Happy “day before Parade Day” to all Eagles (and other fans) in the 168th!
What a weekend! I really think we all needed this win to help bring some light to this dreary, cold, snowy, icy, stretch we have been experiencing. Congratulations to our Eagles!
Since everyone would like to celebrate, I’ve made the decision to close my office tomorrow, and most of us will be found along the parade route cheering for our Birds!
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Over the past two weeks we have heard from many neighbors, organizations, schools, and government entities who are concerned about the information and activities coming out of Washington. Particularly people are concerned about the actions of an unelected billionaire who seems to have been provided unlimited and unfettered access to conduct a series of reckless actions which are continuing to have a dangerous impact on the residents of our commonwealth. The most significant is the freeze on the distribution of congressionally approved federal funding for programs and services supporting health, wellness, and safety.
This freeze is creating a significant sustained negative impact across our commonwealth. This concern led Governor Shapiro to file a lawsuit challenging the funding freeze as unconstitutional (details in a story below). As a state, we don’t have a lot of tools in our toolbox to change what is happening on the federal level, but this is an action we can take, and I commend the Governor for taking a stand against actions which have not been vetted and approved by Congress.
I want to thank everyone who has reached out. Please know I and my colleagues are keeping a close eye on the unfolding situation and continue to seek ways within our power to protect Pennsylvania’s best interests. For those who want to make their voices heard, I would recommend reaching out to our Senators Fetterman and McCormick and Congresswoman Scanlon to share your concerns.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. If you are headed to the parade, please stay safe and have fun! Go Birds!
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Harrisburg Update
- Gov. Shapiro sues Trump administration over federal funding freeze
- Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address
- Unanimous Support for Legislation
In the District
- Unclaimed Property Event
- Hi-Q at Marple Newtown
- Funding Projects in Radnor
- Celebrating Anna!
- Newtown Public Library Clothing Sale
Events
- PTRR event (2/25)
- School Supply Drive
- Real ID Info sessions
FYI
- Statewide PA LGBTQ Youth Listening Session
- 2025 Trout Season schedule
- AARP Tax Aide appointments at the Wayne Senior Center
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Governor Shapiro Sues the Trump Administration for Federal Funding Freeze
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Earlier today we learned that Governor Josh Shapiro filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to release at least $1.2 billion in federal funds that the governor's administration says are unlawfully held up by the president's executive actions. Many of those dollars were appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure, Inflation and Jobs Act.
Read his statement below, and learn more here:
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Reacting to Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address
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I was excited to hear Governor Shapiro use his budget address to call for action on my legislation to protect Pennsylvania’s hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors’ offices from predatory practices by private equity firms. Governor Shapiro illustrated it well when he said private equity firms are treating Pennsylvania like a piggy bank they can empty out and then smash on our floor. The governor was very clear when he said, “Pass the bills. Put them on my desk and stop letting private equity take advantage of our healthcare system and our fellow Pennsylvanians.”
The bill passed the House by a vote of 114-88 in July, but Senate Republican Leadership chose not to have the chamber consider it – so I am working with stakeholders to reintroduce similar legislation that can make it to the Governor’s desk.
I was excited to see the Governor support many of my other legislative priorities in his budget address as well. He called on the legislature to control costs for seniors by expanding healthcare cost transparency programs and investing in Area Agencies on Aging. He reinforced the need for cyber charter reform to save our school districts money and get Pennsylvania closer to our goal of quality public schools.
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Our legislature has been focusing on creating more attainable housing in the commonwealth. The Governor proposed investing $10 million to help first-time home buyers cover closing costs and staffing up the State Planning Board so it can help communities identify and get rid of red tape to be able to build attainable housing more quickly.
Last session our caucus also succeeded in taking steps to make childcare more affordable, but another facet of the problem persists: Pennsylvania has 3,000 unfilled jobs in childcare, but everybody – community organizations, chambers of commerce, leaders of both parties – agree that the jobs aren’t getting filled because they don’t offer a living wage or benefits. Too many young parents are forced to exit the workforce because they can’t find affordable childcare, and part of solving this problem is ensuring we have a well-paid childcare workforce.
I was also thrilled to hear that Gov. Shapiro wants to boost funding for fire departments. He called for three major steps to prioritize their needs: 1) Create a new, competitive funding stream of $30 million in grants in addition to the annual appropriations for fire companies, so they can purchase equipment, recruit and retain firefighters, and meet their unique needs. 2) Incentivize cooperation and create a pilot program to help municipal fire companies work together. 3) Cover annual cancer screenings for firefighters.
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Unanimous Support for Legislation in Committee
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Last week I had two pieces of legislation pass out of their respective committees with unanimous bipartisan support! HB60, approved by the House Health Committee, would allow your pharmacy to transfer your prescription to another pharmacy if they do not have your medication in stock. I had heard from several constituents about the challenges they faced getting their ADHD and other medications filled because of shortages. This bill seeks to streamline the process for both patients and providers!
