Where is the summer going? Why does it always seem like winter is so long and summer is so short? Probably because summer is my favorite season. ??????
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This summer has perhaps seemed much shorter because we have spent so much time in Harrisburg working on moving a productive and impactful state budget forward. The PA House launched our budget proposal in late May, then spent the entire month of June and the first two weeks of July in Harrisburg working to prioritize and move additional meaningful legislation to meet your needs.
If there is one thing I have learned it is that PA is a vast and diverse state. Marrying the needs of our urban, suburban, and rural communities can be a challenge.
Through June and July, the PA House voted on legislation to fund public transit (yes - SEPTA), spur economic and workforce development, and establish new recurring revenue to support growing needs.
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All this legislation went to the Senate for consideration. Sadly, they were mostly not in session to consider, amend, debate, or move forward any of the legislation moved forward by the House -- much of it voted out with bipartisan support.
As a last-ditch effort to get something moving, the House (on July 14th) passed a budget plan which reflects significant compromise by cutting a billion (that's a "b") off the governor's original budget proposal. This bill, while still providing for many of the things we need in the state, currently does not include some priorities I was most excited about after hearing the Governor's budget address in February. But when you compromise, you don't always get everything you want.
It is disappointing, but I remain committed to a budget which supports the residents of our commonwealth and continues to address some of the most pressing needs for education funding, transportation, protecting healthcare access, supporting first responders, economic development, and safety in our commonwealth.
Sadly, our Senate colleagues do not seem to sense the urgency of the situation across our commonwealth or here in SEPA, especially when it comes to issues like public transit and education. I remain hopeful there will be meaningful movement on the budget before it starts to negatively impact our schools and our workforce. It is time to move on a spending plan that benefits our commonwealth from Philly to Pittsburgh, Erie to Scranton and every community in between. It is time to govern; it is time to do our jobs.
I will work to continue to keep you up to date on our progress. In the meantime, I hope you make the most of the next few summer weeks and cheer on our Phillies (how about our All-Star MVP Schwarbs?). September will be here before we know it!
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P.S. I want to give a huge shout out to our summer intern, Sami Leach, who spent her break with us and will soon be heading back to Temple University.
Thank you so much for all you did to support us this summer, Sami! We are so grateful!
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Harrisburg Update
- Sharing your SEPTA advocacy
- Another case for H.B. 1460
- Protecting your wallet, cutting your costs
In the District
- 'Read-a-Thon' at Newtown Public Library
- Community Partner Meeting at PSU Brandywine
- Visiting KenCrest
- Villanova's next generation of Advanced Practice Nurses
My Events
- Shred & Drug Take-Back Event (Aug. 9)
- Children's Mental Health Forum (Aug. 21)
FYI
- PHMC Cultural & Historical Support Grants
- Help us call for a raise to the minimum wage
Community Events
- DCHD Free Mammograms (Aug. 1, but you must register ASAP)
- Newtown Square Fire Co. 'Battle of the Badges' Blood Drive (July 30)
- Edgmont Twp Night Out (Aug. 5)
- Rose Tree Summer Festival Concerts (through Aug. 10)
- Newtown Public Library Book Sale (Sept. 12-15)
- Elder Fraud Prevention Seminar (Sept. 23)
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Sharing your SEPTA advocacy
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Early this month I delivered the petitions you all signed and stories you all shared to the legislative leaders in charge of the state budget process to let them know how important SEPTA is to our community.
Public transit authorities across Pennsylvania face financial struggles that will lead to drastic service cuts to public transit agencies all over the commonwealth if our transportation funding bill, H.B. 1364, remains untouched by the Senate.
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SEPTA’s drastic cuts would begin in almost exactly one month (Aug. 24), creating instant difficulties for workers, students, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and all of us who rely on SEPTA to travel the region.
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Another case for H.B. 1460
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As budget negotiations continue, there is a lot of great legislation sitting in the Senate including The Pennsylvania Health System Protection Act. Senator Tim Kearney and I have been working diligently to prevent another crisis like the closure of Crozer. Now we are faced with the bankruptcy of Genesis healthcare, which owns 42 nursing homes across PA, including one right here in Wayne. You can see on the map below that we will experience the worst impact among all affected states.
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Genesis healthcare is a private equity-backed provider and the type of predatory company my legislation, H.B. 1460, is designed to protect us from. We cannot afford to lose any more essential healthcare providers.
It is time to advance the Healthcare Services Protection Act to preserve access to quality healthcare throughout the commonwealth.
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Protecting your wallet, cutting your costs
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While the federal government continues to make life harder for Pennsylvanians, I’m proud to let you know about bills I delivered along with my House colleagues to make life easier for you and your family.
?? You shouldn’t have to struggle to buy a home, so I made sure you can lower your interest rates and avoid scams when you sign real estate agreements to get your piece of the American Dream here in Delaware County.
?? I voted to protect seniors’ life savings by requiring face-to-face counseling with an approved financial counselor before signing a reverse mortgage.
?? The cost of living is already high enough, and I’m protecting your wallet from sneaky fees and subscriptions that start to add up. Legislation I sponsored which passed with bipartisan support would make it easier for you to cancel subscriptions and memberships, as well as clearly opting IN to a service rather than having to opt OUT – these quiet automatic renewals and subscription services can add up and cause additional strain on bank accounts and credit cards.
??? I supported banning junk fees on concert tickets so that you only pay the price you see, banning “speculative ticketing” - a practice that allows unofficial ticket sellers to list tickets for sale that they don’t even have - and cap ticket resales at no more than 5% of the original ticket price.
?? I also voted to tell banks those outrageous overdraft fees must end -- capping your overdraft fees at $15 or the actual cost of processing your transaction – whichever is lower.
