by Christin Brown | Abril 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, Abril 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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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Marzo 26, 2019 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, Marzo 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 | Marzo 26, 2019 | News Releases
Senator Tartaglione welcomes MaKen City, which will offer many new family-sustaining jobs and will contribute to an economic renaissance of the community.
HARRISBURG, PA, Marzo 26, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) is pleased to announce that Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority has awarded a $750,000 Multimodal grant to a Philadelphia-based social impact real estate group that will rehabilitate an idle industrial facility in Kensington into a food and beverage sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution facility.
The CFA board awarded the grant to 956 Erie Partners LLC, an affiliate of the Shift Capital real estate group, during the board’s meeting today in Harrisburg. The project is within Tartaglione’s 2nd Senatorial District.
“This is great news for a community that was once an economic engine for the region, but has long endured the debilitating effects of a decline in the city’s industrial manufacturing sector,” Senator Tartaglione said. “This project will bring new energy and many family sustaining jobs to a neighborhood challenged by high poverty. Yet, this neighborhood still has a wealth of willing workers and a great transportation infrastructure.”
Supported by experienced architects and consultants, Shift Capital plans to refurbish a 741,063-square-foot structure that sits on 19 acres at 956 E. Erie Ave., between “G” and “I” streets. The new facility will be known as MaKen City. The project will create jobs during the construction phase, as well as permanent full-time employment opportunities for local workers.
The developers hope that the improvements will have a ripple effect on the surrounding community, which is already home to Shift Capital’s MaKen Studios (a multi-use development with residential, entrepreneurial, and artistic spaces), as well as Liberty Coca-Cola’s corporate offices and production facilities.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
por Christin Brown | 22 de marzo de 2019 | Salario mínimo, Comunicados de prensa
Elaborado en colaboración con el gobernador Wolf, el proyecto de ley 12 del Senado aumentaría el salario mínimo a 12 dólares este año y a 15 dólares en 2025, seguido de incrementos anuales por el coste de la vida.
HARRISBURG, PA, 22 de marzo de 2019 - La senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia) presentó hoy el Proyecto de Ley del Senado 12 que aumentaría el salario mínimo de Pensilvania a $ 12 por hora este año, y $ 15 para 2025, después de lo cual la tasa se ajustaría automáticamente cada año en función de un índice de costo de vida. La medida afectaría directamente a cerca de 1 millón de trabajadores de Pensilvania en 2019.
La senadora Tartaglione elaboró el proyecto de ley en colaboración con el gobernador Tom Wolf. La legislación ha sido remitida a la Comisión de Trabajo e Industria del Senado, de la que la senadora Tartaglione es presidenta en minoría.
"Han pasado 13 años desde la última vez que Pensilvania subió su salario mínimo y este aumento debería haberse producido hace mucho tiempo", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "Los seis estados vecinos han aumentado sus salarios mínimos por encima del mínimo federal, al igual que 29 estados de todo el país. El salario mínimo de Pensilvania se ha estancado mientras el coste de la vida y la productividad de los trabajadores se han disparado en toda la Commonwealth y en todo el país, y mientras la desigualdad de ingresos ha alcanzado un máximo histórico."
El salario mínimo de Pensilvania es de 7,25 dólares por hora, que es también el mínimo federal. La SB 12 exige que los empresarios paguen a los trabajadores al menos 12 dólares por hora a partir del 1 de julio de 2019. El salario mínimo aumentará 50 céntimos cada 1 de julio siguiente hasta alcanzar los 15 dólares en 2025. A partir del 1 de julio de 2026, y cada 1 de julio sucesivo, el salario mínimo aumentaría en proporción con el Índice de Precios al Consumo para Todos los Consumidores Urbanos de la zona de Pensilvania, Nueva Jersey, Delaware y Maryland.
Además, la legislación eliminaría el salario inferior al mínimo para los asalariados con propinas, los trabajadores con discapacidad, los aprendices y los estudiantes. Eliminaría el derecho preferente sobre las ordenanzas salariales municipales, ampliaría los poderes del Departamento de Trabajo e Industria para recuperar los salarios y las sanciones por infracciones de la Ley del Salario Mínimo, aumentaría las sanciones monetarias por infracciones y alinearía la aplicación con la Ley de Normas Laborales Justas del país.
Debido a la inflación, el salario mínimo ha perdido el 29% de su poder adquisitivo en los últimos 50 años. A 7,25 dólares la hora, un trabajador a tiempo completo durante todo el año ganaría sólo 15.080 dólares al año, por debajo del nivel federal de pobreza para un hogar de dos personas, como el monoparental de un hijo único. Los datos muestran que la mayoría de los trabajadores con salarios bajos de Pensilvania son mujeres y mayores de 20 años. Los trabajadores con salarios bajos aportan más de la mitad de los ingresos familiares medios en Pensilvania.
"Miembros vitales de nuestra comunidad, como cuidadores de niños y trabajadores sanitarios a domicilio, cajeros de bancos, obreros de la construcción, trabajadores del comercio minorista y de la hostelería que trabajan a tiempo completo cobrando el salario mínimo sólo ganan unos 15.000 dólares al año", declaró el senador Tartaglione. "No pueden permitirse cubrir necesidades básicas como el alquiler, el transporte, la comida y las recetas médicas. Muchos se ven obligados a depender de la asistencia pública para salir adelante. La incapacidad de las personas trabajadoras para atender sus necesidades básicas, o las de sus familias, es moralmente incorrecta y económicamente insostenible."
