Bill encouraging community solar passes House

(3 hours ago)

The House returned to Harrisburg for another busy week of session to deliver results for the people of Pennsylvania. We passed several bills that I was proud to support as a cosponsor, including one that would empower our communities to create community solar projects and another that would protect our communities from the dangers of untraceable ghost guns. Let’s get into it! Read more

 

New Energy and Consumer Safety Legislation in the Works

(Mar 22, 2024)

The House returned to Harrisburg on Monday for a packed week of committee meetings, legislative hearings, and several productive days of session. Additionally, I circulated two sponsorship memos to garner support for a new energy proposal in Pennsylvania and an alcohol consumer safety bill. Let’s get into it! Read more

 

Otten, Abney prepare House bills to enact Shapiro administration energy plan

(Mar 20, 2024)

HARRISBURG, March 20 – State Reps. Danielle Friel Otten and Aerion Abney have begun circulating House legislative sponsorship memos advancing the Shapiro administration’s bold new energy plan for Pennsylvania, which was announced last week . The legislators each introduced a core component of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s initiative: the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) and Pennsylvania Climate Emission Reduction (PACER) Program . PRESS would continue the successful elements of Pennsylvania’s forward thinking but outdated Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards while making them more inclusive -- adding nuclear power and next-generation technologies such as fusion, as well as incentivizing lower emissions for gas-fired power plants. It would require Pennsylvania to get 50% of its electricity from a diverse range of energy resources by 2035, including 35% from solar, wind, small modular reactors, and fusion; 10% from sources like large hydropower and battery storage; and 5% from natural gas and other alternative fuels. “Sustainable standards are a conversation that’s been underway since my first year in the legislature, and I’m extremely glad that a serious discussion has come to the forefront,” said Otten, D-Chester . “The collective attention on this issue is promising. As a lead sponsor on the governor’s proposed plan in the House, I feel well positioned to assure that Read more

 

Gov. Shapiro unveils his energy plan

(Mar 18, 2024)

While the House has not been in session, our team has been busy raising awareness and working toward solutions on several legislative issues by holding a series of Policy Committee Hearings, including my own last week on the Basic Education Funding Report. Read more

 

Fulfilling the promise of education for PA kids

(Mar 08, 2024)

Last year, a Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge issued a ruling that declared Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutional. This case was the result of a lawsuit filed on behalf of parents, school districts, the Pennsylvania State Conference of the NAACP, and other statewide organizations, arguing that the Commonwealth’s funding of K-12 public education is inadequate and violates the Pennsylvania Constitution. Read more

 

Unfair education funding and its problems detailed by experts

(Mar 05, 2024)

After years of chronic underfunding, experts detail issues, need for change Read more

 

Supporting our student teachers in PA

(Mar 04, 2024)

With budget hearings underway in Harrisburg and events taking place across the district, Team Otten has had a busy week! Read more

 

Budget hearings begin in Harrisburg

(Feb 23, 2024)

This week marked the start of budget hearings in Harrisburg, as our state agencies make their cases to House and Senate leadership and committee members for funding in the next state budget. Read more

 

Legislative fixes can help reduce gun violence

(Feb 16, 2024)

This week, House Democrats once again defended our majority in the PA House of Representatives with the election of Jim Prokopiak in the 140th House District in Bucks County. Read more

 

Winter 2024

(Feb 12, 2024)

Winter 2024 Read more

 

Shapiro Unveils His Second State Budget

(Feb 09, 2024)

On Tuesday, Governor Shapiro delivered the second budget address of his term, laying out a proposal that prioritizes education funding, economic development, and better opportunities for all Pennsylvanians. Read more

 

Reproductive Rights Take Center Stage in Court

(Feb 02, 2024)

In the House of Representatives, I have had the honor of serving on a variety of committees and caucuses, bringing light to issues that have previously gone unattended and working with my colleagues on legislative solutions. Whether it be advocating for a clean and reliable energy grid or working to address our teacher shortage crisis, I have had the privilege of working with some incredible people on both sides of the aisle. And it is truly a gift to work with the brilliant, passionate, and wise women of the Pennsylvania House and Senate. Read more

