights & Interests of the Elderly – $486,415 for Providing Advocacy for Victimized Elders (PAVE)
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – $141,048 for Addressing Psychosocial & Concrete Needs of Young
- Congreso De Latinos Unidos, Inc. – $843,082 for LDVP and East Division Crime Victim Advocacy
- Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations – $175,966 for Concilio’s East Division Victim/Witness Services
- Drexel University – $157,343 for Healing Hurt People: Providing Trauma Services
- E.M.I.R. – Every Murder Is Real – $267,999 for 2023-2025 VOCA
- HIAS & Council Migration Services Inc. DBA HIAS PA – $574,317 for Immigrant Victim Access Collaborative (IVAC)
- Lutheran Social Mission Society DBA Lutheran Settlement House – $500,646 for LSH Bilingual Domestic Violence Program
- Mothers In Charge – $254,278 for Trauma-Informed Support of Homicide Survivors
- Nationalities Service Center of Philadelphia – $521,703 Services for Immigrant Victims of Crime
- Northeast Philadelphia Victim/Witness Service – $227,220 for Victim Assistance and Advocacy
- Northwest Victim Services – $215,742 for Serving Victims of Crime in Northwest Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Children’s Alliance – $447,358 for Philadelphia Children’s Alliance Direct Services
- Philadelphia City Treasurer – $403,671 for Philadelphia DAO Cares 3
- Philadelphia Corporation for Aging – $388,424 for PCA Victim Support Program
- Support Center For Child Advocate – $708,419 for Child Victim Assistance Project
- Temple University of The Commonwealth System of High Education – $421,500 for Support for Victims from Marginalized Communities
- Uplift Center for Grieving Children – $100,139 for Uplift’s VOCA Continuation 2023
- Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia, Inc. – $306,428 for Neighborhood Based Program for South Philadelphia
- WOAR-Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence – $324,372 for Sexual Assault Sexual Violence
- Women Against Abuse, Inc. – $1,271,658 for Sustaining Legal Services for Survivors
- Women In Transition, Inc. – $327,057 for Core Domestic Violence Services
- SeniorLAW Center – $1,531,487 for Keeping Elder Victims S.A.F.E.
- Children’s Crisis Treatment Center – $103,817 for Clinical Care Coordination for Child Victims
###
by Christin Brown | July 7, 2023 | feature, Minimum Wage, News Releases
Harrisburg, PA – July 7, 2023 − Sunday, July 9th, marks seventeen years since Pennsylvania lawmakers last raised the minimum wage.
On July 9th, 2006, Governor Ed Rendell was joined by Senator Christine Tartaglione, Senator Vincent Hughes, and Senator Jay Costa, to sign Senate Bill 1090, Senator Tartaglione’s legislation that raised PA’s minimum wage to $7.15.
“When Senate Bill 1090 was signed into law in 2006, it was a promise to continue to fight for our Commonwealth’s lowest earners and ensure that the needs of Pennsylvanian’s lowest earners are never forgotten or cast aside,” said Senator Tartaglione. “I reintroduced Senate Bill 12 because I, like so many of my colleagues refuse to sit idly by as the Pennsylvanians that earn our poverty level minimum wage continue to struggle to make ends meet. Pennsylvania needs its government to act swiftly and decisively on behalf of our Commonwealth’s workers that need it most.”
Senate Democrats continue to support a higher minimum wage. In June, House Democrats passed a bill that would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026. Senator Christine Tartaglione (D- Philadelphia) introduced Senate Bill 12, a similar bill.
“Pennsylvania is failing our workers,” said Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery). “For seventeen years now, Republican state lawmakers have done nothing to guarantee hard working people get paid fairly and adequately for contributions to our economy. I was proud to join Governor Rendell in 2006 to support pay that benefited workers and families. I hope to join Governor Shapiro one day to end seventeen years of inaction for minimum wage workers in Pennsylvania.”
Pennsylvania’s current minimum wage sits at the federal requirement of $7.25. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is far from a livable wage in the state. The cost of housing and other living expenses has continued to rise while Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has remained stagnant for over a decade.
A minimum wage increase to $15 an hour would impact one million workers who are currently making less than $15 an hour in Pennsylvania.
“Everyone who works for a living deserves to earn a living wage, and the current minimum wage in PA is not one. It is long past time to do right by our working families and make sure we can raise our children on one good job,” said Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). “I have been proud to champion a living wage for every Pennsylvanian, and I look forward to working alongside fellow legislators, workers, and activists to deliver on this crucial value.”
Senate Democrats stand ready to vote on the House bill, but Senate Republicans, who are in the majority, must bring it to the floor for a vote. Meanwhile, every state surrounding Pennsylvania has raised the minimum wage. New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio, all pay a higher minimum wage. Pennsylvania is in last place when it comes to delivering for workers.
“Raising the minimum wage is critical to respecting the dignity of hardworking people so that they can afford housing and food, and so that they don’t have to choose between food, heat, clothing, and other basic needs,” said Senator Art Haywood (D-Phila./Montgomery), who has also been a fierce advocate for raising PA’s minimum wage.
