May 18, 2012 – Senator Farnese was joined by PA Senators and Reps from Philly, members of Philly’s City Council and community leaders to jointly call upon Mayor Nutter to implement a fair property assessment program and to explore better funding alternatives for the School District of Philadelphia.

Sen. Farnese issued the following statement on the Senate passage of 2012-13 state budget legislation, which passed by a 39-8 vote today.

Today, I voted against the $27.6 billion budget because an increase of less than two percent over last year’s devastating budget cuts is just not enough for our families and children.

HARRISBURG, May 1, 2012 — State Sen. Shirley Kitchen, along with her Democratic colleagues in the Senate and House, today denounced the reinstatement of an asset test on Pennsylvania’s 1.8 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.

April 12, 2012 — Sen. Farnese held his Third Annual Business Funding Seminar at The Moore College of Art & Design. The event was designed to help area small and large businesses learn about state and local services, funding opportunities and the current trends that are shaping business in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania.

First District Seniors enjoyed free health screenings, exhibits, fun and food

State Sen. Larry Farnese held his annual Senior Expo at South Philadelphia High School on April 5, 2012. Almost 350 area seniors attended the free event. They had the opportunity to talk to Sen. Farnese about his new initiatives, learn the latest news from Harrisburg, and to take advantage of programs from public and private service providers and state and local government agencies.

March 31, 2012 – Senator Farnese was the keynote speaker at a Bucks County rally protesting the Republican plan to limit a woman’s access to health services.  The event was hosted by Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia.

March 29, 2012 – Sen. Farnese presented St. Marion’s CDC with a check for $250,000.  The funds will help create 64 units of affordable senior housing Ellsworth St.  The effort is the culmination of 5-years of effort by Sen. Farnese, Mayor Nutter, Former Councilman DiCicco and community, business and church leaders.

HARRISBURG, March 28, 2012 – In what State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Phila.) called a victory for consumer choice, the Senate unanimously passed legislation that would permit direct shipment of wine to Pennsylvania residents.

Pennsylvania’s new voter ID law will have a direct impact on citizens who exercise their right to vote. Starting this November, every voter will be required to show a valid form of identification in order to vote. If you do not have a valid form of identification, the state will provide one to you at no cost. Do not wait until November to obtain it. Take the steps now to make sure that your vote counts in this year’s General Election and all future elections.

“No woman should be forced to undergo an unnecessary medical procedure if they don’t want or need the test. But for some reason the Republicans in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives think that their degrading legislation is the right thing for female patients who are rightfully accessing their protected health services,” said Sen. Farnese.

Senators Larry Farnese and Mike Stack recently presented a check for $500,000 to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) award was used for building efficiency renovations.

Pictured with me (L to R) are Sherrie Savett, Federation President; Ira M. Schwartz, Federation Chief Executive Officer; and Sen. Mike Stack (D-Phila).

Harrisburg, Feb. 22, 2011 – Sen. Farnese and his fellow Democrats are working to improve Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2012-13 state budget proposal and help more Pennsylvania families. The Senator and his colleagues will hold almost 30 budget hearings in February.

Focusing on ways to make campaign financing more fair and equitable, a wide range of experts today provided testimony at a public hearing before the Senate Democratic Policy Committee.

State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Phila.) and CH2M HILL Philadelphia surprised 40 area children with new bikes for the holidays. This is the second year Sen. Farnese and CH2M HILL partnered to give new bikes to Big Brothers Big Sisters participants.

Senator Farnese joined Governor Corbett as he released $15 million to continue the Delaware River dredging project, expand port capacity and create jobs. Seated behind Senator Farnese (L to R) are Governor Corbett; Charles Kopp, Chairman of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority; Former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter and Pat Eiding, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO President.

Senator Larry Farnese initiated a call to action for individuals and businesses to support the return of the Philadelphia Police Mounted Patrol Unit.

The recent assaults and attacks of several people in Center City illustrate the need for an increased police presence.