 

Gearing up for budget season

(Jan 26, 2024)

While the House may not be in session, my team and I have been working hard to prepare for the upcoming legislative year. Over the past few weeks, while I have been going back and forth between Harrisburg and the district for legislative hearings and meetings, my District Office staff has been diligently working to deliver excellent constituent services and help me get ready for budget season. Read more

 

State lawmakers roll out legislation to facilitate safe abortion access

(Jan 22, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – Today, on the 51st anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Roe v. Wade , state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia, hosted a news conference at the state Capitol announcing the introduction of legislation regarding abortion rights. Rep. Khan was joined by fellow legislators and abortion-rights advocates. The legislation aims to remove unnecessary obstacles to safe abortion access by eliminating the requirement that abortion facilities meet the same regulations as ambulatory surgical centers. It would also remove the excessive mandate that abortion providers maintain admitting privileges or have transfer agreements at hospitals, which only blocks access to care. The legislators who have also prime-sponsored Khan’s bill are state Reps. La'Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny; Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery; Mary Issacson, D-Phila.; Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware; Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester; Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester; Tara Probst, D-Monroe/Pike; Heather Boyd, D-Delaware; Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery; Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware; and Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia. "As a nurse, I know that restrictive abortion laws do not lower abortion rates — they just make them less safe," Khan said. "We must remove any unnecessary requirements from facilities that provide this care. Our bill increases access to safe abortion by increasing people's access to safe abortion Read more

 

MLK Day of Service honored; Be safe on the roads

(Jan 19, 2024)

On Monday, my team and I participated in Aidan’s Heart Foundation’s MLK Day of Service event. We joined students, school officials, and members of the community for a CPR & AED training as well as a community resource fair with representation from county agencies, nonprofits, and service organizations. Read more

 

School funding recommendations released ahead of state budget

(Jan 12, 2024)

On Thursday, the Basic Education Funding Commission voted 8-7 to approve a report submitted by the Democratic members of the commission, which held 11 public hearings throughout the fall of 2023 to receive testimony on Pennsylvania's public education system. Read more

 

2024 Calendar

(Jan 10, 2024)

2024 Calendar Read more

 

Beginning the 2024 Legislative Year

(Jan 05, 2024)

I hope that you enjoyed your holidays and were able to spend some time surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones. As we begin a new year, I wanted to take a moment to share and reflect on some of the work my legislative colleagues, my staff, and I have accomplished in the past year. Read more

 

District office holiday hours and assistance

(Dec 21, 2023)

As we near the end of 2023, I want to pause to wish each of you the peace and love of the season and hope for the new year ahead. While 2023 has been filled with many challenges, I am certain there is nothing we cannot accomplish when we work together as a community for the common good of all. Read more

 

Otten applauds nearly $1.8 million in state funding for local sewer projects

(Dec 19, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, today announced nearly $1.8 million in state grant funding has been approved for sewer upgrade projects in the 155th Legislative District she represents. “These investments are needed to maintain our sewage systems, remove pollutants and repair flooding damage,” Otten said. “As our municipalities work to meet the challenges of higher operating costs, outdated systems and a growing population, I’m grateful to see these funds going toward the necessary upgrades to improve services for local residents.” Otten advocated for the following projects under the Department of Community and Economic Development’s H2O PA and PA Small Water and Sewer programs: $1,034,688 to Upper Uwchlan Township Municipal Authority for its Milford Farms Sanitary Sewer Extension project. The project includes installing sanitary sewer line and a pump station in the township. $259,089 for Upper Uwchlan Township Municipal Authority for its Eaglepointe Wastewater Treatment Plant Conversion Project. The project includes converting a wastewater treatment plant to a pump station and adding force main in the township. $498,958 for Caln Township Municipal Authority for the installation of a sewer main along Granger Lane and Caln Meeting House Road in the township. Otten joined state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, in encouraging Read more