Newsroom
Democratic Lawmakers React to Top Republican’s Voter ID Comments
HARRISBURG, June 26, 2012 — Senate Democratic lawmakers today said a top state Republican’s recent comments on Pennsylvania’s new voter ID law reveal the Republicans’ intention for the law — disenfranchising voters. “One of the pillars of this nation is the right to...
State Senate Hearing Focuses on Funding Public Schools
Monroeville, June 14, 2012 — Education experts, labor leaders, area school administrators and school board members today laid out disastrous financial problems at a state Senate hearing on the impact of state public school funding cuts. Held at Sen. Jim Brewster’s...
Democratic Leaders Seek Details on Shell Agreement
HARRISBURG, June 4, 2012 – Top Senate Democrats today asked Gov. Tom Corbett to release details of the deal that will bring a petrochemical cracker plant to Western Pennsylvania. In light of recent reports asserting that the deal with Shell Chemical was sealed with...
Senate Democrats Unveil Infrastructure Investment Plan in Luzerne County
WILKES-BARRE, June 1, 2012 - - Northeastern Pennsylvania state Sens. John Yudichak and John Blake today welcomed Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia) to the site of a stalled...
The Barnes Foundation Makes Its Mark on Philadelphia and the International Art World
After nearly 5 decades, the Barnes Foundation finally opened its doors, marking a huge impact on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the international art scene.
Senator Hughes and his wife Sheryl Lee Ralph were on hand for the opening gala at the opening of its new home on Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Friday, May 18.
Senator Hughes: Senate Budget Proposal is a Good First Step, More Needs to be Done
HARRISBURG, May 9, 2012 – Following Senate passage of a $27.6 billion budget plan, state Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) called the plan a step towards a budget that truly reflects the needs of all Pennsylvania’s citizens. The plan restores over $500...
Senate, House Democrats Denounce Asset Test on SNAP Recipients
HARRISBURG, May 1, 2012 — State Sen. Shirley Kitchen, along with her Democratic colleagues in the Senate and House, today denounced the reinstatement of an asset test on Pennsylvania’s 1.8 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. Under the...
Senate Democratic Leaders React to the Independent Fiscal Office Report
HARRISBURG, May 1, 2012 –Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes offered the following comments regarding today’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) Revenue Estimate Report, which stated that the projected shortfall...
Senator Hughes Talks Issues on Washington Watch with Roland Martin
On Sunday, April 22, 2012, I was pleased to join MSNBC political analyst Karen Finney; Michael Fletcher, national economics correspondent for “The Washington Post”; and Deborah Simmons, senior correspondent for “The Washington Times” on Washington Watch with Roland...
Senator Hughes to Host Financial Aid for College Conference
PHILADELPHIA, April 4, 2012 -- State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) will join with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation, The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, The Mayor’s Office of Education and The College Access Center to...
Senator Hughes Speaks Out Against Republican Attempt to Halt Health Reform
HARRISBURG, March 28, 2012 - - State Sen. Vincent Hughes, Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following comments on Senate Bill 10 and the attempt by Senate Republicans to prohibit the implementation of parts of the federal Patient...
Report: National Employment Growth, Job Decline in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, March 14, 2012 – – Pennsylvania’s stunning loss of 9,000 jobs in January is astounding considering there was robust national employment growth of over 730,000 new jobs during the past three months, Senate Democratic leaders said today.
Voter “Suppression” Bill Disenfranchises Thousands of Pennsylvania Voters, Senator Hughes Says
HARRISBURG, March 7, 2012 - - Following the state Senate’s approval of House Bill 934, the so-called Voter ID bill, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) decried its passage, stating that it would only serve to disenfranchise many voters...
Senator Hughes Decries Proposed DPW Budget Cuts
HARRISBURG, February 28, 2012 – – Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) took Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander to task regarding egregious cuts to human services proposed by Governor Tom Corbett at the department’s budget hearing today.
Clarification Needed on Education Funding Numbers, At-Risk Schools, Hughes says
HARRISBURG, February 27, 2012 – – At today’s Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearing, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) questioned Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis about the potential impact of Governor Tom Corbett’s $400 million in proposed education budget cuts.
Senator Hughes to Talk Proposed Education Budget Cuts at Cook-Wissahickon School
PHILADELPHIA, February 22, 2012 – – In light of Governor Tom Corbett’s budget proposal, which includes deep cuts to basic education, state Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) will tour Cook-Wissahickon Public School and hold a community meeting to discuss public education and the impacts of the proposed budget cuts.
Senator Hughes to Hold a Veterans Benefits Seminar
PHILADELPHIA, February 21, 2012 – – State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) will join with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Veterans Support Group to hold a Veterans Benefits Seminar. The event is aimed at assisting veterans in finding jobs, housing and health care benefits for themselves and their families.
Senator Hughes: Immediate Aid is Needed to Stem Foreclosure Crisis in PA
PHILADELPHIA, February 17, 2012 – – In reaction to a report released by RealtyTrac on Thursday indicating that foreclosures in Pennsylvania have risen 24 percent since January 2011, state Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) said that immediate aid is needed to assist homeowners in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.
Hughes Says Focus Must be Job Creation, Economic Investment
PHILADELPHIA, February 9, 2012 – Responding to Governor Tom Corbett’s budget address, which lacks a plan to stimulate Pennsylvania’s economy, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) held a news conference today to discuss a plan to boost job creation and economic investment in Pennsylvania.
Senator Hughes: Governor’s Budget Proposal Hurts Pennsylvania’s People, Economy
“With this budget address, Governor Corbett has once again proven his disconnect with Pennsylvania citizens. Despite what the governor may have said today, the reality is Pennsylvania’s job creation has been stagnant, economic development is at a standstill and public education – which is still dealing with last year’s billion dollar body blow – is getting hit again.