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
por Christin Brown | 13 de marzo de 2019 | Salario mínimo, Comunicados de prensa
En una carta publicada hoy, 38 investigadores y analistas coinciden en que ha llegado el momento de un "aumento audaz" de un salario mínimo que lleva estancado más de una década.
FILADELFIA, PA, 13 de marzo de 2019 - La propuesta de salario mínimo de $15 elaborada por la senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione(D-Filadelfia) en colaboración con el gobernador Tom Wolf ha obtenido el respaldo de 38 economistas y científicos sociales, que han firmado conjuntamente una carta en la que piden un aumento audaz del obsoleto salario mínimo de Pensilvania.
Los investigadores y analistas económicos representan a instituciones académicas de toda la Commonwealth y de todo el país, así como al Economic Policy Institute, con sede en Washington D.C., y al Keystone Research Center, con sede en Harrisburg, que han publicado hoy la carta. El texto completo de la carta y sus signatarios puede consultarse en www.keystoneresearch.org.
"Han pasado 13 años desde que la Commonwealth subió por última vez su salario mínimo y una década desde que el gobierno federal promulgó su ajuste salarial mínimo más reciente. Mientras tanto, los salarios de los ejecutivos han seguido disparándose, la clase media ha seguido reduciéndose y la desigualdad de ingresos ha alcanzado un máximo histórico. Todo esto ha sucedido mientras la productividad de los trabajadores alcanzaba cotas sin precedentes", declaró el senador Tartaglione. "Trece años es demasiado tiempo para esperar un aumento".
El senador Tartaglione presentará en breve el proyecto de ley 12 del Senado, que elevaría el salario mínimo de Pensilvania de 7,25 dólares por hora a 12 dólares este año, seguido de aumentos anuales de 50 céntimos hasta alcanzar los 15 dólares en 2025.A partir de entonces, el salario mínimo se vincularía a los ajustes anuales automáticos del coste de la vida. La legislación también eliminaría el salario mínimo inferior, que permite a las empresas pagar tan sólo 2,83 dólares por hora a determinadas categorías de trabajadores, como los que reciben propinas, los discapacitados, los becarios y los estudiantes.
Los economistas afirmaron que la nueva propuesta de salario mínimo aumentaría directamente los salarios de 1,5 millones de ciudadanos de Pensilvania en 2025, además de otros 500.000 que ganan ahora poco más de 15 dólares y que probablemente recibirían un aumento de sueldo cuando sus empleadores ajusten las escalas salariales internas. Ajustados a la inflación, los trabajadores con salario mínimo de Pensilvania ganan hoy un 29% menos por hora que sus homólogos de hace 50 años, aunque la productividad de los trabajadores se ha duplicado en Pensilvania en ese tiempo.
"La gran mayoría de los empleados que se beneficiarían son adultos -desproporcionadamente mujeres- de familias trabajadoras, que trabajan al menos 20 horas semanales y dependen de sus ingresos para llegar a fin de mes", escribieron los economistas.
Además, los economistas afirmaron que el "peso de la evidencia" de la "investigación académica rigurosa" ha demostrado que los aumentos medidos del salario mínimo en otros lugares han tenido "poco o ningún efecto negativo" en la situación laboral de los trabajadores con salarios bajos. Por el contrario, los aumentos para dos millones de ciudadanos de Pensilvania supondrían 6.500 millones de dólares en salarios más altos, lo que beneficiaría a sus familias y a las comunidades en las que viven, incluidas las empresas locales.
"Es hora de apoyar un aumento audaz del salario mínimo en Pensilvania para abordar el hecho de que nuestros salarios para los trabajadores en el extremo inferior del mercado laboral han seguido estancados, y para ayudar a revertir décadas de creciente desigualdad salarial", afirma la carta.
"Estos economistas están a la vanguardia de la investigación sobre el tema. Acojo con satisfacción su apoyo a mi plan y su reafirmación de que Pensilvania debe actuar ahora para aumentar el salario mínimo. Hace tiempo que debería haberse hecho", dijo el senador Tartaglione.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
por Christin Brown | 8 de febrero de 2019 | Salario mínimo, Comunicados de prensa
El alcalde de Filadelfia, Jim Kenney, numerosos cargos electos, dirigentes sindicales y trabajadores se reunieron en la terminal de Frankford para unirse al llamamiento en favor de un salario digno.
FILADELFIA, PA, 8 de febrero de 2019 - La senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia) y el gobernador de Pensilvania, Tom Wolf, encabezaron hoy una coalición de funcionarios electos, líderes laborales, defensores de los trabajadores y viajeros en el bullicioso Centro de Transporte Frankford para reunir apoyo para un aumento largamente esperado en el salario mínimo de Pensilvania.
