Amid Rising Hate, Democratic Senators Reintroduce Safe Spaces Bill

Amid Rising Hate, Democratic Senators Reintroduce Safe Spaces Bill

HARRISBURG, PA – March 6, 2023 – On Friday, March 3rd Senators Street, Schwank, Tartaglione and Hughes, reintroduced Sacred Spaces legislation, amending Section 3307 of Title 18 (Institutional Vandalism) to enhance the existing statute to give District...
Senator Hughes Secures $250K Grant for Cradles to Crayons

Senator Hughes Secures $250K Grant for Cradles to Crayons

PHILADELPHIA, PA – September 29, 2022 − State Senator Vincent Hughes on Wednesday presented a $250,000 mock check to Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit organization leading the way in filling a critical gap in services for families in low-income and poverty situations. This funding, secured by Sen. Hughes, is made possible thanks to the American Rescue Plan, and will enable Cradles to Crayons to provide more diapers to Philadelphia-area families in need.

Building a Better Student-to-Teacher Pipeline Can Ease Staffing Crisis

Building a Better Student-to-Teacher Pipeline Can Ease Staffing Crisis

By Senator Vincent Hughes and Sharif El-Mekki

A decade ago, Pennsylvania certified 20,000 new teachers.  Last year, that number was down to 6,000.  Chronic understaffing, along with underfunding, is driving increased burnout and shorter teaching careers.

That loss of teachers is particularly concerning among communities of color which make up 37 percent of the student body, but only 7 percent of teachers.

Sen. Hughes Issues Statement Regarding State Supreme Court Act 77 Ruling

Sen. Hughes Issues Statement Regarding State Supreme Court Act 77 Ruling

HARRISBURG, PA – August 2, 2022 – In response to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s 5-2 ruling Tuesday upholding the state’s mail-in voting law as constitutional, State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) issued the following statement: “I am pleased...
Hughes Statement Regarding Dobbs Decision

Hughes Statement Regarding Dobbs Decision

Philadelphia, PA − June 24, 2022 − State Sen. Vincent Hughes today released the following statement on today’s Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization: “Today’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v Wade devastates a women’s...
Senate Democrats Support Pres. Biden’s Call for State Gas Tax Holiday

Senate Democrats Support Pres. Biden’s Call for State Gas Tax Holiday

Harrisburg, PA – June 22, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats held a press conference shortly after President Joe Biden made a call to federal and state law makers to pause gas taxes.   “Our stance is simple; we are calling on state Republicans to join us...
Senate Passes Hughes Workforce Development Plan

Senate Passes Hughes Workforce Development Plan

Harrisburg, June 22, 2022 – The Senate today passed a workforce development initiative authored by Sen. Vincent Hughes that will help those preparing students for the workforce better predict what employers will be looking for when they enter the job market. Hughes’...
Hughes, Fiedler, Rally with Educators for Full School Funding

Hughes, Fiedler, Rally with Educators for Full School Funding

PHILADELPHIA − May 12, 2022 − With Pennsylvania sitting on more than $8 billion in excess revenue, and a dismal national ranking for school equity, state Sen. Vincent Hughes and Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler held a pre-budget school funding rally in South Philadelphia today...