In the News
Project links Cobbs Creek Park to Bartram’s Garden
Posted: June 12, 2013 |The Phila Tribune
Southwest Philadelphia has added 1.5 additional miles to a bike trail, which is a part of the 58th Street Greenway project, connecting Cobbs Creek Park to Bartram’s Garden, during a ribbon cutting ceremony outside Francis Myers Recreation Center on Saturday…..Read more here
Senator highlights pitfalls of payday loan-friendly bill
Posted: June 6, 2013 | The Phila Tribune
Williams, whom some thought would endorse SB 975, said he based his “nay” on the bill not doing nearly enough to address other related issues concerning payday loans. “While I can’t lend my voice to how detrimental passage of the bill would be, my concern is that people are still getting payday loans. My concern was, if we’re going to do something constructive, let’s not do a little bit better than bad, but let us do good….. Read more here
Pa. Senate Passes 2 Bills To Prevent Child Abuse By Teachers
Posted: June 4, 2013 |CBS3
The state Senate has sent the House a pair of bills designed to protect school children from misconduct and sexual abuse by teachers.
One bill, sponsored by Democratic Senator Anthony Williams of Philadelphia, would close a loophole that allows school districts to hire employees despite a history of investigations….. Read more here
Charters join Phila. School District in seeking aid
Posted: May 24, 2013|The Inquirer
The drumbeat for more money for Philadelphia’s taxpayer-funded schools continued to rumble across the city Thursday.
At a West Philadelphia rally, leaders from more than 20 city charter schools, who at times have been at odds with the district, joined its campaign to obtain more state and city aid to cover a looming $304 million shortfall…..Read more here
Local Non-Profit Awards Scholarships To Young Social Activists
Posted: May 19, 2013 |CBS3
The Hardy Williams Education Fund awarded scholarships to six students in Philadelphia interested in careers in government, law or social action….Read more here School tax plan: Drinks, smokes
Nutter said revenue collections would also get a push.
To raise money for the desperate Philadelphia School District, Mayor Nutter proposed Wednesday to tax cigarettes at $2 a pack and raise the city’s liquor-by-the-drink tax from 10 percent to 15 percent…….Read more here. Pennsylvania state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams discusses opportunities for small businesses in the region
In this interview Senator Williams, who has served the 8th District since 1998, shares insights into how strengthening small business is the key to lowering poverty rates.Pa. high court upholds redistricting plan.
Posted: May 09, 2013|Philly.com
HARRISBURG — After a protracted legal battle, the state Supreme Court upheld Pennsylvania’s latest legislative redistricting plan, saying the new maps comply with the state constitution.….Read more here …..The Senator Responds
City and schools: Not world-class…. Written by ANTHONY HARDY WILLIAMS
Posted: May 01, 2013|Philly.com
GETTING a budget boost during tight times is never easy and often seems like a fool’s errand.
But with the School District of Philadelphia sitting on the brink of absolute collapse and nearly a quarter of a million of our children and their families facing an immediate future without school, we’d be foolish not to take on that task.…….Read more here
School district crisis impacts our children…. Written by Anthony Hardy Williams
Posted: Tuesday, 30 April 2013 11:39|Tribune
School District at brink of collapse…. By Senator Anthony H. Williams
Posted: Monday, April 29, 2013, 3:01 AM |Philadelphia Inquirer
The School District of Philadelphia is tipping toward the brink of absolute collapse. That’s reality.
Pa. Lawmaker Proposes Tuition Incentive For Illegal Immigrants Who Are Striving
March 19, 2013 | CBS Philly
The state senate bill is sponsored by a Republican from Lancaster County and co-sponsored by Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Phila.), who says it not only is the right thing to do but would also benefit the state….Read more →
No way to treat women
March 14, 2013 | By ANTHONY HARDY WILLIAMS
Being respectful doesn’t make you weaker. It makes you stronger. And strong men know that when they’ve done wrong, one of the first things they need to do is apologize.
Aida Guzman, like the rest of us, is still waiting for an apology….Read more →
2 W. Philly females teach a neighborhood and a city the power of community and justice
February 20, 2013 | By ANTHONY HARDY WILLIAMS
I’ll admit that since this case occurred, I’ve had difficulty sleeping. As more details became public, it was clear that a horrific act was visited upon a child and, as a husband and father of two daughters, it disturbed me, realizing the numbers of women and girls out there, dealing with similar circumstances.
