On the Issues
Generations of Unconstitutional and Inadequate Education Funding Have Forced Schools Across PA to Not Open on Time
This week, the Philadelphia Inquirer took a look at why over 80 Philadelphia public schools had to dismiss early on their first week back to school. Because many schools did not have air conditioning, students missed important learning time as they kicked...
More Affordable Housing for More People in Pennsylvania
Let's Double Down, Triple Down Senator Hughes joined Mission First Housing Group for the grand re-opening of Monument Village, a 60-apartment affordable housing development in West Philadelphia. He celebrated the grand re-opening with tenants and called for lawmakers...
Investing in East Falls
Senator Hughes joined Rep. Tarik Khan and Rep. Roni Green to present the East Falls Development Corp. with over $200,000 to help with streetscaping and revitalization in the area. The state funds will be used to add new benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, and...
Investing in the Historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course
And Supporting African American Golfers in PennsylvaniaSenator Hughes joined elected officials including Representative Morgan Cephas and Mayor Jim Kenney to break ground on a new project to revitalize the historic Cobbs Creek golf course and build a new Tiger Woods...
Celebrating the History of Jazz in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a strong history with the legacy of jazz and is home to many great jazz legends. Musicians like Lee Morgan, John Coltrane, and Butch Ballard all have strong connections to city of Philadelphia and West Philadelphia in particular. Senator Hughes...
Calling for Fast and Aggressive Climate Action
#ActNow on ClimateSenator Hughes joined Penn Environment in Love Park to speak about the urgency of the climate crisis and call for action now. Senator Hughes recently signed a letter with 75+ state and local officials to support aggressive climate action from...
Stop the Gun Violence
One Step Away from Commonsense Gun LawsSenator Hughes was joined by Senators Jimmy Dillon, Art Haywood, Tim Kearney, the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, and community leaders to call attention to two commonsense gun bills that are one step...
National Night Out
Communities Making a Difference TogetherSenator Hughes celebrated National Night Out at 5 different neighborhoods around the district including Carroll Park, Parkside, Mantua, East Falls, and Strawberry Mansion. National Night Out was celebrated across the country on...
Over $1 Million Dollars in State and City Grants for Granahan Playground
Senator Hughes, Representative Cephas, and Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. came together to present over $1 million dollars in grants from the state and city of Philadelphia for improvements to the Granahan Playground and Recreational Center.
Senator Hughes In and Around the Neighborhood
Senator Hughes recently visited YEAH Philly to talk with young people about the important work they are doing to empower youth in their community and discourage gun violence.
Fund Our Schools Equitably and Adequately
When it comes to our schools, with a $9B surplus, a $5.1B Rainy Day Fund, a Commonwealth Court decision, and no Republican appeals, we should fund our schools NOW! If not now, when? In February, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled that our public school...
All About Education
Supporting Students and Teachers in the 7th District
Senator Hughes has been busy in the district visiting schools and introducing legislation to financially compensate future teachers.
STOP THE GUN VIOLENCE: Pass commonsense gun laws now!
Commonsense gun laws are one step away in PAThe Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed two, commonsense gun bills that would make communities throughout the commonwealth safer. The bills- HB1018 and HB 714- would: 1. Create a “Red Flag...
Investing $100 Million for Affordable Housing!
“This is a big deal.” - Senator Hughes Yesterday, I held a press conference at the New Courtland Apartments on Henry Avenue to highlight $100 million dollars that is now available through the Housing Options Program for the preservation and construction of new...
School Funding Ruling Major Victory for Students, Teachers, and All Pennsylvanians
We won’t stop fighting for our children! After years of fighting to make sure all of Pennsylvania’s students get a quality, 21st century education, this week, we scored a major victory. On Tuesday, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled Pennsylvania’s education funding...
Investing in Our Community Groups: $100+ Million in Grants Will Help Us Win the War Against the Gun Violence
Today, I want to share some good news with you that has been a long time coming. You may remember that back in September, my colleagues and I gathered at Mander Playground with Governor Wolf, to announce the availability of $100+ million in funding for community-based...
