Dear neighbors of the 168th,
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I am challenged to say “happy Friday” after the horrible Thursday sports night our region had to endure. All I can say is – we'll be back next year, and Go Birds!
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As disappointing as last night was for so many, what is even more disappointing is that we have now gone 102 days without a state budget. This week in Harrisburg, I joined House and Senate colleagues to urge the Senate Majority to bring a budget vote to the House floor. The House then went to the floor and for the third time in the past 100 days voted to send a bipartisan, no-tax-increase budget to the Senate which included significant compromises.
The Senate refused to act on the last two budgets sent over and instead demanded cuts to schools and counties that hurt our neighbors and will raise local taxes.
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The budget we sent spends a little over $50 billion without raising taxes while delivering what people need.
Now more than ever, in the face of federal cuts and federal budget shutdown, we need a budget focused on the people of our commonwealth. It is frustrating to know we have $10 billion in reserves and are delivering a budget with no tax increases, and the Senate still won’t or can’t act.
Our schools need support, and our residents need relief from property taxes. We are also under court order to fund our public schools equitably. This budget invests in basic education, student safety, cyber charter reform, support for teachers, investment in public libraries, support for Pre-K programs, provides funding to retain and recruit quality childcare professionals and helps students afford PA state colleges.
This budget provides funding for our police and fire; it invests in seniors through managed care funding and support for our local and county senior centers and programs; we also seek to support our rape crisis centers and invest to help end food insecurity.
There is a lot in this budget we did not get. I would have like to see funding for emergency medical services, more funding for fire departments, more investment in road and bridge repair and maintenance, and more support for our fragile healthcare systems. But we can’t have everything.
What we can have is a budget to move us forward, not hold us back.
Things will get brighter, I know they will.
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Harrisburg Update
- Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Action to protect vaccine access
- Recognition by a leading good government institute
- Rain Poetry
- Welcoming visitors from home
Spotlight 168: Student Voices of Pennsylvania (deadline extended!)
In the District
- SEPTA Senior Cards in Radnor
- Our first Digital Legacy Blueprint event
- Fish stocking with the Delco Anglers
- (Mini) Senior Health Fair
- Supporting the Wayne Senior Center
- Knock knock!
My Events
- Veterans Breakfast (Nov. 10)
FYI
- Medicare Open Enrollment begins next week
Community Events
- Radnor Fire Co. Fire Prevention Expo (10/11)
- Revolutionary Reads at Widener (10/15)
- DCIU Fall Career Fair (10/15)
- Fall Book Sale at Radnor Memorial Library (10/17 - 10/19)
- Chesco Pops: Classical Remix concerts (10/19 & 10/26)
- Monster Dash 5K at the Bates Motel (10/25)
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Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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October is the month of breast cancer awareness, when we come together to honor survivors, support those currently fighting, and remember the lives we lost. We also raise awareness about the importance of early detection and regular screenings.
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Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death (behind lung cancer) in women. While breast cancer primarily affects women, about 0.5% to 1% of all cases occur in men.
Approximately 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their life. I became one of those women in 2023. My own story shows the importance of getting routine screenings; my doctor caught it early and referred me to an incredible team who worked together to develop my treatment plan.
With every legislative session, I sponsor bills to fund early breast cancer detection and education programs and services to support patients and their families. Click here to learn about the PA Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
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Action to protect vaccine access
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Like many of you, I’ve been concerned about the federal government’s recent attempts to restrict access to vaccines, including the COVID-19 and MMRV vaccinations. I want you to know that here in Pennsylvania, we’re taking swift action to protect your family’s access to the vaccines your doctors recommend.
Please see this post on my website for a breakdown of what’s happening at the federal level, how Pennsylvania is responding, and what it means for you and your loved ones.
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Recognition from a leading good government institution
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I’m honored and humbled to share that the Center for Effective Leadership – a joint effort of the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University – just ranked me as the top freshman lawmaker in PA when it comes to “exceeding expectations” as a new member of the state House of Representatives in its State Legislative Effectiveness Scores (SLES) for the 2023-24 legislative session.
The SLES are based on 15 metrics capturing the bills that each member of each state legislature sponsors, how far our bills move through the lawmaking process, and how substantial our policy proposals are. You can see the details here.
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I knew when beginning my first term in office that to make life better for you and all the people I serve, I’d need to focus on talking to the people who have their finger on the pulse of our community -- neighbors, local elected officials, first responders, business owners, etc. -- and on finding ways to collaborate across the aisle in Harrisburg.
This is a distinction I will treasure, and I’m deeply grateful to my dedicated staff, as their devotion to serving our neighbors has been integral to my own success as a representative. No one does this work alone, and when we remember why we’re all here, we can get more done for Pennsylvanians.
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Our state Capitol is the perfect place to highlight the heart and soul of our commonwealth. During session this week, I had the chance to meet up with the 168th’s own Ken Dinitz, Director of Development for PA Humanities and Vice President of the Rose Tree Media School District School Board, for a new art installation at the State Library of PA called “Rain Poetry.”
Students across PA wrote haikus which were installed on the sidewalk outside the library with a special rain-activated solution that allows the poetry to appear like magic just by adding water (it’s pretty cool)!
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If you are in Harrisburg and it’s raining, be sure to stop by the State Library (it’s on Commonwealth Ave. across from the fountain) and watch the poetry appear!
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Welcoming visitors from home
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It is always so much fun to welcome visitors from the district at our beautiful state Capitol. Earlier this week, I was thrilled to welcome Radnor residents Sid, Alley, Roman, and Atticus for a visit. They were introduced on the House floor and got a tour of the People’s House. It was a breath of fresh air to meet with these aspiring young public servants from Ithan Elementary School!
