Office Closure, MLK Day Events, Library Updates and More!

(Jan 13, 2023)

Last week I told you how the current House Speaker, Rep. Mark Rozzi, found himself being elevated to the role of Speaker. He and Republican Rep. Jim Gregory, both childhood sexual assault survivors, have spent years together, fighting to provide justice to other victims like themselves. Their partnership, mutual trust, and authentic friendship was celebrated last week as Gregory presented his friend with the speaker’s gavel. Read more

 

PLBC statement on police incident in Lower Merion

(Jan 10, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 10 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus has released a statement on a police incident in Lower Merion Township. “A disturbing video showing Lower Merion police pulling over a Black female motorist has surfaced and is being investigated by the department. The police interaction with the woman is disturbing but unfortunately not rare. Pulled over in a customer parking lot, the driver is heard asking for a supervisor before exiting the car. The situation quickly escalates, and she is dragged from the car at gunpoint, tased, handcuffed on the ground with her shirt over her head and taken to a waiting police vehicle with her upper body exposed. “The PLBC has been working on legislation to curb police violence during traffic stops, such as reducing pretextual traffic stops and tracking racial profiling and related disparities. Black drivers are more likely to be asked to step out of the car, more likely to have their car searched, more likely to be given a citation or violation, more likely to be detained and, unfortunately, more likely to have a violent encounter with the police as seen in this video. “We have for years been calling for training and diversity in departments so the officers who patrol the streets look more like the residents who live there, shoring up better police community relations and a sense of protection by police rather than harassment. “We have for years been working to hold law enforcement Read more

 

Winter Donations, Library Updates, SEPTA Route Changes and More!

(Jan 06, 2023)

Politics is messy. It’s a process with real world consequences, but it is messy. This week in Harrisburg, I and my colleagues were sworn in for our 2023-24 legislative term and elected a new Speaker of the House. It was messy. I suspect there may a handful of you that are interested in this drama. Read more

 

Nelson announces grants focused on traffic safety 

(Jan 05, 2023)

State Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, today announced $763,950 in grant funding has been awarded to Montgomery County to increase traffic safety at key intersections. Read more

 

PLBC installs officers for 2023-24 session

(Jan 05, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus this week officially installed officers to serve in the 2023-24 legislative session in a virtual ceremony that included guests Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, former PLBC members Pennsylvania Lt. Gov.-elect Austin Davis and U.S. Rep.-elect Summer Lee, and other dignitaries, PLBC members and former members. Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania Judge Lori Dumas administered the oath of office. The following members were installed as officers: Chairwoman, Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila. Vice Chairman, Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery Secretary, Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila. Treasurer, Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster In her remarks as the returning chair of PLBC, Bullock recognized the 50 years since the organization was formed in the legislature. “This is a moment 50 years in the making,” she said. “We are sending folks to Congress, the lieutenant governor's office, all over this country to continue the good work that we do here in the General Assembly. Two years before the PLBC was formally formed, Black members met in secret. We are not meeting in the shadows anymore. We are doing the work. We are getting the job done. This year, with the largest and the most diverse PLBC membership in our commonwealth’s history, we represent Black, Latino and Asian communities across the commonwealth. While we center our policies on Black Pennsylvanians, we acknowledge Read more

 

Happy Holidays, Office Closure, Preparing for Winter Weather and More!

(Dec 28, 2022)

On behalf of my Harrisburg and Glenside office teams, my family, and myself, I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season and a safe and pleasant New Year. Each new year brings new challenges and opportunities, and I KNOW that 2023 will be no different. I am grateful that I can spend this last week of 2022 with my family as we attend church services, bake cookies with our children and their friends, visit with my neighbors, and just take deep breaths as we marshal the strength to make 2023 as impactful as it needs to be. Read more

 

How I voted; High note: Thank you to the voters and election workers!

