At today’s press conference, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) admitted that McIlhinney’s bill does not have the support of the full Republican caucus and that things would need to be retooled. When questioned by reporters why the senators rushed to present a bill they are not satisfied with and which is essentially unfinished, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) replied, “What we wanted to do is put a product out.”

Leach responded,

“While I appreciate the thought behind Sen. McIlhinney’s proposal, its potential consequences are still unknown, and the confusion surrounding the bill at today’s press conference solidified the fact that this plan is not ready for public consumption. Again, I must question the sense of urgency behind these proposals. Like Gov. Corbett’s hastily-considered privatization plan, McIlhinney’s bill does not provide us with any concrete solutions.

Going further, privatization simply is not good for Pennsylvania. There are lessons to be learned from other states that have privatized their wine and liquor stores, and few of them are good. Consider Washington, where prices soared, workers lost their jobs and small businesses were swallowed by giants. Are those things that we want to happen here in Pennsylvania? Certainly not. Our consumers, our businesses and our taxpayers deserve better.”

Leach once again urged his colleagues to consider modernization of the state store system rather than privatization, a position that has been unanimously supported by the Senate Democratic Caucus.

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Today, Leach released a statement in support of the President and S. 744:

“I was honored to be invited by President Obama to attend his address yesterday, and his words reinforced one of my long-held beliefs: that all people who call this nation home deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams just the same as anyone else.

The United States was founded on the principles of morality and inclusiveness, but somehow we seem to have forgotten that along the way. We’ve made great strides in working together across the aisle to implement common sense reform, and this proposed legislation will bring us that much closer to resolution.

Senate Bill 744 will repair our broken immigration system and allow immigrants the chance to become Americans in a timely fashion. It will open doors to people who have long felt shut out. It will encourage the pursuit of education and family-sustaining employment. It will, simply put, allow us to move forward as a nation, undivided, providing equal opportunities to all.

I stand behind the President in his support of this legislation, and I hope that Congress will heed his request for action. It’s long overdue.”

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“Liquor privatization is a hot topic around the Commonwealth, and it’s a question that should be debated in a public forum,” Leach said. “The effects of privatization could impact Pennsylvanians for years to come, and discussions like this one are essential to ensuring that we move forward in the right direction.”

The event will feature a liquor privatization debate between Leach; Wendell W. Young, President of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776; and Katrina Anderson, Director of Government Affairs for The Commonwealth Foundation.

WHAT:           Democracy Unplugged Presents:

                          Should Pennsylvania Privatize Its Liquor Stores?

WHEN:           Thursday, June 6^th at 7 p.m.

WHERE:        The Ludington Library

                           5 South Bryn Mawr Ave.

                           Bryn Mawr, PA

For more information about the event, please visit www.democracyunplugged.org.

Media attendance is encouraged.           

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Leach expressed support for an amendment to House Bill 818 that would provide for insurance coverage of abortion services necessitated by medical emergency. That amendment, offered by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), would provide a safety net for women seeking reproductive care they rely on, Leach argued.

Additionally, Leach urged his colleagues to vote against an amendment, offered by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York), which would prohibit the use of state or federal dollars for any abortion services in Pennsylvania under the health insurance exchange. Speaking on the amendment, Leach said:

“This bill codifies in law the idea that taxpayer dollars should not be used for abortion services. Abortion is a legal, constitutionally-protected right and it is care that women want and very often need in order to protect their life and their health. When we say government money cannot and will not be used to pay for abortion services, we’re really saying we’re going to make abortion services unaffordable for women, very often leaving them in a desperate situation with no options. The broader policy of denying women access to these services is something we can’t have on our consciences.”

A video clip of his remarks on Vance’s amendment is available here.

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Leach said the ceremony will dedicate a portion of Lancaster Avenue between Church Road and Rittenhouse Place in memory of Army Master Sergeant Scott Ball. Ball was a proud member of the U.S. military who sacrificed his life in service to his nation in Jalalabad, Afghanistan on August 27th, 2007. Scott was an active Pennsylvania State Trooper at the time of his death. He previously served as a police officer in Lower Merion from 1995 to 2000.

