Dear Neighbor,
What we didn’t get to do was vote on a final budget. With the June 30 budget deadline looming, the House has completed our part of the work to deliver a budget on time. The governor’s budget proposal was laid out more than four months ago, and over the past several weeks, the House has sent the required budget vehicles and budget-related code bills over to the Senate. Our spending plan is on the table; now we wait for the Senate to do their part and either agree to that plan or amend it and send their own proposal over to us for consideration.
Since Governor Shapiro delivered his 2025 Budget Address to a joint session of the legislature in February, House Democrats have actively worked with state agencies, community and business leaders, local governments, school districts, libraries, non-profits, and other organizations that rely on state funding for their operational success to ensure they have the resources they need to serve our communities.
Over that same period, the House has advanced a number of legislative priorities, including a minimum wage increase, COLAs for retired teachers and first responders, cyber charter school reform, and tax credits for working families. The Senate has not yet taken action on any of these bills.
The House will be back in session next week, and as we await a response from the Senate, I will continue to advocate for a budget that helps all Pennsylvanians and addresses the priorities of Chester County and our legislative district.
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PA Treasury Unclaimed Property checks are hitting mailboxes
More than 1 in 10 Pennsylvanians has unclaimed property available to be claimed. You can search for Unclaimed Property in your name on the PA Treasury website. The process to search and claim is simple and free.
If you need help searching, or if you have a more complicated situation, such as inherited property, a jointly owned claim, or a claim higher than the $500 limit for automatic matching, my office can help!
Give us a call or stop by our district office, and my team will be happy to help you find and claim your unclaimed property.
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Fourth of July Festivities
The Fourth of July is next Friday, and celebrations are taking place across Chester County. Take a look to see what events are happening around you!
Whether you celebrate at home or head out to one of the many events in our region, I hope you have a safe and happy Fourth!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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My office will be closed next Friday, July 4. We’ll be back in the office at 9:00 AM on Monday, July 7.
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,
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Danielle Friel Otten
State Representative,
155th Legislative District
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
34 East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-5009
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District Office
631 Pottstown Pike
Exton, PA 19341
(484) 200-8259
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