Happy almost Thanksgiving to my neighbors of the 168th!

First, I want to thank everyone who donated to our Thanksgiving Food Drive! The generosity of the 168th knows no bounds and your plentiful donations have now been delivered.

We are so grateful to everyone who took the time to make a donation and thank the Rocky Run YMCA and Newtown Public Library for joining us as collection sites. 

Wayne Food Pantry saw a record-high distribution day on Wednesday, feeding 111 families. The organization has received tremendous generosity from the community, especially as SNAP payments were temporarily halted.

The other half of our donations were picked up by Paul from the Delco Food Bank to be distributed to families across the county ahead of Thanksgiving.

Still going strong: our Diaper Drive through December!

Last week, the state legislature finally reached an agreement on the 2026 budget, which Governor Shapiro signed last Wednesday—135 days past its due date (we’re supposed to have it completed by June 30). As a former school board member and local commissioner, I understand the importance of meeting budget deadlines, and I am disappointed that, as state legislators, we can’t seem to adhere to them—especially when delays impact so many lives.

This is a balanced, bipartisan budget plan with no tax increases and no reductions to the Rainy Day Fund. Most importantly, this budget is about compromise—and compromise means we don’t always get everything we want.

Let’s start with the things I am most pleased about:

• $5 million to support the last two hospitals in Delaware County – Riddle and Mercy Fitzgerald. Even if you don’t use those hospitals, this additional support will help them manage the influx of patients, which is also creating issues for all our hospitals.

• New funding for our public libraries. There has been no new library funding for years, so the support will help this important community resource.

• Additional funding for senior services. This will benefit the Wayne Senior Center and Surrey Services who is about to open up a location in Middletown (see Spotlight 168 below).

• It includes significant investment in our schools and cyber charter reform to better align with the actual cost of a cyber education. I do believe not every student learns the same way and parents need options – but cyber charter costs needed to be addressed, and this budget does that and returns funding to our public schools.

• There is also an over $100 million investment toward behavioral health for students and school safety initiatives.

• Additional funding will help students better afford our state colleges in a time with the cost of tuition is making higher education hard to obtain.

• Increased funding for Direct Care Workers – these are the people who are helping to take care of our seniors and, in many cases, making it possible for them to stay in their homes.

• Additional support for the Pennsylvania State Police. More funding for personnel, training, recruitment, administrative operations, and statewide coverage; addition of modern tools to respond to modern issues like cybersecurity threats; more support for traffic enforcement; funding for four cadet classes and more support for partnerships with local law enforcement through annual grants for municipal police training.  

• There is also additional funding for Medical Assistance Managed Care, and while you may not be on MA, these additional funds will allow our hospitals and care providers to be better reimbursed for services strengthening their bottom line. We all need financially stable hospitals and providers now more than ever.

Now, let’s talk about what I’m not so happy about and what I’ve heard from so many of you about:

• No new funding for public transit – in SEPA, that means SEPTA.

• It pulls PA out of the successful Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI, often pronounced "reggie") to curb carbon emissions and other pollutants.

This past Tuesday, I met with our Chair of Appropriations, Rep. Jordan Harris. I went to share what I’ve been hearing from the people I represent on these two specific issues and to offer the 168th’s support in ensuring that public transit and the environment remain top priorities as we move into the 2027 budget discussions. He appreciated the offer, and we discussed some specific actions we could take on public transit. In the coming months, I’ll be looking for your help—much like you supported our petitions and shared your SEPTA stories.

While I know many are concerned about RGGI, I see this as an opportunity to move forward and develop initiatives with bipartisan support and backing from major stakeholders. In the three short years I’ve been in the legislature, I’ve seen progress on issues such as solar energy (Solar for Schools), investment in cleaner energy generation (reopening of Three Mile Island), and programs that enable innovation in power generation.

We still have a long way to go, but I am encouraged by the work being done in collaboration with both environmentalists and industry. Achieving this will require balance, and as our reliance on electricity-dependent technology continues to grow, we must ensure it does not place additional strain on the environment.

Still a lot of work to be done, so after taking a moment to celebrate these budget wins, it's back to work!

I want to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful start to the festive holiday season.

Go Birds...beat Dallas!

