July 12 e-mail: Bipartisan budget passed

(Jul 12, 2024)

The efforts of months-long negotiations came to fruition as the legislature passed the state’s annual budget and Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the main spending bill into law last night. Read more

 

Bill would ease debt and tax bills for student borrowers

(Jul 02, 2024)

HARRISBURG, July 2 – As Pennsylvania lawmakers work to finalize the state budget and tuition bills are hitting mailboxes for the fall semester, two state lawmakers are looking to provide needed financial relief to student borrowers. State Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, and Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., have introduced legislation ( H.B. 2476 ) that would exempt tuition reimbursement from the personal income tax, as well as codify that student loan forgiveness is not taxable income. According to the lawmakers, current and former college students in the U.S. have taken out approximately $1.75 trillion in student loans. Pennsylvania borrowers have an average of $39,375 in debt, making the state the third-highest average for student loan debt. The cost of both public and private four-year colleges has tripled since 1980, even when accounting for inflation, contributing to the need for students to take out more loans. “Pennsylvania is a state where borrowers struggle with student loans more than most,” O’Mara said. “It’s even more disheartening when they are handed a tax bill for what relief they do get from their employers in the form of tuition reimbursement. Students are constantly evaluating their career and financial paths to include ways to make college more affordable. When they find an employer who wants to help with those costs in exchange for getting a great employee, they shouldn’t be Read more

 

House lawmakers, families and advocates renew call for anti-bullying legislation in Pa.

(Jun 26, 2024)

HARRISBURG, June 26 – House lawmakers, families and advocates this week renewed their call to pass legislation that addresses anti-bullying policies in Pennsylvania schools. At a Capitol news conference on Monday, the family of Sammy Teusch, a child who was bullied at his school in Indiana and died by suicide on May 5, joined state Reps. Danilo Burgos and Joe Hohenstein, both D-Phila.; Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware; Kiria Cora, executive director of the Cora Foundation; and others to call upon the legislature to act on anti-bullying legislation. The legislation includes O’Mara’s House Bill 1293 , which would require schools to notify parents and legal guardians when their child is involved in or experiences bullying, and a comprehensive series of bills known as the Rights and Protections for All Students package, introduced by Hohenstein and others. The urgent plea follows a series of meetings with advocates and the families of victims of bulling – including the Teusch family. The lawmakers said increased bullying incidents have profound impacts on students’ mental health, academic performance and overall well-being. Burgos, who chairs the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus, urged for the passage these bills. “ Passing anti-bullying legislation to address and prevent bullying in schools is not about punishment but about prevention, Read more

 

June 14 e-mail: House passes landmark education funding reform bill

(Jun 14, 2024)

It’s budget month in Harrisburg, and as negotiations continue, the House did pass one bill to deliver historic education funding that would benefit every student in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Pennsylvania Celebrates 45th Anniversary of Taiwan Relations Act

(Jun 05, 2024)

On Tuesday, State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara and fellow members of the bicameral Taiwan Caucuses marked the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. Read more

 

Rep. O’Mara and Taiwan Caucus chairs welcome Ambassador Lee from Taiwan to Harrisburg

(Jun 04, 2024)

“Pennsylvania’s partnership with Taiwan has brought immense economic, cultural and social benefits to both sides. As we commemorate the 45-year anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act and the adoption of House Resolution 439, we reaffirm our commitment to the values of democracy, mutual respect and shared success,” O’Mara said. Read more

 

May 31 e-mail: Legislation to support Pennsylvania women

(May 31, 2024)

Last week was another busy voting week in Harrisburg! The week included legislative wins for the PA Momnibus, thanks to the leadership of our fearless PA Black Maternal Health Caucus, including Delco’s own Rep. Gina Curry! Read more

 

Proposed Pennsylvania law would help first responders get post-traumatic stress care

(May 22, 2024)

“An average person sees three traumatic events in their lifetime. A first responder can see up to nine in one year,” said State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D). Read more

 

May 17 e-mail: Three of my bills passed the House!

