Dear Neighbor,
My office has heard from many of you in the form of emails and phone calls about the sobering budget cuts released by SEPTA last week that would bring deep service cuts by eliminating and reducing key transit routes, raise fares across the board, and cut jobs. For our community, this potential loss of service is a serious concern.
Public transportation is not optional for the thousands of people in our region who rely on it to get to work, school, medical appointments, and more – it’s the only option. The proposed cuts by SEPTA would hurt our community, environment, economy, and our quality of life.
I voted THREE times in the last legislative session to fund our state’s public transit systems and help keep SEPTA running. Each time, Senate leaders failed to bring that critical funding up for a vote in their Chamber. The House will vote again in the coming weeks to better fund public transit and avoid these drastic service cuts. I encourage you to reach out to Senate leadership and make your voice heard. Let’s urge them to join us in keeping our transit system strong, accessible, and working for everyone.
If you want to join a rally to voice your concerns about these proposed cuts, Senator Kearney is planning a rally for Thursday, April 17 @ 11 a.m. at Chester Transportation Center in Chester City.
When: Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m.
Where: Chester Transportation Center - south side, (116 Welsh St. Chester, PA 19013)
* Parking available at the municipal lot on Welsh Street.
What: Press conference and rally to call on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to fully fund SEPTA and all transit agencies in the upcoming state budget!
Who: Elected representatives from Delaware County, labor unions, business leaders, community advocates, and transit riders.
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On Thursday, almost 600 people tuned in online for another hearing on Crozer at the bankruptcy court in Texas. A few hours before the hearing, the closure motion that Prospect threatened on Tuesday was taken off the agenda, meaning they did not present a plan to close. Prospect attorneys informed the judge that they had been able to raise $6M to keep the system open for a week to 10 days. The $6M included $5M from Penn Medicine structured as a partial donation as well as a purchase of the furnishings and assumption of leases for Broomall and Brinton Lake locations as well as $1M from Delaware County that is an advancement of funds for behavioral health services. While this wasn’t the full $9M that Prospect demanded last Tuesday, it was enough to avoid a closure that day. They told the judge that they would begin to implement the court-appointed Receiver’s plan for restructuring on an expedited basis, including moving OB/GYN services to another provider who they did not disclose during the hearing, but Main Line Health sent an email to their staff the next day announcing that they are actively working with Crozer Health to bring its OB/GYN clinicians and patients to Main Line Health. Details about how that transfer of service will happen are still unclear. The patient ombudsman appointed by the bankruptcy court has been on the ground in Delaware County to ensure continuity of patient care as much as possible.
What the Prospect attorneys didn’t announce last Thursday was a sale – negotiations are still ongoing for an Asset Purchase Agreement to transfer the system to a nonprofit consortium. The hearing ended with Prospect’s attorneys asking the judge to keep on the docket both a motion to sell and a closure motion. We avoided a closure last week, but we are not out of the woods yet.
Meanwhile, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has invested $60,572,000 in Crozer Health since Prospect took control of the Crozer system in 2016. This includes a combination of medical assistance funding, COVID relief support for hospitals and $10M in advanced funding at the request of the Attorney General earlier this year to provide liquidity to allow for a long-term solution to be put in place. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Delaware County, the Foundation for Delaware County and now Penn Medicine have all invested in trying to prevent a disorderly closure. While the top priority right now is trying to negotiate some kind of sale, I want the bankruptcy judge to hold Prospect accountable and to claw back assets from the bad actors who extracted resources from our healthcare system to make themselves richer. The judge promised at last Tuesday’s hearing that a point would come later in the bankruptcy process where she would ask the question, “Who may have done something bad here?” I and so many others from Delaware County look forward to that day.
Yesterday Crozer CEO Tony Esposito sent out an email announcing that after five and a half years at Crozer Health, he has decided to step down as CEO, effective April 18, 2025. He also announced that Greg Williams, current President of Prospect Medical Holdings’ East Coast Operations, will assume the role of Interim CEO upon his departure.
While I know that the attorneys met over the weekend, I have not gotten any additional updates on their progress towards a deal and no other hearings are scheduled at this time. When the Bankruptcy Judge in Texas does schedule a hearing, you can view it online at Cisco Webex.
Visit Crozer-Chester Medical Center Updates for my other recent posts about the situation at Crozer.
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Concerned About Federal Program Cuts? Contact Our Federal Officials
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This morning I joined a briefing call with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon to get an update on what is happening on the Federal level. Congress has now committed to $1.5 trillion in federal budget cuts in the Continuing Resolution they passed recently and there is a lot of uncertainty about what programs will and won’t be affected. We are getting an increasing number of calls from neighbors voicing their concerns.
If you have been directly impacted by either a Federal grant program that was committed but not funded, or if you get support from a Federal program that you are concerned about being cut, our Federal elected officials need to hear from you now.
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Meet our Spring intern Paige Sabol. Paige is earning her degree in social work from West Chester University and is working in my district office in Brookhaven. On Tuesday, I was happy to have her join me in Harrisburg.
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Voting for You in Harrisburg
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My House colleagues and I passed important bills last week that will help working people and keep people safe.
We’re protecting workers by:
- Extending federal OSHA protections to public sector workers in Pennsylvania (HB 308);
- Providing a cost-of-living increase to long retired educators and state employees (HB 411);
- Updating the Workers’ Compensation Act to ensure that workers who are seriously or permanently disfigured are eligible for workers’ compensation (HB 183); and
- Adding 911 operators to the list of professions that are considered emergency responders (HB 453).
We’re protecting and supporting kids by requiring that childcare facilities be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms (HB 156) and providing for driver’s licenses for youth experiencing homelessness (HB 472).
