This week, the House passed my HB 1347 that would allow counties to establish one or more Tourism Improvement Districts to help them better promote tourism through development, special event promotion, sales, and marketing.?  

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

We’re protecting your health by restoring dental coverage within the Medical Assistance program (HB 583), ensuring day care facilities can obtain prescriptions for and maintain a constant supply of EPI pens (HB 928) and ensuring that an insurance company cannot deny coverage for care that is received from a health care provider solely because it is provided in a school setting (HB 1445).

We’re protecting your wallet by banning “junk fees,” requiring the disclosure of all mandatory fees and charges included in the advertised and displayed price of any good or service (HB 1216); prohibiting taxes on overtime and taxes on tips and creating a Working Pennsylvanians tax credit, which would help nearly a million people who already claim the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit and give them up to $2,300 back (HB 1610).

We’re protecting children and teens from illicit vape products by requiring a public directory managed by the Office of Attorney General that lists all approved and certified electronic cigarette manufacturers and products and requiring manufacturers to submit certification forms that confirm their compliance with federal regulations to the attorney general's office prior to selling e-cigarettes (HB 1425).

We’re addressing the child care worker and teacher shortages crisis by helping those who wish to return to education complete continuing professional education requirements (HB 1403), increasing the length of time that future teachers and Career and Technical Education (CTE) educators can utilize an intern certification from three years to five years (HB 1404) and providing recruitment and retention bonuses for licensed child care providers participating in the Child Care Works program (HB 506).

We’re protecting communities and ensuring fair housing access by establishing procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions (HB 1095) and giving communities more input on liquor license decisions (HB 559).

We’re supporting and leveling the playing field for local businesses by requiring multi-state corporations to use?combined reporting?to determine their tax responsibilities beginning with tax year 2026 (HB 1610).

This week in the House of Representatives, we've been working to get the budget passed on time, but Republican Senate leaders are delaying the process.

To watch our House Sessions live, visit: www.pahouse.com/live

My HR 205 designating June 24 as Romanian Blouse Day passed out of the Tourism, Recreation, and Economic Development Committee. This resolution recognizes that the traditional Romanian blouse is a living symbol of cultural identity, artistry, and intergenerational heritage. Around the world, June 24 is celebrated to honor this tradition that connects culture, creativity, and community. 

As Representative for the 129th District, I’ve witnessed firsthand the contributions of our growing and vibrant Romanian community. This is a population deeply engaged in civic life, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation. Beyond cultural pride, this resolution supports the broader goals of this committee: to boost heritage tourism, to support artisan traditions, and to encourage cultural events that drive economic activity within our communities across the Commonwealth.

?It was a pleasure to host Venezuela Day at the Capitol this week with Casa de Venezuela and Gente de Venezuela. We celebrated Venezuelan heritage and resilience, honored the leadership and civic contributions of Venezuelan American professionals, and promoted visibility, inclusion, and policy dialogue around immigrant issues within Pennsylvania. As State Representative, I will continue to work alongside you, lifting our communities and fighting for policies that reflect our diversity, our dignity, and our dreams. 

Viva Venezuela! 

I also had the opportunity to recognize a Venezuelan constituent, Jose Alexis Parra also known as DJ Chamo King, who exemplifies the immigrant journey from “recien llegado” to “cuidadano” y mas. I have witnessed his humble beginnings from working at a local supermarket as a delivery person to founding a bilingual magazine El Palo Magazine, to becoming a radio personality for iHeart Media, to building a real estate business and giving back to our community in various ways. It was an honor to present him a citation for his outstanding accomplishments and lasting contributions to our cultural and community life in Reading. 

This week I joined the House Finance Committee in voting to support our workers by establishing a personal income tax deduction for overtime pay (HB 1357). This will help people get more money back during tax season.??  

This week I had the privilege to stand in for House Speaker Joanna McClinton and preside over the House chamber as Speaker Pro-Tempore. Thank you to Speaker McClinton for giving me the gavel, it was an honor to guide the chamber during our legislative session.   

Community leaders and activists from Sierra Leone joined us in the House chamber this week. Thank you for joining us!  

My colleagues and I dressed in the colors of the rainbow to celebrate Pride Month on the House floor. 

My office staff and interns joined me at the Juneteenth Parade hosted by NAACP, Reading Branch, and co-chairs Wynton Butler and Crystal Gilmore Haris last weekend. It was a great day with music, performances, and vendors. Thank you to all who attended!    The legacy of Juneteenth demands that WE use OUR power-whatever platform we have- to advance equity, protect human rights and stand with communities who are being targeted. FREEDOM IS NOT A MOMENT IN HISTORY!  IT IS A MOVEMENT AND IT IS OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO CARRY IT FORWARD.

This week I joined Not One More, a youth violence intervention organization, for their Pedal for Peace event. This event provided an environment for the youth of Reading to socialize and foster connections that ultimately prevent violence. Thank you to Dante Johnson, Shawn Bridges, and Dr. Ebony Cunningham Stringer with Not One More for inviting me to this event!   

It was such an honor to attend the Grand Opening of Rosanna’s Choice, Cafe and more at 50 North 5th Street in Reading. Felicidades, Rosanna!! The food and atmosphere were wonderful – it is always a pleasure to visit and support our local small businesses! 

Berks Technical Institute will be hosting a Summer Block Party on June 28 from 11 AM - 2 PM at 2205 Ridgewood Rd., Wyomissing. There will be a bounce house, scavenger hunts, music, and more! My staff will also be there to discuss state services. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Borough of Wyomissing will be hosting its Annual Independence Day Parade and Celebration on Friday, July 4th. We look forward to seeing you there for some star-spangled fun! 

There are new grant opportunities available for Agriculture, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, and Transportation divisions. To review these available grants with clickable links, please visit my website at: https://www.pahouse.net/Cepeda-Freytiz/News/?id=139187.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has made it easier for older friends and neighbors to stay in their homes while affording groceries, medicine, and so much more. Also, don’t forget that thanks to changes I helped to make in 2023, income eligibility and rebate amounts have increased significantly!

Keep an eye on your mailbox -- 40,000 Pennsylvanians are receiving letters as part of the PA Money Match program, which returns unclaimed property worth $500 or less automatically. Confirm your address, and you could receive a check in about 45 days! Visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property or contact my office for help searching for other unclaimed funds of yours that PA Treasury may be holding in safekeeping -- the average claim is worth over $1,000!

Every year, the Pennsylvania Treasury helps people claim unclaimed property that is rightfully theirs. Currently, the Treasury has nearly $3.8 billion in unclaimed property it is seeking to return to individuals and businesses.

As always, my team and I are here to help you navigate state programs and services. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas. If you can't make it into my district office, you can visit one of my satellite offices! Find my office information below: 

Centro Hispano Casa Senior Center

25 N. 2nd St., Reading, PA, 19601

every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Spring Township Municipal Building

2850 Windmill Rd., Sinking Spring, PA, 19608

1st and 3rd Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

100 N. Front St., Reading, PA, 19601

1st and 3rd Monday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Glenside/Hensler Homes O'Pake Community Center

880 Avenue A, Reading, PA, 19601

2nd and 4th Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

We also host D.A.V Services (Disabled American Veterans) in my office

1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610

every other Monday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Pennsylvania State Capitol

104-A East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-1858

District Office

1111 Penn Ave.
Wyomissing, PA 19610

(484) 577-2756