Senator Larry Farnese was elected to the senate on November 4, 2008 to represent Pennsylvania’s First Senatorial District. The district comprises many unique and vibrant neighborhoods from Port Richmond on the Delaware River to Fairmount Park on the Schuylkill River and also includes South Philadelphia, Center City, the Philadelphia International Airport and others.

He was sworn into office in January 2009 and serves on the influential
Appropriations Committee. He is also a member of the Banking and Insurance, Labor and Industry, Communications and Technology and Education committees. Senator Farnese serves as the Democratic Chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

In the area of economic development, Senator Farnese has championed capital funding for large scale commercial and cultural projects in the First District. In the near future, he plans to introduce state-enabling legislation to extend Philadelphia’s property tax abatement program.

Senator Farnese continues to build his record as a reformer through legislation and policy initiatives in the areas of public safety, education and healthcare. He was the leading proponent of state legislation ending the DROP program for elected officials in Philadelphia and also wrote key reforms to Pennsylvania’s gaming law. During last year’s budget crisis, Senator Farnese successfully led the fight to stop a proposed tax on arts and cultural institutions in the city.

Recognizing that quality of life is crucial to development, Senator Farnese has sponsored a number of initiatives to improve public safety. Working along with the Gun Violence Task Force, he introduced a series of measures to enact responsible gun control. He is currently working on legislation to improve the state’s oversight of neighborhood nuisance bars.

Senator Farnese earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Villanova University and graduated from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law in 1994. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Housing Advisory Committee and also volunteers his time to support many charities and public service organizations.