Han pasado 13 años desde la última vez que la legislatura subió el salario mínimo del estado, y una década desde el último aumento del salario mínimo del gobierno federal. Desde entonces, los trabajadores de Pensilvania están sujetos a un salario mínimo de 7,25 dólares. Con ese salario, un trabajador de 40 horas semanales ganaría sólo 15.080 dólares al año. Esto apenas supera el nivel federal de pobreza para un individuo, y unos 1.400 dólares por debajo del nivel de pobreza para un hogar de dos personas.
"Seamos claros sobre las personas a las que vamos a ayudar subiendo el salario mínimo", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "No se trata sólo de los adolescentes que trabajan en restaurantes de comida rápida, tiendas de conveniencia y otros empleos de nivel básico a tiempo parcial. La inmensa mayoría de los que verían aumentar su sueldo -el 90%, de hecho- tienen 20 años o más. Y la mitad de ellos trabajan a jornada completa. De media, esta gente gana más de la mitad de los ingresos totales de su familia".
Numerosos cargos electos se unieron a Tartaglione y al gobernador en este mitin lleno de energía, entre ellos el alcalde de Filadelfia, Jim Kenney, y los colegas senatoriales de Tartaglione Vincent Hughes, Art Haywood y Tim Kearney. Wolf y Tartaglione detallaron la propuesta de salario mínimo que el senador presentará próximamente como Proyecto de Ley 12 del Senado.
"Veintinueve estados y el Distrito de Columbia han aumentado sus salarios mínimos por encima del mínimo federal. El mes pasado entraron en vigor nuevas subidas en 18 estados", declaró el senador Tartaglione.
La legislación aumentaría el salario mínimo de 7,25 a 12 dólares este año, seguido de incrementos anuales de 50 céntimos hasta alcanzar los 15 dólares en 2025. A partir de entonces, el salario mínimo se ajustaría anualmente, de forma automática, en función del coste de la vida. La legislación también crearía salvaguardias para proteger a los trabajadores de los empresarios que intencionadamente paguen menos.
"Lo he dicho antes, lo diré hoy y lo seguiré diciendo: ya es hora de que subamos el salario en Pensilvania", dijo el gobernador Wolf. "Pensilvania debe ser un lugar donde se recompense el trabajo duro, pero nuestro salario mínimo no ha cambiado en una década y demasiadas personas que trabajan duro están luchando para salir adelante. Debemos aumentar el salario".
Aumentar el salario mínimo a 12 dólares este año beneficiaría directamente a más de un millón de trabajadores, la mayoría de los cuales ganan más que el salario mínimo actual, pero menos de 12 dólares.
"Este aumento pondría más dinero en sus bolsillos, ayudándoles a pagar sus facturas", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "E inyectaría miles de millones de dólares de consumo en nuestra economía".
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Febrero 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, Febrero 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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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
por Christin Brown | 30 de enero de 2019 | Salario mínimo, Comunicados de prensa
En colaboración con el gobernador y la representante estatal Patty Kim, el senador presentará una legislación que ayudará directamente a más de un tercio de los trabajadores de Pensilvania.
HARRISBURG, PA, 30 de enero de 2019 - La senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione (demócrata de Filadelfia) se unió hoy al gobernador Tom Wolf, a la diputada estatal Patty Kim, a muchos de sus colegas legislativos y a numerosos defensores de los trabajadores para anunciar su plan de aumentar el obsoleto salario mínimo de Pensilvania, que se ha estancado en poco más de 7 dólares por hora durante los últimos 12 años.
Según la nueva propuesta, el salario mínimo de Pensilvania pasaría del mínimo federal de 7,25 $ a 12 $ el 1 de julio de 2019. Después aumentaría 50 céntimos más al año hasta alcanzar los 15 dólares en 2025, tras lo cual se vincularía a los ajustes anuales del coste de la vida. Tartaglione presentará próximamente este plan como legislación en el Senado, mientras que Kim lo hará en la Cámara de Representantes.
"El salario mínimo es una de las cuestiones más importantes a las que nos enfrentamos como funcionarios electos y como Estado porque afecta directamente a muchos de nuestros electores. La promulgación de nuestra legislación daría aumentos a 2,1 millones de Pennsylvanians, que representan el 37 por ciento de la mano de obra total", dijo el senador Tartaglione, citando datos compilados por el Centro de Investigación de Keystone.
La inflación ha crecido más de un 20% en todo el país en los últimos doce años, según la Oficina de Estadísticas Laborales, y 29 estados, junto con el Distrito de Columbia, han elevado sus salarios mínimos por encima del mínimo federal, entre ellos California y Washington a 12 dólares, y Nueva York a 11,10 dólares.
Este mes han entrado en vigor nuevas subidas del salario mínimo en 21 estados, y los legisladores de Nueva Jersey tienen previsto votar mañana un plan para elevar el salario mínimo de ese estado a 15 dólares en los próximos cinco años. Los seis estados vecinos de Pensilvania tienen salarios mínimos superiores a los 7,25 dólares vigentes en toda la Commonwealth.
