Dear neighbor,
Today marks Pennsylvania’s budget deadline, and the State House has been in session every week throughout June to move our state budget forward. While many people focus on the June 30th deadline, the state budget process actually begins in February when the governor presents his budget proposal and priorities to the General Assembly. Since then, the House has reviewed the proposal, held budget hearings, negotiated with stakeholders, and passed budget legislation back in April to move the process forward. So far, the only action the state Senate has taken was to gut the budget in the Appropriations Committee yesterday afternoon.
While we continue to wait for the Senate to advance budget legislation, the House has remained focused on moving important bills forward and advocating for a budget that invests in our communities, protects taxpayers, and supports Pennsylvania families.
One bill I want to address again is HB 2632, which would bring greater transparency and accountability to Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Even after HB 2632 passed last week with bipartisan support, my office has continued to receive emails from constituents after inaccurate information about the bill has been circulated, and I want to clarify some of the misunderstandings.
Here’s what HB 2632 does:
- It does not eliminate the EITC program. Approximately $680 million in scholarship tax credits would remain available, the same amount of funding that was available last year.
- It increases transparency and accountability by requiring additional reporting on how scholarship dollars are distributed and used.
- It requires independent reviews and state audits to ensure taxpayer-supported dollars are being spent as intended.
- It expands access to pre-K scholarships by allowing children ages 0-2 to qualify. This means that parents can now access these funds to help pay for childcare costs.
- It removes the per-pupil cap for the lowest-income students, helping scholarship organizations serve more students with the greatest financial need. This should provide greater access for the low-income students this program was designed to help.
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Keeping Big Tech Accountable
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The House has also been busy advancing legislation related to data centers to ensure Pennsylvania can protect consumers and natural resources when big technology companies come to town. As data centers continue to propose new locations across the Commonwealth, my top priority is protecting taxpayers, keeping the costs of utilities down, and safeguarding clean water for future generations.
With HB 2359 scheduled for a final vote today, the state House will have passed eight bills to hold data centers accountable. The Senate Majority Leader told the press last month that he didn’t plan to run any bills to regulate data centers, but public pressure seems to have changed his mind because today, the Senate Local Government Committee scheduled a vote on three bills, including HB 2496, which passed the House last week with a vote of 201-1. This is a positive first step.
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House Bill 2650 would make sure companies seeking state support are protecting energy affordability, disclose their expected water and energy use, engage with the local community, and follow basic environmental protections or risk losing state support.
House Bill 2198 would end an outdated tax break for data centers, helping ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly while requiring large, profitable companies to pay their fair share rather than relying on tax incentives.
House Bill 2496 would give municipalities the option to place a temporary 180-day pause on new data center applications. This would provide local officials with time to study potential impacts, gather public input, and put appropriate local protections in place before making decisions on major projects.
All three of these bills passed the House with strong bipartisan last week and are now in the Senate for further consideration.
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A special day at the Capitol
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Last week, I was so happy to bring my son, Wendell, to Harrisburg, where he served as a guest page on the House floor during session. As a mom, it was incredibly special to watch him experience a day on the House floor from a new perspective.
Wendell has grown up around the Capitol and has spent many days with me in Harrisburg over the years, but this visit was especially meaningful because he was able to watch me serve as Speaker Pro Tempore during part of the legislative session. Sharing that experience with him was a proud mom moment, and I loved seeing him take it all in, be welcomed warmly by my colleagues, and experience the work that goes into serving our communities.
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Yesterday, I was proud to join my colleagues in the Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus for our annual Pride Month photo at the Capitol. Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions, resilience, and diversity of the LGTBTQ+ community while reaffirming our commitment to building a Commonwealth where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and equality.
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My office will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.
We will reopen on Monday, July 6 at 9 AM.
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Celebrate the Fourth of July in Delaware County!
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Check below for some of the upcoming events in our community that celebrate America’s 250th birthday!
Thursday, July 2
Upper Darby
7 PM – 10 PM
Featuring live music, carnival games, food trucks, and fireworks.
Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School
403 N. Lansdowne Ave., Upper Darby
Friday, July 3
Bethel Township
8:30 PM – Fireworks at Bethel Springs Elementary School
3280 Foulk Rd., Garnet Valley
Norwood
Fireworks will be held on Friday, July 3 at Norwood Athletic Complex in the lower park
270 E. Amosland Rd., Norwood
- Saturday, July 4 Norwood Parade – 8:30 AM beginning at Norwood Library
Saturday, July 4
Aldan
11 AM – 2 PM
Parade and festivities.