He continued, “This is about helping parents and allowing them to be parents, no longer having to work two or three jobs and having greater freedom to provide their children with a better education, enrich their young ones with opportunities like recreational activities, be more active in their communities, and spend time with their families.”
by Christin Brown | June 30, 2023 | feature, News Releases
Senate Democratic Whip Christine Tartaglione released the following statement regarding her no vote on the Commonwealth’s budget today:
“The budget is supposed to reflect our Commonwealth’s moral priorities and aspirations for the future. The bill we voted on today does nothing to move Pennsylvania forward. From failing to act to raise the minimum wage for our Commonwealth’s lowest earners, to failing to fund mass transit, and continuing the systemic underfunding of public education, this bill, and this budget fall far short of the needs of our Commonwealth.
I am hopeful the leadership in the Pennsylvania House will see the failures and shortcomings of this proposed budget, and make the necessary changes to ensure ALL Pennsylvanians are heard and represented in our Commonwealth’s budget.”
by sdcsapps | May 1, 2023 | News Releases
May 1st, 2023, Harrisburg Pa – Today, The Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 165, Senator Tartaglione’s Safe Injection Site Ban by a vote of 41-9. Senate Bill 165 will now be sent to the House for their concurrence.
“Across this Commonwealth, Pennsylvanians are struggling with addiction,” said Senator Tartaglione. “When my community came to me asking me to introduce Senate Bill 165, I knew it was imperative to build a bipartisan coalition of senators from across Pennsylvania to support the bill. The vote today shows it doesn’t matter how rural or urban, liberal or conservative, or far east or far west your district is, addictions affect every square inch of Pennsylvania, and we need to prioritize recovery and sobriety.”
Senate Bill 165 will bring Pennsylvania in line with 21 U.S.C. Section 856, which already prohibits the act of maintaining drug-involved premises anywhere in the United States. The legislation will not impact other harm reduction efforts including clean needle exchanges and medication-assisted treatment.
Senator Tartaglione, who is in long-term recovery from an alcohol addiction reintroduced Senate Bill 165 this session after no action was taken on the legislation last session. Senator Tartaglione, who has been sober for more than 20 years, uses her experience with addiction and recovery as well as her connections in the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery space to help drive her legislative priorities.
Senate Bill 165 will now go to the Pennsylvania House for their concurrence.
###
by sdcsapps | April 25, 2023 | News Releases
April 25, 2023, Harrisburg Pa – Today, The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to move Senate Bill 165, Senator Tartaglione’s Safe Injection Site Ban out of committee and to the full Senate by a bipartisan vote of 11-3.
“Day in and day out I hear from my constituents about their opposition to safe injection sites,” said Senator Tartaglione. “I introduced Senate Bill 165 because I see the pain and suffering addiction causes every day in my district, and I believe it is imperative Pennsylvania be in the business of helping people access recovery, not empower addiction.”
Senate Bill 165 will prohibit the establishment of safe injection sites and supervised consumption sites across Pennsylvania. The legislation will not impact other harm reduction efforts including clean needle exchanges and medication assisted treatment.
“As legislators we are tasked with making our constituents voices heard in the halls of power in Harrisburg. When 40 community organizations from across Philadelphia filed amicus briefs in US vs Safehouse, they made their voices loud and clear in saying ‘Philadelphia does not want supervised consumption facilities in our city.’ We must listen to the groups doing the work in our neighborhoods and communities and take them at their word,” added Senator Tartaglione.
Senator Tartaglione, who is in long-term recovery from an alcohol addiction reintroduced Senate Bill 165 this session after no action was taken on the legislation last session. Senator Tartaglione, who has been sober for more than 20 years, uses her experience with addiction and recovery as well as her connections in the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery space to help her drive legislative priorities.
Senate Bill 165 is now in the full Senate where a vote is expected to be held as early as next week.
###
por Jessica Marpe | 19 de abril de 2023 | Comunicados de prensa
Filadelfia, PA - 19 de abril de 2023 -Hoy, la senadora Christine M. Tartaglione, portavoz demócrata en el Senado, ha recibido al zar antidroga de la Administración Biden y a responsables políticos estatales para hablar sobre la crisis de la adicción y los opioides.
El Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director de la Oficina de Política Nacional de Control de Drogas (ONDCP) de la Casa Blanca, se unió al Senador Tartaglione, a la Dra. Latika Davis-Jones, Secretaria en funciones del Departamento de Programas de Drogas y Alcohol (DDAP), y a un grupo bipartidista y bicameral de 12 legisladores en la Universidad de Temple para debatir la asociación entre los esfuerzos estatales y federales para combatir la creciente crisis de drogas y opioides que afecta a Pensilvania.
