Happy hot and muggy August to my neighbors of the 168th!
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It has definitely been quieter than usual around the 168th, as I think many people are using these last few weeks of summer to get away and enjoy some downtime.
But we definitely don’t slow down in this busy office! This is the last week for our summer intern, Ethan Strain, and we will miss him. He has been a tremendous asset this summer and we’re grateful for all the wonderful outreach he took on with our neighbors. Ethan will head back to the University of Pittsburgh, and we wish him a great and successful sophomore year!
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Thank you for all you have contributed
to the 168th, Ethan!
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Since I last wrote to you, the House was called back to Harrisburg to vote on legislation to address the PA Supreme Court ruling regarding unconstitutional sentencing guidelines for second-degree felony murder in PA. The state Supreme Court gave the legislature until July 24 to provide a constitutional remedy. As is the practice of the legislature on many issues, the Senate has proposed a fix, and the House has proposed a fix. Usually, the two sides try to find compromise to move legislation on important issues forward.
There is more detail on this issue below, but I think the most important takeaway is that House Bill 1042 now sits in the Senate, putting the ball in their court – all they have to do is come back to Harrisburg and put it to a vote.
In the meantime, will the doors of our jails swing open to let out violent offenders while we wait for the Senate to act? Absolutely not. Will offenders become immediately eligible for parole while we wait for the Senate to act? No. The ruling of the Supreme Court is not retroactive. There is time to act, and I look forward to hearing back from our colleagues in the Senate.
Wishing everyone a wonderful last few weeks of “official” summer. Don’t forget to keep an eye on our Phillies. While we may not have acquired a star like LeBron James (whoop!) we did get an all-star batting champ, and some much-needed help for the starting rotation and bullpen. I feel a run for Red October coming on! Let’s go!
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Harrisburg Update
- House vote on Second Degree Felony Murder sentencing
In the District
- Public comment period for Rt 352/Rt 1 Project has ended
- Educating seniors at WSC Scam Jam
- Doing our part w/ Sen. Cappelletti to alleviate the blood shortage
- The 168th's baseball standouts
Events
- Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling (8/8)
- Senior Health Fair (9/24)
FYI
- PSP Academy Internship Program accepting applications
- Caregiver Connection: Governor's family SUD program
Community Events & Announcements
- National Night Out in Edgmont (TONIGHT! Hope to see you there!)
- Newtown Square Farmers Market (8/7)
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House vote on second-degree felony murder sentencing
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As I mentioned in my opening note, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently ruled that the state's mandatory life-without-parole sentence for murder of the second degree (felony murder) violates the state Constitution because it fails to account for a person's individual culpability.
For those unfamiliar, “felony murder” applies when someone was involved at some level in a felony where, during the commission, a person was killed. They do not need to have actually killed the person to be found guilty of this crime. Currently, Pennsylvania applies the same penalty for felony murder as it does for premeditated, first-degree murder. The state Supreme Court ruled that this was not constitutional because someone serving as the getaway driver or being part of planning conversations was not the same as being the person who directly took a life.
The legislation we passed in the House (H.B. 1042) in late July would take several main steps:
- Replace the unconstitutional mandatory sentencing scheme with one that allows for individualized sentencing.
- Allow those who are currently serving life sentences for second-degree murder and who have served at least 30 years in prison to apply for parole.
- Allow any person who is sentenced to a life sentence for this offense moving forward to apply for parole after serving 30 years in prison.
- Task the experts at the Sentencing Commission to create a framework of sentencing guidelines for courts to apply in cases where they do not deem a life sentence to be appropriate, given the individual’s level of culpability in the underlying crime.
The bill also includes provisions to encourage rehabilitation through educational opportunities and establishes a process for courts to consider compassionate release in limited cases involving terminal illness.
The bottom line: Nothing in the legislation guarantees that any person will be released on parole, but it provides the opportunity for parole that the Supreme Court has said is necessary.
H.B. 1042 is not going to be the final result. As I mentioned above, the Senate has passed its own proposal of how to address this Supreme Court decision, and we still need to meet with them and discuss how to compromise.
Both versions do have something in common already: they would both provide retroactive parole eligibility, a proposal for a sentencing framework for second-degree murder moving forward that is not an extreme one-size-fits-all approach, and other provisions necessary to bring Pennsylvania's sentencing laws into compliance with our constitution in ways that still preserve meaningful accountability for serious crimes.
I’m optimistic that we’re working toward a criminal justice system that is fair, constitutional, and focused on individualized justice rather than one-size-fits-all punishments.
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Public comment period for PA352/US1 Project has ended
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The public comment period for the PennDOT Route 352 / US 1 Project ended on Friday, July 31st. The Draft PEL report is still available in my office for viewing, but any comments made from now on will not receive a response in the final Project and Environmental Linkage report.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed the project documents and made their voices heard! We will continue to provide updates on the project as we receive them from PennDOT.
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Educating seniors at WSC Scam Jam
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On July 30, we had a great group for our second Scam Jam of the year. This informative and important program was hosted in conjunction with PA Banking and Securities and AARP, with a special presentation from Radnor Township Police Detective Brian Bell.
