On the Issues
West Philly Affordable Housing Update
We’re proud to share an update about a new affordable housing project in Mantua that is being supported by state investments Senator Hughes helped secure! Earlier this summer, Habitat for Humanity broke ground on 4 new affordable homes that will be built and sold to...
Cheyney University Accreditation is Reaffirmed
We’re proud to share that Cheyney University’s accreditation has been reaffirmed, meaning the historically Black state school is no longer on probation. Back in February, Senator Hughes joined Cheyney President Aaron Walton and other leaders to call out the...
Making College Affordable in Pennsylvania
WATCH: Senator Hughes shares an update on the fight for free and affordable higher educationLawmakers are currently working on negotiating Pennsylvania’s next budget which could impact many aspects of life in Pennsylvania, including public education, public safety,...
Finishing the Job to Fully and Fairly Fund Our Schools
WATCH: Senator Hughes shares an update on the fight to equitably fund our public schoolsThe House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would answer the call from Commonwealth Court to fix Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional education funding system. House...
We Can Stop Gun Violence by Investing in Communities
Senator Hughes recently brought together anti-violence community groups, gun violence advocates, and lawmakers to recognize gun violence awareness month and the impactful work of community violence intervention. The group gathered to call for more...
No Justice Without Equal Justice
Senator Hughes recently contributed an op-ed to the Legal Intelligencer to explain why Pennsylvania’s first time funding for indigent defense and public defenders is an important step toward making the Commonwealth’s criminal justice system equal and fair...
Why Not Free College?
Recognizing Community College of Philadelphia’s Octavius Catto Scholarship InitiativeSenator 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...
Investing in Local, Anti-Gun Violence Efforts
Philadelphia Leads in the Highest Reduction in Violent Crime Among Large CitiesSenator 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...
Senator Hughes Announces Over $40 Million for Local Gun Violence Prevention Groups in Pennsylvania
Senator Hughes recently joined Governor Shapiro and other lawmakers to celebrate $40 million that was awarded to community groups who are working at a local level to prevent gun violence. In Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties, over $24 million was awarded to a...
Celebrating Lee Morgan and the Legacy of Jazz in Philadelphia
Senator Hughes joined All That Philly Jazz and Philly community members for a beautiful ceremony to celebrate the historical marker unveiling for jazz great Lee Morgan! Lee Morgan was born in Philadelphia and grew to prominence as a jazz trumpeter and composer in his...
Celebrating a Historic Milestone for PA Public Defense
Senator Hughes recently 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 justice system. The state...
Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Grant OPEN and Accepting Applications
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) has announced that the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF) has reopened to homeowners struggling as a result of pandemic-related financial hardships. Roughly $92 MILLION is still available for grants...
Fighting for Investments in Teachers!
Senator Hughes recently brought together a large coalition of lawmakers, teachers, students, education leaders, and advocates to talk about teacher shortages and what we can all do to support new and existing teachers.This is a call to action. We need more teachers. -...
Cheyney Strong!
Senator Hughes recently stood with leaders, alumni, and students at Cheyney University to stand up for the integrity and legacy of the school, and fight back against the unfair and unwarranted Middle States decision to put the University on probation.All evidence...
Governor Shapiro Proposes Big Investments in Education, Gun Violence Prevention, and Affordable Housing
What the Governor’s Budget Proposal Means for Our CommunitiesWATCH: Senator Hughes shares why BOLD investments for the people of Pennsylvania are possibleWe have the money. The question is do we have the guts to do something with it, to invest in the people of the...
Important Updates to the 2024-25 College Financial Aid Form
The updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is now available! The FAFSA has recently undergone changes that make it easier for students and families to receive financial aid. The 2024-25 form expands eligibility for...
Keeping Neighborhoods Affordable
Senator Hughes Celebrates a Brand New Housing Program Senator Hughes recently celebrated $98M in affordable housing investments that will go toward preserving and building new affordable rental units. He gathered state, local, and federal lawmakers and leaders at...
Lincoln Pride
Celebrating Investments in PA State-Related Universities with the Lincoln U Freedom 14Senator Hughes joined Governor Shapiro, Senator Carolyn Comitta, Rep. Jordan Harris, and other lawmakers at Lincoln University for the signing of legislation for state-related...
Generations of Unconstitutional and Inadequate Education Funding Have Forced Schools Across PA to Not Open on Time
This week, the Philadelphia Inquirer took a look at why over 80 Philadelphia public schools had to dismiss early on their first week back to school. Because many schools did not have air conditioning, students missed important learning time as they kicked...
More Affordable Housing for More People in Pennsylvania
Let's Double Down, Triple Down Senator Hughes joined Mission First Housing Group for the grand re-opening of Monument Village, a 60-apartment affordable housing development in West Philadelphia. He celebrated the grand re-opening with tenants and called for lawmakers...
Investing in East Falls
Senator Hughes joined Rep. Tarik Khan and Rep. Roni Green to present the East Falls Development Corp. with over $200,000 to help with streetscaping and revitalization in the area. The state funds will be used to add new benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, and...
Investing in the Historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course
And Supporting African American Golfers in PennsylvaniaSenator Hughes joined elected officials including Representative Morgan Cephas and Mayor Jim Kenney to break ground on a new project to revitalize the historic Cobbs Creek golf course and build a new Tiger Woods...
Celebrating the History of Jazz in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a strong history with the legacy of jazz and is home to many great jazz legends. Musicians like Lee Morgan, John Coltrane, and Butch Ballard all have strong connections to city of Philadelphia and West Philadelphia in particular. Senator Hughes...