"Filadelfia ha sido el epicentro de la crisis de las drogas y la adicción a la que se enfrentan demasiadas comunidades tanto en Pensilvania como en Estados Unidos", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "Reunir una coalición de legisladores bipartidistas tanto de la Cámara Estatal como del Senado para tener estas importantes conversaciones es crucial para avanzar y ayudar a Pennsylvania y a los Pennsylvanians a recuperarse de los efectos dañinos de la adicción a las drogas."
La mesa redonda, celebrada en el campus de la Universidad de Temple, puso de relieve la importancia de garantizar una asociación sin fisuras entre los programas locales, estatales y federales.
"Esta epidemia está destejiendo el tejido mismo de nuestra Nación, y eso es inaceptable para mí y es inaceptable para el Presidente Biden", dijo el Dr. Gupta. "Por eso la Estrategia de la Administración se centra en abordar dos factores clave de la epidemia: la adicción no tratada y los beneficios del narcotráfico que la alimentan. Los funcionarios locales y estatales son vitales para garantizar que nuestra respuesta colectiva esté a la altura de esta amenaza histórica, por lo que me alegro de haber tenido la oportunidad de debatir la respuesta al fentanilo, la xilacina y otras amenazas de las drogas con legisladores estatales tan comprometidos. Esta crisis no es una cuestión de estados rojos o azules, es una cuestión de Estados Unidos. Y trabajando juntos, podemos vencerla".
Legisladores de toda la Commonwealth se reunieron para compartir las perspectivas únicas de sus comunidades sobre la crisis de los opiáceos y la adicción, y cómo Pensilvania puede utilizar los recursos estatales y federales para ayudar a impulsar los esfuerzos de recuperación y tratamiento de las personas que sufren adicción.
En la mesa redonda participaron los siguientes legisladores:
- Sen. Tartaglione
- Calle Sen. Sharif
- Sen. Jimmy Dillon
- Senador John Kane
- Sen. Dan Laughlin
- Sen. Cámara Bartolotta
- Senadora Michelle Brooks
- Senador Anthony Williams
- Diputado Joe Hohenstein
- Diputado José Giral
- Diputado Anthony Bellmon
- Diputado Malcolm Kenyatta
###
by Jessica Marpe | April 14, 2023 | News Releases
Filadelfia, PA- 13 de abril 2023 - Hoy el Senado de Pensilvania Democrática Whip Christine Tartaglione anunció que, junto con los senadores de Pensilvania Sharif Street, Anthony Williams, y Jimmy Dillon presentó un escrito amicus en los EE.UU. vs Safehouse caso, con la esperanza de evitar Safehouse de la apertura de un sitio de inyección segura en Filadelfia.
"Mis electores y la gente de toda Filadelfia han dejado claro que no quieren que Safehouse ni ninguna otra organización abra puntos de inyección seguros en sus barrios", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "Cuando las organizaciones comunitarias y de recuperación de toda la ciudad se acercaron a mí y me pidieron que formara parte de esta demanda que busca bloquear Safehouse supe que tenía que ofrecer mi voz y mi plataforma."
La solicitud presentada por los demócratas del Senado argumenta que incluso si el Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos y Safehouse llegan a un acuerdo, éste podría violar la ley estatal que otorga a las organizaciones comunitarias la capacidad de demandar para prevenir "molestias relacionadas con las drogas" en sus comunidades.
Mientras la senadora Tartaglione participa en el proceso legal en curso para bloquear los puntos de inyección segura en Filadelfia, también ha presentado el proyecto de ley 165 del Senado, que ilegalizaría el consumo supervisado y los puntos de inyección segura en toda la Commonwealth.
###
by Jessica Marpe | March 21, 2023 | News Releases
Harrisburg, PA- March 20, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and House Democratic Policy Committee Chair Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) joined join Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) and Rep. Patrick Harkins (D-Erie) to co-host a joint public hearing on legislation that would extend Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protections to public employees in Pennsylvania.
The hearing, held earlier today at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, featured two panels of testimony on both sides of the issue of extending OSHA protections to public employees in Pennsylvania.
“All Pennsylvanians deserve a safe workplace – and we need to make sure that we extend the critical workplace safety protections under OSHA to public employees across the Commonwealth,” Muth said. “There are so many public employees that put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our communities, to improve our roads, and to respond to emergencies – these individuals deserve better and they deserve workplace safety protections.”
OSHA was created in 1970 by the United States Congress to assure safe conditions for working men and women. OSHA covers most private sector employers and workers in all 50 states either directly through Federal OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state plan. Workplace health and safety protections under OSHA do not automatically cover public sector employees in state and municipal government.
“As we heard today, a workers right to know they are safe and protected at their jobs shouldn’t depend on who they work for,” said Senator Tartaglione. “We need to pass Senate Bill 93 to ensure Pennsylvanians all have OSHA protections regardless of their employer.”
States have to choose to extend these protections — and over half have already done so through OSHA-approved “state plans” that allow states to operate their own workplace health and safety programs covering public and/or private sector workers – Pennsylvania is not one of those states. Senator Tartaglione’s Senate Bill 93 would establish the Pennsylvania Occupational Safety and Health Review Board within the Department of Labor and Industry and extend OSHA safety rules to public employers.
