Christin Brown

HARRISBURG, PA − July 13, 2026 − Today, following the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s passage of the 2026–2027 state budget during a special session that spanned the weekend, State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) issued the following statement:

Harrisburg, PA − July 13, 2026 – On Sunday, Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery) voted “YES” on Pennsylvania’s 2026-2027 state budget. The General Assembly sent the budget to Governor Shapiro’s desk 12 days after their constitutionally mandated June 30 deadline. The final fiscal budget spend came to $50.849 billion—a 3.7% increase from the prior year. “My Senate Democratic colleagues and I fought to ensure each budget investment truly prioritizes hardworking Pennsylvanians and their families, especially when Republicans in Harrisburg and Washington are comfortable pushing them to the side,” said Senator Cappelletti. “This year’s state budget includes compromises from both sides of the aisle, reflecting the reality of our divided government. While I am pleased we were able to come together to adequately invest in the services that keep our Commonwealth running—albeit 12 days late—there is still much work to be done when we return to Harrisburg in the fall.” There are several aspects of this year’s budget Senator Cappelletti is proud to celebrate, especially those advancing affordable services and resources in all 67 counties: Advancing Public Education $565 million for adequacy and equity public education funding. Every school district in Senate District 17 received a funding boost this year. $154 million […]

BUCKS COUNTY – July 13, 2026 – Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Jim Prokopiak (D-140) are announcing $3.5 million in additional funds for the Morrisville Borough School District in the FY 26/27 Pennsylvania Budget that Governor Josh Shapiro signed yesterday, July 12th. The Morrisville Borough School District has been chronically underfunded in its state allocation. Each year, Senator Santarsiero, along with the House member representing Morrisville, has worked through the budget process to secure additional funds for Morrisville, while also working to fix the specific problem in the funding formula that shortchanges Morrisville compared to its peers. “I’m proud to announce that this year we’ve secured an additional $3.5 million in funding for the Morrisville Borough School District,” said Senator Santarsiero. “Morrisville deserves adequate funding, just like other school districts in our state who have received funding to close our state’s education adequacy gap since the 2023 Commonwealth Court ruling. Particularly important, this funding through the budget process, unlike other more restrictive grants, provides general funds that the school district can use for whatever they need to continue operating. I will continue to advocate for the Morrisville Borough School District to get the funding they need and work to […]

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.