Press Releases
Senator Collett Introduces Legislation to Ensure Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine
Harrisburg, Pa. − October 19, 2020 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has introduced a bill memo for co-sponsorship to commit the Commonwealth to an equitable distribution of any future FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine based on the recommendations of...
Senator Collett Announces Nearly $600,000 in Grant Funding for Local Fire Companies, Rescue Squads, and Emergency Medical Services Departments
North Wales, Pa. - October 14, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $572,634 in CARES Act funding for 27 local fire companies, rescue squads, and emergency medical service (EMS) departments distributed by the Office of the State Fire...
Senator Collett Introduces Legislation Toughening Penalties for Attacks on Employees Enforcing Public Health Guidance
Harrisburg, Pa. - August 28, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has introduced a bill memo for co-sponsorship to upgrade the assault of an employee enforcing public health guidance, such as wearing a mask or practicing social distancing, to felony...
Senator Collett Announces $3.7 Million to Improve Local Water, Sewer, Stormwater Systems
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - August 17, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) announced today that Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has awarded $3,708,771 in grant funding for local water supply, sanitary sewer, and stormwater projects. “In...
State Senate Committee Holds Online Hearing on Strategies to Safely Reopen Schools
Harrisburg – August 3, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Tim Kearney (D-Chester/Delaware), Maria Collett (D-Bucks/Montgomery), Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) and Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held an online public...
Senators Collett, Kearney, Muth, L. Williams Announce Bill to Suspend Per Diem Pay for Legislators During COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, Pa. - July 30, 2020 — Senators Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks), Tim Kearney (D-26 Delaware/Chester), Katie Muth (D-44 Berks/Chester/Montgomery) and Lindsey M. Williams (D-38 Allegheny County) have introduced a bill memo for co-sponsorship to suspend...
Senator Collett Announces $50M in Hazard Pay Grant Funding for Pennsylvania Workers
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - July 16, 2020 — Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) joins Governor Tom Wolf in announcing $50 million for the COVID-19 PA Hazard Pay Grant Program, funded by federal CARES dollars allocated by the Pennsylvania General Assembly...
Senator Collett Announces $1.4 Million PennDOT Multimodal Grant for Horsham Township
North Wales, Pa. − July 16, 2020 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $1.4M in PennDOT multimodal grant funding for the design, sighting, and installation of eighty-seven 15-foot tall, modern, high-efficiency streetlights in Horsham...
Senator Collett Votes to Preserve Governor’s Emergency Powers and Reacts to Senate Vote on SB 1166
Harrisburg, Pa. - July 15, 2020 — During today’s session, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) voted “No” on SB 1166, which would, if adopted as a constitutional amendment, allow the legislature to unilaterally end an emergency declaration by a Governor by...
Senator Collett Announces COVID-19 Relief Small Business Grant Program Application Window
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - June 29, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) announced that a new COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance grant program (“PA Small Business Grant Program”) will open for applications on Tuesday, June 30....
State Senate Hearing Focuses on COVID-19’s Impact on the Food Supply Chain
Harrisburg – June 18, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Judy Schwank (D- Berks) and Maria Collett (D- Bucks/Montgomery), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing today on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pennsylvania’s food...
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...
Senator Collett Votes to Preserve Governor’s Emergency Declaration and Reacts to Senate Vote on HR 836
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 9, 2020 − During today’s session, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) voted “No” on HR 836 as amended, which would end the Governor’s Emergency Declaration related to COVID-19. Senator Collett offers the following reactions:...
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...
Senators Santarsiero, Collett Ask Governor to Allow Businesses in Personal Service Industry to Operate During Yellow and Green Phases of Reopening
BUCKS COUNTY – May 28, 2020 – Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Maria Collett (D-12) were joined by State Representatives Perry Warren (D-31), Tina Davis (D-141), John Galloway (D-140) and Wendy Ullman (D-143) in asking Governor Wolf to issue an executive order...
Senator Collett Reacts to Governor Wolf’s Announcement of Bucks and Montgomery Counties’ Anticipated June 5th Move to Yellow Phase
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - May 22, 2020 — In response to Governor Wolf’s announcements at today’s 4 PM press conference, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) offers the following initial reactions: “The residents and businesses of Bucks and Montgomery County have...
Senator Collett Urges Governor Wolf and Secretary Davin to Provide Additional Financial Support to Montgomery and Bucks County Businesses
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. - May 19, 2020 — Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf and Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin urging them to ramp up financial support for Montgomery and Bucks...
Senator Collett Encouraged By Department Of Health Announcement Of Universal Testing For Long-Term Care Residents And Staff
Harrisburg, Pa. - May 12, 2020 — Senate Aging & Youth Democratic Chairwoman Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks), who just last week pressed Secretary Levine on the Commonwealth’s ability to test long-term care residents and staff, was pleased and...
Senator Collett and Nursing Home Providers Say More PPE And Immediate, Mass Testing for Long-Term Care Residents and Staff Hold Key to Reopening State at May 7 Senate Aging & Youth Committee Hearing
Harrisburg, Pa. − May 8, 2020 — At yesterday’s joint hearing of the Senate Aging & Youth and Health and Human Services Committees, Aging & Youth Democratic Chairwoman Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) heard testimony from panelists in the...
Senator Collett Announces Legislation to Ensure Adequate PPE Stockpiles for Future Public Health Emergencies
Harrisburg, Pa. - May 4, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) introduced a bill memo for co-sponsorship to ensure Pennsylvania has adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpiles available during future public health emergencies like the...
