O’Mara to host virtual town hall on problem gambling and gaming this week

(May 11, 2021)

SPRINGFIELD, May 11 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, will host a virtual town hall discussing problem gambling and gaming among teens and young adults this Thursday. This event will take place over Zoom and be livestreamed on O’Mara’s legislative Facebook page at 7 p.m. May 13. Those interested in attending must pre-register here: https://bit.ly/2RmCx0s . “Substance use disorders take many forms and do not discriminate,” O’Mara said. “Speakers from local organizations will go over the signs to look for in teens and young adults that could indicate problem gambling. We’ll also share tips on how to start difficult conversations and help loved ones move forward.” O’Mara will be joined by presenters from Springfield Cares, KeyStone Center and Holcomb Behavioral Health. For more information, call O’Mara’s office at (610) 544-9878. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (May 7): Are you prepared to vote on May 18?

(May 07, 2021)

We are less than two weeks away from the May 18 primary election. On the ballot, you’ll see four questions – three of which are state constitutional amendments. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 23): Updates from Delco to Harrisburg

(Apr 23, 2021)

Vaccine eligibility has officially expanded to every Pennsylvania resident 16 or older. Read more

 

O’Mara applauds $97K awarded to Morton Borough

(Apr 21, 2021)

MORTON, April 21 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced that Morton Borough received a $97,464 grant to retrofit the stormwater basin on County Lane. O’Mara said that the stormwater basin is no longer functional and poses a hazard due to its location behind a residential neighborhood. This grant will go toward the installation of a rain garden on Sycamore Avenue to help capture runoff from the site, and install a bioswale adjacent to the Morton Borough municipal complex woodlot on Sycamore Avenue. “Regulating stormwater runoff like this has the potential to greatly improve Darby Creek’s water quality. This is a worthwhile investment into both public safety and environmental preservation,” O’Mara said. “I’ve heard from dozens of Morton Borough residents impacted by the historic flooding over the last few summers, and I’m pleased to share that this funding will help address that.” Funding comes from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Watershed Restoration Protection Program . For more information, constituents can call O’Mara’s office at (610) 544-9878. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 9): Community Updates from Rep. O'Mara

(Apr 09, 2021)

I am very glad to share that Pennsylvania is finally making significant progress on our vaccine distribution. I’ve heard your frustrations and concerns over the last few months, and I’ve shared in the majority of them. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 26): Together, we will make it through

(Mar 26, 2021)

Since my last email to you, there have been two mass shootings in our country. They occurred within a week of one another. One targeted Asian-American women and the other took place inside a grocery store, and that assailant’s motive remains unclear. Read more

 

Watch Live @10AM: Equal Pay Day is March 24

(Mar 24, 2021)

March 24 marks the extra amount of time into the new year that women must work until in order to earn what a man made the previous year. Read more

 

Kim, O'Mara: Letter to members of Asian-American Pacific Islander communities

(Mar 17, 2021)

A letter penned by Reps. Kim and O'Mara to Members of Asian-American Pacific Islander Communities in light of the shootings in Atlanta. Read more

 

Shusterman, O’Mara, Bullock and Davis hosting virtual press conference on Equal Pay Day

(Mar 17, 2021)

HARRISBURG, March 17 -- State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, Jennifer O’Mara, Donna Bullock and Tina Davis will host a virtual news conference to discuss the gender wage gap and their legislation to help close it on Equal Pay Day, March 24. The public may livestream the event at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 24 by visiting PAHouse.com . “We’re going to talk about pay inequality on March 24 because this day marks how far into the year the average woman must work to earn what the average man earns in the previous year, regardless of experience or job type,” said Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery. “Equal Pay Day should be January 1 for everybody. Pay disparities among women, especially women of color whose Equal Pay Day does not come until later in the year, cause them to annually miss out on tens of thousands of dollars. It is long overdue that we close the gender wage gap.” “On average, a woman who works full-time in Pennsylvania earns 20% less than our commonwealth’s working men,” said O’Mara, D-Delaware. “It’s time that we discuss what contributes to this wage gap and how we can close it so Pennsylvania women can better support themselves and their families. Our commonwealth has not updated its equal pay law in half a century, so this is a topic we desperately need to revisit to ensure that working women are protected.” “I know women who were paid less than men while performing the same Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 12): The latest updates on Pennsylvania's vaccination strategy

