Dear Neighbor,

I’m proud to be partnering with relatives of the late actor Marnie Schulenburg, best known for her Emmy-nominated role on “As The World Turns,” to advocate for a new law to require healthcare providers to be educated on a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. The proposal is dubbed “Marnie’s Law,” and we will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Monday in the state Capitol Rotunda about our efforts to enact it in PA. I will be joined by Marnie’s husband Zack Robidas, who’s a Pennsylvania native, and her father John Schulenburg.

Marnie Schulenburg died in 2002 of inflammatory breast cancer, or IBC, which is often misdiagnosed as mastitis. By the time IBC is finally diagnosed, it is often too late. Therefore, more education about IBC is needed to help the families who are forced to face this devastating disease.   

It’s also worth noting that we’re announcing our efforts during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time to start the push for “Marnie’s Law” in PA.

If you’re interested in learning more about “Marnie’s Law” or joining the advocacy group set up in her name, which is dubbed “Marnie's Army,” click here: Home - Marnie's Army.

You can view Monday’s news conference at this link.

I'm looking forward to my annual Senior Fair on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Springfield YMCA! Stop by to connect with resources, get your flu shot, sign up for a SEPTA senior pass, and more. I hope to see you there!

I was thrilled this week to help launch a new, bi-cameral caucus to focus on issues most important to children and families — the PA Kids and Families Caucus. We will be focusing on policy initiatives that support families who are trying to have kids, are expecting, or are raising young children. As a legislator and a mom of two young children, I understand the importance of these issues. Thank you to Rep. Aerion Abney, Sens. Nick Pisciottano and Amanda Cappelletti for joining forces with us to help get things done for PA kids and families.

I’m pleased to report that two local municipalities have been awarded more than $1 million in new grants to upgrade Cherry Street Park in Upper Providence and Jacobs Park in Morton. Upper Providence Township was awarded $895,500 for renovating Cherry Street Park’s pedestrian walkways and parking area, construction of a nature play area and stormwater management measures, installation of play equipment, ADA access, lighting, fencing and signage. Morton Borough was awarded $193,300 for renovating Jacobs Park’s basketball court, construction of pedestrian walkways, installation of play equipment, ADA access, landscaping and signage.

The grants come from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

I will be co-hosting a free shredding event with Sen. Tim Kearney this Saturday, Oct. 17, to help you safely dispose of papers and disks containing sensitive information. It will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Springfield Mall parking lot. It's a great way to protect your identity by ensuring documents don't fall into the wrong hands. You can also safely dispose of electronics and, with the Drug Take Back Van from D.A. Tanner Rouse's office, unused medications. Additionally, we'll be collecting nonperishable food for the Food Bank of Delaware County.

Due to construction at the Springfield Library, my weekly mobile office has moved to the Springfield YMCA. Every Tuesday, a member of my staff will be on site to help with any state-related issues from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Please check in with the front desk at the Springfield YMCA upon arrival. Appointments are highly encouraged.

Mail-in voting in PA is simple, safe, and secure. It’s one way that you can make your voice heard. The deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27, so there is still time to request one. Learn more by watching the video below or visiting www.vote.pa.gov.

My office is a drop-off site for the Delco Book Bank this fall as they collect children's books for Delco families who need them. You can drop off new and gently used children's books at my office at 26 E. 4th St. in Media anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Due to staff training, all County Assistance Offices, the PA DHS Customer Service Center, and the PA DHS Helpline will have delayed openings one day per week for the foreseeable future. These offices currently have a delayed opening to the public of 11 a.m. on Thursdays. Starting Nov. 5, they will have a delayed opening of 1 p.m. on Thursdays. This will not impact hours of operation on other days of the week.

Individuals can still submit an application or renewal, report a change, submit verification documents, and more anytime online at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS

SEPTA is hiring for more than 50 critical positions for a variety of roles across the authority, including vehicle equipment mechanics, elevator/escalator repair specialists, plumbers, engineers, occupational health specialists, and transit police officers. Employees earn competitive pay and great benefits including medical, dental, prescription, life insurance, and retirement plans.

You can learn more about careers at SEPTA and apply in the Careers section of the SEPTA website.

Sincerely,

District Office

26 E. 4th Street

Media, PA 19063-3042
(610) 544-9878

Pennsylvania State Capitol
217 Irvis Office Building

P.O. Box 202165

Harrisburg, PA 17120-2165
(717) 783-4090