August 8 email: Three Big Wins and a Whole Lot of Momentum

Rep. Melissa Cerrato August 8, 2025

Dear Friends,

Unfortunately, I am still unable to provide an update on the budget as the state Senate has refused to return to Harrisburg to do the job they were elected to do. While this is beyond frustrating and discouraging, I do have some good news to share.

??? The Korean VALOR Act (HB 304) has become law!

I'm incredibly proud to announce that my bill passed both chambers of the General Assembly, unanimously in the Senate, and has officially been signed into law.

This legislation finally honors the Korean American veterans who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. Many of these heroes later became naturalized citizens yet were long denied state veterans benefits. HB 304 changes that, delivering long-overdue recognition, rights, and respect.

I am so grateful for the overwhelming bipartisan support and proud to stand for fairness, gratitude, and justice.

?? Fighting for Housing Stability: HB 1250

Back when I worked for Representative Liz Hanbidge, I met constituents who were facing unfair rent hikes in manufactured home communities. They owned their homes, but not the land beneath them, and they had no protection from sudden, excessive increases in the rent of that land.

Now, as a legislator, I’m honored to say HB 1250 has passed the PA House with strong bipartisan support!

This bill ties rent increases to the Consumer Price Index, adding long-needed fairness and transparency for families who’ve worked hard to build and keep their homes. Let’s keep up the momentum and urge the Senate to get this across the finish line.

?? Empowering Local Communities: HB 1048

I am also excited to share that HB 1048 passed the House, giving municipalities the option to take responsibility for private water and sewer lateral lines when it fits their local needs.

This bill helps towns tailor infrastructure solutions for their residents, making it easier to protect public health and improve services without unnecessary red tape.

It’s a commonsense approach to modern governance, and I’m thrilled to see it heading to the Senate.

These victories are about more than passing bills, they’re about keeping promises, solving real problems, and making government work for the people it serves.

I can't wait to share more with you about the budget wins. Until then, thank you for staying engaged, and for giving me the honor of doing this work with and for you.

Upcoming Events

Fall Shredding Event

Join us for our Free Shredding Event—a fantastic opportunity to protect your personal information while making a positive impact on your community! ??????

Safely dispose of old documents and keep your sensitive information out of the wrong hands. Paper shredding is a powerful deterrent to identity theft, making it nearly impossible for thieves to reconstruct private details. Plus, shredding supports paper recycling, helping to reduce waste in landfills!

And here’s another way to give back—bring non-perishable food items for donation and support local food banks while you’re here.

We’re thrilled to offer this service once again for our constituents. Protect your identity, reduce waste, and help your community—all in one event! Hope to see you there!