by Christin Brown | October 18, 2022 | feature, News Releases
Harrisburg, PA − October 18th, 2022 – Sen. Christine Tartaglione today hosted Disability Awareness Day in the Pennsylvania Capitol to highlight October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.
Tartaglione, the longest-serving disabled member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, hosted the event to allow advocacy organizations, along with public and private providers, to share information about assistive services and technology. All members of the legislature and the public were invited to attend.
“People living with physical and cognitive challenges face an uphill battle every day simply accessing everyday essentials let alone meaningful employment,” said Tartaglione. “Events like Disability Awareness Day allow my colleagues to come and truly appreciate the challenges facing disabled Pennsylvanians every day.”
Tartaglione has been using a wheelchair since a boating accident in 2003. She has long been a leading advocate in Pennsylvania for people with disabilities and 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.
Organizations that shared information included the Center for Independent Living of Central PA, Susquehanna Service Dogs, PA Department of Aging, PA Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services and PA Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, AgrAbility PA, UniqueSource Products and Services, United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA, TechOwl, PA Link, United Spinal Association, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, PA Assistive Technology Foundation, and Moss Rehab/Einstein now a part of Jefferson Health.
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by Christin Brown | July 8, 2022 | feature, News Releases
Harrisburg, PA – July 8, 2022 – On Friday, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the $44 billion Fiscal Year 2022-2023 (FY 22-23) Budget and related code bills, which are awaiting Governor Wolf’s signature.
“This budget is both a great step forward in its historic investment in education funding, with a record $1.1 billion increase in education funding and $190 million heading to the School District of Philadelphia. It was also a missed opportunity to make meaningful and substantive change in Pennsylvanians’ lives – we failed to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage or close the Delaware loophole, and we redirected gaming revenue away from helping Pennsylvanians afford their property taxes and toward Pennsylvania’s General Fund,” said Senator Christine Tartaglione.
House Bill 1342, the Pennsylvania Tax Code for FY 22-23, which Sen. Tartaglione voted ‘NO’ on, will slowly lower the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNI) from 9.99% to 4.99% in 2031. It failed to address the needs of employees earning an inadequate minimum wage or close the Delaware loophole which would prevent corporations from moving profits to subsidiaries in neighboring Delaware and not paying their fair share in taxes.
“150 days ago, Governor Wolf delivered his final Budget Address to the General Assembly. During his Address, he spoke about the need to address the CNI but doing so while raising the minimum wage and closing the Delaware loophole. But today, the majority party lowered the CNI while leaving behind the lowest earners in Pennsylvania.” said Sen Tartaglione.
Other programs and initiatives receiving funding include investments of $125 million for the Whole Home Repair program, $100 million for Adult Mental Health Support, $90 million for Childcare Assistance, and $75 million for Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs.
A more detailed breakdown of Pennsylvania’s FY 22-23 budget can be found here.
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by Christin Brown | June 27, 2022 | feature, News Releases
HARRISBURG, June 27, 2022 − Seven members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus circulated a memo on Friday afternoon to take steps to codify into state law the personal right to make decisions about health and reproduction, including access to safe and legal abortions.
The co-sponsorship memo was circulated by state Senators Katie Muth (D- Montgomery/Chester/Berks), Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware), Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny), Maria Collett (D-Bucks/Montgomery), Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), and Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester).
“The Supreme Court decision handed down on Friday was not made in the interest of the people and shows that the highest court in our nation has a majority that is being run by harmful right wing special interests,” Muth said. “If we cannot trust the Court to protect the rights of Pennsylvanians, then it is up to us in the state legislature to defend our rights to make decisions about our own bodies. We cannot and we will never back down in the fight to protect our rights, our bodies, and our right to choice.”
The legislation comes on the heels of the devastating ruling handed down by a partisan Supreme Court on Friday that overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling and eliminates the constitutional right to an abortion after almost 50 years.
“Codifying Roe will go a long way to protect the right to determine our own bodily autonomy here in the Commonwealth. Currently, the right to make decisions about our own bodies is under threat because extremists refuse to accept the reality that abortion is a necessary and vital health care procedure,” Cappelletti said. “We must do all that we can to protect and even expand access, and this legislation is the first step to doing so.”
In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that abortion rights being left to the individual states was a violation of the right to privacy and equal protection under the law. This ruling had provided American women the reproductive freedoms and personal health choices they deserve as equal citizens.
“Last week’s Supreme Court ruling took away the federal right for millions of Americans to seek life-saving reproductive healthcare. Abortion is only legal in Pennsylvania right now because the anti-choice bills run by Republicans in the legislature have been vetoed by the governor. The time is now to codify Roe into state law to ensure that reproductive healthcare remains safe and accessible for future generations,” Williams added. “Deciding if, when, and with whom to start or grow a family is a human right. I trust people to make the best decisions about their lives, families and their healthcare. This legislation is about our right to privacy and our right to bodily autonomy and I am proud to support it.”
In the dissenting opinion filed on Friday, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer wrote that “withdrawing a woman’s right to choose whether to continue a pregnancy does not mean that no choice is being made. It means that a majority of today’s Court has wrenched this choice from women and given it to the States. To allow a State to exert control over one of “the most intimate and personal choices” a woman may make is not only to affect the course of her life, monumental as those effects might be.”
“After nearly 50 years of legal precedent, we are seeing nothing less than a rollback of our fundamental rights to bodily autonomy. This ruling could be devastating to Pennsylvanians, but it does not have to be,” Collett added. “Our legislature must codify Roe v. Wade and ensure safe, legal, and accessible reproductive care for everyone, regardless of their income level or other social barriers.”
According to April 2022 polling done by Franklin & Marshall College, which has regularly polled on the issue since 2009, only 16 percent of Pennsylvanians believe that abortion should be illegal in all circumstances.
“Without Roe, state legislatures across the country will be lining up to restrict, ban or protect abortion access. Given that only 30% of Pennsylvanians agree with the overturning of Roe, I believe this legislation will do what our constituents expect us to do – protect access to abortion,” Schwank said. “We can’t allow the people of this commonwealth’s personal health care decisions to be made by a vocal minority.”
The Senators all agree that it is up to the legislature to step up and take action to protect women’s freedom of choice.
“While abortion currently remains safe and legal in Pennsylvania, we must take steps to keep it that way. In overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court showed just how fragile protections for women’s health, women’s rights, and women’s choice are,” Comitta said. “Codifying these protections into law is a matter of representing the majority of Pennsylvania voters who believe abortion should be legal, standing up for all women, and saying no to an extremist agenda of government-mandated pregnancy.”
The Senators indicated that language is currently being drafted to codify the protections of the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling into Pennsylvania law and that it will be introduced soon.
“We just witnessed an unprecedented repeal of the rights of women in America by activist justices acting against the interest of the majority of Americans. Pennsylvania’s legislature needs to act now to ensure we protect the rights of women here in Pennsylvania,” Tartaglione said. “This legislation will ensure women retain the right to safe abortions and protects women from having the government interfere in the private decision-making process between her and her healthcare team.”
Click here to read the co-sponsorship memo that was circulated on Friday.
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by Christin Brown | June 24, 2022 | feature, News Releases
Harrisburg − June 24, 2022 − Co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC) and members of the Pennsylvania State Senate Democratic Caucus criticized today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The ruling by the court not only upheld a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks but also goes further and overturns both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, opening the door for states to outright ban or severely restrict abortion.
The ruling eliminates the constitutional right to an abortion recognized by the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Since a draft of the opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito was leaked and its authenticity subsequently confirmed by the court, advocacy groups, elected officials, and stakeholders have been issuing dire warnings about what such a radical decision would mean and the detrimental impact it would have on the health of millions of Americans.
After today’s decision, the 13 states that passed trigger laws now have bans or severe restrictions already enshrined into law, leaving millions of Americans without access to abortion immediately. Arkansas, Idaho and Oklahoma law now criminalizes abortion with penalties ranging from 5 to ten years in prison.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is absolutely gutting and a severe blow to women across the country,” said WHC co-chair Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th). “We have a maternal mortality crisis in the commonwealth and the U.S. that will only be furthered by this reckless and ideologically driven decision. Our goal now needs to be preserving the access Pennsylvanians currently have to reproductive health care that will no doubt be subject to renewed attacks in the state legislature.”
“The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a devastating decision that will impact millions of women and child-bearing individuals across the country,” said WHC co-chair Sen. Amanda Cappelletti. “Women and child-bearing individuals are not second-class citizens. Bodily autonomy is a human right and abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania. I will do everything in my power to ensure it stays that way here in our commonwealth.”
“Despite today’s decision, here in Pennsylvania, we have to ensure that we maintain the right to legal and safe abortion access and that we continue fighting for women and families across the state for this option,” said WHC co-chair Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-192nd). “Limiting access to abortion healthcare will only exacerbate the maternal health care deserts that we’ve seen across our state and worsen the burden of the decisions that women and families need to make during this challenging time in their lives.”
