Press Releases
Sabatina Announces Two Local Projects to Improve Safety, Mobility, and Access to Recreation Areas
Harrisburg – July 16, 2020 – Senator John Sabatina (D - Philadelphia), is pleased to announce that two projects in his district were selected for almost $2 million in funding through the Multimodal Transportation Fund. “All aspects of transportation are vital to our...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $225 Million for Small Business Assistance Grants Statewide
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19...
Sabatina: Disturbed by Secrecy in Firing 700 Pennsylvania Employees
Harrisburg, June 5, 2020 − Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) implored Governor Wolf to suspend the termination of 700 Pennsylvania employees until public hearings can be held on the clandestine decision by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC).
Sabatina: Bill to Avoid Expiration of Military Family Relief Assistance Program is Headed to House (SB-1076)
Harrisburg, May 28, 2020 − Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) was pleased to announce Senate Bill 1076 passed unanimously (50-0) in the Senate today. The bill provides an extension of the Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP). Created in 2005, MFRAP provides grants up to $3,500 to Pennsylvania service members and their families in need.
Governor Wolf Signs House Version of Sen. Sabatina’s Ending Child Marriage Legislation (Act 18 of 2020)
Harrisburg, May 8, 2020 - Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) is elated that his Ending Child Marriage bill has become law. Governor Wolf signed the House version of Sabatina’s bill, which is now Act 18 of 2020. The components of the law related to ending child...
Sabatina’s Ending Child Marriage legislation headed to Governor Wolf’s desk
Harrisburg, April 29, 2020 - Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) announced that his Ending Child Marriage bill’s House version passed through the full Senate and the House today. The House of Representatives companion bill (HB-360 - Rep. Topper/Rep. Warren) passed...
Sabatina: Karen’s Law Moves Forward as House Companion Bill Amended in Senate Judiciary
Harrisburg, April 29, 2020 − Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) announced Karen’s Law is making progress through the legislature. Today, Sabatina and the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the House companion bill (HB-1538 - White) unanimously (14-0) after...
Senator Sabatina Welcomes $73 Million Project to Upgrade PWD’s Torresdale Pumping Station
Harrisburg, April 22, 2020 - Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) applauds an award to the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). The award is a low-interest loan in the...
Sabatina: Ending Child Marriage Companion Bill Passed Through Senate Committee
Harrisburg, April 20, 2020 − Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) was pleased to announce a major update on his Ending Child Marriage bill (SB-81). The House of Representatives companion bill (HB-360 - Rep. Topper/Rep. Warren) unanimously passed through the Senate...
Sabatina: Extension of Military Family Relief Assistance Program
Harrisburg, April 20, 2020 − Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) was pleased to announce Senate Bill 1076 passed unanimously in the Veteran Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee today. The bill provides an extension of the Military Family Relief Assistance...
Senator Sabatina Announces $235 Thousand in Nonprofit Security Grant Funds for Local Philadelphia Organizations
Philadelphia - March 11, 2020 − Senator John P. Sabatina, Jr. (D-Philadelphia) announced the amount of $235,340 in grant funds were awarded for several local nonprofit organizations to improve safety and security measures to prevent hate crimes. “Since the tragic...
Senators Sabatina and Tartaglione Deliver $1.5 Million Redevelopment Grant To Friends Of Father Judge H.S.
Funding from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program will support the construction of a new welding lab and expansion of an academic excellence center. Philadelphia, PA − November 15, 2019 – State Senators Christine Tartaglione and John Sabatina...
Sabatina: 2100 Block of Castor Avenue Being Renamed After Fallen Police Officer
Philadelphia, October 18, 2019 - Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) sponsored a bill in May 2019 to rename a city block after deceased Philadelphia Police Officer Raymond Diaz Jr. “I learned about Officer Raymond Diaz before the FOP Memorial Ceremony in Harrisburg...
Senator Sabatina to Host His Annual Senior Expo
State Senator John P. Sabatina Jr. invites you to his Senior Expo on Friday, October 11, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Armory. Residents of the 5th Senatorial District are invited to meet with representatives from many state...
PA Senate Democratic Caucus Decries Changes to SNAP Program, Urges PA Congressional Delegation to Oppose
Harrisburg, Pa. – July 29, 2019 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation, urging that the federal Department of Agriculture does not end automatic eligibility for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance...
Senator Sabatina: REAP Tax Credit Expansion Signed by Governor Wolf
HARRISBURG, July 1st, 2019 — State Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) announced the passage of his agricultural tax credit proposal, as a component of the Tax Code (Act 13 of 2019). The Governor has signed the bill into law as part of the FY2019-2020...
Members of Pa Senate Democratic Caucus Request Disaster Declaration on Gun Violence
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 24, 2019 − Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today jointly sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf requesting a disaster declaration for gun violence in the Commonwealth. “We believe it is necessary to raise the public’s awareness...
Sabatina: Marsy’s Law Passes Senate
Harrisburg, June 19, 2019 - Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) was pleased to see Marsy’s Law pass unanimously in the Senate today by a vote of 50-0. The version that passed the Senate is State Rep. Delozier’s companion bill, HB 276, which is identical to Sen....
