by Christin Brown | April 1, 2019 | News Releases
The city’s Complete Count Committee held its inaugural meeting at the National Constitution Center to discuss strategies for a new public awareness campaign.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 1, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today joined federal, state, and local public officials, along with community, corporate, and labor leaders, at the National Constitution Center to launch a new committee that will promote public participation in the 2020 national census.
Tartaglione is one of six honorary co-chairs of the Complete Count Committee, along with U.S. House members Brendan Boyle, Dwight Evans, and Mary Gay Scanlon; Pennsylvania House member Jason Dawkins; and Philadelphia City Councilman Derek Green. Mayor James F. Kenney chairs the committee.
“I can’t think of a better place to begin our work because this is where our American experiment in representative democracy began,” Senator Tartaglione said. “The United States Census is explicitly required by the Constitution and is the foundation for our system of government. It’s vital that we make sure all Americans are counted.”
Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution requires the government to count the nation’s population every 10 years. The last census was completed in 2010. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the count via questionnaires that it distributes electronically and in paper form. Next year’s census will be largely conducted via the Internet, but the bureau will deploy workers door-to-door in an effort to contact those who don’t respond initially. Individual responses provided to census takers must be kept confidential per federal law.
Throughout the next 18 months, the committee will meet to prepare and carry out community engagement programs that explain the reasons for the census and to reassure residents that it’s in their best interests to participate.
Following the organizational meeting, committee members addressed the news media and local high school students to emphasize the importance of the project. Senator Tartaglione informed the young scholars that the size of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation relative to other states is determined directly by the census. In addition, the new census data will be used to reconfigure State Senate and State House districts. Furthermore, allocations of federal funding for public functions such as education, healthcare, housing, transportation, and college financial aid are tied to census data.
“Participating in the census enables Americans to have a voice in the public affairs that affect our daily lives. I encourage all of my constituents in the 2nd Senatorial District, and all Pennsylvanians to fill out those census forms and to take full advantage of the rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution,” Senator Tartaglione said.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | March 26, 2019 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, March 26, 2019 – Democrats from the Pennsylvania House and Senate today introduced a package of legislation aimed to curb harassment in the workplace, along with support from Governor Tom Wolf and Victim’s Advocate Jennifer Storm.
“As a caucus, we’ve worked with stakeholders and advocates and our own employees to craft a package of legislation that we believe can curb sexual harassment and do more to protect its victims,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. “Each of our bills in this package is aimed at expanding protections to individuals regardless of the size or type of their employment, because time is up on workplace harassment.”
“Workplace sexual harassment and discrimination didn’t begin overnight, and so it will take some time to properly correct,” Gov. Wolf said. “It’s not as easy as putting a few big-name figures in jail. We need to identify the everyday behaviors and correct them if we want Pennsylvania to be a great place to live and work. People can’t do their best work when they feel uncomfortable. You deserve to be treated in a way that meets basic standards that represent how we want all workers in Pennsylvania to act, and you should be treated with the respect and dignity that all workers in Pennsylvania deserve. That’s why I’m advocating for legislation to prevent workplace sexual harassment and discrimination in both the public and private sectors.”
The bills will be introduced in identical form in each chamber. They do the following:
- Cover contractors and unpaid interns under the protections of the Human Relations Act
- Amend the Human Relations Act to require employers to provide training to employees and to require standardized fair practice postings to specifically include examples of harassment and discrimination
- Require sexual harassment training for lobbyists
- Extend the Human Relations Act to include domestic workers
- Provide right to jury trial, punitive damages and an extended statute of limitations under the Whistleblower Bill
- Expand the Human Relations Act to include coverage from four employees to one employee, add the right to a jury trial, punitive damages, attorney fees and extend the statute of limitations
- Require employers to adopt written workplace harassment policies and reporting procedures
- Add sexual orientation and gender expression or identity to the list of classifications protected under the Pa. Human Relations Act
“For years, workplace harassment has been a pervasive issue in career fields across Pennsylvania and this nation. We need to harness the momentum and strength of the #MeToo movement and reverse years of discrimination in the workplace,” said Senator Larry Farnese. “No one, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, should be pressured by, or suffer from, the weight of workplace harassment.”
“We need to make it clear that there is no place for any form of harassment and there will be no tolerance for it either,” said Senator Wayne D. Fontana. “With this legislative package, we are taking definitive steps that both send a strong message and back it up with substantive changes to how harassment can be prevented, how it should be handled and how victims should be treated.”
“Protecting whistleblowers on workplace harassment and discrimination is a small part of the solution to change our culture.” said Senator Haywood. “I am introducing this legislation again knowing that we have a long way to go.”
“In today’s business climate, when employers often turn to independent contractors and unpaid interns to fulfill their staffing needs, Pennsylvania law must account for and protect all worker classifications. Everyone is entitled to a workplace that is free of harassment and discrimination,” Senator Tartaglione said.
For more information, visit PaSenate.com/harassment
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by Christin Brown | March 22, 2019 | Minimum Wage, News Releases
Crafted in partnership with Governor Wolf, Senate Bill 12 would raise the minimum wage to $12 this year and $15 by 2025, followed by annual cost of living increases.
HARRISBURG, PA, March 22, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today introduced Senate Bill 12 that would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $12 per hour this year, and $15 by 2025, after which the rate would be adjusted automatically each year based on a cost of living index. The measure would directly impact about 1 million Pennsylvania workers in 2019.
Senator Tartaglione crafted the bill in partnership with Governor Tom Wolf. The legislation has been referred to the Senate’s Labor & Industry Committee, of which Senator Tartaglione serves as minority chairwoman.
“It’s been 13 years since Pennsylvania last raised its minimum wage and this raise is long overdue,” Senator Tartaglione said. “All six of our neighboring states have raised their minimum wages above the federal minimum, as have 29 states across the nation. Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has stagnated as the cost of living and worker productivity have soared throughout the Commonwealth and the around the country, and while income inequality has reached an all-time high.”
