Happy summer Friday to my neighbors of the 168th!
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It's June! Marie, Kate, Mary Ann, Alex, Sami and I want to wish heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates of the 168th! I know the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of college graduations, and now we are in the throes of all the high school graduations.
We are fortunate to have so many incredible schools in our district. To all the students of the 168th, we wish you much success as you move on to the next chapter, and if there is anything we can do to support you, please stop by my office!
June is a really busy month in Harrisburg. The budget looms large over all legislative priorities, and we are working hard to ensure we craft a spending plan to enhance state services, protect health care access, and ensure full SEPTA services. I want to thank all the townships, school districts, and local non-profits who worked quickly with Marie to make sure we could include capital project submissions for the RCAP itemization list. It is good to get these requests positioned for future considerations when the projects are ready to go and matching funds are secured.
In addition to the budget, we're moving a lot of legislation. This past week, my bill that would give the PA Attorney General the power to stop predatory hospital acquisitions passed out of the Health Committee with a bipartisan vote of 20-6; more details are in a story below. I'm grateful to my Republican colleague, Rep. Tim Bonner, for collaborating with me on the legislation to help move it forward. If I have learned one thing in these short two and a half years, it is nothing gets done alone. You have to work across the aisle to move meaningful legislation and give it the chance to make it to the Governor’s desk.
There is still a lot of work to do on the legislation and in the end, no one will get everything they want. But if we can prevent what happened at Crozer Health System from happening to any other hospital across the state, we can count this as a win.
I’m also looking forward to seeing three other pieces of legislation move through the process. House Bill 1442 – SUDEP/Morgan Rose’s Law – will be considered in the Health Committee and House Bill 129 - Updating Negative Options to Protect PA Consumers will be considered in the Communications and Technology Committee. Plus, House Bill 209 -- Second Class Township Ordinance Effective Date, the legislation inspired by Newtown Township Chair Leonard Alteri -- will be considered in the Senate Local Government Committee! Phew...it’s going to be a busy Tuesday, June 10th in Harrisburg!
In the district office, I want to thank everyone who has shared their SEPTA stories and signed on to our petition. The response has been tremendous, and we look forward to hand delivering your concerns directly to Senate leadership.
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With summer upon us, we will be initiating our summer office hours, which means regular hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Monday through Thursday, and abbreviated hours on Fridays (9:00 a.m. to 12 noon).
I hope everyone has a great weekend, and since there won’t be another newsletter prior to Father’s Day, I'd like to wish all the fathers -- and those who care like fathers – a happy, restful, and relaxing day! Cheers to all you give and offer to all our children!
Sincerely,
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Harrisburg Update
- Latest development in my fight to stop another Crozer Crisis
- Rallying for transit across PA
- Cyber charter reform bill heads to the Senate
- Celebrating Pride
- Visitors in the Capitol
In the District
- Honoring local students & educators making a difference
- Visiting the Women's Resource Center
- Observing Memorial Day
- Interview with John Ricciutti
My Events
- License Plate Replacement events (June 10 & 25)
FYI
- Scam alert: Texts spoofing the PA DMV
- DCCC offering a tuition-free welding program
- Applications are open for the PA House Legislative Fellowship Program
- Join us for our PA Momnibus Day of maternal health advocacy (June 16)
Community Events
- Delco Pride Month Flag Raising (June 7)
- Delaware County Pride Parade (June 7)
- Wayne Music Festival (June 7)
- Streams Learning Day at Ridley Creek State Park (June 7)
- Flag Day Ceremony at Delco Veterans Memorial (June 13)
- Delaware County Pride Festival (June 14)
- Radnor's Great American Backyard Campout (June 14)
- Free Yoga in the Park w/ Newtown Township Parks & Rec (June 25 - July 16)
- Edgmont Twp 2026 Annual Calendar contest (now through Aug. 31)
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Latest development in my fight to stop another Crozer Crisis
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This week, my legislation that would prevent another private equity-induced disaster on our health care system – Protecting Pennsylvania Health Services and Facilities – advanced out the Health Committee in a bipartisan vote.
Key provisions of the bill include stricter disclosure requirements for private equity firms acquiring hospitals, mandated financial reporting to track the impact on community health outcomes, and new oversight mechanisms to safeguard against cost-cutting measures that could compromise patient care quality by shuttering facilities or ending certain types of care – like maternity care, one of the first practices Prospect got rid of at Delco Memorial Hospital.
On Tuesday, I spoke about the bill at a rally on the Capitol steps with fellow lawmakers and health care workers from the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), who know all too well the damage private equity can do to our health care systems.