But it bothered me almost as much to think that this could happen here.
I grew up and still live in the area where the little girl was abducted. Some faces have remained the same, but through the years different people, different personalities have joined the mix. The implicit trust I held as a child that my neighbors would look out for me when my parents were not present is no longer a universal one and, sadly, not always even expected among children now.
In the days and weeks since the abduction, I, like many, have wondered what type of people, what type of community would allow this to occur. The resolve of these two females – one younger, one older – and their inspiration demonstrated what type….Read more →
Toomey again has Democratic guest at State of the Union
February 13, 2013
By COLBY ITKOWITZ | The Morning Call Washington Bureau
Williams admitted in an interview this week he had prejudged Toomey, a well-known fiscal conservative who couldn’t be further apart from Williams on the political spectrum. But after an initial meeting in early 2011, Williams found Toomey to be thoughtful, pragmatic and even aligned with him on topics like school choice and small business in urban areas….Read more →
PA politicians bridge partisan divide at State of the Union
February 12, 2013 | philly.com
“There is a sense of partisan paralysis and petty bickering that’s immobilizing the country, and my constituents are bothered by it. I’m bothered by it,” he said.”I hope what Senator Toomey and I are modeling will demonstrate to others that where there are shared interests, common ground can be found – if we try hard enough, and put the people’s business ahead of our own.”…Read more →
New principal named at school where girl was kidnapped
January 29, 2013 | ABC Action News
State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams, who has long had concerns about security at Bryant, was pleased with the changes. ”Things have changed. I think that, unfortunately, it’s been a long time waiting. I’m grateful that the Superintendent has been so responsive and so direct and so blunt,” Williams said….Read more and watch video →
Reward jumps to $75,000 in Phila. school kidnapping
January 25, 2013
By DAN CUELLAR | ABC Action News
“I will work night and day from now until the time this person’s condemn to hell,” said State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams….Read more and watch video →
Pennsylvania bill would change how judges are chosen
January 25, 2013
By CHRIS MONDICS | Inquirer Staff Writer
The bill, introduced by State Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D., Phila.) and Republican State Sen. Richard Alloway, who represents Adams, York, and Franklin Counties, would end contested elections for state appellate judges, as well as members of the Supreme Court….Read more →
Merit selection getting another try in a Senate proposal
January 24, 2013
By MARY WILSON | WITF Capitol Bureau Chief
In a bill introduced this week, Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) has proposed to create an appointed commission that would select judicial candidates. Under the bill, the governor would make a nomination out of that group and the state Senate would confirm. Regular, nonpartisan, uncontested retention elections would follow….Read more →
Exercise Fit for a Senator – And Everyone Else
November 1, 2012
By TONY WEST | The Public Record
This year, Williams’ “Health Season,” as he calls it, has become the most-elaborate community-outreach program – for any issue – organized by any state lawmaker in the Philadelphia delegation….Read more →
Close Reporting Loopholes
October 14, 2012 | Tribune-Review
Sponsored by Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Philadelphia, the SESAME Act would immediately end “passing the trash,” an all-too-common practice plaguing our education system and deliberately putting children in danger. District officials “pass the trash” by negotiating with educators who are sexual abusers, allowing them to resign with a clean record so they can move to a new school setting without attention, legal enforcement, scandal and cost. A typical offender will pass through three different schools before being stopped and can leave dozens of victims in his/her wake….Read more →
Forum Cites Gas Drilling Benefits
October 7, 2012
by Garland L. Thompson | The Philadelphia Tribune
“I started out largely hearing about ‘fracking’ through documentaries and news reports,” Williams said. “I was not persuaded so much by Governor Corbett as by the real-life stories of people living in the ‘wasteland’ of Western Pennsylvania. I looked at the poverty in those communities and the jobs being produced, and that, more than anything else, persuaded me to support the impact fee….Read more →
Free health events around West Philly to promote health awareness
October 1, 2012 | westphillyLOCAL.com
A series of free health-minded events is scheduled in various locations around West Philadelphia from Oct. 1 through mid-November as part of “Health Awareness Season” sponsored by State Sen. Anthony H. Williams.
