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.   

I joined my House colleagues last week to pass a bipartisan state budget, the third in a 100-day period. Since this latest budget bill moved to the Senate, we continue to hear no response from Senate Republicans, who have not been taking this funding crisis seriously.

I wanted to provide you with a timeline so you can understand how we have gotten to this point and see how Senate Republicans have fallen short of their duties:

• February 4: Governor Josh Shapiro gave his budget address, outlining a $51.5 billion spending plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
• March – May: The House held several committee and leadership meetings to negotiate on what would be included in the budget, including the introduction of H.B. 1330 as a budget bill.
• June 30: The end of the 2024-25 fiscal year. With no budget passed by this date, the new fiscal year started with no budget.
• July 14: I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues to pass H.B. 1330, which compromised with Republicans to cut $1 billion from the governor’s proposed budget. This bill has not been voted on in the Senate.
• August 12: The Senate return for one day to pass a budget that would flat fund our state. Costs have increased over the past year, so keeping the status quo will defund many crucial things the state funds, including schools, hospitals, police, public transportation, veteran services and so much more.
• September 8: After taking almost the entire summer off, the Senate returned to Harrisburg. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman said that an agreement could be finalized within a few days, yet we have heard nothing from Senate Republicans one month later.
• October 8: I again joined my colleagues in passing a bipartisan budget bill, which would compromise to spend $50 billion while providing increases to fund childcare centers, public education, rape crisis centers, access to healthy food, and more, all without raising taxes. This bill has not yet been taken up by the Senate.
• October 20-22 and 27-29: The next time the Senate will be back in session.
• October 27-29: The next time the House will be back in session. I encourage you all to watch our deliberations on the budget and other pressing matters. All House and Senate committee and floor meetings are livestreamed and can be found here.

This timeline has already gone on for far too long. Please join me in calling on Senate Republicans to do the work of the people and pass a budget that funds our schools and vital services and does not raise our taxes. 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
• Frank Farry (PA-6): 215-638-1784
• Scott Martin (PA-13): 717-397-1309
• Tracy Pennycuick (PA-24): 215-541-2388
• Joe Pittman (PA-41): 724-357-0151

Election Day is coming up on November 4, and it’s important for everyone to make their voice heard! The deadline to register to vote is coming up Monday, October 20, which you can do here. You can also check your voter registration and find your polling place here.

If you plan to vote by mail, you must request a mail-in ballot by October 28, which can be done here. You can either mail your ballot, or leave it in a drop box in one of the below locations:

• Berks County Services Center - Reed Street Entrance (633 Court Street, Reading)
• Berks County South Campus (400 E. Wyomissing Avenue, Mohnton)
• Reading Regional Airport (24 Liberator Way, Reading)

More details on these drop boxes, including their hours, can be found here.

PACE and PACENET are the state’s prescription programs that help cover the cost of medication for eligible residents age 65+. There are income limits which are listed above.

For more information, click here, or stop by my office and we can help you with eligibility questions or applications.

My office's Youth Council is currently accepting applications! The Youth Council serves as a platform for young voices to contribute to policy discussions, community initiatives, and advocacy efforts. As a member, you will have the chance to collaborate with fellow students, share your insights with elected officials, and make a meaningful impact on issues that matter most to you, from ideas to laws. 

If you or a high school student you know are interested in applying, complete the application here.

Berks County held a ceremony for individuals to complete their naturalization process and become the newest citizens of the United States. Staff from my office were in attendance to celebrate this amazing moment and provide them with state resources. Congratulations to everyone who became an American citizen at this event!

I had the pleasure of attending Helping Harvest’s third annual Celebration of Community and Hope, which honored the volunteers who help support our local food banks.

The amazing work they do ensures that people in our community can have accessible, healthy food. Thank you to all the volunteers who allow our food banks to be successful. For more information on the food bank and pantry, please visit helpingharvest.org.

It was an honor to join Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock to present a Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation to Mary's Shelter, which just celebrated 30 years of service to our community.

Mary's Shelter provides more than a shelter; they provide a home. They are commited to empowering homeless youth by providing housing, education, and social service programs. For more information on their incredible work, visit marysshelter.org.

It was great to join Latinos Unidos for their Hispanic Heritage Month event “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future” at Alvernia University. The event included a gallery exhibit by Dominican artist Kris Batista and spoken word poetry by Aries Franklin Ortiz. Their work is incredible, and it was amazing to take part in this evening of cultural celebration.

It was great to meet with Dr. Khalid Munin (left), superintendent for Reading School District and former secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and current Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker.

This week, I joined the Berks Business and Education Coalition Summit — where business, education, and community leaders come together with one shared goal: building the workforce of today and tomorrow.

As we talked about workforce development, I’m reminded that the future of Berks County depends on how well we listen to our young people, support our educators, and invest in local talent. Our students are not just preparing for jobs, they’re preparing to lead.  Let’s keep building those bridges between classrooms and careers, between passion and purpose. For more information, go to berksbec.org.

I had the honor to share a panel with Dr. Ojikutu and Dr. Krause, two passionate advocates for public health and equity, hosted by Junior League of Reading. We engaged in great discussion regarding menstrual equity, health, nutrition and dignity in our schools and communities.

Thank you to Junior League of Reading for building awareness around this topic and for the work you do with girls and young women in our community.  For more information on Junior League of Reading, please visit jlreading.org.

The ninth annual Spooky Hollow Halloween Carnival is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, from 2 to 5 p.m. A rain date is set for Sunday, October 26. Admission is free and open to the public.

Families can expect carnival-style games, crafts, a photo booth, balloon art, an inflatable obstacle course, food and refreshments. The Haunted Pavilion, organized by the borough’s Recreation Committee Student Advisory Committee, will also return, offering visitors a chance to test their nerves in a spooky setting.

Costume judges will also circulate throughout the event, awarding prizes for creative and festive attire. Special guests portraying Wednesday and Morticia Addams are also expected to make appearances during the afternoon.

Magisterial District Judge Carissa Johnson, Reading Youth Football, and the Reading Community Group will be hosting their fifth annual Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 23 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Pendora Park! The event is free and open to the public.

Centro Hispano will be hosting a community meeting to discuss the current issues affecting our neighborhood and local businesses. There will be an English session on October 27 at 8 a.m. and a Spanish session on October 28 at 6 p.m., both at the Centro Hispano Gateway Building, 201 Penn Street, Reading. Registration can be done here.

This week, a constituent stopped by my district office seeking assistance with her Property Tax/Rent Rebate. Not only did my staff help her with that, they also assisted her with receiving her unclaimed property as well. My team and I can help you with these programs and so many more!

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