Pennsylvania’s minimum wage stands at $7.25 per hour, which is also the federal minimum. S.B. 12 calls for employers to pay workers at least $12 per hour starting on July 1, 2019. The minimum wage will increase by 50 cents each ensuing July 1 until reaching $15 in 2025. Starting on July 1, 2026, and each succeeding July 1 thereafter, the minimum wage would increase in proportion with the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland area.
In addition, the legislation would eliminate the sub-minimum wage for tip earners, workers with disabilities, apprentices, and students. It would eliminate the preemption on municipal wage ordinances, expand the powers of the Department of Labor & Industry to recover wages and penalties for violations of the Minimum Wage Act, increase monetary penalties for violations, and bring enforcement in line with the nation’s Fair Labor Standards Act.
Due to inflation, the minimum wage has lost 29 percent of its earning power over the last 50 years. At $7.25 per hour, a full-time, year-round worker would earn just $15,080 per year, which is below the federal poverty level for a two-person household, such as the single parent of an only child. Data show that most of Pennsylvania’s low-wage workers are women and age 20 or older. Low-wage workers contribute more than half of the average family income in Pennsylvania.
“Vital members of our community, such as child care and home health workers, bank tellers, construction workers, retail and hospitality workers who work full-time while making the minimum wage only earn about $15,000 a year,” Senator Tartaglione said. “They cannot afford basic necessities such as rent, transportation, food, and prescriptions. Many are forced to rely on public assistance to get by. The inability for hard-working people to care for their basic needs, or those of their families, is morally wrong and is economically unsound.”
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | February 8, 2019 | Minimum Wage, News Releases
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, numerous elected officials, labor leaders, and commuters gathered at Frankford Terminal to join the call for a living wage
PHILADELPHIA, PA, February 8, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf led a coalition of elected officials, labor leaders, worker advocates, and commuters at the bustling Frankford Transportation Center today to rally support for a long overdue raise in Pennsylvania’s minimum wage.
It’s been 13 years since the legislature last raised the state’s minimum wage, and a decade since the federal government’s last minimum wage increase. Pennsylvania workers have been subject to a $7.25 minimum wage since then. At that rate, a 40-hour-per-week worker would earn just $15,080 per year. That’s barely above the federal poverty level for an individual, and about $1,400 below the poverty level for a two-person household.
“Let’s be clear about the people who we’re going to help by raising the minimum wage,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “It’s not just the teenagers who work at fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and other part-time, entry level jobs. The overwhelming majority of those who would see their paychecks get bigger – 90 percent in fact – are in their 20s or older. And half of them are full-time workers. On average, these folks earn more than half of their family’s total income.”
Numerous elected officials joined Tartaglione and the governor for the high-energy rally, including Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Tartaglione’s Senate colleagues Vincent Hughes, Art Haywood, and Tim Kearney. Wolf and Tartaglione each detailed the minimum wage proposal that the senator will soon introduce as Senate Bill 12.
“Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have raised their minimum wages above the federal minimum. New raises took effect in 18 states just last month,” Sen. Tartaglione said.
The legislation would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 this year, followed by annual increases of 50 cents until it reaches $15 in 2025. After then, the minimum wage would be adjusted annually, automatically, based on the cost of living. The legislation would also create safeguards to protect workers from employers who willfully underpay.
“I’ve said it before, I’ll say it today, and I’ll keep saying it – it’s past time that we raise the wage in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said. “Pennsylvania must be a place where hard work is rewarded, but our minimum wage hasn’t changed in a decade and too many hardworking people are struggling to get by. We must raise the wage.”
Raising the minimum wage to $12 this year would directly benefit more than one million workers, most of whom make more than the current minimum wage, but less than $12.
“This raise would put more money into their pockets, helping them to pay their bills,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “And it would inject billions of consumer dollars into our economy.”
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected]
by Christin Brown | February 5, 2019 | News Releases
During his annual budget address, Gov. Tom Wolf shared his plan to build ‘the strongest workforce in the nation’ in Pennsylvania while proposing no tax increases.
HARRISBURG, PA, February 5, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today declared her enthusiastic support for Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed Fiscal 2019-2020 budget as detailed by the governor in his annual budget address before a joint session of the Pennsylvania legislature.
Tartaglione, who is the longtime minority chair of the Senate’s Labor & Industry Committee, agreed with the governor that the path toward prosperity throughout the Commonwealth is through the education and training of Pennsylvanians to prepare them for the jobs of the present and the future.
“I applaud Governor Wolf for striving to build upon Pennsylvania’s many recent successes by continuing to grow and integrate our workforce development initiatives, while increasing our investment in education,” Tartaglione said.
In his remarks, Wolf named his package of policies and investments as the Statewide Workforce, Education, and Accountability Program. He identified the new Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center as one of the program’s key components. The center will provide a forum for members of the governor’s cabinet to collaborate with business and labor leaders on efforts to train workers and prepare them to satisfy the industry’s workforce needs. Wolf said his goal for Pennsylvania is “building the strongest workforce in the nation.”
“As a Commonwealth, we face many great challenges,” Tartaglione said. “How do we ensure that our residents can support their families with a living wage? How do we give them access to affordable healthcare? How do we help people escape the downward spiral of addiction? And how do we provide businesses – both established and emerging ones – with the human resources they need to thrive and to bolster our economy? The answer to all of these questions is by strengthening our workforce,” Tartaglione said.
Wolf proposes to increase funding for basic education by $200 million, pre-K and Head Start by $50 million, and special education by $50 million, as well as an additional $7 million for the State System of Higher Education and $8 million for one-time grants to college graduates who remain in Pennsylvania to work.
The governor proposes $10 million in funding to extend the PAsmart program that he initiated last year to support the expansion of career training, apprenticeships, and STEM education. He also proposes to invest $5 million in home-visiting programs for pregnant women and $5 million for wrap-around services so that parents can attend college or skills training that will enable them to secure family-sustaining jobs. Those state investments would be in addition to the allocation of $15 million in federal funds to reduce waiting lists for high-quality child care.