“We have heard the outcry that municipalities can’t afford this, and my response has always been, what price are we placing on human life?” Rep. Pat Harkins said. “It’s truly a shame if we can’t afford to protect our workers. Where is the justice and where is the opportunity for justice? That’s why I’m pushing House Bill 299.”
Rep. Harkins has introduced House Bill 299 – the Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill – which would also extend OSHA protections to public sector employees in Pennsylvania. Rep. Harkins’ bill was named in memory of Erie resident Jake Schwab who was fatally injured at work in 2014 working as a mechanic with the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority, a public sector employer exempt from OSHA regulations.
“Today’s hearing shined a light on the need to ensure safety conditions for almost 600,000 public sector workers in Pennsylvania,” House Majority Policy Committee chairman Ryan Bizzarro said. “Public sector workers cannot and should not continue to be treated as second-class employees. The time has come to extend OSHA protections for all public sector workers.”
Participants in the hearing included Keith Wentz, Risk Management Director, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania; Angela Ferritto, President, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO; Arthur Steinberg, President, Pennsylvania American Federation of Teachers; and J. David Henderson, Executive Director, AFSCME Council 13.
“Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania’s public sector workers don’t have the same safety protections that their private sector counterparts do for one simple reason: Federal OSHA standards don’t apply to the public sector. But in addition to not having the protection of OSHA safety standards and regular inspections, these workers don’t have the whistleblower protections that they need to protect them from retaliation if they report unsafe working conditions,” Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) added. “That means an employee can be fired, have their hours reduced, or suffer other adverse consequences simply for using the only resource they have to stay safe on the job—their voice. We must do more to protect Pennsylvania’s public sector workers. That means extending OSHA standards to public sector workers and strengthening whistleblower protections for ALL employees, public and private sector.”
All submitted testimony from the policy hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy
###
by sdcsapps | March 16, 2023 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA – Today, Senator Christine Tartaglione announced that more than $3.8 million in grants would be coming to projects and programs across the 2nd District. The funds being awarded are from the Commonwealth’s Local Share Account and Multimodal Transportation Fund.
The Local Share Account and Multimodal Transportation Fund grants were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) which was established to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages and grant programs.
“It’s always great to see our Commonwealth invest in projects that will directly impact and improve our communities and neighborhoods,” said Senator Tartaglione. “The resources being announced today will help clean up our streets and make our community safer for its residents.”
Projects awarded grant dollars include:
Local Share Account:
- Philadelphia City – Cohocksink Recreation Center – $1,000,000
- PIDC Financing Corporation on behalf of Frankford Community Development Corporation – Frankford Transportation Center Transit Oriented Development – $1,000,000
- PIDC Financing Corporation on behalf of New Kensington Community Development Corporation – Kensington Anchor Acquisition and Renovation: 2917-21 Kensington Avenue – $976,900
Multimodal Transportation Fund:
- Kensington Castor Partners, LLC – Maken East sidewalk replacement – $241,235
- Charles Jacquin Et Cie, Inc. – Trenton Avenue Streetscape Improvement – $615,165
More information on the CFA and the grants awarded can be found on their website.
by Jessica Marpe | March 9, 2023 | News Releases
Harrisburg, PA – March 8th, 2023 – Today, Senator Christine Tartaglione announced $2,993,346 in grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency allocates and awards grants to organizations that demonstrate commitment to the Commission’s strategic priorities and mission. The grants announced today include funds from the Federal JAG State Share Funds, Federal American Rescue Plan Act Funds – Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program, and the Federal/ State Opioid Response Funds.
“As we have seen far too often, we spend too much time dealing with the consequences of crime without addressing the root causes and its prevention,” said Senator Tartaglione. “The funds the PCCD are releasing to Philadelphia-based organizations like Temple University will provide critical resources and support to organizations across our city working to find solutions to the systemic issues behind crime and create a safer and more peaceful Philadelphia for everyone.”
The PCCD funding was awarded as followed:
Federal JAG State Share Funds
- Temple University – $235,380 for addressing racial and ethnic disparities.
Federal American Rescue Plan Act Funds – Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program
- Temple University – $1,767,049 for upgrading training and surveillance systems.
Federal/ State Opioid Response Funds
- Courage Medicine Health Center – $500,000 for opioid and substance use disorder treatment programs.
- Philadelphia Legal Assistance – $490,920 for Medical Legal Community Partnership for opioid and substance use disorder treatment programs.
More information on the PCCD can be found on the Commission’s website.
###
por Jessica Marpe | 6 de marzo de 2023 | Comunicados de prensa
HARRISBURG, PA - 6 de marzo de 2023 - El viernes 3 de marzo los senadores Street, Schwank, Tartaglione y Hughes, reintrodujeron la legislación de Espacios Sagrados, enmendando la Sección 3307 del Título 18 (Vandalismo Institucional) para mejorar el estatuto existente para dar a los Fiscales de Distrito opciones ampliadas para combatir el vandalismo de espacios sagrados como instituciones religiosas, cementerios o monumentos conmemorativos.
