New bicameral caucus focused on making Pennsylvania a better place to start and raise a family
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s new Kids & Families Caucus brought lawmakers from the Senate and House of Representatives together at the State Capitol today to highlight a coordinated effort to make Pennsylvania a more affordable and supportive place to start and raise a family.
Led by State Senators Nick Pisciottano (D-45, Allegheny) and Amanda Cappelletti (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery), and State Representatives Jennifer O’Mara (D-165, Delaware) and Aerion Abney (D-19, Allegheny), the bicameral caucus aims to coordinate legislative efforts addressing the challenges facing Pennsylvania families.
The four co-chairs were joined by fellow lawmakers and members of the Kids & Families Caucus, Senator Patty Kim (D-15, Dauphin) and Representatives Nathan Davidson (D-103, Dauphin, Cumberland) and Elizabeth Fiedler (D-184, Philadelphia) who spoke about the pressures facing parents and prospective parents.
“I’ve seen firsthand how working families are struggling across Pennsylvania,” said Senator Kim. “And we know that a strong Commonwealth starts with strong families. It’s our job as legislators to have the backs of parents as they work earnestly to support their households and raise their kids. If we want people to put down roots in our communities, we need to prioritize policies that attract families and allow them to grow and thrive.”
“It is healthy for the General Assembly to be comprised of Pennsylvanians from all walks of life, and, together with other parents of young children, the Kids and Families Caucus is raising an important voice inside the halls of the Capitol,” Representative Davidson said. “Children are our most important community members and are the foundation of families everywhere. But today, if a family can even find a spot at a quality child care center, it can cost more than a monthly mortgage and can add up to the cost of a college education. Legislators have the opportunity to create a better future for the next generation, and our success should be measured in their outcomes.”
“Hardworking families drive this Commonwealth forward. In turn, our state legislature must do everything we can to guarantee parents – and those looking to grow their families – can comfortably and confidently raise the next generation of leaders, innovators, and engaged members of our communities,” said Senator Cappelletti. “As a legislator serving thousands of families across my district, and as a mom raising two young daughters, I’m proud to serve on a caucus that shows Pennsylvania families their lived experiences are being brought to the table in Harrisburg. They deserve nothing short of seeing their priorities be truly heard and turned into sustainable action.”
“Strong families are essential to Pennsylvania’s economic future,” said Senator Pisciottano. “We want people to be able to afford to start a family here. When the cost of childcare makes it difficult for parents to stay in the workforce, or financial pressures cause couples to put off having children, those challenges have consequences for our economy. We need to make Pennsylvania a place where families have the support they need to grow.”
“Being a parent of four kids guides so much of the work I do here in Harrisburg,” said Representative Fiedler. “The choices we make–to protect our planet by building renewables, support parents with dignified wages and healthcare, and fund mass transit–deeply affect the wellbeing of children and families. I look forward to working with this new caucus to pass meaningful legislation and better the lives of kids and their families in every corner of the state.”
“Right now, parents and families are struggling to make ends meet,” said Representative O’Mara. “We hear every day about their struggles – from affording childcare to rising utility bills. I’m proud to be a part of this caucus so we can collectively advocate for legislation that will support Pennsylvanians as they grow and raise their family.”
“As a husband, father, and legislator – I don’t just live a political life, I put my life into my politics,” Representative Abney said. “The Kids and Families Caucus is an opportunity to elevate pragmatic policies that help to improve the quality of life for many Pennsylvanians. I look forward to working with my colleagues to build upon the recent legislative wins giving kids and families the tools needed to succeed in today’s economy.”
The caucus grew out of collaboration among the four co-chairs, who recognized an opportunity to bring their work on individual policy initiatives together under one umbrella and establish a more coordinated approach. While their experiences raising young children helped inspire the caucus, its mission extends beyond individual households. Policies that make it easier to raise a family strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy and improve its long-term outlook.
The caucus will build on existing legislative efforts to address issues affecting Pennsylvania families, with an emphasis on bringing greater attention to proposals already under consideration and strengthening cooperation among lawmakers to move those initiatives forward.
For more information about the Kids & Families Caucus, visit www.PAKidsAndFamilies.com.