“This decision is not only an extreme disappointment, but it is completely out of step with what the majority of Americans support, including here in Pennsylvania,” said State Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-43rd). “When reproductive rights are threatened, women’s health care on all levels is at risk. Instead of restricting health care for women, Senate Democrats are committed to making the healthcare system work even better for women and their specific health needs. Instead of stripping women of their rights and opening the door for others to lose fundamental rights as well, Senate Democrats will use our positions to identify real health challenges and solutions for women in this Commonwealth. Proactive, unbiased, convenient, and supportive healthcare should easily be a reality for women, and we will continue to make it a priority.”
“It’s a very scary day for our country,” said Sen. Katie Muth (D-44th). “This decision shows that the highest court in the land now includes radical politics into their decision-making process. This is what happens when the bench is stacked by a President who was unfit to serve the public. Now, we must take our anger and turn it into action, and hold every elected official accountable because we will never back down in the fight to protect our rights, our bodies, and our right to choice.”
“While this decision was expected, it is no less devastating,” said Sen. Maria Collett (D-12th). “Without Roe, what happens in the Pennsylvania legislature is more important than ever, and members of the Republican majority have already moved unpopular bills that turn back the clock and effectively ban all abortion. We need to be expanding access to healthcare across our commonwealth, not eliminating it, and I will continue to fight to ensure women can control their own medical decisions.”
“Fundamentally, the SCOTUS’ decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is an attack on every person’s constitutional right to make decisions about their bodies and reproductive health,” said Sen. Tim Kearney (D-26th). “Research shows that limiting access to abortions will cause more harm, inequities, and possibly deaths—especially for the poor and communities vulnerable to health disparities or lack of adequate healthcare. Now Pennsylvania must take the necessary steps to protect abortion rights. The onus will fall on our Commonwealth, and voters this coming election to select candidates whose policy positions align with their own. We must do what we can to ensure that Pennsylvanians continue to have access to safe and legal abortions.”
“To say I am disappointed in this decision would be a tremendous understatement,” said Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-19th). “This ruling from the Supreme Court is a blatant attack on the personal freedoms, reproductive rights, and access to healthcare of women across the nation. Abortion is healthcare. Decisions women make about their own bodies should only be between them and their doctors. Today’s ruling will stand as an organizing call to redouble our efforts to protect reproductive rights and access to vital women’s healthcare in Pennsylvania and across the U.S.”
“I am appalled and disappointed in the Supreme Court for overturning decades of precedent and nearly overnight rolling back generations of work that had been hard-fought and won,” said Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-2nd). “Make no mistake, the Supreme Court today did not end abortions in the United States, they ended safe abortions in the United States. We must now continue the fight that so many have been fighting for years and elect pro-choice, pro-women candidates this fall. We must now act to ensure and enshrine in Pennsylvania law the right to access abortion care for all women.”
Collectively, the WHC co-chairs are now expressing the importance of organizing around abortion rights and moving to preserve the access to abortion that is currently available in Pennsylvania.
As of now, abortion remains safe and legal in Pennsylvania, however, Pennsylvania House and Senate Republicans have signaled they will move aggressively to ban or restrict abortion in the commonwealth.
They’re currently floating the possibility of moving a vaguely worded constitutional amendment stating that there is no constitutional right to an abortion in Pennsylvania through both chambers to circumvent a veto. The constitutional amendment could be placed on the ballot as early as the 2023 primary election.
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by Christin Brown | June 15, 2022 | feature, News Releases
Harrisburg, PA – June 15, 2022 – Today, Senate Bill 617, legislation sponsored by Senator Christine Tartaglione, which would extend federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections to siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren in certain and specific cases passed the Senate by a vote of 47-3. The passage comes one day after the bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously.
“This is an important step forward for the workers of Pennsylvania.” Said Tartaglione. “Ensuring workers can take care of their family and loved ones without having to sacrifice their professional life and career provides workers with the needed assurance that, if need be, they can provide care and support to the people around them without being forced out of the workforce.”
This legislation provides up to six weeks of protected, unpaid leave to an employee so that they may care for a sibling, grandparent, or grandchild with a certified terminal illness if such sibling, grandparent, or grandchild has no living spouse, no child over 17 years of age or no parent under 65 years of age.
This legislation was championed by Anne Marie Pearson since her sister Joanne became terminally ill in 2008. Anne was forced to choose between caring for her sister or keeping her job since she was not covered by the current FMLA rules, and no other family member was able to care for Joanne.
“I want to thank my colleagues for their support of the workers like Anne and their families like Joanne that are in all corners of Pennsylvania. Ensuring workers don’t need to choose between their jobs and their families is good for all Pennsylvanians.” Said Tartaglione.