El senador Sharif Street compartió que "como mínimo, es nuestra responsabilidad como gobierno garantizar que los ciudadanos de Pensilvania sean libres de expresarse, incluidas sus creencias religiosas, sin miedo ni riesgo de represalias. La continua desfiguración de lugares de culto tiene por objeto intimidar a comunidades enteras y una respuesta inadecuada a estos actos de odio inevitablemente da lugar a actos más violentos de intolerancia."
En los últimos años ha aumentado el vandalismo deliberado contra iglesias, sinagogas, mezquitas y otros lugares de culto por parte de quienes desean expresar odio. El 25 de febrero de 2023, un "Día Nacional del Odio" suscitó gran atención y las fuerzas del orden advirtieron del aumento del antisemitismo y de posibles ataques contra instituciones religiosas en todo Estados Unidos.
La senadora Judy Schwank declaró que "el odio y el vandalismo basados en la fe son profundamente perturbadores y no tienen cabida en la Mancomunidad de Pensilvania. Por desgracia, hemos sido testigos del aumento del vandalismo en espacios religiosos y sagrados en los últimos años. La legislación de protección de los espacios sagrados que estamos presentando enviará un mensaje claro a aquellos que desean difundir el odio e intimidar a otros de que tendrán que rendir cuentas por sus acciones."
En Filadelfia, los cementerios judíos han sido blanco de los vándalos y el 24 de febrero de 2023, la mezquita Masjidullah de Filadelfia fue desfigurada. El 8 de febrero de 2023, en Reading, el Jesus is Alive World Center sufrió graves daños que supusieron más de 70.000 dólares en gastos de reparación. La intolerancia religiosa, ya sea a través de la retórica o de actos de odio, tiene cada vez más consecuencias.
"En un estado que fue fundado sobre el principio de la libertad religiosa, es aborrecible ver los continuos ataques e intimidaciones en y a los lugares de culto de nuestra Commonwealth", dijo el senador Tartaglione, "la ampliación de las herramientas que los fiscales de toda Pensilvania pueden utilizar para proteger los espacios sagrados es un paso crucial en la lucha contra el odio que hemos visto crecer desde los márgenes oscuros y peligrosos de la sociedad."
El senador Vincent Hughes se hizo eco de ese sentimiento, declarando: "Estoy orgulloso de colaborar con mis colegas en esta legislación, porque los actos de vandalismo y odio contra nuestros espacios sagrados no tienen cabida en Pensilvania."
###
by Jessica Marpe | February 2, 2023 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA – Feb. 2, 2023 – Today, Sen. Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined Sens. Jimmy Dillon (D-Philadelphia) and Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) for a check presentation and press conference at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in the Northeast Philadelphia. The senators presented a $1.1 million grant to Temple Health to fund mobile health services at four sites in Philadelphia.
With the support of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus, Sen. Haywood secured $10 million for statewide mobile and community clinics, including over $1 million for Temple Health, as part of the COVID-19 Public Health Equity Initiative (PHEI), made possible by State Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan.
In December 2022, Sen. Haywood announced this strategic investment, which helps medically underserved communities impacted by the pandemic to access to public health services. This PHEI funding benefits 45 awardees for services across the state, including $5 million for mobile health clinics to provide jobs, $3 million for health equity to improve accessibility, and $2 million for trauma-informed care to heal communities of color.
“Health equity is health access,” said Haywood. “Funding and expanding mobile health clinics and community health centers will help communities to obtain access to health care across the Commonwealth.”
The five grants for Temple Health include:
- Begin the Turn Mobile Suboxone Unit – Suboxone prescriptions – $250,000
- Begin the Turn Mobile Suboxone Unit – Trauma-informed counseling – $100,000
- Fox Chase Cancer Center Mobile Screening Van – Mammography and preventative care – $250,000
- Healthy Together Mobile Unit of the Temple Center for Population Health – Community engagement, screenings, vaccination, and education – $250,000
- Miriam Medical/Zion Baptist Church/Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine (MZT) Collaborative Mobile Clinic – COVID-19 testing, COVID-19 vaccination, and chronic disease monitoring – $250,000
Sens. Haywood, Dillon, and Tartaglione displayed the check in front of the four mobile units facing the Fox Chase Cancer Center. Leadership from the health system, including Michael A. Young, MHA, FACHE, president and CEO of Temple Health, Amy J. Goldberg, MD, FACS, dean of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, and Robert Uzzo, MD, MBA, FACS, president and CEO, Fox Chase Cancer Center, gladly accepted the funding. President Young welcomed guests to the event and thanked Senate delegation, including Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), for their partnership.
