Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Rep. Danielle Friel Otten | NewsCenter Search Page

Compare new electricity rates with the PA PUC; My bill for sustainable energy advances from committee

(8 hours ago)

We’ve wrapped up another busy week, with committee meetings and House session days on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, plus graduations and end-of-school-year activities here in the district. Read more

 

CASH Earns Governor's Civic Engagement Award; Tour of Bartram's Garden

(May 30, 2025)

It was a shorter week here in central Chester County following the Memorial Day holiday, but it was a busy one. We held our monthly Mobile Office at the Downingtown Library, I toured Bartram’s Garden with the Southeast Delegation in Philadelphia, and I hosted legislative town halls in East Brandywine Township and at Freedom Village in West Brandywine Township. We’re back in Harrisburg next week as budget season ramps up, and there is a committee vote scheduled for Monday on my PRESS legislation. Read more

 

Otten to host Town Hall on Thursday, May 29, in East Brandywine Township

(May 28, 2025)

EXTON, May 28 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, will hold a community town hall from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at the East Brandywine Fire Co.’s Witmer Conference Center, 2096 Bondsville Road in Downingtown, to provide legislative updates, discuss services provided by her Exton district office, and answer questions from constituents. With budget season ramping up in Harrisburg, this town hall is an opportunity for residents of the 155th Legislative District to engage directly with Otten and express their ideas and concerns. Residents of the Borough of Downingtown, East and West Brandywine townships, Uwchlan, Upper Uwchlan, and Wallace townships, and Precinct 4 of Caln Township are encouraged to attend. “An active and engaged constituency is essential to a government that works for all people, and your input and involvement help to ensure that the interests of central Chester County are well represented,” Otten said. “My upcoming town hall is an excellent opportunity to get updates on state legislative issues and ask questions about issues that matter to you. I hope to see you there!” Space is limited to the capacity of the venue, and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees will have an opportunity to submit questions at the event, or constituents may submit questions in advance by sending an email to repotten@pahouse.net with the subject line “TOWN HALL Read more

 

We remember and honor the fallen on Memorial Day; PA Energy bill examined

(May 22, 2025)

It was great to see so many constituents at the polls on Tuesday as voters across Chester County carried out their civic duty. I’m grateful to our county election officials, poll workers, and countless volunteers in every precinct who helped the process go smoothly. Read more

 

House Environmental Committee hears need for developing updated renewable energy standards

(May 19, 2025)

The state House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee held a public hearing today at the state Capitol on legislation (H.B. 501) that would create the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard. Read more

 

PA Lightning Plan progresses in House

(May 16, 2025)

The House returned to Harrisburg on Monday for another busy week of session. In the Education Committee, we advanced a package of bills designed to improve the teacher certification process, including legislation that would cap the certification fees future educators must pay. Read more

 

House passes my bill on BMI recording; Adult use cannabis measure goes to Senate

(May 09, 2025)

The House was back in session this week and it was a busy one! In the House Health Committee, we advanced my legislation regarding the use of BMI measurements in schools. On the House floor, we passed legislation which would legalize the sale of adult-use marijuana through state-run dispensaries. And we recognized our Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles! Read more

 

Taking a look at cyber charter schools in PA; Shred Event & Food Drive is this Saturday

(May 02, 2025)

The House had a break from session this week, so I was back in the district with my team attending community meetings, getting ready for next week’s session, and preparing for our upcoming Shred Event and Food Drive this Saturday, May 3 from 1 PM – 3 PM, at the Lionville Middle School. Read more

 

Discussing Energy Reliability & Affordability on Earth Day; Grants Awarded in the District

(Apr 25, 2025)

I hope everyone is enjoying the sunny weather this week and was able to spend some time with family, friends, and loved ones over the holiday weekend. The House was back in session this week where we advanced several bills, all in a strong bipartisan manner. Read more

 

Otten, Chester County Food Bank to host Paper-Shredding Event & Food Drive

(Apr 25, 2025)

