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
MAY
10
Buyer Beware: New Home Construction in Pennsylvania
Friday, May 10, 2024 | 11:00 am
On Friday, May 10, Senator Katie Muth, Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, will host a policy hearing with co-hosts Senator Nikil Saval and Senator Wayne Fontana highlighting the need for enhanced consumer protections and increased regulations for new home construction in Pennsylvania. This hearing will focus on critical issues such as the enforcement of existing regulations, laws, municipal and construction codes; the need for improvements with home and code enforcement inspection process and certification; the oversight authority and responsibilities of local and state government entities; examples of deceptive tactics used by corporate, multi-state homebuilders; the need for enhanced warranties and recourse for the homebuyer. This hearing aims to ensure that Pennsylvania’s regulatory framework supports a housing market that is fair, equitable, and also prioritizes safety, quality, and consumer protections over corporate profit.
This hearing will be at the Phoenixville Borough Building (351 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460) with a virtual option.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uf–sqTsvHtSVTnhExrIu_Sk6jFtGA-Np
Save the Date
Buyer Beware: New Home Construction in Pennsylvania
Friday, May 10, 2024 | 11:00 am
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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!
Road Spreading of Oil & Gas Wastewater in Pennsylvania
April 17, 2024
Policy Committee Highlights Public Health and Environmental Concerns Over Road Spreading of Oil and Gas Wastewater
WEST CHESTER − April 17, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, co-hosted a virtual public hearing today on the environmental and public health impacts associated with spreading oil and gas wastewater on Pennsylvania roadways.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection declared a moratorium on spraying produced water from conventional wells onto roadways in Pennsylvania in 2018. However, despite that moratorium, reports cited at today’s hearing indicate that companies disposed of over 3.5 million gallons of toxic, radioactive drilling wastewater on Pennsylvania roads since 2018.
Testimony
Panel 1: Efficacy and Safety of Road Spreading Oil & Gas Wastewater
Panel 2: Advocates & Impacted People
- David Hess – Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 2001-2003
- Karen Feridun – Co-Founder, Better Path Coalition
- Siri Lawson – Warren County Resident
Additional Testimony
Pharmacy Deserts: Ensuring Access for All Pennsylvanians
April 15, 2024
Policy Hearing Highlights Impacts and Causes of Pharmacy Closures
HARRISBURG − April 16, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) co-hosted a virtual public hearing yesterday on Zoom to discuss how pharmacy closures across Pennsylvania are impacting already underserved communities.
The Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing featured two panels of testimony that included the perspective of both independent pharmacies and larger chain pharmacies – both groups citing the challenges they are facing due to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
Testimony
Panel 1: Independent Pharmacists
- Robert Frankil – Executive Director, Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists (PARD)
- Richard Ost – Somerset Pharmacy LLC, Managing Partner
- Chris Antypas – Asti’s South Hills Pharmacy, President
Panel 2: Chain Pharmacies
Death in Custody: A Public Health Crisis
April 2, 2024
Policy Committee Discusses Need for Comprehensive Reporting of Deaths in Custody at Capitol Hearing
HARRISBURG − April 2, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware) co-hosted a public hearing today in Harrisburg on the lack of reliable information surrounding deaths in the custody of law enforcement and correctional institutions in Pennsylvania.
“Today’s hearing provided much needed awareness regarding the lack of transparency and accountability in reporting the number of in-custody deaths that occur in Pennsylvania’s state and county correctional institutions,” Muth said. “As stated during the hearing, transparency starts with the collection of accurate data, and today’s testimony revealed how Pennsylvania is failing in tracking and reporting this critical data. This is a public health issue and a matter of basic human dignity. Pennsylvania has a lot of work to do in ensuring that deaths in custody are minimized as well as implementing a system where every death in custody is thoroughly investigated, accurately reported, and that the data is publicly available.”