Sabatina: Karen’s Law Passes the Senate (SB 123)
Harrisburg, June 19, 2019 − Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) is elated that his legislation Senate Bill 123, also known as Karen’s Law, was passed unanimously (50-0) by the Senate and is one major step closer to becoming a law in Pennsylvania. “It’s been well over...
Sabatina: Karen’s Law Rally (SB 123)
Harrisburg, June 7, 2019 – A rally will be held Monday, June 10 for Karen’s Law (SB 123) at 11:00 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda. The rally will highlight the bipartisan support for the bill sponsored by Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia). Crime Victim Advocates from...
Senate Democrats Spotlight Key Farm Issues, Introduce Elements of PA Farm Bill
Schwank, Sabatina, Street promote organics, tax-exemptions, tax credit expansion, urban agriculture
Harrisburg – May 7, 2019 – Senate Democrats introduced key pieces of the PA Farm Bill today, including measures to promote organic farming, exempt taxes for beginning farmers, increase tax credits and stimulate urban farming.
State Senate Legislative Policy Hearing in Philadelphia to Discuss Pedestrian Safety
Philadelphia, April 5, 2019 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing in Philadelphia today on solutions to improve pedestrian safety and decrease traffic incidents across Pennsylvania. “Pedestrian deaths in Pennsylvania were up 41% in the first half of...
State Senate Hearing in Philly to Focus on Pedestrian Safety
Philadelphia, April 2, 2019 – At the request of Sen. John Sabatina, the state Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on Friday in Philadelphia on ways to improve pedestrian safety and prevent traffic incidents. The hearing is scheduled for...
Sabatina: Marsy’s Law & Karen’s Law Head to Full Senate
Harrisburg, March 27, 2019 – The Senate Judiciary Committee approved both Marsy’s Law (SB149) and Karen’s Law (SB123), Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) announced. Both bills passed unanimously, 12-0. They now head to the full senate for consideration. “Both of...
Sabatina Rallies Support for Marsy’s Law, Victims’ Rights
Harrisburg – January 28, 2019 – Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) will join victims’ rights advocates on Tuesday, Jan. 29 to rally support for Marsy’s Law, legislation sponsored by Sabatina that amends the state Constitution to ensure the rights of crime victims are...
Sabatina’s Anti-Discrimination Language Signed into Law by Governor Wolf
Harrisburg, PA – November 14, 2018 – Critical anti-discrimination policy, championed by Senator John Sabatina, Jr. (D-Philadelphia), was signed into law by Governor Wolf, as Act 90. The law contains vital protections for disabled individuals in need of a lifesaving...
Senator Sabatina: Increased Access for Seniors Seeking Prescription Drug Assistance
Philadelphia, October 24, 2018 – Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) said today that the newly enacted Act 87 would expand the income limits for older Pennsylvanians who qualify for the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier...
Sabatina Applauds Passage of Karen’s Law in Senate Judiciary Committee
Harrisburg, October 3, 2018 – Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) is pleased that his legislation Senate Bill 1023, also known as Karen’s Law, was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation passed with a 14-0-1 vote. “Karen’s Law has been a...
Sabatina: Support Senate Bill 1219 to End Child Marriage in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, September 18, 2018 – Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) will participate in a press conference on September 25th at 9:00 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda. He will be joined by colleagues and advocacy groups to raise awareness for his Senate Bill 1219, which...
Sabatina: Road Resurfacing Plan for Philadelphia Region Updated
Philadelphia, August 30, 2018 – An updated 5-year plan detailing road resurfacing needs and projects in the Philadelphia region has been released by PennDOT, Sen. Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) announced today. “There are 3,556 miles of state highway road in the southeast...
Senator Sabatina: Seniors Eligible for Free SEPTA Regional Rail Rides
Philadelphia, August 23, 2018 – Beginning on September 1, seniors with SEPTA Key Senior Photo ID cards will be eligible for free regional rail rides, Sen. John Sabatina said today. The move to the new SEPTA Key Senior IDs was announced in 2016. Since then, more than...
Sabatina: Completion of Frankford Avenue Bridge Project Expected in September
Harrisburg, August 17, 2018 – Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) provided an update on the rehabilitation of the historic stone-arch Frankford Avenue Bridge. Sabatina said that according to transportation officials, the project is expected to be completed in...
Sabatina Tours Business Corridor in Morrell Park, Northeast Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, August 7, 2018 – Senator John Sabatina Jr, (D-Philadelphia) met with small business owners from the Morrell Park community in the 5th Senate District on Friday, August 3. Sabatina was accompanied by Philadelphia Commerce Director Harold Epps,...
Sabatina: Motorists Be Aware of Southbound Richmond Street Closure
Harrisburg- August 7, 2018 − Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) said that area residents should be aware and plan for upcoming street closures in Northeast Philadelphia. Sabatina serves as the Democratic chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. The...
Sabatina Informs Motorists of Interstate 95 Roadwork
Harrisburg – July 19, 2018 – Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) in encouraging motorists to prepare for scheduled roadwork on Interstate 95 beginning next week. “Motorists should travel with caution on Interstate 95 as lane closures will be in place during the...