*highlighted candidates are social workers*

NASW-PA PACE Endorsements

The NASW-Pennsylvania Chapter Political Action for Candidate Election (NASW-PA PACE) has officially endorsed the following candidates for the 2024 general election:

Kenya Johns

Running for: Pennsylvania House of Representatives

District: PA House 14

Arvind Venkat

Running for: Pennsylvania House of Representatives

District: PA House 30

John Inglis

Running for: Pennsylvania House of Representatives

District: PA House 38

Greg Scott

Running for: Pennsylvania House of Representatives

District: PA House 54

Sara Agerton (pictured)

Running for: Pennsylvania House of Representatives

District: PA House 88

Megan Kocher

Running for: Pennsylvania House of Representatives

District: PA House 119

Eddie Day Pashinski

Running for: Pennsylvania House of Representatives

District: PA House 121

Meriam Sabih

Running for: Pennsylvania House of Representatives

District: PA House 131

NASW-National Chapter Endorsements

The NASW-National Chapter has officially endorsed the following candidates that will appear on Pennsylvania ballots for the 2024 general election:

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz

Running for: President and Vice President of the United States

Bob Casey (pictured)

Running for: United States Senate

District: PA Class 1

Brian Fitzpatrick

Running for: United States House of Representatives

District: PA Congressional 1

Brendan Boyle

Running for: United States House of Representatives

District: PA Congressional 2

Dwight Evans

Running for: United States House of Representatives

District: PA Congressional 3

Madeleine Dean

Running for: United States House of Representatives

District: PA Congressional 4

Mary Gay Scanlon

Running for: United States House of Representatives

District: PA Congressional 5

Chrissy Houlahan

Running for: United States House of Representatives

District: PA Congressional 6

Susan Wild

Running for: United States House of Representatives

District: PA Congressional 7

Matt Cartwright

Running for: United States House of Representatives

District: PA Congressional 8

Summer Lee

Running for: United States House of Representatives

District: PA Congressional 12

Chris Deluzio

Running for: United States House of Representatives

District: PA Congressional 17

The Pennsylvania state Senate returns to session on Monday, September 18^th, while the House remains out until Tuesday, September 26^th. The House delayed its return until after the special election to fill the vacant 21^st House District seat, which is scheduled for September 19^th. The 21^st House District includes parts of Pittsburgh as well as nearby Etna, Millvale, Reserve, and Shaler and is expected to remain a democratic seat. When the House does return, they will be faced with the decision whether to take up either of the two fiscal code bills that the Senate approved on August 31^st. These fiscal code bills contain the legislative language necessary to enable the state tospend approximately $1.1 billion of the funds allocated in the $45.5 billion budget bill that was signed into law last month. The bills also include various funding priorities and adjustments.

The Senate's decision to cut funding for several Democratic priorities in the state's spending plan, including support for the poorest school districts and a popular home-repair assistance program, has drawn criticism from teachers' unions. They argue that these actions undermine public education and vital programs. Negotiations between House Democrats and Senate Republicans have been challenging, with limited communication between the two chambers. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman stated that they are now waiting for House Democrats to counter their proposals, emphasizing that they are "negotiating in public."

Connect with the Governor

Today Governor Josh Shapiro launched a new initiative to connect directly with Pennsylvanians via Text. The new communication system runs through a platform that connects elected officials, businesses, sports teams, and others to their public via 10-digit phone numbers. Other users of the platform include President Joe Biden and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Shapiro’s office unveiled the phone number on social media today, encouraging Pennsylvanians to contact him at 717-788-8990 saying, “To best serve the people of Pennsylvania, we have to meet people where they are – and do it effectively and efficiently. No matter how you choose to access government, you need to know you’re going to get help, whether you're walking into a building or sending me a text. More importantly, I want to hear what you think, what my Administration and I can help with, and your stories. Shoot us a text at 717-788-8990 to sign up.”  

Included in this year’s General Fund budget was an allocation of $100 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to mental health programs in Pennsylvania. Included in this funding was a newly established Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health. NASW-PA was asked to recommend a social worker to be appointed to the Commission and we thank Dr. Stephanie Diez-Morel, of Reboot & Recover in Erie County for her service to the commission. 

On October 4^th, the Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health published a report on its recommendations for how to spend $100 million of one-time ARPA funding to support adult behavioral health needs. The report included three main areas of focus for allocation of this $100 million:  

• Stabilize, Strengthen, and Expand the Workforce ($37 million)
• Improve the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Systems ($23.5 million)
• Expand Capacity for Services and Supports ($39 million)

Additionally, the Commission suggested that $500k be set aside for a future study evaluating the impact of these one-time investments. This report was shared with the legislature, with the recommendation to move forward with implementation. View the Commission's Report and Recommendations

While we had hoped that the legislature would enact legislation required to expend those funds before recessing, they were not able to come to an agreement in the limited number of session days this fall.  What does this mean moving forward? It remains true that the $100 million appropriation has been made and there is a collective will to appropriate these funds.  We will be working closely with NASW-PA’s legislative champions to move this legislation forward when they return to session in January.  We remain hopeful that this important funding will be allocated in the coming year and we will continue to fight for long-term funding to address behavioral health workforce issues.