Last Tuesday was Zoo Day at the Capitol. Each year, the Pennsylvania Zoological Council hosts a Zoo Day where they bring in several different species of animals from various zoos across the Commonwealth, and we get to learn all about them. This year, we visited with a two-toed sloth, a Patagonian cavy, a hedgehog, a pygmy hedgehog, an alligator, a tarantula, and a penguin. Thanks to the Pittsburgh Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo, Erie Zoo, Elmwood Park Zoo, Lehigh Valley Zoo, and the National Aviary for making this day possible. As an animal lover, this is always one of my favorite days at the Capitol!

I was honored to be one of the hosts of the Peace Island Institute’s 12th Annual Cultural Day Celebration in the Capitol Rotunda. This event promotes and celebrates the diverse cultures and traditions of our state. It allows people from different cultural backgrounds to share their unique heritage through food, music, dance, and other art forms. Through events like this, we can open our minds to the rich diversity that Pennsylvania offers. We were able to view exhibits and traditional dancers, sample cultural foods, and more. Each year, this event celebrates diversity and emphasizes what we can learn from other unique heritages, and I am proud to be one small part of it.

HB 1549 – Raise the Wage Act

A fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work. Someone who works hard shouldn’t be losing ground every payday. Someone who works hard should be able to afford the basic necessities – food, utilities, a safe place to live.

For too long, the billionaire special interests have kept worker pay low while prices and profits soar, but now there is finally some good news.

Last week, I voted to pass the Raise the Wage Act, a real-world plan to give hundreds of thousands of working people their first raise since 2009 in a way that works for every community and provides future raises reflective of the cost of living. This means that Pennsylvania’s workers would never have to be tied for dead last in America on payday, ever again.

Now? It’s up to you. Tell your State Senator that hard-working Pennsylvanians like you deserve a raise and a stronger economy!

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus | Take Action

HB 1460 – Protecting Pennsylvania Health Services and Facilities

Last week, we took bipartisan action in the House to protect healthcare from greedy, for-profit enterprises that buy struggling providers like hospitals or nursing homes, cut staff and services to maximize profits, and then cash out and walk away before the bill comes due.

Make no mistake - when staffing and treatment choices are made to cut costs and maximize profits, patients, staff, and our communities suffer.

Our legislation would require the state Attorney General – and the public – to be notified and given a chance to review a deal anytime a healthcare facility is bought or sold.

This gives the public a powerful advocate who can negotiate on our behalf – or potentially stop a sale entirely.

As it stands, we often don’t find out about these sales until after they happen. Communities are being left with closed hospitals, ailing nursing homes, lost jobs, higher healthcare costs, and limited options.

I voted YES to HB 1460 to stop private equity in healthcare and put patients, staff, and families first.

 If you wish to switch your current standard or personalized plate to the new style, you will need to fill out an application and pay a $13 fee by check or money order for standard plates; personalized plates will be switched at no cost. Our office is happy to help submit your application - stop in or give us a call.

My staffer, Laura, just got her new plate, and it looks amazing! What better way to celebrate the birthplace of democracy and the country's upcoming 250th Birthday than with a new Liberty Bell license plate. Let Freedom Ring!

Rep. Napoleon Nelson and Congresswoman Madeleine Dean are hosting an Expungement Clinic in Glenside on Friday, June 21st from 12:00 pm - 1:45 pm.

This event is designed to help individuals better understand the criminal justice system, determine their eligibility for expungement or a pardon, and receive limited on-site application assistance from legal experts. Staff from both legislative offices will also be present to share information about state services and supports.

Constituents are encouraged to call Rep. Nelson’s office in advance at (215) 572-5210 to confirm eligibility and ensure they bring the necessary documentation.