Sharing personal stories, statewide data, and personal experiences, legislators urge Republicans at the state and federal level to join them in opposing cuts to critical social safety net programs
HARRISBURG, PA − June 2, 2025 − On Monday, June 2, Senate and House Democrats banded together for a rally in the Capitol to raise awareness of the catastrophic impacts Trump’s budget proposal would have on Pennsylvania’s families. Together, Senators and Representatives called on their Republican colleagues to join them in defending access to care, medication, and healthy food that Trump and Musk’s DOGE cuts threaten to rip away.
“Our message is extremely simple: Care, not cuts,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “It is not too late for Republicans who represent Pennsylvanians in the halls of power to join us in condemning a budget bill that will take care from our grandparents, food from our babies, and hospitals for our communities. We cannot stand idly by and allow this bill to move forward, and we call on our colleagues across the aisle to raise their voices with us in defense of every Pennsylvanian.”
“We are part of a coalition of state legislators from across the country who are calling out the big, ugly bill and the damage it will do to our constituents. There is no state in the country who has the capacity to cover the cuts that are included in this bill,” said Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair. “The United States is the richest country in the world. We should be having a conversation about how to expand healthcare, education support, food support for families, and jobs that pay better wages, but instead we’re forced to talk about this big, ugly bill.”
On May 22, a budget bill that would strip 15 million Americans of health insurance and 3 million families of healthy food was passed in the US House of Representatives. This legislation will be detrimental to Pennsylvania communities and puts incredible pressure on the PA state budget to bridge the funding gap the federal government threatens to create. These cuts will be especially harmful to rural areas, where hospitals, often the largest employers of the areas, are the backbone of economies.
“The huge ugly bill would carry out the greatest redistribution of income from people at the bottom and middle of the income distribution to the top,” said Marc Stier, Executive Director of the PA Policy Center. “The cuts to Medicaid and SNAP total $1.1 trillion dollars over ten years. And households with incomes over $500,000 a year receive a $1.1 trillion dollar tax cut. People use Medicaid and SNAP temporarily, to overcome short term difficulties they face. So while 3 million Pennsylvanians are currently benefiting from Medicaid and 2 million from SNAP, over a five year period perhaps twice that many take advantage of these program.”
“The Trump Administration has been unleashing chaos for nearly six months, and the Big Bad Bill that Congress approved continues with careless cuts that will harm access to health care in communities across the commonwealth, while weakening our state’s economy,” said Speaker of the House of Representatives Joanna McClinton. “Pennsylvanians deserve more from elected officials in Washington. Here in Harrisburg, we will not give up the fight to help families and communities thrive.”
Already, Trump and Musk’s federal cuts have begun to inhibit programs that support Pennsylvania farmers, families with young babies, and older Pennsylvanians: The Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which helps low-income seniors access healthy local produce, has had to roll back its anticipated distribution. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, each WIC agency expects to receive approximately 49% of their requested quantity of vouchers, and each Senior agency expects approximately 74% of their requested quantity of vouchers.
“The Republican plan is a trillion-dollar attack on the dignity of working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. It guts healthcare, food, and housing support while protecting billionaire tax breaks,” said Senator Art Haywood. “Every day, I hear from Pennsylvanians who fear what will happen to them and their loved ones if Medicaid and Medicare are slashed. I challenge anyone who supports these cuts to say it directly to the thousands who rely on them. Congress must reject this cruel legislation.”
“For four months the Trump administration has done everything in their power to make life miserable for working families to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy,” said Representative Malcolm Kenyatta. “This bill breaks every promise the President made to working families. The US Senate must reject it!”
“My first professional oath was not as a legislator, but as a physician to do no harm and advocate for the health and well-being of my patients and community,” said Representative Arvind Venkat. “As an emergency physician, I have seen how Medicaid is critical to ensuring all Pennsylvanians have access to care. I can state unequivocally that the dangerous and morally bankrupt attempt by President Trump and Congressional Republicans to rip away Medicaid and healthcare access from hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians will cost lives. We must raise our voice to oppose this devastating proposal for the health and well-being of the residents of our Commonwealth.”
Downloadable footage of today’s presser is available here. Still photographs are available upon request.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to quality, affordable healthcare for every Pennsylvanian here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – May 23, 2025 − Earlier today, President Trump posted about a “partnership” between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement in response:
“As soon as a deal between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel entered the public discourse, my priorities have been the potential growth of PA’s economy and securing good-paying union jobs for Western Pennsylvania’s families. Presently, there are many, many questions yet to be answered about the details of the deal, including concerns about the Mon Valley assets and benefits for employees. I look forward to learning more details and am grateful for Governor Shapiro and Lt. Governor Davis’s leadership through this process.”
Read State Senator Nick Pisciottano’s statement here.