Deadline to apply for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program December 31!
Did you know… …this year, the deadline for older and disabled Pennsylvanians to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2021 was extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2022? The property tax/rent rebate program – which benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65...
APPLY NOW: Deadline for Philadelphia Tax Relief Program *This* Thursday, Dec. 1!
Philadelphia homeowners, make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to save $1000+ on your real estate taxes! Did you know that If you own your home, you are eligible for the Homestead Exemption on your Real Estate Tax? But you must act fast: the deadline to apply is...
Attention Philly Voters! If you voted by mail-in/absentee ballot, make sure your ballot isn’t flawed, now!
Friends, as you all know, there is so much at stake this election and the last thing you want is for your mail-in or absentee ballot to not be counted due to a mistake. However, it appears as though that could be the case for many unless you take action...
Back by Popular Demand – Free Paper Shredding Event Nov. 12!
My team and I are once again hosting a free paper shredding event this Saturday, November 12. If you are looking for a way to securely get rid of documents that contain personal information like your social security, credit card, and bank account numbers, you don’t...
Apply Today for Student Loan Debt Relief!
During my time serving the people of the 7th senatorial district, I’ve been fighting to make higher education more affordable and less of a financial burden for families. Whether it’s working to launch the Keystone Scholars program, or pushing for the Pennsylvania...
Be Prepared: Now’s the Time to Explore Your Affordable Healthcare Options Ahead of Open Enrollment
For my entire time in the legislature, expanding access to health insurance to the uninsured and underinsured has been a central focus of my work. When we fully implemented the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion in 2015 with Governor Wolf, more than 1...
APPLY NOW: Important Funding for Violence Prevention, Prosecution, and Protection Programs Available!
Deadlines to apply are fast-approachingGun violence is plaguing communities across the commonwealth, and sadly, Philadelphia is feeling its impact in unimaginably painful ways. When I spoke at Tiffany Fletcher’s funeral, the mood was heavy and you could feel the...
Big Win in Harrisburg: Creating the Teacher Diversity Pipeline
Pennsylvania has a problem.A decade ago, the commonwealth certified 20,000 new teachers.Last year, that number was down to just 6,000. However, we recently enacted some important, bipartisan legislation to address that problem and others surrounding teacher...
APPLY TODAY: Applications Now Open for Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) Program
When it comes to preventing violence in cities and towns across the commonwealth, my colleagues and I made a key investment with the passing of the ’22-’23 budget: $105 million for the Violence Intervention and Prevention Program.
It takes an all-hands-on-deck approach to combat violence in Pennsylvania, and community-based groups and initiatives are doing tremendous work on the local level.
Got plans this Wednesday? Join us at the Discovery Center for our “Report to the People” Summer Community Briefing!
There is a lot going on in Harrisburg, and my team and I want to make sure you know all about it! That’s why I’m inviting you to join us this Wednesday, August 31, at the Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia PA 19121 starting at 5:30 PM for a summer...
Getting Justice for Victims of Modern-Day Redlining in Philadelphia
After years of our team pushing for investigations, accountability, and justice, state and federal leaders announce historic settlementFor years, my team and I have fought for people of color to have the right to make their American dream of owning a home come true....
Dramatic Increase in Housing Funds a Key Component of New State Budget
Total investment in affordable housing jumps eight fold, from $55 million a year ago to more than $435 million over the next year For years before the COVID-19 pandemic ruptured the economy, we saw a growing housing crisis in low-income neighborhoods as...
Historic State Budget Takes Broad Approach to Community Safety
In addition to violence prevention grants, public safety and prosecution get a boost While the news that Pennsylvania’s commitment to violence intervention programs represented a huge victory for advocates in Philadelphia, it was only part of the story in how our...
