Philly State House delegation pushes for more funding, gun regulations from Harrisburg
Their goal is everything from drivers licenses for undocumented people to more funding for crime fighting and schools.
The Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Several members of Pennsylvania’s state House from Philadelphia say they want to put their own spin on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget.
State Rep. Morgan Cephas joined other lawmakers in City Hall to highlight the need for strategic investments in the city from Harrisburg.
“We’re asking for the continuation of level up funding and investment in a Pennsylvania solar for schools program, increase funding in a trades-focused school-to-work grant, increase funding for summer jobs, continuation of dual enrollment, and grants for non-credit credentials so Philadelphians can skill up for demand industries.”
Related Content
Breaking down Shapiro’s plan to eliminate two of Pa.’s cell phone taxes
As part of his first budget proposal, Gov. Shapiro wants to eliminate both the sales and use tax and the gross receipts tax on cell phone services.
1 year ago
Cephas says more help for the city should be possible this year with a major budget surplus and remaining federal stimulus money. “As we turn the corner on COVID-19, we truly believe that now is the time for us to make those significant investments that we needed to shore up a lot of the systems that were broken during that time period.”
The city’s ongoing violence was also brought up, particularly how some parts of the city are doing better than others. Cephas said the delegation would go on a listening tour to gather input from people living in all parts of the city.
“We feel as a delegation that we can again move the needle for the city of Philadelphia, not just from a budget perspective, but also from a policy perspective,” she said. “As we go into budget negotiations, we see progress here in the city of Philadelphia as well.”
Related Content
Shapiro zeroes in on education, county programs in his first state budget address
Dozens of efforts would benefit from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s roughly $44 billion spending plan, many of them at the local level.
1 year ago
Listen 4:44Rep. Danilo Burgos said the Philadelphia delegation has a series of issues that they want to take up, including another attempt at stricter gun regulations in the city.
“The Commonwealth must look at the entire picture of the criminal justice system and make immediate adjustments that keep guns out of the hands of criminals and inject fairness and compassion into the process.”
The delegation is also asking for a bill that would give people living in the country without legal permission access to a driver’s license.
Budget hearings begin Monday in Harrisburg.
Saturdays just got more interesting.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Shapiro’s alternative to a key climate program comes with one major catch: It needs GOP support
Pennsylvania's governor is seeking GOP buy-in to his proposition for a state-based alternative to a cap-and-trade program aimed at fighting climate change.
1 month ago
Pennsylvania lawmakers push to find out causes of death for older adults in abuse or neglect cases
Shapiro's Department of Aging has balked at the idea raised by Republican lawmakers.
1 month ago
Unlike his predecessor, Gov. Josh Shapiro has the benefit of a Democratic-led state House and a state Senate where attitudes appear to be shifting.
2 months ago