"Hace tiempo que se debería haber aumentado el salario mínimo. Lo sé porque patrociné la última legislación exitosa sobre el Salario Mínimo en Pensilvania en 2006", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "En aquel momento, todos los detractores nos advirtieron de que obligaríamos a las empresas de Pensilvania a cerrar sus negocios y a eliminar innumerables puestos de trabajo. Estas predicciones catastrofistas nunca se cumplieron. Impávidos, nuestros críticos esgrimen ahora el mismo argumento. - que las empresas no pueden permitirse pagar un salario mínimo justo, ¡UN SALARIO PARA VIVIR!".
"(Los trabajadores de Pensilvania) y sus familias ganarían 9.100 millones de dólares adicionales en cinco años, dinero que gastarán en sus comunidades en apoyo de las empresas", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "Esta nueva prosperidad beneficiaría a personas de todas las clases sociales: todas las edades, todas las razas, todas las religiones, y tanto a mujeres como a hombres. Ayudaría a los trabajadores de nuestras grandes ciudades, a los que viven en los suburbios y a nuestra mano de obra rural."
Wolf declaró que el aumento del salario mínimo reduciría la demanda de asistencia pública y ahorraría a los contribuyentes un total de 155 millones de dólares en los próximos dos años. Casi 17.000 personas abandonarían el programa Medicaid, financiado por el Estado, el año que viene, y otras 51.000 lo harían al año siguiente. Una parte de ese ahorro se reinvertirá en aumentar los salarios de los trabajadores que prestan servicios de guardería y atención domiciliaria a personas mayores y discapacitadas con el apoyo del Departamento de Servicios Humanos.
"Pensilvania debe ser un lugar donde se recompense el trabajo duro. Pero nuestro salario mínimo no ha cambiado en una década y demasiadas personas que trabajan duro están luchando para salir adelante", dijo el gobernador Wolf. "Aumentar el salario mínimo permite a la gente permitirse lo básico, como la comida, el alquiler y el transporte.
"También permite a la gente trabajar para salir de la asistencia pública en lugar de que los contribuyentes subvencionen a empresarios que pagan salarios de miseria. Un salario justo ahorra dinero en impuestos, hace crecer la clase media y crea nuevos clientes para las empresas, lo que nos beneficia a todos."
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Enero 22, 2019 | News Releases
The Bureau of Recreation and Conservation can provide funding and technical assistance to plan, acquire, develop, protect, and restore natural resources.
HARRISBURG, PA, Enero 22, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today invited Pennsylvania’s nature lovers and conservationists to apply for the latest series of grants being offered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
The department’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation will be accepting applications now through Abril 10 for grant funding and technical assistance to help plan, acquire, and develop parks, recreation facilities, and trails. Grants may also be used to benefit critical conservation areas and watersheds, or to support many of the commonwealth’s conservation, recreation, and heritage partners.
“One of the greatest gifts we can present to our children and grandchildren is a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “This is more than a goal. It’s an essential responsibility that we can fulfill by working together as a community with contributions from the public and private sectors; professionals and volunteers; city dwellers, suburbanites, and those who live in Pennsylvania’s vast and beautiful rural counties.”
The Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2014-19 (www.paoutdoorrecplan.com) identifies outdoor recreation priorities, strategies, and actions for the state. The bureau has identified additional priorities including community parks and recreation, land conservation and watershed protection, watershed restoration and rivers implementation, and trails development and rehabilitation.
Bureau staff is available to help prospective applicants develop competitive applications. Applicants are encouraged to register for either or both of two upcoming webinars on Jan. 30 and Feb. 27 via www.dcnr.pa.gov (follow the “Events” link and search the keyword “grants.”) More information on other grant programs is also available via the DCNR website.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Enero 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, Enero 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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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
por Christin Brown | 10 de enero de 2019 | Comunicados de prensa
Harrisburg, PA - 10 de enero de 2019 - En nombre de los 12,000 empleados federales, contratistas y subcontratistas de Pensilvania que no están recibiendo un cheque de pago durante el cierre parcial del gobierno federal, el senador Vincent Hughes (D-Filadelfia/Montgomery), la senadora Christine Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia), el senador Sharif Street (D-Filadelfia) y el senador Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) están tomando medidas para ayudar a los necesitados.
Después de escuchar los informes de los constituyentes que enfrentan dificultades financieras durante el cierre, los senadores escribieron a los 10 bancos más grandes, en relación con el número de sucursales, en Pennsylvania. Sus esperanzas son compartir información sobre los programas de asistencia de los bancos existentes o estimular la acción en nombre de los trabajadores con los bancos que no han abordado la cuestión.
"Hace diez años, rescatamos a los bancos en quiebra durante una recesión y ahora es el momento de ayudar a los trabajadores durante su crisis financiera", dijo el senador Hughes. "Esta gente trabajadora está sufriendo sin tener la culpa. Lo menos que podemos hacer es ayudarles hasta que vuelvan a cobrar".
La motivación de la carta se debe a que los senadores entienden que el 78% de los trabajadores estadounidenses viven de cheque en cheque y no hay permisos para gastos esenciales. Las hipotecas, el alquiler, los comestibles, los pagos del coche y otras facturas deben pagarse tanto si el gobierno funciona como si no.
