Local elementary school honored; Help for SNAP recipients; Critical women's health legislation advances

(17 hours ago)

On Thursday, Lionville Elementary School in the Downingtown Area School District celebrated 65 years of educational excellence and added another milestone to its legacy. Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment

(Oct 22, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today approved a joint resolution sponsored by state Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution. 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 ensuring reproductive freedom is permanently enshrined in the state constitution. The Otten, Hanbidge and Mayes bill 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 Read more

 

Municipal elections approaching - what you need to know about judicial retention and more

(Oct 17, 2025)

As we continue through a prolonged budget impasse in Harrisburg, I want to assure you that my focus remains firmly on serving our neighbors here in central Chester County. Read more

 

In-depth State Budget Update: What’s the latest, and how did we get here?

(Oct 10, 2025)

As we enter the second fiscal quarter without a state budget, our schools, counties, senior centers, childcare centers, food banks, and nonprofits are shouldering the impacts. Thousands of Pennsylvania college students who rely on PHEAA grants are left in limbo, waiting for their grants to be disbursed. Read more

 

PA House Passes Background Check Bill; Help Available for Iron Hill Brewery Employees

(Oct 03, 2025)

The House was back in session this week, where we passed multiple bills that will help protect our communities, create good paying jobs, and provide for our working families and seniors. Read more

 

What does a fiscally responsible state budget look like in PA?

(Sep 26, 2025)

On Monday, the House will return to Harrisburg for a busy week of committee meetings and session days. While we have many important legislative proposals before us, the big topic on everyone’s mind is the long overdue state budget. Read more

 

Addressing Gun Violence Requires Policy and Change; Votes Slated for Monday in the PA House

(Sep 19, 2025)

On Wednesday afternoon, three police officers lost their lives in the line of duty while serving a domestic-related warrant in York County. My heart is with the officers' families, their colleagues, and the entire community shaken by yet another senseless act of gun violence. Read more

 

SEPTA resumes service; Talking to kids about difficult news

(Sep 12, 2025)

96 @media only screen and (min-width: 660px) { .u-row { width: 640px !important; } .u-row .u-col { vertical-align: top; } .u-row .u-col-50 { width: 320px !important; } .u-row .u-col-100 { width: 640px !important; } } @media (max-width: 660px) { .u-row-container { max-width: 100% !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; } .u-row .u-col { min-width: 320px !important; max-width: 100% !important; display: block !important; } .u-row { width: 100% !important; } .u-col { width: 100% !important; } .u-col > div { margin: 0 auto; } } body { margin: 0; padding: 0; } table, tr, td { vertical-align: top; border-collapse: collapse; } p { margin: 0; } .ie-container table, .mso-container table { table-layout: fixed; } * { line-height: inherit; } a[x-apple-data-detectors='true'] { color: inherit !important; text-decoration: none !important; } table, td { color: #000000; } #u_body a { color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline; } Dear Neighbor, As we close out the second week of September, the state budget impasse continues, but there have been some new developments on the SEPTA front. On Monday, SEPTA announced that PennDOT had approved SEPTA's request to spend state funds allocated for capital projects to Read more

 

Preparing for Fall: At Home & in Harrisburg

(Sep 05, 2025)

I hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day Weekend and was able to take some time to relax and enjoy the last days of summer. With the budget impasse still underway and the SEPTA situation continuing to unfold, the Senate is scheduled to return to session on Monday, September 8. Read more

 

We Are Back to School but the State Budget is Absent

(Aug 29, 2025)

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! Read more

 

Youth athletic fields get AEDs; School year begins without a state budget

(Aug 22, 2025)

My team and I had a great time at Uwchlan Township Community Day last Saturday, speaking with neighbors about the issues on their minds and sharing information about the services my district office can offer. Read more

 

Go, GEYA! And, SEPTA and State Budget Updates

(Aug 15, 2025)

On Thursday night, families across the district tuned in to watch our very own Mid-Atlantic Champion Glenmoore-Eagle Little League Baseball team take on the Midwest champion team from South Dakota. Read more

 

The PA Senate Must Get Back to Work for SEPTA, Statewide Transit Investments

(Aug 08, 2025)