Taxes will not be raised under his plan. Rather, Wolf said his administration has already saved taxpayers billions of dollars by streamlining state government. It has reduced the number of state employees without resorting to furloughs and combined government functions where appropriate, while preserving and improving the services it provides.
Wolf’s budget proposal also includes a projected $120 million reduction in the demand for public assistance that would result from raising the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $12 this year. In the days leading up to his budget address, Wolf outlined the new minimum wage plan in collaboration with Senator Tartaglione and other lawmakers. Under the plan, the minimum wage would increase further in annual increments of 50 cents per year leading to a $15 level by 2025. After then, the minimum wage would be adjusted automatically each year based on the cost of living.
Senator Tartaglione plans to introduce the minimum wage plan as Senate Bill 12 in the near future.
Late last week, Wolf also announced a plan separate from his proposed budget to apply a new severance tax on natural gas extracted in Pennsylvania toward comprehensive infrastructure improvements across the Commonwealth, including hi-speed internet networks, storm preparedness and disaster recovery measures, blight and brownfields rehabilitation, and energy-efficient site development for businesses and residential projects.
“Raising the minimum wage and launching much-needed, job-generating infrastructure projects are measures we can adopt now to improve the economic condition of Pennsylvania, and the financial condition of millions of its workers,” Tartaglione said.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | January 17, 2019 | News Releases
Funded through the PAsmart workforce development initiative, the grant will support MaST II Community Charter School, serving 500 students in grades K to 5.
HARRISBURG, PA, January 17, 2019 – A grade school in State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione’s Philadelphia district was among 765 schools across Pennsylvania that were awarded a combined $8.7 million in targeted grants today in support of their computer science programs.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced the grants through the administration’s PAsmart initiative to invest in the commonwealth’s existing and future workforce needs. MaST II Community Charter School, at 6238 Rising Sun Ave. in the city’s Lawncrest section, will use the funding to expand computer science classes and teacher training. MaST II serves 500 students in grades K through 5.
“MaST is a National Blue Ribbon institution that has a strong track record of delivering high-quality, technology-focused education to students from throughout my district and surrounding communities. This funding will further enhance the school’s ability to prepare young people for the jobs of the future,” said Sen. Tartaglione, who serves as minority chairwoman of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee.
Founded in 1999 as Math, Science and Technology Community Charter School, MaST opened the doors on its first campus in the Far Northeast that fall. In 2016, the School District of Philadelphia granted a second charter for MaST II at the site of the former St. William Catholic School.
Construction is well underway for a second MaST II campus along the Delaware River in the city’s Tacony section. Plans are for it to open in time for the 2019-20 school year, with the Lawncrest campus continuing as the “lower school” for K to 5 students. MaST officials have asked the school district to permit an additional 650 students to enroll at MaST II.
In recent years, the mission of both MaST schools has expanded to cover all STREAM topics (science, technology, robotics, engineering, arts, and math).
The targeted grants represent a new phase of the governor’s PAsmart initiative, which will provide $20 million to bring high-quality computer science and STEM education in elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as professional development for teachers. With this commitment, Pennsylvania now ranks second in the nation for investments in K-12 STEM and computer science.
Over the next decade, seven in 10 new jobs in Pennsylvania will require workers to use a computer and an estimated 300,000 STEM jobs will be available in the commonwealth by 2026, according to the administration.
Targeted grants of up to $35,000 each are available through the program. In addition to helping schools introduce and expand computer science programming, the targeted grants will provide greater opportunities for students of color, low-income students, and girls to learn critical skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | January 10, 2019 | News Releases
Harrisburg, PA – January 10, 2019 – On behalf of the 12,000 Pennsylvania federal employees, contractors and subcontractors who are not receiving a paycheck during the partial federal government shutdown, Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) are taken steps to help those in need.
After hearing reports from constituents facing financial hardships during the shutdown, the senators wrote the 10 largest banks, relative to number of branches, in Pennsylvania. Their hopes are to share information about banks’ existing assistance programs or to spur action on behalf of working people with banks that have not addressed the issue.
“Ten years ago, we bailed out failing banks during a recession and now it is time to help working people during their financial crisis,” Sen. Hughes said. “These hard-working folks are suffering through no fault of their own. The least we can do is get them help until are get paid again.”
Motivations for the letter came from the senators understanding that 78 percent of U.S. workers live paycheck to paycheck and there are no furloughs for essential expenses. Mortgages, rent, groceries, car payments and other bills must be paid whether the government is functioning.
“We cannot stand by and do nothing while these federal employees are left without paychecks,” said Sen. Costa. “These are folks ready and willing to work in service of the federal government, but now face eviction and piling bills. I hope that financial institutions are willing to step up to help them, and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure these federal employees are not punished for this shutdown.”
In total, there are 62,000 federal workers in Pennsylvania and about 12,000 who are furloughed or working without pay. Nationally 800,000 federal employees have had their jobs disrupted, with 380,000 furloughed or sent home without pay. These figures speak to an economic crisis that must be addressed, the senators said.
“As the stalemate in Washington is about to enter its fourth week, thousands of hard-working Pennsylvanians are suffering a very heavy burden,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “I can’t think of any greater commitment to purpose and level of professionalism than we are seeing from those who want to work, but can’t, and from those who continue to work, but aren’t receiving their just compensation. It is imperative that we do all we can as a community to support them in their time of need.”
Rallies and protests across Pennsylvania also drew the attention of the senators who have made the fight for working people a central issue. Pennsylvania’s furloughed federal workers not receiving paychecks include TSA officers, federal prison workers, national park workers and employees of the Environmental Protection agency.
“The financial strain placed on federal government employees, contractors and subcontractors in the commonwealth continues to grow,” Sen. Street said. “This is a heavy burden on individuals and families who they cannot endure such hardships for an extended period of time. Banks have an opportunity to mitigate these hardships and must help the people. As the Democratic chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee, I encourage the banks to act with urgency in this regard.”
