Senate Democratic Policy Committee
Senator Katie Muth, Chair
Please contact the Dem Policy Team with any questions at (717) 787-1398 or via email at dempolicy@pasenate.com for information regarding the Policy Committee.
Upcoming Policy Hearings
JUNE
2
Pennsylvania’s Shale Gas Boom: How Policy Decisions Failed to Protect Public Health and What We Can Do to Correct It
Thursday, June 2, 2022 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
On June 2, Senators Muth and Brewster will host a hearing regarding the health impacts of shale gas infrastructure in Pennsylvania. A chasm exists between the reliable public health research that has been conducted and the actions taken by legislators, the Governor’s Office, and the Department of Health. These actions demonstrate how the promise of economic benefits outweighed any sense of caution about potential health impacts from shale gas development, how the insistence on irrefutable evidence of health harms became the enemy of reasonable protective measures, and consequently how the burden of proof fell to the communities experiencing the health impacts. The hearing will also address recommendations on what can be done differently to ensure that public health considerations are included in the decision-making process going forward. The hearing will include testimony from impacted residents as well as experts in public health and policy regarding shale gas development. This hearing will be located in the auditorium of CCAC Boyce Campus, located at 595 Beatty Rd, Monroeville, PA 15146. A virtual option will also be available.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlcOyopjIvGtD8_Yqys8tx6HZd4buN8jms
JUNE
3
Student Voices in Education
Friday, June 3, 2022 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
On June 3rd, Senators Kearney, Muth, Cappelletti, and Collett will hold a hearing on student voices in education. Legislators, stakeholders, advocates, and parents dominate the vast majority of Pennsylvania’s public debate on hot button issues around education, including equity in schools, school climate, and student mental health. Rarely do the students who are the subjects of these debates get to weigh in on the issues themselves. This hearing will be an opportunity for students from 8 diverse school districts in Montgomery County who have been engaged in dialogue and data-driven research on these critical issues to present their research and experiences to policy makers. Specifically, students will present findings from research projects they conducted using the Psychological Sense of School Membership survey within their schools, that speak to questions of belonging within schools and equity between different student groups. The hearing will give policy makers a deeper understanding of school environments that affect youth mental health, school climate and safety, and inequality – all of which have been identified as top education concerns for policy development by members of the Education Committee and the caucus at large.
This hearing will be held at Norristown Area High School | 1900 Eagle Dr, Norristown, PA 19401 with a ZOOM option for those who wish to participate virtually.
If participating virtually, register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlde-tpz8uHtFraJyxOfzrnbeuesjcXHh-
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Past Policy Hearings
Check below to view past policy hearing including video and testimony! Questions, comments or suggestions about the hearings, fill out the form below!
Innovations for Economic Recovery: Childcare and College Students
April 28, 2022
Senate Dems Discuss Challenges of Childcare Facing College Students at Policy Hearing
BLUE BELL, April 28, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today joined Senator Maria Collett, Senator Amanda Cappelletti, Senator Carolyn Comitta and Senator Judy Schwank to host a public hearing on the challenges faced by college students and staff in regard to childcare.
“Our hearing today highlighted the frustrating reality that affordable, accessible, and quality childcare is an unmet need for families across the Commonwealth,” Muth said. “We need to support the parents and the single mothers who are trying to fight their way out of poverty and economic struggle, trying to make ends meet, further their education, and trying to make a better life for their children. It is time for Harrisburg and Washington to step up and invest in childcare services.”
Testimony
Panel 1: The Need
Panel 2: The Models
- Kristina Valdez, Executive Director, Along the Way
- Kelly Lake, Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Project Director, Community College of Philadelphia
- Dr. Kalani Palmer, Associate Professor in Human Development and CCAMPIS Project Director, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Panel 3: The Opportunity
Expanding School Based Health Centers in Pennsylvania
April 26, 2022
Senate Democrats Hear Support for School-Based Health Centers
HARRISBURG, April 27, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) to host a virtual hearing yesterday to discuss expanding School Based Health Centers in Pennsylvania.
“School-Based Health Centers are proven successful across the country – but sufficient funding is needed to ensure that our all of kids have access to this evidence-based model of care that has proven positive health and academic outcomes in communities across our Commonwealth where students are suffering from unmet needs,” Muth said. “Our hearing shed a much-needed spotlight on the need to make SBHCs a priority in our budget negotiations.”
