Press Releases
PA Senate Democrats Release Statement on Violent Protest in DC
Harrisburg, PA – January 6, 2021 – The PA Senate Democrats released the following statement on the violent protest today in the nation’s Capitol: The First Amendment is one of our most sacred. It is not political and it is not partisan. The rights to free speech,...
PA Senate Democrats to Conduct Hearing on Impact of COVID-19 on State Prisons
PHILADELPHIA, PA − December 31, 2020 − At the request of State Senators Anthony H. Williams (D-Delaware/Philadelphia) and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold a virtual public hearing on the impacts of COVID-19...
Sen. Anthony H. Williams Announces $315,530 in Regional Coastal Zone Project Funding
Harrisburg – December 17, 2020 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams announced today that $315,530 in Coastal Zone Grants has been awarded to area projects from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and distributed across Pennsylvania through the PA Dept. of...
Statement: 16 Democratic State Senators Denounce Frivolous Election Lawsuits and Continued Attempts to Undermine our Democracy
HARRISBURG – December 10, 2020 – Today the following members of the Pennsylvania State Senate signed a joint statement – set forth below – denouncing the brazen attempt of the attorneys general of Texas and seventeen other states to disenfranchise millions...
Letter from Sen. Anthony H. Williams to Gov. Tom Wolf on Line Item Veto of Flag Provision
Philadelphia, PA − November 23, 2020 − Sen. Anthony H. Williams sent the following letter to Gov. Tom Wolf on Line Item Veto of Flag Provision: The Honorable Tom Wolf Governor of Pennsylvania Room 225 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 Dear Governor, In...
Sen. Anthony H. Williams Statement on $100 Million University of Pennsylvania Contribution to Philly Public Schools
Philadelphia, PA − November 17, 2020 − Sen. Anthony H. Williams released the following statement on $100 Million University of Pennsylvania Contribution to Philly Public Schools: I am so elated that the University of Pennsylvania, our longtime neighbor here in West...
Letter from Sen. Anthony H. Williams to Gov. Wolf on CARES Funding for Small Businesses
Philadelphia, PA − October 30, 2020 − Sen. Anthony H. Williams sent the following letter to Gov. Wolf on CARES Funding for Small Businesses: Dear Governor, As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage Pennsylvania, especially in low-income communities of color, my...
PLBC, Philadelphia House Delegation, and Police Reform Working Group members demand justice after Black man is killed by police
HARRISBURG, October 27, 2020 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, along with its members and members of the Pennsylvania Police Reform Working Group and the Philadelphia House Delegation, are demanding justice for...
Sen. Anthony H. Williams to Introduce Resolution Requiring Only Budget Legislation be Voted on During Sine Die Sessions
Harrisburg – October 19, 2020 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams has begun circulating a co-sponsorship memoranda for a Senate Resolution to limit voting during a sine die session of the Senate to budget-related matters only. “The people of Pennsylvania will be...
State Senate Hearing Focuses on Expanding the Amber Alert System in PA
Harrisburg – October 15, 2020 – At the request of Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing to discuss expanding Pennsylvania’s Amber Alert system to include hit-and-run incidents....
Cobbs Creek Parkway Rumble Strips
Philadelphia, PA − September 22, 2020 − State Senator Anthony H. Williams received the following letter to from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regarding installing sinusoidal rumble strips on Cobbs Creek Parkway’s double-yellow centerline from 58th Street to Girard Avenue:
State and Local Officials Renew Call for Safety Improvements to Cobbs Creek Parkway
PHILADELPHIA – September 3, 2020 – The events of August 21st and the tragic death of Avante Reynolds have again drawn attention to long-standing pedestrian safety concerns on Cobbs Creek Parkway. Many years have passed, and guardrails continue to be replaced – but...
Sen. Anthony H. Williams Announces Over $1 Million in State Funding for Delco Water and Sewer Projects
Philadelphia – August 18, 2020 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) announced today that $1,301,824 in state grant funding have been awarded to local waterway and sewer improvement projects in Delaware County. “I am very pleased that these grants have...
