Hughes Walks and Speaks to Students for National Walkout Day
It was my honor and privilege to walk with and speak to students from the Science Leadership Academy School in Philadelphia who participated in National Walkout Day. I also attended an event at Philadelphia City Hall where students who participated in the walkout gathered.
Senate Democrats Propose Legislation to Bolster Farmers, Agriculture Production
Harrisburg – March 12, 2018 – Bolstering farms and farmers, promoting the use of locally produced food and significantly increasing a tax credit to spur job creation and investment in rural communities is the focus of a package of bills offered by three state Senate Democrats.
Hughes Statement on Court Hearing: Lawsuit Will Spur Action on School Funding
Harrisburg – March 7, 2018 — Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement concerning today’s Commonwealth Court hearing on fair funding for Pennsylvania’s public schools. “We are not doing enough...
Parking Amnesty Program Begins March 1st
In December 2017, Philadelphia’s City Council passed a bill that forgives parking tickets issued before 2013. Enrollment in the amnesty program will begin March 1 and run through April 30. On March 1st, please visit www.phila.gov/parkingamnesty to find out more information and enroll online.
Senator Hughes Statement on Congressional Redistricting
Harrisburg – February 23, 2018 – State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) statement on congressional redistricting: “While the map ordered by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court addresses the problem of political gerrymandering — and that was...
Hughes: State Attorney General Announces Investigation into “Redlining” in Philadelphia
HARRISBURG, PA – February 22, 2018 – Senator Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) pressed the issue of “redlining” and discriminatory housing practices within Philadelphia during the budget hearing of Pennsylvania State Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
Hughes Questions State Treasurer about Redlining in Philadelphia
HARRISBURG, PA – February 20, 2018 – During budget hearings with State Treasurer Joe Torsella, Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) raised a recent report about redlining and housing discrimination specifically in the city of Philadelphia. Hughes cited a report by...
Hughes Welcomes Gov. Wolf to Groundbreaking for New Market West
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.
PMBDA Low-Interest Loan Program
The Department of Community and Economic Development is offering low-interest loan opportunities through the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority (PMBDA). PMBDA is a low-interest loan program designed to stimulate the creation, retention, and expansion...
Redlining in Philadelphia, Hughes Seeks Answers, Accountability
PHILADELPHIA – February 15, 2018 – State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) reacted angrily to media reports about the continued “redlining” of neighborhoods in Philadelphia, pledging to seek answers via inquires of state officials when they appear before the...
Hughes to Gov: New Maps Must Adhere to Voting Rights Act
Harrisburg – February 9, 2018 – In a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf on the preparation of new congressional maps, state Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) reminded the governor that the new districts must adhere to the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of...
Stay the Course, the Fight is NOT Over
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.
Hughes: Jobs, Workforce Development, Education Investments Highlight Budget Proposal
Harrisburg – February 6, 2018 – Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement regarding the governor’s $32.9 billion General Fund budget proposal for 2018-2019. The proposed budget represents a 3.1...
Earned Income Tax Credit
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.
Action to Address Worker Wages First Step on Long Road to Equity
Frustrated by years of resistance from legislative Republicans to raise worker wages, Gov. Tom Wolf announced plans to lift the state’s salary threshold below which Pennsylvania salaried workers automatically receive overtime pay. The governor’s action is...
Senator Hughes Joins the Call for Affordable Higher Education For All Pennsylvania Students
Harrisburg, PA – January 23, 2018 – Senator Vincent Hughes spoke today in support of affordable higher education for Pennsylvanians. Standing with advocates and researches from the Association of State College & University Faculty, Keystone Research Center,...
Getting the Lead Out: Legislative, Financial and Local Initiatives Fight Childhood Lead Poisoning
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...
The “American Dream” is Out of Reach for Millions
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...
Our Schools…Unsafe … Unhealthy … Unfit
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...
Stay Prepared for Freezing Temperatures
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...
Trump/Republican Tax Reform Delivers – to the Wealthy, Huge Corporations, Wall Street
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...
Philadelphia Takes Control of Schools, but State Still Owes Pupils
Op-ed by Vincent Hughes Mayor Kenney said he wanted to end state oversight of the School District of Philadelphia as a necessary step toward reclaiming local control of our public schools. Now, with the action by the School Reform Commission to disband, control of the...
Hughes Applauds Mayor Kenney’s Plan to End State Oversight of Phila. Public Schools
PHILADELPHIA, November 2, 2017 — State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) issued the following statement on Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s announcement that he will seek to end state oversight of the School District of Philadelphia: “I applaud Mayor’s...