Democrats Press for Shale Tax to Fund $1 Billion Education Investment

Harrisburg – June 2, 2015 – Legislative Democrats gathered in the state Capitol for a news conference today to highlight the broad and deep support in the General Assembly for legislation that would create a new $1 billion natural gas extraction tax for education....

Senator Hughes Statement on Passage of Illegal Pension Bill       

HARRISBURG, May 13th, 2015 − Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 1: “The Republican controlled Pennsylvania Senate today passed pension “reform” legislation that has historically been ruled illegal and unconstitutional...

Sens. Hughes, Schwank to Propose Expansion of New ‘Revenge Porn’ Law

HARRISBURG, March 19, 2015 – To better protect Pennsylvanians from the unsolicited and embarrassing publication of their private, intimate pictures, state Sens. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said today they will introduce a proposal, similar to the recently enacted so-called “revenge porn” law, that would make it a crime for someone to steal and publish unauthorized images of strangers and others.

Senate Democrats: Wolf Budget Proposal Bold, Responsible, Necessary

Plan includes historic tax relief, business tax shifts, education, and job initiatives Harrisburg – March 3, 2015 – Senate Democratic leaders today said that Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget proposal is a “bold, responsible and necessary” plan designed to address issues...

Hughes, Haywood Propose 8 Percent “Shale For Our Future” Tax

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 5, 2015 — Surrounded by local educators and parents, state Sens. Art Haywood and Vincent J. Hughes today announced legislation to impose an 8 percent tax on Marcellus Shale gas along with the 1.9 percent impact fee. Joined by Sen. Larry...

Costa, Hughes: Corbett, Republicans Accountable for $2 Billion Deficit

Harrisburg – Dec. 3, 2014 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Phila.) said the $2 billion plus budget deficit disclosed at today’s Mid-Year Budget Briefing should be laid at the...

Lawmakers Learn About Housing Needs of Vets at McKeesport Roundtable

McKeesport – September 5, 2014 – Lawmakers who participated in Friday afternoon’s roundtable discussion at the James R. Brewster Community Center in McKeesport learned first-hand about the needs of veterans and the obstacles they face when they try to find...

Senator Hughes Responds to Decision to Open Philadelphia Public Schools

PHILADELPHIA- (August 15th) – Sen. Vincent Hughes released the following statement today in response the announcement that Philadelphia public schools will open on time: “While I am grateful that students and parents will not have to deal with the disruption of our...

Corbett’s Action on Budget Illustrates Republican Dysfunction

Harrisburg – July 10, 2014 – Members of Senate Democratic Leadership issued the following statements concerning Gov. Tom Corbett’s line-item veto of funding for the General Assembly and his renewed call for lawmakers to consider pension reform: Senate Democratic...

Senator Vincent Hughes Denounces “Sham” Budget Passed by PA Senate

HARRISBURG- June 30th, 2014- Senator Vincent Hughes issued the following statement in response to the passage of HB 2328 by the Pennsylvania Senate: “Today, in an effort to pass a budget bill before the start of the new fiscal year, Senate Republicans advanced a $29.1...