Press Releases
Senate Democratic Leaders Share Statement on Passing of FY24-25 Budget
Harrisburg, PA − July 11, 2024 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate and House passed a $47.59B dollar budget that makes significant investments in basic education, higher education, public safety, health and human services, and economic development.
Senators Saval, Hughes, Cappelletti, and Kearney Announce Intention to Introduce Bill Preventing Criminalization of Homelessness
Harrisburg, PA − July 2, 2024 − Today State Senators Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia County), Vincent Hughes (D–Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties), Amanda Cappelletti (D–Delaware and Montgomery Counties), and Tim Kearney (D–Delaware County) announced their intention...
Senator Hughes’ Community Garden Legislation Heads to Governor Shapiro’s Desk for Signature
Harrisburg, PA – July 2, 2024 − Yesterday, Senator Hughes’ Senate Bill 645 passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The bill passed in the Senate on June 27, 2024. The legislation will now head to Governor Shapiro for signature and final passage....
Senator Hughes’ Legislation to Support Philadelphia Community Gardens Passes in the Senate
Harrisburg, PA− June 27, 2024 – Today, Senator Hughes’ Senate Bill 645 passed in the Senate with a final vote of 42-7. The bill makes it easier for Philadelphia residents to eventually own vacant and blighted land that is being used as a community garden....
Senate Democratic Leaders, Jay Costa and Vincent Hughes, Issue Statement Affirming Caucus Commitment to Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Autonomy
Harrisburg − June 24, 2024 − Today, Senator Jay Costa, Senate Democratic Leader, and Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, issued the following statements to recognize the second anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Senate...
New Report Signals Community Groups are a Key Driver in the Reduction of Gun Violence in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA − June 21, 2024 − Senator Vincent Hughes brought together anti-violence community groups, gun violence advocates, and lawmakers to highlight the impactful work of community violence intervention and the need for more state funds to support their...
Senator Hughes Announces Over $250K for Indigent Defense in Philadelphia and Montgomery County
June 14, 2024 - Today, Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, announced over $250,000 for indigent defense services for both Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties. The money was awarded from the first time state grant fund that was established...
Senator Hughes Announces $7.3M in Affordable Housing Funds for Projects in the 7th District
June 13, 2024 - Today, Senator Vincent Hughes, Democratic Appropriations Chair, announced $7.3 million dollars in PHARE funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority (PHFA) for affordable housing projects in Philadelphia and Montgomery County....
Senator Hughes Applauds Usage of $25M State Law Enforcement Grant for Philadelphia Police Investigation and Forensic Equipment
June 12, 2024 - Today, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) announced that a $25 million dollar grant that was awarded to the Philadelphia Police Department in 2022 will now be used for new equipment, systems, and training for the Philadelphia...
Senator Hughes Issues Statement on House Passage of HB2370: “Necessary Step Toward Fixing PA’s Unconstitutional Education Funding System”
Harrisburg, PA – June 10, 2024 – Today, Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, issued the statement below following the House of Representatives’ passage of HB2370, landmark legislation that answers the Commonwealth Court mandate to fully and...
Senator Hughes Introduces New, Pro-Union Legislation
Harrisburg, PA – June 5, 2024 – This week, Senator Hughes shared a co-sponsorship memo to introduce new legislation designed to support public sector unions in the Commonwealth. The legislation would establish the Public Employer Disclosure Act (PEDA) which would...
Senator Hughes Celebrates New Investments in Gun Violence Prevention in West Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA − May 21, 2024 − Senator Hughes was joined by Representative Morgan Cephas and leaders from Episcopal Community Services to recognize a new round of Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) funding that was awarded through the Pennsylvania...
Senator Hughes Announces $3.5 Million in School Safety & Security Grants for Philadelphia Schools
HARRISBURG, PA – APRIL 29, 2024 − State Senator Vincent Hughes announced $3,539,658 in competitive school safety and security grants to improve safety, security, and mental health supports for students and staff for schools in Philadelphia. The grants are awarded...
Senator Hughes Stands with Local, State, and Federal Leaders to Break Ground on 40 New, Affordable Apartments for Seniors in Mantua
Philadelphia, PA – April 24, 2024 – Today, Senator Hughes, Congressman Dwight Evans, the Mayor’s office, and leaders from across Pennsylvania broke ground on a new affordable housing project in the Mantua neighborhood of Philadelphia. The housing development,...
Senator Hughes’ Statement on Opening of Student Teacher Stipend Application for 24-25 Academic Year
Harrisburg, PA − April 11, 2024 − Senator Vincent Hughes, Senator Ryan Aument, Governor Shapiro, Representative Gina Curry, Representative Jesse Topper, and PHEAA have announced that applications for student teacher stipends will open on Thursday, April 11,...
Senator Hughes Commits to Voting for New, Ghost Gun Legislation
Harrisburg, PA − March 28, 2024 − Today, Senator Hughes applauded new ghost gun legislation that passed in the State House. House Bill 777, sponsored by Reps. Morgan Cephas and Malcolm Kenyatta, would impose felony charges on anyone who sells or purchases a firearm or...
Senator Hughes Announces Over $24M for Gun Violence Prevention in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties
March 28, 2024 − Today, Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced over $24 million dollars in Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) grants for community violence prevention groups and initiatives across Philadelphia and Montgomery...
Pa. Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Repeal Felony Charge for HIV-Related Prostitution
HARRISBURG – March 21, 2023 – State Senator Vincent Hughes and Representatives Benjamin Waxman and Malcolm Kenyatta announced legislation on March 20, 2024 that will repeal Pennsylvania’s felony sentencing enhancement for people living with HIV who are charged with...
Senator Hughes Applauds Committee Passage of HB2017, Legislation Similar to Senate Bill That Would Protect Minors on Social Media
Harrisburg, PA − March 20, 2024 − Senator Hughes applauded yesterday's passage of HB2017 out the of the House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee. The legislation proposes similar actions that were included in Senator Hughes and Senator Kristin...
Senator Hughes and Pennsylvania Leaders Mark Historic Milestone for PA Public Defense and Criminal Justice
Philadelphia, PA – March 15, 2024 − Senator Hughes hosted a press conference with fellow lawmakers and legal leaders from across Pennsylvania to recognize a historic milestone for Pennsylvania public defense and the overall equality of the Commonwealth’s criminal...