Senate Bill 617 now heads to the Pennsylvania House for its consideration.
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by Christin Brown | May 19, 2022 | feature, News Releases
Harrisburg, Pa. − May 19, 2022 − State Senators Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) and Tina Tartaglione (D-2 Philadelphia) will soon introduce legislation to make commonsense improvements to our outdated Unemployment Compensation (UC) laws and allow claims to be processed faster.
“Since the onset of COVID-19, my office has helped thousands of constituents navigate an overwhelmed unemployment system,” said Senator Collett. “The pandemic exposed many problems with Pennsylvania’s UC system, some which will require time, money and bipartisan agreement to correct and others – like abolishing the waiting week – that can be quickly resolved by simply cutting through the red tape. I’ve heard directly from my constituents how eliminating the waiting week could help their families. Pennsylvanians contribute to the unemployment system every time they clock in for their shift – they deserve a UC system which works for them right away because bills don’t disappear as quickly as work can.”
As Pennsylvania’s unemployment rates continue to decline and stress on the UC system eases, now is the time to conduct reviews and make changes to ensure residents can access the benefits they are entitled to.
“It’s no secret that Pennsylvanians need help. Our Commonwealth’s Unemployment System helps struggling families to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads,” said Senator Tartaglione. “This commonsense legislation will remove the roadblocks and red-tape that keep our neighbors from accessing help in a timely manner.”
Collett & Tartaglione’s bill will address some of the most common roadblocks in the UC claims process by:
- Permanently eliminating the “waiting week” that makes claimants ineligible for benefits during the first week of unemployment.
- Eliminating credit weeks from the process of verifying income, which too regularly causes delays in benefits and confusion amongst employers and claimants.
- Eliminating severance pay requirements to minimize the occurrence of claims being sent to UC examiners for review, which further delays claims processing.
- Streamlining the Shared Work Program to help claimants access benefits in a timelier manner.
- Improving the stability of the UC Trust Fund by aligning the solvency definition and trigger percentage with federal policy.
This is companion legislation to HB 549, introduced by Representatives Gerald J. Mullery and Liz Hanbidge.
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by Christin Brown | April 22, 2022 | feature, News Releases
Philadelphia, Pa., – April 22, 2022 – Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-2) announced today that $11.75 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants are being awarded to projects across Philadelphia.
“The projects awarded grants today will benefit the residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding communities from all walks of life,” said Sen. Tartaglione. “From expanding educational access and medical care to addiction recovery services, these grants will help better countless lives and continue to grow our local economy, and I am honored to have advocated for each and every one of them.”
The RACP grant process is highly competitive, and only a small number of applications are funded. Programs receiving funding include:
- Albert Einstein Healthcare Network – $1,000,000 to renovate space to include apartments for overnight stays. Space will be outfitted to provide intensive outpatient care for former military personnel, first responders, and retired professional athletes who have sustained traumatic brain injuries.
- Impact Services- $2,500,000 to develop the A & Indiana Campus including renovation of an existing 150,000 SF Mill Building into mixed-use spaces including affordable housing and a multi-tenant community serving building. The property will be renovated subject to Historic requirements and fit out for the identified tenants. The renovations will include all new systems, floors, historic windows, roofing, elevators, stairs, and finishes. The project will also include completion of site work and parking for access to the building.
- New Kensington Community Development Corporation – $1,500,000 to acquire 8 properties in a 0.75-mile stretch of Kensington Avenue and transform them into avenue “anchors”. Plans include the renovation of 3000 Kensington and 3134-36 Kensington, which each have existing buildings; 2964 and 2968 Kensington Avenue to allow these vacant lots to be used for outdoor programming; and 2713-2719 Kensington Avenue so it can serve as a gateway to the Avenue, a plaza for artists and entrepreneurs, and an access point to the future Richmond Industrial Trail.
- Drexel University – $1,000,000 to create and consolidate spaces for Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions and the teaching functions of the College of Medicine to the University City campus and fund improvements to St. Christophers Hospital.
- Nueva Esperanza, Inc.—$3,000,000 to build a new elementary school to provide a high-quality educational experience for up to 800 students from kindergarten to fifth grade.
- Temple University Hospital, Inc.—$1,000,000 to renovate vacant space on the TUHEC campus to expand services available for treating addiction in multiple levels of care.
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
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by Christin Brown | April 21, 2022 | feature, News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, PA − April 21, 2022 – Senator Tartaglione today announced $3 million in grant money directed to the 2nd Senatorial District for the development of multi-modal transportation along North 5th St. in the Huntington Park Neighborhood in Philadelphia.
