sharif-street
Philadelphia officials demand more action to reduce gun violence
Sen. Sharif Street choked up discussing his cousin-in-law’s murder. April, Street’s wife, left the news conference at one point, sat beside a nearby statue, and cried.
Bill cleaning up Pa.’s medical marijuana law, without home growing provision, heads to Wolf
As part of a rush of last-minute legislation, the Pennsylvania General Assembly on Friday passed an omnibus bill making numerous tweaks to the state’s medical marijuana law. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Paul Schemel, R-Franklin, will enshrine in law numerous temporary policies adopted by the state Department of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, as […]
‘We don’t just stop at Juneteenth’: Civil rights leader, lawmakers call for more action on social justice reform
“It is important that we don’t just stop on Juneteenth. It’s important that we look at all of the systemic issues and racism in legislation and policy and how that has impacted our community,” said Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Philadelphia, the chairperson of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.
With election reforms on GOP’s radar, Wolf and Democrats draw red line on voter ID, other proposals
“I will always uphold our democracy,” Wolf said Wednesday. “I am here to get things done for the people of Pennsylvania. But I am also a steward of a grand democratic tradition, and I recognize both.”
Chauvin verdict reignites calls for police reform in Pa. | Friday Morning Coffee
"A jury unanimously decided that chokeholds are acts of murder, and this decision should compel us to examine policies of our own law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth,” one lawmaker said.
Leaders in Philly, nationwide honor Black Muslims during virtual town hall
Organizers said the event was an effort to celebrate the history of Black American Muslims, with an added focus on current social justice efforts and issues.
Gov. Tom Wolf pardoned 69 marijuana offenders. Why that matters | Tuesday Morning Coffee
The executive action 'will give these 310 people a chance to put the conviction behind them, offering them more opportunities,' the Wolf administration said.
Senators reveal bipartisan plan to legalize weed, expunge records in Pennsylvania
The sponsors, Sens. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, and Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, cited shifting public attitudes, as well as the potential gain from a new crop for farmers, a fresh start for those with a possession arrest on their record, and a boast to the state’s bottom line.
Community activists and elected officials demand diversity on Temple’s presidential search committee
Community activists, elected officials and union leaders are calling on Temple University’s board of trustees to form a more inclusive search committee for its new president
House Repubs again snuff out Wolf’s calls for recreational cannabis legalization
"The governor is standing at a podium shouting orders at us for the fourth time in a month," a House GOP spokesman groused.
The Leg did the right thing on police reform. The work is just starting | Thursday Morning Coffee
The moment demanded action. Lawmakers rose to the challenge. But the work is never over. The real challenge of dismantling systemic racism still lies ahead.
The General Assembly passed a police hiring database and a chokehold ban. But nothing is on Wolf’s desk yet.
The votes on Wednesday afternoon came two weeks after Black Democrats shut down the House of Representatives, demanding action on their stalled legislation.