Dear Neighbor,

I’m proud to say that I voted – again – to fund transit in every county, improve accountability, and invest hundreds of millions of new funding into fixing roads and bridges all over the commonwealth. 

 

Transit keeps our economy moving – it’s how workers commute to work, students get to class, and seniors to the store and the doctor.

 

Beyond that, transit keeps hundreds of thousands of cars off the road and supports jobs across Pennsylvania. Transit and road construction jobs pay family-sustaining wages and can’t be outsourced, and those jobs end up creating more employment opportunities as companies move and expand based on strong, reliable infrastructure. 

 

Now, the State Senate must finally do its job and pass our proposal to fund transit. The bill they proposed this week – a month and a half late – does not fully fund SEPTA and forces it to rob from its own capital projects to pay for operations. Please, call on Senate leadership today and urge them to get back to work on a genuine bill.

In Solidarity,

State Rep. Mary Jo Daley

148th Legislative District

Video: I called on the Pennsylvania Senate to come back to Harrisburg to finish the state budget and get SEPTA the funding they desperately need in order to avoid route closures and fare hikes.

In this Update: 

• PA Budget: The Senate must get back to WORK
• Montgomery County is fighting for SEPTA
• Past Community Events: National Night out, Cater 2 You
• Upcoming Events 
• Summer Programs 
• Grants Spotlight

PA Senate GOP Needs to Get Back to Work

Time is up. The transit funding crisis is here. This has never about buses and trains, this has always been about real people, and real jobs. It has always been about students, and senior citizens, and businesses small and large – all of them counting on transit systems.

 

This crisis is also not just about SEPTA. Every other transit system statewide is preparing to make cuts of their own. These cuts would hurt real people, destroy jobs and hurt businesses of every size.

 

Once again, the state House has acted to deliver funding for ALL transit systems in EVERY county, plus additional money to repair and replace roads and bridges in communities across the commonwealth. We’re investing in infrastructure – good jobs you can’t outsource that bring so many employment opportunities to Pennsylvania. And we would do it all without raising ONE PENNY in new taxes.

 

Our bills stand ready for the State Senate’s concurrence.

 

Last time we voted to fund transit – mid-June, before the budget deadline that’s now almost two months in the past – the State Senate refused to run the bill. The State Senate can join us to support the 800,000 Pennsylvanians who ride transit every day. It’s still on the State Senate Republicans to deliver hundreds of millions for transit funding AND road and bridge repairs in every corner of the commonwealth. Tell them to pass real finding here.

Leaders in Montgomery County Fight for Transportation for ALL

On Aug. 8, Montgomery County officials and I met at the North Wales Train Station to show our commitment to making sure that essential transportation funding for SEPTA and other services will not be excluded from the PA budget.

 

As someone who grew up in Narberth without a car and having to rely solely on regional rail lines, this issue is especially personal and important for me. I called on State Senate Republicans to stop moving the goal post and finally pass true transportation funding, as not doing so would only further delays, threaten the livelihoods and commutes of all Southeastern Pennsylvanians, and harm the transportation needs of people in all other counties as well.

Video: Click above to watch my remarks at the train station as we call on Senate Republicans to act.

Images: Montgomery officials and I hold a press conference from North Wales to advocate for funding transit, including SEPTA, and for roads and bridges across Pennsylvania.

Past Events in Our Community 

National Night Out in Wynnewood

My office staff and I had a great time meeting constituents, law enforcement, and other local agencies at Wynnewood’s National Night Out event on August 5. It’s always a pleasure to meet with you all, hear your concerns, and have my office share resources to assist your state government needs.

Image: It was a pleasure participating in National Night Out with my friends and neighbors in Wynnewood.

Exploring Community Organizations: Cater2You Youth Haven  

On behalf of Delaware County’s House Delegation Vice Chair Gina H. Curry and the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services (PCCYFS), I was invited to tour Cater2YouYouth Haven, a newly-opened emergency residential care program servicing at-risk youth ages 13-21.

 

This beautiful safe haven was created by Marie Minor, founder and CEO. Marie has worked hard to self-finance an entire facility. Their mission is to “cater to the unique needs of children in crisis by providing a safe haven where they can access shelter, basic necessities, emotional support, educational resources, life training, and pathways to long-term stability.”

 

During this tour, PCCYFS informed me and my fellow House Southeast Delegates that many other organizations like Cater2You suffer from a lack of county government funding and find it challenging to acquire affordable liability insurance to run their housing facilities for homeless and at-risk youth.