(Nov 18, 2022)

A lot happened on this year's final House Session days. Here's how I voted. Read more

 

PLBC installs officers for 2023-24 session

(Nov 17, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 17 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus this week installed officers to serve in the 2023-24 legislative session, according to Chairwoman Donna Bullock, D-Phila. “Officer selection is our first step in making sure the importance of our voices is heard in Harrisburg and across the commonwealth at what is a very critical time in Pennsylvania and this country,” Bullock said. “I feel confident that as a body we will have success in moving legislation that addresses the issues important to us, and we will work to that end with intention and purpose -- fighting for equity, inclusion and fairness.” The following members were installed as officers: Chairwoman, Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila. Vice Chairman, Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery Secretary, Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila. Treasurer, Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster Established as an official caucus in 1973, the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus was formed to empower Black legislators and to serve as an information and advocacy vehicle to advance the interests of Black, Latino and other Pennsylvanians of color. Many of the original members were afraid to meet in an open forum and had previously met in secret to establish a shared legislative agenda. Read more

 

Montgomery County House Dems Announce $3M in Funding for Mitzvah Circle

(Oct 31, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 31 – Pennsylvania House Democrats in Montgomery County presented a check for $3 million to Mitzvah Circle Foundation to expand its critical services delivering immediate needs to vulnerable families. In partnership with more than 300 local organizations, MCF provides donated and purchased goods such as clothing, shoes, diapers, toiletries, period supplies, housewares and more – including many items not covered by food stamps or other safety net programs – to individuals and families in need. Families who can’t obtain these critical items become entrenched deeper in crisis. By providing a full array of life's essentials, MCF helps families to begin to break the cycle of crisis and poverty. “Mitzvah Circle is honored to receive this funding. It allows us to continue serving the most vulnerable families in Montgomery County,” said Fran Held, founder and director of MCF. The Montgomery County legislators, including Sens. Amanda Cappelletti, Maria Collett, Art Haywood, Vincent Hughes and Katie Muth, as well as Reps. Matt Bradford, Tim Briggs, Joe Ciresi, Mary Jo Daley, Pam DeLissio, Nancy Guenst, Liz Hanbidge, Steve Malagari, Napoleon Nelson, Ben Sanchez, Melissa Shusterman, Greg Vitali, and Joe Webster, worked with the Wolf administration to help deliver the funds, which originate from American Rescue Plan Act funding. “Mitzvah Circle reaches into every corner of Montgomery County, and it Read more

 

Montgomery County House Democrats Announce $5.75M for Child Advocacy Center

(Oct 28, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Pennsylvania House Democrats in Montgomery County are congratulating the Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County for being awarded $5.75 million to build its Child Advocacy and Training Center. In a joint letter to Gov. Tom Wolf, members of the Montgomery County House Democratic Delegation shared that “Child abuse is a growing public health crisis that requires urgent intervention and response. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue significantly, placing an intense strain on our community’s most vulnerable members. The child advocacy center model is an evidence-based approach that has been found to provide a faster healing process for the child, more fluid collaboration between all professionals, and more effective and streamlined investigations. By providing on-site medical and mental health services, the facility would also be removing barriers to make care more accessible and equitable, as well as improving overall physical and mental health outcomes for children and their caregivers.” The Montgomery County legislators, including Reps. Matt Bradford, Tim Briggs, Joe Ciresi, Mary Jo Daley, Pam DeLissio, Nancy Guenst, Liz Hanbidge, Steve Malagari, Napoleon Nelson, Ben Sanchez, Greg Vitali, and Joe Webster, worked with the Wolf administration to help deliver the funds, which originate from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program . Read more

 

Lend a helping shovel; Erdenheim Pet Parade; Your mail-in ballot is on the way; and more!

(Oct 26, 2022)

We’d like to introduce our new Constituent Services Advisor, Sharia Wallace. Read more

 

SEPTA Cards being Issued; Make a Plan to Vote

(Oct 14, 2022)

I want to open this weekly communication with a few short updates on items that I have been working on or that many of you have inquired about. Read more

 

$1 million awarded to Cheltenham Township to replace collapsed culvert; Trunk or Treat; Flu shot Clinics; and more!

(Oct 07, 2022)

It's possible you received another e-newsletter today from a state representative outside of the 154th Legislative District Read more

 

Cheltenham Township updates; Glenside Fire Company Open House; Star Wars and trivia -- and more!

(Sep 30, 2022)

n response to Governor Wolf’s PA Fights Dirty Campaign, we are proposing a fall litter pick-up campaign in our district for the weekend of October 28-30. Read more

 

Committee tours mine reclamation sites, learns about difficulties

(Sep 26, 2022)

“The process of cleaning up old mining sites left vacant because of bankruptcy is not only an issue in northeast Pennsylvania, but across our state and anywhere coal is mined,” said Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, who also chairs the bipartisan Emerging Technologies Caucus. Nelson hosted the tour and roundtable during the committee’s first of three days of tours and hearings in NEPA.“Finding realistic, pragmatic and safe solutions for turning scarred land and polluted streams into something that is economically and environmentally beneficial for our commonwealth is critical, and today we met some people who are dedicated to helping coal communities revitalize their economy.” Read more

 

How I voted; Red Cross Blood Drive next Friday; More than $175K awarded across district for trail, watershed projects; and more!

