As I write this, the Pennsylvania General Assembly remains deadlocked over the state budget, and our federal government has been shut down for a week. Both crises are the product of soured negotiations, politics, and shameful, hurtful rhetoric that has come to pass as discourse.
In Pennsylvania, the House, with its Democratic majority, sent the Senate viable, modest budget proposals to work with – but the Republican-controlled chamber ignored them all summer. Now that school is underway and we’re more than a quarter into the new fiscal year, the schools, day cares, and public health agencies that our budget support are running out of money.
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Organizations are borrowing the money owed to them by the state, taking on debt and interest, even as they continue to serve Pennsylvanians heroically in schools, rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, and food pantries.
Together, the shutdown and impasse are legitimately frightening people and organizations across the state. I hear dreadful stories in my office and in the Capitol. People are being kicked off food assistance and health insurance, evicted from their homes, fired, prosecuted, sued, and more – all under the auspices of politics, but it feels more like hate.
In both cases, obstructionists claim that our differences are over policy, when words and actions show otherwise. During this gridlock, it’s important to never forget who we’re actually here to protect: the communities and people who make Pennsylvania worth fighting for.
Our commonwealth reminds us why public service – and patience – matter, even when politics fail us. Throughout these ordeals, I pledge to keep fighting the good fight and represent your needs as we overcome tough times.
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State Rep. Mary Jo Daley
148th Legislative District
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In This Update:
- A Statement on Gun Violence
- Upcoming Events: License Plate Restoration Event is This Weekend!!
- Seasonal Programs
- Grants Spotlight: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES
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House Takes Up Gun Safety Bills Following Assassinations, Attacks on Police
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Since returning to Harrisburg, House Democrats have gone straight to work advancing legislation to curb gun violence and strengthen public safety. In the wake of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman’s and Charlie Kirk’s murders, the tragic killing of police officers in York, and the relentless stream of mass shootings in schools, churches, and workplaces across our country, my colleagues and I acted without hesitation. We introduced and voted for meaningful reforms to make our communities safer.
Of the five gun safety bills we advanced, one passed the House — requiring background checks for all long gun sales. It now awaits action in the Senate.
I truly hope they act. Because beneath all the noise — left versus right, Democrat versus Republican, liberal versus conservative — lies one undeniable truth: America has a gun problem.
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This Weekend License Plate Restoration Event!!
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Do you have an old license plate that’s peeling, illegible, dented, and needs to be replaced? Join Whitemarsh Township Police, my staff and I this Saturday, October 11th from 10 AM to 2 PM for our License Plate Restoration Event at the Whitemarsh Township Police Department, 616 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444!
Once you arrive with your vehicle, a Whitemarsh Township Police officer will assess your plate and help you fill out the appropriate paperwork that we’ll send through PennDOT. You will not receive a new license plate the same day as the event. You are still allowed to drive with your old license plate while you wait for your new one. Later, when your new license plate is mailed to our office, we will contact you to pick it up.
NOTE: This is generally a FREE process, but there may be fees involved depending on the condition of your plate and how you want it to be replaced.
- If your plate is bent, dented, has graffiti on it, is lost or stolen, it will cost $14 to be replaced.
- If you have a “non-personalized” plate (has random numbers and letters on it) and you want to keep the same numbers/letters (thus it becomes a “personalized” plate), you will have to pay a fee depending on which plate you have:
- Ex-Prisoner of War, Disabled Veterans, Severely Disabled Veterans and Persons with Disability designs - $68
- Standard issue registration plate design - $103
- All other registration plate designs - $136
- If your license plate design is outdated, it will be replaced with the updated design. If the design style no longer exists, you will be given a regular license plate design unless you want to pay a fee for a new license plate design. More information on license plate designs can be found here: License Plates | Driver and Vehicle Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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Upcoming Events for Our District
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October 15th - Satellite office hours in Whitemarsh
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Wednesday, October 15, 2025
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!
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October 23rd – Meet The Rep event in Bala Cynwyd
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Thursday, October 23, 2025
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Bala Cynwyd Library, 131 Old Lancaster Rd, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Come meet me and my staff at the Bala Cynwyd library to discuss state government concerns and to receive information about state programs and available services. RSVPs are required for this event. To RSVP, please call our office at 610-832-1679 or email us at RepMaryJoDaley@pahouse.net.
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November 1st -- FREE Shredding Event
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Saturday, November 1, 2025
10 AM to 12 PM (or until truck is full) at St. Peters Lutheran Church, 3025 Church Rd, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
Join us for our popular FREE shredding event! Bring up to 3 boxes/bags per household of your unwanted documents and other paper scraps and we’ll shred it for FREE until the shredding truck is full! All shredded paper will be recycled.
