Latest news with #ChrisRabb
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Proposed legislation would prohibit minors from being charged as adults in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — A bill introduced Thursday by a Philadelphia County legislator would prevent minors from being charged as adults. State Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) introduced House Bill 1383, part of the CARE Package for juvenile justice,. The bill aims to protect and rehabilitate young Pennsylvanians, Rabb's office says, by repealing the direct file law. It would require 'that all children be treated as children and never prosecuted as adults.' 'Children are children—they should never be charged as adults in our justice system, even if they have done something horrible,' said Rabb. 'Research has shown that young people tried as adults have higher rates of recidivism than those who remain in the juvenile system. We cannot continue this cruel, unnecessary punishment that forces children into the adult prison system.' Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices 'We know there are fundamental design problems with how Pennsylvania's juvenile justice system is set up to handle children,' state Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-Allegheny) said of the CARE Package. 'These bills are targeted to address those specific issues. This package of legislation is all about creating a justice system that allows kids greater opportunities to escape the cycle of recidivism and lead fulfilling and impactful lives.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
National Popular Vote system bill enters Pa. House
Harrisburg, Pa. — Five times in U.S. history, the winner of the electoral college received fewer total votes than their opponents during presidential elections. The National Popular Vote movement was launched as pushback against these events and seeks to enforce the "one person, one vote" principle of American democracy. On April 9, Rep. Chris Rabb was joined by Rep. Heather Boyd to reintroduce a bill that, if passed, would move Pennsylvania to a popular vote system. If accepted, this would make Pennsylvania the 18th state to join the movement, which also includes the District of Columbia. 'Every voter of every party should have an equal voice in presidential elections,' said Rep. Rabb, of Philadelphia, the bill's author. 'This is the fundamental principle that our democracy builds on — that every vote counts equally. Not that some votes count more than others. It is time for Pa. to join other states in ensuring that every vote counts equally.' If enacted, HB 270 would add Pa. to the coalition of states in agreement that the winner of the most individual votes should become the U.S. president. The system would only take effect if states with 270 electoral votes have joined. Currently, the National Popular Vote coalition represents 209 electoral votes, and Pennsylvania could add an additional 19.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania legislator seeks repeal of penalties for drivers using legal marijuana
(WHTM) — A Pennsylvania lawmaker is trying for a fourth time to repeal DUI penalties for legal cannabis use. State Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) is reintroducing the bill, saying the state's zero-tolerance law on impaired driving is unfair to drivers who legally use medical marijuana but are not impaired. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Unlike alcohol, marijuana can stay in your system for weeks. Rabb says cannabis patients should have the same rights and privileges as others who use prescribed medications, as long as the driver is not impaired. 'My bill does not allow people to get away with using medical cannabis while they're driving or before they drive or to smoke medical cannabis, which is illegal,' Rabb said. 'This is about whether or not you're impaired.' During the last legislative session, the bill won bipartisan support in the House Transportation Committee before the end of the term. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