Testimony
Panel 1: The Current State of School Based Health Centers in Pennsylvania
- Julie Cousler Emig, Executive Director, Pennsylvania School-Based Health Alliance
- Dr. Michel Colli, Chief Medical Officer, Keystone Health
- Jenny Englerth, President & CEO, Family First Health
Panel 2: Outside Perspectives on School Based Health Centers
- Robert Boyd, MCRP, MDiv, President – School-Based Health Alliance
- Elizabeth Miller, M.D., Ph.D., FSAHM, Director, Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine; Medical Director, Community and Population Health, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh; Professor of Pediatrics, Public Health, and Clinical and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- Simon Haeder, Ph.D., MPA, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Penn State University
Additional Remarks
Helping the Helpers: Supporting EMS in PA
April 20, 2022
Senate, House Democrats Host Roundtable Discussion on EMS Issues
PITTSBURGH – April 21, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee joined Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny), state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) and state Rep. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) to host a roundtable discussion yesterday on various issues facing Pennsylvania’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies.
The roundtable discussion, organized jointly by the Senate Democratic Policy Committee and the House Democratic Policy Committee, was held at the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh.
Testimony
Panelists
- Greg Porter, Chairman, Allegheny County EMS Council, Ross West View EMS Assistant Director
- Eric Schmidt, Chairman, Allegheny County EMS Chiefs Association, Shaler Hampton Township EMS Chief
- Douglas Pascoe, Chief, South East Regional EMS
- Bill Miller, Chief, McKeesport Area EMS Rescue
- Jim Erb, EMS Supervisor, Citizens Hose Ambulance Service
- Todd Plunket, Chief, Baldwin Emergency Medical Service
#ItsOnUs: Combatting Sexual Assault on Campus
April 7, 2022
Testimony
Panel 1: The Issue at Hand
- Dr. Samantha Wesner, Senior Vice President of Student and Campus Life and Chief Health Officer, Albright College
- Ari Fromm, Pennsylvania State Director, Every Voice Coalition
- Yvette Wilson, Director, Penn State Gender Equality Center
Panel 2: Policy Solutions
- Tanya I. Garcia, Ph.D., Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Post Secondary and Higher Education
- Donna Greco, MSW, Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Director, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)
Housing Scarcity & Contemporary Houselessness
March 14, 2022
Senate Democrats Discuss Housing Scarcity and Houselessness at Policy Hearing
PHILADELPHIA, March 15, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Senators Sharif Street, Nikil Saval, Amanda Cappelletti, Tina Tartaglione and Art Haywood to host a public hearing on housing scarcity and contemporary houselessness yesterday at Temple University.
“We need to tackle the issue of economic injustice – from raising wages to actual living wages and ensuring rent and housing prices are fair, transparent, and flexible according to each individual’s financial situation,” Muth said. “All levels of government need to implement policies that ensure public dollars are actually helping the public, not the wealthy, private real estate and private equity firms making billions off of taxpayer funded subsidies and evicting people who can’t afford to pay skyrocketing rent and housing rates. I hope our hearing and the impassioned testimony provided by actual Pennsylvanians living these challenges forces this conversation into the ongoing budget debate and into all 67 counties and local government priorities.”
Testimony
Panel 1: Lived Experience
- Gail Loney, North Central Philadelphia Resident
- Alisha Robinson, Frankford Resident
Panel 2: The Philadelphia Housing Authority
Panel 3: Policy Solutions
- Aaron Zappia, Senior Government Relations Manager, Housing Alliance of Philadelphia
- Andrew Frishkoff, Executive Director, Philadelphia Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
- Stephanie Sena, Anti-Poverty Fellow & Housing Advocate, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Additional Testimony
Safe Schools
February 16, 2022
Testimony
Panel 1
- Max Schachter, Founder and Executive Director, Safe Schools for Alex
- Tony Montalto, President, Stand with Parkland – The National Association of Families for Safe Schools
Panel 2
- Dr. Sherri Smith, Deputy Secretary of Elementary & Secondary Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education
- Dr. Scott Kuren, Director, Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Safe Schools
- Dr. Dana Milakovic, Mental Health and AOD Specialist, Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Safe Schools
Panel 3
- Mike Vereb, Director of Government Affairs, Office of the Attorney General
- Brittney Kline, Director, Safe2Say Something Program, Office of the Attorney Genera
Panel 4
- David Boyer, MS, Chief of School Police and Coordinator of Safety, Security and Management, Spring-Ford Area School District
- Jonathan Kassa, Director, North Penn School District Board Chair, Facilities and Operations & Safe Schools Committees
Addressing Pennsylvania’s School Staffing Shortages
February 1, 2022
Senate Democrats Discuss School Staffing Shortages at Virtual Policy Hearing
HARRISBURG, February 1, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) to host a virtual public hearing on the staffing shortage crisis facing Pennsylvania’s public education system.