Calling for Fast and Aggressive Climate Action
#ActNow on ClimateSenator Hughes joined Penn Environment in Love Park to speak about the urgency of the climate crisis and call for action now. Senator Hughes recently signed a letter with 75+ state and local officials to support aggressive climate action from...
Stop the Gun Violence
One Step Away from Commonsense Gun LawsSenator Hughes was joined by Senators Jimmy Dillon, Art Haywood, Tim Kearney, the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, and community leaders to call attention to two commonsense gun bills that are one step...
National Night Out
Communities Making a Difference TogetherSenator Hughes celebrated National Night Out at 5 different neighborhoods around the district including Carroll Park, Parkside, Mantua, East Falls, and Strawberry Mansion. National Night Out was celebrated across the country on...
Over $1 Million Dollars in State and City Grants for Granahan Playground
Senator Hughes, Representative Cephas, and Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. came together to present over $1 million dollars in grants from the state and city of Philadelphia for improvements to the Granahan Playground and Recreational Center.
Senator Hughes In and Around the Neighborhood
Senator Hughes recently visited YEAH Philly to talk with young people about the important work they are doing to empower youth in their community and discourage gun violence.
Fund Our Schools Equitably and Adequately
When it comes to our schools, with a $9B surplus, a $5.1B Rainy Day Fund, a Commonwealth Court decision, and no Republican appeals, we should fund our schools NOW! If not now, when? In February, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled that our public school...
All About Education
Supporting Students and Teachers in the 7th District
Senator Hughes has been busy in the district visiting schools and introducing legislation to financially compensate future teachers.
STOP THE GUN VIOLENCE: Pass commonsense gun laws now!
Commonsense gun laws are one step away in PAThe Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed two, commonsense gun bills that would make communities throughout the commonwealth safer. The bills- HB1018 and HB 714- would: 1. Create a “Red Flag...
Investing $100 Million for Affordable Housing!
“This is a big deal.” - Senator Hughes Yesterday, I held a press conference at the New Courtland Apartments on Henry Avenue to highlight $100 million dollars that is now available through the Housing Options Program for the preservation and construction of new...
School Funding Ruling Major Victory for Students, Teachers, and All Pennsylvanians
We won’t stop fighting for our children! After years of fighting to make sure all of Pennsylvania’s students get a quality, 21st century education, this week, we scored a major victory. On Tuesday, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled Pennsylvania’s education funding...
Investing in Our Community Groups: $100+ Million in Grants Will Help Us Win the War Against the Gun Violence
Today, I want to share some good news with you that has been a long time coming. You may remember that back in September, my colleagues and I gathered at Mander Playground with Governor Wolf, to announce the availability of $100+ million in funding for community-based...
Deadline to apply for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program December 31!
Did you know… …this year, the deadline for older and disabled Pennsylvanians to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2021 was extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2022? The property tax/rent rebate program – which benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65...
APPLY NOW: Deadline for Philadelphia Tax Relief Program *This* Thursday, Dec. 1!
Philadelphia homeowners, make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to save $1000+ on your real estate taxes! Did you know that If you own your home, you are eligible for the Homestead Exemption on your Real Estate Tax? But you must act fast: the deadline to apply is...
Attention Philly Voters! If you voted by mail-in/absentee ballot, make sure your ballot isn’t flawed, now!
Friends, as you all know, there is so much at stake this election and the last thing you want is for your mail-in or absentee ballot to not be counted due to a mistake. However, it appears as though that could be the case for many unless you take action...
Back by Popular Demand – Free Paper Shredding Event Nov. 12!
My team and I are once again hosting a free paper shredding event this Saturday, November 12. If you are looking for a way to securely get rid of documents that contain personal information like your social security, credit card, and bank account numbers, you don’t...
Apply Today for Student Loan Debt Relief!
During my time serving the people of the 7th senatorial district, I’ve been fighting to make higher education more affordable and less of a financial burden for families. Whether it’s working to launch the Keystone Scholars program, or pushing for the Pennsylvania...
Be Prepared: Now’s the Time to Explore Your Affordable Healthcare Options Ahead of Open Enrollment
For my entire time in the legislature, expanding access to health insurance to the uninsured and underinsured has been a central focus of my work. When we fully implemented the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion in 2015 with Governor Wolf, more than 1...
APPLY NOW: Important Funding for Violence Prevention, Prosecution, and Protection Programs Available!
Deadlines to apply are fast-approachingGun violence is plaguing communities across the commonwealth, and sadly, Philadelphia is feeling its impact in unimaginably painful ways. When I spoke at Tiffany Fletcher’s funeral, the mood was heavy and you could feel the...
Big Win in Harrisburg: Creating the Teacher Diversity Pipeline
Pennsylvania has a problem.A decade ago, the commonwealth certified 20,000 new teachers.Last year, that number was down to just 6,000. However, we recently enacted some important, bipartisan legislation to address that problem and others surrounding teacher...
APPLY TODAY: Applications Now Open for Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) Program
When it comes to preventing violence in cities and towns across the commonwealth, my colleagues and I made a key investment with the passing of the ’22-’23 budget: $105 million for the Violence Intervention and Prevention Program.
It takes an all-hands-on-deck approach to combat violence in Pennsylvania, and community-based groups and initiatives are doing tremendous work on the local level.
Got plans this Wednesday? Join us at the Discovery Center for our “Report to the People” Summer Community Briefing!
There is a lot going on in Harrisburg, and my team and I want to make sure you know all about it! That’s why I’m inviting you to join us this Wednesday, August 31, at the Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia PA 19121 starting at 5:30 PM for a summer...