For details visit, www.aldan4thofjuly.com
Aston
5 PM –Celebration with food trucks, 3270 Concord Road, Aston
9:30 PM – Fireworks at Sun Valley High School
2881 Pancoast Ave., Aston
Clifton Heights
10 AM – Parade
Church St. and Baltimore Pike, Clifton Heights
9:30 PM – Fireworks – can be seen from homes throughout the borough.
Visit www.facebook.com/groups/CHJuly4thAssoc.
Collingdale
8:30 AM – Parade
Church of Nazarene Church on MacDade Blvd.
Fireworks will be on Friday, July 10 at dusk at Collingdale Park
Folcroft
11:30 AM – Flag raising
1725 Delmar Dr., Folcroft
Lansdowne
9 AM – Parade
10 AM – Ceremony at Penn Wood High School
11 AM – Field games at the high school stadium
100 Green Ave., Lansdowne
www.lansdowneborough.com
Marple and Newtown townships
10 AM – Parade and Celebration
St. Albans Circle, Newtown Square to Broomall Fire Company, Malin Rd.
www.marplenewtownparade.com
Media
10 AM – NOON – Parade and Celebration
Barrall Field, 251 E. State St., Media
Yard games, live music, food trucks, a water slide, face painting and more.
Norwood
8:30 AM – Parade beginning at Norwood Library
Fireworks will be held on Friday, July 3 at Norwood Athletic Complex in the lower park
270 E. Amosland Rd., Norwood
Prospect Park
8:30 AM – Parade
Call the borough for details – 610-532-1007
Radnor Township
10 AM – Parade
Garrett Hill and Clem Macrone Park
Ridley Park
8 AM – 10 AM – Parade
105 E. Ward St.
Dusk, fireworks at Ridley Lake Park, West Ridley and Constitution Ave.
Rose Valley
2 PM - Parade
Moylan-Rose Valley Station – 4 Manchester Rd., Rose Valley
Sharon Hill
Noon – parade on Garvin Blvd.
9 PM – Fireworks
Ramblers Football Field – 300 Calcon Hook Rd.
Springfield Township
9 AM – Parade, ending at Veterans Memorial Park
331 W. Springfield Rd., Springfield
Swarthmore
8:15 AM – SRA Great Bike Race at Princeton and Park Ave.
9:45 AM – Lions Club Children’s Parade at Park and Dartmouth Ave.
12:45 PM – Fire Company Water Fight – Umoja Park, Yale and Rutgers Ave.
Upland Borough
11 AM – 1 PM – MacQueen Hall
224 Castle Ave., Upland
Free hot dogs, chips, popcorn, candy, and drinks
Sunday, July 5
Upper Chichester Township
6:30 PM – Food trucks and fireworks
Upper Chichester Township Municipal Complex
8500 Furey Rd., Upper Chichester
Delco250 Events
Delaware County has many events planned throughout the year to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. Visit America250PADelco to browse upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, local history programs, and community celebrations happening across the county.
To see what activities are happening around Pennsylvania visit, America250PA | Start Here, America Did!
Looking for July 4 activities? Visit Celebrate - America250PADelco
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Chelsea Tank Farm Public Meeting
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Residents who have been following the ongoing cleanup efforts at the Chelsea Tank Farm in Aston Township may be interested in an upcoming virtual public meeting hosted by Monroe Energy/MIPC, LLC in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The meeting will provide an update on the progress of the remediation work related to the underground gasoline leak and give residents an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the ongoing cleanup efforts.
Virtual Public Meeting
Tuesday, July 7
6 PM
Residents who wish to participate can register by emailing MIPC1@Monroe-Energy.com. The meeting link will be emailed to participants prior to the event, and questions may also be submitted in advance.
MIPC is also continuing its monthly community office hours for residents seeking information and updates.
Office Hours
- Aston Township Building – the first Monday of each month on a recurring basis.
- Next Date: Monday, July 6 from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Upper Chichester Township Building – the second Wednesday of each month on a recurring basis.
- Next Date: Wednesday, July 8 from 8 AM – 4 PM
- The Myers Building on the Bethel Township Campus – the third Friday of each month on a recurring basis.
- Next Date: Friday, July 17 from noon – 8 PM
For additional information and updates, visit HERE.
MIPC has added new information and resources to its website.
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If you or someone in your family plans to attend college, career school, or summer classes, don’t forget to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid before the June 30 deadline.
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA to determine how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive, including grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.
You must apply for aid every year. If you are going to start summer school or your financial situation has changed, federal student aid may be available.
Find out more and apply HERE.
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Fish for Free – Saturday, July 4
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Property Tax/Rent Rebate payments starting July 1
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If you applied for the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate, the Department of Revenue is expected to begin sending payments in the first week of July.
To check the status of your rebate, you can use the Department of Revenue’s “Where’s My Rebate?” online tool, call them at 1-877-728-2937, or you can contact my office, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
If you haven’t applied yet, there’s still time. The application deadline has been extended to December 31, 2026, so eligible homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply. My office is here to help with the application process.
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New Regional Rail Schedules start July 5
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If you ride SEPTA Regional Rail, be sure to check the new schedules taking effect on Sunday, July 5. The updated schedules are designed to provide more reliable, predictable service, simplify travel patterns, and increase capacity to major destinations.
Riders can expect more consistent express service, additional trips to Penn Medicine Station, and longer trains with more available seating on the busiest lines.
Visit SEPTA’s website or mobile app to view updated schedules and plan your trip before you travel.
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Aston Township
Tuesday, July 7
1 PM – 3 PM
Village Green
1000 Park Ave., Aston
Woodlyn
Thursday, July 9
1 PM – 3 PM
DCHA Kinder Park – Building 4 Community Room
1857 Constitution Ave., Woodlyn
Chester Township
Tuesday, July 14
1 PM – 3 PM
DCHA Fairgrounds - Bridgeview Apartments
1301 Peterson St., Chester Township
Upland Borough
Tuesday, July 21
1 PM – 3 PM
MacQueen Hall – 224 Castle Ave., Upland
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Medicare 101- In person event
Monday, August 24
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Aston Community Center – 3270 Concord Rd., Aston
To register, call 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net
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Retirement Planning Seminar
August 31
5:30 PM – 7 PM
Brookhaven Municipal Center – 2 Cambridge Rd., Brookhaven
Calculating what you need to retire can be difficult. Where do you start to come up with that magic number? As you enter the next season of your life, do you have a strategy to make it last? We will be joined by a representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities for a FREE Retirement Planning Seminar. This session will help you understand how much you may need to live out your golden years with financial stability and outline several strategies to ensure that you can make that nest egg last.
To register, call my office or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net
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Straight-A-Scholars Program
KPMG and The Phillies are proud to provide winners with two FREE tickets to a designated Phillies home game during the 2026 season at Citizens Bank Park.
This program is intended to reward students for their hard work. Only qualifying students should enter to win tickets by submitting a copy of their report card, transcript, or equivalent, showing an A+, A, or A-, Exceeding Expectations, +, Pass, Credit, or equivalent, grade in all classes. The school must be located in the greater Philadelphia region, which is identified as the following five Pennsylvania counties (Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery), four New Jersey counties (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer) and three Delaware Counties (New Castle, Kent, and Sussex).
If your academic achievement this school year qualifies you for the Phillies’ Straight-A Scholars Program presented by KPMG LLP, please enter by filling out the form.
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DCHD – Navigating Our Health Care System
If you were previously a Crozer patient and need assistance obtaining your medical records, join DCHD for a special walk-in support event where staff will be available to guide you through the process.
Wednesday, July 15
3 PM – 6 PM
Delaware County Wellness Center
125 Chester Avenue, Yeadon, PA 19050
Walk-ins welcome
Please bring your cell phone and a valid ID
Questions? Call the Delaware County Wellness Line at 484-276-2100.
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DCHD Back to School Donation Drive
Donations for the 3rd Annual Back to School Fair are being collected through August 7.
The Back-to-School Fair will be held on Saturday, August 15.
To see what donations are being accepted and for drop-off locations, check the graphic.
For more information contact the Delaware County Wellness Line at 484-276-2100
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Rose Tree Summer Festival
Program runs through August 16
Rose Tree Park
1771 N. Providence Rd., Media
There are no rain dates, so if a show can go on safely, it will.
Call 610-891-4455 to check for a cancellation message.
To receive notifications, text the word DELCOPARKS to 888777 or select Parks & Recreation Alerts in the Delco Alert system.
For a complete list of the shows, visit:
Rose Tree Summer Festival | Delaware County, Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
512-E Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202161
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2161
(717) 705-2567
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District Office
115 E. Brookhaven Rd.
Brookhaven, PA 19015
(610) 534-6880
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