District Deliberations: October Edition

Rep. Chris Pielli October 31, 2025 | 2:30 PM

PA Representative Christopher Pielli banner image

Hi Folks,

We hope this October edition of District Deliberations finds you all doing well. Halloween – the season of ghouls, ghosts and goblins, is upon us leaving us to wonder if there will be more tricks than treats coming out of Washington and Harrisburg as we continue without a State and Federal budget. No pun intended but this is getting extremely scary for all hard-working families who face devastating cuts to their SNAP benefits, delays in their LIHEAP grant applications, and severe increases in their monthly health care premiums. Keeping with the Halloween spirit Professor Dumbledore of Harry Potter lore once said, “It's our choices, more than anything, that show who we really are.” Let’s talk about the choices some of our elected officials have made.

The federal government funds SNAP. PA administers it to over 2 million Pennsylvanians including 2,520 people in our District. The federal government has over $6 billion dollars in a contingency fund created just for this type of budget shutdown situation. However, Trump has made his choice clear. He will use hunger as a bargaining chip and has ordered that there will be no payments made from this fund even though millions of Americans will be going hungry starting Nov. 1.

The choice I and my fellow PA House Democrats made is a bill (H.B. 2004- see below) that will withdraw money from our PA rainy day fund, because folks, it’s raining hard, and fund SNAP for our residents. Please know that PA has never funded SNAP and probably will never get refunded from the federal government after the budget impasse. But it is the right choice.

Thanks to the big “beautiful” bill, health care premiums for all affordable care act recipients will increase drastically forcing millions of fellow Americans to drop their insurance altogether - all to fund major tax cuts to billionaires. That is a telling choice. Of the 496,000 Pennsylvanians currently enrolled in Pennie, 90% would face significant monthly premium increases. These people cannot afford to pay more for anything thanks to the continued inflation accelerated by tariffs and the lack of pay keeping pace with rising costs. (We still have the lowest minimum wage in the Country - $7.25) Yet, the choice was made and there are those that have chosen not to roll over and play dead but instead defend those who are the most vulnerable, because as Prof. Dumbledore also said, “We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.”

More tricks - as we enter the winter season, applications for LIHEAP grants relied upon by so many working families who can’t afford to heat their own homes, are being held up during the federal budget impasse. Again, the Republican controlled Senate and House could pass proposed legislation to continue funding this important program, but they won’t. 346,000 Pennsylvanians received LIHEAP benefits in the 2024-25 Heating Season - including 6,000 households in our district. My colleagues in the House can’t solve the federal budget impasse but what we choose to do under the leadership of Chairman of Appropriation Committee, Rep. Jordan Harris, is to lobby both PGW and PECO and they agreed to suspend utility cutoffs for low-income households starting on Nov. 1. (See Below)

All of this because we believe fellow Pennsylvanians shouldn’t go hungry, sick, or freeze in their own homes. These are the choices we make. And they show who we really are.

This issue of District Deliberations features the Hometown Heroes of the month, all of our Super Seniors at the West Chester Senior Center who joined the 90-year-old and over club, and the Community Warehouse Project of Chester County who collect and redistribute donated furniture and other household items to folks in need throughout Chester County. We also have the latest updates on my sponsored legislation to include House passage of H.B. 441 that protects our insects and important pollinators, and introduction of H.B. 1968- Holding ICE Accountable for Illegal Search and Seizure Practices, fighting higher utility costs with H.B. 1971 – Plug-in Solar Legislation, and Protecting Animals from Cruelty with H.B. 1930, 1932, &1933.

In addition, we have information on how we are fighting for continued SNAP and LIHEAP benefits for our citizens, my gratitude to the West Chester Green Team for receiving the Environmental Leader of the year award, a State Budget impasse update, and honoring the legacy of one of West Chester’s greatest – Stan Zukin and His Family. We also have Election Day information, and of course, the wise whelps of wisdom from our official mascot, Penny the Pup.

Folks, as always, we thank you for the opportunity to serve you and look forward to any questions or concerns you may have. Until our next issue, Stay Well, Stay safe, and Stay Strong.

PA Representative Christopher Pielli's signature image

Chris Pielli
Pennsylvania State Representative House District 156

Hometown Heroes

This October, our Hometown Heroes are the Community Warehouse Project and the 90th and older October Birthday Celebrants at West Chester Senior Center.