The $3 million grant was awarded through the Multimodal Transportation Fund to help develop North 5th St.’s vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation infrastructure and create a safer pedestrian corridor.
“The Governor’s investment will expand safe transportation options for pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists that use these streets every day,” said Sen. Tartaglione “As our city continues to grow, the competition for space between bicyclists and pedestrians, and cars can is only going to grow. The Multimodal Transportation Fund is helping protect the people using our streets that aren’t doing so in vehicles”
Nueva Esperanza, Inc., who was awarded the $3 million grant, plans to use the funds to transform street, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation infrastructure on North 5th Street in Philadelphia’s Hunting Park neighborhood, to advance ongoing economic development by creating a safer, pedestrian-friendly corridor.
This grant is a part of the Multimodal Transportation Fund, which was created in Act 89 of 2013.
PennDOT evaluated the applications and made selections based on such criteria as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.
Additionally, PennDOT anticipates accepting Multimodal Transportation Fund applications in fall 2022 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 funding. For more information about the program, visit www.penndot.pa.gov and click on Multimodal Program under the “Projects & Programs” button.
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by Christin Brown | April 14, 2022 | feature, News Releases
Philadelphia – April 14th, 2022 – Today, State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-2) announced three Northeast Philadelphia organizations were awarded $75,000 in Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
“An investment in the safety and security of our communities is an investment in our collective future,” said Sen. Tartaglione. “I am thankful to the governor for prioritizing these organizations and ensuring the safety of those that live, worship, and congregate in our city and across our state.”
The three organizations in Northeast Philadelphia awarded funding are:
- Northeast Philadelphia Development Corporation, $25,000
- Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia, $25,000
- Philadelphia Chinese Chamber of Commerce, $25,000
The grants awarded are a part of a larger funding announcement that will send more than $650,000 to 21 organizations across the City of Philadelphia and $5.23 million to 120 churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other nonprofit organizations across the state.
Organizations can receive funding for safety and security planning, safety and security equipment and technology, training, building upgrades, vulnerability and threat assessments, and other security enhancements.
More information regarding the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program and how to apply can be found on PCCD’s website.
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by Christin Brown | March 18, 2022 | feature, News Releases
Philadelphia − March 18, 2022 – Today Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-2) was joined by Senator Sharif Street (D-3) and Representative Stephen Kinsey (D-201) to present officials from Einstein Health Network with a $1 million mock check to expand the Emergency Department at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia.
The $1 million grant was awarded via the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). RACP grants are awarded to assist in the acquisition or construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
“Einstein Medical Center has been a great partner of Philadelphia and our entire region as a whole,” said Sen. Tartaglione. “The grant, which comes from a highly competitive pool of applicants, is going to allow Einstein to continue to be a leader in the medical care of our communities.”
The project will expand the Emergency Department and create a new Observation Unit and Trauma Family Room at the Einstein Philadelphia, which is now a part of Jefferson Health.
“We are tremendously grateful for this support for the construction of our new Einstein Philadelphia Observation Unit and our new Trauma Family Room,” said Dr. Elizabeth Datner, MD, FACEP Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Einstein Healthcare Network. “These resources will allow us to continue providing state of the art clinical care for our patients during times when short hospital stays are necessary, and to offer a designated area for concerned family members and loved ones to be together and to consult with care teams during extremely difficult times. Both of these projects will bolster our unfaltering commitment to Einstein’s mission of serving the needs of our community.”
More information about RACP grants awarded and how to apply can be found here.
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by Christin Brown | January 20, 2022 | feature, News Releases
HARRISBURG, January 20, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) and Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) to host a virtual public hearing on the recovery challenges associated with substance use disorder.
“Today’s hearing was an opportunity to hear about what we are currently doing here in Pennsylvania and whether our current treatment system is providing positive outcomes for those in recovery from substance use disorder – and more importantly, if it is not working, how can we improve our systems and programs,” Muth said. “We need to ensure that the Commonwealth and our treatment and recovery programs are effective and are providing the best means for sustained, lifelong recovery.”
The virtual policy hearing featured three panels of expert testimony that focused on funding issues faced by the recovery community; the oversight of recovery houses in Pennsylvania; and the challenges with relapsing during recovery from substance use disorder.
“This issue is personal for me – I’ve been sober for almost 40 years. And I know firsthand how difficult recovery is,” Kane said. “Individuals in recovery are facing massive challenges. But as legislators, we have the chance to make that journey a little bit easier. I’m grateful to all the panelists who testified at today’s hearing, and I’m looking forward to getting to work to make sure safe and effective recovery options are available for everyone.”