The same day, the House Local Government Committee passed HB209, which would allow second class townships to make their ordinances effective immediately. This legislation was the brainchild of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Chair Leonard Altieri. He joined me at the Capitol to testify to the committee in support of the bill and brought fellow supervisor Paul Sanfrancesco. Always a treat to have guests from the district join me in Harrisburg!
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Unclaimed Property event recap
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While I was in Harrisburg last week, Team 168 was busy working with the Pennsylvania Treasury to help neighbors track down unclaimed property!
Thank you to the Newtown Public Library for hosting our Unclaimed Property Search program. With the help of Karen Carr, outreach specialist with Treasury, we were able to help residents search for and claim almost $4,000 in funds held by the Treasury. One neighbor came in to return some books and walked out being able to recover $800 she didn’t know she had!
Don’t wait for an event to find your long-lost funds. We can search for and help you claim these funds in our office any day during business hours.
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It was a showdown of talent from across the 168th! Last Friday, I had the opportunity to attend the Delco Hi-Q tournament featuring Marple Newtown, Radnor and the Delaware County Christian School. It was a hard-fought match with Marple Newtown High School coming out on top!
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Congratulations to all the team members! I am always so impressed by the incredible talent of our students in the 168th.
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Funding Projects in Radnor
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It is always exciting to come back to the place where I really learned about public service. It was so good to see the Radnor Township staff, police, and commissioners who taught me how to best serve the community. Earlier this week, I was thrilled to join the 168th's own Diana Marques from Senator Amanda Cappelletti's office to celebrate two significant state funding grants which will support two very important projects.
First up was $500,000 to support progress toward the township's commitment to sustainability. This will fund a project to add solar panels to the roof of the township building - not only good for the environment, but a great long-term cost-saving measure!
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Then, we were pleased to award over $826,000 in RACP funding to support renovations at the iconic Creutzburg Center - owned by the township but maintained and managed for decades by the fantastic Main Line School Night. These funds will support enhancements which also include making the building ADA accessible.
Senator Cappelletti and I are thrilled to help support the Radnor community and offer sincere congratulations to Township Manager Bill White, grant facilitator Melissa Conn, Township Engineer Steve Norcini, the Radnor Board of Commissioners as well as Rebecca Cain and Heather Bendit from Main Line School Night for executing such successful grant applications in a very competitive process!
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It's always so much fun to celebrate milestone birthdays in the 168th! This week we brought birthday greetings from the PA House of Representatives to beautiful Anna Burn in celebration of her 100th birthday!
I was honored to join her loving family and the residents of Truewood by Merrill, Glen Riddle in Middletown to honor this lovely lady. I was pleased to present a citation from myself, our Speaker Joanna McClinton, and Chief Clerk Brooke Wheeler. Happy birthday, Anna!
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Newtown Public Library Clothing Sale
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Next Friday (Feb. 21), the Newtown Public Library kicks off their first Gently Used Clothing Sale! I got a sneak preview of all the fabulous garments and accessories they will have available and am excited for the Sip and Shop event. You might even see a special guest behind the bar serving up some wine!
The sale begins Friday (2/21) with the Sip & Shop from 6 - 8 p.m., and continues Saturday (2/22) from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Most items are priced at $5.00; items in the Special Collection are individually priced. The last hour of the sale on Saturday is buy one, get one free!
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Statewide PA LGBTQ Youth Listening Session
The Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs has identified expanding protections for LGBTQ youth as a priority and will host LGBTQ Youth Listening sessions virtually on Tues., March 11 and Wed., March 19 from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. The commission would like to hear from youth about any issues that they are having in school or elsewhere in their lives.
This invitation is open to any Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ youth in middle and high school. The commission also encourages local organizations to host an in-person gathering so local youth can participate online as a small in-person group.
The commission would like to hear from youth about any issues that they are having in school or elsewhere in their lives.
This survey is for individual youth to indicate their interest; responding will result in an official invite with the Zoom link.
If you are part of a community group or center that would like to host a hybrid gathering, please fill out this survey.
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2025 Trout Season schedule
The 2025 trout season will open officially on Saturday, April 5. There will be a preview Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day on Sat., March 29. Click here for the entire 2025 schedule.
For Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day, youth under the age of 16 can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current fishing license and trout permit. Youth anglers must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit, or a voluntary youth fishing license.? Both are available online, through the Delaware County Treasurer’s office, or at a retail license issuing agent.
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AARP Tax Aide appointments available at Wayne Senior Center
AARP is now scheduling tax prep appointments at the Wayne Senior Center. This service is available to adults 50 years of age and older who are low to moderate income. You do not need to be an AARP member to receive tax aide assistance or a Wayne Senior Center member, it is open to all.
Wayne Senior Center members can call the Center directly at 610-688-6246 to make an appointment. Appointments are available on Wednesdays at 1:00 PM and 2:15 PM; and Fridays at 8:45 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:15 AM.
Non-members of Wayne Senior Center should call the appointment hotline at 484-380-5260 and leave a voicemail with your contact information. A local AARP volunteer will call you back.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2005
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District Office
24 S Newtown Street Rd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(484) 427-2884
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