HARRISBURG, March 11 – In several meetings over the past few months, state Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio, D-Montgomery/Phila., talked with area students about what it means to be an engaged citizen and explained the legislative process.

“It is never too early to teach what it means to be a good citizen, and the students of the 194th Legislative District – from home schoolers through a senior attending J. R. Masterman – are wonderful examples responsible of citizens in the making,” DeLissio said.

In late January, DeLissio had the opportunity to speak to a government class at the invitation of constituent Adia Hayden.

“It was a pleasure to engage in dialogue with rising seniors who have the interest and desire to better understand how state government works, and the importance of those legislative decisions on our daily lives,” DeLissio said. “I was thrilled to find out that every 18-year-old in the class was registered to vote and that the first-time voters were looking forward to April 26, primary election day in Pennsylvania.” Continue reading →

Lawmaker offers Pennsylvania Council of Mediators as a resource

HARRISBURG, March 11 – Pennsylvania budget negotiators would be wise to enlist the help of a mediator to end the eight-month budget stalemate, Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio said during House state budget hearings Thursday.

Her testimony followed three weeks of House Appropriations hearings concerning the 2016-17 budget. The 2015-16 state budget still has not been settled.

“There seems to be agreement that we are in uncharted waters, said DeLissio, D-Montgomery/Phila. “Uncharted waters sound exciting and adventurous. I like adventure and excitement in my life. However, a budget, whether state, local or federal, should not be the source for adventure in the lives of our citizens.”

DeLissio first suggested mediation to settle the budget impasse last fall. Continue reading →

Pa. state Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio spoke before the House Appropriations Committee during a hearing on the state budget to call for the service of a mediator to help pass an adequate budget.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 25 – State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio, D-Montgomery/Phila., will host her next town hall Thursday, March 3 with Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera.

The town hall is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3 in the Multi-Purpose Room at W.B. Saul High School, 7100 Henry Ave.

“Everyone who has an interest in the education of our students should take this opportunity to attend this town hall,” DeLissio said. “Secretary Rivera will be discussing the goals and concerns of basic public education in the commonwealth. I am sure there is much to embrace and understand.

“The pressing need for fair and adequate education funding and the budget stalemate we face right now are significantly intertwined. There is much to discuss, and I look forward to fielding many questions along with Secretary Rivera. The town hall promises to be enlightening for everyone in attendance.”

To ensure a seat, constituents should call 215-482-8726. It will be DeLissio’s 54th town hall.

DeLissio is featuring members of Gov. Tom Wolf’s cabinet in the next three of her monthly town halls to better inform constituents about how their commonwealth agencies work. Her April 14 town hall is slated to feature Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino, and her May 12 town hall is scheduled to include Department of Aging Secretary Teresa Osborne.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio, D-Montgomery/Phila., is participating in the Pennsylvania Legislative Appointment Initiative, which allows each state legislator to appoint a student from their district as a commonwealth scholar for admission to Valley Forge Military College.

Any senior high school student who resides in the 194th Legislative District with an interest in attending the Valley Forge Military College may apply.

Eligibility criteria for a candidate is established by the college. Candidates may submit their applications, which should include a 500-word essay, high school transcript, and SAT or ACT scores directly to DeLissio’s district office. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22. This appointment includes a guaranteed partial scholarship. Continue reading →

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 29 – State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio, D-Montgomery/Phila., will host a follow-up meeting regarding safety and speeding on Henry Avenue at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 in the Wolcoff Auditorium at Roxborough Memorial Hospital, 5800 Ridge Ave.

Free parking is available in the Jamestown parking lot on Jamestown Avenue. Representatives from PennDOT, Philadelphia Streets Department, City Councilman Curtis Jones’ office, and local and state law enforcement agencies will attend. Also on the agenda for discussion is the Walnut Lane Bridge closure, which is slated for April 1 and expected to last six months.

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PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 29 – State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio’s Tele-Town Hall, conducted over the phone on Jan. 21, reached hundreds of constituents.

The call’s recipients listened in, asked questions, and participated in four opinion polls.

“At the peak of the call, we had over 400 constituents on the line,” DeLissio said. “This was exciting, as it is such a great way to dialogue with my constituents without anyone needing to leave their home.”

The call offered an opportunity to ask questions pertaining to any state-related topic. The range of questions was diverse and the answers informing, she said. Questions were asked about the status of the 2015-16 budget.

Continue reading →

HARRISBURG, Jan. 29 – State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio, D-Montgomery/Phila., on Wednesday in the state Capitol discussed her support of H.R. 634, which designates January 2016 as “National Human Trafficking Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.

The resolution is traditionally called for a vote on the last day of session before the Super Bowl, because it is documented that trafficking increases around large events held in urban areas such as the NFL championship game. Law enforcement is also expected to be vigilant at the upcoming Democratic and Republican national conventions for the same reasons.

Continue reading →

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 14 – Copies of over 100 handwritten letters in support of gun safety measures were given to state Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio the same week President Barack Obama announced a group of executive actions to reduce gun violence.

Letters were written in early December by residents of Cathedral Village and sent to members of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee urging a yes vote on H.B. 1010.

DeLissio is not a member of the House Judiciary Committee but she was an early co-sponsor and supporter of the bill since its inception.

Continue reading →

HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio today joined fellow Pennsylvania House Democrats in the Capitol to call for work on the budget, as opposed to the day off.

“The citizens of the commonwealth have gone 164 days without a state budget for senior services, schools, health services and much, much more,” said DeLissio, who represents parts of Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. “It came as a total surprise when the Speaker announced on the House floor yesterday that session was canceled for today. There was no reason offered for the cancelation. This is the third time the session schedule has been interrupted in the past four weeks when the expectation has been that we are in session until the budget is completed. We should be here every day until a budget is enacted, particularly due to the fact that a framework was agreed to by all four caucuses and the governor several weeks ago. It appears that the House Republicans are marching to a drummer that they alone are hearing.

“These latest breakdowns toward the goal of a sustainable, fair and equitable budget are indicative of a negotiating body that would benefit from mediation. My recommendation for mediation was sent to the governor and House leaders before Thanksgiving.”