PA Senate Democrats Announce $225 Million for Small Business Assistance Grants Statewide
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19...
Democratic PHEAA board members tout $30 million in CARES Act funding for PHEAA grants
HARRISBURG — June 5, 2020 — State Senators Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), John Blake (D-Lackawanna), and Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia touted the $30 million in funding the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus was...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $550 Million Main Street Business Revitalization Grant Program
Harrisburg, PA − May 22, 2020 − Senators Jay Costa, Vince Hughes, John Blake, Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino today called for $550 million of funds allocated to Pennsylvania through the federal CARES act to be used for a program they are calling the Main Street Business...PA Senate Democrats Urge Action on Legislation for Working Families, Pledge to Oppose Partisan COVID Task Force
Harrisburg, PA − April 8, 2020 − The Senate adjourned Tuesday afternoon after the House Republicans indicated they would not be taking up Senate Bill 841, legislation that would have enabled local municipalities to hold their meetings remotely, permitted e-notary use;...
Sens. Hughes, Blake introduce bills to help PA manufacturers produce much-needed personal protection equipment
HARRISBURG – April 3, 2020 – State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) unveiled their plan to help manufacturers retrofit their facilities to begin producing much-needed personal protection...
Members of Pa Senate Democratic Caucus Request Disaster Declaration on Gun Violence
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 24, 2019 − Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today jointly sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf requesting a disaster declaration for gun violence in the Commonwealth. “We believe it is necessary to raise the public’s awareness...
Legislation Would Provide Financial Incentives to Small Businesses
Harrisburg – May 6, 2019 – With National Small Business Week (May 5- 11) now underway, state Sens. John Blake and Vincent J. Hughes today unveiled legislation that would create financial incentives to help small businesses succeed.One bill in the package would create tax-deferred savings accounts for small businesses to shift their tax burden. The measure would allow profits to be deposited into tax deferred accounts. If the money deposited in the account is subsequently used for job creation, then the dollars could be used tax free.
Senate Democrats to Launch Poverty and Economic Security Call to Action Honoring Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
PHILADELPHIA − April 2, 2019 – As a tribute to the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight for poor and working people, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus are launching a 30-day campaign to address poverty and economic insecurity...
Small Business Development Focus of Senate Democratic Legislative Package
Harrisburg – June 7, 2018 – New legislation designed to aid small business through specific financial incentives such as tax-deferred savings accounts and exemptions from certain business fees was unveiled today by Senators Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) and John Blake (D-Lackawanna).
Senate Democrats Call for Special Session on Property Tax Relief or Elimination
Harrisburg – February 1, 2017 – State Senate Democrats said that Gov. Tom Wolf should call a special session of the General Assembly to ensure that legislation that results in significant property tax relief or total elimination is passed and signed into...Senate Democrats Outline Legislation to Combat Opioid and Heroin Crisis
Harrisburg, May 18, 2016 – With drug overdose deaths reaching epidemic levels, Senate Democrats unveiled legislation today to address the opioid addiction crisis from prevention through recovery. “Addiction is a disease that does not discriminate and there is no easy...Senate Democrats Unveil Pension Reform Proposal to Save Billions for Taxpayers
HARRISBURG, March 12, 2014 – State Senate Democrats today said they would save Pennsylvania taxpayers billions of dollars and solve the state’s pension problem if their proposal to further reform pension rules, refinance billions and help school districts avoid...Senate Democrats’ Small Games Plan Now Backed by Governor
Harrisburg – October 24, 2013 – State Senate Democrats said today they were pleased that Gov. Tom Corbett has now signaled his approval of their plan to direct revenues generated from small games of chance in taverns to the Lottery Fund. The Democratic plan would bolster lottery programs and create a potential funding source for a property tax freeze benefitting seniors.
$300 Million Education Common Core Mandate Threatens Graduation
Harrisburg, May 13, 2013 – A new unfunded education mandate now being quietly pursued by the Corbett administration will soon saddle school districts with a $ 300 million expense and threaten graduation for thousands of students across Pennsylvania, Senate Democrats said today at a Capitol news conference.