Dear Neighbor & Estimado Vecino,

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For Spanish readers, please read the full Spanish-language version of this email here.

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I hope you are well. I would like to share important information about my ongoing work. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office for help with any state-related issues. To stay informed,?visit my official page. You can also check your?preferences?to make sure you're signed up for?my emails.?

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Para los lectores en?español, lea una versión completa de este boletín electrónico?en su idioma?aquí.?  

Espero que estén bien. Me gustaría compartir información importante sobre mi trabajo en curso. Y no olvides?visitar mi página oficial?para mantenerte informado.?También puede verificar sus?preferencias?para asegurarse de que está registrado para recibir mis correos electrónicos.   

My office will be closed on Monday, October 13 in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.

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

We protected workers by allowing them to collect unemployment compensation benefits if their unemployment is due to a stoppage of work because of a labor dispute (HB 145).

We’re supporting safe school infrastructure by creating a school facilities inventory within the PA Department of Education (HB 1701).

We’re modernizing our state liquor laws and supporting businesses by allowing businesses with liquor licenses to have premixed cocktails on tap, just like beer (HB 1702).

After 100 days of Senate Republicans putting politics ahead of people and refusing to negotiate in good faith on a state budget, House Democrats have had enough.

To show our true commitment to Pennsylvanians, I was proud on Wednesday to again cast my vote for a state budget that clearly shows an ability to govern through thoughtful compromise.

The first bipartisan budget plan the House sent to the Senate (H.B. 1330) on July 14 was met with silence. On Wednesday, we in the House again raised our voices and put up our votes to demand Senate leaders take this seriously.

And it is serious. Schools, counties and organizations –like rape crisis centers and Head Start programs –are all feeling the effects of Senate inaction and have been forced to cut services or take out loans to cover expenses normally paid for with state funding.

What the Senate is doing isn’t governing. It’s weakness.  

Please join me in calling on Senate Republican leaders to end their political games and pass the House state budget that funds schools and services, does not increase taxes, and is based on thoughtful compromise and a commitment to govern. Ask your family, your friends, your coworkers, your employees and your program's participants to reach out to these GOP Senators and tell them it's time to pass a budget!

• Joe Picozzi (PA-5): 215-281-2539
• Tracy Pennycuick (PA-24): 215-541-2388
• Frank Farry (PA-6): 215-638-1784
• Joe Pittman (PA-41): 724-357-0151
• Scott Martin (PA-13):  717-397-1309

The PA Legislative Latino Caucus was busy in Harrisburg this week in addition to budget conversations and passing legislation! The Caucus met with Latino local officials from Lancaster, Reading, Allentown, and Northeastern PA to discuss issues that are important to their respective communities.

The Legislative Latino Caucus also met with Auditor General Tim DeFoor to discuss protecting taxpayer dollars, strengthening government accountability, and ensuring that state programs deliver on their promises. Thank you to Tim DeFoor for meeting with us!

The Auditor General passed along a drawing competition application for their “Be Money Smart” Activity Book. You can review the requirements in the flyer above and submit your drawing submissions through this link. Complete the submission form by October 31.

We also had the privilege of hosting the Legislative Latino Caucus’ very own Hispanic Heritage Month celebration! We honored our culture and advocated for our Latino populations across the Commonwealth. Juntos somos más fuertes.

My colleagues and I attended Governor Shapiro's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Governor's residence in Harrisburg. Thank you for the invite, Governor! 

This week, my colleagues and I joined together in the House chamber dressed in pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We also held a press conference where both advocates and survivors alike shared their stories. They advocated for better access to care, early detection, and expanded research. Thank you to everyone who joined us in Harrisburg!

Allow this month to remind us that early detection saves lives. In the Reading area, you can get free mammograms with the Tower Health Medical Group. For more information, see below for their free breast screening programs and to register today.

Additionally, Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks can be found through this link.

FaithCare’s Health Center at Life Church is a free clinic available to anyone at the FaithCare PA Health Center on every third Saturday of the month from 1 PM – 4 PM. Their licensed healthcare clinicians provide health screenings, physical examinations, and general care for individuals, children, families – particularly those without insurance. You can review the services available in the flier above. DO NOT seek emergency treatment at the clinic; call 911 for emergency care. Please call 484-388-9631 to make an appointment.

This week, I also attended a dinner with my colleagues hosted by the PA Chamber of Commerce. The two speakers, General David Petraeus and Dr. Shaquille O'Neal, were incredible. Thank you to the Chamber for the invitation!

This week’s Youth Council spotlight is Melina Chen! Melina is a current 11th grader at Wyomissing Area Junior Senior High School. She has been part of the Youth Council since September of this year. In her free time, she enjoys golfing with friends and knitting. My Youth Council is still accepting new members. If you or someone you know would like to join, scan the QR code in the flier above to fill out an interest form!

Cultural Coalition presents Latinos Unidos (collective heritage) honoring the past and inspiring the future. This event will be held on Friday, October 10 from 5 PM - 7 PM at Alvernia University in Francis Hall.

There will be a Haunted House and Hayrides at the West Reading Pavilion on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12. There will be concessions, s'mores, games, prizes, and fun for the entire family! Come out this weekend for a night of Fall fun in the Pavilion!

The 3rd Annual LGBTQ+ Art Exhibition in recognition of LGBTQ+ History Month will be on a gallery display the entire month of October in Mi Casa Su Casa Cafe. The gallery's opening night is October 11 from 6 PM - 8 PM at the Cafe, we look forward to seeing you there!

As always, my team and I are here to help you navigate state programs and services. Please 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 Noon

Spring Township Municipal Building

2850 Windmill Road, Sinking Spring, PA, 19608

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

We also host DAV Services (Disabled American Veterans) in my office

1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610

Every other Monday from 9 a.m. to Noon

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