It is estimated that Pennsylvania is set to receive up to $232 million of the $26 billion global opioid settlement in 2022 and up to $1 billion total over the next 18 years. Of that funding, nearly 70 percent of all funds will be distributed to county authorities to fund initiatives that include medication-assisted treatment, naloxone distribution and services for pregnant and parenting persons suffering from opioid use disorder.
“Having been in recovery for more than 18 years, I know first-hand how important it is to ensure people in recovery have the resources they need as soon as they reach out for help,” Tartaglione added. “The 2nd Senatorial District is no stranger to the challenges substance abuse brings. My community, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania as a whole need to know that there are elected officials that are dedicated to helping end substance abuse and to expanding access to treatment. The hearing today has helped to open people’s eyes to how crucial timely treatment is.”
Testifiers at today’s hearing included Jennifer Smith, Secretary, PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP); Bill Stauffer, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance (PRO-A); Deb Beck, President, (Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of PA (DASPOP); Jessica Molavi, Clinical Manager of Specialty Programs at Mirmont Treatment Center; and Adam Al-Asad and Sarah Laurel from Savage Sisters Recovery.
All submitted testimony from today’s hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy
# # #
Testimony
Panel 1: Recovery Funding
Panel 2: Oversight of Recovery Houses
Panel 3: Chronic Relapsing
Additional Written Testimony
by Christin Brown | December 20, 2021 | feature, News Releases
PHILADELPHIA – December 20, 2021 − State Senator Christine Tartaglione was joined by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR), Councilmember Cherelle Parker (9th District), and Representative Jared Solomon’s Office, to celebrate the opening of new basketball and futsal courts and toddler playground at Tarken Recreation Center in Oxford Circle.
“The Tarken Rec Center has been an important part of the Oxford Circle neighborhood as well as the Greater Philadelphia community for decades,” said Senator Christine Tartaglione. “The renovations to the basketball and futsal courts as well as the playground are a shining example of the greatness of Philadelphia parks.”
“Parks & Rec is working hard to expand access to athletic recreation for our city’s youth,” said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “The new courts and playground here at Tarken provide a safe place to play for all ages. We thank Councilmember Parker, Representative Solomon, and Senator Tartaglione, for all of their support in this project.”
Two former tennis courts at the Tarken Recreation Center were converted into two futsal courts, complete with new goals and a divider. The basketball court was completely refurbished, with new basketball hoops and a polycarbonate backboard. These brightly painted courts are part of PPR’s ongoing efforts to provide Philadelphia youth’s access to more high quality athletic recreation facilities.
New up-to-date play equipment and safety surface were installed in the 2-5 year old play area.
The nearly $500,000 project was made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservancy Fund.
“Our neighborhoods thrive when there are strong public spaces where our families can learn, play, and gather together safely,” said Councilmember Cherelle Parker. “The improvements at Tarken Rec Center are a direct reflection of local and state leaders working together to invest in communities and people, and to create spaces where people can do all of those things. As this community continues to grow and evolve, we are working collectively to ensure that our rec centers, libraries and parks are equipped to meet the needs of the people, of all ages, who call this neighborhood home.”
“Government works best when we do things together,” said Representative Jared Solomon. “We are building community by uniting local and state government together, all working to revitalize our community. We are creating a safe, creative, and dynamic space where families can come and build relationships to create bonds that will make for a stronger neighborhood.”
“I look forward to all the pick-up games, practices, and tournaments that will take place on these courts. More courts means more opportunities for kids to join teams, learn new skills, and have fun. Facilities like these are crucial to the health and wellness of the Tarken community,” said Tygh Kane, site supervisor at Tarken Recreation Center.
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by Christin Brown | December 6, 2021 | feature, News Releases
HARRISBURG, December 6, 2021 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione D-Philadelphia today announced $10 million in state grants were awarded to North and Northeast Philadelphia for redevelopment projects.
Tartaglione announced the funding, which is awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, will provide grants to projects that will expand medical access, recreation space, career development and employment opportunities.
“These grants will go to projects that each will greatly benefit the North and Northeast communities.” Sen. Tartaglione said. “These funds will enable the expansion and renovation of hospital spaces, education opportunities, recreation facilities and businesses in our neighborhoods.”