“Members of our armed services proudly defend us and preserve our right to freedom every day, some ultimately sacrificing their own lives in that honorable pursuit. We must come together to honor the service men and women who fight so valiantly for us, and we must ensure that the legacies of brave individuals like Army Master Sergeant Ball are not forgotten,” Leach said.

WHAT:           Dedication of Lancaster Avenue in memory of Army Master Sergeant Scott Ball

WHEN:          Friday, May 31, 2013 at 9 a.m.

WHERE:        Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners Room

                        2^nd Floor

                        75 East Lancaster Avenue

                        Ardmore, PA

Media attendance is encouraged.

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According to a story by philly.com, that camp, called Courage, “lists its five goals, including, ‘To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality.’ Additionally, the testimonials include multiple references to same-sex attraction or ‘SSA.’”

In a statement, Leach said:

“It’s long been known that sexual preference has a genetic link and is not, in fact, attributed to any sort of childhood rejection or trauma, as advocates for this camp have suggested.

In fact, a recent study has discovered that epi-marks – genetic markers that control gene expression – play a large role in determining if one is born homosexual or heterosexual. According to the researchers who conducted the study, ‘Different epi-marks protect different sex-specific traits from being masculinized or feminized – some affect the genitals, others sexual identity, and yet others affect sexual partner preference.’

To encourage our youth to deny themselves of who they are and to tell them that their sexual preference and gender identification are wrong is unconscionable. Instead of telling kids that they need to change the very fiber of their beings, we should encourage them to be confident and self-assured. It is hard enough to be a teenager, and we should not make that transitional time of self-discovery any more difficult.

By allowing them to embrace who they are, teenagers have a fighting chance at becoming well-adjusted adults. It is not our place as a society to tell anyone that being gay is a problem that should be ‘cured’ or ‘fixed’. That type of bigoted mentality will only breed cruelty and discrimination for years to come.”

Leach urged the sports camp to rethink its mission and instead focus on allowing children and teens to learn about sports in a healthy way.

“It is quite alright for a camp to teach kids how to participate in athletics, as that may be an activity in which some teens would like to become more involved,” Leach said. “Encouraging kids to live healthy lives and be active is a great mission, but tying it up with sexual preference is unnecessary and harmful.”

Leach added that he is a co-sponsor of a bill that would ban “gay-curing” activities and organizations in Pennsylvania. That bill, Senate Bill 872, awaits consideration by the Senate Consumer Protection Committee.

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“Dog Park Day is an event my staff and I look forward to each year; it’s a way to have some fun while contributing to a good cause,” Leach said. “I hope this year’s attendance is bigger than ever before, so I invite everyone in the community to come out to the park for a day of fun.”

Leach noted that the event will feature treats for both humans and animals and that Finding Shelter will bring along animals available for adoption. The event is free, but guests are encouraged to bring along items to donate to the shelter. Accepted donations will include leashes, collars, blankets, towels, treats and toys.

Attendees must provide proof of vaccination – all dogs must have current Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella vaccines. All dogs over 6 months must be spayed or neutered. “Dog Park Day” will be held rain or shine.

WHAT:           Sen. Leach’s 5th Annual “Dog Park Day”

WHEN:          Saturday, May 11, 2013

                        11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

WHERE:       Haverford Reserve Dog Park

                        9000 Parkview Drive

                        Haverford, PA      

Media attendance is encouraged.

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HARRISBURG, May 7, 2013 – State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today joined advocates and other lawmakers to announce two new pieces of legislation that would work to end human trafficking in Pennsylvania.

“I would like to thank the supporters, allies and my fellow lawmakers who have joined me today to stand up against human trafficking, a heinous crime that is plaguing America,” Leach said. “Hundreds of thousands of children are at risk of falling victim to this crime each year, and it is time that we increase punishments for their perpetrators, while offering protections under the law to victims and providing them with access to the resources and treatment they need.”

