Dear Neighbor,
On Thursday, Lionville Elementary School in the Downingtown Area School District celebrated 65 years of educational excellence and added another milestone to its legacy. The school was named one of Pennsylvania’s inaugural 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools, a new state-level recognition created by the Pennsylvania Department of Education after the federal Blue Ribbon Schools program was discontinued earlier this year.
Lionville earned the designation of Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School, which honors schools that have made significant progress in closing academic achievement gaps between student groups. This recognition reflects years of hard work by educators, students, and families to ensure that every child has access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to succeed.
I was proud to present a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in celebration of Lionville’s 65th birthday and recognition as a PA Blue Ribbon School. From dedicated teachers to engaged families and resilient students, Lionville continues to set the standard for public education in our Commonwealth.
Congratulations to the entire Lionville community on this well-deserved honor. Your commitment to equity and excellence is helping to shape the future of Pennsylvania education.
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House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment
On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on my legislation with representatives Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution. Immediately following the hearing, the committee held a voting meeting, where they voted to advance the legislation out of committee, teeing it up for a vote on the House floor.
The proposed legislation, introduced as H.B. 1957, comes at a pivotal moment in the national conversation on reproductive rights. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the authority to regulate reproductive health care has shifted to individual states, prompting a wave of legislative and voter-led efforts across the country. In response, voters in states such as Ohio, Michigan, Vermont and California have approved constitutional amendments or ballot initiatives to enshrine reproductive rights in their state constitutions.
These actions reflect a growing recognition that state-level protections are now essential to safeguarding access to abortion and other reproductive health care. Pennsylvania’s proposed amendment seeks to join this national movement by giving voters the opportunity to ensure that reproductive freedom is permanently enshrined in the state constitution.
This legislation proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution that would reaffirm and protect every Pennsylvanian’s right to privacy and ensure that the state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate personal decisions. This amendment would ensure that every individual has a right of privacy with respect to personal, sexual and reproductive health care decisions, including the right to choose or refuse an abortion, the right to choose or refuse contraceptives, and the right to choose or refuse fertility care, all without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion or relationship status.
The public hearing and committee vote were the first steps in a very long process. In Pennsylvania, a constitutional amendment needs to pass the House and Senate with no changes to the bill language in two consecutive legislative sessions. Following that, the bill would appear on the ballot in the soonest general election, giving voters the opportunity to vote yes or no on the amendment.
The road to getting this before the voters is long, and it won’t be easy, but my colleagues and I are committed to seeing it through. Here's how we move it forward and how you can help.
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Federal Shutdown Impacting SNAP Payments to Pennsylvanians
Due to the federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania residents will not receive their SNAP benefits until the shutdown ends and funds are released to PA.
During this interruption in SNAP benefits, the Chester County Food Bank remains committed to serving any Chester County resident that needs food, and they have asked us to help get the word out about where and how to access food resources.
Visit the Chester County Food Bank website for an interactive map and list of food providers throughout Chester County. There is also a printable PDF on that page listing all the hot meal sites and community partners throughout the county.
Anyone in need of help is encouraged to call the Chester County Food Bank at 610-873-6000 or email contact@chestercountyfoodbank.org. If a community partner is not open in your neighborhood and you are out of food, there is an emergency pantry onsite at the Food Bank. Please call 610-873-6000 to schedule an appointment to visit.
If you are a SNAP recipient, please continue to complete your renewals during the shutdown and report any changes to your income, contact information, or the people living in your home so that there is no interruption in your benefits when payments resume. Please also remember that changes mandated by the federal government will take effect in November. Beginning on November 1, you will be required to report work, school, or volunteer participation to DHS in order to remain eligible for benefits.
If you are in a position to help, please consider donating food items to the Chester County Food Bank, the Lord's Pantry in Downingtown, or the food pantry nearest you. A list of most needed food items and other ways to help can be found here.
You can always drop off food donations at my district office, 631 N. Pottstown Pike, Exton (in the Rocco’s Pizza shopping center), and we will deliver them to Chester County Food Bank.
To urge the federal government to reopen the government and restore SNAP benefits and other essential services, please contact the offices of the Republican elected officials who control all three branches of federal government, beginning with Sen. David McCormick at 202-224-6324.
State Budget Update
The House and Senate return to session next week for another chance to move budget negotiations forward. Unfortunately, the Senate once again passed a budget proposal on party lines that effectively cuts funding for important priorities like schools, infrastructure, and healthcare. Next week offers another opportunity for Senate Republicans to come to the table with a willingness to compromise and allow the General Assembly to finally deliver a complete budget for the people of Pennsylvania, who deserve better than more political gridlock.
The governor, the House, and Senate Dems are ready to pass a reasonable, responsible state budget with bipartisan solutions that work for our constituents and communities. Call Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman to demand that he and his caucus get on board for the people of Pennsylvania.
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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.
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Important Municipal Election Day Deadlines Approaching!
Election Day is less than 10 days away.
On Tuesday, November 4, voters in our community have the opportunity to choose leaders for important local positions like:
- School Board Directors
- Township Supervisors & Borough Council Members
- Mayors
- County Offices
- Judges for the County Court of Common Pleas
Statewide, voters across the commonwealth will be voting on state judicial retentions, a state Superior Court judge, and a Commonwealth Court judge.
Municipal Elections typically have LOW voter turnout, but these elected officials make decisions that impact our day-to-day lives. From decisions about our schools, law enforcement, open space preservation, local taxation, zoning & development, and how justice is administered, these choices matter. Make sure you are ready for Election Day today!
Completed mail ballots must be received at Voter Services by 8 PM on Election Day, November 4. If you haven’t mailed your ballot back yet, take it to one of the 13 drop box locations in Chester County to ensure it’s received on time.
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Lionville Station Road – Public Comment Opportunity
Last week, staff from my office attended two special Uwchlan Township Planning Commission meetings about plans submitted for the DASD property on Lionville Station Road. The tentative plan by Rockwell Downingtown, LLC, consists of approximately 611 homes, 131 acres of open space, and a natatorium (swimming pool) and nature trail.
Uwchlan Township is accepting public comments on the proposal from now through October 30. Comments can be sent to LSR@uwchlan.com.
For more information, visit the Lionville Station Road section of the Uwchlan Township website, at uwchlan.com/415/Lionville-Station-Road.
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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!
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.
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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 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,
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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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