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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

 

Political Violence Threatens Our Democracy

(Jun 20, 2025)

My team and I are feeling the weight of the events that transpired this past weekend in Minnesota and here at home. Read more

 

In light of federal actions, know your rights

(Jun 13, 2025)

It was a busy week in Harrisburg, with several bills advancing out of the House and moving to the Senate for consideration, including legislation to protect the privacy and well-being of Pennsylvania's students as well as legislation that would protect patients, hospitals, and nursing homes from corporate greed. Additionally, we passed another bill that would take steps toward a long-overdue minimum wage increase for Pennsylvania workers. Read more

 

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

(Jun 06, 2025)

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

 

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

Political Violence Threatens Our Democracy
Jun 20, 2025

In light of federal actions, know your rights
Jun 13, 2025

Compare new electricity rates with the PA PUC; My bill for sustainable energy advances from committee
Jun 06, 2025

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