The full letter to the banks can be found here.
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by Christin Brown | January 3, 2019 | News Releases
Unionized nurses from St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Hahnemann University Hospital have been working without a contract since November.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, January 3, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) joined picket lines today at two Philadelphia hospitals where registered nurses are fighting for a safe staffing commitment and fair compensation from their common employer.
Nurses from St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Juniata Park and Hahnemann University Hospital in Center City have been negotiating since August with American Academic Health System, the private, for-profit company that bought both medical facilities last January. The nurses are members of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) and have been working without a contract since their last collective bargaining agreement expired in November.
Union leaders say that management has been unwilling to include minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in a new contract while offering fair compensation that will enable the hospitals to retain and recruit talented nurses.
“I know that on the table were safe staffing levels that you had agreed to, and at the last minute, they were pulled and they said you had to choose between a raise and safe staffing levels,” Sen. Tartaglione told dozens of picketing nurses outside St. Christopher’s. “That is unacceptable. I want to know, would anybody on the other side of the table, would they bring their kids to St. Chris with the staffing levels they want to implement? I doubt it.”
PASNAP leaders cite research documenting that increased nurse staffing levels correlate directly to fewer patient fatalities, fewer medical complications, earlier patient discharge dates, and improved satisfaction for patients and their families. Meanwhile, wage improvements correlate to higher nurse retention and job satisfaction.
“You’re a mother, you’re a father, you’re a social worker for those children when their parents aren’t there,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “You’re the ones holding their hands and saying, ‘Baby, it’s gonna be OK.’ I know what you do every day. You deserve to be paid for it and you deserve to give the children the services they need.”
Tartaglione has been a leading advocate in the Pennsylvania Senate for safe nurse staffing levels. During the 2017-18 legislative session, she co-sponsored S.B. 214 to establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios under state law. The state already has minimum staffing ratios for child daycare facilities. But there are no such requirements for hospitals.
Today’s picketing did not coincide with work stoppages at St. Christopher’s or Hahnemann. Organizers described the events as informational in nature. PASNAP represents about 1,400 nurses at the two medical facilities and more than 8,000 members statewide.
For video coverage of today’s demonstrations, visit the Facebook page @SenatorTinaTartaglione.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | November 30, 2018 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, November 30, 2018 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today encouraged prospective college students who may be applying for financial aid in 2019 to consider the new PA Forward Student Loan Program as part of their financial planning.
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) recently announced the creation of the loan program, which is designed to complement other forms of student aid, such as the PA State Grant Program and low-cost federal loans. PHAA described the new program as a borrower-friendly suite of low-cost alternative loans that will be available to Pennsylvania students starting with the 2019-20 academic year. Application deadlines have not been announced.
“As higher education costs continue to rise in Pennsylvania and around the nation, many students face a seemingly insurmountable financial burden that scholarships, grants, and other loan programs fail to meet,” Senator Tartaglione said. “This new program will help bridge the funding gap for students with high aspirations, but limited resources.”
PHEAA is the lender and servicer of the loans, with tax-exempt financing provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program offers affordable loans for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as parent borrowers. Also, borrowers who are in repayment may apply for a PA Forward Refinance Loan to consolidate outstanding student debts and achieve lower monthly payments.
PA Forward participants can borrow up to the total cost of attendance with competitively low interest rates. There are immediate credit approvals and flexible repayment options, with no application or origination fees. Borrowers can get discounted interest rates by enrolling in an automatic direct debit repayment program and simply by graduating.
“I am a firm believer that a strong education starts young people on the road to success. And for many of them, college is the best avenue,” Senator Tartaglione said. “When we give them greater access to higher education, we position them to support their future families and to bolster a healthy Pennsylvania economy.”
PHEAA encourages students and their families to exhaust all eligibility for grants and scholarships before considering a student loan. When borrowing, students should first apply for low-cost federal student loans before turning to alternative student loans, which often have higher interest rates.
Visit PHEAA’s MySmartBorrowing.org website for information about how different career, school, and financial decisions during the college planning process can influence the total cost of education and a student’s ability to repay student loans. Visit PHEAA.org/PA-Forward for information about the PA Forward program and to access the application when it becomes available in 2019.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | November 8, 2018 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, November 8, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione today issued the following statement regarding the mass shooting of at least 12 people in a Thousand Oaks, California, night club last night:
“Today, we are witnessing another heartbreaking, senseless American tragedy. Just 11 days after a person with guns murdered 11 worshipers in a Pittsburgh synagogue, another person with a gun murdered at least 12 innocent victims in a California nightclub. Words cannot express the grief I feel for these victims and their loved ones. As a nation, it’s our obligation to do everything in our power to stop these catastrophes from happening. We cannot wait any longer.”
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | October 30, 2018 | News Releases
The Frankford CDC is partnering with the Water Department, the PA Horticultural Society and the Sustainable Business Network to offer eco-friendly events.
HARRISBURG, PA − October 30, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione today announced that the Frankford Community Development Corporation will host a Rain Check Workshop at the Frankford Branch Library, 4634 Frankford Ave., on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m.
The Philadelphia Water Department is partnering with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Sustainable Business Network on the Rain Check program, which enables volunteer participants to obtain a free rain barrel for storm water collection, as well as reduced pricing for downspout planters, rain gardens, depaving, and permeable pavers.
“Storm-water management is a pressing environmental concern in the 2nd Senate District and throughout Philadelphia,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “The Rain Check program gives participating residents the knowledge and tools to relieve the burden on the city’s storm sewers during major rain events. The program helps to ease flooding and prevent pollution from spilling into our streams.”
The Nov. 14 workshop will last one hour and will be followed by a question and answer session. It will be held in the library’s downstairs meeting room. Visit www.pwdraincheck.org or call 215-988-1698 for information.
Also, The Frankford CDC is still accepting registrations for its Yard Tree Giveaway on Nov. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Frankford Pause Park, 4673 Paul St. (In case of rain, the event will be inside the Daral Building at 4667 Paul St.)