“A healthy lifestyle is something we can all strive toward, whether we resolve to make better food choices, exercise more or maintain regular check-ups with our physician. We don’t have to make huge changes, but even little lifestyle improvements make a major difference,” Williams said. “These events will help folks learn new forms of exercise while having fun, all for free.”…Read more →
Students ‘Feel the Power’ of anti-bullying message
October 1, 2012
By Laura Wiseley | Delaware County Daily Times
Thursday’s appearance at Evans Elementary was scheduled with the help of state Sen. Anthony Williams D-8, of Philadelphia, and the National Character Education Foundation in Pittsburgh…..Read more →
Is today the beginning of the end of the voter-ID nightmare?
September 28, 2012 | Philadelphia Daily News Editorial
Exhibit B: State Sen. Anthony Williams has just released some research results on voter activity in the April 24 primary, which was supposed to be a “trial run” of the voter-ID law. A Swarthmore researcher polled people exiting the polls. Key findings: Only 59 percent were asked for an ID. And only 59 percent had a driver’s license; half of those age 60 and older did not have a license; 4 percent did not have any required forms of ID, and all of those were people of color…..Read more →
SEN. WILLIAMS PRESENTS FILM ON SCHOOLS
September 26, 2012 | The Philadelphia Tribune
State Sen. Anthony H. Williams recently hosted a special local pre-screening of a new film, “Won’t Back Down,” which follows parents and teachers who challenged the status quo and instituted public schools for their families and community….Read more →
Lansdowne Theater rehab expected to spark rebirth in town
September 16, 2012
By Kathleen E. Carey | Delaware County Daily Times
Recently, the organization acquired $3 million from state Rep. Nicholas Micozzie, R-163, of Upper Darby and $1 million from state Sen. Anthony Williams, D-8, of Philadelphia through the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program and a $75,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant….Read more →
Ethiopian Jew who became and Israeli politician meets wht black leaders in Philly
September 11, 2012
By Stu Bykofsky | Philadelphia Daily News
STATE SEN. Anthony H. Williams was telling a story about his first visit to Israel, about 15 years ago….Read more →
Philly state legislators still not unified on city property tax reform
June 01, 2012
By Troy Graham and INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams said Thursday that fellow members of the Philadelphia legislative delegation needed to speak with “one voice” to pass bills essential to enacting Mayor Nutter’s property-tax changes, which also could provide desperately needed funding for schools….Read more →
Voter-ID law is a pig in lipstick
May 29, 2012 | Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial
In response to the court challenge, Republicans instead are seeking to slow down the legal review. But as state Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D., Philadelphia) noted last week, it was GOP lawmakers who engaged in a “hastily implemented, poorly designed” voter-ID law that’s now prompting them to attempt repairs….Read more →
Tighten abuse reporting and background checks on educators
May 24, 2012
By TERRI MILLER | Patriot- News Op-Ed
State Sen. Anthony Williams’ proposed S.E.S.A.M.E. Act, which unanimously passed through the Senate Education Committee this month, would end the widespread culture of secrecy by requiring schools to obtain prospective employees’ work records….Read more →
Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, Rep. Brendan Boyle focus on genocide education
May 23, 2012
By HAYWOOD BREWSTER | Weekly Press
Surrounded by survivors of one of the worst mass slaughter of humankind, state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams declared that Pennsylvania children and adults should “never forget,” announcing introduction of Senate Bill 1523….Read more →
Springfield Superintendent Supports Legislation Aimed to Prevent Child Abuse
April 19, 2012 | SPRINGFIELD PATCH
State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams testified at a hearing held by U.S. Reps. Mike Fitzpatrick and Patrick Meehan (R-PA) April 16 to spotlight the practice known as “Passing the Trash” and focus attention on ending it by state and federal means.
