E-Blast: Start of Budget Season, Transit Funding & More!

Rep. Melissa Shusterman June 18, 2025 | 2:07 PM

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Statement Thanking Law Enforcement

Please join me in extending gratitude and appreciation to the members of the multiple law enforcement agencies who worked quickly and professionally to investigate the individual who was charged with bringing an unlicensed firearm to West Chester on Saturday during the No Kings Rally; and who was charged yesterday for the use and concealment of explosive devices found at a residence in East Whiteland township. More details about the incident and ongoing investigation can be found via the Chester County District Attorney’s Facebook posts.

This was truly a joint effort with local, county, regional and national agencies effectively carrying out their duties to ensure the safety of our communities. Whether in the news or behind the scenes, law enforcement and our first responders are protecting us 24/7 and I am truly thankful for their service.

Whether it’s the recent news of a political assassination in Minnesota, or potential threats to our neighbors right here in Chester County, political violence should have no place in our society and must be resoundingly condemned. We should all be able to feel safe whether at home, school, work, out in public, or at our places of worship. Please join me in working towards more civil discourse and community-building, while condemning threats and all types of violence wherever they may occur.

It's Budget Season

It’s Budget Season in Harrisburg and my colleagues and I are working hard on a budget that will preserve our public transportation, build our roads and bridges, protect funding for public education and help the most vulnerable in our Commonwealth.

Transit Funding Update

Yesterday, my House colleagues and I voted YES on H.B. 1364 that delivers vital dollars to transit systems in all 67 counties in PA while also making record investments in rebuilding roads & bridges across the commonwealth – without raising taxes. This marks the 4th time in the last 2 years that my House colleagues and I have voted to adequately fund mass transit, which has included adequate funding for SEPTA. My House colleagues and I are continuing to fight for SEPTA funding this budget season. We continue to urge the state Senate to do their part.

RSVP for our Annual Veterans Barbeque!

Veterans and their families are invited to join me for a BBQ lunch-and-learn about state resources available for those who have served in our armed forces! Join us on Saturday, July 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wilson Farm Park Pavilion in Chesterbrook!

RSVP required! Reserve your spot by emailing RepShusterman@pahouse.net or by calling my office at (484) 200-8260!

Regulating Vape Products and Protecting Children

I was a prime sponsor of H.B. 1425 that passed out of the House this week. It will create a regulation process for vape products in our Commonwealth. For years, vape products have been unregulated in PA, and I’ve been concerned about these items being marketed to children without adequate oversight. This bill now moves on to the Senate.

Raising the Minimum Wage

I voted YES on a bill that passed the House to give hundreds of thousands of hard-working Pennsylvanians their first raise since 2009.

Every single state that surrounds Pennsylvania has already raised their wages. This plan recognizes the differences in cost of living between cities, suburbs, and rural areas of the commonwealth and sets pay standards accordingly.

But it’s not law yet. This bill now moves to the Senate.

Working to Keep Local Hospitals Open

I voted YES on a bill to ensure qualified, experienced, and competent health care operators are acting in good faith as they enter Pennsylvania’s health care marketplace.

Working for Women

This week I joined the Maternal Black Health Caucus to advocate for improving the policies that impact women during pregnancy and postpartum. I participated in a panel discussion and pointed out the need to advocate for women's voices and needs in all spaces of society. You can listen to my comments here.

Scam Alert

Beware of fake text messages claiming to be from PennDOT or the DMV and do not click on any links. These scams may try to steal your personal info.

PennDOT does NOT send texts about violations or fines. Report the text as a scam by forwarding the Scam Text to 7726 (which spells "SPAM"). This will help your wireless carrier block future scams. You can also report suspicious texts to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Mitzvah Circle Period Products Donation Drive

Mitzvah Circle’s Period Supply program provides free menstrual products to local libraries, prisons, community centers, colleges and more than 345 partner organizations. We’re proud to help them in their mission with our donation drive from July 1 to July 18!