Senator Hughes announces upcoming legislation to address wrongful convictions, imprisonment in PA
Harrisburg, PA – August 14, 2019 – State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced plans for two pieces of legislation aimed at curbing wrongful convictions and imprisonment in the commonwealth. The first piece of legislation would set guidelines...
Senator Hughes issues statement following weekend shootings in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA − August 12, 2019 − State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement Monday following a rash of weekend shootings in Philadelphia that left 12 injured and one person dead: I am deeply saddened by the continued...
Senator Hughes issues statement after urging Senate Judiciary Committee strongly consider his universal background checks bill to help curb gun violence
“As a longtime advocate for gun safety in Pennsylvania, I am heartened to hear Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Lisa Baker’s willingness to hold public hearings to address gun violence and find effective remedies to protect our communities. I am hopeful the...
Senators Hughes, Browne tout early returns on Safe2Say Something program following release of annual report
Harrisburg – August. 5, 2019 – State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) praised the results of the Safe2Say Something (S2SS) anonymous threat reporting program following the first annual report by the Office of the Attorney...
Members of the General Assembly Ask Governor Wolf for a State Of Emergency To Address Pennsylvanians Living in Poverty
Harrisburg, Pa. − August 1, 2019 − Today, Democratic members from the Pennsylvania House and Senate are asking Governor Tom Wolf to declare a state of emergency to address the needs created by the elimination of the state’s General Assistance program. General...
Sen. Hughes joins Gov. Wolf at announcement for $4.3 million to improve conditions at Philadelphia school buildings
PHILADELPHIA – July 31, 2019 – Governor Tom Wolf is providing $4.3 million in state funding for lead paint stabilization at Philadelphia school buildings. The governor was joined by members of Philadelphia’s legislative delegation, School District of...
Pew Trusts laud tax credit evaluations, IFO review enacted by Sen. Hughes amendment
PHILADELPHIA, PA — July 31, 2019 — Pew Charitable Trusts recently praised Pennsylvania as a “leader” in tax incentive evaluation and the provision that set the analysis over the top came from Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery). Sen. Hughes introduced...
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...
Senator Hughes submits public comment to U.S. Department of Agriculture opposing proposed changes SNAP benefits program
July 26, 2019 – Philadelphia – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) wrote the U.S. Department of Agriculture Friday to oppose a proposal to end automatic eligibility requirements that could cut Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)...
Sen. Hughes applauds $120K in fresh fruit, vegetable grants for schools in the 7th Senatorial District
Philadelphia − July 15, 2019 − State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) praised more than $120,000 in grants to help provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students in the 7th Senatorial District during the school day. Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration...
PA Legislators Work as ‘Servers for an Hour’ in Push for Minimum Wage Increase for Working Families
Philadelphia, PA (July 12, 2019) — A record number of state legislators waited tables for an hour Friday afternoon at a restaurant in downtown Philadelphia in support of the federal Raise the Wage Act nationwide and One Fair Wage in the state.
Senator Hughes says Act 58, which authorizes “concurrent jurisdiction” for AG in Philadelphia, distracts from fight against gun violence
The major drug bust Tuesday of nearly 200,000 doses of heroin and fentanyl, along with the continued shootings across the city of Philadelphia, should send a message to all of us that the issues around who authored the “concurrent jurisdiction” language in...
Senator Hughes Applauds Wolf’s Swift Action to Fund Voting Security Upgrades
I am pleased Gov. Tom Wolf is moving forward with a funding plan for new voting systems across the commonwealth. The governor’s funding plan is similar to the Senate Democrats’ June proposal, which would have reimbursed counties for 100 percent of all costs to acquire...
Senate Democrats Highlight Funding for Affordable Housing in the PA 2019-2020 Budget
Harrisburg – July 1, 2019 – The just-passed state budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20 included a large increase in funding for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE). Several members of the Senate Democratic Caucus...
Sen. Hughes says push for 100 percent renewable energy is about the children
Harrisburg – June 19, 2019 – State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) was joined by several hundred people at a rally, including dozens of child “lobbyists,” looking to bring 100 percent renewable energy to Pennsylvania by 2050. The rally,...
Senator Hughes, Health Officials Respond to Report on Toxic Lead Levels in Pennsylvania, Call for Immediate Action
PHILADELPHIA – June 14, 2019 − In response to an in-depth report by the Joint State Commission Report on Lead Risks and Exposure in Pennsylvania, State Senator Vincent Hughes (D, Philadelphia/Montgomery County) convened a gathering of fellow elected officials,...
Senators Haywood, Hughes, and Muth Hosted a Fair Share Tax News Conference
Harrisburg – June 12, 2019 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) State Senator Katie Muth (D-Berks/Chester/Montgomery), and PA Budget and Policy Center Director Marc Stier hosted a press...
Senator Hughes thanks Senate Education Committee members for their support of trauma-informed education initiative
I am grateful to the Senate Education Committee for its support of Senate Bill 200. Research has revealed the devastating effects of trauma on our communities, which is why we want to create policy and curriculum around trauma-informed education initiatives. We have...
Join the fight for fair education funding at the PA Capitol June 12
On Wednesday, June 12th, hundreds of people will converge on the State Capitol in Harrisburg with one thing in mind: Replace Pennsylvania’s system of EDUCATION APARTHEID with entirely fair school funding. Representatives from POWER in faith...
Senator Hughes thanks colleagues for supporting SB 502, extending resources for crime victims
I am grateful to have support of my colleagues on Senate Bill 502, which provides a clearer and less difficult path for crime victims and their families as they deal with the justice system. SB 502 will help ensure victims are provided with complete information about...
Senate, House Members Unveil Elections Reform Proposals
Harrisburg PA – June 4, 2019 – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-Pittsburgh) led House and Senate Democrats in announcing several voting reform proposals Tuesday in the Main Capitol Rotunda. The legislators were...
Fund Our Facilities Coalition Announces Legislation to Invest $85 Million in School Building Repairs
PHILADELPHIA, PA − May 29, 2019 − The union leaders and legislators who comprise the Fund Our Facilities Coalition today met at Richard Wright Elementary School to announce legislation sponsored by State Senator Vincent Hughes that would invest $85 million to...
Sen. Hughes supports census commission’s funding request to improve 2020 census accuracy
Philadelphia, PA − May 24, 2019 − Pennsylvania must have an accurate census count in 2020, which is I support the request of Gov. Tom Wolf’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission. Billions of dollars in federal funding in areas such as education, infrastructure,...