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.   

Last Wednesday, the House was called back into Harrisburg to vote on and finally pass a balanced, bipartisan state budget that invests in education, protects our seniors, strengthens our workforce, and supports families and vital services.

The final budget deal is far from perfect: in a divided legislature where the Democrat-controlled State House and Republican-controlled State Senate both had to agree to a budget deal, there were difficult compromises throughout this process.

One of them was language in the Fiscal Code that removed Pennsylvania from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). While I am proud to stand up for environmental protections, the reality is that RGGI has been tied up in the courts since before I took office and because of ongoing litigation, Pennsylvania has never benefitted from the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that RGGI realized in other states.

In 2023, Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court ruled that former Governor Wolf’s efforts to join RGGI were unconstitutional and the case was appealed to the state Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments back in May. Meanwhile, Governor Shapiro has distanced himself from RGGI and instead proposed his own version of a cap-and-trade program for the power sector called the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Program (PACER), that would be specific to Pennsylvania. For more information on the history of RGGI, read this story: Pennsylvania ends attempt at climate regulation | 90.5 WESA.

I heard from some neighbors who wanted Pennsylvania to remain in RGGI despite the legal battles, and who are feeling disappointment and frustration with the budget we passed last week. The reality is that after House Democrats proposed multiple budget deals that did not remove RGGI in PA and that went on to die the State Senate, I believe that this was the only way to get a budget deal and end the impasse. Our schools, communities, and nonprofits could not continue to withstand the uncertainty.

Although RGGI was cut in budget negotiations, we still saw several investments into our environment. Some key budget wins for the environment include:

• $125 million for school facilities, including at least $25 million specifically for the popular Solar for Schools program that we created last year.
• $320 million in federal IRA-Solar for All program dollars appropriated to the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) for grants for low-income residential solar installations.
• $217 million increase for the Department of Environmental Protection to support operations and programs.

Sometimes governing responsibly means tough compromises. I remain committed to supporting legislation that will address the impacts of climate change in Pennsylvania. 

I had the opportunity to welcome my incredible district office team to Harrisburg this week! Our group making the trip from Reading included my chief of staff Dolores Martinez, constituent service advisors Siri Andrews, Jaime Baez, Chazz Aden, and my current interns Reece Baines and Lily Schneider.

Thank you so much for all of the amazing work you do for our community, and it was great to have you join us for session!

I also joined my colleagues from the Legislative Latino Caucus in welcoming the Consulates from Panama, Mexico, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic to Harrisburg, where we had the chance to discuss how we can strengthen ties between our Commonwealth and their nations.

This week, I took part in a hearing with the House Communications & Technology Committee on my legislation, HB 634. This legislation would encourage installation of silent panic alarms in schools to alert police when emergencies occur.

This law is also known as Alyssa's Law after Alyssa Alhadeff, who lost her life in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Thank you to Lori Alhadeff, Alyssa’s mom, for her courage and advocacy in turning unimaginable grief into purpose. Alyssa’s Law has already been enacted in 10 states. You can find the full hearing, including my remarks on the legislation, here.

If you or someone you know needs food assistance, especially due to recent SNAP benefit cuts, 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 an honor to attend the celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Day in the Capitol this week hosted by Norman Bristol Colon, Commonwealth Chief Diversity Officer and the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs.

The U.S. took over Puerto Rico in 1898 and holds it as a territory to this day. Puerto Ricans are American citizens, and have served our community, state and nation throughout the past nearly 130 years. Today, Pennsylvania has one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in the country with nearly half-a-million residents, and we see their outstanding impact in our communities every single day.

It is incredible to see such a great celebration recognizing the strength and resilience of Pennsylvania's Puerto Rican community, especially during November, which is also Puerto Rican Heritage Month. Happy Puerto Rican Heritage Month to our local and statewide community!

As we gather with family, friends, and neighbors this Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to say thank you for the privilege of serving you. I am grateful for the trust you place in me, for the strength and resilience of our community and for the countless ways you look out for one another every single day.

While many of us will share warm meals and full tables, I also hold in my heart those who are struggling, working long hours, or spending the holiday away from loved ones. May we continue to build a Pennsylvania where every family feels seen, supported and hopeful about the future.

From my family to yours, I wish you a safe, peaceful, and joyful Thanksgiving. Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias para usted y su familia.

To mark the holiday, my office will be closed beginning on Wednesday, November 26 through the end of the week. If you need assistance during that time, please leave us a message at (484) 577-2756 and my staff will get back to you when we reopen on Monday.

It was great to celebrate National Philanthropy Day with the Berks Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Berks County is built on the commitment of individuals, businesses, and organizations who generously share their time, talents, and resources to make life better for others. The award recipients at this year's celebration included:

• Outstanding Philanthropist: John and Lisa Gallen
• Outstanding Large Business: RM Palmer
• Outstanding Small Business: Burkey Construction
• Outstanding Foundation: Neag Foundation
• Outstanding Community Group: Our City Reading
• Outstanding Volunteer: Suzanne Cody
• Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: Charlotte Rissmiller
• Meggan Kerber Outstanding Fundraising Professional: Jean Morrow

Congratulations to all of the award recipients, and thank you for the impact you make in our community!

I had a very productive meeting with my constituent Prashant Trivedi, the co-founder of Aarogya Tech Solutions which is based right here in Reading, as well as Jeff VanderHeijden, the company's director of business development, about new technology they are working on to advance patient care and support community health efforts. We met in my district office and in Harrisburg, where they met with the Health Committee to discuss health technology.

Thank you for the work you are doing to advance the health of our community and the rest of Pennsylvania!

I was honored to attend the 11th Annual Berks Veterans Celebration luncheon, with keynote speaker Sen. Dave McCormick.

We also honored Doug Graybill, founder of Veterans Making a Difference in Reading with the Patriot Award. Graybill served for four years in Vietnam, then from 1982 to 1984 in Grenada and Lebanon. His service included two years each in the Marine Corps Reserves, the Army Reserves, and the Army National Guard.

I am proud to stand up for our veterans and to support the local groups that help them, including Veterans Making a Difference. Congratulations Doug and thank you for your service.

There are several local organizations that are providing free Thanksgiving meals next week, including sit-in and take-home options. You can find several of these options in a Reading Eagle article out today.

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!

West Reading will be holding its 97th annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, December 5th at 6 p.m., which will include dance and choir performances, as well as a visit from Santa!

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