October Birthday Celebrants at West Chester Senior Center

This month, our Individual Hometown Heroes are all of the senior citizens in our community who have joined the 90 and over club, or, in a few cases, the over 100 club!

This month, I had the pleasure of joining some of these folks for an October birthday luncheon at the West Chester Senior Center and even had the honor of presenting them with certificates of recognition in celebration of their significant milestones. As we all know, the seniors in our West Chester community have a lot to offer and teach us, keeping in mind everything they’ve witnessed – the rise of modern technology, global transformations, and the evolution of society. They’ve lived through wars, celebrated peace, seen revolutions in communication, and adapted to the digital age. Yet, despite these vast changes, what remains consistent is the strength of the human spirit.

Their journeys are not just about longevity, but about thriving, about creating, and about continuing to inspire those of us who are fortunate to know them. They remind us all that age is not a limit – it’s an accomplishment, a badge of honor for the experiences gathered and the wisdom shared. They are living proof that life continues to offer joy, connection, and growth at every stage.

For all of those reasons and more, congratulations to those of you in our community who have reached your ninth or 10th decade of life on not just reaching such a distinguished age, but for being this month’s Hometown Heroes!

The Community Warehouse Project

This month, our Hometown Heroes are the fantastic staff and volunteers at Community Warehouse Project of Chester County. This local nonprofit works in tandem with caseworkers to collect and redistribute donated furniture and other household items to individuals and families in need throughout Chester County.

Founded by CEO, Executive Director, and Board Member Glenda Brion, who started the Community Warehouse Project to meet the urgent need for a furniture bank in Chester County, helping families and veterans transitioning from homelessness who lack furniture or the resources to buy it.

From 2024 to 2025, the Community Warehouse Project of Chester County provided furniture for:

496 Households
682 Adults
546 Children
136 Veterans

Last week, I had the honor of meeting with the Community Warehouse Project of Chester County staff during a tour of their warehouse. I was amazed by the quality of the furniture collected and the volunteer force that runs this organization. Through conversations with Glenda Brion, I learned how many people are provided for with the utmost care and consideration from their dedicated staff. That is why I have the pleasure of naming the Community Warehouse Project of Chester County this month’s Hometown Hero organization!

To learn more about the Community Warehouse Project of Chester County and how to help, visit the link here.

HB 1968 – Holding ICE Accountable for Illegal Search and Seizure Practices

For centuries, both our U.S. and Pennsylvania Constitutions have guaranteed our privacy and security against unlawful searches and seizures. Recently, ICE has chosen to push the bounds of these fundamental American rights by making warrantless and often violent arrests and detainment of individuals who are Legal Residents and/or U.S. citizens. Even though some of these residents have been carrying valid identification, they have been unlawfully detained and held in immigration detention centers often for days, some suffering conditions described as “punitive,” “grossly overcrowded” and “dungeon-like.”

In response, I have introduced a bill (House Bill 1968) that would create a cause of action against anyone, whether or not acting under the color of law, who interferes with a person’s rights through unlawful detention, violence, threat, intimidation, or coercion. The eyes of history are upon us as to whether we will continue to defend our sacred rights and liberties. As state lawmakers, we have a duty to protect Pennsylvanians from illegal and violent overreach by any government officials now, just as we did over two centuries ago.

I look forward to my colleagues’ support of this legislation.

HB 1971 – Plug-in Solar Legislation

This month, I held a Press Conference about my Plug-In Solar Bill, House Bill 1971. This bill takes a proactive approach to expanding plug-in solar opportunities across PA. Plug-in solar panels are small, affordable, and easy to fit. You simply plug them into a standard household outlet and start generating some of the energy you use every day. Most importantly, they make solar energy accessible to everyone - not just homeowners with big roofs and deep pockets, but also renters, apartment dwellers, and families in every kind of home.

The legislation would require all systems to meet the highest national safety standards and would eliminate the requirement to obtain an interconnection agreement and would prohibit electric distribution companies from imposing fees on systems that have obtained national safety certifications.

Thank you to State Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Mark Gillen for joining me and for their bipartisan support of HB 1971.

