Rep. Donna Bullock shares Pa. Legislative Black Caucus’ priorities for 2023

By Justin Sweitzer

This year, the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus celebrates its 50th anniversary, and does so with the largest and most diverse coalition of members in caucus history.

The caucus now has 37 members, made up of lawmakers from different corners of the state – from major population centers like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – to other cities and communities such as Harrisburg, Reading, Lancaster and Norristown. The group has also expanded the number of LGBTQ members and women that serve in its ranks – and PLBC Chair Donna Bullock says the overall growth of the caucus, both numerically, and in terms of diversity, is a step in “the right direction.”

Bullock told City & State in a recent interview that the caucus intends to prioritize policing reforms in the new legislative session, and also hopes to garner support for legislation that would prohibit discrimination based on a person’s hairstyle.

That legislation, named the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act, or CROWN Act, would prohibit such discrimination in schools and workplaces, Bullock said. She also highlighted a number of ideas – raising the minimum wage, expanding access to housing and addressing debt – that she said could help all Pennsylvanians.

“We want to make sure that these folks can provide for their families, send their children to school, and live their best lives just like any other Pennsylvanian would want, but we also know that while many Pennsylvanians may be struggling with the same issues, the disparities are even more concerning and increased for Black Pennsylvanians,” Bullock said.

The caucus was formally organized in 1973 by Democratic Rep. K. Leroy Irvis, who was the House majority leader at the time. The official formation of the caucus came after Black lawmakers initially began meeting in secret to discuss their legislative goals.