In service,

In this edition:

Harrisburg Update

- Teacher Certification legislation written into law

- Safeguards for "open banking"

- Visitors in the Capitol

Spotlight 168: Surrey Services coming to Middletown

In the District

- Villanova Fall Fest & Special Olympics

- Shredding event success

- Honoring our veterans

- Delco Veterans Day parade

- Renovations at the Rocky Run YMCA

My Events

- Holiday Open House & Unclaimed Property Search (Dec. 10)

FYI

- Free program: Stream Smart House Call

- Scams targeting veteran benefits are on the rise

- Property Tax/Rent Rebate deadline is approaching

Community Events & Announcements

- Deer hunt at Ridley Creek State Park (Dec. 4 & 11)

- DCVM's Toy, Food, & Clothing Drive (Dec. 6)

- Radnor Memorial Library Elves for the Shelves 5K Fun Run (Dec. 6)

- Santa comes to Middletown Twp. (Dec. 21)

- "Once Upon a Run" Festival & 5K benefitting Newtown Public Library (April 19, 2026)

- Main Line Health's Winter 2026 Free Smoking Cessation Program schedule

Teacher Certification legislation written into law

Addressing the chronic statewide teacher shortage will require a variety of approaches. Other states have found success by encouraging educators who switched careers to return to the classroom. Earlier this year, I proposed legislation to help teachers who previously allowed their certification to lapse reenter the profession.

H.B. 1403 passed the House unanimously back in June – and I’m proud to share that its provisions were incorporated into the omnibus School Code bill of the new state budget! The measure waives the fee to place a teacher’s certification into “voluntary inactive status,” which also pauses their continuing professional education requirement. When this requirement resumes after reactivation, it allows a teacher to meet the benchmark through in-service days provided by the school.

Both provisions aim to get trained educators back into classrooms more quickly. Removing the financial burden for teachers considering reactivating their certification could be the tipping point that encourages some to return.

As a parent, I know how much our children benefit from seasoned teachers who bring a wealth of life experience to the classroom. The bipartisan success of this legislation demonstrates that we are fully capable of bringing diverse ideas to the table to find creative solutions to complex issues.

Safeguards for "open banking"

We all use apps now to manage our money and connect with financial services; many of them use "open banking" to connect directly to your bank account to access your financial information. A popular example is Rocket Money, an app that monitors users' paid subscriptions and offers budgeting insights.

But the companies behind these apps frequently collect far more data than necessary and use it in ways you didn't intend, leaving you vulnerable to fraud.

You deserve clarity and control over your financial information, which is why Rep. Danilo Burgos and I are pushing Congress to enact a strong open banking rule to ensure that YOU, not corporations, have meaningful rights over your financial data. Learn more in our guest editorial in the Delaware County Daily Times.

Visitors in the Capitol

After a very busy three days in Harrisburg, with lots of advocates in the building and good work done to move forward important legislation, I am happy to be home.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by! It was a pleasure to chat with you, all including:

Radnor Township School District’s Director of Business Administration and PASBO President, Brian Pawlings, and Ken Morris, Director of Buildings and Grounds, stopped by to discuss the exciting facilities projects they’ve recently completed and those coming up for the district!

Advocates for women's healthcare and reproductive rights including the 168th's own Marilyn Sheils!

Chief David Tedjeske, Chief of Police at Villanova University and AVP of Public Safety, was in Harrisburg for the quarterly meeting of the Law Enforcement Caucus. I am grateful for the insight and input he and his colleagues in law enforcement provide to our legislative deliberations.

Peter Takac (my colleague Rep. Paul Takac's son) and his fellow paramedics, Megan and Nina, students from the University of Pittsburgh, stopped by to discuss issues concerning EMS in the commonwealth. These young adults were impressive—all are seniors at Pitt and work 24–48 hours per week as EMTs in communities outside Pittsburgh. They are giving back in truly remarkable ways!

Surrey Services coming to Middletown

We have exciting news! A pillar of the nonprofit community is coming to the 168th! A few weeks ago, I met with Jill Whitcomb, President and CEO of Surrey Services, along with Director Kathy Henderson and several board members, to discuss their transition from their longtime home at Media Fellowship House to a new space in Middletown.

Last fiscal year, Surrey impacted the lives of nearly 1,600 older adults in Delaware County, with approximately 7,600 more county residents expected to turn 65 this year. This move to a larger space will allow Surrey’s top-notch, diverse programming to reach the growing number of older adults who need services today, tomorrow, and in the future!

I am so excited to have Surrey in the district as they expand their space and service area. My office will continue to provide updates as they move closer to opening in the new year!

Villanova Fall Fest & Special Olympics

The joyful sound you heard from the Villanova University campus a few weekends ago was the return of the annual Special Olympics of PA Fall Fest!

This year, over 1,000 athletes, 400 coaches, and 5,000 volunteers took part in three days of competitive sports, which kicked off with the grand opening ceremony! It was my third year attending as a spectator, and I continue to be in awe of this entirely student-run event.

I had a great time playing in the exhibition bocce match (note to self for next year… wear sneakers!). Even though we lost, the Olympians I played with, Haley and Kathy, were kind enough to offer advice on my technique—bocce indoors is very different from bocce on the beach in SIC. I’ll be ready to win next year!