Detective Bell shared stories of scams he and his colleagues are witnessing in our community. He also provided good news about successful investigations where perpetrators were apprehended and stolen funds were recovered.
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I want to thank Detective Bell and the Radnor Township Police Department for this workshop!
Neighbors, please always be suspicious of telephone calls and internet requests for money that do not seem right. If you think you have been the victim of a scam or someone is trying to defraud you, please report it. Our police will investigate and do all they can to help!
And finally, thank you to Katrina for another great program, thank you to Wayne Senior Center for hosting, and most of all, thank you everyone who came out!
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Doing our part w/ Senator Cappelletti to alleviate the blood shortage
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Last week, Sen. Amanda Cappelletti and I hosted a Blood Drive with the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania at Radnor Memorial Library! This was an important event, as the Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage. In June alone, blood supplies fell nearly 25%!
I would like to thank those who came out and supported us on this drive; every donation counts!
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One of our neighbors celebrated a very special milestone birthday last month! Thomas Fanelli of Newtown Square turned 90 on July 29th and celebrated with 5 generations of family this past weekend. Tom and his wife, JoAnn, have been married for 59 years and have five children, 14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. What an accomplishment!
From everyone in the 168th, we wish you a very happy birthday and many more to come!
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The 168th's baseball standouts
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Congratulations to the 168th’s own Newtown Edgmont Little League (NELL) and Broomall Newtown Baseball on all their winning ways this summer! We could not be more proud of all they accomplished! Thank you for giving us all something to cheer for!
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IMPORTANT: Please register for the Electronics Recycling portion of the event
by clicking here or on the image below!
Please also note the diagram of the event layout, underneath the infographic.
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IMPORTANT: Please register for the Senior Health Fair (details below)
by clicking here or on the image!
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PSP Academy Internship Program accepting applications for those who want to finish their college degree by becoming a State Trooper
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Dozens of Pennsylvania colleges and universities have entered into an agreement with the Pennsylvania State Police that allows students to finish their degree by completing their academy training to become state troopers.
Students interested in finishing their final semester at the PSP academy through this Academy Internship Program must apply by September 30, 2026.
The PSP currently has agreements with 27 colleges and universities, including four Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) institutions, and seven additional agreements in progress, through its Academy Internship and Law Enforcement Academic Partnership (LEAP) programs. These initiatives create flexible pathways for students and Troopers to earn college credit while preparing for or advancing a career with the PSP.
The 2026-27 budget signed by Gov. Shapiro supports hiring four additional PSP cadet classes.
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Caregiver Connection: Governor’s SUD Program
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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) recently launched a new, free online resource specifically designed for the families of loved ones with substance use disorder (SUD) to go for help finding support for themselves as they navigate their family member’s SUD treatment and recovery.
Caregiver Connection is a website for parents, grandparents, siblings and others supporting a loved one with SUD. It is a one-stop shop of resources such as locating a local or online support group, connecting with others who understand what they’re going through, how to find their closest county drug and alcohol office, where to get free Narcan, and more.
Caregiver Connection was developed in collaboration with Penn State Harrisburg’s Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research – DDAP’s lead partner for the agency’s anti-stigma campaign Life Unites Us.
The campaign uses social media platforms to share stories of Pennsylvanians living in recovery from SUD and provides free public resources that are all research-based, like educational materials, SUD-related webinars, and person-centered supports like Caregiver Connection. The development of Caregiver Connection was guided by a Parent Advisory Board of family members with varying lived experience from across Pennsylvania advising on what to include, how to present it, and what language to use. Board members contributed their knowledge, perspectives, and personal experiences to ensure this tool reflects what families actually need.
Earlier this year, DDAP launched its online Family Learning Series to serve as a place for the families of loved ones suffering from SUD to go for help navigating the primary areas of SUD services and supports like treatment and recovery.
The series consists of the following learning modules that include informative videos and corresponding resources on each of these topics:
- Setting Boundaries and Self-Care
- Resources and Support Systems for Substance Use Disorders
- Understanding Substance Use Disorders
- What to Expect in Treatment
- What to Expect in Recovery
- How to Support and Talk with Children When a Parent has SUD, and
- Raising Children of Parents with SUD.
Since the Family Learning Series launched, it has delivered more than 125 hours of learning time — the equivalent of more than 500 full 15-minute learning sessions. In addition, survey results from those who have taken part in the series show that it helps families and loved ones better understand SUD, treatment, recovery, and ways to offer support. The survey found that:
- 94% of respondents said they plan to use what they learned;
- 96% of respondents rated the videos as useful, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5; and
- 85% of respondents said they felt more able to support a loved one impacted by SUD after watching.
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Community Events & Announcements
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Tomorrow's Newtown Square Farmers Market has a great group of vendors with a few new ones thrown in, a talented young singer/songwriter coming to play for us, and Birdtown/EAC at the Community Table. Beautiful summer produce, bread, olive oil, pickles, prepared foods to take home or eat on site, crafts, soaps, protein cookies, liquor, juice, flowers.... so much great stuff!
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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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