(May 17, 2024)

Last week was one of my most productive weeks ever as a legislator. I had three bills pass out of the House and each now head to the Senate. The bills include House Bill 98, Equal Pay for All ... Read more

 

House passes O’Mara bill supporting first responders with PTSI

(May 08, 2024)

“My dad was a firefighter in Philadelphia – he was my hero – and he died by suicide in 2003. First responders are heroes, but they’re not superheroes," O'Mara said. Read more

 

Pa. House bill sets efficiency standards for new water fixtures, commercial appliances

(May 08, 2024)

Appliances sold in Pennsylvania would need to meet stricter efficiency standards under a measure passed by the state House. Read more

 

Bill would allow Pennsylvania first responders to file workers' compensation claims for post-traumatic stress injuries

(May 07, 2024)

Legislation nearing a full vote by Pennsylvania's House of Representatives would allow firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical services personnel to file workers' compensation claims for post-traumatic stress injuries. Read more

 

May 3 e-mail: Progress on two of my bills

(May 03, 2024)

I have fought for years in Harrisburg to decrease the mental health stigma and for emergency responders to have easy access to the care and tools that they need to effectively serve their communities. This week, I watched these values converge as my House Bill 1632 made progress within the legislature. Read more

 

Reps. O’Mara, Scott, Khan, and Mayor Tuerk call for passage of bill focusing on first responders’ mental health

(May 02, 2024)

“Access to mental health services should be readily available and strongly encouraged, particularly for first responders, who we rely on to keep us safe. This bill works toward that by making high-quality, consistent care more accessible following a PTSI diagnosis,” O'Mara said. Read more

 

Pa. House Dems advocate for ‘Infertility Awareness Week’

(May 01, 2024)

“Wanting to start a family but coping with infertility is a painful journey. It’s taxing physically, emotionally and financially. Couples can spend five to six figures on treatment, holding out hope after every injection, egg retrieval procedure, and embryo transfer, but results are never guaranteed,” O’Mara said. “Infertility doesn’t discriminate and could affect any Pennsylvanian. It’s important to show support to those struggling to conceive. I know from experience that a little bit of compassion and understanding can make a world of difference.” Read more

 

April 19 e-mail: VOTE on (or before) Tuesday

(Apr 19, 2024)

Election Day is Tuesday, April 23. To ensure you’re fully prepared to cast your ballot, you can find your polling place by visiting https://delcopa.gov/polls. Read more

 

April 5 e-mail: Request your mail-in ballot by April 16

(Apr 05, 2024)

The spring primary is right around the corner, so don’t let these important deadlines pass you by. Read more

 

O’Mara announces $725K in grants for local road improvements

(Mar 26, 2024)

“Multiple residents have brought up concerns regarding these roadways to my office, ranging from pedestrian safety to potholes and visibility issues,” O’Mara said. Read more

 

March 22 e-mail: 2024 Session begins!

(Mar 22, 2024)

In case you missed it, March is Women’s History Month. Throughout March, we honor the extraordinary achievements, resilience, and contributions of women who have shaped our world. Let's commit to supporting and uplifting one another. Read more

 

Exploring the connection between fertility treatment and reproductive freedom

(Mar 13, 2024)

Advocating for women's autonomy over their bodies involves supporting comprehensive reproductive health care. Read more

 

July 12 e-mail: Bipartisan budget passed
Jul 12, 2024

Bill would ease debt and tax bills for student borrowers
Jul 02, 2024

House lawmakers, families and advocates renew call for anti-bullying legislation in Pa.
Jun 26, 2024

June 14 e-mail: House passes landmark education funding reform bill
Jun 14, 2024

Pennsylvania Celebrates 45th Anniversary of Taiwan Relations Act
Jun 05, 2024

Rep. O’Mara and Taiwan Caucus chairs welcome Ambassador Lee from Taiwan to Harrisburg
Jun 04, 2024

May 31 e-mail: Legislation to support Pennsylvania women
May 31, 2024

Proposed Pennsylvania law would help first responders get post-traumatic stress care
May 22, 2024

May 17 e-mail: Three of my bills passed the House!
May 17, 2024

House passes O’Mara bill supporting first responders with PTSI
May 08, 2024

Pa. House bill sets efficiency standards for new water fixtures, commercial appliances
May 08, 2024

Bill would allow Pennsylvania first responders to file workers' compensation claims for post-traumatic stress injuries
May 07, 2024

May 3 e-mail: Progress on two of my bills
May 03, 2024

Reps. O’Mara, Scott, Khan, and Mayor Tuerk call for passage of bill focusing on first responders’ mental health
May 02, 2024

Pa. House Dems advocate for ‘Infertility Awareness Week’
May 01, 2024

April 19 e-mail: VOTE on (or before) Tuesday
Apr 19, 2024

April 5 e-mail: Request your mail-in ballot by April 16
Apr 05, 2024

O’Mara announces $725K in grants for local road improvements
Mar 26, 2024

March 22 e-mail: 2024 Session begins!
Mar 22, 2024

Exploring the connection between fertility treatment and reproductive freedom
Mar 13, 2024