A warm welcome to the 168th to all the athletes representing 64 of our commonwealth’s 67 countries. You all are what is best in our communities!

Congratulations to all the students who work so hard to make this weekend a success. 

From fundraising and managing day-of logistics to choreographing dance routines and providing moral support, it’s clear that you have poured your hearts and souls into creating a wonderful experience for all the athletes. Thank you for bringing this incredible event to our communities!

Shredding event success

Our final shred event of 2025 is in the books! Thank you to the 173 neighbors who kept us busy while keeping your personal information secure. We couldn’t have done it without our partners: J&K Secure Shredding, the amazing team from the Delaware County District Attorney's Office who managed the drug take-back, the Newtown Square Fire Company, and the incredible Main Line Health for lending us their parking lot!

We will be back to shredding in May!

Honoring our veterans

I loved seeing so many veterans at our 3rd Annual Veterans Day Breakfast last Monday! A big thank you to our sponsors—Main Line Health, Comcast, and IBX—for helping make the event so memorable.

Thank you also to our incredible panel of speakers for sharing your helpful tips. It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight information and resources that many veterans may not know are available.

If you are a veteran seeking assistance, please reach out to our office—we’ll help if we can, and if not, we’ll connect you with those who can!

We also extend our gratitude to Villanova University, Penn State Brandywine, Right at Home Main Line, the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, and both the Delaware County and Pennsylvania Departments of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Delco Veterans Day parade

On Veterans Day, we marched to honor those who have given so much in service to our country.

Our servicemen and women, along with their families and loved ones, have made tremendous sacrifices to protect all that we hold dear in the United States.

It was a beautiful, blustery day to honor Delaware County’s veterans in Media alongside my fellow elected officials, before heading off to Harrisburg to pass the budget.

Cheers to our dedicated veterans!

Renovations at the Rocky Run YMCA

Last week, I joined staff and members of the Rocky Run YMCA to celebrate the opening of their brand-new lobby!

Rocky Run and Executive Director Doug Nakashima are wonderful partners as we work to serve every corner of the 168th. From hosting our monthly mobile office hours to collaborating on special programs, we are so fortunate to have the Y right in our backyard. Congratulations on your beautiful new space!

P.S. Don’t forget that Rocky Run is also a Giving Spot for one of Delco’s biggest supporters: Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia!

My Events

FYI

Residents of the upstream areas of the Chester, Ridley and Crum Creek Watersheds can register for a free Stream Smart House Call to identify ways to reduce runoff and protect local streams.

During a home visit, a PRC representative will provide practical recommendations tailored to the home that support cleaner water and healthier communities. Participants can learn about rain gardens, plant buffers, gutter redirection, native plant landscaping, eco-friendly yard practices, and more. This free program has been expanded to serve residents of Chester Heights, East Goshen, Edgmont, Marple, Newtown Square, Thornbury Township, Upper Providence Township, and Willistown. Residents of surrounding municipalities in the CRC Watersheds may also check if their property falls under the program’s reach by visiting the interactive map.

Funding for this project was awarded through the “Protect Your Drinking Water” grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council with funding from AQUA. Register here.

Scams targeting veteran benefits are on the rise

The latest scam targeting veterans’ benefits is more sophisticated than many others. It involves a direct-mail postcard claiming to offer eligible veterans an additional $160 per month through something called the “PA Veteran Savings Program 2025.” This program does not actually exist. 

The postcard looks official at first glance, using formal language and referencing real programs such as CHAMPVA and TRICARE for Life. It urges recipients to call within five days to “help manage call volume,” a common tactic used to pressure older adults into responding quickly.

Hopefully, it will soon become second nature for all of us to scrutinize mail, emails, and phone calls promising an easy financial windfall for signs of a scam. The most important and basic step to take when you suspect a message is a scam is to go directly to the supposed source and verify the information yourself.

What to do if you’re targeted

If you or a veteran family member are contacted by a suspected scammer, please reach out to the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) at 800-547-2838. Accredited Veteran Service Officers are available at no cost to provide guidance, verify the legitimacy of offers, and help protect veterans from scams that could threaten their financial well-being.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline is Approaching!

The last day to apply for your Property Tax/Rent Rebate is December 31st! Stop by to pick up the forms or make an appointment with us for assistance in completing the paperwork. All you need to get started are your county, municipal, and school tax bills or your lease, along with proof of income. Get it done before the holiday rush begins!

Community Events & Announcements

Pennsylvania State Capitol

28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2005

District Office

24 S. Newtown Street Rd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(484) 427-2884