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Senator Vincent Hughes Introduces Bill to Provide Historic $3.8 billion in Property Tax Relief
Harrisburg, May 14, 2015 – Today, State Senator Vincent Hughes announced he has introduced SB 118, Governor Wolf’s proposal to provide $3.8 billion in property tax relief for Pennsylvania’s homeowners as part of the 2015-2016 State Budget. SB 118 would totally...
Senator Hughes Statement on Passage of Illegal Pension Bill
HARRISBURG, May 13th, 2015 − Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 1: “The Republican controlled Pennsylvania Senate today passed pension “reform” legislation that has historically been ruled illegal and unconstitutional...
Senate Democrats Call for PERC to Create Fair, Open, Transparent Process to Consider Pension Legislation
Harrisburg – May 13, 2015 – A leading group of Senate Democrats today wrote to the Public Employee Retirement Commission (PERC) to express grave concerns about the process surrounding Senate Bill 1, a massive overhaul of the pension system for public employees. PERC...
Senator Hughes Statement on Protecting Philadelphia’s Paid Sick Leave Law
HARRISBURG - (April 14th, 2015) Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement on the need to protect the right of local municipalities to pass paid sick leave legislation: “Two months ago, Philadelphia stood behind working families by providing over 200,000...
Hughes Issues Statement on Racially Insensitive Comments on State Trooper Nominee
Harrisburg - March 26, 2015 --Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) today released the following statement concerning racially insensitive comments printed in the Allentown Morning Call. Senator Hughes’ Statement...
Sens. Hughes, Schwank to Propose Expansion of New ‘Revenge Porn’ Law
HARRISBURG, March 19, 2015 – To better protect Pennsylvanians from the unsolicited and embarrassing publication of their private, intimate pictures, state Sens. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said today they will introduce a proposal, similar to the recently enacted so-called “revenge porn” law, that would make it a crime for someone to steal and publish unauthorized images of strangers and others.
Senator Hughes to Introduce Universal Voter Registration Legislation to Automatically Register All Eligible Citizens to Vote
PHILADELPHIA- (March 9th, 2015) Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement about his intention to introduce legislation that would dramatically increase voter registration in Pennsylvania to include all eligible citizens: "50 years ago, thousands of...
Senate Democrats: Wolf Budget Proposal Bold, Responsible, Necessary
Plan includes historic tax relief, business tax shifts, education, and job initiatives Harrisburg – March 3, 2015 – Senate Democratic leaders today said that Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget proposal is a “bold, responsible and necessary” plan designed to address issues...
Senator Hughes Statement on Governor Wolf’s Appointment of Majorie Neff to Chair the School Reform Commission
HARRISBURG, (March 1st, 2015) − Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s appointment of Majorie Neff to be Chair of the School Reform Commission: "I want to offer my support for Governor Wolf's decision. It is a good...
Senator Hughes Statement in Support of Governor Wolf’s Decision to Impose a Moratorium on the Death Penalty in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, February 13, 2015 − Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement in support of Governor Tom Wolf’s decision to impose a moratorium on the death penalty: "I want to commend Gov. Tom Wolf for taking the brave step of declaring a moratorium on the...
Senator Hughes Statement on Governor Wolf’s Announcement Regarding “Healthy PA”
HARRISBURG - (February 9th, 2015) Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement on changes to “Healthy PA” announced today by Governor Tom Wolf: “I want to praise Governor Tom Wolf for announcing today the first step towards transitioning away from so-called...
Hughes, Haywood Propose 8 Percent “Shale For Our Future” Tax
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 5, 2015 -- Surrounded by local educators and parents, state Sens. Art Haywood and Vincent J. Hughes today announced legislation to impose an 8 percent tax on Marcellus Shale gas along with the 1.9 percent impact fee. Joined by Sen. Larry Farnese,...
Senator Hughes Praises Commonwealth Court Decision on School Reform Commission Attempt to Cancel Philadelphia Federation of Teachers’ Contract
PHILADELPHIA- (January 22nd, 2015) − Senator Vincent Hughes issued the following statement in response to Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court’s decision to prohibit the Philadelphia School Reform Commission from unilaterally canceling the contract with the Philadelphia...
Senator Hughes Statement on the Inauguration of Governor Tom Wolf
HARRISBURG- (January 20, 2015) Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement on the inauguration of Governor Tom Wolf: “I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Governor Tom Wolf. I know that he will serve our great Commonwealth with distinction....
Costa, Hughes: Corbett, Republicans Accountable for $2 Billion Deficit
Harrisburg – Dec. 3, 2014 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Phila.) said the $2 billion plus budget deficit disclosed at today’s Mid-Year Budget Briefing should be laid at the...
Senator Hughes Reacts to the Independent Fiscal Office’s Projected Nearly $2 Billion Budget Deficit
PHILADELPHIA- (November 13th, 2014) – Senator Vincent Hughes issued the following statement in response to the Independent Fiscal Office’s projection that Pennsylvania has a budget deficit of nearly $2 billion: “I am disturbed but not surprised to learn that...
Lawmakers Learn About Housing Needs of Vets at McKeesport Roundtable
McKeesport – September 5, 2014 - Lawmakers who participated in Friday afternoon’s roundtable discussion at the James R. Brewster Community Center in McKeesport learned first-hand about the needs of veterans and the obstacles they face when they try to find adequate...
Costa, Hughes Comment on Corbett’s Healthy PA Following Federal Approval
Harrisburg - August 28, 2014 − Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) issued the following statement following federal approval of Medicaid expansion for Pennsylvania....
Senator Hughes Responds to Decision to Open Philadelphia Public Schools
PHILADELPHIA- (August 15th) – Sen. Vincent Hughes released the following statement today in response the announcement that Philadelphia public schools will open on time: “While I am grateful that students and parents will not have to deal with the disruption of our...
Senator Hughes Calls for PA House to Return and Vote on Philadelphia Cigarette Tax
PHILADELPHIA- (July 31st, 2014) Senator Vincent Hughes issued the following statement in response to news that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has cancelled scheduled session days for next week: “The failure of the Pennsylvania State House to return means in...