 

Similar organizations and youth shelters like Cater2You in Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Philadelphia play a vital role in the survival and future of our young Pennsylvanians who have been neglected and victims of our welfare system. Without these safe havens and shelters, our at-risk youth will have little to no opportunities to develop a safer, healthier, and meaningful life. As a legislator it is important that I encourage local governments to contract with these organizations so that they can receive the state funding allotted to them and regulate predatory liability insurance policies that place immense financial burdens on these non-profits.

 

As a state legislator, I take many tours of facilities across our state, and I have to say that this visit was one of the most informative and impactful visits I have ever taken. For more information on PCCYFS and why it’s so vital to our community, click here.

Images: Cater2You Youth Haven CEO and Founder Marie Minor prepares food, and we visited the bedrooms and other parts of the facility to see all the amenities and programs they offer to young people.

KenCrest Community Living Home Visit

On August 13th, my office staff and I visited the residents and staff at a local KenCrest community living home, where people with disabilities have their complex needs met with help from direct service providers (DSPs).

 

Since 1905, KenCrest has served the underserved disabled community in Southeastern Pennsylvania through programs such as the community living facilities like what I visited, as well as independent living, clinical services, employment opportunities, and more. During my visit, KenCrest officials informed me about the need for higher DSP wages across the state, as their current pay does not match how intensive their labor is.

 

Without increased funding, wage reform, and more recognition for their services, DSPs and organizations like KenCrest will continue facing difficulties providing necessary services to disabled Pennsylvanians. 

Image: Visiting the residents and staff at a local KenCrest community living home.

Upcoming Events for Our District

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.

 

New plates are not issued at the event. Once your paperwork is processed, my office will call you to pick up your new plate at my district office. 

Available Summer Programs

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.

PHEAA Grants

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency offers numerous grant programs to students of all ages to pay for high education and certificate programs.  

 

Grow PA Scholarship Program – this program helps in-state students pay for school and builds the workforce in PA for in-demand occupations. Qualifying Programs and Majors for Grow PA Grant Program & Grow PA Waiver Program.

 

$2,500 No Essay College Scholarship – this scholarship is for students who are enrolled or planned to be enrolled in college for the 2025-26 academic year. $2,500 No Essay College Scholarship Survey.

NAMI Services

The National Alliance on Mental Illness serves Main line and Delaware County families. They provide free services to people with mental illness, their families and friends along with students and young adults. NAMI has on-going support groups catered to unique interests and diverse communities. Below are just a few of their reoccurring support groups free to everyone in our district.

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 grants available with application deadlines in August and September.  

 

Please feel free to share this information with an entity, organization, or local group you know that may be interested in applying. Our office can assist you in this process and connecting with other government agencies.  

 

Read below for popular programs and visit the Pennsylvania eGrants Online Portal for more!

 

Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES 

 

Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations.

 

Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. 

 

Funds: $400 million in funding is available. 

 

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis.

 

More information: DCED Website.

 

 

Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant 

 

Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce investment boards, economic development organizations, and non-profit organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible.  

 

Use: Projects must focus on the development and deployment of workforce training programs for individuals with barriers to employment, engage youth or those with barriers in awareness building activities of manufacturing career opportunities, and advance capacity for local or regional manufacturers to meet the needs of local and regional manufacturers that cannot be met through existing programs such as WEDnet and Industry Partnerships. 
 

Funds: Funds are available on an annual basis and vary based on recommendations and constraints set in the annual budget.  

 

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted and evaluated on an ongoing basis as long as funds remain available. 

 

More information: DCED Website.

 

 

Department of Community and Economic Development: Pennsylvania First 

 

Who May Apply: Businesses, Municipalities, Municipal Authorities, Redevelopment Authorities, Industrial Development Authorities or Corporations, Local Development Districts. 

 

Use: Machinery/equipment; Job training; Infrastructure; Land and building improvements; Environmental assessment/remediation; Acquisition of land, buildings, right-of-ways; Working capital; Site preparation. 

Funds: Grants and loans are available assuming an applicant can meet the private investment requirement. 

 

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

 

More information: DCED Website.

 

 

Department of Transportation: Rail Freight Transportation Grant 

 

Who May Apply: Redevelopment authorities, rail companies, and for-profit businesses 

 

Use: Investments in rail structure to keep and/or boost economic development. 
 

Funds: $41 million in funding is available. 

 

Application Deadline: August 29, 2025. 

 

More information: PennDOT 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

Update Email Preferences