“Temple Health would like to thank Senators Dillon, Haywood, Street and Tartaglione for their dependable partnership over the past few years – including this support of our mobile screening units,” said Young. “Temple is the Commonwealth’s largest safety net provider servicing Pennsylvania’s most challenged communities and the ongoing support of Senators Dillon, Haywood, Street and Tartaglione has been critical to us achieving a stronger financial foundation that enables us to invest in our clinical programs, our facilities, technologies, employees – and most importantly, our patients.”
Sen. Haywood delivered opening remarks and outlined the process to launch this initiative. As Democratic Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Health and Human Services Committee and a former member of Governor Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, Haywood is a longtime advocate for health access. In 2021, he pushed for equity in the vaccine distribution in 66 counties across the state. He also increased access for Black and Brown Pennsylvanians, people with disabilities, non-English speakers, and residents in congregate care, jails, and long-term facilities.
Through his research on the task force, Sen. Haywood learned there was no formal registry for mobile and community clinics to show where services should be expanded. He successfully developed the first mobile clinic registry in the state.
In September 2022, Sen. Haywood co-hosted a virtual public hearing with Sen. Katie Muth (D-Berks/Chester/Montgomery) to discuss strategies to enhance statewide mobile health clinics and community health centers in Pennsylvania. During the hearing, he described the importance of securing mobile health funding. “The health system is broken,” said Haywood. “These grants make some repairs.”
Sen. Dillon proudly cohosted today’s event in his district. “Funding for mobile and community clinics can lower healthcare costs, improve access, and, hopefully, save lives,” said Dillon. “I am proud to stand with Senator Haywood and Temple Health to celebrate the good work the Mobile Screening Units will be able to do with this grant.”
The Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine Center for Urban Bioethics (CUB) received three of the grants, including the Begin the Turn Mobile Suboxone Unit and the MZT Collaborative Mobile Clinic. The school’s dean, Dr. Goldberg, expressed her gratitude to the senators.
“The Lewis Katz School of Medicine is incredibly thankful to Senators Dillon, Haywood, Street, and Tartaglione for their continued support of our programs, but more importantly, their dedication to improving the health of the community we serve, that provides the foundation for which we can continue to our work to address and eradicate the health disparities that plague our community,” said Goldberg.
Fox Chase Cancer Center’s president and CEO, Dr. Uzzo, was pleased to open the doors of the research facility and hospital for the event.
“Long before it became ‘best practice,’ Fox Chase Cancer Center recognized the need for cancer screening in the community and we have been providing this critical service for more than 38 years,” said Uzzo. “We are grateful to our partners in the Commonwealth whose support is helping us to advance our efforts with a next-generation Mobile Screening Unit and the ability to reach more people with screenings for more types of cancers, including breast, cervical, skin, and head & neck cancers; screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a key risk factor for liver cancer; bilingual cancer education; and collection of biospecimens to help us learn more about cancer health disparities.”
Sen. Tartaglione expressed the significance of the mobile health grants. “Quality healthcare without boundaries and barriers is one of the surest ways to increase the quality of living for Pennsylvanians,” said Tartaglione. “It means nothing to build hospitals without ensuring everyone that needs access has access to the care provided.” Tartaglione continued: “These funds will allow the work of ensuring access to continue expanding into neighborhoods that are traditionally underserved and underinvested.”
A representative from Sen. Street’s office, Lateefah Shakir, stood at the event in support of the health equity funding. “In the beginning of the pandemic, it was critical to marshal resources to meet the medical needs of underserved communities,” said Street. “I’m thankful for the leadership and partnership of Senator Haywood to secure $10 million for health equity, mobile clinics, and trauma-informed care.”
Following the press conference, the group participated in a roundtable to discuss healthcare priorities of the Commonwealth in their collective efforts to increase access to equitable, high quality health care, including screenings and treatments for patients in southeastern Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus will announce additional recipients of public health equity funding this year. Video of event will be available at senatorhaywood.com/video.
###
by Christin Brown | January 11, 2023 | feature, News Releases
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – January 11, 2023 – Today, Senator Christine M. Tartaglione, Democratic Whip, announced the Pennsylvania School Safety and Security Committee of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded $29,170,225 in grants to 31 separate programs tasked with preventing and intervening in violence across the 2nd District and the City of Philadelphia.
The grants are funded via two separate grants:
- The Coordinated Community Violence Intervention (CCVI) – The purpose of this program is to increase local coordination and collaboration to more effectively prevent, intervene and respond to gun and group violence.
- Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP). The purpose of this program is to provide grants and technical assistance to address community violence throughout the Commonwealth.
“Philadelphia, just like cities across this commonwealth and nation are facing an unprecedented epidemic of violence,” said Senator Tartaglione. “The resources being announced today will allow programs from across our city and commonwealth to continue addressing the root causes of violence and in turn prevent the crime that plagues our streets.”