“Passing the Trash” is a disturbing reality, whereby educators who engage in sexual abuse or misconduct are allowed to escape prosecution with light, if any, penalties and even relocate to another school district….Read more →
Rebuilding after the education storm
February 12, 2012 | By ANTHONY H. WILLIAMS
The twin twisters of the astounding deficit facing the School District of Philadelphia and the upheaval under way at archdiocesan schools are proof that we are indeed in the midst of climatic change when it comes to how we educate children in this city. Yet this disruptive change need not scar us, or scare us…
We have the chance to again summon our strength and our history, to pledge that every child in Philadelphia will have access to a quality education, no matter the zip code. We must take action and prove that we can rebuild after the storm….Read more →
State contest winner pushing child-support bill
January 2, 2012
By MATTHEW SANTONI | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
A citizen’s suggestion could help parents prove they made their child-support payments, if the Legislature passes the winner of one state senator’s “There Ought to be a Law” contest.
Nicole Crawford, 36, of Southwest Philadelphia, made the proposal through Sen. Anthony H. Williams’ contest, which allows people from across the state to submit their ideas for legislation….Read more ->
Pa. lawmakers, veterans’ advocates join forces to get more vets working
December 8, 2011
By ELIZABETH FIEDLER | NewsWorks
Resolving the issue, said Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, “requires a public policy plan in place.”
“That means tax credits, working with the private sector, governmental programs, a whole slew of things we need to do,” he said. “Out of this, we hope that we’ll develop legislation and policies.”
Williams recently authored legislation that would create a tax credit for businesses that hire veterans…. Read more ->
Our view: Education reform needs bipartisan support
November 3, 2011 | Erie Times-News
Bipartisanship is still alive, at least when it comes to lawmakers looking at ways to reform education.
At the federal level, Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson and Democratic Sen. Bob Casey issued a joint news release on Oct. 12 in which they pledged their support for changes to the No Child Left Behind Act. . . . . Read more →
Summer of Peace – Philadelphia Weekly
BY MICHAEL ALAN GOLDBERG | Philadelphia Weekly
September 7, 2011
While the law-enforcement aspect of Mayor Nutter’s strategy to combat youth-mob attacks and other violence has been on prominent display around Philadelphia the past month, the other crucial element of his plan—keeping at-risk kids occupied with more positive pursuits—has thus far mostly amounted to keeping recreation centers open a few extra hours at night….. Read more →
Vouchers seen as a way out of bad schools
October 26, 2011
By MORGAN ZALOT | Philadelphia Daily News
FOR LIZ GRANT’S granddaughter, a third-grader on the honor roll at North Philadelphia’s Joseph C. Ferguson Elementary School, an “opportunity scholarship” to attend private or parochial school would mean a more challenging curriculum.
“She’s very smart,” said Grant, 63. “She needs a school that’s gonna keep up.”…. Read more →
Youth, police team up to fight crime in Darby
August 7, 2011
By LAURA WISELEY | Times Correspondent
DARBY BOROUGH — A half-dozen Darby youths went on a shooting spree at the borough’s recreation center on Saturday afternoon — and Officer Mike Miller couldn’t have been happier about it. . . . Read more →
Darts & Laurels
August 6, 2011
Delaware County Daily Times Editorial Board
LAUREL: To state Sen. Anthony Williams for organizing a youth basketball tournament in Darby Borough as part of his “Summer of Peace” campaign. Here’s hoping they can keep the coarse language to a minimum. Read more →
Darby collects 57 guns at buyback event
July 28, 2011
By Shannon McDonald | Newsworks.org
Fifty-seven guns were collected Saturday during a two-and-a-half-hour window at the Darby Borough Police Department. . . . Read more →
Overwhelming success for Darby gun buyback
July 24, 2011
By KATHLEEN E. CAREY | DelCo Daily Times
DARBY BOROUGH — People lined up 45 minutes before the doors opened at the gun buy-back program at borough hall Saturday and at the end of the 2½ hours, 57 guns had been collected.
“We’re overwhelmed,” Darby Borough Mayor Helen Thomas said of the town’s first buy-back event. . . . Read more →
Are you smarter than a legislator?
July 19, 2011
Radio Smart Talk -WITF
No, it’s not a TV show but it is a contest. Democratic State Senator Anthony Williams of Philadelphia is running a contest through his website. The object is for regular, everyday Pennsylvanians to suggest their ideas for a law. Sen. Williams has agreed to sponsor the winning legislation in the state senate. In fact, the contest winner may get an opportunity to testify for their proposal in a senate hearing. . . Read more →
State senator hosting gun buy-back event in Darby
July 18, 2011
By FRANK OTTO | DelCo Daily Times
DARBY BOROUGH — Although the police curfews were lifted in Darby Borough and Darby Township, the specter of gun violence remains.