Violence Prevention Funding More than Tripled in State Budget
Just a year after a historic first-ever investment in community programs, $105 million is budgeted In last year’s state budget, we were able to secure more than $30 million for programs aimed at curbing the community violence that surged along with the COVID-19...
Read 2 Succeed Turns 10 This Summer
Program’s first students are now entering college, or the job market, better prepared With great partners, parents and eager students, the Read 2 Succeed program is celebrating its tenth anniversary this summer. More than 400 young students have already signed up and...
Historic Education Package Includes Funding for Mental Health, School Safety
In all, Gov. Wolf and allies in the General Assembly have raised education commitment by 40 percent since 2013In our most recent On the Issues I talked about the historic new funding for basic education and the Level-Up program which aims to boost the state’s 100 most...
New PA Budget Delivers Historic Education Investment
$1.1 billion increase, much of it through ‘Level Up’ to help disadvantaged schoolsIn a significant victory for allies and advocates, the state budget signed by Gov. Tom Wolf last week delivered historic new funding for education, capping off years of progress that...
Deadline for Tax and Rent Relief Extended
Each year, thousands who qualify fail to apply. Now they have until the end of the year.The deadline for older and disabled Pennsylvanians to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2021 has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2022, the departments of...
You’re Invited to an Open House on Saturday
Breakfast, refreshments and lots of vital information will be available at my West Philadelphia District OfficeI’m hoping to see you this Saturday May 14 from 9 a.m. until noon for an Open House at my West Philadelphia District Office where you can meet my team and...
Housing Investment Plan: A Historic Opportunity to Stabilize Neighborhoods
$2.27 billion plan could construct thousands of new housing units across PAPhiladelphia has seen a housing boom, but it’s a bust for our middle-and -lower income neighbors. Working families, including the essential workers who have been bearing the brunt of the...
Investing in Our Youth Through Sports in North Philadelphia
Key state official visits ‘West Philly’s Main Street’ to chart a path forwardContinuing his focus on reinvesting in communities to revitalize neighborhoods, Senator Hughes guided a $2.5 million state investment to Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB) for the...
Free Tax Help Available as Deadline Approaches
Register now to take advantage of breaks available for working familiesAs the federal tax filing deadline approaches, I’m holding a series of interactive zoom events to help you and your family navigate the tax season and all the new benefits available to you and your...
Expert Panel Discusses the Dire Problem of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Discussion at CHOP Karabots offers solutions for interrelated problems in health and education This week, at the CHOP Karabots Pediatric Center in West Philadelphia, I convened a panel of experts to discuss what can be done about the dramatic and catastrophic surge in...
Reinvest to Revitalize Tour
Key state official visits ‘West Philly’s Main Street’ to chart a path forwardOnly days after his official nomination, Pennsylvania’s top economic development official spent a recent day in West Philadelphia touring important and historic economic corridors and talking...
Convenient and Free Vaccine Clinic Tomorrow
Rates still lagging among children in our communities. Take this opportunity to protect them.Nearly two years into this pandemic and now a year after vaccines became available, low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are still lagging behind everyone in...
Wolf Proposes Historic Education Budget
Gov. Tom Wolf delivered his last annual budget address this week, calling for historic investments in education, along with bolstering workforce development, criminal justice reform and raising the minimum wage.
The plan has the potential to reverse generations of systemic inequity in education funding and comes with no increase in taxes.
Hughes and Colleagues Announce Historic Education Plan
$3.75 billion would be the largest in education funding everThis week, along with House Democrats and education advocates, I announced a school budget plan that would represent the largest investment in public education in Pennsylvania history. The $3.75 billion...
New $15M Investment in Gun Violence Prevention
Additional Funds Raise State Investment to $45M This week, I was joined in West Philadelphia by Gov. Tom Wolf, gun violence victims and violence prevention providers to announce a $15 million increase in funding to further support grassroots prevention efforts in...
New Subsidies Make Health Insurance More Affordable
ARP funds provide new help for those who need coverage, but a deadline looms.Pennie is Pennsylvania’s official destination for shopping for quality health insurance plans and accessing financial assistance. If you are not covered through work or another...