Testimony
Panel 1: Journalists
- Joshua Vaughn – Investigative & Enterprise Reporter, PennLive
- Ethan Corey – Research & Projects Editor, The Appeal
Panel 2: Advocacy
- Dr. Roger Mitchell – Professor of Pathology & Director, Center of Excellence for Trauma and Violence Prevention, Howard University College of Medicine
- Dr. Jay Aronson – Professor and Director of the Center for Human Rights Science, Carnegie Mellon University
Panel 3: Policy Solutions
- Justin Douglas – Dauphin County Commissioner
- Claire Shubik-Richards – Executive Director, Pennsylvania Prison Society
Eviction Sealing
February 14, 2024
Joint Policy Hearing Focuses on Legislation to Seal Eviction Records
WILKINSBURG, February 15, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Senator Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia), Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), and several members of the House Democratic Policy Committee to host a joint public hearing on legislation that would establish a statewide policy on the sealing of eviction records.
The hearing, held at the Wilkinsburg Borough Building in Allegheny County, included discussion about the impact of evictions on Pennsylvania residents, the importance of fair and affordable housing, and the legal implications of not sealing eviction records.
Continue Reading →
Testimony
Panel 1: Affected People
- Haley Passione, Court Resource Navigator – RentHelp PGH
- Clara Weibel, Legislative Director – Pittsburgh City Councilmember Barb Warwick
Panel 2: Legal Implications
- Holly Beck, Divisional Supervising Attorney – Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
- Deanna Dyer, Policy Director – Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Panel 3: Advocacy
- Kyle Webster, Vice President of Housing & General Counsel – Action Housing
- Maura Jacob, MPH, MSW, Policy & Community Impact Officer – The Pittsburgh Foundation
- Aaron Zappia, Director of Government Affairs – Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania
Additional Testimony
Whole Home Repairs: Lessons from Year One
February 2, 2024
Policy Committee Highlights Whole-Home Repairs Program in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH − February 3, 2024 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee traveled to Pittsburgh yesterday to host two events to highlight the successes of Pennsylvania’s groundbreaking Whole-Home Repairs Program. Less than a year after the distribution of funds, the Whole-Home Repairs program has already facilitated the repairs of hundreds of homes and changed thousands of lives, including many in Allegheny County.
“The Whole-Home Repairs Program is one of the best examples of how the government can directly support our constituents and meet one of their most important needs – safe housing,” state Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, said. “Our events in Pittsburgh really highlighted not only the success of the program and the positive impact it has made in people’s lives – but also the unmet needs across the Commonwealth and the requests for funding that were not approved because of the lack of adequate, yearly funding for Whole-Home Repairs.”
Testimony
Panel 1: Allegheny County Analysis
- Dan Sullivan – Housing Stabilization Program Manager, Action Housing
- Kelly Scatena – Homeowner
- Justin Livingston – Owner & Project Manager, JL Homebuilders
Panel 2: Statewide Analysis
- Rick Vilello – Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
- LuAnn Zak – Assistant Director, Indiana County Office of Planning & Development
- Chuck Weiss – Associate Executive Director for Housing, Community Action Lehigh Valley
Additional Information
Reining in Water Rates: The Unintended Consequences of Act 12 of 2016
January 22, 2024
Policy Hearing Focuses on Addressing Rising Water, Wastewater Rates
WEST WHITELAND – January 23, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Senator Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Senator John Kane (D-Chester/Delaware), Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), and Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) yesterday in Chester County to co-host a public hearing focused on water privatization and the unintended consequences of Act 12 of 2016.
The hearing, held at the West Whiteland Township Building in Exton, focused on privatization and consolidation of water and sewer utilities and how the provisions included in Act 12 of 2016 have led to significant rate increases across the Commonwealth.
Testimony
Panel 1: Affected Residents
- Bill Ferguson – Co-Founder, Keep Water Affordable
- Peter Mrozinski – Co-Founder, Keep Water Affordable
- David McMahon – Neighbors Opposing Privatization Efforts (NOPE)
- Kofe Osei – Towamencin Township Supervisor, Neighbors Opposing Privatization Efforts
Panel 2: Policy Solutions
- Anthony Bellitto – Executive Director, North Penn Water Authority | Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association
- Noël Brandon, Board Chairperson, Chester Water Authority
- Amy Sturges – Pennsylvania Municipal League
- Chairman Stephen DeFrank – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
- Patrick Cicero – Office of Consumer Advocate
Additional Testimony
Minimizing Risk & Harm: Preparing for Pennsylvania’s Hydrogen Future
December 4, 2023
Policy Hearing Focuses on Minimizing Risk and Harm in Development of PA’s Hydrogen Infrastructure
EAST VINCENT, December 5, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Senator Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Democratic Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, to co-host a public hearing yesterday on the proposed development of hydrogen infrastructure in Pennsylvania.