“We have an education workforce crisis in Pennsylvania impacting teachers, school nurses, support staff, guidance counselors and bus drivers. This is unfortunately not a new issue, but these challenges have become far more pronounced throughout the pandemic,” Muth said. “The testimony from all of the panelists today allowed for all of us to hear firsthand from those living this struggle and bearing the burden of this crisis. The lack of equitable and sustainable funding for our public school system, staff turnover and low retention rates, and low wages are all barriers that can be overcome. We need long-term solutions like student loan forgiveness for educators, guaranteed benefits and living wages, and retirement security. School staff across our Commonwealth take care of students in so many ways and we have to support them in every way possible.”
Testimony
Panel 1: In the Classroom
- Nina Esposito-Visgitis, President, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers
- Rich Askey, President, Pennsylvania State Education Association
- Larisa Shambaugh, Chief Talent Officer, School District of Philadelphia
- Adam McCormick, Teacher, Scranton HIgh School
Panel 2: Additional School Personnel
- PA Association of School Nurses and Practitioners, Testimony read by Senator Maria Collett
- Tammy Sabo and Mary Ellen Noel, Teamsters Local 249
- Chris Naylor, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776
Additional Materials
- Evaluation of the Aspiring to Educate Philadelphia Pilot
- TO BE WHO WE ARE: BLACK TEACHERS on Creating Affirming School Cultures
- Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium Policy Recommendations 2021-2022
Renewable Energy Projects: Anthracite Ridge Wind Farm Project
January 28, 2022
Senate Democrats Discuss Proposed Wind Farm Project at Virtual Policy Hearing
HARRISBURG, January 28, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) to host a virtual public hearing on the proposed $300 million Anthracite Ridge wind farm project in Schuylkill County.
“Our Commonwealth is already one of the nation’s leaders in the natural gas industry, but Pennsylvania needs to implement clean energy solutions that protect our planet and our communities from further harm caused by global warming,” Muth said. “Today’s hearing was a great opportunity to learn more about the proposed Anthracite Ridge wind farm project and to discuss how renewable energy projects – one of fastest growing job creators in the country – are critical in protecting environmental and public health.”
Testimony
Panel 1: Developer & Landowner Rights
- Nick Cohen, President/ Founder of DORAL
- Rob Feldman, Land Use Director, Rausch Creek Land
- Ed Chupein, Senior Advisor, DARE Strategies
- Dave Belote, CEO, DARE Strategies
Panel 2: Military Experts
- Brigadier General Laura McHugh, Deputy Adjutant General – Army
- Lieutenant Colonel Tim Zerbe, State Army Aviation Officer
- Marc Ferraro, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, Executive Deputy Secretary
Panel 3: Environmental & Labor Impacts
- David Masur, President, PennEnvironment
- Russ Nahodil, IBEW 607 Business Representative
Additional Written Testimony
- Sonja Jahrsdoerfer, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
- Andrew Mack, Conservation Biologist and Ecologist
- Brian M. Wargo, Ph.D., Hawk Migration Association of North America
- Pennsylvania Audubon Council
- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association
- Laura L. Jackson, Conservation Chair of Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology
- Helen Masser, Schuylkill County Resident
- Sondra Wolferman – Carbon County Resident
- Tom Kuehl, Former President of the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO)
- American Bird Conservancy, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, Hawk Migration Association of North America, Juanita Valley Audubon Society, Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, Pennsylvania Audubon Council, and Save Our Allegheny Ridges
- Schuylkill County Airport Authority
Additional Materials
Challenges with Substance Use Disorder Recovery
January 20, 2022
Senate Democrats Discuss Recovery and Treatment Issues at Virtual Policy Hearing
HARRISBURG, January 20, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) and Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) to host a virtual public hearing on the recovery challenges associated with substance use disorder.
“Today’s hearing was an opportunity to hear about what we are currently doing here in Pennsylvania and whether our current treatment system is providing positive outcomes for those in recovery from substance use disorder – and more importantly, if it is not working, how can we improve our systems and programs,” Muth said. “We need to ensure that the Commonwealth and our treatment and recovery programs are effective and are providing the best means for sustained, lifelong recovery.”
Testimony
Panel 1: Recovery Funding
- Adam Al-Asad, Director of Operations, Savage Sisters Recovery
- Bill Stauffer, Executive Director, PRO.A
Panel 2: Oversight of Recovery Houses
- Sarah Laurel, Executive Director, Savage Sisters Recovery
- Secretary Jennifer Smith, Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs (DDAP)
Panel 3: Chronic Relapsing
- Jessica Molavi, Clinical Manager of Specialty Programs, Mirmont Treatment Center
- Deb Beck, President, DASPOP
Additional Written Testimony