Press Releases
PA Senate Democratic Caucus Decries Changes to SNAP Program, Urges PA Congressional Delegation to Oppose
Harrisburg, Pa. – July 29, 2019 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation, urging that the federal Department of Agriculture does not end automatic eligibility for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance...
Sen. Iovino Brings State Senate Committee to Pittsburgh for Veterans’ Services Hearing
PITTSBURGH, July 23, 2019 – At the request of Senator Pam Iovino (D-Allegheny/Washington), the state Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a public hearing on the coordination and delivery of veterans’ services in Pennsylvania. “Those of us serving in...
Boscola Announces $320,950 PIPE Grant to LVEDC to Extend Natural Gas Service to Keystone Cement Company
Bethlehem, July 16, 2019 - State Senator Lisa Boscola today announced state funding totaling $320,950 has been approved for the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation through the Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) to extend natural gas service to...
Boscola Announces State Investment for Affordable Housing Projects
BETHLEHEM, PA − July 11, 2019 − State Senator Lisa Boscola announced today that four low income housing projects in the 18th Senatorial District have been approved for up to $2,784,285 in tax credits and funding through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance...
Sen. Boscola’s Statement on New State Budget
HARRISBURG, June 27, 2019 – Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton) today provided the following statement on the state’s new $33.9 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2019-20. The Senate approved the budget by a vote 42-8 today. The spending plan (House Bill 790) now...
Senate Approves Boscola’s Bill to Eliminate Straight Party Voting
Harrisburg, June 25, 2019 − The state Senate today voted 30 to 20 in favor of Sen. Lisa Boscola’s Senate bill 421, which would do away with straight party voting. “Straight-ticket voting promotes the election of a party, not the election of a candidate,” Boscola said...
Members of Pa Senate Democratic Caucus Request Disaster Declaration on Gun Violence
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 24, 2019 − Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today jointly sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf requesting a disaster declaration for gun violence in the Commonwealth. “We believe it is necessary to raise the public’s awareness...
Boscola’s Elimination of Straight Party Ticket Bill Advances to Senate Floor
Harrisburg, June 24, 2019 --- The State Senate Appropriations Committee today approved Senator Lisa Boscola’s Senate Bill 421, which would do away with straight party voting. The bill now moves to the full Senate. “Informed and committed voters make our...
Boscola’s Announces Legislation Allowing Independents to Vote in Primaries Advances to Senate Floor
Harrisburg, June 24, 2019 − Senator Lisa Boscola announced today that the State Senate Appropriations Committee today approved Senate Bill 300, which mirrors her own legislation (Senate Bill 357) to provide for open primaries in Pennsylvania; and thus, allow...
Two Boscola Voting Reform Initiatives Clear Senate Committee
Harrisburg, June 18, 2019 − The state Senate State Government Committee today unanimously approved Sen. Lisa Boscola’s Senate Bill 421, which would do away with straight party voting. The bill will now move on to the full Senate. “Informed and committed...
Senate Committee Approves Sen. Boscola’s Truck Ice Removal Bill
Harrisburg, June 18, 2019 --- The state Senate Transportation Committee today unanimously approved Sen. Lisa Boscola’s legislation that would require drivers to remove ice or snow from their vehicles within 24 hours following heavy snow or ice storms. Named...
Joint, Bipartisan Senate Committees Discuss Possible School District Consolidation
HARRISBURG, June 18, 2019 -- The Senate Majority Policy Committee and Senate Democratic Policy Committee yesterday jointly held a public workshop to discuss possible school district consolidation. “With 500 school districts in Pennsylvania this issue must be reviewed...
Joint State Legislative Hearing Focuses on Gov. Wolf’s Restore PA Plan
Harrisburg, June 10, 2019 – Democratic lawmakers today held a joint Senate-House hearing on Gov. Tom Wolf’s “Restore PA” proposal that would place a severance tax on gas drillers to generate $4.5 billion over the next four years for statewide economic development,...
State Senate Hearing in Philly on Ride-hailing Companies
Philadelphia, PA − June 6, 2019 – At the request of state Senator Anthony Hardy Williams (D- Philadelphia), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing on ways to improve the accessibility, safety and reliability and working conditions for...
Boscola Announces Nearly $1.9 Million in State Grants for Lehigh Valley Projects
Bethlehem, May 22, 2019 − State Sen. Lisa Boscola today announced state funding totaling $1,884,622 for projects in the Lehigh Valley through the Local Share Account – Northampton & Lehigh Counties. “I’m pleased to announce the approval of these funds to...
Committee Holds Capitol Hearing on Legalizing Recreational Marijuana
Harrisburg, April 29, 2019 – State Democratic lawmakers today held a joint Senate-House hearing at the Capitol on legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana. “It is imperative that the legislature carefully consider both the advantages and consequences of legalizing...
State Senate Committee Holds Second Hearing on Global Warming
PITTSBURGH, April 23, 2019 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills) and Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing today in Pittsburgh on strategies for combatting climate change by...
State Senate Committee Approves Sen. Boscola’s Redistricting Bill
Harrisburg, April 9, 2019 – The Senate State Government Committee today approved Sen. Lisa M. Boscola’s (D-Northampton/Lehigh) statewide redistricting reform legislation. The measure would amend the state’s constitution to establish an 11-member independent citizen’s...
State Senate Legislative Policy Hearing in Philadelphia to Discuss Pedestrian Safety
Philadelphia, April 5, 2019 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing in Philadelphia today on solutions to improve pedestrian safety and decrease traffic incidents across Pennsylvania. “Pedestrian deaths in Pennsylvania were up 41% in the first half of...
Boscola Announces $366,603 to be Awarded to Fire Companies & Emergency Medical Services Providers in 18th District
Bethlehem, March 27, 2019 – State Senator Lisa M. Boscola announced today that twenty-eight fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) providers in the Lehigh and Northampton County portions of her district will be awarded $366,603 through the 2018-2019...