Dear Neighbor & Estimado Vecino,
I hope you are well. I want to share an important update on my ongoing work. As always, please contact 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.?
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.
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Working for You in Harrisburg
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This week, my House colleagues and I passed important bills that will help our neighbors and improve communities:
We’re protecting your privacy while maintaining public safety by regulating the use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), like Flock cameras (HB 2771).
We’re improving access to healthcare by requiring private insurance and Medicaid coverage for preventative measures, testing, and treatments for osteoporosis, beginning at the onset of menopause (HB 1827), as well as requiring insurance coverage for vaginal estrogen to treat menopausal symptoms and as a preventative measure for recurring UTIs (HB 2545). We’re also requiring health insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 45 (HB 1123) and establishing a firefighter cancer screening program (HB 2826).
We’re protecting kids by banning the use of cell phones in schools (SB 1014), requiring that childcare providers keep a supply of and train their staff to properly use EpiPens (HB 928), and requiring mandated reporters to report to Childline if they suspect the existence of child sexual abuse material, AI child sexual abuse material, and hazing (HB 2474).
We’re putting more money back in families’ pockets by updating the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit program to align with recent federal updates (HB 2706).
We’re holding Big Tech accountable by prohibiting data centers from obtaining public utilities status (HB 2674).
We’re protecting consumers by establishing a user-friendly, centralized public database to provide clear, accessible information on utility rates and proposed rate increases (HB 2584).
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I had the deeply humbling and heartfelt experience of welcoming the family of Marnie Schulenburg-Robidas to the Capitol.
Marnie was an actress and mother who sadly passed away from Inflammatory Breast Cancer after being misdiagnosed with mastitis only months after her daughter was born. Now, her family has been championing legislation to improve medical education to ensure IBC can be caught more frequently before it becomes fatal.
My sister colleagues, Rep. Bridget Kosierowski and Rep. Jennifer O'Mara, have introduced legislation that will do just that. I am thankful to the Schulenburg-Robidas family for doing the work to turn their grief into policy so that Marnie and her incredible legacy are always remembered, and I will proudly work to see HB 2850 signed into law.
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Three Years of the Black Maternal Health Caucus
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This week marked the third anniversary of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus, which has been working to improve the health outcomes for all mothers across our Commonwealth and to find ways to address the disproportionate impact of negative health effects on Black mothers.
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The BMHC has already done so much for mothers across Pennsylvania in the last three years, and I am proud to take part in continuing this lifesaving work.
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The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is coming up! If you want to vote by mail, you must request your ballot by 5 PM on Tuesday, October 27. You can request your ballot here.
All ballots are due to the County Elections Office by 8 PM on Election Day, November 3.
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New Funding for Northwest Reading
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I am excited to share that nearly $1.8 million in new funding from the Neighborhood Assistance Program will be coming to northwest Reading! This funding will go a long way toward addressing many of the most pressing issues in our community – education access, food insecurity, healthcare coverage, and more.
You can learn more about these projects here.
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Spring Township Halloween Parade
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My Youth Council recently took part in the Spring Township Lions Club's Halloween Parade! In this historic 50th year of the parade, it was great to see our young leaders taking part in this community tradition.
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The Youth Council has also set up a Thanksgiving Food Drive at the Wyomissing Library (9 Reading Boulevard) until November 14. Any donations would go a long way to help families throughout our community!
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Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended!
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Applications for Property Tax/Rent Rebates are available, and the deadline to apply has been extended to Dec. 31! This program gives money back to PA renters and homeowners for the taxes or rent they paid in 2025 – including seniors, widows and widowers, and those with disabilities.
You can learn more here and contact my office for support with your application.
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You Might Have Unclaimed Property - We Can Help!
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Many Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property – money from dormant bank accounts, insurance payments, and uncashed checks – and you might be one of them!
My office can help you receive this unclaimed property. Contact us or click here to see if there is anything available in your name.
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The Department of Human Services has launched PA Navigate, which is designed to help you find assistance with food, utilities, childcare, financial assistance, and more near you. You can learn more here.
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Star City Boxing and the Reading Royals will be hosting a block party on Saturday, October 24th, from 2 - 7 PM at Santander Arena (700 Penn Street, Reading). The event will include boxing matches, ice angel performances, and more!
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Reading Health Focus Group
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Reading Hospital plans to hold a focus group to receive feedback on the hospital's pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum treatment. You can express your interest and mark your availability for the focus group here.
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The Centro Hispano Hispanic Center has created a page to help Reading families find free and low-cost programs for children and teens. You can check out the RDG Youth Resource HUB in both English and Spanish here.
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You Are Not Alone: Crisis Intervention Resources
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Holcomb Crisis Intervention in West Reading offers a free crisis program to support our neighbors experiencing varying levels of crisis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in both English and Spanish.
You can learn more about their work here, and if you or someone you know needs help, you can walk in, call 610-379-2007, or text 484-816-7865 for support.
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If you or someone you know needs food assistance, 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.
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Helping Harvest will also be collecting non-perishable food items throughout the year at its programs and events. You can learn more about those and how to ensure our neighbors are fed here.
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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 to 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
Every Thursday from 9 AM to Noon
Spring Township Municipal Building
2850 Windmill Road, Sinking Spring, PA
2nd and 4th Fridays of each month from 9 AM to Noon
We also host DAV Services (Disabled American Veterans) in my office.
1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA
Every other Monday from 9 AM to Noon
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
104-A East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-1858
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District Office
1111 Penn Ave.
Wyomissing, PA 19610
(484) 577-2756
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