Registrants are eligible to receive a free tree suitable for planting in their yard. Trees must be planted in the ground, not in containers. They must planted on private property and not along the public sidewalk. Participants will also have access to free recycling bins and other sustainability resources. Contact Ellie Vamos at [email protected] or 215-743-6580 ext. 105 to register.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | October 24, 2018 | News Releases
KYW Newsradio will host Flashpoint LIVE: Women Who Work! in Philadelphia this Thursday, Oct. 25. The public is invited to register.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 24, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione will be among the panelists in an event to be hosted by KYW Newsradio on Thursday, Oct. 25, to ignite dialogue about the politics and policies that impact women in the workplace. Organized in partnership with Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus, Flashpoint LIVE: Women Who Work! is a networking event that will feature two 30-minute, fast paced, panel discussions among women leaders with diverse experiences and points of view. These women, along with input from the audience, will highlight the major issues that promote and hinder women’s success at work.
“Unemployment is at an historic low, yet more and more working-age adults are no longer seeking jobs and wages are failing to keep pace with the rising demand for workers. I think it’s vital that we examine whether we are doing enough as a society to promote gender equality in the workplace,” Senator Tartaglione said. “I can tell you that almost 60 years after the enactment of Pennsylvania’s Equal Pay Law, the state’s working women make just 79 cents for every dollar that their male counterparts make. I also know that Pennsylvania ranks 29th among U.S. states in this category. Women have made significant gains in the workplace over the last six decades, but we still have a lot more work to do.”
The first panel will discuss women and politics – what it takes to run for office, the gender issues on the table for the upcoming mid-term election, the impact of #MeToo on women’s leadership in politics and beyond, as well as what it will take to get more buy-in from men. The panel will include Sen. Tartaglione; Jasmine Sessoms, founder of She Can Win, a nonpartisan training program that provides support, mentorship and education to women who possess a passion for civic leadership; and Dr. Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, as well as an assistant professor of political science at Chatham University.
The second panel will discuss public and workplace policies that impact women. The issues will include regulations related to gender equality, as well as common practices within workplaces that aid or block women as they strive to climb the ladder of success. Panelists will include Philadelphia Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown; Rue Landau, Esq., executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and the Fair Housing Commission; and Amal Bass, Esq., a staff attorney at the Women’s Law Project.
KYW Newsradio Community Affiars Reporter Cherri Gregg, Esq., will moderate the panels. Audience participation is encouraged in person, via livestream and on Twitter hashtag #FlashpointLive
The event will start at 6 p.m. at the KYW Newsradio Broadcast Center, 1555 Hamilton St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. Registration is required.
If you wish to attend the Flashpoint Live: Women Who Work event in person, please register via the following link: https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/events/flashpoint-live#//
The livestream will be available via the following link: https://www.senatortartaglione.com/live
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | October 4, 2018 | News Releases
In her second Senior Expo this fall, the senator brought more than 50 exhibitors together to share information about a multitude of topics vital to older Philadelphians.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 4, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione brought her annual Senior Expo series to St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL Center in Port Richmond for the first time today, and it was an overwhelming hit with the community as more than 50 exhibitors shared valuable information with hundreds of older residents and their caregivers.
Visitors to the Lehigh Avenue venue benefitted from free health screenings, flu shots and consultations with public agencies and private organizations about a multitude of senior topics, such as prescription medication assistance, housing finance, consumer protection, home healthcare, accessibility for the disabled, transportation, and estate planning. Exhibitors represented state and local government offices, utilities, the healthcare sector, education, banking, investment and law enforcement, to name a few.
“These agencies and organizations all help seniors throughout the year, but today was a rare opportunity for people to meet them all in one place. My goal for all of my senior expos is to make it convenient for constituents to network with these resources in their own neighborhood,” Tartaglione said.
Each year, Senator Tartaglione hosts three Senior Expos in the early fall. This year’s first event was held in Mayfair on Sept. 27. The third and final Expo will be on Thursday, Oct. 11, at Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to local seniors and their caregivers.
“Growing older can bring great joy to each of us, but it can also bring many new challenges,” Tartaglione said. “I’m thankful that there are so many organizations in our community that care about senior citizens and want to help them enjoy their Golden Years.”
Call the senator’s district office at 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 (Spanish) for information about the next Senior Expo.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | October 3, 2018 | News Releases
The Capitol’s Main Rotunda was the setting for the senator’s annual gathering of public agencies and private organizations dedicated to helping people with disabilities.
HARRISBURG, PA, October 3, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Capitol became a one-stop resource for people living with physical and cognitive disabilities today as a multitude of public and private providers gathered in the Main Rotunda for State Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s annual Disability Awareness Day.
Exhibitors shared information about assistive services and technologies to help the senator kick off National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“People living with physical and cognitive challenges often face an uphill battle as they seek to work, go to school and manage their daily lives,” Tartaglione said. “Fortunately, Pennsylvania has many public agencies and private organizations whose mission is to help disabled people do the job. My objective here is to bring these resources directly to the people who will benefit from them.”
Hundreds of Capitol visitors and passers-by stopped to chat with exhibitors such as the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, PA Assistive Technology, the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, AgrAbility PA, Einstein/Moss Rehab, Living Well Your Way, the Center for Independent Living of Central PA, United Cerebral Palsy and Uniquesource. They also met a couple of the beautiful life partners from Susquehanna Service Dogs. These agencies and organizations offer tools and programs that help disabled people maximize their potential in the workforce and in their communities.
“People with disabilities fulfill a vital role in Pennsylvania’s workforce and they should be given every opportunity to participate,” Tartaglione said. “My annual Disability Awareness Day is a great way for advocates to network with the constituents they serve.”
Disability Awareness Day occurred one day after the Senate unanimously passed Tartaglione’s resolution to recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the Commonwealth. The observance calls attention to disability employment issues and celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is America’s Workforce: Empowering All.
