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...
Sign Up Today for ACA Health Coverage
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...
Lawmakers Applaud Measure Creating Trust Fund for Youth Impacted by Prison System
HARRISBURG, October 31, 2017 — A bipartisan group of state lawmakers and Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel applauded the passage of legislation to establish a public charitable trust to aid children impacted by the prison system and reverse...
Hughes: Legislation Addresses ‘Stop-and-Go’ Liquor, Fixes City AVI
HARRISBURG, October 24, 2017 — State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) issued the following statement on the passage of legislation that addresses problematic “stop and go” liquor businesses. The measure also establishes a fix for the city’s Actual Value...
Democratic Senators to Gov. Wolf and General Assembly: Make Rebuilding Manufacturing a Priority
Op-ed by state Sen. John T. Yudichak, Sen. Vincent J. Hughes, Sen. Jim Brewster
October 23, 2017 − National Manufacturing Day is the first Friday in October. While noting the importance of manufacturing on this one day is important, the focus on rebuilding our manufacturing base should be a priority for the governor and the General Assembly each day.
Democratic Senators Detail Impact of Trump Actions on Affordable Care Act in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, October 18, 2017 — State Senate Democrats today blasted President Trump’s latest actions regarding the Affordable Care Act in Pennsylvania and detailed the debilitating impact on Pennsylvanians that his latest acts will have...
Hughes, Yudichak, Brewster Sponsor Three-Pronged Manufacturing Initiative
Harrisburg – October 11, 2017 – A new legislative initiative designed to spur manufacturing and job creation should be a priority for Senate consideration, according to Sens. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia), John T. Yudichak (D-Luzerne) and James R. Brewster (D-Allegheny), the prime sponsors of the plan.
Hughes Statement on PA Supreme Court Ruling on William Penn School District
HARRISBURG, September 28, 2017 — State Sen. Vincent Hughes applauded the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision today on William Penn School District v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania school funding case. Six school districts, along with several parents, initially filed...
Sen. Hughes Comments on Pennsylvania’s Credit Downgrade
HARRISBURG, September 20, 2017 — State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), the Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on Pennsylvania’s credit rating downgrade by S&P Global Ratings due to a failure...
Hughes Introduces ‘It’s on Us PA’ Bill Expanding Office of Safe Schools to Include Colleges
HARRISBURG, September 6, 2017 — As part of ongoing efforts to prevent sexual violence on college campuses, state Sen. Vincent Hughes has introduced legislation that would expand Pennsylvania’s Office of Safe Schools to cover postsecondary institutions. This...