"No podemos quedarnos de brazos cruzados mientras estos empleados federales se quedan sin su sueldo", dijo el senador Costa. "Se trata de gente preparada y dispuesta a trabajar al servicio del Gobierno federal, pero que ahora se enfrenta al desahucio y al amontonamiento de las facturas. Espero que las instituciones financieras estén dispuestas a dar un paso adelante para ayudarles, y haré todo lo que esté en mi mano para garantizar que estos empleados federales no sean castigados por este cierre."
En total, hay 62.000 trabajadores federales en Pensilvania y unos 12.000 que están en suspensión de pagos o trabajando sin sueldo. A nivel nacional, 800.000 empleados federales han visto interrumpido su trabajo, y 380.000 han sido despedidos o enviados a casa sin sueldo. Estas cifras hablan de una crisis económica que debe ser abordada, dijeron los senadores.
"A medida que el estancamiento en Washington está a punto de entrar en su cuarta semana, miles de Pennsylvanians que trabajan duro están sufriendo una carga muy pesada", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "No puedo pensar en un mayor compromiso con el propósito y el nivel de profesionalidad de lo que estamos viendo de los que quieren trabajar, pero no pueden, y de los que siguen trabajando, pero no están recibiendo su justa compensación. Es imperativo que hagamos todo lo que podamos como comunidad para apoyarles en estos momentos de necesidad."
Las concentraciones y protestas en toda Pensilvania también atrajeron la atención de los senadores, que han hecho de la lucha por los trabajadores un tema central. Entre los trabajadores federales de Pensilvania que no cobran sus salarios se encuentran funcionarios de la TSA, trabajadores de las prisiones federales, trabajadores de los parques nacionales y empleados de la Agencia de Protección del Medio Ambiente.
"La presión financiera a la que se ven sometidos los empleados, contratistas y subcontratistas del gobierno federal en la mancomunidad sigue creciendo", declaró el senador Street. "Se trata de una pesada carga para las personas y las familias que no pueden soportar tales dificultades durante un período prolongado de tiempo. Los bancos tienen la oportunidad de mitigar estas dificultades y deben ayudar a la gente". Como presidente demócrata de la Comisión de Banca y Seguros, animo a los bancos a actuar con urgencia en este sentido."
La carta completa a los bancos puede consultarse aquí.
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by Christin Brown | Enero 8, 2019 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, Enero 8, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) has been reappointed as minority chairwoman of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee, where she will continue her work to protect the rights and promote the interests of Pennsylvania’s workforce.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Jr. announced the appointments of minority chairs for all 22 of the chamber’s standing committees yesterday for the 2019-20 legislative session, which began on Enero 1.
“As a former union organizer and business representative, I am keenly aware of and focused on the issues affecting all Pennsylvania workers,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “During my 24 years in the Senate, I have taken a leadership role in Harrisburg and in my home district on priorities including raising the minimum wage, workplace safety, wage equality, overtime pay protection, protection from discrimination and harassment, and workforce development. I look forward to continuing my collaboration with the Labor Committee, labor organizations, independent workers, and employers to further these paramount objectives and to grow family-sustaining jobs.”
Prior to being elected to the Senate in 1994, Tartaglione served as an organizer and business representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776. During the 2005-06 legislative session, her bill to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage was enacted. The legislature hasn’t raised the minimum wage again since then.
In the 2009-10 session, Tartaglione’s bill to address the Commonwealth’s short-term and long-term healthcare workforce challenges and to ensure an adequate supply of quality workers in the industry was enacted. During the 2011-12 session, her bill to fund the hiring of additional Pennsylvania State Police troopers was enacted.
Additionally, Tartaglione has taken a leading role in extending unemployment compensation benefits for jobless workers, and in providing for a shared work alternative to the termination of job positions by employers.
The 2019-20 Pennsylvania Senate session is scheduled to resume on Enero 15, when Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman will be sworn into office.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Enero 3, 2019 | News Releases
Unionized nurses from St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Hahnemann University Hospital have been working without a contract since Noviembre.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Enero 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 Agosto with American Academic Health System, the private, for-profit company that bought both medical facilities last Enero. 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 Noviembre.
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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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Enero 1, 2019 | News Releases
During a ceremony in the Pennsylvania Capitol, State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione and her new and returning Senate colleagues were sworn into office.
HARRISBURG, PA, Enero 1, 2019 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today commenced her seventh consecutive four-year term as she was sworn into office at the Pennsylvania Capitol alongside 24 colleagues who were reelected or newly elected to the Senate in Noviembre.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Associate Justice Kevin M. Dougherty led Democratic senators in reciting the oath of office. Tartaglione’s mother, longtime Philadelphia City Commissioner Marge Tartaglione, took part in the ceremony by holding the Holy Bible used by her daughter to take the oath.
Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor administered the oath to Republicans. The 25 newly sworn senators will comprise half of the 50-member legislative body during the 2019-20 session. Twenty-five other senators are now midway through their current four-year terms.
“I am honored and proud that the voters of the 2nd Senatorial district chose me once again to serve them as their advocate and voice in Harrisburg,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “I enthusiastically accept this responsibility with the intention of continuing to fight for the best interests of the working people, retirees, school children, and community-based organizations of the district and throughout the entire state.”
