Political Violence Threatens Our Democracy

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten June 20, 2025 | 2:43 PM

PA Representative Danielle Otten banner image

Dear Neighbor,

My team and I are feeling the weight of the events that transpired this past weekend in Minnesota and here at home.

We were deeply saddened to hear of the tragic murder of Minnesota Speaker Emerita and House Democratic caucus leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, and the attempts on the lives of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. As a fellow state representative, I’ve had the opportunity to meet Rep. Hortman at environmental legislative conferences over the past several years. Her dedication to public service, tireless advocacy for her constituents, and unwavering commitment to the people of Minnesota will be remembered and honored. Our thoughts are with the Hortmans’ family, friends, and all those whose lives they touched through their leadership and community involvement. Our hearts are with the Hoffman family, and all of those in Minnesota, as they recover from this horrific event.

On the heels of the news from Minnesota, Chester County had our own close call at a peaceful protest in West Chester on Saturday afternoon. Like all of you, I have more questions than answers right now. We have no information about the West Chester suspect’s motives or intentions; we know only that we have seen situations like this one play out in tragic endings around our country far too many times.

I am grateful to the members of the public who saw something and said something on Saturday, and to the law enforcement officers who approached and detained the suspect without incident. Like everyone else, my team and I have followed news reports about the initial arrest, the subsequent home search on Monday night, and the resulting criminal charges. With the individual now in custody, I expect that we’ll learn more as the investigation makes its way through the justice system.

We are living in serious, politically charged times. When I first ran for public office in 2018, of course I understood that it meant sacrificing some normalcy and privacy for myself and my family. But never did I think that as a state legislator I would need to have the conversation I had to have with my young children this weekend about protecting their own personal safety and the safety of our home, after hearing the news of the murders and attempted murders of state legislators and their spouses in Minnesota, and the events that have unfolded in Chester County in recent days.

Now is the time for dialogue, not escalation or speculation. Our community’s commitment to unity, nonviolence, peaceful exercise of discourse, vigilance, communication, and collaboration between law enforcement and community partners helped bring this past weekend’s incident to an outcome that we are all incredibly grateful for today.

Today, and every day I work toward and pray for the safety of our community and each and every one of our families. I am hopeful that we will all be a part of the work to bring a sense of normalcy, peace, and safety to our community, especially for our children. Please stay safe.

For up to date, verified, and fact-based information on this evolving situation, please stay informed by following the Chester County District Attorney’s office on social media.

If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on any legislative or state-related issue, please contact our district office at repotten@pahouse.net.

2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Deadline Extended

The deadline to file Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2024, has been extended to December 31, 2025. The state will begin to issue rebate checks on July 1, so the sooner you file, the sooner you will receive your rebate if eligible!

Thanks to changes passed in 2023, more people are eligible, with income limits adjusted to keep pace with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has made it easier for seniors in Chester County to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65 and older, widows and widowers ages 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.

Please call or stop by my office to find out if you’re eligible and get assistance applying for your rebate. We’d be glad to answer any questions and set up an appointment to help you complete your application online!

Deadline Approaching for the Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Program

Do you own a mobile home on a rented lot in Chester County?

Mobile homes depreciate over time, unlike other forms of real estate. Because the tax assessment system makes no provision for that reality, mobile home taxes are accurate only in the first years after purchase, and they become increasingly inaccurate each year thereafter.

The United Way of Chester County has partnered with Legal Aid of Southeastern PA to help owners of mobile homes appeal their tax assessments for FREE!

To apply for a 2025 reassessments, fill out this form or call 877-429-5994. Last chance to apply is July 18.

SEPTA Senior Key Cards and Card Renewals

If you have a SEPTA Senior Key Card that has expired or will expire within the next month, we can renew it in our district office. To renew your card before it expires, please stop by my district office, or call us to make an appointment.

My office can also process applications and take photos for new SEPTA Senior Key ID Cards, which allow seniors 65 and older to travel for free on all SEPTA Regional Rail and transit routes within Pennsylvania. Just stop by my district office and bring a form of ID with your date of birth on it, such as a PA driver’s license or non-driver ID, U.S. passport, or birth certificate. We’ll enter your information into SEPTA’s online system, take a quick photo, and then SEPTA will mail your new card to you directly.

2-1-1 Southeastern Pennsylvania: Health and Human Services

211 SEPA is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide health and human services for everyday needs and those in crisis situations.

2-1-1 works with county governments and provider agencies to ensure important local program information is easily accessible.

Visit 211sepa.org for more information.

Mental Health Resources: Call 9-8-8

Chester County residents experiencing mental-health-related crisis or distress can dial 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.?This system is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people in crisis to a trained mental health professional.

Chester County offers additional resources for those in crisis, including Chester County’s warm line, 1-866-846-2722, operated by Certified Peer Specialists, who are individuals in recovery with a lived experience of mental health challenges.

Chester County’s Teen Talk Line ensures seamless referral to Mobile Crisis for youth in need of immediate or higher-level support. The call line is 855-852-TEEN (8336), and the text line is 484-362-9515.

Visit the?Department of Human Services website for more information about the 988 system and other state and local mental health resources.

If you or someone you love is in crisis, please don’t give up hope, and please know that you do not need to walk this path alone. We are here and we will do whatever we can to help.

My staff and I are here to help make state government work better for you! For assistance with the above programs or any other state-related services, please email repotten@pahouse.net, call 484-200-8259, or visit my district office in Exton.

Please don’t hesitate to call, email, or contact us through my website and let us know how we can help!

Sincerely,