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.   

The House returned to Harrisburg this week, and I have updates to provide on several of my bills and resolutions.

First, HR 162 advanced out of committee, which urges all state agencies to adopt the usage of diacritical marks - such as accents and tildes - in names. The lack of these characters in documentation causes people to have to change their identities just to fit in a government system.

Names are not just words. They are identities, and the characters that make sure they are pronounced correctly and recognize our personal history are crucial. You can see my remarks on this resolution in the video above.

During her time with the PA House Fellowship, my daughter, Enith, drafted legislation that I have introduced as HB 2001.

Education is an amazing opportunity to make it more likely that incarcerated individuals do not return to prison once they are released. However, current laws do not allow these individuals to apply for state education grants, making it harder to for them to grow and thrive once they can return to their communities.

That is why I introduced HB 2001, which would allow Pennsylvania to join Michigan and New Jersey in allowing incarcerated individuals to apply for state education grants.

This legislation is particularly special to me, as it was drafted by my daughter, Enith Munroe. A senior at George Washington University, Enith took part in the House Fellowship Program this summer, where she created this amazing bill.

You can read more on this legislation on WGAL.

The House had a very productive session this week, passing several bills to help our community and many more across Pennsylvania. Some of the highlights of the legislation we passed include:

• HB 446: Allows patients to keep the unused portion of in-hospital prescribed medication for prescribed homecare.
• HB 1063: Preventing scalpers from using bots to bulk purchase items and tickets for the purpose of reselling.
• HB 1123: Requires insurance to cover colorectal cancer screens starting at age 45, as opposed to the current minimum of 50.
• HB 1828: Requiring insurance to cover vaccines recommended by the state Department of Health.

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, SNAP funding will run out at the end of this month, and benefits will not be delivered in November. That means over two million people across Pennsylvania will go without food aid, and more than half of them are families with children.

If you or someone you know receives SNAP benefits, reach out to my office to find out where you can get help. You can also click here to go to Helping Harvest's website, which has a map of over 350 charitable food program partners in our area.

Along with these cuts, the federal government has also added new work requirements for SNAP, which will make it harder for many working-class people in our community to get their benefits. Starting November 1, these requirements apply to people who:

• Are between 18-64 years old;
• Do not have a dependent child under 14 years old; and
• Are considered physically and mentally able to work.

You may be exempt from these requirements. You can learn more about the work requirements and exemptions here.

This week, I had the opportunity to welcome Claire Malfaro to the Capitol. With over 30 years of experience in mental health treatment, including in courtrooms and classrooms, she has made an outstanding impact on our community. Claire is the founder of the Positively Produced Foundation, a non-profit organization transforming employment outcomes for autistic and neurodivergent adults. To learn more about her work and advocacy please visit www.positivelyproducedfoundation.org 

This week, I joined fellow members of the Legislative Latino Caucus in welcoming and recognizing Dr. Sarah Ramirez and her team for their outstanding work in organizing health fairs across central Pennsylvania.

Dr. Ramirez and her team have delivered thousands of our neighbors access to preventive care at no cost and, thanks to their hard work, our communities are much healthier and more prosperous.

I briefly met educators from across Berks County, who came to the Capitol to discuss how legislators can work together with teachers and students, and how the ongoing state budget impasse has impacted our schools.

Our children should have the best education they can receive, and this budget impasse will put that at risk for so many in our community and across Pennsylvania. YOU can help our schools by urging Senate Republicans to vote on any of the three bipartisan budgets the House has sent them!

• 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
• Chris Gebhard (PA-48): 717-274-6735

This week, we marked two years of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus! We are continuing to push for the passage of the Momnibus 2.0 package, which has already seen bills passed through the House, including:

• HB 1088: Blood pressure monitor coverage in private insurance
• HB 1212: The PA Dads Matter Act
• HB 1234: Blood pressure monitor coverage in Medicaid

Data reflects that morbidity/mortality rates of Black women are 2.5-to-one compared to white women, and over 93% of cases could have been prevented. When we take care of Black mothers, we take care of all mothers across Pennsylvania!

Election Day is coming up on November 4, and it’s important for everyone to make their voice heard! You can check to make sure you are registered to vote and find your polling place here.

If you plan to vote by mail, you must ensure that your mail-in ballot is at the County Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on November 4. You should return your ballot to the Board of Elections in person, or leave it in a drop box in one of the locations below:

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

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

Due to the federal government shutdown, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be delaying its application window to open on December 3. This date may change should funding be received, or if the shutdown moves into November.

It was an honor to provide a House citation to Samyak Jain, who recently had his Court of Honor and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Congratulations Samyak, for all of your service and dedication to our community!

I had a great night with the WH Dance Studio for their Oscar & Red-Carpet night, recognizing their incredible student dancers and the outstanding work of their founder, Wanda Holdren. Holdren has done so much to foster the arts in our community, which is very clear after seeing the amazing skills of her students.

PennDOT is seeking public feedback on the installation of roundabouts along State Hill Road around the Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing. The final project would see the expansion of State Hill Road to five lanes, and the construction of five roundabouts in the area.

You can provide your feedback here until November 20. Construction is expected to start summer 2027 and go until fall 2030.

The 25th Annual Jewish Food and Cultural Festival at Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom takes place Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the synagogue, 555 Warwick Drive, Wyomissing.

The menu features apple cake, brisket, pastrami, corned beef, hot dogs and more. New options include chopped liver, health salad, homemade coleslaw, rye bread and chocolate chip cookies. The full menu, and the option to order online, can be found here. There is no charge, and the festival will include performances of traditional Jewish music.

The Reading Choral Society’s final 150th anniversary concert will take place Sunday, Nov. 2, at 3 p.m. in Advent Lutheran Church, 16 Telford Ave., West Lawn. The society’s Chamber Choir will present a program of musical theater and vocal jazz standards. There is no charge.

Wyomissing Area School District is seeking dynamic speakers and volunteers to inspire students and shape future careers. Your involvement can make a big impact.

If you're interested in participating as an individual or panel speaker, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/AW7Nm4UbDWHDLJHm9.

If you wish to be a volunteer to help support Career Day, reach out to Mr. Youse via email at ryouse@wyoarea.org.

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