Dear Friends, 

Our budget is more than just a financial document—it is a moral statement about the priorities we share as a commonwealth. Over the past months, the House has worked diligently to move our version of the budget forward. We are ready, willing, and able to negotiate a final agreement. Unfortunately, the Senate has not taken the same steps and, most concerningly, canceled scheduled session days leading into the holiday weekend. The new fiscal year began on July 1st, and missing that deadline puts payments to school districts, nonprofits, contractors, and local governments, at risk of delay. While essential services such as Medicaid, debt payments, and public safety functions will continue, the longer budget stalemates persist, the more uncertain things become for the programs and services that many Pennsylvanians rely on.

Despite our narrow one-seat majority, the House has acted in good faith to move the budget process forward. We recognize that divided government requires compromise, and we stand ready to negotiate a final agreement that responsibly meets the needs of the people we serve. It is my hope that the Senate Republicans will at least be able to send their budget proposal over to the House soon, as they’ve been unable to do so at this point.

To make matters more challenging, recent federal actions have introduced significant uncertainty into the budgeting process. This week, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that could lead to substantial funding cuts for states. As a result, we are crafting our state budget without a full understanding of how these potential federal reductions will affect Pennsylvania. You'll recall that 70% of the Department of Health's budget comes through federal funding. If this legislation succeeds, 310,000 Pennsylvanians will lose Medicaid coverage and 143,968 will lose SNAP Benefits. 

Throughout the spring, I’ve met with constituents and local organizations that are deeply concerned about how these cuts could jeopardize funding for essential services. I share their worries—especially knowing that Pennsylvania simply cannot replace the loss of billions in federal aid. These decisions will have real and immediate consequences for our communities, including reduced access to medical care and support services.

What troubles me most are the anticipated cuts to safety net programs that provide food and healthcare. These services are not just about comfort—they are foundational to public safety. When people lack access to food and medical care, the stability of our entire community is at risk. There is no way that our state budget can fill the gap left behind by the federal government. I encourage you to contact your federal representatives to make your opinions known should this be of concern to you. 

The House has sent some of the key components of the Governor’s proposed budget to the Senate.  After extensive budget hearings across all agencies, we’ve passed key bills we are waiting for the Senate to act on. We’ve sent bills to the Senate on funding public transportation, raising the minimum wage, ending predatory education funding practices that harm taxpayers and to create a fairer school-funding formula that complies with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that our current system is unconstitutional. To address long-term fiscal stability, the House has introduced a number of strategies to close the structural deficit, such as closing the Delaware loophole as we accelerate the phase-down of the Corporate Net Income Tax, and introducing new revenue options, such as regulating and taxing skill games and legalizing adult-use cannabis. I will discuss some of these pieces of legislation in greater detail in upcoming emails.

I will continue to advocate for a fair, balanced, and timely budget. Our communities deserve nothing less. I remain committed to keeping you informed as negotiations continue and will provide further updates as they become available. Thank you, as always, for the opportunity to serve. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

I want to wish you a happy and healthy 4th of July weekend. Please note that my office will be closed on Friday, July 4th and will reopen on Monday, July 7th at 8:30 AM. 

Free Notary Services will be available at this event!

Please note that our normally scheduled mobile office hours at Towamencin Township have been rescheduled to Thursday, July 10.

Thank you for your continued generosity—your support is making a real difference in our community! Unfortunately, federal funding cuts are already taking a toll here. Our food banks are in urgent need of donations to keep up with demand. On top of that, the federal government has cut all funding for feminine hygiene products, including support of Mitzvah Circle’s Period Supply Program. 

Although I strongly oppose the federal government’s abrupt cuts to essential programs and am actively advocating for change with our representatives, I remain dedicated to supporting those in need in our communities. Part of that commitment is keeping you informed about how these cuts are impacting our friends and neighbors and the options we all have to help those around us.

Click here for a list of items requested by Manna on Main Street

Click here for a list of items requested by Mitzvah Circle

Do you have a faded, peeling, or hard-to-read PA license plate? We can help!

Join Senator Maria Collett and my office for a License Plate Restoration Event with the Lower Gwynedd Township Police Department on Saturday, August 2 from 9 AM – 11 AM at the Lower Gwynedd Township Police Station, located on 1130 North Bethlehem Pike. Click here to register in advance.

Please call my office at (610) 277-3230 if you have any questions.

Best,

Pennsylvania State Capitol
121 Irvis Office Building

P.O. Box 202061
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-4102

District Office

1098 West Skippack Pike

Blue Bell, PA 19422

(610) 277-3230