2017
10.17.2017: ‘Pathways to Pardons’ Event This Thursday at Drexel University
10.5.2017: Join Us at Neighborhood Fall Festival Oct. 14
9.27.2017: Friday Roundtable to Focus on Voter Access
9.26.2017: Today is National Voter Registration Day
9.22.2017: Must Stop No Health Care/TrumpCare Bill
8.30.2017: How You Can Help Hurricane Harvey Survivors
8.17.2017: We Must Not Be Silent
8.11.2017: Due to Inclement Weather Forecast, Tomorrow’s Block Party with a Purpose is Postponed
8.7.2017: Honoring Voting Rights Act & Increasing Voter Participation
8.3.2017: You’re Invited: Neighborhood Block Party with a Purpose!
7.25.2017: Shame! Health Care Repeal Effort Moves Forward
6.30.2017: There’s Still Time to Sign Up for Summer Reading Program
6.28.207: Absurd! Senate OKs Guns in Classrooms
6.23.2017: Unequal and Insufficient Education Funding in PA Must Come To An End
6.1.2017: First Time Homebuyer Seminar & Energy Conservation Workshop
5.12.2017: #1 Issue in Education – PA’s Unequal Education Funding! Worst in the Nation!
5.8.2017: Success Story! Jobs, Community Revitalization and Fresh Food Come Back to the Neighborhood
5.2.2017: Signups for Obamacare on the Rise
4.26.2017: Attack on Planned Parenthood Comes to the Pennsylvania Senate
4.5.2017: It’s Tax Return Season; See if You Qualify for Tax Credit
4.4.2017: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
2.27.2017: Join Us at Wednesday’s Community Forum
2.22.2017: Turn Anger Into Action at My Upcoming Forum!
2.21.2017: PA Budget Hearings Viewing Schedule
2.13.2017: Fighting Bad Policies that Hurt Women, Families and Workers
2.7.2017: ALERT: Watch Gov. Wolf’s Budget Address Today
2.7.2017: Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
1.31.2017: Today is the LAST DAY to Sign Up for the Affordable Care Act
1.26.2017: You can STILL enroll in Obamacare!
1.19.2017: Just 11 days left to enroll in Obamacare!
1.18.2017: January 31st is the deadline to enroll in Obamacare!
1.4.2017: Time to Mobilize with Senator Hughes & Rev. Al Sharpton
1.1.2017: Happy New Year from Senator Hughes & Sheryl Lee Ralph-Hughes
2016
12.22.2016: You’re Invited to Celebrate Senator Hughes’ Inauguration
12.14.2016: Live Telephone Town Hall Meeting – December 15th at 6 p.m.
11.30.2016: Education Inequality In Its Most Basic Form
11.29.2016: Join Me for a Historic Holiday Package Drive
11.9.2016: Join Senator Hughes to Honor Military Families
10.24.2016: Do You Know Where Your Money is Going?
10.11.2016: Today is the last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania!
9.21.2016: Join Senator Hughes & Mothers in Charge for a Day of Remembrance
9.20.2016: Courts Must Step in to Ensure Fair Funding of Public Education
9.12.2016: Join Senator Hughes to Support Fair Funding Lawsuit for Public Schools
8.24.2016: ALERT: Flood victims in Louisiana need your help!