Senator Tartaglione has long been a leading advocate in Pennsylvania for people with disabilities. She was instrumental in creating the state’s Office for People with Disabilities, which serves as a go-to source for information about the many state and county agencies that offer services for people who need assistance in their daily lives.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | October 2, 2018 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 2, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione invites older Philadelphians and their primary caregivers to the second of her three annual Senior Expos this Thursday at the St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL Center in Port Richmond from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Expo will offer flu shots, free health screenings and information about a multitude of senior programs and services offered by more than 50 public agencies and private providers. Topics will include healthcare, housing, financial services, consumer protection and crime prevention. This annual series of events will conclude on Thursday, Oct. 11, at Fox Chase Recreation Center. Media coverage is encouraged.
Thursday, Oct. 4: St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL Center, 2328 E. Lehigh Ave., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 11: Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For Information (public): Call 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 (Spanish).
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | September 27, 2018 | News Releases
Public and private providers shared valuable information on topics ranging from healthcare and financial services to housing and consumer protection
PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 27, 2018 – Aging can pose many challenges, but Pennsylvania Sen. Christine Tartaglione made it a lot easier for hundreds of Northeast Philadelphia seniors and their caregivers today as she hosted the first of her three annual Senior Expos at the Mayfair Community Center.
Attendees from throughout the community met with exhibitors representing a variety of sectors including government, healthcare, banking, investment, housing and law enforcement, to name a few. Representatives shared information about prescription medication assistance, housing finance, consumer protection, accessibility for the disabled, home healthcare, transportation and estate planning.
“We should make it our highest priority to take care of our older relatives, friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, many families don’t know where to turn for help when life presents them with challenging circumstances,” Senator Tartaglione said. “My hope in hosting these Senior Expos is to provide a single venue where people can find help regardless of their specific needs.”
Individuals who were unable to attend today’s event may benefit from many of the same resources at Senator Tartaglione’s two upcoming Senior Expos. The first will be on Oct. 4 at St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL, 2328 E. Lehigh Ave.; followed by Oct. 11 at Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St. All Expos run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call the senator’s district office at 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 (Spanish) for information.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | September 27, 2018 | News Releases
September offers an opportunity to learn about spinal cord injuries, recognize the daily challenges encountered by injured people and acknowledge their achievements
PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 27, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously adopted a resolution introduced by Sen. Christine Tartaglione this week recognizing September as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month in the Commonwealth.
“More than 300,000 Americans are living with spinal cord injuries, including 40,000 military veterans and thousands of Pennsylvanians,” Tartaglione said. “Every 48 minutes, another American becomes paralyzed from a spinal cord injury. That means there will be close to 12,000 new spinal cord injury patients in the United States this year.”
“This month offers us the opportunity to learn about spinal cord injuries, recognize the daily challenges encountered by injured people and acknowledge the achievements of those Americans living with spinal cord injuries.”
Senator Tartaglione has overcome many challenges since she injured her own spine in a 2003 boating accident and has been one of the leading advocates in the Pennsylvania legislature for people with spinal cord injuries, as well as those with other physical and intellectual challenges. She was a leading force in the creation of Pennsylvania’s Office for People with Disabilities, which serves as one-stop resource for information about supportive services available to people facing physical and intellectual challenges.
First designated by the U.S. Senate in 2013, National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month enables advocates to highlight recent medical breakthroughs and to share the urgent need for new treatments to reduce, reverse and prevent paralysis.
“Every person with a spinal cord injury deserves the chance for a better quality of life,” Tartaglione said.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | September 26, 2018 | News Releases
The event coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month and will feature many exhibitors offering information about accessibility products and services.
HARRISBURG, PA, September 26, 2018 – Sen. Christine Tartaglione invites the community to the Pennsylvania Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 3, to learn about a multitude of resources available to persons with disabilities. Tartaglione’s annual Disability Awareness Day will be held in the Main Rotunda from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature many exhibitors offering information about accessibility products and services.
Disability Employment Awareness Day coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month throughout October. This month-long national campaign raises awareness about disability employment issues and honors the many contributions of workers with disabilities. The observance further promotes positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities and endeavors to expand ideas about what youths with disabilities can achieve when they receive encouragement and support for their ambitions.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | September 25, 2018 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 25, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione invites older Philadelphians and their primary caregivers to the first of her three annual Senior Expos this Thursday at the Mayfair Community Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Expo will offer free health screenings and information about a multitude of senior programs and services offered by dozens of public agencies and private providers. Topics will include healthcare, housing, financial services and crime prevention. This annual series of events will continue Thursday, Oct. 4, at St. Anne’s Rectory PAL Center; then on Thursday, Oct. 11, at Fox Chase Recreation Center.
Thursday, Sept. 27: Mayfair Community Center, 2990 Saint Vincent St.
Thursday, Oct. 4: St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL Center, 2328 E. Lehigh Ave.
Thursday, Oct. 11: Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St.
For Information (public): Call 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 (Spanish).
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | August 23, 2018 | News Releases
Music, face painting, police horses and the senator’s back-to-school backpack giveaway made it a special occasion for hundreds of children and their caregivers.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 23, 2018 – Sunshine and smiling children highlighted the third and final round of state Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s annual Community Picnic series today as hundreds of youngsters and their caregivers flocked to Fox Chase Recreation Center for an event that has quickly become one of the most popular attractions on the local summer calendar.
Now in its second year at Fox Chase, the gathering carried the momentum built through Senator Tartaglione’s previous two Community Picnics on Aug. 2 at Fairhill Square Park and Aug. 16 at Wissinoming Park. DJ music, free refreshments, face painting, Philadelphia police horses, gift basket raffles and a variety of vendors kept visitors entertained and informed throughout the morning and early afternoon. The excitement peaked when Senator Tartaglione handed out free backpacks and back-to-school supplies to attending children.
All told, the senator distributed 250 backpacks to the young learners at Fox Chase, and about 1,100 at all three picnics combined.
