Christin Brown

BUCKS COUNTY – July 14, 2026 − Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Jason Ortitay (R-46) applaud the inclusion of eating disorder education in the Pennsylvania FY 26/27 state budget that was signed on July 12th by Governor Josh Shapiro. Parents will now have more resources on childhood eating disorders under the new provision. Pennsylvania schools will be required to annually provide educational information to parents with children in 6-12th grades about eating disorders and resources to help overcome them. The PA Department of Education will, in conjunction with the PA Department of Health, develop an advisory committee, which will develop guidelines for providing parent educational information regarding eating disorders. The language for this budget provision comes from Representative Ortitay’s bill HB 190. Senator Santarsiero is the prime sponsor of the companion bill in the State Senate, SB 816. Senator Santarsiero first introduced the bill in 2014 when he was serving in the PA House when Emily Rosenberg, a constituent, came into his office with the idea that Pennsylvania should do more to educate parents, schools, and communities about eating disorders. He held a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing in 2014 in Newtown with legislators, teachers, nutritionists, and families directly […]

PHILADELPHIA, PA – July 16, 2027 − Senator Art Haywood (D-4) today highlighted key investments secured in the 2026–27 Pennsylvania state budget that will deliver meaningful resources to communities across the Commonwealth and the 4th District. Budget Wins Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Retirees: A long-overdue increase for more than 54,000 retired teachers, police officers, and firefighters who retired prior to Act 9 (July 2, 2001), ensuring those who served our communities can live with dignity. Historic Education Investment: $565 million for school adequacy and equity funding, including major increases for local districts: Abington (+$582K), Cheltenham (+$1.17M), Jenkintown (+$77K), Springfield (+$40K), and Philadelphia (+$157.3M). Higher Education & Workforce Development: $419 million for the PHEAA State Grant Program and $42.5 million for Grow PA Scholarships to expand access to higher education and retain Pennsylvania talent. Support for Seniors: $81 million in additional funding for nursing homes to strengthen care for seniors and support staff. Mental Health & Public Safety: $979 million for mental health services (+$41M), $24.1 million for rape crisis centers (+$12M), and $62.15 million for Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs. Economic Growth & Housing: Innovate in PA 2.0, generating up to $125 million in life sciences investment, and funding for a […]

HARRISBURG, PA − July 16, 2026 − State Senator John Kane announced the passage of Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 state budget, highlighting significant investments in key areas around the Commonwealth. The budget also continues funding priorities that will directly benefit communities throughout Delaware and Chester counties, including additional resources for public schools and a long-awaited cost-of-living adjustment for thousands of retired public employees. “This budget delivers real results for Pennsylvania families,” Kane said. “It invests in our schools, provides meaningful tax relief, strengthens our workforce, supports public safety, and honors the public servants who have spent their careers serving our communities. These are investments that will make a difference here at home and across Pennsylvania.” The $50.8 billion spending plan makes targeted investments in education, workforce development, healthcare, infrastructure, public safety, and affordability while continuing Pennsylvania’s commitment to growing the economy and expanding opportunity. Among the major investments included in the budget are: More than $1 billion in property tax relief for homeowners. $565 million in adequacy and equity funding to continue correcting Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system. $8.3 billion for Basic Education and $1.5 billion for Special Education to strengthen classrooms across the Commonwealth. $154 million for Career and Technical Education, […]

HARRISBURG, PA – July 17, 2026 − Yesterday, President Donald Trump took an extraordinary step in his years-long efforts to undermine faith in US elections by delivering a prime-time speech disparaging American elections workers, spewing baseless allegations about Chinese interference, and proposing sweeping voter disenfranchisement policy. Since 2020, President Trump and Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have issued subpoenas, used multiple committees, and joined countless lawsuits attempting to access confidential, sensitive voter data on Pennsylvania’s voter rolls, manipulate the interpretation of our election laws and block the counting of valid ballots. All this, despite a complete lack of any evidence whatsoever of widespread voter fraud. Trump’s singular focus on disproving the audited, certified results of the 2020 Presidential Election has resulted in a monumental waste of time and resources. In the face of this full-court press by Republicans at all levels to access protected voter data, Senate Democrats and Governor Shapiro have stood strong with Pennsylvania’s voters, successfully shielding 9 million voters’ personal information from the Trump administration and an unlawful use of legislative power to obtain it. Pennsylvania Senate Democrats have strongly supported additional legislative efforts to make certain all qualified Pennsylvania voters can access the ballot, including same-day voter registration, […]

July 22, 2026 – Senator Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) and Representative Jeanne McNeill (D-Lehigh), joined by Coplay Borough officials and community members, today celebrated the grand opening of new pickleball courts made possible through a $181,900 Act 13 grant secured by Senator Miller and Representative McNeill in 2025. The funding was part of more than $7 million Senator Miller helped secure projects across Lehigh and Northampton counties through the Statewide Local Share Account (LSA) and Act 13 programs. The investment allowed Coplay Borough to demolish aging courts and construct new pickleball courts, creating a modern recreational space that will serve residents of all ages for years to come. The Local Share Account (LSA) Program provides grants for projects that improve the quality of life in Pennsylvania communities, while the Act 13 Program supports initiatives such as parks and recreation, greenways and trails, watershed restoration, sewage treatment, and other community improvement projects. “This project is about investing in the people of Coplay and creating a space that will serve the community for generations,” said Senator Nick Miller. “This was a vision the late Mayor Steve Burker worked hard to advance, and I’m grateful to have helped secure the state funding to bring it to fruition. […]