In the 2018 election, Democrats gained five seats in the Senate and reduced the Republican majority to 29-21. Tartaglione noted that the Senate welcomed five new women senators today. Women now hold 11 seats, a net gain of four over the 2017-18 session. When Tartaglione was first elected in 1994, she became only the fifth woman ever elected to the PA Senate.
“I am thrilled to see that Democrats and women are finally gaining significant ground in their struggles for equitable representation in the Senate,” Tartaglione said. “More than 51 percent of the Pennsylvania population is female, while Democrats comprise the largest political party in the state by more than 815,000 registered voters. It’s only fair that those statistical facts are reflected in the composition of the Senate.”
With the 2019-20 legislative session at hand, Tartaglione said she will continue to push for workplace rights, educational opportunities, and healthcare protections for the people of the 2nd Senatorial District and all of Pennsylvania.
“We are at a critical juncture for our state and for the nation, a time when the economic gap between the very rich and the rest of us continues to widen, and when many corporations, large and small, along with their political allies are driving a coordinated campaign to repeal long-established labor protections, keep wages low, undermine affordable healthcare, and jeopardize retirement security,” Tartaglione said.
“History tells us that a thriving middle class is the foundation of a prosperous society, and that strong labor unions support a vibrant middle class. That’s why I will continue to lead the fight in Harrisburg for a family-sustaining minimum wage and for fair labor laws that allow unions to balance the playing field between workers and management.”
“Education is another pillar of a strong middle class and prosperous economy, so I will continue to advocate in the Capitol for equitable public-school funding, along with apprenticeship and vocational programs that will prepare future generations of workers for success.”
Along with these vital initiatives, Tartaglione also maintains a keen focus on the state’s opioid epidemic, which has negatively impacted the 2nd district as much as any area of Pennsylvania.
“Working together with state and local officials, healthcare providers, community organizations, the recovery community, and those afflicted by opioid use disorder, I am determined to develop solutions to a problem that is killing Pennsylvanians by the thousands, solutions that will deliver help directly where it’s needed and will enhance the quality of life in affected communities.”
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Noviembre 30, 2018 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, Noviembre 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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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Noviembre 14, 2018 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, PA, Noviembre 14, 2018 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione was selected today by her peers to serve her second consecutive term as chairwoman of the Senate’s Philadelphia delegation for the 2019-20 legislative session.
As chairwoman, Senator Tartaglione will lead the delegation of seven Democrats who represent portions of Philadelphia in the 50-member Senate. Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s most populous county with more than 1.5 million residents.
“I am very honored that my fellow Philadelphia Democrats chose me to continue as the leader of our delegation,” Tartaglione said. “Serving in this role is a tremendous privilege and a major responsibility. Philadelphia is a great city, but it also faces many significant challenges. As chairwoman, I will have a strong opportunity to influence statewide policy while ensuring that the city’s needs are addressed.”
Senator Tartaglione was first elected to the Senate in 1994 representing the 2nd District and will be one of the three longest-serving senators during the 2019-20 session. She is the longtime minority chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee and was first selected as Philadelphia delegation chair for the 2017-18 legislative session, which is scheduled to adjourn Nov. 30.
“As a delegation, we have many important causes to advocate such as educating our children, growing the middle class through family-sustaining employment, eradicating the opioid epidemic, ensuring full access to healthcare, helping the needy and promoting social justice,” Tartaglione said. “I will continue to work hard to ensure that our delegation remains united in our mission to solve our problems and improve the lives of all Philadelphians.”
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Noviembre 8, 2018 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Noviembre 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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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Octubre 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 − Octubre 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 Miércoles, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m.
The Philadelphia Water Department is partnering with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Sustainable Business Network on the Rain Check program, which enables volunteer participants to obtain a free rain barrel for storm water collection, as well as reduced pricing for downspout planters, rain gardens, depaving, and permeable pavers.
“Storm-water management is a pressing environmental concern in the 2nd Senate District and throughout Philadelphia,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “The Rain Check program gives participating residents the knowledge and tools to relieve the burden on the city’s storm sewers during major rain events. The program helps to ease flooding and prevent pollution from spilling into our streams.”
The Nov. 14 workshop will last one hour and will be followed by a question and answer session. It will be held in the library’s downstairs meeting room. Visit www.pwdraincheck.org or call 215-988-1698 for information.
Also, The Frankford CDC is still accepting registrations for its Yard Tree Giveaway on Nov. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Frankford Pause Park, 4673 Paul St. (In case of rain, the event will be inside the Daral Building at 4667 Paul St.)
Registrants are eligible to receive a free tree suitable for planting in their yard. Trees must be planted in the ground, not in containers. They must planted on private property and not along the public sidewalk. Participants will also have access to free recycling bins and other sustainability resources. Contact Ellie Vamos at evamos.fcdc@gmail.com or 215-743-6580 ext. 105 to register.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Octubre 24, 2018 | News Releases
KYW Newsradio will host Flashpoint LIVE: Women Who Work! in Philadelphia this Jueves, Oct. 25. The public is invited to register.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Octubre 24, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione will be among the panelists in an event to be hosted by KYW Newsradio on Jueves, 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://senatortartaglione.com/live
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Octubre 19, 2018 | News Releases
Nearly 1,000 Carnell School children and their community will benefit from a more accessible, engaging and welcoming space for active play and learning.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Octubre 19, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione, State Rep. Jared Solomon and City Councilwoman Cherelle Parker joined School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite, leaders of the Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association and the Laura H. Carnell Elementary School community to present $250,000 in state and city funding for the development of much-needed green playspace that will provide nearly 1,000 Carnell students with new learning and active play opportunities.