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Student Voices of Pennsylvania
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Apply here -- the deadline is extended to Oct. 13th!
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SEPTA Senior Cards in Radnor
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Kate and Erika from Sen. Amanda Cappelletti’s team helped almost 40 seniors get their free SEPTA pass at the Radnor Memorial Library!
We host several of these events across the district throughout the year, but you can stop in our district office any time to apply or renew your card.
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Our first Digital Legacy Blueprint event
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Team 168 hosted almost 30 neighbors for our first ever Digital Legacy Blueprint workshop. Thank you to everyone who came out!
In collaboration with Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and Anderson Elder Law’s Chari M. Alson, Esq., CELA, this workshop demonstrated ways to protect and manage your online presence—social media, email, online banking, and more—as part of your estate plan. Without proper planning, families may struggle to access or close digital accounts after a loved one's passing.
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We really want to thank Chari for sharing her expertise in this important space that many of us never consider (I know I haven’t)! Thank you also to FMFCU for partnering with us and, as always, thank you to our friends at Newtown Public Library and Newtown Township for hosting.
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Fish stocking with the Delco Anglers
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Last Friday was fall stocking day for the Delco Anglers. Kate represented the office and helped lend a hand alongside one of our favorite senators, Sen. John Kane!
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Happy fishing! Remember to secure a license before heading out. The funds raised from the sale of licenses goes back into the trout stocking program. The extended trout season lasts until February 16, 2026. Get your license here.
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(Mini) Senior Health Fair
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On Thursday, my office hosted a modified version of our annual Senior Fair, focusing on health in our aging population. We had representatives from IBX, Comcast, Right at Home homecare, vaccinations provided by Giant Pharmacy, and a Medicare 101 presentation by PA MEDI.
Thank you to Rocky Run YMCA for lending us your space!
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Supporting the Wayne Senior Center
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Kate took our services on the road to the Wayne Senior Center for their annual Wellness Fair. It is always so good to see our friends over at the senior center and we are happy to be able to provide them with access to all the helpful state-related programs offered for our seniors.
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Alex and Jade have been out and about sharing information about our office with neighbors across the 168th. We love meeting all the new families in the district and letting them know about the services we offer.
It’s also a chance to hear and see about concerns first-hand. The last time Alex was out, he heard from neighbors in Middletown about low-hanging wires, and he was able to reach out to PECO and get the issue addressed!
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We are always here to help, and if we turn up at your door and you have an issue, let us know.
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Medicare open enrollment begins next week
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Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from October 15th to December 7th and Medicare-eligible Pennsylvanians can take advantage of the Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight program, a.k.a. PA Medi.
PA Medi is a free program run by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging that helps older Pennsylvanians choose Medicare supplements based on their income and medical needs.
For more information, call 1-800-783-7067 or visit its website: https://bit.ly/3kWtXSl.
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Radnor Fire Company's annual Fire Prevention Expo is back for another year!
October 11th, 2025
2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
121 South Wayne Ave
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To celebrate the birth of our nation, each year through 2026, the Revolutionary Reads committee will select a title examining some aspect of the era of the American Revolution to be that year's Community Read. This year the committee has chosen The Painter's Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution by Zara Anishanslin. Revolutionary Reads will culminate with a visit from the author on Wednesday, October 15 at 6:30 pm hosted by Widener University where Dr. Anishanslin will be joined by her University of Delaware classmate and friend, Pennsylvania State Representative Heather Boyd, who will moderate the discussion.
At the author event, Dr. Anishanslin will discuss her book that follows an unusual cohort of London-based artists-men and women, Black and white-who promoted the Patriot cause during the Revolutionary War, risking their livelihoods and reputations to defy the British Empire. This event is free and open to the public. For more information and to register, click here.
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The Friends of Radnor Memorial Library will be hosting their annual Fall Book Sale on October 17-19, 2025. Used books, in good condition, of all genres for children and adults will be sold and all proceeds will benefit Radnor Memorial Library.
- Friday, October 17 | 5pm-8:30pm - Members Only Preview Sale
- Saturday, October 18 | 9am-4:30pm - Open to the public
- Sunday, October 19 | 1pm-4:30pm - 50% Off Sale
To become a member and get early access to the sale, click here.
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Join the family-friendly Monster Dash 5K at The Bates Motel in Edgmont for spooktacular holiday fun this October! Come dressed in your Halloween Costume for an extra dash of holiday spirit! Runners of all ages are welcome (all terrain strollers only, please). All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Edgmont Township Fire Company!
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2025 Race Offerings!
5K: This multi-surface cross country course rolls through the beautiful Arasapha Farms and The Bates Motel Haunted Hayride. Registration includes a chipped bib for race results timing and a commemorative t-shirt. Awards will be given to the top 1st, 2nd, 3rd place overall male and female (Specific award to be determined). Divisional Medals will be awarded to each 1st, 2nd and 3rd place male and female. What a fantastic NEW race course last year! It will be the same!
1 Mile: This multi-surface course will primarily run through The Bates Motel Haunted Hayride path, and loop the top of the property. This course will not go the back of the property through the Christmas tree farm. Registration includes a commemorative t-shirt. This will be an untimed race but families are welcome to run or walk.
Costume Rules For All Ages: In order to keep all families safe please do not wear masks. The carrying of swords etc of any kind will not be permitted. Runners must run in closed toed shoes. Spiked running shoes are permitted. Please be mindful of costume length so as to be safe when running.
Monster Costume Contest! Best dressed Halloween costume contest will be awarded to two individual participants, one themed group (i.e. Toy Story) and two youth (under age 12) Specific award to be determined!
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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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