All of these bills are in the state Senate awaiting action – please, contact your senator and ask them to stand up for Delaware County’s working families. Visit www.pahouse.com/deliveringforpa to learn more.
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Radnor non-profits uniting to feed seniors
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Wayne Senior Center, an innovative community center for active adults age 55+, has received a $350,000 gift to expand its programs for healthy living!
The transformative grant from the Radnor-based Mariposa Wish Foundation will support a comprehensive chef-led nutrition program, featuring fresh, plant-forward meals that nourish the body and excite the palate while building community around the table. The Willows is supporting the effort by offering use of its commercial kitchen.
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Food insecurity is a big issue for older adults in all communities, and the meals served at Wayne Senior Center are a lifeline. I love seeing two of Radnor’s premier non-profits collaborating to better serve our residents, and I can’t wait to stop by to have lunch again and chat with the seniors sharing in this wonderful program! Learn more on the Wayne Senior Center’s website.
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'Read-a-Thon' at the Newtown Public Library
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Kate and I were honored to participate in this year’s Read-a-Thon in celebration of this beloved institution’s 51st birthday. I had the pleasure of reading Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio—one of my personal favorites. The story follows Grace as she runs for class president, demonstrating that dedication, active listening, and a deep commitment to service are the true keys to leadership.
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It was a joy to share this inspiring book with readers of all ages. Thank you to Library Director Arlene Caruso and the Board of Trustees for the kind invitation, and congratulations to Newtown Public Library for over five decades of educating our community!
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Community Partner Meeting at PSU Brandywine
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It was a privilege to participate in a recent roundtable discussion at Penn State Brandywine, alongside Chancellor Marilyn Wells and Dr. Renata Engel, Vice President of Commonwealth Campuses. The conversation focused on strengthening partnerships and exploring new opportunities to benefit both students and the broader community.
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Penn State Brandywine is a valued and vital partner in the 168th District and throughout Delaware County. I continue to be impressed by the campus’s commitment to providing students with meaningful, hands-on experiences that prepare them for success beyond the classroom. We are fortunate to have such a dynamic and growing institution in our community.
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Since joining the legislature, I have gained a deeper understanding of the unique needs of individuals in our community with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), as well as the vital role that organizations and direct support professionals (DSPs) play in serving this population.
Recently, I had the privilege of visiting a KenCrest community living home located in the 168th District. These group homes are intentionally set in safe, accessible neighborhoods where residents can build relationships and pursue their goals.
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For over 120 years, KenCrest has been a leader in community development by exploring new possibilities, mobilizing resources, and empowering the dreams of young children and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It is imperative that we continue to support organizations like KenCrest and the dedicated professionals in this field. Everyone deserves the opportunity to grow, succeed, and participate fully in our communities, and it's through the commitment of organizations like KenCrest that this vision becomes a reality.
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Villanova’s next generation of Advanced Practice Nurses
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Recently, Marie and I had the privilege of meeting with the exceptional doctoral candidates enrolled in the Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Villanova University’s M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. It was an honor to engage with these dedicated health care professionals and hear firsthand about their experiences and aspirations.
We explored the vital role of lobbyists and professional associations in the policymaking process and discussed how the presence of medical professionals in the legislature is helping to refocus attention on the challenges facing the health care system.
I shared updates on current and proposed legislation aimed at supporting health care workers, and offered insights on how they, too, can effectively advocate for policies that matter to them.
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It was an honor to spend time with these tremendous healthcare professionals!
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I’m excited to soon introduce bipartisan legislation with my colleague Rep. Alec Ryncavage to propose expanding the scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists. This will be especially impactful as we seek to attract and retain providers in rural communities.
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PHMC Cultural & Historical Support Grants open through Aug. 22
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The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission has opened applications for its 2025 Cultural and Historical Support Grants, aimed at strengthening museums and historical societies across the state. Now in its 13th year, the program has awarded nearly $26 million to help preserve Pennsylvania’s rich heritage and boost local economies.
Eligible museums and county historical societies can apply for general operating support through the Commonwealth’s Single Application for Assistance portal. The deadline is Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at midnight.
- Up to $65,000 for eligible museums (with budgets over $100K and at least one full-time staff member).
- Up to $4,000 for official county historical societies.
- Simple application process and geographic balance in funding.
Full details and guidelines are available on the PHMC website. As always, you can contact my office for assistance with any grant program or application process.
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It’s 7/25 and the minimum wage in PA is still just $7.25/hr. It's been 16 years since we've increased our wage - it's time for $15/hr now.
You can make a difference by calling these legislators to demand Pennsylvanians earn a Living Wage:
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman:
(724) 357-0151
Senate Appropriations Chair Scott Martin: (717) 397-1309
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Newtown Public Library Book Sale
Friends of Newtown Public Library will hold their Fall Book Sale! Come in early for best selection of hardback and paperbacks, all genres, as well as DVDs and CDs.
September 12-14th
Community Room at The Newtown Public Library - 201 Bishop Hollow Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073
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Friday 9/12 - “First Look” - from 8am-10am - $5 fee for early admission.
Open to the public Friday 10am-5:30pm
Friday 5:30pm – 8:00pm Bonus Evening hours with Art Show reception in the library.
- The Art Reception on Friday features artwork from 2 Local artists - Eli Bromley and her daughter Joan Bromley – and they will be available to discuss their pieces. Light refreshments will be served.
Saturday 9/13 – 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 9/13 – 1:00pm-4:00pm - $6 A Bag
Every dollar supports services, programs and collections at the Newtown Public Library and allows the Friends of Newtown Public Library to sponsor museum passes, summer children’s programming, weekly wellness yoga sessions, and more!
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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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