Press Releases
Senate Democrats Unveil Pension Reform Proposal to Save Billions for Taxpayers
HARRISBURG, March 12, 2014 – State Senate Democrats today said they would save Pennsylvania taxpayers billions of dollars and solve the state’s pension problem if their proposal to further reform pension rules, refinance billions and help school districts avoid...
Senate, House Democrats Question Corbett Budget Assertions, Unveil Fact Check Website
Harrisburg – February 20, 2014 – Senate and House Democrats said today that Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget speech and follow up opinion pieces and interviews have painted a picture of Pennsylvania that is blurry, inaccurate and badly in need of correction. Senate...
Senate Democrats Deride Gov’s Budget as Election-Year Pandering
Harrisburg, February 4, 2014 – Senate Democratic leaders today called Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2014-15 budget proposal election-year pandering and woefully lacking on multiple levels. “The governor really needs to stop promising and start delivering for Pennsylvania.”...
Senate Democrats Detail Budget Priorities, Highlight Corbett Budget Failures
Philadelphia, Jan. 30, 2014 – Senate Democrats gathered in communities across Pennsylvania yesterday to challenge Gov. Tom Corbett to produce a spending plan that is aligned with the needs of the Pennsylvania.
Senator Vincent Hughes Hails Decision to Find Voter ID Law Unconstitutional
Philadelphia – January 17th, 2014 – Today, Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement on the decision by Judge Benard McGinley of Commonwealth Court finding that Pennsylvania’s Voter ID law is unconstitutional: “This decision is a tremendous victory for...
Senator Hughes calls for another “Healthy PA” hearing in Philadelphia
January 6th, 2014 Secretary Beverly Mackereth Department of Public Welfare P.O. BOX 2675 Harrisburg, PA 17105 Dear Secretary Mackereth, We were pleased to hear that nearly 300 people had signed up to participate in the Department of Public Welfare’s two hearings on...
For PA’s Minimum Wage Workers, Christmas Unaffordable, Tartaglione, Hughes Say
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 17, 2013 – With thousands of Pennsylvanians buying the most popular Christmas gifts and planning family get-togethers by plane, train and automobile, state Sens. Christine M. Tartaglione and Vincent Hughes today said too many people will not be able...
Senate Democrats Outline Billion Dollar Budget Savings and Revenue Plan
Harrisburg – Dec. 10, 2013 – In advance of the governor’s planned mid-year budget briefing, state Senate Democrats today announced details of a plan to generate more than $1 billion in budget savings and revenues they say can be used to make key investments, avoid...
Senator Hughes: Expanding Traditional Medicaid is the Best Way to Provide Insurance to Low-Income Individuals in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG – December 6th, 2013 – Senator Vincent Hughes issued the following statement on the need for Pennsylvania to expand Medicaid: “Gov. Tom Corbett has begun to offer more details about his proposal to expand health-care coverage for low-income individuals...
Senator Hughes Votes for Funding for Critical Transportation Needs, Calls It Major Job Creation Initiative
HARRISBURG – November 20, 2013 – Senator Vincent Hughes issued the following statement on the passage of House Bill 1060: “I am pleased today that the Pennsylvania Senate passed a major transportation funding package and has now sent that amended bill to members of...
Senate Democrats Announce Legislative Plan for Veterans
Harrisburg – November 19, 2013 – At a Capitol news conference today, Senate Democrats outlined a comprehensive package of legislation designed to help veterans and their families deal with issues as they return to civilian life from military service. According to...
Senate Democrats Cite New IFO Report as Evidence of Corbett Leadership Failure
Democratic Leaders Outline Specific Revenue Initiatives Harrisburg – November 15, 2013 – On the heels of the Independent Fiscal Office’s (IFO) release of its budget outlook report suggesting that Pennsylvania is facing a structural deficit of $839 million next year,...
Senate Democrats’ Small Games Plan Now Backed by Governor
Harrisburg – October 24, 2013 – State Senate Democrats said today they were pleased that Gov. Tom Corbett has now signaled his approval of their plan to direct revenues generated from small games of chance in taverns to the Lottery Fund. The Democratic plan would bolster lottery programs and create a potential funding source for a property tax freeze benefitting seniors.
State Senator Vincent Hughes Statement in Response to Gov. Corbett’s Decision to Release $45 Million for School District of Philadelphia
Philadelphia – October 16th, 2013 – State Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement today in response to Governor Tom Corbett’s decision to release the $45 million grant for the School District of Philadelphia: “I am relieved that Gov. Corbett has...
Senator Vincent Hughes: Congressman Eric Cantor Needs to See Impact of Inadequate Funding for Public Education
Philadelphia – September 23, 2013 – State Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement in response to U.S. Congressman Eric Cantor’s Monday visit to Freire Charter School in West Philadelphia: “It’s outrageous that Congressman Cantor is coming to...
Hughes Supports Legislation to Raise Minimum Wage
PHILADELPHIA, September 17, 2013 — At a news conference in Philadelphia’s City Hall today, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione announced new legislation aimed at restoring the buying power of Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. Tartaglione, the Democratic chair of the Labor...
Senate Democrats Comment on Corbett Health Plan
Harrisburg, September 16, 2013 – Senate Democrats issued the following joint statement in response to Gov. Tom Corbett’s announcement of his plan to reform the state’s Medicaid program. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Sen. Vincent J. Hughes...
State Senator Vincent Hughes and Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers to Participate in Medicaid Expansion Discussion Sponsored By Cover the Commonwealth Campaign
PHILADELPHIA, September 9th, 2013 – State Senator Vincent Hughes will join with Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), Rep. Cherelle Parker (D-Philadelphia) and other elected officials for a discussion on Medicaid expansion sponsored by the Cover the Commonwealth Campaign on...
Senate Democratic Caucus Pushes Governor to Take Urgent Steps to Expand CHIP
HARRISBURG, Aug. 20, 2013 – As more Pennsylvania children continue to drop from the rolls of the state’s landmark Children’s Health Insurance Program, a unified Senate Democratic Caucus urged the governor today to take immediate action to correct the problem. The...
Senator Vincent Hughes Celebrates Opening of New Domestic Violence Shelter, Thanks Women Against Abuse for Honor of Naming Facility After Him
Philadelphia – July 29, 2013 – Senator Vincent Hughes thanked Women Against Abuse for preserving and expanding a critical housing resource for survivors of domestic violence. After years of fundraising and construction, the facility is ready to welcome new families to...