Read Governor Shapiro’s statement here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – May 22, 2025 − This morning, Republicans in the US House of Representatives passed a budget bill that will result in 15 million Americans losing their health insurance and 3 million American families losing access to healthy food.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) released the following statement in response to the shameful movement of the Republican Tax Scam:
“Congressional House Republicans passed legislation that will hurt Pennsylvanians, Pennsylvania communities, and Pennsylvania’s economy, for the sole purpose of cutting taxes for America’s ultra rich.
From the minute Republicans announced their plan to cut trillions of dollars in federal spending to fund their tax cuts, state lawmakers across the country, including us, sounded the alarm about the impact these cuts will have on Pennsylvania families and Pennsylvania’s budget. Republicans claim they are saving money, but they are not. They are simply pushing the cost of these programs onto the states, which don’t have the financial resources to fill the hole they are putting in state budgets.
Make no mistake, the so called “big, beautiful bill” is a big disaster for Pennsylvania, with rural Pennsylvania likely to see devastating consequences. Yet, our Senate Republican colleagues have been and remain silent, apparently afraid to speak up for their constituents.
Pennsylvania’s elected Senators and Representatives, Republicans and Democrats alike, have a responsibility to condemn the cuts in this bill. It’s time for our state Republican colleagues to speak up. It’s time for them to join Democrats in calling out the impact these cuts will have on Pennsylvania families and communities. At this critical inflection point, every single Pennsylvania legislator should be working together to stop these cuts, regardless of our party affiliation.
This morning, 215 Congressional Republicans voted for the biggest healthcare cut in history. 10 of those Republicans represent Pennsylvania. Those 10 representatives sold out Pennsylvania to cut taxes for billionaires. The silence from our state Republican colleagues speaks volumes.”
Learn more about the Senate Democrats’ commitment to accessible, affordable healthcare for every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – May 21, 2025 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $129,043 in Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grant money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district. This program, administered by the Department of Agriculture, helps ensure that low-income households have access to locally-grown produce.
“Supporting our local farmers and supporting our working families in one fell swoop is a win-win for our entire community,” said Senator Costa. “Programs like FFFI are excellent examples of government working well for constituents both across Pennsylvania and specifically within Allegheny County. I look forward to seeing these dollars go towards programs that uplift family farms and put good, healthful food on tables all over the 43rd district.”
Grow Pittsburgh was awarded $100,000 for their project, Garden Dreams Community Agriculture Hub. Grow Pittsburgh’s Community Agriculture Hub at Garden Dreams will complete its final phase of development, addressing food insecurity and expanding access to fresh, healthy food in distressed communities. The project will include a new wash and pack workspace, cold storage, educational facilities, and community gathering spaces, serving as a resource for urban growers, youth workforce development, and food distribution. This hub will empower local residents by providing hands-on training, fostering economic opportunities, and promoting sustainability, while improving access to fresh produce and strengthening the regional food system.
Lettuce Turnip the Beet SC was awarded $29,043 for their project, Native Nosh Market & Kitchen/Unified Fields Butcher Shop and Apprentice Program. Native Nosh Market & Kitchen, a woman-operated, mission-driven food market and community kitchen in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood, seeks funding to establish a space that fosters local food access, sustainability, and economic opportunity. Slated to open in Spring 2026, the market will feature an on-site butcher shop, a meat cutter apprentice program, and a low-cost community kitchen for preparing fresh meals, supporting local food producers, and offering job training while prioritizing minority and women-owned businesses.
Learn more about the Fresh Food Financing Initiative and this year’s awardees here.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – May 20, 2025 − Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $376,995 in Solar for Schools Grant money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district.
“Today’s Solar for Schools grant announcement is cause for much celebration,” said Senator Costa. “I am delighted that the two awardees are now one step closer to installing green, renewable energy systems and demonstrating to our students the enormous benefits of solar energy on an entire school community. I am deeply grateful to Representative Liz Fiedler for her tireless work on this program, and I look forward to seeing these dollars to go work right here in the 43rd district.”
The awardees are as follows:
- Carrick High School was awarded $300,000
- Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship was awarded $76,995
The Solar for Schools Grant Program is established pursuant to the act of Jul 17, 2024 (P.L.813, No. 68) known as the Solar for Schools Act. This program seeks to reduce the cost of implementing solar energy systems into schools across the Commonwealth. In order to accomplish this goal, the Department of Community and Economic Development has established a grant program that school districts, intermediate units, charter schools including cyber, regional, and a school for education of the deaf or the blind, area career and technical schools, specific trade and technical schools, and community colleges can use to fund solar energy projects. These grants will aid in the purchase and installation of equipment, permit fees, energy storage, and utility interconnection.
Learn more about the Lightning Plan and its investments in green energy production here.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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PHILADELPHIA, PA − May 14, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine ways to protect Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and economy with a skilled, protected, and reliable workforce.
“The testimony we heard today from stakeholders sends a clear message: we must enact strong, effective policies to protect workers and ensure their safety,” said Senator Miller. “Senator Kane, along with Senators Tartaglione, L. Williams, and Robinson, are actively developing legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s Construction Workplace Misclassification Act. I look forward to supporting and advocating to protecting our workers and ensure fairness across our Commonwealth.”