(Mar 12, 2021)

I continue to hear from many of you who are frustrated with Pennsylvania’s vaccine rollout. Please know that I share your frustrations. I regularly attend meetings about how to improve vaccine accessibility, but nothing feels like it’s happening quickly enough. Read more

 

O’Mara announces $500,000 flood-management infrastructure grant

(Mar 08, 2021)

RADNOR, March 8 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, announced today that Radnor Township has received a $500,000 grant toward local flood mitigation efforts. The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and will contribute to Valley Run’s streambank stabilization and extending the culvert on Robinhood Road. O’Mara said extending the culvert would eliminate the potential for further erosion, which contributes to severe floods. The project also includes incorporation or relocation of the concrete-encased sewer main and downstream sewer lateral work. “I’ve heard from many Radnor residents about excessive flooding in this area, so I’m proud to help bring this money home and work toward a solution,” O’Mara said. “Securing this grant is a great example of how my office can help constituents address an array of issues that are not patently governmental. I am here to serve you and voice your concerns not just in the Capitol, but to also the dozens of state departments and agencies.” “Radnor’s neighborhoods have always been subject to flooding. Today, because of climate change, we’re suffering hundred-year floods two or even three times a year,” Jack Larkin said, president of the Radnor board of commissioners. “Cars are floating away. Homes are being destroyed. Radnor needs this grant badly in Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 26): Introducing the vaccine registry act

(Feb 26, 2021)

I know that many of you are still struggling to access the coronavirus vaccine. However, I want to share with you that hope is on the horizon. Earlier this week, Gov. Wolf shared that we hit a milestone regarding the vaccine rollout plan. Read more

 

Miss my latest Tele-Town Hall? Catch up on the discussion here!

(Feb 26, 2021)

Find out what your friends and neighbors had to say about vaccines, unemployment issues, school funding and much, much more. Read more

 

Rep. O'Mara's Feb. 2021 Newsletter

(Feb 24, 2021)

Rep. O'Mara's winter 2021 newsletter features a summary of bills O'Mara authored, how to apply for unemployment benefits, the coronavirus vaccine, helpful community resources and more. Read more

 

O’Mara reappointed to Public Higher Education Funding Commission

(Feb 23, 2021)

SPRINGFIELD, Feb. 23 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced her reappointment to the state legislature’s Public Higher Education Funding Commission. The purpose of the commission is to review and make recommendations related to higher education funding, affordability and effectiveness, administration, and operations. O’Mara, who also organized the House Student Debt Caucus, will help develop a higher education funding formula for the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities and four state-related universities, which are Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln universities. Funding for the 18 higher education institutions will be determined on a case-by-case basis considering factors such as goals for higher education, virtual learning needs, graduation, retention and enrollment rates, student debt and financial aid, and any other factors related to higher education and the distribution of funding. The General Assembly would then need to authorize the proposed funding formula. “I’m honored to be reappointed to this commission and re-evaluate what higher education institutions need most right now as we continue recovering from COVID-19,” O’Mara said. “We faced unchartered territory in the last year that created countless hurdles in our higher education system. As we begin crafting our annual budget in Harrisburg, I’ll be able to bring these issues to the forefront of the Read more

 

O’Mara announces telephone town hall for Feb. 25

(Feb 22, 2021)

SPRINGFIELD, Feb. 22 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, invites residents of the 165th Legislative District to participate in a telephone town hall at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb 25. Residents of the district will receive a call to their home phones around 7 p.m. that day. To “attend” the meeting, people will be asked to stay on the phone. Anyone wanting to make sure they receive the phone call, or to register a cellphone, can register at https://tthm.wufoo.com/forms/register-for-rep-jennifer-omaras-teletownhall/ . The meeting will include discussion of issues of importance in the state and district, such as the coronavirus vaccine, revitalizing Pennsylvania’s economy, education and more. People can listen in and ask questions or leave feedback when the meeting has ended. Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing RepOMara@pahouse.net . “A telephone town hall is a great way to connect with as many residents as possible in a safe, accessible way,” O’Mara said. “I look forward to hearing from constituents and addressing some of our community’s top concerns as we continue battling COVID-19.” For more information, call O’Mara’s office at (610) 544-9878. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (Jan. 28): Important PEUC, PUA and vaccine information