“This never would have been possible without the support of many generous donors and community partners,” Senator Tartaglione said. “These Community Picnics bring together businesses, non-profit organizations and public agencies for a common goal – to advocate for the education of our children. It’s very reassuring and satisfying to know that the picnics get bigger and bigger each year with many new partners and a lot more public attention.”
With the 2018-19 school year mere days away for many local children, the opportunity to get a head start on back-to-school shopping was a big attraction for their caregivers, as was the opportunity to spend a mild late summer day in park-like surroundings.
“I like to teach kids about giving back and I think this was a way for kids to see that when you give to your community, how good things come back to you,” said Marie Louissaint, counselor at Early Learning Children’s Academy of Rising Sun Avenue. “They were excited, especially when they saw the mounted police officers and the face painting. The fire truck was really big with the little ones. Now they have a fresh start (on the school year), a nice new beginning.”
Kids weren’t the only ones to benefit. Fun and games aside, many of the older folks found some time to gather valuable information about a plethora of topics, such as home health care, assistive technologies for the disabled, adult daycare and rehabilitation, insurance and registering to vote.
Many of the same presenters are also scheduled to participate in Senator Tartaglione’s upcoming Senior Expos, an annual series of events to be held on Sept. 27 at Mayfair Community Center (2990 Saint Vincent St.), Oct. 4 at St. Ann’s Rectory PAL (2328 E. Lehigh Ave.) and Oct. 11 at Fox Chase Rec Center (7901 Ridgeway St.). All Senior Expos will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Senator Tartaglione’s district offices at 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 for information.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | August 17, 2018 | News Releases
Music, face painting, police horses and the senator’s back-to-school backpack giveaway made it a special occasion for hundreds of children and their caregivers.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 17, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s annual Community Picnic was a smash hit with the hundreds of children and caregivers who converged at Wissinoming Park yesterday to delight in free music, soft pretzels, water ice, face painting and the senator’s popular back-to-scbool backpack giveaway. About 500 school children walked away wearing new school bags on their shoulders and smiles on their faces.
The event was the second of Tartaglione’s three Community Picnics scheduled this month in her 2nd Senate District. On Aug. 2, the senator handed out more than 300 backpacks to children at Fairhill Square Park in North Philadelphia. The third picnic will be held on Thursday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St. It is free to attend and open to the public.
“August has become one of my favorite times of the year because it gives me the chance to meet so many beautiful children while helping their families ease the costs of getting a valuable education,” Senator Tartaglione said. “If we can give each child a backpack filled with school supplies, that’s one less cost their caregivers will have to bear. This is a real group effort that brings together our business sponsors, community organizations, recreation centers and day care centers for a day of summer fun.”
Yesterday’s event featured many longtime partners and some popular new ones. Attendees enjoyed refreshing water ice and soft pretzels and had their faces painted like their favorite superheroes. Senator Tartaglione raffled off gift baskets and basketballs before the children lined up for the big backpack giveaway.
The newly renovated Wissinoming Park provided the ideal backdrop on a hot and steamy day as many visitors cooled off beneath towering shade trees or in the water spray-ground.
“I welcome everyone to join us again next week. It’s a great chance to meet new friends and enjoy the summer one more time before the new school year!” Senator Tartaglione said.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | June 28, 2018 | Minimum Wage, News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 28, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione applauded Gov. Tom Wolf’s signing of an executive order today that raises the minimum wage for state employees and contractors to a level matching the provisions of legislation introduced by Tartaglione in the Senate earlier this year. The executive order raises the minimum wage for state employees and contractors to $12 per hour effective July 1, and institutes incremental annual increases that will raise the minimum wage to $15 in 2024. After then, the minimum wage would be tied to annual cost of living adjustments.
Sen. Tartaglione issued the following statement regarding the executive order:
Gov. Wolf’s executive order represents a major step forward for state employees and contractors, and for the cause of fair, family-sustaining wages across the Commonwealth. As we have seen through many recent national events, workers have been under attack by forces that seek to stifle their collective voice and their power to negotiate for decent wages, healthcare plans, pensions and working conditions.
Just yesterday, the United States Supreme Court struck down a 40-year-old precedent allowing public-sector labor unions to fund worker advocacy through fair share fees. And the National Labor Relations Board recently changed its rules to allow employers to strip workers of the right to resolve their grievances in a court of law.
The federal government hasn’t raised the minimum wage nationwide since 2009, and Pennsylvania hasn’t raised its minimum wage in more than a decade. At $7.25 an hour, a full-time worker would make about $15,000 a year. That’s below the federal poverty level for a two-person household. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there isn’t a state in the country where a full-time, minimum-wage worker can afford to pay rent for a modest two-bedroom apartment.
Conversely, higher wages boost the economy and reduce employee turnover because workers are also consumers. So when they make more money, they tend to spend more and businesses benefit.
That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 1044 earlier this year, so that employers won’t have the option of paying workers less than a living wage. Today, Gov. Wolf’s executive order makes a bold statement that Pennsylvania cares about working families and recognizes the vital role that a vibrant middle class plays in a healthy and sustainable economy.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | June 22, 2018 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione applauded today’s early passage of a Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget that includes new investments in workforce development, education, health care and social justice. The Senate voted, 47-2, in support of the budget (HB 2121) previously passed by the Pennsylvania House. The budget now awaits Gov. Tom Wolf’s signature.
“This budget is an example of the great things we can accomplish when we work together in a bi-partisan way to create programs that benefit all Pennsylvanians,” Tartaglione said. “As minority chairman of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, I am especially proud of the workforce development initiatives, such as expanded apprenticeships and partnerships that involve labor organizations, vocational training facilities and the business community. These measures will help more young people find good careers that pay family-sustaining wages and benefits and will help the Commonwealth identify and satisfy its changing workforce needs.”
The approved budget includes a $30 million increase in the allocation for career and technical education through the PA SMART initiative. It also includes a new $7 million apprenticeship training program and a $3 million increase to industry partnerships, both through PA SMART, as well as a $3 million increase for combatting the Spotted Lanternfly infestation that threatens our agriculture industry.