We’re making communities safer by banning remote stalking - the unauthorized tracking of people using AirTags and similar devices (HB 407).
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Students Learn About Careers in The Energy and Utility Industry
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On Friday I was excited to join Peco for the Delaware County Jr. Infrastructure Academy at Widener University. This hands-on event introduced local high school juniors and seniors to exciting careers in the energy and utility industry. Students were able to gain valuable real-word experience and insight into the critical roles in the energy workforce through mock interviews and live demos.
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Delaware Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards Presented by
Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union
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MAY IS TEACHER APPRECIATION MONTH
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With May being Teacher Appreciation Month I want to recognize all the amazing teachers in our community – and I need your help finding them!
I am asking you to nominate your favorite teacher to be recognized throughout the month of May to celebrate their dedication to our kids and our communities.
Here’s where you can help! Send the following information to RepKrueger@pahouse.net:
- Choose your favorite teacher!
- Send your teacher’s information to RepKrueger@pahouse.net.
- We will need their first and last name, and the grade, subject and school they teach at (or taught at)- plus let us know why this teacher is making a difference!
You can also send the information using the following link: Nominate a teacher for Teacher Appreciation Month.
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STATE PROGRAMS AND IMPORTANT DATES
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LIHEAP Application Deadline is April 18
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This Friday, April 18 is the last day to get your application in for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for the 2024-2025 season.
This program provides a cash grant sent directly to your utility company to help with the bill. To see if you qualify and to apply, visit the LIHEAP website or contact my office.
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The 2025 Primary Election is around the corner. Make sure you are ready to vote.
If you need to update your voter registration, apply for a mail in-ballot or see where you vote, you can visit here.
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Do You Need a REAL ID? This Webinar Will Help You Find Out.
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Beginning May 7, 2025, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID – compliant driver’s license/photo ID card, or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID.
I am co-hosting with my colleagues a REAL ID Webinar on April 22 from 6pm-7:30pm to help answer your questions. A REAL ID isn’t mandatory, but it may come in handy.
To register, visit www.SenatorKearney.com/REALID.
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UPCOMING MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
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American Legion Post 777 on Thursday, April 17
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PA MEDI WEBINAR, APRIL 23
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. online
This webinar will focus on supplemental Medicare plans, also known as Medigap. Call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to get the webinar link.
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SCAM JAM on Friday, April 25
10 a.m. to noon
Aston Township Fire Department
Hear from law enforcement and banking officials on how to spot and avoid frauds and scams and keep your money and property safe! Space is limited for this always fun and informative event. Call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to let us know you are coming.
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Senior Wills Clinic on Monday, April 28
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wilson Center, Chester Township Building
1150 Engle St., Chester, PA 19013
My office is partnering with Sen. John Kane and Legal Aid of Southeastern PA for a Free Senior Wills Clinic. You will be able to get help with simple wills, durable Powers of Attorney and healthcare directives for seniors 60+.
To sign up or for questions, please contact Cassidy Heiserman at cheiserman@lasp.org or 610-230-6074.
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License Plate Replacement Event on Thursday, May 1
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Gouley Park
101 Plush Mill Road, Media
Is your license plate hard to read, damaged or peeling? Don’t get fined for driving with an illegible plate! Local law enforcement will be at this event to determine if your plate needs to be replaced.
Drivers must bring an unexpired Pennsylvania driver’s license and current vehicle registration card. New plates are not issued at this event. Once your paperwork is processed, I will drive it back from Harrisburg and my office will call you to pick up your new plate. Registration is required. Call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to register.
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Spring Shred and Drug Take Back on Saturday, May 10
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Upland Park
280 6th St., Brookhaven
Protect your identity and get rid of unneeded medications at this event I’m hosting with Sen. John Kane.
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Pet Expo on Saturday, May 17
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Upland Park
280 6th St., Brookhaven
VENDORS WANTED
We are still looking for a few more vendors for our annual Pet Expo that I am hosting with Sen. John Kane.
If you have a pet business - dog/pet sitting, pet accessories, we would love to have you as a vendor at our annual event! Please reach out to my office if you’re interested in setting up a table. We would love to have you.
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HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY
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Electronics, Recycling and Shedding Event on Saturday, April 19
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Nether Providence, Media and Swarthmore are hosting an electronics recycling and shredding event on Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Strath Haven High School.
E-Waste: Recycle almost anything with a plug for free! *Old-style TVs and CRT monitors do require a disposal fee.
Shredding: documents with sensitive information that need to be shredded in a safe, secure, and environmentally friendly method on site. No CDs or DVDs.
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E-Waste Collection at Upland Park on Wednesday, April 23
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The Pennsylvania Resources Council is holding an e-waste collection event on Wednesday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Upland County Park to provide Delaware County residents with a convenient and cost-effective method of responsibly disposing of electronic equipment. Please register for the event here.
At no cost, individuals can drop off CPU (towers), laptops, mice and keyboards; home and cell phones; DVD players, VCRs, stereos and video game consoles; vacuum cleaners and other electronics.
Televisions, computer monitors and printers can be recycled for a fee.
More details on what’s free and what has a fee can be found here.
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Delaware County Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Registration is required for all events.
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The next HHW collection is on Saturday, May 10 at Rose Tree Park. Register here.
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MY OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, APRIL 18 IN OBSERVANCE OF GOOD FRIDAY
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If you need assistance, you can email me at RepKrueger@pahouse.net or leave a message at 610-534-6880 and my staff will get back to you on Monday.
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As always, please feel free to reach out to my office for help with any state-related issues.
Sincerely,
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Rep. Leanne Krueger
161st District, Delaware County
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
512-E Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 705-2567
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Brookhaven District Office
115 E. Brookhaven Rd.
Brookhaven, PA 19015
(610) 534-6880
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