Projects in the 2nd Senatorial District that won funding are:
Temple University Hospital, Jeanes Campus Emergency Room Expansion
$1,000,000 to expand the existing ED footprint by 3,500 SF, adding 8 additional treatment rooms to accommodate closure of the Elkins Park ED located 1 mile away. The design will be scalable in the event additional treatment rooms are needed. This will be new construction built on land contiguous with the existing ED.
Friends of Father Judge High School, Inc., FJHS Centers for Career & Technical Education and Special Education II
$1,000,000 to construct the Career Pathways Academy Building, a state-of-the-art 20,000 SF, 2-story building to deliver high-level vocational education and workforce development. The current 3-story vacant structure on campus will be knocked down to make room for the new structure. It will have a massive common area for multiple trade disciplines to be taught simultaneously, while 3 classrooms and additional breakout spaces would be created on the first floor. The second floor will have additional workshop spaces, offices for instructors, and an observation deck for Administrators.
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Einstein Medical Center ED Observation Unit and Trauma Expansion
$1,000,000 for the expansion of our Emergency Department observation bays and renovation of existing space to accommodate a Trauma Family Waiting Room. The Medical Records department will be moved to the 3rd floor of Korman to make room for additional observation beds. For the Trauma Waiting Room we are extending the building out onto an existing sidewalk at our front lobby. The security upgrade will consist of the installation of a new turnstile system.
Charles Jacquin Et Cie, Inc., Renewing Pennsylvania’s Oldest Distillery
$1,500,000 to renovate Jacquin’s facilities, creating employee parking, upgrading the security system camera and lighting, repairing the sidewalk, installing a panic device and emergency egress, enhancing security access, replacing fences and improving the permeation tunnels. It will also fix rooftops, restore and add new chillers and a high efficiency boiler, add a quality assurance lab and teaching room, realign conveyors, and upgrade several controls. The appearance of the overall facility will be enhanced and restored by interior and exterior paint and window and fencing replacement.
City of Philadelphia – Rebuild, Lawncrest Recreation Center
$2,000,000 to renovate the existing 21,000 SF Lawncrest Recreation Center building, adjacent accessory buildings, and swimming pool area and include the creation of an ADA accessible route within the building via a ramped hallway and building extension. The Recreation Building interior will be renovated. Improvements to the grounds include the playground, sport courts, sidewalk improvements, site landscaping/lighting, and site accessibility upgrades.
Kinder Academy Development Organization, LLC, Trinity PAL Center II
$1,000,000 to construct a new state-of-the-art, historically compatible facility to house the return of the Gibbons PAL program and other community outreach initiatives. Initial construction plans include stormwater management improvements; hazardous material abatement; utilities; permits; security and access control systems; concrete slab; and site remediation. Ultimately, the space created will encompass a basketball court with high ceiling, homework rooms, restrooms, and office space for program officers.
Police Athletic League of Philadelphia, Samuel D. Cozen PAL Center & Scattered Sites
$1,000,000 to construct, renovate, and/or improve six PAL locations: 2128 W. Ontario St.: site preparation and construction of a new PAL Center; 851 E. Tioga St: HVAC, safety, and efficiency upgrades, and structural improvements; 5330 Germantown Ave: HVAC, safety, and efficiency upgrades, and construction of a zero-maintenance athletic field; 2524 E. Clearfield St: HVAC, safety, and efficiency upgrades, and structural improvements; 124 E. Indiana Ave: build-out of a PAL Center within the empty warehouse space; 2601 N. 11th St: HVAC, safety, and efficiency upgrades, and space renovations.
Cardone Industries, Inc., Operation Rocky
$500,000 to transform the existing warehouse space into a production area, convert/add lighting, set up computer network, add required electrical, add office space, move and install production equipment.
Impact Services Corp., A & Indiana Campus Project
$1,000,000 to develop the A & Indiana Campus including renovation of an existing 150,000 SF Mill Building into mixed-use spaces including affordable housing and a multi-tenant community serving building. The property will be renovated subject to Historic requirements and fit out for the identified tenants. The renovations will include all new systems, floors, historic windows, roofing, elevators, stairs and finishes. The project will also include completion of site work and parking for access to the building.
RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenue or other measures of economic activity.
More information on RACP funding can be found here.
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by Christin Brown | November 19, 2021 | feature, News Releases
Philadelphia, PA − November 19, 2021 − State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione joined Gov. Tom Wolf as well as legislative colleagues and labor leaders today in Philadelphia to highlight the governor’s recent executive action and to call upon the legislature to finally pass legislation that supports and protects workers.
The governor’s order requires all businesses that receive grants or contracts from the commonwealth to provide its workers paid sick leave and pay no less than the $13.50/hour minimum wage for state employees. That wage, for state employees and contractors, will reach $15 on July 1, 2024.
