Labor Day office closures, Changes to SEPTA Services and more

Rep. Carol Kazeem August 29, 2025 | 11:22 AM

Dear Neighbor,

Office Closed in Observance of Labor Day

The labor movement in the U.S. has helped make the country a beacon of democracy and equality for the rest of the world.

It has fought for the eight-hour workday, collective bargaining, wage increases, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and other essential safety net programs.

This weekend, take a moment to honor the labor movement, whose efforts have ensured you have time to enjoy with family and friends.

My office will close at noon on Friday, Aug. 29 and will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day. It will reopen on Wednesday, Sept.3.

Changes to SEPTA Services

Please be aware that SEPTA has had to reduce its services. See the changes below.

A successful Dock Day!

The community CAME OUT for our 2nd Annual Dock Day! Thank you to all our vendors, as well as PA Fish and Boat and the U.S. Coast Guard, for a fun day on the waterfront with family and friends.

PA Mentor-Protégé Program expanded to support

more veteran-owned businesses

The Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP), launched by the PA Dept. of General Services in May 2024, pairs experienced contractors with small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses to help them grow, compete, and win state contracts.

Companies that participate in the year-long program become part of a “cohort.” The second cohort began this week and is comprised of vendors approved under PA’s Consulting Services Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) contract.

Additional cohorts will be added to the MPP soon. Interested firms can learn more and apply online. If your company is not a current ITQ vendor with PA, you should begin the ITQ prequalification process to become eligible. For questions, please contact Charlie White, MPP Manager.

To be eligible for the MPP:

Mentors must be active PA prime contractors in good standing with at least one contract award of $300,000 or more in the past three years.

Protégés must be verified as a Small Diverse Business (SDB) or Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) by DGS and listed on Consulting Services ITQ.

Expanding the MPP is part of the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s broader effort to open doors for businesses of all sizes and backgrounds. Earlier this summer, DGS also launched new Micro and Midsize Business Programs.