Exton, April 25 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, and the Chester County Food Bank have partnered to host a free Paper-Only Shred Event & Food Drive from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Lionville Middle School, 550 W Uwchlan Ave. in Exton. The shred event provides an opportunity for members of the community to safely dispose of documents containing personal information, thereby protecting them from potential identity theft. The food drive will benefit the Chester County Food Bank in their mission of fighting food insecurity and building support for neighbors in need. The two events will take place simultaneously. No donation is required to take advantage of the free shred event. “Shred events like this are a vital service for our community,” Otten said. “With tax season behind us and spring cleaning underway, constituents appreciate these opportunities to safely dispose of and recycle their financial documents and other sensitive materials. I am excited to partner with the Chester County Food Bank for this joint event to help combat identity theft, encourage recycling, and boost donations to the food bank during this challenging time when donations are needed the most.” Each car will be limited to four file-size boxes at this rain-or-shine event. Small paper clips and staples are OK, but please no binder clips, binders, cardboard, X-ray films, or photographs. Drivers are asked to remain in their Read more

 

Sen. Muth, Rep. Friel Otten Announce $2.1 Million in PENNVEST Funding for Upper Uwchlan Water Quality Project

(Apr 23, 2025)

UPPER UWCHLAN, April 23, 2025 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) and state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten (D-Chester) today announced that $2.1 million in funding through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) has been allocated for protection efforts against forever chemicals in the drinking water supply at a well facility in Upper Uwchlan Township. The funding, approved this morning at a meeting of the PENNVEST Board of Directors, includes a $1.375 million grant and a $724,986 low-interest loan for Aqua Pennsylvania. The project was funded by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Emerging Contaminants Grant program, which funds PFAS remediation projects through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. “Allowing permitted industries to continue the widespread use of toxic chemicals that last forever virtually guarantees that our sources of drinking water will become contaminated. That is why PENNVEST funding is so important because it helps fund projects that protect against dangerous PFOS and PFOA chemicals in drinking water supplies,” Sen. Muth said. “It must also be highlighted that if a for-profit, publicly-traded utility provider like Aqua can access $2.1 million in federal and state funding, they should make a more concerted effort to keep rates down and not continue to force repair and acquisition costs onto their ratepayers. It is my hope that funding for similar Read more

 

Comitta, Otten to Host Free SEPTA Senior Key Card Sign-Up Event

(Apr 23, 2025)

DOWNINGTOWN, PA – To help seniors apply for or renew their Free SEPTA Senior Key Cards, state Senator Carolyn Comitta and state Representative Danielle Friel Otten are hosting a sign-up event at Downingtown Borough Hall on Thursday, May 15 th from 10 a.m. to noon. “Whether going to a doctor’s appointment, visiting loved ones, or taking a day trip, the SEPTA Senior Key Card helps our residents get where they need to go,” said Comitta. “I hope to see you at our sign-up event so you can take advantage of this great program available to seniors in our community.” The SEPTA Senior Key card is available for free to all seniors aged 65 and older. With the card, seniors can ride all SEPTA buses, trolleys, subways, and regional rail lines for free within Pennsylvania. Trains to and from New Jersey and Delaware using the senior card are charged at half fare. SEPTA’s Senior Free Ride Program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery. “SEPTA Senior Key Cards are a lifeline for many seniors and are without a doubt one of the most popular services our district office provides,” Otten said. “Seniors rely on public transit for transportation to jobs, medical appointments, and cultural and sporting events in the city and along the Main Line. I look forward to hosting this event with Senator Comitta, and I encourage all seniors to stop by and take advantage of this valuable free service.” To apply, seniors must bring a Read more

 

Spring brings the community together; Paper shredding event is May 3

(Apr 17, 2025)

Spring is in the air, and many families across central Chester County are excited for this week’s spring break holiday. Read more

 

RE: What you need to know about REAL ID; U.S. House passes SAVE Act

(Apr 11, 2025)