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I’m confident my colleagues will once again come together to pass the measure when it comes up for a vote on the House floor – and after they do, the last thing that will need to happen to protect your access to health care is for the state Senate to approve the measure as well. Gov. Josh Shapiro has called on us to get it to his desk for his signature as quickly as possible!
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Rallying for transit across PA
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If you follow me on social media, you know that getting the legislature to pass a public transit funding bill that maintains SEPTA service without cuts is one of my top priorities this state budget season.
Under Gov. Shapiro’s 2025-26 proposed budget, transit services in all 67 counties across Pennsylvania would benefit from increased state support.
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This funding would help create jobs, encourage the tourism that helps our local economies thrive, and ensure those of us who depend on public transit have a reliable, affordable way to commute to work, go to school, access health care, and travel where you need to go.
The budget proposal includes $292 million in new mass transit funding next year, generating $1.5 billion over the next five years. It would be the first significant increase in the state’s investment into mass transit in more than a decade, benefiting transit systems in every county.
And it would do so not by raising taxes, but instead by increasing the portion of the Sales and Use Tax dedicated to public transit from 7.68% to 9.43%. For SEPTA, that would generate an estimated $167,732,232 funding boost and allow them to maintain service without cuts and without huge rate hikes.
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Cyber charter reform bill heads to the Senate
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I’m encouraged to report that on Wednesday, the House passed H.B. 1500, legislation that would finally provide meaningful reform to cyber charter schools by enhancing transparency and accountability.
Cyber charter schools are paid for by you, the taxpayers, and this measure would take the responsible step of setting a state-wide standardized tuition rate for cyber charter schools while placing caps on their fund balances. Multiple investigations have found these schools spend the money we give them on gifts for the executives who run them, such as bonuses, tickets to concerts and Eagles games, memberships to country clubs, & luxury cars for their personal use.
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Public funds that are allocated for education should be spent on teaching students the vital skills they need to succeed. This legislation would stop cyber charter school executives from moving hundreds of millions of dollars into slush funds (and using it to buy property with no defined educational purpose, among other questionable expenditures) without public input or government oversight, by requiring them to follow the same reporting requirements as traditional public schools when it comes to reporting annual budgets, financial statements and construction costs.
The bill would also require all low-performing schools to be reported and prevents any gifts or incentives to students and their families in exchange for enrolling in a cyber charter school.
I agree with the bill’s primary sponsor, state Rep. Mary Isaacson: “If just 1 cent goes to any expense that doesn’t benefit students, it’s a waste of public funds.”
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Pride Month is here! While June is always a time to honor the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience, love, and diversity, it’s also a moment of resistance.
At the federal level, some are actively undermining the values of inclusion that so many of us hold dear. From rolling back anti-discrimination protections to waging attacks through the media on LGBTQ+ youth and families, we can’t let these efforts threaten the progress we’ve made.
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Pride isn’t just a celebration—it’s a stand. ?I hope you join me this year in celebrating Pride with conviction, taking the opportunity to stand up for our LGBTQ+ neighbors and affirm that every person deserves respect and dignity.
Details on upcoming Pride events in our community are below in the Community Events section.
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As I start packing my bags to head back to Harrisburg next week, I just wanted to thank the visitors of this past week who stopped by to advocate to issues important to them and our commonwealth!
I was thrilled to welcome the student leaders from the High School Dems of PA who came to advocate for issues important to our future leaders. Thank you, incoming president Gibson O'Mealy of Lewisburg and Hailey Miller of Ardmore for bringing your important message to the Capitol!
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It was great to see our friend Steve Byrne from Visit Delco, PA and one of my all-time Delco favorites, Domenick Savino, CEO/General Manager of Drexelbrook, who brought some other Delco favorites like hoagies and Delco Lager from 2SP Brewing Company to the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association Taste of the State reception.
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Lastly, it was so nice to see Charles Waring and Kristin Seeger, who came to the Capitol all the way from the 168th representing the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs - PICPA to discuss important legislation which will help enhance the pipeline of new accountants entering the field.
It's always so nice to see neighbors in the Capitol and I thank them for raising up this important legislation for my attention.
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Honoring local students & educators making a difference
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I was honored to join the Delaware County Right to Education Local Task Force for the Making a Difference Awards, a celebration of students, educators, and community members who are leading the way in fostering an inclusive environment for differently abled students. Their resilience, compassion, and dedication inspire us all.
We are especially proud to celebrate the outstanding students and educators from the 168th Legislative District, representing Marple Newtown, Radnor, and Rose Tree Media. Thank you for your commitment to creating spaces where all students can thrive!
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Visiting the Women's Resource Center
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Marie and I had the pleasure of spending a productive morning with Beth Monroe, executive director of the Women's Resource Center, and Mojdeh Keykhah, development & communications director.