The hearing, held at the East Vincent Township Building in Spring City, focused on potential environmental impacts, community safety implications, and the various risks and challenges associated with the development and reliance on hydrogen as an energy source.
Testimony
Panel 1: Green Energy Supply
Panel 2: Public Health & Safety Implications
- Dr. Robert Howarth, Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology – Cornell University
- Tammy Murphy, Advocacy Director – Physicians for Social Responsibility
- Megan McDonough, Pennsylvania State Director – Food & Water
- Sean O’Leary, Senior Researcher – Ohio River Valley Institute
- Karen Feridun, Co-Founder – Better Path Coalition
Additional Testimony
A.I. and Its Impact on the Commonwealth
Novemeber 16, 2023
Senate Dems Discuss Impacts of Generative AI at Policy Hearing
PHOENIXVILLE, November 16, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator Jimmy Dillon (D-Philadelphia) and Senator John Kane (D-Chester/Delaware) to co-host a public hearing to explore the potential impacts of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Commonwealth.
“The potential of AI is exciting: there are opportunities for public progress and improving efficiency in so many fields– but the introduction of AI also presents new layers of uncertainty and risk,” Muth said. “Today’s hearing was a great opportunity for all of us to learn more about how AI can impact our government, our workforce, and the future of healthcare. The testifiers all highlighted the urgent need to enact protective regulations and policies to ensure that generative AI is used in ways to benefit and help people and not harm them.”
Testimony
Panel 1: Effects on Government
Panel 2: Workforce Impacts
- Angela Ferritto, President – Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
- Cole Scandaglia, Senior Legislative Representative – International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Panel 3: Healthcare Impacts
- Dr. Dajiang Liu, Professor and Vice Chairman for Research, Department of Public Health Sciences – Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine
- Dr. Shandong Wu, Associate Professor – University of Pittsburgh; Founding Director – Pittsburgh Center for AI Innovation in Medical Imaging
Additional Documents
Roundtable Discussion – Senate Rules Reform
December 7, 2022
Sen. Muth, Sen. Williams Highlight Need for Senate Rules Reforms at Virtual Roundtable
HARRISBURG, December 9, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and state Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) hosted a virtual roundtable discussion Wednesday night on the operating rules of the Pennsylvania State Senate and their package of reforms that would enhance transparency and ensure fairness in the legislative process.
The Senate Rules are the parliamentary procedures by which the Senate adheres to and the process by which the Senate creates public policy, considers issues and resolves disputes. The Senate Rules are adopted at the beginning of each two-year legislative session by a simple majority vote and will be voted on when the Senate reconvenes for the new legislative session on January 3, 2023.
Read to Succeed: Early Childhood Education and its Effects on Childhood Literacy
November 17, 2022
Senate Democrats Discuss Early Childhood Education and Literacy at Marywood University
DUNMORE, November 18, 2022 – Yesterday, State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined state Senator Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne) to host a public hearing at the Fricchione Early Learning Center at Marywood University on access to early childhood education and literacy issues facing Pennsylvania students.
The hearing featured testimony from various educators and policy experts who all discussed the importance of high-quality childcare, early language, and pre-literacy skill development and how literacy has lifelong impacts on mental health, academic achievement, and professional success. Also discussed were issues regarding Pennsylvanians staffing shortages and inadequate compensation. A recent survey of almost 1,000 PA childcare programs showed nearly 7,000 vacant positions, resulting in more than 32,000 children languishing on waitlists for childcare.
