What are we watching?

✨UPDATE✨ Allegheny v PA DHS (State)- This court case challenges the ban on abortion services being funded by Medicaid in the PA Commonwealth. While a ruling was set for June, the Judge will hear new oral arguments on November 5th. We will be hosting a Watch Party at our office (113 E Evans St, Suite A, West Chester) from 9:30am-11am to watch the oral arguments and unpack the issues at hand - and we would love for you to join us as we talk about and unpack real issues that affect women and their access to reproductive healthcare in PA. To register, fill out this FORM. If you cannot join but want to watch live, tune into PCN (an online free live streaming service).

We have no budget at the state or federal level! - Yes, it is very complicated, has very tangible implications for nonprofits and social services, and unfortunately, puts a hold on real progress.

• PA (state) budget - Per the PA Constitution, a budget is to be passed no later than June 30th each year. We are now over 100 days into the impasse. The PA Senate does not have any days on the calendar until the end of this month (read: no plans to negotiate or vote from the Senate leadership). While the PA House has passed several funding bills, unless the Senate votes and approves a House passed version (or vice versa), there will be no budget. County governments and public school districts are among those feeling the heavy burden of not having a state budget.
• Federal Budget - Congress failed to pass a CR (continuing resolution) that would have funded the government for another 90 days. What are some examples of things that will be affected if the shutdown continues? On Nov 1st, the first of the Head Start shutdowns will begin and WIC/SNAP will be affected (payments will be disrupted). If you want to learn more about what departments will be affected and how, click HERE. The National Council of Nonprofits put together a two-page explainer on why government shutdowns impact NPOs. Click HERE to read it.

Paid Family Leave / Family Care Act (State) - The House bill (HB200) is waiting for a vote on the floor and the Senate (SB906) bill has just been introduced and referred to the Labor and Industry Committee. For a bill to be signed or vetoed by the governor, it must pass both chambers (House of Representatives and Senate). Unfortunately, like so many important bills, the Family Care Act is not a top priority right now due to the budget impasse. That does not mean we are not still pushing forward. For more information on paid family leave, click HERE.

Reproductive Healthcare (State) On Wednesday, October 22nd, several bills that support access to reproductive healthcare and abortion will be up for a vote in the Judiciary Committee of the PA House of Representatives. See the full list below and scroll down to the "What can you do" section for action items!

• Freedom Of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act (HB670) - This bill would prohibit intimidation, obstruction, or violence in front of clinics.
• Abortion Protections (HB1640/1642) - would provide protections for reproductive healthcare records and prevent other states from infringing upon rights within PA
• Removing the Waiting Period and Counselling requirements for abortion services (HB2005)
• Reproductive Rights Amendment (HB1957) - would enshrine abortion as a right in the Pennsylvania Constitution.

What can you do? Action item below!

What are we working on?

Rally for Women's Rights in Harrisburg!

Join us in Harrisburg on Tuesday, November 18th! We have partnered with ACLU PA, Planned Parenthood, Women's Law Project and more for a day on the hill all about women's health! We will be participating in a rally at 10am on the main rotunda steps, handing out lit (giving legislators information about important women's rights issues), and participating in activities and "learn in's"

To sign up to join us fill out this FORM.

Vote16PA



Have you heard about Vote16PA? This new initiative at The Fund is a program for high school and college age students in which the goal is pass legislation that would allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in school board elections. New Jersey, Maryland, and California already do this in several counties!

This month, students from Vote16PA met with staff from the League of Women Voters PA and we are so excited to share that the LWVPA wants to join our coalition! Our small but mighty team of young women are building the coalition while creating documentation, a social media platform, and so much more.

To learn more about this initiative and the importance of student voices in education, click HERE!

Vote16PA participants meeting with Brianna Rybka, the Program Manager from the League of Women Voters PA to discuss a Vote16PA collaboration.

Paid Family Leave



What is paid family leave? Think unemployment, but for major medical, childbirth/bonding, safe leave/survivor benefits, or caring for a loved one who is ill or has a disability. The Family Care Act is a bill in the PA House and Senate that would create a paid family leave program here in PA. While many things are stalled due to the budget impasse, this work continues! The more people that get involved, the more impact we will have. To learn more about to advocate for paid leave and how you can get involved, click HERE!

From left to right: Grace Bongiovanni, Commications Associate Whitney Hallman, and Director of Advocacy and Policy Blake Emmanuel in Harrisburg at a Save Medicaid and Family Care Act Rally

What can YOU do?

F.A.C.E. Act - The women's law project has great information on the FACE Act. As of sending this email, they had not updated the template for the vote (it is still asking the Committee Chairman to schedule it for a vote) but no worries - you can still use the form! Simply change the text in the body to thank him for scheduling a vote on the 22nd and urge him to keep it on the schedule. Click HERE for the template!

Want to learn how to work with your elected officials and get more involved in making sure that the bills that are passed into law reflect your values? Learn more about or sign up for our advocacy group HERE!

Reach out to your state representatives and senators asking them to support the Family Care Act, Medicaid, and more. Find our "How To" guide HERE!

Want to learn more or have questions? Our Director of Advocacy and Policy, Blake Emmanuel, is here to help you! Email her at bemmanuel@thefundcc.org or reply to this newsletter.

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