“I’m really thankful for having this conversation in this location, a union house built by union people,” said Senator Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair. “Let’s go forward and make delivering more worker protections a reality.”
“We’re here because every worker in Pennsylvania deserves fair treatment, fair pay, and safe conditions—plain and simple,” said Senator Tartaglione. “I’ve spent my career fighting for these values, and I’m proud to stand with colleagues like Senator Miller as we push forward on legislation that reflects what workers have told us they need. With this momentum and the growing unity around these issues, I truly believe we can deliver real, lasting change.”
“Worker misclassification costs Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $141 million annually, but the human toll is even more devastating,” said Senator Kane. “This illegal practice strips hardworking Pennsylvania’s of basic protections like workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, and sick pay. These are real families who are struggling to make ends meet when these fundamental protections are denied. With SB 72, we have a real opportunity to crack down on these unfair practices and ensure Pennsylvania workers receive the pay, benefits, and respect they’ve earned. In addition to the harm to construction workers, our taxpayers are getting ripped off. It has to stop, and I won’t stop fighting until we get this done.”
“Worker safety is community safety. Across industries, workers are exposed to risks and hazards that are preventable—from bosses who steal wages through misclassification to the denial of collective rights when a business engages in union-busting,” said Senator Saval. “Drawing on Pennsylvania’s history of strong workplace protections, we can and must enshrine safety mechanisms to empower all workers, on and off the job.”
“Organizing is a fundamental responsibility in protecting workers and ensuring accountability to the taxpayers who support them,” said Senator Street. “It was great to hear testimony from the administration and frontline stakeholders who advocate for workers’ rights every day.”
Christopher Hallock, Deputy Secretary from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, testified that this is more than a worker’s issue.
“When employers misclassify workers, law-abiding businesses suffer because they are forced to compete in the marketplace on unequal terms against employers that are avoiding payroll tax contributions, unemployment compensation taxes, workers’ compensation insurance premiums, or paying overtime,” said Hallock. “Communities also suffer by not receiving the full amount of tax revenue they are owed. This means that parks, schools, and police and fire departments are all negatively impacted by misclassification, alongside further strain being placed on the healthcare system.”
Michael Ford, Secretary/Treasurer for the State Building Trades that represents 130,000 construction workers in the Commonwealth stated how this issue is affecting publicly funded jobsites.
“Contractors who break the rules by underpaying workers can underbid law-abiding companies,” said Ford. “This creates a race to the bottom, discouraging fair competition and driving down standards across the construction industry. This does nothing to help anyone in the process, except the bad actors who are reaping the benefits of underpaying their employees.”
Ed Dupree, an 8-year employee of Whole Foods and member of UFCW Local 1776, emphasized the importance of organizing a union.
“This hearing is about protecting our workers, and I can’t think of any better protection workers can have than forming a union,” said Dupree. “A union means a voice in the workplace. A union means a seat at the table. And my co-workers and I made a historic step when we were the first group of workers in the nation to successfully vote to unionize at an Amazon Whole Foods location on January 27, 2025.”
Dionne Gary, President of AFSCME District 1199C, NUHHCE, and the first Black woman to lead her union representing healthcare and childcare professionals in Philadelphia, testified in support of legislation, including House Bills 308, 812, 926, and 956, aimed at protecting the workforce.
“As someone who began organizing in 2000 at Hahnemann Hospital, and who’s stood beside workers in arbitration rooms, contract fights, and hospital hallways, I can tell you— these bills are not theoretical,” said Gary. “They are desperately needed, right now, in facilities across this state.”
The panelists for today’s hearing included:
- Chris Hallock, Deputy Secretary – Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
- Ron Meischker, Director of Industry & Labor Compliance – Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
- Thomas Lepera, Political Director – IBEW Local 98
- Joseph McMonigle, Business Agent – Plumber’s Local Union Local 690
- Tony Seiwell, International Representative – LIUNA
- Mike Ford, Secretary-Treasurer – Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council
- Bryan Bush, President/Business Manager – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
- Todd Farally, Political and Legislative Director – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
- Antione Little, Vice President – AFSCME District Council 33
- Ed Dupree, Member – UFCW 1776
- Dionee Gary, President – AFSCME District 1199C, NUHHCE
Senator Nick Miller was elected Policy Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus in December 2024. Today’s hearing was his sixth as Chair.
Testimony
Panel 1: Governor Shapiro’s Administration on the Current State of Affairs
- Chris Hallock, Deputy Secretary – Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Panel 2: Construction Worker Misclassification & Custom Fabrication
- Ron Meischker, Director of Industry & Labor Compliance – Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
- Thomas Lepera, Political Director – IBEW Local 98
- Joseph McMonigle, Business Agent – Plumber’s Local Union Local 690
- Tony Seiwell, International Representative – LIUNA
- Mike Ford, Secretary-Treasurer – Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council
- Bryan Bush, President/Business Manager – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
- Todd Farally, Political and Legislative Director – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
Panel 3: Workplace Safety
Additional Testimony