Testimony
Panel 1: Educators
- Donna Reid-Kilgore, Pre-K Counts Teacher – Bloom Early Education Center | Teach Plus PA Policy Fellow
- Laura Sosik, 2nd Grade Teacher – Isaac Tripp Elementary School (Scranton School District) | Teach Plus PA Policy Fellow
- Donna Salva, Adjunct Professor In Graduate Reading and Education Programs – Marywood University
Panel 2: Policy Experts
- Lindsey Ramsey, Assistant Director of Policy and Practice – Trying Together
- Kimberly Early, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy – Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children
- Donna Cooper, Executive Director – Children First
Additional Materials
Deceptive Practices of Anti-abortion Centers II
October 28, 2022
Senate Democrats Discuss Issue of Anti-Abortion Centers at Capitol Hearing
HARRISBURG, October 28, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined state Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware) to host a hearing to explore the issues and history of state funding for so-called crisis pregnancy centers.
The hearing, which was the second held by the Senate Democratic Policy Committee on the topic of anti-abortion centers, took place at the Capitol in Harrisburg and featured testimony from medical professionals, students, a former volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center, and an advocate for the so-called crisis pregnancy centers.
DHS Overnight Stays
October 27, 2022
Testimony
- Melissa Harvey, MSW, LSW, Vice President, Community Based Programs, Gemma Services
- Frank P. Cervone, Executive Director, Support Center for Child Advocates
- Happi Grillon, MSW, Executive Director, CASA of Philadelphia County
- Terry L. Clark, MPA President/CEO, PCCYFS, Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth & Family Services (PCCYFS)
- Kimberly Ali, Commissioner, Philadelphia Department of Human Services
- Meg Snead, Acting Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
Why Pennsylvania Needs a Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System
September 23, 2022
Policy Hearing Addresses Critical Need to Establish Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System
PHOENIXVILLE, September 23, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined state Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and members of the Senate and House Democratic Policy Committees at a joint public hearing that focused the need to establish a statewide rape kit tracking system in Pennsylvania.
The hearing took place at the Upper Providence Township Building in Phoenixville and featured three panels of testimony from members of law enforcement, victim advocates, and survivors of sexual assault.
Testimony
Panel 1: Survivors’ Perspective
Panel 2: Overview of the Current System & Law Enforcement Perspective
- Debra A. Calhoun, Pennsylvania State Police, Scientific Services Division Director
- Sgt. James Holstein, Pennsylvania State Police
- Kevin Steele, District Attorney of Montgomery County
Panel 3: Policy Solutions
- Donna Greco, Policy Director – Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)
- Mary Onama, Director – Montgomery County Rape Crisis Center
Health Equity: Enhancing Mobile & Community Clinics in PA
September 13, 2022
Policy Hearing Highlights Importance of Mobile Health Clinics in PA
HARRISBURG, September 13, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined state Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) to host a virtual public hearing on strategies to enhance mobile health clinics and community health centers in Pennsylvania.
The hearing, held earlier today on Zoom, featured two panels of expert testimony from health care providers, advocates and professionals on community healthcare delivery in Pennsylvania.
Testimony
Panel 1: Community Health
- Eric Kiehl, APR − Director of Policy and Partnerships, Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers
- Richard Rinehart − CEO, Cornerstone Care Community Health Centers
- Donna Simpson − Director of Communication, Outreach and Mobile Services, Cornerstone Care Community Health Centers
Panel 2: Mobile Clinics
- Tracy Wood − Executive Director, Black Doctors Consortium
- Michael McShane, MD, EdM − Assistant Professor of Medicine | Penn State Health Medical Director, LION Mobile Clinic | Assistant Director of Core Clinical Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine | Health Equities Co-Clerkship Director, Penn State College of Medicine
- Morgan Hutchinson, MD − Assistant Medical Director, Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital/JMH | Director of Education and SI-Design Track, Health Design Lab, SKMC
Other Materials
- Health Equity Proposal for Community Health Center Funding
- Health Equity – Enhancing Mobile & Community Clinics in PA − Statewide Map
- Health Equity – Enhancing Mobile & Community Clinics in PA − Philadelphia Map
- Brochure − Community Health Centers: Care That Puts You First
- FQHC/RHC/Free Clinic Requirement Comparisons
Policy Committee Surveys
New Home Survey
As Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, I have hosted dozens of hearings across the Commonwealth on legislative and policy initiatives that are important to all Pennsylvania residents. In the near future, we will be hosting a public hearing to examine challenges faced by owners of newly built homes in Pennsylvania and the lack of protections for these residents in state and local laws. We want your input! Click button below or scan QR code to take survey!
