Holding data centers accountable and setting the record straight on the EITC

Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara June 27, 2026

PA Representative Jennifer O'Mara's banner image

Dear Neighbor,

Across Delco and Pennsylvania, residents want protections from data centers, and House Democrats are holding data centers accountable. This week I was proud to support three more bills that passed the House to deliver real-world regulation of data centers:

House Bill 2496 would allow municipalities the option to put a 180-day pause on all data center applications while they develop the proper ordinances and protections for their community.
House Bill 2650 would establish strict, enforceable guidelines to ensure that any developer seeking tax incentives for data center equipment in PA meets strong standards that protect Pennsylvanians.
House Bill 2198, would end the sales tax exemption for data centers, requiring companies to pay their fair share and take the burdens off of Pennsylvania’s taxpayers.

These bills are the latest in House Democrats’ data center oversight package—which so far has languished in the Republican-controlled Senate. I’m urging the Senate to act on these bills to give Pennsylvanians the protections we deserve.

We also passed House Bill 2632, which thousands of Pennsylvanians received a text about. The information in that text is inaccurate, and I want to clarify what this bill does and why I support it.

This bill does not eliminate a single scholarship for a disadvantaged student. Instead, it expands access by allowing EITC funds to go to high demand pre-K and early childhood education programs offered through approved Educational Improvement Organizations. It also establishes basic reporting requirements, so we can see exactly where those dollars go.

Right now, Pennsylvania diverts $680 million in taxpayer funds every year into private school scholarships with almost no transparency. We do not know which corporations are taking the tax breaks, which schools receive the funding, which students benefit, or whether the program is effectively serving low-income students. This bill will rectify that.

I appreciate all of my constituents who've reached out to me about this bill and I hope this reassures you all that my colleagues and I did not vote to take away any funding from EITC or to end the program. Instead, it asks for basic information that we can use to assess how we can best support the EITC program moving forward.

Rallying for the Family Care Act

This week I joined the grassroots organization Mother Forward, as well as moms and children from across the state, urging the state Senate to pass The Family Care Act, my legislation which would offer paid leave in Pennsylvania. I’m fighting for this bill to ensure that workers don’t have to choose between their job and their family’s well-being after the birth of a child or during a serious illness.

While federal law provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family and medical reasons, paid leave remains elusive for many Pennsylvanians. My bill would bring Pennsylvania in line with more than a dozen other states that offer paid leave. It supports both working families and the small businesses that can’t afford to offer this benefit to their employees.

You can watch my remarks here.

Studying e-scooter legislation in the House

Last week, the House Transportation Committee held a hearing around e-scooters and legislation that would allow for municipalities to choose to put in place an e-scooter sharing program. Right now, e-scooters are legal to sell but illegal to ride on any public right of way in Pennsylvania. This creates a challenging scenario where there are no regulations around age limitations for users, helmets, speed limits, and other safety measures.

Our community here in Delco has particularly seen the tragedy, with last week marking one year since a 12-year-old Ridley Township girl, Abby, tragically died following an e-scooter accident. I'm grateful for the work that Senator Kearney has done on legislation in the Senate and I look forward to trying to include similar language in any bill that legalizes e-scooters in the House.

You can read more about the hearing here and watch it here.

Let’s celebrate July 4th in Delco!

Next Saturday is July 4 and there is plenty to do locally to celebrate 250 years!

Swarthmore Independence Day Event: 8:30 am - 1 pm, Park Avenue
Springfield Township Parade: 9 am, Springfield HS to Veterans Memorial Park
Marple Newtown Parade: 10 am, St. Alban's Circle to Broomall Fire Company
Media Borough's 4th of July Celebration: 10 am - 12 pm, Barrall Community Park
America's 250th Birthday Celebration: 1 pm - 4 pm, Rose Tree Park
Delco Historical Society Open House Festival: 5 pm - 10 pm, 9 W. Front St. Media, with fireworks at 9:30 pm

Celebrating Juneteenth in Delco

Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending two Juneteenth events—the county's annual celebration at Rose Tree Park and the Historically Black Neighborhood of Swarthmore's celebration at Wesley AME. I was reminded that we must march on until victory is won—together with purpose and conviction—to help live out the promise of what America can be.

House Fellowship Program accepting applications for fall 2026

The PA House Fellowship Program is accepting applications from eligible Pennsylvania college students for the Fall 2026 semester. Fellows work in committees or leadership offices at the state Capitol. The program provides compensation and may also offer college credit. Eligible applicants include college juniors, seniors, graduate students, or law students with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Applications are due by July 1.

Visit this page to learn more.

Hunting licenses are on sale now

General hunting licenses in Pennsylvania went on sale this week, while antlerless license sales also opened for residents.

Residents are guaranteed an antlerless license for any WMU if purchased before July 13, when the first round of sales opens to nonresidents. One antlerless license can be purchased per round in the first three rounds.

You can purchase licenses online at huntfish.pa.gov or in person at an issuing agent.

Welcoming my interns to the Capitol

I was excited to welcome my summer interns to the House chamber last week in Harrisburg! Please join me in welcoming Lucas, Olivia, and Archer to my office for the summer. I am looking forward to working with them and appreciate their willingness to work so hard to benefit our community.

Holiday office hours

In observance of Independence Day, our office will be closed on Friday, July 3, and reopen on Monday, July 6. Have a safe and enjoyable July 4weekend!