Programs receiving the grants announced today that will provide services in the 2nd District and city-wide include:
Philadelphia City Treasurer, Philadelphia Cure Violence Coalition – $1,892,369 to develop a coalition of Cure Violence-based programs. The Cure Violence Model is an evidence-based prevention program that takes a public health approach to reduce community violence. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has spent the last year laying the groundwork for a coalition with members from all programs in Philadelphia using the Cure Violence model of violence prevention. These programs/partners include Cure Violence Philadelphia, Philadelphia CeaseFire, Community Crisis Intervention Program (a city program under the Office of Criminal Justice and Public Safety), and Penn Community Violence Prevention Program.
AMANDLA, Inc. – $147,595 to support violence prevention activities through expanding its Safe-Hub EduSoccer Program. The EduSoccer program reaches 500 young people from Philadelphia’s Kensington and Harrowgate neighborhoods, providing a safe space for young people while supporting anti-violence and anti-crime behaviors through targeting an array of socio-emotional program outcomes.
Artwell Collaborative, Inc. – $275,000 to implement its transformative and therapeutic multidisciplinary arts programming in schools, community centers, faith-based organizations, and behavioral health organizations. These funds will be used for: therapeutic arts programming in 10 Philadelphia schools (We the Poets and The Art of Growing Leaders); therapeutic arts programming in partnership with three community partners; trauma-informed response training for our team of Teaching Artists; inclusivity training for ArtWell’s leadership team; expanding the knowledge base and expertise of the organization’s leadership team by adding a part-time clinician.
Beyond Literacy – $1,311,266 to support the continuation and expansion of its Keystone Energy Employment Pipeline (KEEP) program, a community-focused strategy that transitions Philadelphia’s young, emerging adults ages 18 to 25 at risk of incarceration and gun violence into long-term financial stability through high-impact education, GED attainment, and pre-apprenticeship training for in-demand green energy sector jobs.
Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia, Inc. – $1,970,477 to expand teen programming at six Club locations by hiring dedicated teen staff, keeping Clubs open until 10 pm on Fridays, and opening the Clubs from 5 pm to 10 pm on Saturdays. All teens participating in programming will be engaged in formal or informal mentoring and evidence-based violence prevention activities.
Build Our Lives Together Inc. – $50,000 to create an intensive 8-month program for grassroots leaders – people who are the most proximate to the problems to learn critical skills, expand their network, and get access to funding so they can accelerate their impact, for a radical reduction in gun violence.
Center for Families and Relationships – $999,000 to expand it’s existing Together Through Trauma Program into Philadelphia recreation centers in the most vulnerable districts impacted by gun violence.
Central Division Victim Services – $371,663 to continue providing services to crime victims in the 6th, 9th, and 22nd Philadelphia Police Districts along with gun violence prevention in the 22nd and 25th Philadelphia Police Districts.
Coalition of African Communities (AFRICOM) – $125,000 to provide an immigrant community engagement gun violence prevention initiative that will bring together faith-based leaders, individuals, families, groups, and business owners to build knowledge, establish strong networks, identify, and prevent risks and connect the community to support services.
Education-Plus, Inc. – $299,125 to provide universal mental health screening at five schools to provide evidence-based programs in concert with school-based health clinic staff in order to reduce/prevent violence in schools and communities.
Federation of Neighborhood Centers, Inc. – $1,250,000 to support nine diverse, unique, and collaborative projects addressing violence and related issues in Philadelphia. From street and community outreach, food distribution, non-traditional youth programming, career assistance to the previously incarcerated, and connecting community members with available resources, this funding will provide needed support for these groups to expand their work. Funding will support nine projects/organizations (Homies Helping Homies; The Apologues; City of Dreams Coalition; Double Trellis Food Initiative; Elevation Voice; Kensington Voice; Oronde McClain Foundation; Ones Up; Philadelphia Boom).
Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey – $699,335 to expand the Bold Futures program, an intensive violence prevention mentoring program for high-risk girls who reside in Philadelphia with both individual and community risk factors between the ages of 9 to 14.
HIAS & Council Migration Services Inc. DBA HIAS PA – $2,124,484 to provide immigration legal services, some case management, and specialized victim services to low-income immigrant youth and their families who are eligible for legal status but have not yet obtained status and are therefore vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Funds will support two attorneys, a Department of Justice Accredited Representative, a paralegal, and legal supervision to provide immigration legal services to at-risk youth referred to HIAS Pennsylvania by Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services, the Philadelphia School District, and through self-referral.
Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association – $445,113 to support the establishment of a Success Center in the Samuel S. Fels High School of Philadelphia, PA. The Success Center will provide social-emotional learning (SEL) education to the students; non-academic, referral (case-management) support to students and their parents/ caregivers; an Oasis where students can safely retreat from and process stress or trauma they may be experiencing at school or at home; parent/ caregiver workshops; and field trips to enrich the lives of students and to give them new experiences and a new perspective on life.
Philadelphia City Treasurer, The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office “Data CoLab”- $1,772,966 to implement the “Data CoLab”, a data-informed community-based participatory initiative hosted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Transparency Analytics Lab (DATA Lab). This initiative fosters partnerships among the DAO and community-based organizations (CBOs) by hosting a series of participatory research workshops in the communities experiencing high levels of gun violence to provide data tools and engage in participatory research and interventions.
Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates – $1,500,000 to expand its Restorative Justice Program into a cohesive pathway for justice-impacted people in Philadelphia neighborhoods with the highest rates of community violence.
Philadelphia Youth Network, Inc. – $2,000,000 to expand educational and employment pathway exploration for 12-24-year-olds through its portfolio of structured learning and skill-building opportunities. PYN is seeking to expand its provider network to create more opportunities for historically marginalized youth in Philadelphia to build stronger, safer communities through promoting summer employment opportunities.
Playworks Education Energized – $572,547 to advance the Community Coach Leadership Program (CCLP), a proactive, medium-to-long-term violence-prevention intervention strategy focused on serving kids most susceptible and impacted by violence. CCLP will engage School District of Philadelphia (SDP) high school students as program participants in leader-mentor positions with SDP elementary schools in violence-impacted neighborhoods.
Power of Paint Art Academy & Management – $86,981 to support a violence prevention and intervention program where trained staff will use art and therapeutic approaches, via outreach and referral services, to improve the quality of life for individuals who are victims and/or perpetrators of violence.
Rock to the Future, Inc. – $330,000 to support free music and mentoring programs in high-crime neighborhoods in North, West, and Northwest Philadelphia for teens that are at risk to be involved in violence, victims of violence, who have experienced trauma, and those from reentry and diversion programs.
Sharing Excess – $55,880 for the identification, outreach, and engagement of individuals who are most likely to be involved in violence and provide tailored, holistic supports to meet a wide range of education, employment, mental and behavioral health, and other basic needs.
Students Run Philly Style – $1,368,926 to scale current violence interruption and prevention efforts through recreation in and around the neighborhood of West Kensington. The goal is to have programs and activities for all ages, and family events throughout the year.
The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth – $2,500,000 to support the implementation of a hospital- and community-based violence intervention program where trained Violence Intervention Clinicians and Specialists will provide assertive outreach and crisis response to individuals and families exposed to violence in the community, conduct clinical crisis assessments, provide trauma-informed therapy and case management services, and refer individuals and families to social safety net providers in the community for long-term support.
The Urban League of Philadelphia – $950,000 to continue and expand their proven Violence Prevention Programs that support and target at-risk Black and Brown youth and young men and men who are justice-involved.
Unique Dreams, Inc. – $85,000 to fund several programs that offer an array of opportunities within the community. Those programs include a crisis line, skill building in carpentry, plumbing and electrical trades, resume workshops, interview training, empowerment groups, assistance with transportation needs, an afterschool and summer program for youth ages 8-18 focused on guided group discussions and conflict resolution, and youth skill-building workshops on topics such as music, cooking, basketball, boxing, and weightlifting.
University of Pennsylvania (Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety) – $1,517,546 to expand the scope and reach of the Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy Initiative, a program that supports the implementation of Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy for PTSD in community mental health centers in Philadelphia, by creating the Philadelphia Prolonged Exposure to Address Community Violence (PEACE) Project, which will be a coalition of 60 providers who are trained to respond to the mental health needs of individuals who experience community violence.
University of Pennsylvania (Penn Injury Science Center) – $2,332,070 to expand and enhance the School District of Philadelphia’s (SDP) Safe Path to School program. The program will expand to 6-8 schools and have enhanced features such as training (e.g. trauma-informed care, cure violence models of violence prevention), access to referral programs, and regular meetings with local violence intervention programs.
Uplift Center for Grieving Children – $399,994 to provide additional resources for training and data collection for quality grief counseling services to youth in the city of Philadelphia. Components of this project include clinical training and supervision to cultivate staff aptitude and maintain up-to-date and high-quality mental health supports, the expansion of the Resilient Parenting for Bereaved Families (RPBF) program, providing caregivers with regulation skills and parenting tools over 10-week sessions to support their families, and training coordination to expand its capacity to train frontline professionals in racial/trauma-informed professional development offerings.
Uplift Solutions Inc. – $607,840 to grow and enhance their Workforce Solutions program, which serves justice-involved individuals through increased outreach efforts, increased trauma-informed behavioral health services, and increased capacity to serve more participants. Program components include life-skills training, case management, wraparound services, job readiness training, employer technical training, employment placement, and follow-up support 3 years post-graduation.
More information on the grants can be found here.
by Christin Brown | January 10, 2023 | feature, News Releases
Harrisburg, PA – January 10, 2023 – Democratic Whip, Senator Christine M. Tartaglione released the following statement regarding the consolidation of the statute of limitations constitutional amendment into a package with Voter ID and Regulatory Review constitutional amendments.
“Victims of sexual abuse don’t deserve to have their fate toyed with by politicians in Harrisburg,” said Senator Tartaglione. “The language of this constitutional amendment has passed this chamber three times now, but suddenly the majority party has decided playing politics with the rights of abuse victims is more important than providing a window to allow accountability. I cannot condemn these games strongly enough. This constitutional amendment should be run alone.
