Op-Ed

Senator John I. Kane Reflects on First Year in Office
OpEd by Senator John I. Kane
Its been just over a year since I was sworn in as the state Senator for the 9th Senatorial District, representing parts of Delaware and Chester Counties. During that time, I’ve met with business owners, community leaders, veterans, educators, nurses, and neighbors. I’ve connected with you at district events and open houses, via phone call and over Zoom.

To honor Dr. King’s legacy, raise the minimum wage
OpEd by Senator John I. Kane
59 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his historic “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He asked the audience of 250,000 how, a century after the end of slavery, Black Americans still “live[d] on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.” For Dr. King, the protesters were at the capital to “cash a check”, and to finally make the promise of the American Dream a reality for everyone, regardless of the color of their skin.

It’s time to Free the Funds
OpEd by Senator John Kane
About six months ago, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, a historic investment in the working families and communities who had been hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, I applauded that bill – it was proof of what good government can do, of how we can invest in working people to build our economy back.

Help is Here
OpEd by Senator John Kane
It’s been a challenging month for working Pennsylvanians: the Supreme Court struck down the federal eviction moratorium; expanded pandemic unemployment benefits are ending; Hurricane Ida devastated our communities. But there are also still an unprecedented number of support programs available to help families get back on their feet. This is what we, as elected officials, should be doing right now: supporting working families as best we can. I wanted to take a few minutes and highlight some of the resources available to Pennsylvanians.

It’s time to change solitary confinement in Pennsylvania
OpEd by Senator John Kane “I can emphatically say I have more trauma from six months in solitary than four combat tours in the Marines.” This is what we heard from a solitary confinement survivor, Reverend Dr. Chris Kimmenez, at our policy hearing this past...