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.   

At long last the state has a balanced, bipartisan budget. I voted for this plan because this budget pays our bills, helps every kid in every school in Berks County, preserves vital services, prevents layoffs, and does not raise taxes. With your family’s costs already on the rise, I made sure you wouldn’t face any local or school property tax hikes.

• This budget cuts your costs and makes it easier for you and your family to survive when the federal government is so unpredictable.
• This budget makes sure Berks County and our townships and boroughs won’t be forced to lay off the hardworking people who keep us moving.
• This budget increases school funding and makes sure those dollars go to students in districts like Reading, Wilson and Wyomissing so they have tools they need to learn.
• This budget gives people in crisis somewhere to turn.
• This budget fixes roads & bridges, protects our air & water, and supports the local businesses that invest in you and our communities.

This budget creates jobs, invests in kids, protects seniors, and stands up for taxpayers like you today and in the future. 

As soon as I voted on the budget, I made some time to go down the street to attend the Blueprint Communities program's graduation ceremony in Harrisburg. It was great to join Centro Hispano Executive Director Mike Toledo, Jobany Bedoya, Tony Veloz from the City of Reading, Centro Hispano Treasurer Ted Basanno, Senior Vice President - Community Development Lending & Investment Joseph Schupp, and Jaime Perez as they graduated from this amazing program.

This program aims to help community leaders plan for and carry out effective and comprehensive revitalization efforts that will significantly improve our community. Thank you for all of the work that goes into this program, and I am excited to see these leaders bring their skills to our community!

Although the federal government shutdown has ended, the opening of the LIHEAP heating program is still delayed, which will cause our most vulnerable neighbors to suffer.

The program is expected to open on December 3. The good news is that PECO and PGW have agreed to halt shut offs during the rest of the month, which will keep many families warm.

Distribution of SNAP funding has been expedited by the Department of Human Services since the end of the federal government shutdown, but that delivery may take time.

If you or someone you know is waiting to receive SNAP benefits, please 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.

It was recently announced that candidates seeking real estate sales and broker licenses are now able to take their license exams in Spanish. There are also Spanish language study materials.

This is an incredible investment into communities across Pennsylvania and will provide many more opportunities for our region.

For now, Spanish exams are only administered in person at test centers, and online exams will be available only in English. Applicants who choose to test in Spanish will be able to change to the English version of any test question. 

It was great to join Experience Reading & Berks County (formerly known as PA Americana Region; the Reading and Berks County Visitors Bureau) as they unveiled their new name and vision to showcase everything our community has to offer for folks from across Pennsylvania and beyond!

Tourism helps to fuel our community and economy! I am proud to support this amazing group in spreading the word of what makes our region great.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) have been supporting our injured and ill veterans and their families for over a century, and they need our help today, just as they did 100 years ago.

Twice a month, members of the DAV offer their services in my district office to help their fellow veterans. It was an honor to recognize these American heroes with House citations for their service to our country, and their support for their fellow veterans.

Then, on Veterans Day, I joined Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock in attending the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Grove at City Park in Reading. The event was marked by Will Tobin, who retired as an Army chief warrant officer after nearly 23 years of active-duty service.

Thank you to all of the organizers, and to all of our veterans who ensured that our freedoms are protected.

My staff had the opportunity to attend Career Day at Wyomissing Area Junior-Senior High School, where they provided helpful state resources and information for students as they prepare for life after high school.

They also had resources on my Youth Council, which helps local students have a voice in shaping the direction of our local community. If you know a high school student who would be interested in applying, more information can be found here.

I joined some of my colleagues at the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association's annual spirit of Hospitality Awards Celebration, which recognizes restaurant and hotel owners, tourism leaders, and hospitality innovators across the Commonwealth.

As a businesswoman who founded her own restaurant right here in our community, I am proud to work with these leaders to bring innovation and opportunities to Pennsylvania.

Representatives from Reading Pride recently stopped by my district office to discuss some of the organization’s needs related to mental health and to update me on the status of their organization and their collaborative partnership with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). I am proud to stand up for the LGBTQ+ community.

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.

New Journey Community Outreach will be holding a community Thanksgiving meal on Saturday, November 15 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., and all are welcome to attend!

Sharing is always important around this time of year, and this Thanksgiving meal giveaway does just that. From 1 - 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, families in need can head to 101 W. Windsor St., Reading, to connect with helpful community resources and take home a complete, free Thanksgiving meal.

Reading will be hosting the annual Holiday Parade on November 22 starting at 10 a.m., which will start at 11th and Penn streets and end at 2nd and Penn streets. 

The Grinch will be out and about for story time and photos from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on November 22 at Boscov's East in Exeter Township, which will have story time, crafts and 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