(Jan 28, 2021)

Between COVID-19 vaccine distribution and Delaware County establishing its own health department, my office has recently been receiving several questions centered around the pandemic. Read more

 

O’Mara appointed to Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency board

(Jan 21, 2021)

SPRINGFIELD, Jan. 21 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced that she will serve as a member of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency board of directors. “Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation for highest student loan debt, with graduates owing an average of $38,000,” O’Mara said. “Receiving an education in Pennsylvania forces borrowers to postpone major life decisions such as buying a home or getting married because of the skyrocketing costs. If we don’t address the student debt crisis, our commonwealth’s professional workforce will gradually dwindle.” As a founder of the bipartisan Student Debt Caucus, O’Mara said that finding solutions to Pennsylvanians’ rising student debt balance is among her top priorities as a legislator. She added that mounting student debt could impact not only the borrowers’ finances, but also the finances of their families, partners and grandparents. “Working with PHEAA will put me in a better position to understand factors that contribute to Pennsylvania’s student debt crisis. I’m looking forward to using this experience to help me draft legislation with other members of the Student Debt Caucus to benefit past, present and future borrowers,” O’Mara said. O’Mara’s appointment will last until June 30, 2021. She will attend her first board meeting today. Anyone who needs more Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (Jan. 15): Calling for unity in 2021

(Jan 19, 2021)

The last two weeks kicked off the beginning of a new legislative session. On January 5, I was sworn in for my second term serving you. Read more

 

O’Mara applauds $3.2 million in COVID-19 relief for three area school districts

(Jan 19, 2021)

SPRINGFIELD, Jan. 19 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced that three public schools in her legislative district received federal stimulus funds to help offset the financial impact of COVID-19. Stimulus funds will support food programs, technological improvements and other education services. Funding will be distributed as follows: Marple Newtown SD: $913,628. Radnor Township SD: $1.85 million. Springfield SD: $511,410. “We’re almost one year into the COVID-19 public health crisis and it remains unclear how long students will continue to learn under a hybrid plan. As school districts, the legislature and Department of Health continue working on safely getting students back into the classroom full-time, this funding will help students of all ages stay on track this academic year.” O’Mara said. “My office also receives countless calls from individuals having issues with unemployment, so I know families throughout the community will sincerely appreciate the continuation of these schools’ food programs.” The federal relief is provided by the bipartisan Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund passed by Congress in December. This round of funding included $2.2 billion in funding distributed to K-12 school districts and charter schools throughout the commonwealth Read more

 

O’Mara to host virtual town hall on problem gambling and gaming this week
May 11, 2021

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (May 7): Are you prepared to vote on May 18?
May 07, 2021

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 23): Updates from Delco to Harrisburg
Apr 23, 2021

O’Mara applauds $97K awarded to Morton Borough
Apr 21, 2021

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 9): Community Updates from Rep. O'Mara
Apr 09, 2021

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 26): Together, we will make it through
Mar 26, 2021

Watch Live @10AM: Equal Pay Day is March 24
Mar 24, 2021

Kim, O'Mara: Letter to members of Asian-American Pacific Islander communities
Mar 17, 2021

Shusterman, O’Mara, Bullock and Davis hosting virtual press conference on Equal Pay Day
Mar 17, 2021

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 12): The latest updates on Pennsylvania's vaccination strategy
Mar 12, 2021

O’Mara announces $500,000 flood-management infrastructure grant
Mar 08, 2021

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 26): Introducing the vaccine registry act
Feb 26, 2021

Miss my latest Tele-Town Hall? Catch up on the discussion here!
Feb 26, 2021

Rep. O'Mara's Feb. 2021 Newsletter
Feb 24, 2021

O’Mara reappointed to Public Higher Education Funding Commission
Feb 23, 2021

O’Mara announces telephone town hall for Feb. 25
Feb 22, 2021

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (Jan. 28): Important PEUC, PUA and vaccine information
Jan 28, 2021

O’Mara appointed to Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency board
Jan 21, 2021

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (Jan. 15): Calling for unity in 2021
Jan 19, 2021

O’Mara applauds $3.2 million in COVID-19 relief for three area school districts
Jan 19, 2021