At the press conference, Leach unveiled Senate Bill 915, which would provide a safe harbor to children exposed to sexual exploitation in Pennsylvania. The legislation would presume that any minor involved in prostitution is a victim of human trafficking and would be treated as such. It would provide a range of specialized services to those victims and would impose monetary penalties on traffickers and those who patronize commercial sex workers. The money collected from the fines would be used to establish a special fund for sexually exploited children, providing for safe houses and victim services around the state.

Additionally, Leach discussed Senate Bill 75, a bill he cosponsored that would provide services to human trafficking victims who are too often treated as criminals. The bill would help enable law enforcement officials to end human trafficking in Pennsylvania by allowing them to punish perpetrators with more proportional criminal charges. The bill was developed based on recommendations from the Joint State Government Commission’s Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking.

Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Bucks/Montgomery), prime sponsor of S.B. 75, said, “Human trafficking is a crime that has been around for centuries, but this is going to be the last century. This legislation is so important, but until we change public opinion and the criminal justice system, nothing will change. We need to stop treating victims as offenders when they are, in fact, victims of child abuse. We are standing up now and saying ‘no more.’ This is going to stop.”

Today’s press conference coincided with a lobby day held by advocates including Women’s Way, Dawn’s Place, Covenant House PA, Salvation Army, Polaris Project, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR), and county anti-trafficking coalitions. Other speakers included James Dold, Senior Policy Council for Polaris Project; Hugh Organ, Associate Executive Director of Covenant House PA; and Sister Teresita, co-founder of Dawn’s Place.

Leach noted that S.B. 75 awaits consideration by the Appropriations Committee and S.B. 915 is circulating for cosponsorship.

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House Bill 300 and S.B. 300 have a combined 102 sponsors, 77 in the House and 25 in the Senate, including seven House Republicans and two Senate Republicans, legislators announced at a Capitol news conference. The bills would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression statewide in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations.

“More and more people inside the Capitol – from both parties — agree with the vast majority of people outside the building on this. Being gay or transgender has nothing to do with your ability to do a good job or to be a good neighbor or tenant. This is just commonsense legislation. Many people think it’s the law already, and it should be,” said Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, lead Democratic sponsor of H.B. 300 and co-chairman of the legislature’s LGBT Equality Caucus.

“I am pleased that this legislation is being introduced today in both the Senate and the House of Representatives in a bipartisan manner. It’s time the commonwealth joined at least 20 other states and many major employers and municipalities in Pennsylvania and make it illegal to discriminate solely based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression,” said Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne, the lead Republican sponsor of S.B. 300. “The Declaration of Independence declares that all men are created equal. We should not allow places of business or employers to say otherwise.”

Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery/Delaware, co-chairman of the LGBT Equality Caucus, said: “I am happy to stand with my colleagues today in support of this legislation. It is appalling that our LGBT friends and neighbors here in Pennsylvania can be discriminated against by landlords and employers under current law, and it is time we fixed that problem. These bills will offer protections to an entire group of people who need and deserve them, and I am eager to see this important legislation signed into law.”

Sen. Larry Farnese, D-Phila., lead Democratic sponsor of S.B. 300, said: “It’s sickening to think that in Pennsylvania someone can be denied a place to live and a career because of who they love. I’m proud to stand with this bipartisan coalition and work to pass Senate and House Bills 300, because they are not just long overdue for the good of the commonwealth and our citizens, but they are the right things to pass because they will end housing and employment discrimination in our great state.”

Rep. Brian Sims, D-Phila., the first member of the Pennsylvania legislature elected as an out gay candidate, said: “As a gay man, I know firsthand how important these protections are and how fundamental they are to the safety and security that so many Pennsylvanians take for granted. Moreover, as a legislator, I see every day how the commonwealth is failing in its promise to treat all people with dignity, respect and with equality under the law.

“This is more than just an exciting day for me personally, and as a legislator who represents the city in Pennsylvania that has its LGBT protections the longest, I can say comfortably that this is one of the most historic days for Pennsylvania LGBT civil rights. Today, we stand united with more legislators, and with more bipartisan support within the House and Senate, than at any time in Pennsylvania history.”

