We Are Back to School but the State Budget is Absent

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten August 29, 2025 | 12:16 PM

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Dear Neighbor,

For students and families across central Chester County, this week marked the start of a brand-new school year. As the parent of two school-aged children, I know the first week always brings its challenges, especially getting back into routines, early bedtimes, homework, and after-school activities, but I hope everyone had a great first week and is excited for the rest of the 2025-2026 school year!

As summer winds down, Harrisburg is still without a finalized budget – and the impacts are beginning to hit home. With no resolution in sight, communities across Pennsylvania are feeling the strain of delayed funding, while vital services and programs hang in the balance.

SEPTA has already begun implementing service cuts, affecting riders who depend on public transit every day to get to work, school, and medical appointments. These cuts are primarily and disproportionately impacting seniors, people with disabilities, and working families who rely on affordable, accessible transportation.

And it’s not just transit that’s affected by the lack of a state budget. With the new fiscal year beginning on July 1, funds for school districts, counties, and nonprofits have also been paused. Some school districts across the state have needed to take out loans in the absence of state funding payments for July and August, putting an additional strain on already precarious finances.

Our communities deserve a state budget that funds our schools, provides crucial human services, allocates tax dollars responsibly, and invests in essential services like public transit. Time and again this budget season, House Democrats have demonstrated our willingness to negotiate, compromise, and come to the table to talk through our differences and find points of agreement. I will continue to push for a responsible budget that prioritizes Pennsylvanians over political gridlock, because the people of Pennsylvania deserve so much better than to be pawns in a political game being played by Senate Republicans.

Remembering Former Secretary Brandon Flood

Earlier this week, I learned of the passing of former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, Brandon Flood. Over the past eight years, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Brandon very well through his work on the Board of Pardons and with SEIU, as well as his work with CeaseFirePA to help advance community-protecting and life-saving legislation such as universal background checks, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and ghost gun regulation.

I first met Brandon just as I was first making the decision to run for public office. Brandon helped me get in the fight in Harrisburg. The legacy Brandon leaves behind is one of courage, conviction, and an unwavering belief in the power of redemption. He devoted his life to creating a fairer, safer, and more just Commonwealth, and in doing so, he inspired countless others – including me – to carry that work forward.

Brandon’s passing, coming just a few days before yet another tragic, preventable and infuriating school shooting, is a heartbreaking reminder that we have so much more work to do. I know that his memory will inspire everyone who had the privilege of knowing him to work that much harder to carry out his vision of creating a better world for all of us. He is gone far too soon, and while his legacy will live on, he will be deeply missed.

Celebrating America’s Workforce this Labor Day

Every Labor Day, we honor the men and women whose hard work built our nation, whose sacrifices have strengthened it, and who remain the backbone of our democracy. As your state legislator, I will always stand with workers to ensure fair pay, good benefits, safe workplaces, secure retirements, and the right to organize.

Summer Isn’t Over Yet!

Labor Day may be the unofficial end of summer, but that doesn’t mean the season has to end just yet. September often brings some of the nicest weather of the year, and there are still plenty of warm days ahead to enjoy all that Pennsylvania has to offer. From the rolling hills of our countryside to the excitement of our cities and main streets, our commonwealth is filled with opportunities to get outdoors, spend time with family and friends, and soak in the weeks between summer and autumn.

Whether it’s hiking through our beautiful state parks, kayaking on one of Pennsylvania’s many lakes and rivers, or exploring the scenic countryside, there’s no shortage of adventures waiting close to home.

If you’re looking for ideas on how to extend your summer fun, the VisitPA website is a great resource. You’ll find guides to attractions, family-friendly destinations, hidden gems, and upcoming events across the state.

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

Public Comment Opportunity: Cost Changes for Pennie Enrollees Coming in 2026

Since 2021, the federal government has provided enhanced tax credits to make health insurance more affordable for Pennie enrollees. The federal budget bill (that is, the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”) failed to extend these tax credits, so they will expire on December 31, unless Congress votes to extend them. As a result, insurance carriers offering plans through Pennie are proposing, on average, a 19% increase to premiums for individuals and a 13% increase to premiums for small businesses and groups in 2026.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department is set to review the proposals and make final approvals this fall. Consumers are encouraged to submit public comment on these proposed premium increases to ra-rateform@pa.gov. The deadline is September 2.

Read more here.

Review each carrier’s proposed rate increase here.

Lionville Park & Rossi Park Master Plan Community Survey

Exciting things are in the works in Uwchlan Township!

Uwchlan Township is currently working on a master plan for improvements to Lionville Park and the creation of a brand-new park at the former Rossi Property - and they want to hear from you!

The survey is short & simple and will help shape the future of Lionville Park and Rossi Park.

Take the survey here.

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!

For those who prefer to file by mail, paper applications will be available in my office soon, and we will update here when they come in.

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.

Our district office will be closing at noon on Friday, August 29 and will be closed on Monday, September 1 for the Labor Day holiday. We will reopen at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, September 2 to assist you with any state-related issue.

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, contact us through my website, or visit my district office in Exton and let us know how we can help!

Sincerely,