PHILADELPHIA, PA − July 23, 2026 – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court made clear in Commonwealth v. Lee that our current mandatory sentencing scheme for second-degree murder is unconstitutional because it fails to account for individual culpability. The Court provided the General Assembly with a limited window to enact a constitutional framework, and that deadline is now upon us. Our responsibility is straightforward: protect public safety, uphold the will of the people, and ensure justice is administered fairly. Those goals are not mutually exclusive. We owe it to victims, their families, communities across Pennsylvania, and everyone impacted by our criminal justice system to provide clarity rather than uncertainty. Failing to act would leave sentencing decisions to be resolved county by county through the courts, creating inconsistent outcomes and prolonged uncertainty for victims, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and individuals whose sentences are affected. These resentencings will take years to process and will leave far too many incarcerated individuals impacted by this ruling behind. The General Assembly should not abdicate its responsibility when the Court has clearly identified the need for legislative action. More than 1,100 people are currently serving life sentences for felony murder in Pennsylvania. Nearly half are over 50 years old, many having served […]

PHILADELPHIA, July 23, 2026 — Today, Sen. Vincent Hughes, in partnership with Jazz Philadelphia, Creative Philadelphia, Ars Nova Workshop, and WRTI at Temple University, today announced the lineup for Coltrane 100 Philly, a citywide centennial celebration honoring jazz legend John Coltrane through more than 30 free and ticketed performances, community initiatives and artist grants taking place throughout the fall.

CHELTENHAM, PA – July 29, 2026 − In response to the Montgomery County Grand Jury report detailing the alleged hazing and abuse of a Cheltenham High School student, State Senator Art Haywood (D–Philadelphia/Montgomery) is calling for immediate legislative and community action to protect students across the region: “Today, the Montgomery County Grand Jury released a deeply disturbing report detailing the alleged physical and psychological abuse of a Cheltenham High School student at the hands of both teammates and coaches. This report demands immediate attention and action. No student in Montgomery County or Philadelphia should ever be subjected to violence, humiliation, or fear in a place meant to foster growth and safety. I will move urgently to advance the recommendation to classify hazing as reportable child abuse under Pennsylvania law. This is a necessary step to ensure accountability and prevent future harm. Hazing has no place in our schools, our communities, or our Commonwealth. I will also work closely with the Cheltenham School District, local families, and community leaders to identify and implement meaningful reforms that strengthen student protections. Our schools must be safe spaces for every young person—without exception.” Senator Haywood emphasized that the findings raise broader concerns for school […]

PITTSBURGH, PA − July 31, 2026 − Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller (D-14) held a policy hearing on lowering consumer grocery costs, alongside co-host Senate Democratic Leader Senator Costa (D-43). This hearing examined the status of grocery affordability for Pennsylvanians and food production-related pressures including rising input costs (such as fuel, fertilizer), cost of climate impacts, and safeguarding from pathogens or other hazards. “Every week I hear from families across my district that every trip to the grocery store is putting more strain on their pockets, while our farmers are facing growing challenges from unpredictable weather, rising production costs, and other pressures beyond their control,” said Senator Miller. “As Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, I convened this hearing to better understand what’s driving these costs and identify practical solutions to help develop policies that strengthen Pennsylvania agriculture, protect our food supply, and help make groceries more affordable for working families.” “Senate Democrats have been laser focused on delivering real affordability for Pennsylvania’s families, ensuring that costs stay down while pay goes up,” said Senate Democratic leader Senator Costa. “Today’s hearing provided incredible insights into the myriad factors driving up costs at the grocery stores and making it hard for families […]

August 13, 2026 − Senator Amanda Cappelletti releases the following statement on Hyperscale Data Center Development: The recent developments in Upper Merion surrounding proposed data center plans are deeply frustrating. Our community is making their voices heard, and our position is clear: we do not want hyperscale data centers in our backyards. Until we have consistent and comprehensive guardrails in place to regulate hyperscale data center development, building massive data centers in Pennsylvania shouldn’t even be a conversation. And at this point, it’s clear that data center developers are willing to use every tool at their disposal to bully communities into bending, but we know we won’t break. We won’t let millionaires build their wealth by taking advantage of taxpayers and putting future generations at risk. I’m proud to support several bills in the Pennsylvania Senate—including Senate Bill 1359 which will enact a statewide moratorium on hyperscale data center development—that puts our communities at the forefront of this discussion, not the interests of the ultra-wealthy and big tech CEOs. Thank you to everyone in our community who has shared their stories and perspectives with me personally on this issue. As we continue to monitor developments, know we are in this […]