“The governor’s recent action providing guaranteed paid leave, safer workplaces, and increased worker pay for employees of businesses that receive grants or contracts from the commonwealth is a great start.” Tartaglione said. “But we cannot let it end there. We currently have legislation pending in the senate that would codify these orders into law for all workers of this commonwealth.”
“Legislation like Senate Bills 12 and 310, which I have introduced, would raise the minimum wage for all workers in our commonwealth and extend Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety rules to all public employees. These are commonsense issues which would raise wages for nearly 700,000 workers as well as make all workplaces safer.”
Tartaglione and Wolf were joined at a news conference in Philadelphia by Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier, members of the House and Senate Philadelphia Delegation, as well as members of Council 13 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
For more information on Gov. Wolf’s executive order visit his website. More information regarding Sen. Tartaglione’s legislation SB 12 and SB 310 is also available.
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by Christin Brown | November 15, 2021 | feature, News Releases
PHILADELPHIA − November 15, 2021 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senators Nikil Saval, John Kane, Christine Tartaglione and Lindsey Williams to host a public hearing to discuss issues related to worker misclassification in Pennsylvania.
“Worker misclassification isn’t just about building trades or construction, this issue impacts a whole segment of our workforce that deserves to be protected and paid fairly by their employers,” Senator Muth said. “I appreciate all of my colleagues and the panelists that participated today to shine a light on another instance of corporate greed – employers that are prioritizing profits over workers. It is time that we stand up for our workers in the state Senate.”
The Senate Democratic Policy Committee heard from several panelists at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Building in Philadelphia who all discussed the problems workers are face with when they are misclassified by their employers. The Keystone Research Center indicates that if Pennsylvania has rates of misclassification in the construction industry comparable to those in other states, it loses about $10 million in unemployment insurance taxes, at least $15 million in income tax revenues (and possibly three times as much), as much as $83 million in workers compensation premiums, and $200 million in federal income taxes.
“Worker misclassification is pervasive, and the resulting damages cut across all sectors of employment and all facets of our communities. Pennsylvania is a labor state with a long history of protecting workers’ rights, and it’s imperative that we continue this work in our swiftly changing economy,” Senator Saval said. “Just as companies that exploit workers can take these practices from state to state, Pennsylvania can create a model for worker protections that other states can adopt. How we approach this right now will impact the future of work.”
The hearing featured representation from various regional and statewide labor unions, including the Steamfitters Local 420, Painters DC21, Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, PA AFL-CIO, and the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. Senator John Kane spent four decades as a union plumber prior to serving in the Senate and also served for twelve years as the Business Manager for one of the largest plumbers’ unions in the Commonwealth.
“My members earned good, family-sustaining wages and had good benefits. They had protections for workplace injuries and safe working conditions. When workers are misclassified as independent contractors, they lose these protections,” Senator Kane said. “I want to be clear – the misclassification of workers is a form of theft, plain and simple. Businesses cut costs to help their bottom line, and our workers pay the price. It’s long past time we took action to end worker misclassification, and I’m grateful to all our panelists for sharing their perspective in today’s hearing.”
The hearing also highlighted the worker misclassification issues experienced by workers in the app-based gig economy and discussed potential policy solutions to address the issue of worker misclassification. One bill discussed was Senate Bill 879 which was introduced by Senator Saval. This bill would hold general contractors responsible for paying any employees up and down a worksite, even if they are hired by a subcontractor.
“For too long unscrupulous employers have cut costs and corners by misclassifying Pennsylvania’s workers. The Pa Senate Democrats have and will continue to fight for the workers of this commonwealth,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Every worker deserves the protections that come with being an employee not a contractor. The cost of doing business cannot and should not be shifted onto a businesses’ employees.”
“Misclassification hurts workers, hurts employers who are doing the right thing by their workers, and it hurts taxpayers,” Senator Williams added.
All submitted testimony from today’s hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy
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Testimony
Panel 1: Local Unions Roundtable
- Gary Masino, Sheetmetal Workers Local 19.
- Tom Redden, Steamfitters Local 420
- Tyler Honschke, Painters DC21
- Brian Eddis, Philadelphia Building Trades
Panel 2: Statewide Unions Roundtable
Panel 3: The Gig Economy
Panel 4: Policy Solutions
by Christin Brown | August 30, 2021 | feature, misc.
Harrisburg, PA − August 30, 2021 − The Senate Democratic Caucus sent the following letter to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to encourage the court to take action to halt evictions for tenants who already have pending applications in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
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