At the news conference, Ted Martin, executive director of Equality Pennsylvania, announced that a recent poll about the bills showed 72 percent support statewide, consistent with Pennsylvania polling results on the issue over the past decade. The poll was conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research, a firm with many Republican and business clients. Regional results of the poll are available at http://is.gd/hb300poll.

Martin said: “Our laws today fall short of protecting all our citizens, and the stories I hear nearly every day from our members affirm the need for House Bill 300 and Senate Bill 300. These bills provide critical protections for gay and transgender Pennsylvanians. Currently, our state is the only one in the Northeast where gay and transgender citizens can be fired, denied a mortgage, or refused a hotel room simply because of who they are or who they love. Equality Pennsylvania believes that House Bill 300 and Senate Bill 300 are good for Pennsylvania. They have broad-based, widespread support. They facilitate the development of a strong economy. They affirm our core values of fairness, liberty and equality. And they’re long overdue.”

Legislators also welcomed backing for the bills from a new major private-sector supporter, the Pittsburgh-based UPMC health system, one of the largest employers in the region and statewide. Other major backers of the bills include SEIU and AARP of Pennsylvania.

Sponsors of the House bill are: Reps. Frankel, Ross, Bishop, Bizzarro, B. Boyle, K. Boyle, Bradford, Briggs, R. Brown, V. Brown, Brownlee, Caltagirone, Carroll, Clay, Cohen, D. Costa, P. Costa, Cruz, M. Daley, P. Daley, Davis, Dean, DeLissio, DeLuca, Dermody, Donatucci, D. Evans, Fabrizio, Farina, Fleck, Flynn, Freeman, Gainey, Galloway, Gergely, Harkins, J. Harris, Kavulich, W. Keller, Kim, Kinsey, Kirkland, Mahoney, Markosek, McCarter, McGeehan, McNeill, Miranda, Molchany, Mullery, Mundy, Murt, Neilson, Neuman, O’Brien, Painter, Parker, Pashinski, Peifer, Ravenstahl, Readshaw, Roebuck, Rozzi, Sabatina, Samuelson, Santarsiero, Scavello, Schlossberg, Sims, Snyder, Sturla, Taylor, Thomas, Vitali, Waters, Wheatley and Youngblood.

Sponsors of the Senate bill are: Sens. Farnese, Browne, Ferlo, Washington, Stack, Teplitz, Fontana, Costa, Smith, Blake, Schwank, Williams, Wozniak, Hughes, Leach, Tartaglione, Dinniman, Kitchen, Wiley, Boscola, Yudichak, McIlhinney, Brewster, Solobay and Kasunic.

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The press conference will coincide with a lobby day held by advocates including Women’s Way, Dawn’s Place, Covenant House PA, Salvation Army, Polaris Project, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR), and county anti-trafficking coalitions. Speakers will include Sens. Leach, Greenleaf (R-Bucks/Montgomery) and Dinniman (D-Chester/Montgomery).

The event will publicly unveil Senate Bill 75, which would provide services to human trafficking victims who are too often treated as criminals. The bill would provide law enforcement with the ability to end human trafficking in Pennsylvania by allowing them to punish perpetrators with more proportional criminal charges. The bill was developed based on recommendations from the Joint State Government Commission’s Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking, and it now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

Additionally, Leach will discuss his new legislation, Senate Bill 915, which would provide a safe harbor to children exposed to sexual exploitation in Pennsylvania. The legislation would presume that any minor involved in prostitution is a victim of human trafficking and would be treated as such. It would provide a range of specialized services to those victims and would impose monetary penalties on traffickers and those who patronize commercial sex workers. The money collected from the fines would be used to establish a special fund for sexually exploited children, providing for safe houses and victim services around the state.

WHAT:           Human Trafficking Lobby Day and Press Conference
WHEN:          Tuesday, May 7^th at 3 p.m.

WHERE:        Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, Main Rotunda

Media is encouraged to attend.

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