I was joined for our House session this week by my daughter Enith Munroe, a senior at George Washington University. Thank you for the visit, Enith!

I was thrilled to welcome Sinking Spring residents Elizabeth Nagle, a nurse, and her son Evan, a 10th grader at Wilson High School, to the House chamber this week. They had the opportunity to tour the Capitol and stopped by my office. Thank you to the Nagle family for the visit! 

I joined my colleagues and education professionals from across the state at a Capitol news conference this week to demand full and fair funding for our public schools. Our children are our future, and we are committed to uplifting their voices and protecting them.  

My colleagues and I also came together to talk about the detrimental impacts that the federal Big Bad Bill will have on Pennsylvania. From loss of health care through Medicaid to harms to our youth populations and jobs – this federal bill will have a negative impact on Pennsylvanians across the state. What passed in Washington is not policy, it’s punishment for our working families.  

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

We're protecting consumers by requiring companies to provide notification before each automatic renewal, to be transparent about renewal terms, and to allow subscribers to cancel their subscription services exclusively online if they initially subscribed online (HB 1299).

We're protecting the safety of hotel workers by requiring hotel employers to provide devices that serve as “panic buttons” for employees working alone servicing guestrooms (HB 1358).

We're keeping campgrounds affordable by exempting privately owned campgrounds from local amusement and admission taxes (HB 1424).

Congratulations to Kayline German from Reading Area Community College for being awarded the 2025-2026 PLBC James R. Roebuck Scholarship Award! This scholarship was named after the late Honorable James R. Roebuck, a former member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and champion for education.  

It was an honor and privilege to join the West Reading-Wyomissing Rotary Club last week to celebrate the heroes in our community. Thank you to all of the heroes in attendance – including our military personnel, hometown heroes, veterans, first responders, health care providers, law enforcement, firefighters, educators, and community impact leaders. Our community wouldn’t function without our heroes! 

My staff and I had a blast at Wyomissing’s Annual Independence Day Parade. It was an honor to be a part of one of Wyomissing’s most treasured traditions. Thank you to our Wyomissing community for coming out to join us!  

Berks Arts and the Reading Fightin Phils will be hosting a FREE family-friendly arts festival this Saturday, July 12 at the FirstEnergy Stadium starting at 11:30 AM. There will be concerts, activities for the whole family, and food and drinks available! Helping Harvest will have collection bins for food donations on-site at the festival. Bring a canned good to donate and come enjoy some fun with family and community!  

Downtown Reading is hosting their second annual Color & Art Fest Block Party on Saturday, July 12 from 12 PM – 6 PM on the 600 and 700 blocks of Penn Street in Reading. The Fest will be filled with music, fun activities, food, and all things color and art. The Reading Parking Authority is sponsoring this event’s parking at the Fourth and Cherry garage from 11 AM to 7 PM. This Festival will also include the annual Color Run – a free, noncompetitive, and untimed event open to runners of all ages and fitness levels. Participants will be showered in vibrant, non-toxic powders. To register, go to: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Reading/Nemesis5kColorRun

VOICE Up and Mary’s Shelter are hosting a Backpack Assembly Event on Wednesday, July 23 from 5-7 PM at Mary’s Shelter at 615 Kenhorst Blvd., Reading. The backpacks will be stuffed with school supplies for families in need through the Maternity & Family Wellness Program and the Olivet Boys & Girls Club. This is a service-learning event for individuals ages 18-24. Drop in anytime, bring a friend, and give back to your community this back-to-school season! Register here: VOICEup Berks | Backpack Assembly "Supplies and Smiles" Event with Mary's Shelter. 

The West Lawn-Wyomissing Hills Library will be hosting a cupcake decorating event on Tuesday, July 29 at 5:30 PM for all amateur bakers ages 14 and up to try their hand at recreating professional cupcake decorations. Materials will be provided. Once decorated, volunteers will be voting for the best cupcakes in various categories. Email communityoutreach@springtwplibrary.org to register and to inform them of any allergies.   

I will be hosting a Back-to-School event from 12-2 PM on Saturday, August 16 with Councilor Chris Miller at the Barbey Playground on 200 Schuylkill Ave. in Reading. We will have a backpack and school supply giveaway while supplies last. The rain date for this event is Sunday, August 17. We look forward to seeing our students and families there!!  

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=139364.

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