Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility 6/12/25 E-Newsletter: Delivering for you in Harrisburg, Upcoming Events, and MORE

6/12/25 E-Newsletter: Delivering for you in Harrisburg, Upcoming Events, and MORE

 

Delivering for You in Harrisburg

This week, my House colleagues and I passed important bills that will help our neighbors and improve our communities:

 

  • My House Democratic colleagues and I voted in supporting legislation to change the minimum wage in Pennsylvania. The bill would implement a tiered approach to bring every Pennsylvania worker to at least $12 an hour by January 2028, with subsequent cost-of-living increases. (HB 1549)
     
  • We voted to protect healthcare from greedy for-profit enterprises that buy struggling providers like hospitals or nursing homes, cut staff and services to maximize profits and then cash out and walk away before the bill comes due. (HB 1460)
     
  • We’re protecting your wallet by prohibiting ticket resellers from charging a fee to the purchaser greater than 5% of the ticket price for the purchase of a ticket to a sporting, musical, theater or other entertainment event (HB 967) and putting money back in your wallet by increasing the threshold for the automatic return of unclaimed property from $500 to $10,000 (HB 1189).
     
  • We’re addressing the teacher shortage crisis by ensuring that no teacher certification fee exceeds $50 (HB 1402) and allowing veterans’ service experience in a specific occupational area to count toward the credits necessary for a CTE Instructional 1 certification (HB 1405).
     
  • We’re strengthening health and safety by requiring AEDs at school athletic events (HB 191).
     
  • We’re making access to maternal health easier and more affordable by requiring insurance coverage for blood pressure monitors for home use within one year of the delivery or end of pregnancy (HB 1088).
     
  • We’re supporting outdoor recreation and local economies by repealing the Sunday hunting ban (HB 1431).
     
  • We’re providing a two-year window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek justice and file previously time barred claims (HB 462 and HB 464).

 

District News and Events

 

Youth Expo Event Recap

I'm so excited to share a recap from our Youth Expo at Lonnie Young Recreation Center on June 7. We all had an incredible day of connection, opportunity, and empowerment for young people in our community. The event was a huge success!

 

At this one-stop-shop event, local youth were able to get their working papers and photo IDs for free, removing key barriers to employment. We also connected attendees with a wide range of job openings, summer programs, and career resources from across the city.

 

Our goal was simple: make access to opportunity easier—and I’m proud to say we did just that.

 

Thank you to all the partners, volunteers, and families who helped make this event a success. Together, we’re creating pathways that help our youth thrive not just this summer, but long into the future.

 

Channel 6 ABC Action News Story

I'm honored to be featured in the Visions segment on 6abc, which shines a light on the growing “rainbow wave” of LGBTQ+ political representation—and the challenges our community continues to face.

 

As the second openly Black gay man elected to the Pennsylvania House, I stand on the shoulders of those who broke barriers before me and alongside incredible leaders like Councilmember Rue Landau and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. Our visibility matters—not just for symbolism, but for the policies and protections our communities deserve.

 

To read more about this segment, click here.

 

Roots Picnic Gun Violence Awareness Panel

On May 30, I had the honor of joining an important panel at Roots Picnic Con to discuss one of the most urgent issues facing our city: gun violence. This conversation brought together community leaders, advocates, and organizers who are deeply invested in building a safer Philadelphia.

 

Standing up for safer schools and workers’ rights

On June 12, I was proud to stand alongside Councilman Isaiah Thomas and SEIU 32BJ at a press conference in support of critical legislation to improve safety and working conditions for school security officers.

 

Roosevelt Elementary Cleanup Day

On June 3, my team and I were proud to join Roosevelt Elementary School for their annual Spring Community Cleanup Day! Together with students, staff, and local residents, did our part to help clean and beautify the area surrounding the school.

Events like this show the power of community pride and collective action. When we care for our neighborhoods, we create a healthier, safer environment for our children to learn and grow.

 

Belford Recreation Center Beautification Project

On June 5, my team and I were proud to roll up our sleeves and give back at the Belford Recreation Center Beautification Project!

We spent the day volunteering—installing brand new equipment and giving the building a fresh coat of paint—all to help rejuvenate this vital space for the kids in our community. Safe, vibrant rec centers like Belford are more than just buildings—they're places where our youth grow, dream and build brighter futures.

 

Register of Wills Pop-Up Event

Last week, our district office hosted a special event in partnership with the Philadelphia Register of Wills Office to bring essential services and information directly to the community.

Residents had the opportunity to learn more about the Real ID process, marriage licenses, and the probate system—all in one place, with expert guidance and real-time answers to their questions. These are the kinds of everyday issues that impact our families, and it’s important that everyone has the tools and knowledge to navigate them confidently.

 

Resources and Programs

 

FREE YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMMING: Songwriting, Production & Recording

Do you know a student looking to level up their songwriting, rapping and recording?  BuildaBridge invites youth elementary, middle school, high school & beyond to The Music Studio at LYRC.  

Sign up to join BuildaBridge at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center (1100 Chelten) on Tuesdays & Thursdays all summer from 4-5:30 p.m.  Participants will learn from PROFESSIONAL musicians and gain valuable skills that will help their music careers while learning valuable life lessons.

Join us from Tuesday, June 17 until the end of August!.

Register here: bit.ly/BaBLYRMusicStudio

 

Property Tax/Rent Rebate EXTENSION

The application deadline for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2025.

 

Thanks to a historic expansion of the program passed by the General Assembly, more Pennsylvanians than ever -- including older adults, widows/widowers and people with disabilities -- are eligible for the rebates, with increased maximum payments of up to $1,000. In the last claim year, the program issued over 522,000 rebates totaling $319 million, including 106,000 first-time filers.

 

Filing is free, easy, and can be done online through myPATH. In-person help is also available at my district office and through PA Department of Revenue district offices and Area Agencies on Aging.

 

Don't miss out on the relief you may be entitled to! Learn more and apply at: pa.gov/ptrr.

 

 

Office of Reentry Partnerships

The office of Reentry Partnerships (ORP) elevates and organizes citywide reentry efforts by serving as the City’s hub for referrals, resources, and training as well as offering Comprehensive Care Management. ORP is committed to providing direct services to address the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals.

 

Pennsylvania State Capitol

6B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120-2201

District Office

5845 Germantown Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19144-2154