For More Info on HB 1971: https://www.pahouse.net/Pielli/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=140820

HB 441 -- Wild Resource Conservation

My House Bill 441 was passed by the House of Representatives and is now on its way to the Senate!

HB 441 would ensure that Pennsylvania’s native insects – such as the monarch butterfly – are protected under our Wild Resource Conservation Act. This would ensure their populations are monitored, and their habitats are protected. Currently, no state agency has authority over terrestrial insects and other pollinators.

While bugs may seem insignificant, they are a vital part of our ecosystem. Pollinators are responsible for contributing over $250 million dollars to our agricultural industry. Without biodiversity, Pennsylvania’s environment would collapse. Protecting our native insect species is essential for human welfare.

I hope that our State Senators will see the need for this legislation and that they will work to pass this bill to protect insects and pollinators and uphold our constitutional right to the preservation of natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic values of the environment.

For more information on how my legislation would help preserve Pennsylvania's wildlife: https://www.pahouse.net/Pielli/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=140518

I voted YES on Animal Protection Legislation – 3 Bills Passed by Judiciary Committee

I voted YES to move three bills out of the House Judiciary Committee that would protect our pets and animals from cruelty across the Commonwealth.

Joining me in the group photo are animal rights advocates and Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Tim Briggs -- and "Beanie Baby," a pup who was up for adoption through the York County SPCA.

? House Bill 1930 -- Increased Penalties for Repeat Offenders of Animal Cruelty

? House Bill 1932 -- Penalties for Sexual Crimes against Animals

? House Bill 1933 -- Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Animal Cruelty

Ongoing State Budget Impasse

We’re now at 122 days without a state budget, and despite so many Pennsylvanians feeling the pain, PA Senate Republicans still refuse to hold a vote on the three responsible budgets we have sent them. The most frustrating thing about this is that we know if the PA Senate Republican leadership would put our budget plan up for a vote, we would have enough bi-partisan support to get it passed. That's not governing. That's putting politics over people.

My colleagues in the House and I have worked hard on passing a budget that is fair, bipartisan, and addresses critical needs in our state without raising a penny in taxes. We’re talking about funding schools, healthcare, small businesses, and the safety of our communities.

It’s past time for the PA Senate GOP to stop playing politics and start doing their jobs. Every day of delay means lost opportunities for our students, our local economies, and families who depend on essential services. The PA House has done its part by compromising and passing three responsible and compassionate budget plans that invest in Pennsylvania’s future without burdening taxpayers. The PA Senate has failed to move. Pennsylvanians deserve a government that works as hard for them as they work for their families.

As such, I urge you to call AND email the PA Republican Senate leaders listed below:

Joe Pittman (Republican) – PA Senate Majority Leader

717-787-8724

jpittman@pasen.gov

Judy Ward (Republican) – PA Senate President

717-787-6063

jward@pasen.gov

Emergency Legislation to Fund SNAP in Pennsylvania

I have co-sponsored emergency legislation, House Bill 2004, to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while the federal government remains shut down.

The federal government will halt SNAP payments to nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians beginning November 1, 2025. This is a catastrophe for working families. Approximately 713,000 children and 697,000 older adults depend on SNAP to help them purchase their groceries every month. While the Trump Administration is abandoning vulnerable Pennsylvanians, PA House Democrats are doing everything we can to ensure that families, children, veterans, and older adults have access to the food they need immediately. No one should go hungry in Pennsylvania.

House Bill 2004 would take unprecedented action to fund SNAP through the state treasury while the shutdown persists. The monthly cost of Pennsylvania's SNAP payments is estimated to be $366 million. Our Department of Human Services can provide these monthly SNAP payments in place of the federal government so that the families who rely on them can afford groceries. This bill is a hopeful step, and we are doing everything we can to get it passed as quickly as possible. However, it is shameful that this bill is even necessary. Regardless of who has been in power, we have always been able to depend on the federal government for this funding, but that is no longer the case.

This didn’t have to be this way. Even with this shutdown ongoing, the lapse in funding for SNAP was not inevitable. The Dept. of Agriculture has $6 billion dollars in an emergency fund just for times like these, but the Trump Administration refuses to release. Donald Trump and the Republican Congressional leadership are choosing to allow millions of working people to go hungry as leverage in budget negotiations. That’s not governing. That’s just hurting millions of fellow Americans.

