Dear Neighbor,

In what felt like a continuation of the civics education day with their older peers at NHSHS last month, I recently had the pleasure of hosting the entire 4th-grade class from New Hope-Solebury Upper Elementary School for their visit to Harrisburg. We discussed the history of the Commonwealth and our beautiful state Capitol building, spent some time on the House floor, and stopped by the Governor’s ceremonial office to see where he signs new laws into effect.

I also found myself persistently lobbied by several young constituents with a concise legislative agenda: a no-homework bill (a tough one for me to support ??) and later school start times (now that proposal might actually have a shot!).

It was a delight to have School Board President Judy Finn along to help make the day so special – she and her fellow administrators are clearly doing a wonderful job of fostering a school environment that inspires students and sparks their curiosity about how government works.

I’m grateful to the teachers, chaperones, and especially the 4th graders for bringing such great energy to the building. I think it’s important for all young Pennsylvanians to be part of their government and to visit the state Capitol during their formative years. It's a foundation to build on in forming and understanding both their role and the pivotal role Pennsylvania played in our country’s earliest history. My staff and I are working to create an annual opportunity that opens the Capitol’s doors to students in every school district in our community. In the meantime, I continue to accept every invitation I get to visit with students directly in their classrooms and auditoriums.

Sincerely,

Policy hearing on attainable housing

I recently traveled to Morrisville for a House Majority Policy Committee hearing on attainable housing, where I heard from community stakeholders, housing experts, and industry leaders about the serious challenges posed by limited affordable housing and the burdens it places on residents, workers, and developers.

Some key takeaways:

• The shortage of affordable housing is not just about cost — it affects workforce stability, community growth, and local economic development.

• Providers highlighted regulatory complexity, infrastructure constraints, and financing challenges as hurdles to building more attainable units.

As legislators, we have tools to streamline processes, reduce red tape, and create incentives that lower costs — without sacrificing quality or safety. We are advancing commonsense, pragmatic policies to help Bucks County residents find homes they can afford while supporting the people who build and maintain them.

Committee hearing on human trafficking

I recently joined my colleagues on the House Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development Committee for a hearing on efforts to combat human trafficking in the hospitality industry.

We heard powerful testimony from survivors, advocates, and law enforcement about the urgent need for increased awareness and accountability.

Lodging rentals, from large hotels to short-term rental homes, are one of the more common spots where devastating human trafficking crimes occur. Proprietors of these spaces have a role to play in prevention, and to address this, H.B. 1286 (I’m a cosponsor of this bipartisan bill) would require hotels, motels, and third-party listing platforms to provide training to each employee and rental operator regarding what human trafficking is, how to identify the signs of trafficking, and how to respond if suspected trafficking is taking place.

Protecting vulnerable people must be part of how we do business in tourism and hospitality.

Celebrating the U.S. Navy & Commodore Barry

I celebrated the “Father of the American Navy” and the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy at a special event recently aboard the Battleship New Jersey. Fellow guests included Geraldine Byrne Nason, Irish Ambassador to the U.S.; Garry Laffan, Lord Mayor of Wexford, Ireland; my old friend Marshall Spevak, CEO of the Battleship New Jersey Museum; and members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America.

Commodore John Barry, one of Pennsylvania’s great patriots, was the subject of a special tribute. Born in Wexford, Ireland, he received his commission as a captain in the Continental Navy from John Hancock, then president of the Continental Congress. President George Washington later commissioned him as the first officer in the United States Navy. Contemporary writings reflect his deep love for his adopted home in Pennsylvania. He is buried in Old St. Mary’s Cemetery in Philadelphia.

As we look forward to the 250th anniversary of our country, we continue to honor the men and women who gave generations of Americans the opportunity to govern themselves and who helped define the principles that remain the bedrock of our nation’s success.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Each October, we come together for Breast Cancer Awareness Month to honor survivors, support those currently fighting, and remember loved ones lost to breast cancer. It is a time to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and stand united in hope for a cure.

As part of this effort, the Pennsylvania State Capitol fountain has once again been dyed pink—a visible symbol of our shared commitment to ending breast cancer. H.R. 199 officially recognizes this important month and designates today, October 17, 2025, as National Mammography Day.

As a lawmaker, I commend the people and groups working to highlight the importance of early detection, education, and support for those affected by breast cancer. Click here to learn about the PA Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.

Back home, I attended the kickoff event for the month-long fundraiser the Doylestown Farmers Market is holding to benefit Main St., the local nonprofit whose mission is to inspire and empower our community to support those in active treatment and recovery from breast cancer — with funds that stay local. (The event coincided with the farmers market's 50th birthday celebration -- more on that below!)

Connecting older folks with resources at my Senior Fair

I recently hosted my annual Senior Fair at the Central Bucks Senior Activity Center, where state, county, and local organizations came together to help our aging neighbors access essential programs and services.

