Delivering for You in Harrisburg!
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This week, my House colleagues and I passed important bills that will help our neighbors and improve our communities:
We’re ensuring access to healthcare by requiring private insurance to cover vaccines without cost-sharing (HB 1828) and by lowering the age for covered colorectal cancer screenings from 50 to 45, while updating the tests covered by insurance (HB 1123).
We’re protecting consumers by preventing scalpers from using “Grinch bot” software to purchase items online in bulk for resale rather than personal use (HB 1063), by requiring a larger, 16-point font throughout reverse mortgage contracts and disclosures to improve transparency (HB 1882), and by giving people the ability to repair their own electronics or have them repaired by independent technicians (HB 1512).
In this email, you’ll find a list of upcoming events taking place in the 201st Legislative District. I’ve also included resources to assist you during the ongoing federal government shutdown and the pending SNAP cuts. As always, if you need assistance or guidance on where to find resources, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 215-849-6582. We are here to serve you!
In service,
Rep. Andre D. Carroll
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Election Day and Veteran’s Day Office Closure!
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As a kind reminder, my office will be closed on Tuesday, November 4th in observance of Election Day. Be sure to get out and vote!
My office will also be closed on Tuesday, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day. Take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices they’ve made for our freedom and be sure to thank a veteran!
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City & State Food Resources
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As of the writing of this email, SNAP benefits may be paused starting November 1st. To help you prepare, I’ve compiled a list of local food banks and community fridges in our district.
Please call ahead to confirm details before visiting. We sincerely thank these organizations for their contributions to the community. If you know of any other food banks in the district that are not listed, please call my office at (215) 849-6592 so we can add them to our list. Thank you!
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Out and About in the Community
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Town Hall for my Creative Enhancement Tax Act Bill
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On October 21st, I held a town hall for my Enhancing Pennsylvania’s Creative Tax Credits Bill. This event included a panel of speakers with knowledge of film and the economic value that films can bring to the city of Philadelphia, and the commonwealth! HB1775 is geared towards positively impacting the future of film, TV, digital media, and gaming in Pennsylvania. I was thrilled to be able to bring creative organizations in to have a productive conversation about this legislation and its strengths!
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Northwest Victim Services Event
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On October 23rd, my team attended the Northwest Victim Services event, where they had the opportunity to meet both the dedicated supporters of northwest victims and some of the survivors they have assisted. It was a wonderful event full of education and resources that we are proud to share with constituents in the 201st District!
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Trunk or Treat at the Rec Center!!
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On October 24th, staff from my office helped prepare for a Trunk or Treat event with the Lonnie Young Rec Center. We gave kids toothbrushes and toothpaste from Elite Dental, along with some Halloween treats! A big thank you to Elite Dental for helping us put together these goodie bags for the children in our community to enjoy!
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Our fourth fraud awareness presentation
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On October 24th, my office held our 4th Senior Fraud Awareness presentation at Holsey Temple. We had the opportunity to educate seniors about online scams and how to avoid them. Representatives from Archwell Health and the District Attorney’s office also joined us to answer additional questions. If your church or senior community would like us to host a presentation, please contact our office at (215) 849-6582.
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Sen. Hughes Press Conference
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On October 30th, I joined Senator Vincent Hughes at a press conference to discuss the ongoing state budget impasse, as well as the federal government shutdown. As we face the possibility of food insecurity, I encourage you to make use of the resources included in this email while we await budget passage.
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Are you interested in volunteering?
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- Do you need community service hours?
- Do you want to give back to your community?
- Do you want to learn more about legislative office operations and connect with your representative?
Our office is now accepting sign-ups for volunteers! We have lots of opportunities for volunteer efforts doing community outreach, office support, social media and communications, event assistance, and other miscellaneous efforts.
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Happening in the Community
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Afro-American Art and History Program
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Constituent Services Corner
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Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program opening delayed
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Due to the Republican-led federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania is being forced to delay LIHEAP—vital home-heating assistance for 300,000 families—by an entire month.
If you need help heating your home this winter, here's a list of utility companies' assistance programs: https://www.puc.pa.gov/about-the-puc/consumer-education/utility-assistance-programs/
As the weather gets colder, please do not hesitate to ask for help. My office can provide resources for you.
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This week, the Philadelphia House Delegation sent a letter to Philadelphia-area utility providers and the PUC encouraging them to pause service shutoffs for non-payments until LIHEAP reopens.
The health and safety of working Philadelphians, children, and workers on a fixed income who rely on LIHEAP is a vital concern as they lose their benefit through no fault of their own.
As of writing this email, PECO and PGW have committed to pausing utility shutoffs for LIHEAP eligible customers starting Nov. 1.
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Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) customers can now order a free methane detector at pgworks.com/customerkits, while supplies last. The kit includes information on methane detectors and instructions on where to install them. Detectors do not notify the utility directly; however, detectors provide an audible alarm should gas levels exceed safe limits to alert anyone in the property to call PGW at 215-235-1212 or call 911 immediately from a safe location.
Whether or not your property has a methane detector, if you smell gas, leave the area immediately and call PGW’s emergency hotline at 215-235-1212. Methane detectors provide an extra layer of safety, especially for those with a reduced sense of smell.
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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.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
6B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2201
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District Office
5845 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19144-2154
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