Here in Pennsylvania, my Democratic colleagues and I will continue to fight for every American's right to food. I strongly urge my Republican colleagues in our state legislature to work with us in this desperate hour. Millions of Pennsylvanians are counting on you.

Shutdown delays LIHEAP- State Rep. Harris, PGW & PECO step in to suspend shutoffs.

Pennsylvania House Appropriations Chairman Democrat Jordan Harris has been working in tandem with Philadelphia’s utility providers to ensure residents are connected to the programs that can help them manage their utility bills during the federal government shutdown.

Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) and PECO are taking steps to support vulnerable households by connecting eligible customers to existing utility assistance programs, as the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) remains delayed due to the federal government shutdown.

Chairman Harris is also urging PECO customers to enroll in the utility’s existing Customer Assistance Program (CAP) and apply for the Customer Relief Fund. Customers can find additional assistance programs at peco.com/help.

Beginning November 1, PECO will not disconnect service for residential customers who have been confirmed by PECO as low-income. PECO does not disconnect service for verified residential customers at or below 250 percent FPL from December 1 through March 31.

Thank you, Chairman Harris, for fighting for the citizens of Pennsylvania.

Limerick Power Plant Tour

Earlier this month, I was very grateful for the informative tour of the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant. As a Member of the Consumer Protection Committee, the Energy Committee, and the Nuclear Caucus, I'm eager to stay informed about this reliable clean energy source, especially as Pennsylvania needs more affordable electricity generation to offset increased demand and costs. During the tour, we learned how the Limerick facility is planning to help address the energy needs of every Pennsylvanian. Thank you to the entire Limerick staff for their time and hard work putting this all together.

Honoring the Legacy of Stan Zukin and His Family

This week, I had the honor of presenting the Zukin family with a citation recognizing the legacy of their father, Stanford Roland Zukin, as they named Zukin Way — the 100 block of Walnut Street in West Chester Borough.

Mr. Zukin began his career as a local pharmacist and, alongside his twin brother Ron, purchased Thatcher’s Pharmacy in 1964, establishing a cornerstone business in downtown West Chester. His connection to the Borough soon grew into a passion for revitalization and historic preservation.

In the early 1990s, Mr. Zukin retired from pharmacy to focus on real estate development. At a time when downtown West Chester faced high vacancy rates and economic uncertainty, he founded Zukin Realty, partnering with local banks to restore struggling properties and preserve the Borough’s architectural heritage.

In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, the West Chester Borough Council has dedicated the 100 block of North Walnut Street as “Zukin Way," a lasting tribute to his impact on the Borough’s growth, preservation, and spirit.

Thank you to the Zukin family for all that you have done and continue to do for the Borough of West Chester.

Environmental Leadership Award from West Chester Green Team

Earlier this month, I was the recipient of the Environmental Leadership Award from the West Chester Green Team, a civic organization that works to educate the public about green initiatives in the community in harmony with nature and each other while promoting the health of all living things on planet Earth.

Each year, the West Chester Green Team gives the award to legislators or other community leaders for their work in protecting and promoting the health of the environment. Last year, state Sen. Carolyn Comitta, D-Chester, received the award for her legislation on protecting Pennsylvania’s state insect, the firefly.

I am very pleased and humbled to receive this award working on the important issue of light pollution with my bill, House Bill 969. The detrimental effects of light pollution extend beyond an artificial skyglow to adverse effects on the health of both humans and other living organisms.

These adverse effects include a disruption of our natural circadian rhythm, as well as an increase in the risk of developing breast and prostate cancer. Artificial light has also been known to interfere with a variety of wildlife behaviors, such as confusing young sea turtles into walking toward shorelines instead of the ocean upon hatching and disorienting birds during migration, resulting in detours, energy drain and collisions with illuminated structures.

Q: I want to vote in person at the polls on Tuesday, November 4 for the Municipal Election. However, I’m not sure where my polling place is. How can I find out?

A: Your polling place is determined by your address of voter registration. It’s too late to change your voter registration for the upcoming election on November 4, 2025, so you’ll need to vote at the polling place on current registration record.

To find your polling place, please complete the official online form on the PA Department of State website HERE: Polling Place Information