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
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If you need help paying heating utilities this year, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program season opens Monday, Nov. 3 and will continue through Friday, April 10, 2026.
Customers who received a LIHEAP grant last season will receive a 2025/26 LIHEAP application or COMPASS post card in the mail before the start of the new season. New customers may request an application by applying online at www.compass.state.pa.us.
You can also contact my office for help applying or call the LIHEAP Helpline at 1-866-857-7095.
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2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Deadline Extended
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The deadline to file Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2024, has been extended to December 31, 2025. The state will begin to issue rebate checks on July 1, so the sooner you file, the sooner you will receive your rebate if eligible!
Thanks to changes passed in 2023, more people are eligible, with income limits adjusted to keep pace with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has made it easier for seniors in Montgomery County to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more.
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65 and older, widows and widowers ages 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Please call or stop by my office to find out if you’re eligible and get assistance applying for your rebate. We’d be glad to answer any questions and set up an appointment to help you complete your application online!
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Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Financial Aid Webinars
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Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account
In order to fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) you will need a StudentAid.gov account. Join the webinar to learn more about what the StudentAid.gov account is, and when and who should create an account.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
TIME: 6:00-7:00 PM (ET)
Register for this session.
Financial Aid Timeline—Know What To Do When
This 1-hour presentation will provide the starting points and web resources for effective research before, during, and after your student makes postsecondary decisions. The journey will begin before high school and end in the land of understanding choices. One thing is for certain—it is never too early to start planning for a successful higher education experience.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
TIME: Noon-1:00 PM (ET)
Register for this session.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
TIME: 6:30-7:30 PM (ET)
Register for this session.
Searching for Scholarships & Affording the Balance
There are many ways to pay for education and one important step is to search and apply for scholarships. More free money equals less borrowing. This presentation will review the types of options available, along with tips of applying. It will also offer samples of fun scholarship options to get you started. The webinar will then review what to do about the balances that might be left over to make affordable higher education decisions.
Thursday, October 16, 2025
TIME: Noon-1:00 PM (ET)
Register for this session.
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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The Pennsylvania Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (PA-BCCEDP) is a free breast and cervical cancer screening program of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings are important to look for signs of cancer, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Screening tests are used as a tool to help identify disease early to make it easier to treat or cure. The PA-BCCEDP is funded by the Department of Health with money the department receives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Apply for PA-BCCEDP
If you meet the eligibility requirements, the next step is to call the PA-BCCEDP hotline that covers the county where you live.
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia Counties
AccessMatters: 1-800-848-3367
Pennsylvania Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (PA-BCCEDP) | Department of Health | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time to honor survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and recommit ourselves to early detection, research, and support for those fighting this disease. Each year, the Pennsylvania Capitol fountain is dyed pink to stand as a visible reminder of our shared hope for a future free from breast cancer and the strength of those who continue to battle it.
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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 October and November.
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 help you in this process and connecting with other government agencies.
Pennsylvania eGrants Online Portal
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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
PECO Green Region Open Space Program:
Who May Apply: Municipalities, and Philadelphia non-profit organizations.
Use: Natural area improvement projects.
Application Deadline: The application period closes at 5:00 PM on Friday, October 31, 2025.
More Information: www.natlands.org/peco .
Department of Agriculture: Farm-to-School Grant Program:
Who May Apply: A school district, school, charter school, private school or center with prekindergarten classes, kindergarten classes, elementary classes or middle school classes through the eighth grade that participates in a Federal child nutrition program
Use: To educate prekindergartners through eighth graders and their families about the importance of choosing healthy, locally produced foods and to increase awareness of agriculture in this Commonwealth
Application Deadline: November 14, 2025
More information: PDA Website
Department of Environmental Protection: 2026 DEP Environmental Education Grant Program:
Who May Apply: Schools, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, businesses, and other eligible entities.
Use: Delivery of meaningful environmental education projects to improve understanding of natural resources and cultivate critical thinking and environmental stewardship for sustainable resource management.
Application Deadline: November 14th, 2025.
More information: Grant Info Link
Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Statewide:
Who May Apply: Grant applications are required to be submitted by a municipality on behalf of the project library.
Use: Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization.
Application Deadline: November 30th, 2025.
More information: DCED Website
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
225 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-9475
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District Office
312 Old Lancaster Rd.
Merion Station, PA 19066
(610) 832-1679
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