7.18.2016: “A New Deal for a New Urban America”
7.7.2016: Update on PA Budget from Senator Hughes
6.30.2016: PA Senate Passes 2016-2017 Budget with New Investments in Education
6.21.2016: Pennsylvania’s Teacher Crisis
6.16.2016: Enough is Enough! Here’s My Plan to Stop Gun Violence
5.20.2016: Investing In Summer Jobs and Year Round Internships for Young People
5.13.2016: Audit Finds Charter School Law is Strangling Philly Schools
4.6.2016: Addressing the Lead Problem in PA
3.24.2016: Final 2015-16 Republican Budget
3.16.2016: Another Bad Republican Budget Properly Vetoed
2.22.2016: PA Budget Hearings Viewing Schedule
2.9.2016: ALERT: Watch Gov. Wolf’s Budget Address Today
1.6.2016: Common Sense Gun Reform
2015
12.29.2015: Gov. Wolf Prevents School Closings with Line-Item Budget Veto
12.19.2015: Check Out the Next Big Project in West Philly’s Revitalization
12.14.2015: Here’s What I’m Doing on the Anniversary of the Mass Shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary
12.7.2015: PA Senate Votes 43-7 to Send PA Budget with Record Education Increase to House to End Budget Impasse
12.3.2015: Getting Results: New Affordable Housing Coming to West Philly
11.25.2015: Senator Hughes Invites You to Unleash the Power of Age Expo for Adults 50 +
11.9.2015: Check out my latest opinion piece in the Harrisburg Patriot-News
11.5.2015: Senator Vincent Hughes Celebrates Veterans Day 2015 by Honoring African American Women Veterans
10.22.2015: Help Me Stop the Next Act of Gun Violence
10.15.2015: Pennsylvania Needs a Budget, So GOP Must Compromise
10.7.2015: Republicans Pick Drillers Over Schools, Again
10.4.2015: The deadline to register to vote in the November 3rd election is October 5th.
9.24.2015: Hitting the Streets for Quality Health Insurance!
9.18.2015: You’ll Never Believe the Latest Republican Budget Stunt
8.27.2015: #BREAKING: You Won’t Believe What This Poll Says About the Republican Position on the State Budget
8.18.2015: Please share this video #TaxShaleFundSchools
8.13.2015: You Won’t Believe What’s Happening to Test Scores in Our Public Schools
7.29.2015: Here’s How to Beat the Heat
7.2.2015: Why Governor Tom Wolf Vetoed the Republican Budget
6.25.2015: Major Announcement: More Summer Jobs for Philly Youth!
6.23.2015: Three Reasons Why We Need More Funds for All Schools – Especially Philadelphia
6.8.2015: Live Telephone Town Hall Meeting – June 9th at 6 p.m.
6.3.2015: Sen. Hughes Presents Save our Skills: Read to Succeed Program
5.18.2015: Sen. Hughes Introduces Historic $3.8 Billion Cut in Property Taxes
4.7.2015: Senator Hughes Welcomes Governor Wolf to 7th Senatorial District in West Philadelphia
4.6.2015: Help Support Drexel Student Zakiya James
3.27.2015: Confronting Racism in PA: Why I Am Supporting Gov. Wolf’s Nominee for PA State Police
3.24.2015: Senator Hughes to Appear on Pa. Cable Network TONIGHT
3.16.2015: ALERT: Senate Budget Hearings Start Today
3.3.2015: ALERT: Governor Wolf to Deliver Budget Address
2.6.2015: Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Resources
1.14.2015: Top Hughes Staffer Chosen by Governor-Elect to be Budget Secretary
1.12.2015: Important Deadline to Sign up for High Quality, Very Affordable Health Care is Approaching
1.6.2015: Private Panel Discussion & Screening of the Movie Selma
2014
12.24.2014: A Season for Giving Back
12.8.2014: More Bad News for PA: Gov. Corbett Announces $2 Billion Budget Hole
12.2.2014: Additional resources for World AIDS Day
12.1.2014: A Message from Senator Hughes and Sheryl Lee Ralph on World AIDS Day
11.18.2014: Senator Hughes Can Help Get Health Coverage for You and Your Family!
11.13.2014: Senator Hughes Re-Elected Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman
11.10.2014: Please Join Me on Veterans Day
11.5.2014: Please Join Me on Veterans Day
11.3.2014: Vote for Our Schools and Our Kids!
10.31.2014: Your Right to Vote is Under Attack!
