State grants show success in curbing gun violence

by Sen. Art Haywood
Posted 1/9/25

Our days in the Pennsylvania State Legislature for 2024 have concluded. Here are some results:

After four years of over $75 million in state grants to gun violence organizations, shootings are dramatically down. In my Northwest Philadelphia district, total shootings have decreased from about 154 in 2022 to 63 in 2024. We are winning public safety.

State grants to gun violence organizations are making a significant impact by cleaning the high-crime litter blocks, intervening in conflicts and changing the lives of at-risk men along with law enforcement.

Fortunately, Democrats …

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State grants show success in curbing gun violence

Posted

Our days in the Pennsylvania State Legislature for 2024 have concluded. Here are some results:

After four years of over $75 million in state grants to gun violence organizations, shootings are dramatically down. In my Northwest Philadelphia district, total shootings have decreased from about 154 in 2022 to 63 in 2024. We are winning public safety.

State grants to gun violence organizations are making a significant impact by cleaning the high-crime litter blocks, intervening in conflicts and changing the lives of at-risk men along with law enforcement.

Fortunately, Democrats maintained a one-vote majority in the Pennsylvania state House during the year, which gave Democrats a two-to-one edge in state government with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and a Senate controlled by Republicans. As a result, a historic investment of $500 million went toward supporting underfunded public schools. In addition, the Philadelphia school district benefited from an additional $208 million for teachers, books and more.

Locally, Manor College and Chestnut Hill College started nursing programs with approvals and grants from Harrisburg in 2024. These schools will help to address the severe shortage of nurses in this region and around the state.

Despite the devastating loss of Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Reps. Matt Cartwright and Susan Wild in Northeast Pennsylvania, the Democrats held on to the state House. We can still use the state's power to protect Pennsylvanians from the Trump regime. Whether our Republican attorney general will defend us is to be determined.

Nevertheless, our state and citizens can and must resist. Our governor and members of the General Assembly can limit the impacts on women, immigrants and the most vulnerable. Citizens can pressure Congress members to stop cuts to food, child care, health care and other rollbacks.

History has shown, time and time again, that ‘people power’ is undeniable. We know that when we come together, we can do good and make meaningful change. I look forward to joining you in that fight in 2025 and beyond. Never Give Up.

State Senator Art Haywood is a Democrat serving parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties.