Dear Neighbor,

I have been working long and hard this summer with Pennsylvania House Democrats and Republicans to pass a state budget bill that will benefit all Pennsylvanians and vital social services. On July 14, the House passed a General Appropriations budget bill and sent it to the Senate. It is by no means a finished product, but it would get Pennsylvania the core funding it needs to fund education, health and human services, transportation infrastructure, economic development, environmental protection and so much more.

The bill we passed reflects compromise by cutting a billion dollars off the governor’s proposal while still paying for the things we really need. This is not a procedural or process vote; this is our constitutional requirement.

We’re taking people’s lives seriously. We’re taking our responsibility seriously. We must get things done, and we must continue to serve Pennsylvanians. We are compromising in a divided legislature. 

For my part, I promise to be in Harrisburg every session day, doing my part to ensure your General Assembly passes a comprehensive budget bill as soon as possible.

If the Senate does not reach a budget agreement soon, Pennsylvania will face an increased risk of failing to make timely payments to school districts and county-administered services.

Sincerely,

State Rep. Mary Jo Daley

148th Legislative District

Transit funding still needed

Although SEPTA’s devastating fiscal operating budget has already been approved, we are fighting tirelessly to enact the governor’s transit funding plan to prevent service cuts and other drastic measures from taking effect and ensure SEPTA and transit agencies across Pennsylvania have the resources needed to maintain vital service.  

On June 16, the House passed a bill to invest almost $300 million into mass transit across PA. We are urging the Senate to deliver this bill for all of Pennsylvania. You can help here.

Thank you to everyone who has remained laser focused on promoting the need for mass transit funding, including for SEPTA. Many of you came out to my roundtable in Narberth, which featured civic and business leaders who called for immediate funding for SEPTA and explained the economic relationship that transit plays in a world-class city and Pennsylvania.

Held at the Lower Merion Township building on June 5, local leaders, citizens and transportation specialists gathered for a roundtable on why it's so vital to fund SEPTA and transit agencies across the commonwealth. 

I have voted five times during the last two House legislative sessions to support statewide transit with dedicated funding. Those measures have been ignored in the state Senate, but we’re still fighting to pass funding this year, possibly along with the state budget.

I am a devoted transit rider, and I’ve had some of my most meaningful conversations while on public transportation. I cut my carbon footprint with SEPTA, and I have met so many new people on SEPTA because SEPTA is about people. Without it, our region and state would grind to a halt.

The roundtable featured civic and business leaders who called for immediate funding for SEPTA and explained the economic relationship that transit plays in a world-class city and Pennsylvania. Watch the video to hear the meeting.

Merion Friends Meeting House awarded grant

I am happy to announce that an America250PA grant to preserve and restore the Merion Friends Meeting House has been awarded. This grant honors more than three centuries of history – it supports a place of profound Quaker heritage where William Penn preached, and generations of Pennsylvanians have gathered since the seventeenth century.

With this funding, we can safeguard the Meeting House’s unique Welsh architecture and continue its legacy as a living landmark in Merion Station. Thank you to the administration for recognizing a valuable investment in PA's rich history.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August Meet the Rep Event

Thursday, Aug. 26 

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the William Jeanes Library, 4051 Joshua Road, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444

Please RSVP with what you would like to discuss or services you would like to receive at RepMaryJoDaley@pahouse.net or by calling our office at 610-832-1679.

Next satellite office hours in Whitemarsh  

Wednesday, Aug. 20

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at my satellite office, 616 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444

Join us at the Whitemarsh Township building every third Wednesday of the month to meet with my district staff to get your photo taken for a Senior SEPTA Pass, complete a Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application, discuss a PA Department of State Issue, submit an application for PennDOT, and handle many other state-level services.  

Hope to see you there! 

License Plate Restoration Event

Saturday, Oct. 11

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 616 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill PA 19444 

Our office will be partnering with the Whitemarsh Police Department this fall to host a License plate Restoration event. This event will allow residents of the 148th Legislative District to apply for a new license plate onsite with an officer’s inspection of the damaged or illegible plate.  

More information will be provided soon. 

PAST EVENTS

Senior Fair was a success! 

Thank you to all the vendors who shared vital information and resources with the community at my Senior Fair this summer – and thank you very much to all the participants who attended! It was a pleasure to meet with each of you.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Senior Fair! Your presence and enthusiasm helped make the event truly special!

Thank you to The Montgomery County Detective Bureau’s William Mitchell for giving an informational presentation for on Scam Prevention and to Main Line Health’s Maureen Krouse for leading an engaging and insightful presentation on fall prevention for seniors.  

We are also so thankful to the JCC Kaiserman for hosting another successful event with us this year.  

If you missed our senior fair this year, don’t worry. You can visit out district office Monday -Friday to receive all the valuable information and pamphlets that were available at the fair.  

PA schools deserve fair funding

This summer in Harrisburg, we focused on the need to fully fund public schools in our state budget, as many have gone far too long barely scrapping by with inadequate resources.

In Pennsylvania, fair school funding is critical because the state has one of the widest gaps in per-student spending between wealthy and low-income districts in the country – meaning students in poorer areas often receive thousands of dollars less per year, which directly impacts their access to quality teachers, resources and educational opportunities.

During this Budget season, we must not lose sight of the need to increase funding for our public schools. Entire generations have gone through underfunded schools, missing out on opportunities to succeed.

PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA

SUN BUCKS Program open

Summer is a time when many children may not have access to the free and reduced-price meals they get during the school year, and households might need a little extra help putting meals on the table. 

SUN Bucks, Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program, is a new grocery benefits program that provides households with a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy food while school is out. Benefits can be used at local participating retailers to purchase?groceries. 

To see if your family or a family you know who needs food assistance this summer qualifies for this program, visit the  Summer EBT | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website for the eligibility requirements.  

This program runs each summer from July 1 to Aug. 31.

AVAILABLE GRANTS

It is important that the 148th Legislative District receives the funding support it needs for public and non-profit services year-round. Below are a few of the grants available with application deadlines that end in July or August. 

Please feel free to share this information with an entity, organization, or local group you know that may be interested in applying.   

Pennsylvania eGrants Portal  

Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Grant 

Who May Apply: Individuals or organizations focused on agriculture research 

Use: Research on topic areas listed here 
Funds: All funding is contingent upon 2025-2026 budget appropriations 

Application Deadline: July 25, 20225 

More information: PDA website 

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Historical & Museum Commission: Historical and Archival Records Care Grant 

Who May Apply: Non-profit organizations that have been incorporated for at least two years. 

Use: To enhance the preservation and accessibility of valuable historical records across the Commonwealth 
Funds: Grants will be awarded up to $5,000. 

Application Deadline: August 1, 2025 

More information: PHMC Website 

Department of Community and Economic Development: Main Street Matters (MSM) 

Who May Apply: Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. 

Use: A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. 
Funds: Individual grant awards vary depending on the type of grant. 

Application Deadline: August 31, 2025  

Application Link: Main Street Matters  

Commonwealth Financing Authority: Mixed-Use Revitalization Program 

Who May Apply: Developers (person or business entity with a demonstrated history of advancing commercial or mixed-use redevelopment projects 

Use: A community revitalization project that promotes economic growth and includes commercial assets. Eligible projects must be on at least 15 acres of land, contain at least 200,000 square feet of proposed development that has not received a certificate of occupancy as of 7/11/24, and be zoned for planned end use.  
Funds: Grant amount shall not exceed more than twice the amount of matching funds provided by the developer or $3,000,000, whichever is less. 

Application Deadline: August 31, 2025 

More information: CFA Website 

Council on the Arts: Statewide Creative Catalyst Grants 

Who May Apply: Organizations must be non-profit, tax-exempt corporations, a unit of government; college or university; school district or non-arts non-profit providing arts programming and/or arts services in Pennsylvania. 

Use: To support new initiatives and opportunities that advance strategies for strengthening the cultural, educational, or economic vitality of Pennsylvania’s communities through the arts. 
Funds: Typical grants amounts are between $5,000 and $10,000 and a 1:1 cash match is required. 

Application Deadline: August 31, 2025 

More information: Council on the Arts Website

Pennsylvania State Capitol

225 Irvis Office Building

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 787-9475

District Office

312 Old Lancaster Rd.
Merion Station, PA 19066

(610) 832-1679