Another week has gone by, and the Senate Republicans have still not made any progress on helping to advance a budget. Instead of coming back to Harrisburg, organizing their caucus, and working to deliver a budget, Senate Republican leadership has opted to spend the week golfing with campaign donors and negotiating via Twitter (Senator Pittman and Senator Ward). Read more

 

Chester County House Democrats call on Senate to fund mass transit

(Aug 07, 2025)

“Workers, students, and seniors in Chester County rely on SEPTA to get to jobs, schools and medical appointments, and our small businesses rely on SEPTA to bring their employees to work,” state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, said. “If we fail to reach a funding agreement and provide critical support for transit, it would mean more traffic on our roads and a huge hit to the economy in southeastern PA, which is the major economic engine for the rest of the state. SEPTA service cuts would be an enormous loss for our region and for our Commonwealth.” Read more

 

Help get the Senate moving on state budget, SEPTA

(Aug 01, 2025)

It is now the beginning of August, meaning our state budget is officially one month late, leaving Pennsylvanians, local governments, school districts, and communities across the commonwealth in a fiscal limbo. Despite repeated efforts and compromise proposals from House Democrats, Senate Republicans have continued to slow roll on solutions and have not been to work since July 17th. Read more

 

Taking action on rising energy rates

(Jul 25, 2025)

This week, we learned the results of the annual PJM capacity auction, which determines the prices utility companies will pay in the coming year to purchase their electricity from power plants. Read more

 

House budget updates; Take action on methane pollution; Clean energy bills in the works

(Jul 18, 2025)

The House was in session at the start of this week to continue our efforts to advance a state budget, which is now 18 days past the June 30 deadline. Read more

 

Federal budget cuts impact Pennsylvanians

(Jul 11, 2025)

We are now 11 days past the July 1 state budget deadline, and House Democrats remain committed to advancing a people-first agenda that lifts up and benefits all Pennsylvanians. While negotiations continue, rank-and-file members have not yet seen any final language, but I will continue to share any updates as they become available. Read more

 

Proposed Cyber Charter reforms help students and taxpayers

(Jul 02, 2025)

The House convened for session on Monday and Tuesday this week, as we continue to await a response from the Senate on the state budget. Read more

 

PA House delivers budget bills and other legislative priorities, awaits Senate action

(Jun 27, 2025)

The House was back in session this week, passing bills that would require multi-state corporations to pay their fair share of state taxes, allow daycare centers to stock EpiPens, create transparency around junk fees, protect renters and communities, regulate the use of AI in political campaigns, and more. Read more

 

Local elementary school honored; Help for SNAP recipients; Critical women's health legislation advances
17 hours ago

House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment
Oct 22, 2025

Municipal elections approaching - what you need to know about judicial retention and more
Oct 17, 2025

In-depth State Budget Update: What’s the latest, and how did we get here?
Oct 10, 2025

PA House Passes Background Check Bill; Help Available for Iron Hill Brewery Employees
Oct 03, 2025

What does a fiscally responsible state budget look like in PA?
Sep 26, 2025

Addressing Gun Violence Requires Policy and Change; Votes Slated for Monday in the PA House
Sep 19, 2025

SEPTA resumes service; Talking to kids about difficult news
Sep 12, 2025

Preparing for Fall: At Home & in Harrisburg
Sep 05, 2025

We Are Back to School but the State Budget is Absent
Aug 29, 2025

Youth athletic fields get AEDs; School year begins without a state budget
Aug 22, 2025

Go, GEYA! And, SEPTA and State Budget Updates
Aug 15, 2025

The PA Senate Must Get Back to Work for SEPTA, Statewide Transit Investments
Aug 08, 2025

Chester County House Democrats call on Senate to fund mass transit
Aug 07, 2025

Help get the Senate moving on state budget, SEPTA
Aug 01, 2025

Taking action on rising energy rates
Jul 25, 2025

House budget updates; Take action on methane pollution; Clean energy bills in the works
Jul 18, 2025

Federal budget cuts impact Pennsylvanians
Jul 11, 2025

Proposed Cyber Charter reforms help students and taxpayers
Jul 02, 2025

PA House delivers budget bills and other legislative priorities, awaits Senate action
Jun 27, 2025