10.04.2014: Repaving City Line Ave Thanks to Act 89
09.05.2014: Update on your Credit Score
08.26.2014: Documenting School Conditions in Philadelphia
07.10.2014: Save our Skills Summer Reading Program
07.07.2014: 5th Annual Community of Giving Blood Drives in Memory of E. Steven Collins
6.18.2014: Solution #2 for PA’s Budget Deficit & Education Funding Crisis: Shale Tax for Schools
4.25.2014: PHEAA Financial Aid For College Deadline Approaching!
4.14.2014: Time to Tax Natural Gas Drilling to Fund Education
4.3.2014: Tomorrow: Breaking the Silence on Mental Wellness
3.26.2014: Register Now for Breaking the Silence: A Summit on Mental Wellness
3.25.2014: Action Alert: Fund Our Schools / Tax Marcellus Shale Rally
3.18.2014: Time is Running Out to Get Affordable Health Insurance
2.18.2014: Join Senator Hughes THIS Saturday to Get Health Insurance
2.12.2014: Gov. Corbett’s “Healthy PA” vs. Healthcare for All
2.10.2014: Governor Corbett’s “Proposed” 2014-2015 Education Budget
1.28.2014: West Philly, Get Covered Thanks to Obamacare!
1.22.2014: The Affordable Care Act is Working
1.17.2014: Test Scores Fall Because of Education Funding Cuts
1.16.2014: Mr. President: Don’t Buy Governor Corbett’s Health-care Plan
2013
12.11.2013: PA Senate Honors the Life of Nelson Mandela
11.26.2013: Senate Democrats Offer Plan to Create 80,000 Jobs to Put People Back to Work
11.19.2013: Help Available to Understand Health Insurance Options
10.30.2013: First in A Series: The Crisis in Education Funding!
10.1. 2013: Health Care for All: The Affordable Care Act/Obamacare Starts October 1, 2013! Enroll Now!
9.30.2013: Learn How to Get Health Coverage in the Insurance Marketplace
9.24.2013: Why It’s Time to Raise the Minimum Wage
8.14.2013: Tell the Governor to Send $45 million to Philly Schools
8.7.2013: Save Our Skills: Free Reading Program for Students
7.25.2013: Update on Philadelphia School District Funding Crisis: $138 Million response to $180 Million Request
7.11.2013: How We Can Create Jobs in PA
7.1.2013: Huge Victory in Senate on Medicaid Expansion
6.24.2013: Time for Big Push to Expand Health-Care
6.19.2013: How We Can Solve the Statewide School Funding Crisis
6.13.2013: Medicaid Expansion: Helps Others, Help Yourself
6.11.2013: Hughes Hosts “Welcome Home Hero: You’re Not Alone”
6.62013: PA Senate Passes Attack on Women’s Reproductive Health-Care Services
6.4.2013: 2013-14 State Budget -Stop the Cuts, Put the People First
5.7.2013: Free Dental Clinics in Pennsylvania
5.6.2013: Fresh Food Access Initiative for Urban Food Deserts
4.12.2013: Another Study Comes Out in Support of Medicaid
3.25.2013: Pennsylvania’s Job Picture: Wrong Direction, Unemployment Up, New Job Creation Down
3.8.2013: A True Look at Basic Education Funding In Pennsylvania
2.25.2013: Steep Federal Spending Cuts Will Have Serious Impacts on Pennsylvania
2.19.2013: Getting Philly Covered: The Promise and Opportunity of the New Health Care Law
2.19.2013: Senate Appropriations Committee 2013-14 Budget Hearings Begin Today
1.29.2013: Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee Hosts Health Care Reform Discussion
1.16.2013: President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden Unveil Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence
1.14.2013: Devastating Fire in West Philadelphia Highlights the Need for Fire Safety and Prevention Awareness
1.9.2013: Philadelphia School District Superintendent Releases Action Plan
1.8.2013: Senator Hughes Sworn-In to Fifth Full Term in PA Senate – Jobs to be Top Priority