HEARD ON THE HILL / IN CITY HALL: Congressman Brady Hosts President, Veep

Hosting a two-day gathering of House Democrats’ policy retreat in Society Hill is Congressman Bob Brady (D-Phila.). It will bring the entire caucus to the city for two days of huddling about their strategy for the next two years. Obama will speak today and Biden will speak tomorrow, the White House said. Politico first reported their plans.

Brady said his entire focus is on bringing the Democratic Presidential Convention to this City. Each day on the House floor, he said, he makes sure to find Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) – the chair of the Democratic National Committee – and give her a hug.

PENNA. Legislative Black Caucus conferred Civil Rights Awards on historian Dr. Charles Blockson, attorney Michael Coard, social-service leader Christine Brown, faith leader Rev. Dr. Robert P. Shine and diversity expert Dr. Joi Spraggins at African American Museum gala. Hosting affair were, from left, PLCB Chairwoman State Rep. Vanessa Brown, media celebrity Patti Jackson and State Rep. Ron Waters.

Farnese Carries Seven Committee Posts

With seven State Senate committee assignments and a leadership role in one of them, State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-S. Phila.) said he expects to influence many bills that affect Pennsylvanians during the 2015-2016 legislative session.

Fighting to eliminate frivolous lawsuits, reinstituting hate-crime protections, delivering commonsense gun solutions, and making it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation or identity promise to be high on Farnese’s agenda, the Senator said.

“This new session is more important than ever because it brings a new Governor and huge fiscal challenges,” Farnese said. “Philadelphians are telling me, and Pennsylvanians are telling other lawmakers, that it’s time we work for them.”

In addition to serving as the Democratic chairman of the Senate Communications & Technology Committee, Farnese will be a member of the Banking & Insurance; Community, Economic & Recreational Development; Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure; Judiciary; Rules & Executive Nominations; and Policy Committees.

Sen. Kitchen, Fox Chase Offer Free Mammograms

State Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-N. Phila.) and the Fox Chase Cancer Center will once again offer free mammograms to women.

The Jan. 31 event will open at 9 a.m. at the Senator’s district office, 1701 W. Lehigh Avenue. Participants must register as space is limited.

“Breast cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death among women,” Kitchen said. “So we must continue doing all that we can to help women without insurance or the means to get a mammogram – get one.”

Women who would like to receive a mammogram during the event must not have had one since Jan. 31, 2014.

Women who would like to make an appointment should call Debra Resnick at Fox Chase, (215) 214-1682.

Sen. Tartaglione Again Chairs Labor & Industry Committee

State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Kensington) will once again hold an influential seat to continue fighting for labor rights and an increase in the minimum wage as the Democratic chair of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee.

“Serving as the Democratic chair of this important panel ensures that thousands of working Pennsylvanians, including many who work for the lowest of wages, will continue to have a voice in Harrisburg,” Tartaglione said. “I am hopeful that a pledge of greater bipartisanship and a Governor who supports a higher minimum wage will combine with my fervent desire to increase Pennsylvania’s minimum wage soon.”

Tartaglione said she will introduce her new minimum wage package of proposals later this month. In addition to Labor & Industry, the six-term lawmaker will serve on Appropriations, Banking & Insurance, Law & Justice, Policy, and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committees.

Acosta Gets Grant For Fairhill Project

State Rep. Leslie Acosta (D-N. Phila.) announced Jarynn, LP will receive $3.5 million in state funding for soil and water improvement projects at a new retail shopping-center site in Fairhill.

The developer is receiving the low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, known as Pennvest.

Acosta said the funding will help install a cap and cover over contaminated soil at the Plaza Allegheny site, and excavate and relocate affected soil to more-secure areas on the property. It also will be used to implement above-ground and subsurface stormwater-infiltration systems.

“This project will not only help improve water quality directly on site, but it’s expected to have a positive impact on stormwater and groundwater throughout the city as well,” Acosta said. “I am pleased the state is assisting in the development of this important initiative, which also has the potential to provide an economic boost to our community.”

Donatucci Named To Key House Committees

State Rep. Maria Donatucci (D-S. Phila.) has been named to several important standing committees in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 2015-16 legislative session.

“I believe my committee appointments match both my interests and the needs of the 185th Legislative Dist.,” Donatucci said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on these panels to help advance the issues most important to our constituents.”

Donatucci was named to the House Appropriations, Labor & Industry, Liquor Control, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committees. She will also serve as a member of the House Democratic Policy Committee and will retain her post as a Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus.

Delissio’s 42nd Town Hall Jan. 31

State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio (D-Northwest) will host her January town hall focusing on Pennsylvania’s new legislative session and the new governor’s administration at 10 a.m. Jan. 31 at the Cathedral Village’s Cathedral Hall Auditorium, 600 E. Cathedral Road.

This town hall will be in a new part of the redistricted 194th Legislative Dist. and as always, DeLissio said she welcomes all constituents from all areas of the district to attend.

“We are also continuing to collect for our food drive to boost the food cupboards and pantries in the 194th. We are collecting non-perishables and canned goods through the month of February, and you are welcome to bring a donation during the town hall. We will be happy to add it to our growing contributions,” she added.

No RSVP is required, but those with questions can call the district office at (215) 482-8726.

Neilson Wants Special Committee On Income

Councilman at Large Ed Neilson is calling for the creation of a special City Council Committee on Income Inequality.

Income inequality refers to how income is unevenly distributed across a regional or national economy and highlights the gap between the households earning a higher proportion of the nation’s income and those earning the least.

Census data indicated 26.5% of Philadelphians live below the poverty level and struggle to afford basic needs such as housing, nutritious foods, child care and transportation. Income inequality is increasing in Philadelphia while Pennsylvania was one of 15 states in which the gap between rich and poor continued to widen through 2013.

Council Members Support ‘Opting Out’

7th Dist. Councilwoman María Quiñones Sánchez, 1st Dist. Councilman Mark Squilla and 3rd Dist. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell expressed support for families who have chosen to “opt out” of standardized testing. “Until we put some limits on this obsession with testing students, we will see protests like that at Feltonville,” said Quiñones Sánchez.

“We stand with families who are making the choice they believe is best for their children,” said Squilla.

Parents of 17% of students enrolled in the Feltonville School of Arts & Sciences have decided their children will not participate in standardized testing this year.

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