(Sep 23, 2022)

Krasner Resolution: I like to use this space to update you on votes taken that are of consequence, that reflect the true and bipartisan nature of our work in Harrisburg, as well as those votes that are likely controversial. Read more

 

How I voted; Red Cross Blood Drive next Friday; More than $175K awarded across district for trail, watershed projects; and more!

(Sep 23, 2022)

Krasner Resolution: I like to use this space to update you on votes taken that are of consequence, that reflect the true and bipartisan nature of our work in Harrisburg, as well as those votes that are likely controversial. Read more

 

Nelson: Upwards of $175K awarded across 154th Legislative District

(Sep 21, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Sept. 21 – State Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, announced that $176,000 in state funding has been awarded to support numerous trail and watershed restoration projects across the 154 th Legislative District. Funding was granted through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Nelson said $44,000 was awarded via the CFA’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program to Cheltenham Township for walkway and driveway improvements at Curtis Arboretum. Another $44,000 was awarded through the same program to Springfield Township for phase two of the Walnut Avenue Trail. Two additional $44,000 disbursements came by way of the CFA’s Watershed Restoration Protection Program, Nelson said. The first disbursement was awarded to Cheltenham Township for stream restoration at Robinson Park. The remaining funding was earmarked for the Whitemarsh Valley Country Club’s stream restoration and protection initiative. “Environmental upkeep and enhancements play a large role in helping our district thrive,” Nelson said. “So, it’s important we do everything possible to protect our local environment – greenways, trails and waterways – in order to leave a sustainable community and future for generations to come.” Read more

 

Cheltenham Township Police Open House is TONIGHT; Constituent Office Hours; Please Continue Conserving Water, DEP says

(Sep 16, 2022)

As always, I take seriously the responsibility of communicating with you all through these regular email communications. Receiving feedback and questions from residents makes this process all the more valuable and important. Read more

 

Office Closure, MLK Day Events, Library Updates and More!
Jan 13, 2023

PLBC statement on police incident in Lower Merion
Jan 10, 2023

Winter Donations, Library Updates, SEPTA Route Changes and More!
Jan 06, 2023

Nelson announces grants focused on traffic safety 
Jan 05, 2023

PLBC installs officers for 2023-24 session
Jan 05, 2023

Happy Holidays, Office Closure, Preparing for Winter Weather and More!
Dec 28, 2022

How I voted; High note: Thank you to the voters and election workers!
Nov 18, 2022

PLBC installs officers for 2023-24 session
Nov 17, 2022

Cast your ballot before the Nov. 8 election; LIHEAP is open; Camp Out for Hunger; and more!
Oct 31, 2022

Montgomery County House Dems Announce $3M in Funding for Mitzvah Circle
Oct 31, 2022

Montgomery County House Democrats Announce $5.75M for Child Advocacy Center
Oct 28, 2022

Lend a helping shovel; Erdenheim Pet Parade; Your mail-in ballot is on the way; and more!
Oct 26, 2022

SEPTA Cards being Issued; Make a Plan to Vote
Oct 14, 2022

$1 million awarded to Cheltenham Township to replace collapsed culvert; Trunk or Treat; Flu shot Clinics; and more!
Oct 07, 2022

Cheltenham Township updates; Glenside Fire Company Open House; Star Wars and trivia -- and more!
Sep 30, 2022

Committee tours mine reclamation sites, learns about difficulties
Sep 26, 2022

How I voted; Red Cross Blood Drive next Friday; More than $175K awarded across district for trail, watershed projects; and more!
Sep 23, 2022

How I voted; Red Cross Blood Drive next Friday; More than $175K awarded across district for trail, watershed projects; and more!
Sep 23, 2022

Nelson: Upwards of $175K awarded across 154th Legislative District
Sep 21, 2022

Cheltenham Township Police Open House is TONIGHT; Constituent Office Hours; Please Continue Conserving Water, DEP says
Sep 16, 2022