The green playspace project is a partnership that seeks to transform Carnell’s empty asphalt schoolyard into a more welcoming community-centric space that engages students and families in safe, accessible, creative exercise. OCCCDA partnered with the Community Design Collaborative, along with students and parents, to design the playspace. This funding kicks off the process to bring this multi-phase project to life.
“I am very proud to join with Representative Solomon, Councilwoman Parker, the School District and the community on this project, which will benefit these young learners for many years to come,” Tartaglione said. “In an era when public schools in our cities face many challenges, this partnership is a shining example of what we can accomplish when we work together on the state, local and community levels toward a common goal. That goal is to provide our children with the education they deserve.”
“I am thrilled to be part of this great project team to help bring these kids at Carnell a beautiful new schoolyard,” Solomon said. “This has been a truly collaborative and inclusive process, and the final product is all the stronger because of that. These kids are going to have a great place to play, and I am excited to work with Councilwoman Parker and Senator Tartaglione to make this happen.”
Parker said: “By transforming this empty, asphalt schoolyard into an inviting and vibrant green play space, it will provide a safer, greener, more welcoming environment for our youth and families to actively learn and play. This growing and diverse community deserves a quality space, and it’s a pleasure to team up with Sen. Tartaglione, Rep. Solomon, the District and OCCCDA to help bring this vision to fruition.”
“The School District of Philadelphia is thrilled to have green schoolyards at a growing number of schools across the city, which will soon include Carnell Elementary School,” said Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent. “Not only will the green space at Carnell provide students the opportunity to play and exercise, but it will also offer a hands-on way for students to learn. These are the types of spaces all students should be able to utilize and we are working to make them more accessible throughout Philadelphia.”
“I believe that all children deserve access to a quality education,” said Anita Lyndaker-Studer, executive director of OCCCDA. “We have been working to support this vision through our Carnell Family Resource Center and are so excited to see the community vision for green play and learning space come to life in the designs from Stantech and the Community Design Collaborative. The DCED Greenways grant has been a true city and state supported initiative with the match provided by Councilwoman Parker and the full support of Representative Solomon and Senator Tartaglione moving the grant through the approval process. The village has truly spoken out on behalf of our children at Carnell and we thank you!”
The conceptual plans include a centrally located ground mural and running path intended to celebrate the cultural diversity of the student population. The basketball courts will include two basketball and two soccer goals and a 15-foot chain link fence behind the goals. Recycled rubber play surfaces and mounds will help to demarcate play areas between the younger and older students.
Additionally, a rock wall and play surface will allow students to strengthen body coordination, and an access pathway and ADA approved ramp will provide greater accessibility.
The total project cost is roughly $1 million. OCCCDA and Carnell are pursuing additional grants from the Philadelphia Water Department to fund stormwater management improvements (rain garden).
For video of the full news conference, visit: https://www.facebook.com/PHLCouncil/videos/321948021931479/
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For additional information contact:
Andrew Dalzell
Office of Rep. Jared G. Solomon
215-342-6340
ADalzell@pahouse.net
Solomon Leach
Office of Councilwoman Cherelle L. Parker
215-686-3455
Solomon.Leach@Phila.gov
by Christin Brown | Octubre 11, 2018 | News Releases
Senator Tartaglione concluded her annual Senior Expo series by helping hundreds of community members with information about aging-related topics.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Octubre 11, 2018 – The Fox Chase community welcomed State Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s annual Senior Expo with open arms today as hundreds of older adults and their caregivers gathered at Fox Chase Recreation Center for free health screenings and for information about an array of senior-specific topics such as healthcare, housing, accessibility for the disabled, financial services, estate preparation, consumer protection and crime prevention. Some folks even got their annual flu shots.
Dozens of exhibitors filled the rec center gymnasium representing public agencies, elected officials, private service providers and non-profit organizations that share a common goal of improving the lives of older people in the community. Today’s event was Senator Tartaglione’s third and final Senior Expo of the year. Previous expos at Mayfair Community Center (on Sept. 27) and St. Anne’s PAL Center (Oct. 4) also attracted large community responses.
“My Senior Expos are a tremendously effective community outreach because they help our presenters make a positive, meaningful impact on the lives of these seniors,” Tartaglione said. “Our visitors go from table to table and consult with exhibitors face-to-face about issues that are important to each individual person. They really appreciate being able to seek help for many different needs all in one place in the span of just a few hours. This is a convenient way for seniors to get answers to their many questions without leaving their own neighborhood.”
Although Senator Tartaglione’s annual Senior Expos series has concluded for 2018, planning is already underway to renew the popular program in Fall 2019.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at william.kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Octubre 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, Octubre 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 Jueves, Oct. 11, at Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to local seniors and their caregivers.
“Growing older can bring great joy to each of us, but it can also bring many new challenges,” Tartaglione said. “I’m thankful that there are so many organizations in our community that care about senior citizens and want to help them enjoy their Golden Years.”
