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
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 Support for TEFAP and LFPA Read more
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
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
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
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
Across the United States today, many individuals and grassroots organizations are participating in economic boycotts directed primarily at multi-billion-dollar corporations that have dismantled their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives or otherwise backtracked on anti-discrimination policies. Our collective purchasing power can have meaningful political power, so while it’s noble to exercise the power of your purse or wallet for one day, it’s also important to think about how we reallocate our spending dollars to have an ongoing impact. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 24 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten today announced state funding for Caln Township to install streetlights and a bike lane along Lincoln Highway. The $450,000 grant was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority under its Multimodal Transportation Fund. Improvements along two sections of Lincoln Highway will address safety issues for pedestrians and bicyclists. The project will add 42 streetlights along Lincoln Highway West (1500-1800 blocks), 48 streetlights along Lincoln Highway East (4200-4400 blocks), and pavement markings for a dedicated bicycle lane along the corridor. These improvements provide needed upgrades for an area experiencing residential and commercial growth. “The planned improvements in Caln Township will help to ensure pedestrian safety, as well as safe access to public transportation for residents who use the bus stops along this stretch of Business Route 30,” said Otten, D-Chester. “I applaud the Caln Township commissioners for their efforts to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers along these busy stretches of road, and I am grateful to the administration for this investment, which will help to connect Caln Township residents with local businesses, jobs and neighboring communities.” Otten said that her office is always prepared to help organizations and municipalities apply for state funding. There are many programs offered by the state to help Read more
Budget Hearings kicked off this week in Harrisburg, with state agencies making their cases to House and Senate leadership and committee members for funding in the next state budget. Read more
Our beloved Philadelphia Eagles have been such a bright spot these past few weeks. It’s been an exciting time here in southeast PA, first watching our Birds soar to victory in Super Bowl LIX over the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and now feeling all the brotherly and sisterly love as Philadelphia and the surrounding region come together to celebrate today’s championship parade. Read more
On Tuesday, Governor Shapiro delivered the third budget address of his term, laying out a proposal that makes continued investments in our children and schools, cuts costs for working families, and creates more economic opportunities for all Pennsylvanians. Read more
East Brandywine Fire Co. Chief Sergio Ora and Rep. Danielle Friel Otten. From left, East Brandywine Fire Co. Trustee Joe Edwards, Ron Miller, East Brandywine Fire Co. Treasurer Ken Ader, Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, Greg Kohlmaier, and Dr. Robert Nye. EXTON, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten on Friday presented $94,000 in state grant funding to the East Brandywine Fire Co. for the purchase of new rescue equipment. The fire company will use the funds to outfit a new rescue vehicle with a Res-Q-Jack kit and battery-powered rescue tools, which will free up existing equipment for use on other vehicles in the fleet. “The communities served by East Brandywine Fire Company have experienced significant growth over the past several years and continue to grow at a rapid pace,” said Otten, D-Chester. “This new equipment will help East Brandywine Fire Company continue to provide high-quality emergency services to keep up with the increased need. I commend East Brandywine for their hard work and dedication to keeping our neighbors safe, and I am glad we’ve been able to help fulfill this funding request.” The grant was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. “The support of the state representative to our emergency services is second to none,” East Brandywine Fire Chief Vince D’Amico and East Brandywine Fire Co. President John Edwards Read more
This week has been a long year, folks. A lot has happened in a short period, and the overwhelming amount of concerning, confusing, and sometimes contradictory news coming at us may feel destabilizing right now. Read more
This week began and ended on a very sad note, as my House colleagues and I learned on Sunday of the untimely passing of our dear friend and colleague, State Representative Matt Gergely. Read more
As the wildfires in California continue to spread and destroy the homes and livelihoods of thousands, my heart is with the families of the 27 people who have been killed and the more than 80,000 who have been told to evacuate their homes. I cannot even begin to imagine the feeling of having to leave your home at a moment’s notice, grabbing the necessities, and leaving the rest behind without knowing if you will ever see your home again. Read more
This past Tuesday was Swearing-In Day at the Capitol, marking the official start of the 2025-2026 Legislative Session. It was nice to be back in Harrisburg, seeing all of my colleagues with their friends and families on this celebratory day. Read more
Since 2019, I have had the honor of representing the 155th Legislative District, and in each year since then we have made progress toward making Pennsylvania a place where people from all walks of life have an opportunity to grow, learn, work, and succeed. As we head into a new year and the new 2025-2026 legislative session, I know I am not alone in feeling uncertain about what the immediate and longer-term future have in store. Read more
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As 2024 draws to a close, I want to wish each of you the peace and love of the season and hope for the new year ahead. As we look toward the beginning of a new year and a new legislative session, I am grateful for the work our community continues to put in together for the collective good of all. Read more
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