This week, my colleagues and I returned to Harrisburg for another week of session. We passed several bills in a bipartisan manner that now move on to the Senate for consideration, including legislation that would provide a much-needed and long overdue cost-of-living adjustment for retired state and public school employees as well as legislation that would guarantee public workers the same workplace protection standards as private workers. Read more

 

Tariffs, federal cuts continue to hurt in PA

(Apr 08, 2025)

This week I’m back in Harrisburg, and the House is officially back to its full complement of 203 members, as newly elected state Rep. Dan Goughnour of Allegheny County was sworn in at the start of yesterday’s session. Read more

 

Chester County Letter of Support for TEFAP and LFPA

(Apr 02, 2025)

Chester County Support for TEFAP and LFPA Read more

 

USDA Cuts Hurt Vulnerable Families; Protecting Access to Affordable Health Care

(Mar 28, 2025)

First thing this morning, our friends at the Chester County Food Bank reached out to let us know that $250,000 worth of vital food orders have been canceled by the USDA. These cancellations include essential items like proteins, eggs, and dairy products. If this trend continues, the Food Bank could face up to $1 million in canceled food orders over the next year. Read more

 

Alarming Actions at the Federal Level Continue

(Mar 21, 2025)

This week brought no shortage of new and egregious actions taken at the federal level. My office and I continue to hear from constituents, local officials, and organizations concerned about the impacts of the ongoing cuts, layoffs, and executive orders. Read more

 

Highlighting Shapiro’s “Lightning Plan” energy proposal; Designating Milky Way Farm as a Century Farm

(Mar 14, 2025)

In these last weeks before we head back into session, Team Otten has been busy working on and raising awareness of critical issues Pennsylvanians are facing, preparing for what is expected to be a challenging budget season as we face uncertainty around federally funded programs, and of course, striving to deliver excellent constituent services. Read more

 

Legislative Update: The intersection of the state budget and federal policy

(Mar 07, 2025)

This week, the House Appropriations Committee wrapped up the last of this year’s Budget Hearings. My staff and I diligently followed the hearings to get a sense of what we might expect in the months ahead in our legislative sessions and budget negotiations. Read more

 

Compare new electricity rates with the PA PUC; My bill for sustainable energy advances from committee
8 hours ago

CASH Earns Governor's Civic Engagement Award; Tour of Bartram's Garden
May 30, 2025

Otten to host Town Hall on Thursday, May 29, in East Brandywine Township
May 28, 2025

We remember and honor the fallen on Memorial Day; PA Energy bill examined
May 22, 2025

House Environmental Committee hears need for developing updated renewable energy standards
May 19, 2025

PA Lightning Plan progresses in House
May 16, 2025

House passes my bill on BMI recording; Adult use cannabis measure goes to Senate
May 09, 2025

Taking a look at cyber charter schools in PA; Shred Event & Food Drive is this Saturday
May 02, 2025

Discussing Energy Reliability & Affordability on Earth Day; Grants Awarded in the District
Apr 25, 2025

Otten, Chester County Food Bank to host Paper-Shredding Event & Food Drive
Apr 25, 2025

Sen. Muth, Rep. Friel Otten Announce $2.1 Million in PENNVEST Funding for Upper Uwchlan Water Quality Project
Apr 23, 2025

Comitta, Otten to Host Free SEPTA Senior Key Card Sign-Up Event
Apr 23, 2025

Spring brings the community together; Paper shredding event is May 3
Apr 17, 2025

RE: What you need to know about REAL ID; U.S. House passes SAVE Act
Apr 11, 2025

Tariffs, federal cuts continue to hurt in PA
Apr 08, 2025

Chester County Letter of Support for TEFAP and LFPA
Apr 02, 2025

USDA Cuts Hurt Vulnerable Families; Protecting Access to Affordable Health Care
Mar 28, 2025

Alarming Actions at the Federal Level Continue
Mar 21, 2025

Highlighting Shapiro’s “Lightning Plan” energy proposal; Designating Milky Way Farm as a Century Farm
Mar 14, 2025

Legislative Update: The intersection of the state budget and federal policy
Mar 07, 2025