Sen. Santarsiero and his staff joined us in co-hosting a great crowd of attendees who stopped by to learn about resources supporting health care, housing, legal aid, transportation, and aging in place.

It was wonderful to see so many neighbors connecting directly with representatives from the agencies here to support us, and learn about programs like the Property Tax/Rent Rebate. Attendees also took advantage of free health screenings and vaccines.

Thank you to everyone who attended and to the community partners who helped make the event such a success. This event connects people with resources that make life a little easier, and it’s always inspiring to see our community come together to support one another.

E-recycling success

We had an incredibly busy day at our electronics recycling event with Sen. Steve Santarsiero — it was so popular that we filled the trucks early and are already planning the next one! Thank you to everyone who came out, and a special thanks to our volunteers and the Junk Luggers for working so hard on this hot, sunny day.

Eastern Employment Symposium

One way we’ve celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month so far this October was by attending the Eastern Employment Symposium & Job Fair in Langhorne — a productive event that also serves as a powerful reminder that workers with disabilities are essential to our economy and to building truly inclusive workplaces.

Fire Week with New Hope Eagle Fire Co. & Delaware Valley Fire Museum

I recently visited the New Hope Eagle Fire Company during Fire Safety Week to thank these first responders for their outstanding work and to check out some of the incredible equipment they use every day — from river rescue boats to a high-tech drone that helps improve response times and enhance firefighter safety.

I also enjoyed visiting the Delaware Valley Fire Museum, located right at the station - a fascinating space that preserves the rich history of fire service in our region.

The museum is now preparing a special exhibit, “SALUTE!”, to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and to honor first responders who have served or are serving in the military.

They’re looking for artifacts, photos, and stories to include in the exhibit. If you or someone you know has something to share, please reach out to Founding Curator Laurie Stockton at lauriestockton@gmail.com.

Thank you to everyone at New Hope Eagle Fire Company and the Delaware Valley Fire Museum for your dedication to service, safety, and preserving local history.

Recognizing local Girl Scouts

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and I had the pleasure of honoring several Scouts from our district for their exceptional leadership and volunteer service last weekend in New Hope at the Girl Scouts’ Jericho Service Unit's Bridging Ceremony.

It was an honor to read a letter from Governor Josh Shapiro, who commended these young Pennsylvanians for their character, values, and commitment to service — qualities that continue Pennsylvania’s proud tradition of leadership. These Scouts remind us that young people can change the world and are our best hope for a brighter future.

Congratulations to all the Scouts and their families, and a heartfelt thank-you to the troop leaders and volunteers whose dedication makes moments like this possible.

Doylestown Farmers Market's 50th!

It was wonderful to celebrate the Doylestown Farmers Market’s 50th birthday this month! That’s half a century of serving not only as a place to shop but also as a community hub connecting local growers and neighbors — a living reminder of Bucks County’s rich agricultural roots.

Farming has long shaped our county’s history, culture, and economy. Thanks to the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance and our local farmers, that tradition continues to thrive, supported by regenerative practices that protect our soil and waterways.

The market is open through November 22 on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on South Hamilton Street, between West Oakland Avenue and West State Street. Stop by and support our local growers!

Delaware River Basin Commission’s Our Shared Waters program

Members of my staff joined the Delaware River Basin Commission’s Our Shared Waters program last month aboard the historic A.J. Meerwald – a nearly 100-year-old wooden schooner that once worked as an oystering boat – to celebrate the Delaware River being named Pennsylvania’s 2025 River of the Year.

Along with other local legislators and other environmental partners, they learned about river flow management and water quality programs, as well as the rich history and significance of the Delaware River Basin, including facts like:

?? It supplies clean water to 14 million people, serving the largest population of any watershed basin in the U.S.

?? The Delaware River is the longest undammed river east of the Mississippi, at 330 miles.

?? The Basin is an economic engine worth over $20 billion annually, supporting recreation, farming, ecotourism, open space, ports, and more than 600,000 jobs.

For us here in the 29th District, the Delaware isn’t just our eastern border — it’s a treasured natural, economic, and cultural resource. I’m deeply committed to environmental stewardship and am leveraging my role on this committee to ensure this river remains healthy and thriving for generations to come.

Do you know a young person making a difference in Doylestown Borough?

The Doylestown Borough Youth Leadership Award is now aligned with the back-to-school season, giving outstanding youth leaders the chance to showcase their achievements on their college applications and resumes!

Nominees must be 18 or younger as of November 1, 2025 and they must live in Doylestown Borough. Click here for details and to submit a nomination.

Medicare Open Enrollment is underway

Medicare’s open enrollment period began on October 15 and runs through December 7. If you’re eligible for Medicare, you can take advantage of the Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight program, also known as PA Medi.

PA Medi is a free program run by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging that helps you choose Medicare supplements based on your income and medical needs.

For more information, call 1-800-783-7067 or click here.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

27B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-2361

District Office

80 North Main St., Suite 1A
Doylestown, PA 18901

(267) 884-0395