Press Releases
AG Shapiro and Senate Democrats Discuss Action Against Fracking Negligence
Harrisburg, PA − May 25, 2021 – Today, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus led in this effort by State Senator Steve Santarsiero held a virtual press conference to discuss a package of bills aimed at increasing...
Senators Lindsey Williams, Maria Collett, and Katie Muth to Introduce Legislation Allocating Funds to Water Infrastructure
Harrisburg, Pa. − May 24, 2021 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D – Allegheny), Senator Maria Collett (D – Montgomery, Bucks), and Senator Katie Muth (D –Chester, Montgomery, Berks) announced today that they plan to introduce legislation that will allocate $350 million...
Senators Santarsiero, Collett Announce Legislation to Give Attorney General Concurrent Jurisdiction in Environmental Crimes
BUCKS COUNTY – April 30, 2021 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Maria Collett (D-12) today announced legislation to allow the state Attorney General to more directly investigate and pursue polluters, and others who damage our land, waterways and...
Senator Collett Announces $1.4 Million to Support Local Infrastructure and Restoration Projects
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. − April 21, 2021 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) announced today that Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has awarded $1,425,000 in grant funding to improve roadways, support watersheds, and develop greenways...
Senator Collett Announces $1.2 Million PennDOT Multimodal Grant for Upper Gwynedd Township
North Wales, Pa. - April 16, 2021 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $1.24 million in PennDOT multimodal grant funding for the reconstruction of the Sumneytown Pike Bridge over Wissahickon Creek in Upper Gwynedd Township. “This grant will...
Senator Collett Introduces Legislation to Prohibit LGBTQ+ Panic Defense in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa. - April 12, 2021 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has introduced a bill memo for co-sponsorship to prohibit the use of any LGBTQ+ panic defense (previously known as the “gay panic” and “trans panic” defense) in Pennsylvania. The “LGBTQ+...
Senator Collett Responds to Vaccine Rollout Acceleration & Additional Doses Coming to SEPA
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. – March 31, 2021 — Today, the Department of Health (DOH) and COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force announced an accelerated vaccine timeline for Pennsylvania and an updated allocation plan for J&J vaccines. Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) would like to share her initial reactions:
Southeast PA Senators Urge Equity in Vaccine Distribution, Oppose Proposed Singular Vaccine Site
Chester, PA – March 19, 2021 – Yesterday, a bipartisan group of Senators representing Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties sent a letter to Governor Wolf, Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam, and the members of the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force,...
Democratic Senators Intervene in Fracking Lawsuit Against DRBC
BUCKS COUNTY − March 12, 2021 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) was joined by Democratic colleagues today in New Hope to announce their action to protect clean drinking water for millions of Pennsylvanians from the environmental hazards of fracking. Their...
PA Senate Dems Again Call for Legislative Window of Justice for Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse & More Protections for the Future
Harrisburg, Pa. – March 12, 2021 − Pennsylvania Senate Democrats held a press conference today to again call for immediate action to create a two-year window for adult survivors of sexual abuse currently barred from seeking justice due to statutory time limitations....
PA nurses say the Patient Safety Act is needed to save lives
Harrisburg, PA – February 23, 2021 – Nurses have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their lives to provide the safest and best care possible, even with insufficient staffing in unsafe conditions.
Senator Collett Makes Big Push for Centralized Vaccine Registry
Harrisburg, Pa. - February 19, 2021 — Senator Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks, Caucus Secretary), along with Sens. Lindsey Williams, Katie Muth and Amanda Cappelletti, introduced a bill memo for circulation earlier this week calling for a statewide “COVID-19 Vaccine...
Senator Collett Visits Vaccine Distribution at Bucks County Adult Day Health Center
Bucks County, Pa. - February 8, 2021 — On Friday, February 5, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks, Democratic Chair of the Senate Aging & Youth Committee) visited “My Dayhouse,” an Ashram Adult Day Health Center in Chalfont to observe the rollout of...
Senator Collett Reacts to Governor Tom Wolf’s 2021-2022 Budget Address
Harrisburg, Pa. – February 3, 2021 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks, Democratic Caucus Secretary) viewed Governor Tom Wolf’s budget address today. The Governor’s 2021-2022 budget proposal includes a strong emphasis on Pennsylvania’s post-COVID...
Pa Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Get Justice for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 1, 2021 − Pennsylvania Senate Democrats will introduce legislation to statutorily create a two-year window for survivors of sexual abuse to seek justice on claims that previously would have been time barred. This legislative solution...
Democratic State Senators Reintroduce Bills to Protect Quality, Stable Health Care in PA
HARRISBURG – January 28, 2021 – State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Maria Collett (D-Montgomery/Bucks), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), and Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), reintroduced package of bills to ensure Pennsylvanians maintain quality, stable...
Senator Collett Reacts to Senate Republicans’ Refusal to Seat Sen. Jim Brewster
Harrisburg, Pa. - January 6, 2021 — Yesterday, the national spotlight fell on the Pennsylvania Senate because of the outlandish antics of the Republican majority in refusing to seat Senator Brewster (D-45 Allegheny/Westmoreland), whose victory was certified by the...
Senator Collett Announces Nearly $9 Million in State Grants for her District
NORTH WALES, PA. – December 23, 2020 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) today announced $8,850,000 in state grants that will go to seven projects across the 12th Senatorial District. “I’m proud to have advocated for these projects in our area, and am...
Senator Collett Urges Governor Wolf to Restore Funding to Struggling Early Childhood Education Providers
Harrisburg, Pa. — December 22, 2020 — Yesterday, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks), in collaboration with Public Citizens for Children & Youth (PCCY) and the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus, asked Governor Wolf and the Administration to resume their...
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...
Senator Collett Announces Automated Red Light Enforcement Funds to Improve Traffic Safety in Montgomery County
North Wales, Pa. - December 7, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $662,778 in Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) funding to improve traffic safety in the 12th District. "Good infrastructure and traffic safety are vital components to...
Pa Senate Dems Unveil Innovative $4 Billion Pandemic Relief Plan to Help Front-Line Workers, Vulnerable Residents, Small Businesses and More
Pa Senate Dems Unveil Innovative $4 Billion Pandemic Relief Plan to Help Front-Line Workers, Vulnerable Residents, Small Businesses and More Pennsylvania − December 4, 2020 − Aiming to stimulate Pennsylvania’s economy by providing direct aid to workers, families,...
Senator Collett Reacts to Senate Republicans “Public Hearing on Election Issues” with Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani
Harrisburg, Pa. - November 25, 2020 — Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Republican Policy Committee, at the urging of Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33 Adams/Cumberland/Franklin/York) in collaboration with Donald Trump and Trump campaign attorney Rudy Giuliani, held a public...
Senator Collett Reacts to Pennsylvania’s 2020-21 Supplemental Budget
Harrisburg, Pa. - November 20, 2020 — Tonight, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed SB 1350 and HB 2536, the 2020-2021 Supplemental Budget, and will be sending them on to Governor Wolf for enactment. Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) voted against the...
Senator Collett Announces Nearly $100,000 in School Safety Grants
North Wales, Pa. - November 17, 2020 — Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced $99,727 in Safe School Targeted Equipment Grants awarded by the PA Department of Education. “Even though it hasn’t been discussed as much in recent months, creating a...
Senator Collett Announces More Than $160,000 In Grant Funding For Local Library Facilities
North Wales, Pa. − November 12, 2020 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) announced today that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has awarded $167,937 in grant funding for two public libraries serving her district. “Our public libraries don’t just...
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...