On the Issues

The Hidden Crisis on College Campuses: Many Students Don’t Have Enough to Eat THE WASHINGTON POST | BY CAITLIN DEWEY | APRIL 3, 2018 Caleb Torres lost seven pounds his freshman year of college — and not because he didn’t like the food in the dining hall. A...

On April 4, 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated as he was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, in Memphis, Tennessee.  In life, Dr. King made sacrifices and changed lives.  As word of his death spread, the world shook.  Dr....

It has been eight years since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law.  March 23, 2010 is a significant day in United States history.  It is a day when our country told the world all Americans are entitled to health care.  Now,...

I was thrilled to welcome Gov. Tom Wolf and other state and federal officials for the groundbreaking for New Market West, a community and retail hub planned for development at 5901 Market Street. This project will provide much needed services and homes to our West Philadelphia community. 

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
As long-time advocates and strong proponents of HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and education, my wife Sheryl Lee and I need your help. Join us in our fight.

The EITC is a federal tax credit that is available for eligible families based on income — you do not need to have children to qualify.  Married couples, same-sex couples and individuals may all be eligible for more than $500 up to $6,318 in federal tax credits. 

Several years ago, a water crisis enveloped Flint, Michigan when, through a series of ill-advised bureaucratic and political decision making, lead and other contaminates poisoned the water.  The Flint experience led policymakers in Pennsylvania to closely examine our...

For generations, most Americans believed that if they worked hard they could support their families, own a home, and, one day, have a pension to retire on ---- The American Dream.  Now, millions of Americans, many in Pennsylvania, have had that dream shattered. For...

Have we achieved Martin Luther King’s Dream? Every day, thousands of children in Pennsylvania and millions of children across the country are sent into schools that are unsafe, unhealthy, and unfit for learning.   Given this reality, have we achieved the dream...

Frigid temperatures have been brutal this season and it is important that all citizens familiarize themselves with ways to keep safe in this weather. Freezing pipes, loss of heat, and power outages can occur due to the below freezing temperatures being experienced...

The Trump/Republican tax plan that is poised for a vote in Washington over the next several days is a national disgrace.  It provides huge benefits to the top 1 percent of all income earners and little help for those who struggle each day to make ends meet. Large...

Open Enrollment Runs Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 Enrollment is now OPEN for individuals and families who need health coverage through the Affordable Care Act for 2018. The ACA has improved the lives of a million Pennsylvanians, helping 711,000 individuals access coverage...