Delaware County lawmakers call for investigation into violence against Black Lives Matter supporters
HARRISBURG – August 7, 2020 – Today, a group of state lawmakers from Delaware County called for District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer to investigate violence and intimidation aimed at Black Lives Matter supporters during a march in Ridley Township on Saturday, August...
Senator Anthony H. Williams Hosts Racial Equity Solutions Tour Kickoff Event with Special Guest Van Jones
Harrisburg – July 22, 2020 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) hosted a kickoff event for the Senate Democrat’s Racial Equity Solutions Tour. The event was held via Zoom for safety as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Van Jones, Reform...
Senate Passes Bipartisan Probation Reform Proposal
HARRISBURG – July 15, 2020 − The Senate approved a bipartisan bill today to improve Pennsylvania’s probation system by addressing serious flaws that have trapped nonviolent offenders in a cycle of incarceration without improving public safety. Senate Bill 14,...
Senator Anthony H. Williams Statement on Positive COVID-19 Test
Philadelphia, PA – July 14, 2020 – State Senator Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) released the following statement after testing positive for COVID-19: "I have tested positive for COVID-19. I am following all recommended guidelines from the CDC and...
PA Senate Democrats Discuss Police Reform Legislative Agenda and Statewide Racial Equity Solutions Tour
Harrisburg – June 30, 2020 – Pennsylvania Senate Democrats gathered in the Capitol and through Zoom to discuss the status of their legislative agenda for police reforms, and to announce a statewide Racial Equity Solutions Tour. PA Senate Democrats introduced a...
Bipartisan Probation Reform Proposal Moves Forward in the Senate
HARRISBURG – June 24, 2020 − The Senate Judiciary Committee approved today a bipartisan bill which would improve Pennsylvania’s probation system by addressing antiquated and arbitrary provisions in the law that have unnecessarily trapped nonviolent offenders in a...
Senator Anthony H. Williams to Partner with Local Organizations to Bring Free COVID-19 Testing to Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA − June 18, 2020 − Senator Anthony H. Williams has announced free COVID-19 testing coming to southwest Philadelphia. On Saturday, June 20th from 10am to 4pm, free testing will be available at the Church of Christian Compassion at 6121 Cedar Avenue for...
PA Senate Democrats Announce Comprehensive Police Reform Legislation
HARRISBURG – June 10, 2020 – Today, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced plans for a comprehensive package of legislation to reform policing in Pennsylvania. Two years ago, members of the caucus introduced police and community relations...
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...
State Senate Policy Hearing on the Impact of COVID-19 on the African American Community
Harrisburg – June 4, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware), Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia), and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a...
Sen. Anthony H. Williams Sends Letter to Mayor Kenney Regarding Police Advisory Commission Funding
PHILADELPHIA − June 4, 2020 − Senate Democratic Whip Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) has sent the following letter to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney regarding a proposed funding cut to the City of Philadelphia’s Police Advisory Commission. Download...
Sen. Anthony H. Williams Asks for Senate Rules Change Following COVID-19 Case in General Assembly
PHILADELPHIA − May 29, 2020 − Senate Democratic Whip Anthony H. Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) has sent the following letter to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati requesting Senate rules changes to better protect staff and members after it was revealed...
Sen. Anthony Williams Announces PA Senate Allocation of $2.6 Billion CARES Act Relief Funds
Harrisburg – May 28, 2020 – Sen. Anthony Williams (D- Philadelphia/Delaware) announced that the Pennsylvania Senate has passed Senate Bill 1108 which allocates $2.602 billion of federal CARES Act for Pennsylvania. “These funds were given to Pennsylvania through the...
Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams Speaks to the Senate on the Death of George Floyd
Harrisburg – May 28, 2020 – Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams (D – Philadelphia/Delaware) made remarks during last night’s livestream of Senate session to his colleagues and all present on the tragic death of George Floyd. Video of Floyd, who is black, being forcibly held...
