By now you’ve likely heard the news that on Monday, Governor Shapiro approved SEPTA’s request to use capital assistance funds to restore the services cut earlier this month. With the approval, SEPTA is able to use up to $394 million in capital assistance dollars for daily operations. They intend to restore the cut services by this Sunday, September 14.

While this is good news for our immediate future, this solution is just a Band-Aid for a long-term issue. The funding will only support SEPTA’s current services for the next two years, which means that in 2027, we could be right back here where we are today. And, the fund infusion only restores services: SEPTA will still implement fare hikes starting this Sunday.

The only way we can fully fund and maintain transit here in Delaware County and statewide is by passing a budget bill that includes money for it.

On top of lacking funds for transit, our delayed state budget is also hitting our kids hard. We’re seeing cuts at the federal level that restrict and end programs essential to our public schools. The state budget bills the House passed this summer included not only long-term funding for transit but also boosted funding for schools. And yet the Senate Republicans set our bill aside, instead approving their own bill that added no additional funds for education.

I know you’re as tired of this as I am, and I know that we can do better for you in Harrisburg.

I sincerely hope that next week I’ll be able to report better news.

Earlier this week I traveled up to Bucks County to take part in a policy hearing hosted by my fellow House Rep. Jim Prokopiak. Rep. Prokopiak and the House Majority Policy Committee coordinated this hearing to discuss removing barriers to attainable housing. We already know that housing costs are on the rise and that affordable homes are hard to find, and the committee heard from several testifiers about factors that impact affordability as well as ideas for how to approach the issue. I’m proud to have been part of such an essential conversation, and grateful for the testifiers who took time to bring their thoughts and opinions to the hearing.

It’s events season, and my district office team and I will be unavailable in the afternoons on Friday, September 19 and Friday, September 26 while they coordinate and host the ones we have planned for this month! Both days we will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. We will open as usual at 9 a.m. the following Monday morning.

Inspi-HER’d is my annual field day for girls in 4th through 8th grade, and it’s coming up fast! RSVP the young girls you know for a day of games, growth, and wellness. Learn more here.

Last weekend I had a great time at the CAP Meijan Festival in Upper Darby! It was a day celebrating culture, food and community, organized to bring together Bangladeshi families from our region and the whole Northeast.  Some families came from even further away to get a taste of home right here in Declo.

Thank you to the organizers for inviting me and for sharing your culture!

On Monday, I attended the ribbon-cutting for the newest TGR Learning Lab, a project of the TGR Foundation founded by golf legend Tiger Woods. TGR Learning Labs gives students the opportunity to gain education in STEAM areas, learn about their mental and physical wellness, and explore future career choices. The new location is at the Cobbs Creek Campus in Philadelphia. I joined several of my colleagues for the ceremony, and we got to meet Tiger Woods himself!

Yesterday I attended the annual Delaware County September 11th Day of Remembrance at Rose Tree Park and East Lansdowne Borough’s ceremony at East Lansdowne Memorial Park.

Delaware County’s was hosted by the County Council and District Attorney’s Office. Rose Tree Park has a wonderful 9/11 Memorial site dedicated to the Delaware County first responders who died in the line of duty that day.

At East Lansdowne’s we honored former Mayor John Dukes and all the heroes and victims of that fateful day.

Both ceremonies were solemn and at the same time uplifting. Thank you to everyone who put the events together. Above, you will see photos from the Delco ceremony; below, see photos from East Lansdowne’s.

Saturday, September 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Inspi-HER’d Field Day for Girls ages 4th through 8th grade

Naylors Run Park, Upper Darby

Saturday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Pettaway Pursuit Foundation Pampering Parents Giveaway

Today’s Child Gym, 357 E. Berkeley Ave., Clifton Heights

Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hygiene Product Donation Drop Off

Upper Darby Community Policing Center, 1560 Garrett Rd., Upper Darby

Thursday, September 18

PA CareerLink Awareness Day Open House

Media Location, 901 S. Media Line Rd, Media

Chester Location, 701 Crosby St., Suite B, Chester

Thursday, September 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DCHD Kickoff to End Prostate Cancer

Delaware County Wellness Center, 125 Chester Ave., Yeadon

Saturday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lansdowne Earth Festival

Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Ave, Lansdowne

Rain or Shine

Saturday, September 20 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Upper Darby International Festival

Five Points Intersection, 100 Garrett Rd., Upper Darby

In partnership and service,

Gina H. Curry

Want to stay up to date on all my happenings in Harrisburg, the 164th Legislative District and beyond? Or do you want to get the latest info on our events and office hours? Make sure to follow me on all my social pages using the icons below! 

If you need assistance with any state-related issue, you can reach out to my office.
 

Thank you for letting our team proudly serve you, your families, and the stakeholders in the 164th in East Lansdowne, Lansdowne, Milbourne, and Upper Darby. 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates and events happening in Harrisburg and the 164th! 

Sincerely,

Pennsylvania State Capitol

25-A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4907

District Office

1500 Garrett Rd.
Upper Darby, PA 19082
(610) 259-7016