Call the senator’s district office at 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 (Spanish) for information about the next Senior Expo.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at william.kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Octubre 3, 2018 | News Releases
La Rotonda Principal del Capitolio fue el escenario de la reunión anual del senador con organismos públicos y organizaciones privadas dedicadas a ayudar a las personas con discapacidad.
HARRISBURG, PA, 3 de octubre de 2018 - El Capitolio de Pensilvania se convirtió hoy en un recurso único para las personas que viven con discapacidades físicas y cognitivas, ya que una multitud de proveedores públicos y privados se reunieron en la Rotonda Principal para el Día Anual de Concientización sobre Discapacidad de la Senadora Estatal Christine Tartaglione.
Los expositores compartieron información sobre servicios y tecnologías de asistencia para ayudar a la senadora a dar el pistoletazo de salida al Mes Nacional de Concienciación sobre el Empleo de las Personas con Discapacidad.
"Las personas que viven con problemas físicos y cognitivos a menudo se enfrentan a una ardua batalla en su intento de trabajar, ir a la escuela y gestionar su vida cotidiana", dijo Tartaglione. "Afortunadamente, Pensilvania cuenta con muchos organismos públicos y organizaciones privadas cuya misión es ayudar a las personas discapacitadas a realizar su trabajo. Mi objetivo aquí es llevar estos recursos directamente a las personas que se beneficiarán de ellos."
Cientos de visitantes del Capitolio y transeúntes se detuvieron a charlar con expositores como la Oficina de Rehabilitación Profesional de Pensilvania, PA Assistive Technology, el Instituto de Discapacidades de la Universidad de Temple, AgrAbility PA, Einstein/Moss Rehab, Living Well Your Way, el Centro de Vida Independiente de Pensilvania Central, United Cerebral Palsy y Uniquesource. También conocieron a un par de hermosos compañeros de vida de Susquehanna Service Dogs. Estas agencias y organizaciones ofrecen herramientas y programas que ayudan a las personas discapacitadas a maximizar su potencial en el mundo laboral y en sus comunidades.
"Las personas con discapacidad desempeñan un papel vital en la mano de obra de Pennsylvania y se les debe dar todas las oportunidades para participar", dijo Tartaglione. "Mi Día anual de Concienciación sobre Discapacidad es una gran manera para que los defensores de la red con los electores a los que sirven."
El Día de la Concienciación sobre la Discapacidad se celebró un día después de que el Senado aprobara por unanimidad la resolución de Tartaglione para reconocer octubre como el Mes Nacional de la Concienciación sobre el Empleo de los Discapacitados en la Commonwealth. La observancia llama la atención sobre cuestiones de empleo de personas con discapacidad y celebra las contribuciones de los trabajadores con discapacidad. El tema de este año es la fuerza de trabajo de Estados Unidos: Capacitar a todos.
La senadora Tartaglione ha sido durante mucho tiempo una de las principales defensoras de las personas con discapacidad en Pensilvania. Su papel fue decisivo en la creación de la Oficina Estatal para Personas con Discapacidad, que sirve como fuente de información sobre las numerosas agencias estatales y de condado que ofrecen servicios a las personas que necesitan ayuda en su vida diaria.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Octubre 2, 2018 | News Releases
The senator’s annual Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol will highlight ways that people with disabilities can contribute meaningfully in the workplace and beyond.
HARRISBURG, PA, Octubre 2, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously adopted Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s resolution recognizing Octubre as Disability Employment Awareness Month in the Commonwealth. Tartaglione will kick off the month-long campaign tomorrow, Oct. 3, when she hosts her annual Disability Awareness Day in the Capitol’s Main Rotunda.
Pennsylvania’s observance coincides with National Disability Awareness Month and shares the same goals: to call attention to disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is America’s Workforce: Empowering All.
“Twenty-eight years ago, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities,” Tartaglione said. “Today, millions of Americans are living with disabilities, including many military veterans – and including myself. We deserve the opportunity to work productively, to support ourselves financially and to contribute to the economic prosperity of our society.”
Senator Tartaglione urged all employers, labor organizations and community groups to participate in Disability Employment Awareness Month in any number of ways. Companies or employees may hang a commemorative poster at the workplace or do something more elaborate, like implementing a disability education program. For more ideas and resources, visit the U.S. Department of Labor website here: https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/
More disability employment resources will be available to visitors to the Capitol’s Main Rotunda this Miércoles, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., when Senator Tartaglione will host her annual Disability Awareness Day. Exhibitors will share information about assistive technologies, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, service animals and many other topics.
“Together, we can help foster a more inclusive workforce where people are recognized not for their limitations, but for their abilities,” Tartaglione said.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Octubre 2, 2018 | News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Octubre 2, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione invites older Philadelphians and their primary caregivers to the second of her three annual Senior Expos this Jueves 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 Jueves, Oct. 11, at Fox Chase Recreation Center. Media coverage is encouraged.
Jueves, Oct. 4: St. Anne’s Rectory-PAL Center, 2328 E. Lehigh Ave., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jueves, 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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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o por correo electrónico en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