Senator Collett Issues Statement in Support of PA Auditor General’s Review of and Critical of Efforts to Subpoena Wolf Administration Officials Regarding Flawed DCED Waiver Program During Health Crisis
Lower Gwynedd, PA — April 30, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) issued the following statement after a party-line vote in the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness (“VAEP”) Committee meeting today to move forward with the issuance of...
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 use;...
Senators Maria Collett and Lindsey M. Williams Announce Legislation to Protect Front-Line Workers During COVID-19 Outbreak
Harrisburg, Pa. − April 1, 2020 − Senators Maria Collett and Lindsey M. Williams announced today that they are introducing legislation to provide workers in healthcare facilities, public assistance workers, other direct support professionals, and first...
Senators Collett & Hughes Call for Additional Ventilator Care Funding During Public Health Crisis
Montgomery County, PA – March 26, 2020 – Senators Maria Collett, RN (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) and Vincent Hughes (D-7 Philadelphia/Montgomery) today urged the Governor and their colleagues to include additional funding for nursing homes serving Medicaid patients...
Senator Collett Announces Security Grants for Local Nonprofits
North Wales, Pa. - March 11, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $37,000 in Non-Profit Security Grants awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). A total of 805 houses of worships and other non-profit...
Senator Collett Announces Over $1.3 Million in School Safety and Community Violence Prevention Grants
North Wales, Pa. - February 26, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $765,437 in Competitive and Meritorious School Safety Grants and $598,200 in Community Violence Prevention/Reduction Grants awarded by Pennsylvania’s School Safety and...
Senators Santarsiero and Collett Respond to Wage History Ruling
Harrisburg, PA − February 10, 2020 − On Thursday, a federal appeals court upheld a Philadelphia law prohibiting employers from asking about wage history. The ruling partially reversed a lower court's 2018 decision that said the city could not ban employers...
Senator Collett Reacts to Governor Tom Wolf’s 2020-21 Budget Address
Harrisburg, Pa. – February 4, 2020 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) attended Governor Tom Wolf’s (D) budget address today. The Governor’s 2020-2021 budget proposal included key investments in our Department of Environmental Protection (DEP),...
Senator Collett Announces Over $309,000 in Grant Funding for Local Fire Companies and Emergency Medical Services Departments
North Wales, Pa. - January 30, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $309,766 in grant funding for 27 local fire companies and emergency medical services (EMS) departments distributed by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. “Our...
Senator Collett and Senator Laughlin Renew Call for Paid Family Leave Following Committee Hearing
Harrisburg, Pa. — January 30, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks), Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie), and advocates from across the Commonwealth held a press conference on Tuesday following a hearing of the Senate Labor and Industry...
Senator Collett Announces PAsmart Grant Awards for the 12th District
North Wales, Pa. - January 17, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $70,000 in PAsmart Targeted grants to fund computer services classes and teacher training for two school districts in the 12th District. “Computer science training is...
Senator Collett Encourages Local Organizations to Apply for Non-Profit Security Grants
North Wales, Pa. - January 15, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) announced that the new Non-Profit Security Grant Program is now accepting applications. The application period ends at 11:45 PM on February 14, 2020. Passed in the wake of a rise in...
Group of Democratic State Senators Request Hearing or Committee Vote on Bills Aimed at Protecting Quality, Stable Health Care in PA
HARRISBURG – January 7, 2020 – State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Pam Iovino (D-Allegheny/Washington), Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks), Maria Collett (D-Montgomery/Bucks), and Tim Kearney (D-Delaware/Chester) have requested that the state Senate...
Senator Collett Announces Teacher in The Workplace Grants for the 12th District
North Wales, PA. − January 6, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $50,000 in Teacher in the Workplace grants supporting two educational programs serving students in the 12th District. “These grants will allow our students to build...
Senator Collett Announces $150,000 For Career and Technical Education Equipment in the 12th District
North Wales, Pa. – December 20, 2019 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $150,000 in competitive career and technical education equipment grants awarded to three schools that serve her district. Grant recipients include: Middle...
Democratic Senators Introduce Legislation to Reform Judicial Nomination Process for Vacant Court Seats
Harrisburg, Pa. − December 18, 2019 − Today, Senators Anthony H. Williams (D – Delaware, Philadelphia), Lindsey M. Williams (D – Allegheny), Maria Collett (D – Bucks, Montgomery), and Katie Muth (D – Chester, Montgomery, Berks) introduced Senate Bill 978, which...
Senator Maria Collett Joined by More State Legislators Across the Country Committing to Protect Drinking Water
Harrisburg, Pa. – December 3, 2019 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has been joined by legislators in 20 states across the country in introducing legislation to address PFAS contamination in drinking water. PFAS, or "forever chemicals,” are found in...
Senator Collett Announces $325,000 for Clean Energy Vehicle Projects in the 12th District, Encourages Others to Apply
North Wales, Pa. — November 20, 2019 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $325,000 in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants (AFIG) for clean energy vehicle projects in her district. Grant recipients include: Waste Management, Inc. - $300,000 for...
Senator Maria Collett Highlights Pennsylvania’s Primary Care Loan Repayment Program
North Wales, Pa. – November 18, 2019 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) would like to call attention to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s recent notice of requests for applications under the Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program. ...
Senator Collett Announces More than $1,000,000 in Funding for Local Transportation, Recreation and Conservation Projects
North Wales, Pa. — November 13, 2019 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced over $1,000,000 in grant funding for local projects awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Pennsylvania...