Dear Neighbor,
With today being the second to last day of Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to touch on the importance of accessible mental health care. Every 11 minutes, someone in America dies from suicide. If this crisis continues going unchecked, people will continue losing loved ones to deaths that are preventable.
I introduced a bill that would allow Pennsylvania to join the National Counseling Compact. This would make care more accessible, especially for residents who live near one of our five neighboring states already in the compact, as well as those who utilize telehealth. By joining the compact, the legislature can remove barriers to mental health care, that in some instances have cost Pennsylvanians their lives.
My legislation, House Bill 668, cleared the House Professional Licensure Committee with bipartisan, unanimous support – now we owe it to the people we represent to bring this bill to a full House vote.
Click here to read my full op-ed published in the Delco Times.
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Town hall next week
Join me for a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 5th, at 7 PM in the Parlor Room at Media Borough Hall.
This is your opportunity to ask questions, share your thoughts, and hear updates on the work I'm doing in Harrisburg.
Media Borough's Parlor Room
June 5th at 7 PM
Hope to see you there for a productive discussion!
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Rose Tree Media selected for Solar for Schools grant
Congratulations to Rose Tree Media School District on being awarded $229,833 through the Solar for Schools Grant Program!
This funding helps bring clean, renewable energy to our schools—cutting long-term costs and reducing our environmental impact. It’s a win for our students, our schools, and our entire community as we invest in a brighter, more sustainable future. ??????
Click here to read the full release.
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Veterans: How to apply for a vehicle registration fee waiver
A new state program allows Severely Disabled Veterans to forgo the fees for titling or registering one vehicle. To qualify, a veteran must have a 100% service-connected disability that has been certified by a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Administrator. These disabilities include:
- Lost a limb or eye or became partially paralyzed while serving;
- Was captured by the enemy in any armed conflict for which the U.S. Dept. of Defense authorizes a campaign medal, or;
- Has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor or the Purple Heart.
To apply, you must fill out form MV-371DV - Supplemental Application for Free or Reduced Registration Rates for Vets. Refer to this page on my website for instructions on how to complete this form.
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Local students invited to create art for Juneteenth celebration
Delaware County invites students to submit artwork for our 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration! As part of the festivities, selected student artwork that honors the spirit of Juneteenth will be showcased at the event, and some may appear in future county publications.
Any student from any public, private, charter, or home school in Delaware County is welcome to submit artwork. Here are the criteria:
- All pieces must be original.
- Can be digital or made with traditional supplies (paint, pencils, markers, etc.)
- Must include the phrase: “Delaware County's 2025 Juneteenth Celebration”
- One submission per student
Be sure to include student’s name, school, age, and contact phone number. The deadline is June 8. Digital submissions can be emailed to Juneteenth@co.delaware.pa.us and physical artwork can be mailed to:
Communications and Public Affairs Office
Government Center Building
201 W. Front Street, Suite 226A
Media, PA 19063
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??Put the Phone Down, PA
Starting June 5, 2025, it will be illegal to use a hand-held phone while driving in Pennsylvania—even when stopped at a red light or in traffic.
This is part of “Paul Miller’s Law,” passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Shapiro last year to make our roads safer.
??Hands-free use is still allowed for calls, GPS, and music.
??Emergency calls are always permitted.
??Enforcement begins with warnings in 2025 and citations starting June 6, 2026.
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Cleaning up a forgotten cemetery
I recently hosted my annual beautification event at Hayti Cemetery, replacing flags and picking up trash left behind. Thank you to the Marple American Legion for providing the new flags.
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Help Shape Swarthmore’s Future – SUBMISSIONS DUE TOMORROW
Tomorrow is the LAST day to send responses to Swarthmore’s draft recommendations as part of its comprehensive planning process, Imagine Swarthmore – Planning Our Future Together. Community members are invited to review the plan and share feedback by May 31, 2025. Input on topics such as regional partnerships and funding opportunities is especially welcome.
Imagine Swarthmore – Planning Our Future Together
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Better understanding challenges in women’s health
In recognition of Women’s Health Month, The Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs launched a survey to identify challenges and questions women have about their health insurance.
Click here to access the survey. It will be open until July 7 and is available online in English, Spanish and Chinese. Your input will be used to inform the administration and the legislature of the barriers Pennsylvanians face with health care and how we can work together to improve maternal health initiatives and women’s health care.
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Congratulations to one of Delco’s newest Eagle Scouts
Amaya from my team recently had the honor of attending the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Caleb Miller, where she proudly presented him with a citation to recognize his incredible achievement!
Caleb’s dedication, hard work, and perseverance have earned him this prestigious honor. Congratulations, Caleb, on reaching this momentous milestone! ?????
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Free financial aid webinars
Financial aid can be confusing and overwhelming for college students, but thankfully, free expert help is available from PHEAA. Check out these two webinars this month covering some frequently asked questions on how to cover tuition expenses and figuring out the right options that work best for you.
Learn more and register: https://www.pheaa.org/tools-resources/financial-aid-webinars.
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Upcoming Events
Dining Under the Stars
Weekly on Wednesdays, starting at 5pm
State Street in Media
Swarthmore Farmers Market
Weekly on Saturdays, 9 am to 12 pm
Swarthmore Borough Parking Lot
State Street Car Show
Sunday, June 1st, 12 pm to 3pm
State Street in Media
Swarthmore Pride Celebration
Sunday, June 1st, 1pm to 4pm
100 block of Park Avenue
Town Hall
Thursday, June 5th, 7pm
Media Borough Parlor Room
Pride Parade
Saturday, June 7th, 12pm
State Street in Media PA
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
217 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4090
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District Office
26 E. 4th St.
Media, PA 19063
(610) 544-9878
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