Based in Wayne, the WRC empowers women and girls by helping them to successfully navigate life’s transitions and inspire others to do the same. They provide support through their longstanding Helpline, a Family Law program, counseling, a Financial Stability program, and their Girls Lead program. Together, we explored ways to collaborate in supporting their important goals and addressing the needs of their growing client base.
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I have witnessed the growth and profound impact of the Women’s Resource Center over the years, having first encountered their mission during my time on the grant committee for the Radnor Educational Foundation. Their work continues to expand, reaching women and girls across the collar counties and Philadelphia.
This year is a milestone for the organization, marking their 50th anniversary of impact in the greater Philadelphia region. We are excited to support their efforts to broaden their reach and enhance their positive influence in the community.
To reach WRC’s Helpline, please phone 701-314-HELP (4357) or email info@womensrc.org.
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Memorial Day was a perfect occasion to pay tribute to the brave servicemen and women who served our country, joined by some of Radnor and Middletown's finest public servants!
In Radnor, it was an honor to spend the day alongside Radnor Board of Commissioners President Maggy Myers, Commissioner Moira Mulroney, Commissioner Cathy Agnew, Commissioner Jake Abel, MDJ Sloan Walker, and County Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer.
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This meaningful event would not have been possible without the efforts of the Radnor Township Public Works team, Radnor Township Police Department, Radnor Fire Company, and the incredible community organizations that participated, including the Radnor Memorial Library, Valley Forge Military Academy & College, Radnor Wayne Little League, Radnor League of Women Voters, Radnor High School Marching Band, RHS Scholarship Fund, Wayne Business Association, Radnor Historical Society, and Bateman Gallagher American Legion, among others.
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A special congratulations to Grand Marshals Joe and Ginny Maguire! Radnor truly knows how to honor and celebrate our heroes.
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And earlier in the day, it was a beautiful morning in Middletown Township, where Bonaventure-Clark-Murphy VFW Post 6613 in Lenni held its annual Memorial Day ceremony. The crowd grows every year as so many come out to honor those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. We must not let their sacrifice be in vain. Thank you to David Irving for the history behind Taps!
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Interview with John Ricciutti
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Last Friday I joined Radnor studio 21 host and local filmmaker John Ricciutti for the channel’s inaugural live-stream interview. We dove into important topics like SEPTA funding, the aftermath of Crozer closing, the state budget, and the work we are doing locally.
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Scam alert: Texts spoofing the PA DMV
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PennDOT is alerting vehicle owners to a new text message-based scam making the rounds, where the sender pretends to be from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Motor Vehicles (DMV). Do not reply or click on any links in the message!
PA DMVs will NEVER contact you via text requesting payment of fees or fines. If you receive a suspicious communication, please let our office know or report it to the PA Attorney General’s office.
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Delaware County Community College offering a tuition-free welding program
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Applications are open for the PA House Legislative Fellowship Program
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The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2025 semester. Applications are due on July 1, 2025.
The Fellowship Program is based in the Capitol Building in Harrisburg. Fellows are assigned to work in House Standing Committees or House Leadership offices, are compensated for their work (which may also include college credit), and are provided opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces.
Qualified applicants will be:
- College undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or law school students.
- Enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university, or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution.
- Pursuing any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
If you know of any college students who would benefit from the Fellowship Program, please invite them to visit the website at: www.pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to: pahousefellowship@pabmc.net.
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Join us for our PA Momnibus Day of maternal health advocacy
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New session, New MOMNIBUS! Building on the overwhelming success of our PA MOMNIBUS package in the previous legislative session, the Black Maternal Health Caucus retooled and introduced the PA MOMNIBUS 2.0 for the 2025-26 legislative session.
You’re invited to join us (in-person or online) on Monday, June 16 for our PA MOMNIBUS Day 2025 at the state Capitol in Harrisburg!
The day will kick off at 11 a.m. with a voting meeting of the House Health Committee, where they are scheduled to consider two of the bills in our PA MOMNIBUS 2.0 – the PA Dads Matter Act and Expanding Maternal Blood Pressure Monitoring Coverage. You can also watch that meeting on YouTube.
Next, we’ll hold a news conference and rally in the Rotunda at 1 p.m. to deliver an update on the legislation priorities of the PA MOMNIBUS 2.0 and build support for our continued focus on improving birthing outcomes. You’ll also be able to watch a livestream of the news conference here.
Lastly, we’ll hold a reception at 4 p.m. in the East Wing Rotunda of the Capitol to connect with legislators, community leaders, maternal health advocates, supporters and health providers to strengthen support for maternal health equity.
Please let us know that you’ll be joining us! RSVP on our website – or plan to watch online.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28-B 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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