Hoping to combat that, state Sen. Anthony H. Williams, D-8, of Philadelphia, is hosting a gun buy-back from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Darby Borough Police Department, 821 Summit St.
“If we want to stop the body count from rising and literally save lives, getting guns off the street is crucial,” said Williams in a release. “I encourage everyone who wants to be a part of the solution to turn in your guns. . . .” Read more →
Prospect hires four new police officers
July 18, 2011
By Laura Wiseley | Delaware County News Network
. . . Also at the borough’s business meeting, Harris announced that Prospect Park officials are hoping to secure a $2,000 grant from Sen. Anthony H. Williams to put toward a video camera for Park Square. The camera is expected to cost a total of $2,250. . . Read more →
The Morning File: Now you can prove you’re just as smart as a state legislator
We don’t usually put Philadelphia politicians up on a pedestal. They’re often even worse, believe it or not, than Western Pennsylvania politicians. . . . Read more →
‘Write your own’ law idea might be interesting
Sunday, July 10, 2011
McLean Publishing Co.
We rarely find anything to endorse in ideas advanced by state office-holding Democrats from Philadelphia. But state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams has an idea that could be fun to explore – and might actually improve government in Pennsylvania. . . . Read more →
Williams wingding fills Stinger Square
June 30, 2011
JIM TAYOUN | The Public Record
More than 1,000 people gathered at Stinger Square in South Philadelphia for the Neighborhood to Neighborhood Summer of Peace Kickoff Cookout last Saturday hosted by State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams (D-W. Phila.), Youth Action, and Peace Not Guns. . . . Read more →
Sen. Williams suspends festival, uses $$$ for charity
June 23, 2011
JIM TAYOUN | The Public Record
As community organizations charged with promoting youth development and curbing violence continue to sustain severe budget cuts amid a dour economy, State Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-W. Phila.) announced he will suspend a signature annual event, opting instead to redirect funds this year to community-based projects. . . . Read more →
Education Nation: School Choice Faces Major Test in Harrisburg
June 12, 2011 – NBC10 @ Issue with Steve Highsmith
School choice advocate State Sen. Anthony Williams said the Pa. budget process will likely result in significant funding cuts for state education spending. SB 1, providing financial assistance for families looking for education options, has bi-partisan backing in Harrisburg. Lawmakers are facing a June 30 deadline to pass the state budget. . . . . Watch →
Pennsylvania school vouchers: Your child, your choice!
March 23, 2011 | By ANTHONY H. WILLIAMS
THE CONCEPT of school choice is simple. You, the parent, decide where your child goes to school. It’s very basic, and the time has come to embrace it. That’s why state Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin/ York) and I have introduced Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Opportunity Scholarship and Education Improvement Tax Credit Act.
The legislation will let low-income parents choose where their kids attend school so that children across Pennsylvania have the opportunity to receive a quality education regardless of where they live or their financial circumstance. And the tax-credit component of SB 1 provides financial assistance to middle-income and working-class families seeking educational options for their children.. . . . . Read more →
School Choice. Why Every Pennsylvania Family Should Support It.
March 6, 2011 – Patriot News
“It’s time to admit that public education operates like a planned economy, a bureaucratic system in which everybody’s role is spelled out in advance and there are few incentives for innovation and productivity. It’s no surprise that our school system doesn’t improve.”
Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, D-Philadelphia, supports school vouchers
These are not my words or those of my colleague, Sen. Jeff Piccola, but those of Albert Shanker, former union president of the American Federation of Teachers, who said them in 1989. .. . . . Read more →
Fatimah Ali: Why Fatimah Ali changed her mind on Philadelphia school vouchers
February 15, 2011 – Philadelphia Daily News
WHEN state Sens. Anthony Williams and Jeffrey Piccola introduced a bill to allow parents whose children attend the city’s worst schools in the poorest neighborhoods to apply state funding to tuition at private schools, I was dead-set against it.. . . . Read more →
