Press Releases
Senate Democratic Leaders React to the Independent Fiscal Office Report
HARRISBURG, May 1, 2012 –Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes offered the following comments regarding today’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) Revenue Estimate Report, which stated that the projected shortfall...
Senator Hughes Talks Issues on Washington Watch with Roland Martin
On Sunday, April 22, 2012, I was pleased to join MSNBC political analyst Karen Finney; Michael Fletcher, national economics correspondent for “The Washington Post”; and Deborah Simmons, senior correspondent for “The Washington Times” on Washington Watch with Roland...
Senator Hughes to Host Financial Aid for College Conference
PHILADELPHIA, April 4, 2012 -- State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) will join with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation, The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, The Mayor’s Office of Education and The College Access Center to...
Senator Hughes Speaks Out Against Republican Attempt to Halt Health Reform
HARRISBURG, March 28, 2012 - - State Sen. Vincent Hughes, Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following comments on Senate Bill 10 and the attempt by Senate Republicans to prohibit the implementation of parts of the federal Patient...
Report: National Employment Growth, Job Decline in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, March 14, 2012 – – Pennsylvania’s stunning loss of 9,000 jobs in January is astounding considering there was robust national employment growth of over 730,000 new jobs during the past three months, Senate Democratic leaders said today.
Voter “Suppression” Bill Disenfranchises Thousands of Pennsylvania Voters, Senator Hughes Says
HARRISBURG, March 7, 2012 - - Following the state Senate’s approval of House Bill 934, the so-called Voter ID bill, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) decried its passage, stating that it would only serve to disenfranchise many voters...
Senator Hughes Decries Proposed DPW Budget Cuts
HARRISBURG, February 28, 2012 – – Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) took Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander to task regarding egregious cuts to human services proposed by Governor Tom Corbett at the department’s budget hearing today.
Clarification Needed on Education Funding Numbers, At-Risk Schools, Hughes says
HARRISBURG, February 27, 2012 – – At today’s Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearing, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) questioned Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis about the potential impact of Governor Tom Corbett’s $400 million in proposed education budget cuts.
Senator Hughes to Talk Proposed Education Budget Cuts at Cook-Wissahickon School
PHILADELPHIA, February 22, 2012 – – In light of Governor Tom Corbett’s budget proposal, which includes deep cuts to basic education, state Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) will tour Cook-Wissahickon Public School and hold a community meeting to discuss public education and the impacts of the proposed budget cuts.
Senator Hughes to Hold a Veterans Benefits Seminar
PHILADELPHIA, February 21, 2012 – – State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) will join with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Veterans Support Group to hold a Veterans Benefits Seminar. The event is aimed at assisting veterans in finding jobs, housing and health care benefits for themselves and their families.
Senator Hughes: Immediate Aid is Needed to Stem Foreclosure Crisis in PA
PHILADELPHIA, February 17, 2012 – – In reaction to a report released by RealtyTrac on Thursday indicating that foreclosures in Pennsylvania have risen 24 percent since January 2011, state Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) said that immediate aid is needed to assist homeowners in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.
Hughes Says Focus Must be Job Creation, Economic Investment
PHILADELPHIA, February 9, 2012 – Responding to Governor Tom Corbett’s budget address, which lacks a plan to stimulate Pennsylvania’s economy, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) held a news conference today to discuss a plan to boost job creation and economic investment in Pennsylvania.
Senator Hughes: Governor’s Budget Proposal Hurts Pennsylvania’s People, Economy
“With this budget address, Governor Corbett has once again proven his disconnect with Pennsylvania citizens. Despite what the governor may have said today, the reality is Pennsylvania’s job creation has been stagnant, economic development is at a standstill and public education – which is still dealing with last year’s billion dollar body blow – is getting hit again.
Judiciary Should Be Allowed to Make Budget Presentation, Hughes Says
HARRISBURG, February 1, 2012 – Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes strongly suggested that Senate Republicans reconsider their decision to cancel the budget hearing for state courts and allow justices to discuss their financial needs before...
Democrats Lament Corbett’s Lack of Leadership on Transportation
Pittsburgh, January 31, 2012 – Noting the six months of inaction since Gov. Tom Corbett’s blue ribbon transportation commission released its final report, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today joined county and legislative leaders in Pittsburgh to...
Democrats Question Omission of Budget Hearings for PSU, Other Universities
Harrisburg, January 31, 2012 –Led by State Senator Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Senate Democrats today urged the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Chair to reconsider his refusal to schedule budget hearings for Penn State, Pitt, Lincoln and Temple, State System schools and community colleges.
Senate Democrats Say Budget Should Move PA Forward
Harrisburg – January 25, 2012 – Senate Democrats, led by Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes and others, today called on the governor to make job creation, tax fairness, education funding, shale and the restoration of funds for safety net programs budget priorities.
Sen. Hughes Bill would Provide Flood Mitigation Aid to Homes and Small Businesses
Harrisburg, January 18, 2012 – State Senator Vincent J. Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) today announced plans to introduce legislation that would provide low interest loans to homeowners and small businesses to purchase and install products that minimize the impact of flooding on one’s property.
Democrats to Governor Corbett, GOP legislature: Where’s the leadership?
HARRISBURG, Dec. 20 – Democratic leaders from the state House and Senate joined together today to urge Governor Tom Corbett and leaders of the Republican-controlled legislature to end their extreme ideological crusade and to begin leading on the issues that matter to working, middle-class families.
Sen. Hughes Presses for Transit System Repair Work Funds
Philadelphia, December 12, 2011 – State Senator Vincent J. Hughes and SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority) General Manager Joseph M. Casey called for immediate action to address the agency’s transportation needs and repair infrastructure.