Sen. Williams Sends Letter to PA Congressional Delegation Regarding Small Business Assistance
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected all of our lives exponentially, but it has hit our businesses communities particularly hard because of the mandated state-wide closures of all “non-life sustaining businesses”. I sent a letter this week to the...
Sens. Hughes, A. Williams Lay Out Proposed Temporary Changes to Business Interruption Insurance with Support of Small Business Owners, PRLA
HARRISBURG – April 20, 2020 – Several small business owners and the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA) joined state Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Anthony Williams (D-Delaware/Philadelphia) in the call for temporary changes to...
PA Senate Democrats Urge Action on Legislation for Working Families, Pledge to Oppose Partisan COVID Task Force
Harrisburg, PA − April 8, 2020 − The Senate adjourned Tuesday afternoon after the House Republicans indicated they would not be taking up Senate Bill 841, legislation that would have enabled local municipalities to hold their meetings remotely, permitted e-notary...
Senator Anthony H. Williams to Introduce Legislation to Redistribute Federal Stimulus Monies
Philadelphia, Pa. − March 30, 2020 − Senator Anthony H. Williams today announced plans to introduce legislation that would allow Pennsylvanians to voluntarily return their federal stimulus money. Returned funds would create a Pennsylvania Common Wealth account,...
Senator Anthony H. Williams Calls on PA Supreme Court To Release Inmates Detained For Parole Violations
Harrisburg – March 23, 2020 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Delaware/Philadelphia) sent a letter today to Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Thomas Saylor, to request the release of inmates in Pennsylvania state prisons incarcerated for parole violations...
Effective Friday, March 13 – Senator Anthony H. Williams’ Philadelphia Offices Will Be Closed
Philadelphia, PA - March 12, 2020 − Effective Friday, March 13 Senator Anthony H. Williams’ offices in Philadelphia will be closed as COVID-19 continues to spread. “Those of us in positions of responsibility should be leading as we all continue to grapple with the...
Sen. Anthony Williams Joins Elected Officials to Stand Against Supervised Injection Sites Without Community Approval
Philadelphia – March 3, 2020 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Delaware/Philadelphia) was joined by a number of elected officials in Philadelphia yesterday at a press conference to stand against the opening of a supervised injection site in the city without...
State Senate Committee Holds Philadelphia Hearing on Opioid Epidemic
Philadelphia – February 21, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Anthony H. Williams (D- Delaware/Philadelphia) and Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing today in Philadelphia on ways to combat the opioid...
Statement from Senator Anthony H. Williams on PES Refinery Sale
“I am pleased that after considering input from all stakeholders, Judge Gross approved the sale of the former PES refinery to Hilco Redevelopment Partners. Based upon Hilco’s stellar track record and unique capabilities, I look forward to partnering with them on...
State Senate Committee Holds Delaware County Hearing on State’s Opioid Epidemic
Media – February 12, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware) and Anthony H. Williams (D – Delaware/Philadelphia), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing on combating the opioid addiction epidemic in Pennsylvania....
Senator Anthony H. Williams Hosted Meeting of Nuisance Establishment Task Force
Philadelphia – February 11, 2020 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D- Delaware/Philadelphia) hosted a meeting of the Nuisance Establishment Task Force yesterday, Feb. 10, to bring together community stakeholders and put an end to how “stop and go” establishments currently...
State Sen. A.H. William’s Letter to Judge Gross Regarding Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery
Philadelphia, Pa. – January 15, 2020 – Below is the letter that State Sen. Anthony H. Williams sent to the Honorable Kevin Gross of the United States Bankruptcy Court. Williams said in the letter that the explosion of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery has not...
Senator Anthony H. Williams Applauds Selection of Danielle Outlaw for Philadelphia Police Commissioner
Philadelphia, Pa. – December 30, 2019 – Senator Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia) issued the following statement in support of the selection of Danielle Outlaw for the position of Philadelphia Police Commissioner. “The selection of Danielle Outlaw as our next...