Also today, the Senate unanimously approved the creation of the Keystone Scholars Grant Program through the passage of the omnibus Fiscal Code bill (HB 1929). The Keystone Scholars Grant Program will apply to every child born in Pennsylvania on or after Jan. 1, 2019. Upon receiving notice of a child’s birth, the Treasury Department will set aside $100 in a separate account that will be available to the child once they reach age 18 and enroll in a qualifying institution of higher education or a vocational or technical school. The student would be able to collect the $100, as well as investment earnings attributed to the account.
“This Keystone Scholars Grant Program makes an important statement about our commitment to improving education opportunities for future generations of Pennsylvanians,” Tartaglione said. “As each child grows, this funding will grow and will provide them with another incentive to pursue post-secondary education or job training.”
During a busy day at the Capitol, Senator Tartaglione also joined members of the Philadelphia delegations in both the Senate and House, as well as other leaders in the General Assembly, to announce the House’s passage of a $60 million school and community anti-violence package. The legislation originated in the Senate as SB 1142 and sets aside $7.5 million for community anti-violence programs. In addition, municipalities, institutions of higher education, community-based organizations and other entities will be able to apply for funds to support anti-violence initiatives.
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will administer the grants through a School Safety and Security Committee. The objective is to reduce violence in schools by addressing it at the community level.
“This level of funding is unprecedented,” Tartaglione said. “Hopefully, this will become a watershed moment in our Commonwealth’s fight against violence in our schools and communities, particularly gun violence. I hope what we’ve accomplished today will usher in a new era of cooperation in the General Assembly on this critical issue.”
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | June 12, 2018 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, June 12, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate voted 46-3 yesterday to approve an amendment by Sen. Christine Tartaglione that would level the playing field for Magisterial District Justice candidates in elections involving an incumbent and one or more non-incumbents.
Under the amended version of Senate Bill 299, incumbent MDJs seeking re-election would no longer be required to collect at least 100 voter signatures to secure a place on the ballot. Instead, they would need only to file a certificate of nomination. But if the incumbent chooses that route, then he or she would be prohibited from challenging the legitimacy of the signatures collected by other hopeful candidates.
“Allowing a sitting Magisterial District Justice to simply submit a certificate of nomination for re-election, as opposed to collecting the 100 signatures, while requiring non-incumbent candidates to collect the requisite number of signatures is unfair,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “My amendment is simple and will level the playing field. It would allow a sitting Justice to submit a certificate of nomination but would prohibit the sitting Justice from challenging any signatures on the opponent’s petition.”
Magisterial District Justices, also known as magistrates, are the judicial system’s first level throughout most of Pennsylvania, excluding Philadelphia where Municipal Court judges serve a similar role. There are more than 500 Magisterial Districts across the state. MDJs preside over hearings involving low-level criminal offenses as well as preliminary hearings for more serious offenses. They further handle low-level civil cases and can preside over weddings, among other duties.
Under state law, MDJs must remain non-political except when running for re-election. Their terms last for six years. Current law requires all candidates for the position to collect at least 100 petition signatures to secure a ballot position. Supporters of the original SB 299, which Sen. Richard Alloway introduced on April 9, contend that the non-political nature of the position places incumbents at a disadvantage because non-incumbents are free to build their political support regardless of the election calendar.
Sen. Tartaglione’s amendment strikes a fair balance in that it would ease the political obligation of the incumbent while ensuring that incumbents cannot benefit from unequal treatment under election law.
With the Senate’s approval, SB 299 moves to the House for consideration.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
by Christin Brown | June 8, 2018 | News Releases
Two new Senate bills would amend Pennsylvania’s 1959 Equal Pay Law and help women earn the same as their male counterparts for comparable work
HARRISBURG, PA, June 6, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione joined Gov. Tom Wolf, other elected officials and women’s advocates at the Capitol today to announce an executive order and new legislation that seek to eradicate Pennsylvania’s gender pay gap.
Pennsylvania’s working women collect just 79 cents for every dollar that their male counterparts make based on median annual earnings, ranking the Commonwealth 29th among U.S. states according to the American Association of University Women. Nationally, women make about 80 cents for every dollar that men make.
“In 1959, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a law to correct the gender pay gap, yet here we are, almost 60 years later, and women are still getting short-changed,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “Women with the same education, training, skills and job responsibilities as their male counterparts should be paid the same. But that’s still not happening.”
Sen. Tartaglione’s Senate Bill 1200 focuses on several key areas of Pennsylvania’s existing Equal Pay Law. It would broaden the definition of “wages” to include other forms of compensation such as salary, fringe benefits and other wage supplements. It would also broaden the concept of “comparable work” to encompass factors including skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions, while eliminating job title as a potential factor in pay differential.
Further, SB 1200 would require employers to defend pay differentials based on bona fide seniority or merit systems, or systems that measure quantity or quality of production or sales.
It would expand the powers of the state’s Department of Labor and Industry and Attorney General to pursue unpaid wages and damages claims on behalf of employees individually or as a group. The bill would extend the statute of limitations from two years to three years in cases where an employer willfully violates the Equal Pay Law.
Sen. Schwank’s companion bill would make it unlawful for an employer to make an employee sign a waiver preventing the employee from discussing his or her wages, and would make it unlawful for the employer to require a prospective employee to disclose past wages as a condition of the hiring process. Sen. Schwank’s bill prohibits employers from relying a prospective employee’s earnings history to determine the wages offered to the prospect, unless the prospect offers wage history information to negotiate a higher wage.
Also, Sen. Schwank’s bill bans employers from contracting with employees to avoid compliance with the Equal Pay Law, while creating whistleblower and retaliation protections to protect employees who report violations of the Law. The bill includes provisions for victims to recover unpaid wages and damages.
Gov. Wolf endorsed both new Senate bills and issued an executive order mandating pay equality for state employees.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at [email protected].
