Press Releases
Senate and House Democrats Call on Senate Republicans to take up House Bill 2189 and Raise Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage
HARRISBURG, PA − June 10, 2026 − Today, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus rallied in support of a bill to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25/hour, where it has stayed since 2009. "Senate Republicans have no excuse for continuing to deny hardworking...
Senator Hughes Announces Over $2.2M for Youth Services, Public Safety, and Community Support in Philadelphia and Montgomery County
June 10, 2026 – Today, Senator Vincent Hughes announced more than $2.2 million in new Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) funding to support a range of programs across Philadelphia and Montgomery County. The grants will expand violence prevention...
Senator Hughes Honors 100 Young Men and Their Impact on Pennsylvania Communities
Philadelphia, PA – May 20, 2026 − On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Senator Vincent Hughes, in partnership with the Urban League of Philadelphia, honored 100 young men who are making a tangible difference in their communities at the Men Making a Difference award ceremony....
Senator Hughes and Philadelphia Leaders Announce Over $23M in Community Safety Grants for Philadelphia
May 8, 2026 − Philadelphia, PA- Senator Vincent Hughes in partnership with Senator Art Haywood convened Philadelphia area lawmakers and community leaders to announce new state grants that have been awarded to Philadelphia organizations and projects aimed at...
Senate Democrats Decry Wasted Session Time, Urge Senate Republicans to Focus on PA Budget and Affordability Crisis
HARRISBURG, PA – May 6, 2026 − Today, May 6, is the Senate’s final day in session until June 1, 2026. But despite the lengthy break, Senate Republicans moved no bills to raise wages, bring down costs, or work on the 2026-27 Pennsylvania Budget, due on June 30. On...
Senators Applaud Advancement of Bill to Create Phone-Free Schools in PA
HARRISBURG – April 28, 2026 − Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37), Vincent Hughes (D-7), and Steve Santarseiro (D-10) issued the following joint statement after Senate Bill 1014 was approved by the House of Representatives Education Committee: “Today’s advancement of Senate...
Senate Democrats Champion Affordability Action Plan to Bring Down Costs and Expand Economic Opportunities to PA Families
HARRISBURG, PA − April 21, 2026 − Today, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus were joined by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis to hold a press conference in the Main Capitol Rotunda to kick off their Affordability Action Plan, which highlights...
Senator Hughes Announces Over $23M for Philadelphia Community Violence Prevention
Philadelphia, PA − April 20, 2026 − Senator Vincent Hughes, announced over $23 million in state grants for grassroot, community anti-violence groups and after-school programs in Philadelphia. The grants were awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and...
Senator Hughes, Education Leaders Announce Opening of Student Teacher Support Program for ‘26-27 Academic Year
April 13, 2026 – Philadelphia, PA – Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, along with education leaders, announced that applications for student teacher stipends will open on Thursday, April 16, at 4PM for ‘26-27 academic year placements....
Senator Hughes: ‘Democrats Have Been Relentless on Minimum Wage, Senate Democrats are Ready to Vote’
Harrisburg, PA – March 25, 2026 - This week, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. This marks the third consecutive year that the House has voted to raise the minimum wage. Senator Vincent Hughes...
Senator Vincent Hughes Applauds Introduction of 2026-27 Budget in the State House
Harrisburg, PA- March 24, 2026- Today, House Democratic Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris introduced a 26-27 budget in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee. Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, issued the...
Senator Hughes Announces New Funding for Public Defenders in Philadelphia and Montgomery County
March 19, 2026 − Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, announced over $250,000 in new funding for public defenders and indigent defense offices in Philadelphia and Montgomery County. The money was awarded from the Pennsylvania Commission...
Senators Cappelletti and Hughes Fight for Fairness and Equity, Celebrate PA Public Defenders on Gideon’s Day
Harrisburg, PA – March 18, 2026 – Sixty-three years ago today, the United States Supreme Court decided in the landmark case, Gideon v. Wainwright, that the Sixth Amendment right to legal counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial. To commemorate the day,...
Senators Hughes and Miller Highlight School Funding Budget Wins and Senate Democrats’ Commitment to Education
February 20, 2026 – Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Senator Vincent Hughes (D-7) and Senator Nick Miller (D-14) joined Allentown School District Superintendent Dr. Carol D. Birks to underscore major education investments and reaffirm Senate Democrats’...
Robinson, Hughes, Santarsiero Bill to Implement a Bell-to-Bell Ban on Student Cellphone Use During School Day Passes Senate
HARRISBURG – February 4, 2026 − The Pennsylvania Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37), Vincent Hughes (D-7), and Steve Santarsiero (D-10) to require public schools across the commonwealth to adopt policies prohibiting student...
Senator Hughes’ Statement on Racist and Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found on Roxborough High School
January 4, 2025 - Philadelphia, PA - Senator Vincent Hughes shared the following statement in response to hateful and racist graffiti that was put on the Roxborough High School building late last night. "Hate has no home here. Every student, teacher,...
Senator Hughes Announces Over $1.5M in Apprenticeship Investments for Philadelphia
December 15, 2025 — State Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, announced over $1.5M in apprenticeship grants for Philadelphia-area organizations. The grants were awarded by the Department of Labor and Industry, as part of a nearly $4.2...
Senator Hughes’ Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Bill Moves Forward in the Senate
December 12, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA –This week, Senate Bill 1014, bipartisan legislation prime-sponsored by Senators Vincent Hughes, Steve Santarsiero, and Devlin Robinson, passed the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee with a unanimous vote. The legislation would...
Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Student Cellphone Use During School Day Passes Senate Education Committee
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sens. Vince Hughes (D-7), Steve Santarsiero (D-10), and Devlin Robinson (R-37) to require public schools across the commonwealth to adopt policies...
Senator Hughes Celebrates Passage of Pennsylvania CROWN Act
Harrisburg, PA – November 19, 2025 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed the CROWN Act (HB439) with a vote of 44-3. This legislation ensures that no one in Pennsylvania will be denied access to professional, educational, or public spaces and opportunities because of...