Rep. Rick Krajewski Videos

Thousands of Pennsylvanians are still serving time for unnecessary and racist marijuana laws. As we move towards legalization, we must not only expunge past records but fight for the resentencing of those who are still incarcerated. It’s time for our neighbors to come home.

Housing Is A Human Right
West and Southwest Philly tenants face surging rents and unaccountable landlords every day. I'm working hard to create a statewide Tenant Right to Counsel in this year's budget which will give thousands of families the tools they need to fight evictions and stay in their homes.

Krajewski Talks State Budget Prioirities
June is budget month and my colleagues, and I are working to pass a budget with a historic increase in funding for our public schools, mass transit, and home repairs. I’m also fighting hard to create a new, statewide Tenant Right to Counsel Program which will provide legal representation to tenants fighting evictions across the Commonwealth. Right to Counsel has already been wildly successful in Philadelphia and has helped thousands of tenants avoid displacement. Let’s take it statewide!

Krajewski: Standing Up for Workers Rights
While workers at Penn struggle to make ends meet, Penn union busts, hoards their 20 billion dollar endowment and violently shuts down protests against genocide. This exploitation and unaccountable behavior needs to end. Thank you to Nicolas O'Rourke and the Philly City Council for passing a resolution to celebrate the Coalition of Workers at Penn. Unions belong at Penn!

Yesterday, my and Rep. Chris Rabbs legislation recognizing Paul Robeson Day finally passed. I live blocks away from the Paul Robeson House -- there’s not a week that goes by that I don’t pass its steps. When I do, I am filled with purpose, purpose inspired by a man who chose to live by his convictions, who demonstrated what it means to live life vigorously even when it cost him personally or professionally, and through that vigorous life inspiring others to do the same. At a time when the threat of fascism feels realer than ever, when workers, Black and Brown people, immigrants, LGBTQ+ folk, and marginalized communities across the world are suffering from systemic oppression, we could all learn from the values of humility, compassion, empathy, and solidarity espoused by Paul Robeson. Thank you also to all the leaders from the Paul Robeson House & Musuem who joined me for a celebration at the State House.

Krajewski Fights to Protect Tenants in Philadelphia
Last summer, when an eviction agent shot Angel Davis, I wrote a bill reforming Philly's reckless eviction process. Last week, I'm proud to share my bill (H.B. 287) finally went to the floor & PASSED the House! This is a major step forward in the fight for Philly tenants.

Yesterday I joined Philly Families for Ceasefire, the Harrisburg Palestine Coalition and activists across the state calling on our State Treasurer to divest from Israeli bonds. Now more than ever, our Commonwealth should be investing in education, mass transit, and housing – not war and genocide in Gaza.

I was grateful to join Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania for a press conference yesterday celebrating his proposed $25 million for small businesses. West Philly has a long history of flourishing small businesses which brought opportunity and community to our neighborhoods. I don’t want to just remember that vibrancy, I want to see it across our city today.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to lead another hearing on legalizing cannabis. The War on Drugs has devastated poor, Black and brown communities in this state for generations and I'm fighting to bring it to an end. Since Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro declared his support for legalizing adult-use cannabis in his budget address today, we're close to the finish line. I'm excited and advocating for the communities most harmed by criminalization to be prioritized in any reform.

Glad to join a press conference celebrating grandparents who raise their grandchildren! I was raised in large part by my grandmother, and so I understand and care deeply about the powerful ways grandparents can step in as caregivers. Today, I’m working to pass legislation promoting kinship care, allowing more children in custody hearings to stay close to home. When we support kinship care we keep our communities whole, preventing our most vulnerable youth from unnecessary displacement and trauma.

Krajewski: Investment Is Key to Growing Diverse Businesses, Communities
I was proud to join Governor Josh Shapiro on Tuesday in my district’s very own Enterprise Center for the signing of an executive order that will help small diverse businesses access state funds across the Commonwealth! Anyone living in my district knows we’re home to some fantastic Black-owned small businesses. I’m glad the Governor is stepping up to help them continue to flourish.

Pennsylvania's Homeowner Assistance Fund can provide up to $50,000 to avoid foreclosure, but, due to recent changes, current applicants need to reapply in order to receive the benefit. Call Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) at 888-987-0423 to get the process started and receive assistance.

Today, I rallied with Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) to get out the word about Homeowner Assistance Funds. Housing is a human right, and it's essential we do all we can to prevent foreclosures. If you are falling behind on your mortgage payments, contact PHFA or call 888-987-2423 for support.

Krajewski Urges We Allow Modifications to Monthly Home Payments
All too often, longtime neighbors lose their homes to foreclosure because they’re unable to pay off small debts and are denied a mortgage loan modification. Foreclosures help no one and hurt our community by displacing longtime community members, decreasing home values, and creating blight. My legislation, which received a hearing today in the Finance Committee, would prevent these unnecessary foreclosures, and help keep our community intact.

Today, the House Children & Youth Committee unanimously voted to pass my bill HB1058, which ensures that courts consider placing children with relatives and close friends before placing a child in a county youth agency. This simple change in where a youth calls home can help a child resume attending school, reforge their community connections, and avoid being at-risk for violence. I look forward to voting for it on the floor!

Krajewski Works with Neighbors to Clear the Air
Our Philadelphia School District students can’t wait for funding from Harrisburg to clean up the air in our aging buildings. Last weekend I along with Philly DSA rallied parents to join me at Lea Elementary where we assembled low-cost, high-efficiency air filter boxes. Our children deserve better and that’s what I’m fighting for, but we must do what we can to protect young lungs while we wait for needed HVAC upgrades.

May Day is a day to reflect and celebrate the collective might of organized workers. This May Day I joined workers across Pennsylvania to organize and demand change in education, housing, a livable wage, and access to driver's licenses for all. These are fundamental rights that every Pennsylvanian should have.