October 10 email: Standing Up for a Responsible Budget for Pennsylvania and Celebrating a Unanimous House Vote

Rep. Melissa Cerrato October 10, 2025 | 9:10 AM

Dear Friends,

This week as we returned to Session, we marked an unfortunate milestone. Pennsylvania has now gone one hundred days without a budget, making us the only state in the nation without one. This is unacceptable.

For months, the House has worked to present responsible budget proposals and compromises. Just this week, we passed another balanced plan in an effort to move the process forward. Yet the Senate Majority has refused to bring any meaningful proposal to a vote, offering only a flat funded budget. Even President Pro Tempore Kim Ward admitted what we have been saying all along: the Senate Majority does not have the 26 votes to pass any bill.

Click the above image to see Kim Ward's comments on how the Senate Majority does not have the 26 votes to pass any bill.

Instead of focusing on the needs of Pennsylvanians today, obstructionists in the Senate chamber have chosen to prioritize their own political gain. That is the wrong focus.

The House budget we advanced this week invests in the priorities of our communities. It provides more funding for our K-12 schools so that we can continue working toward our constitutional obligation to fairly fund education. It strengthens our local Area Agencies on Aging so that seniors can continue to rely on services such as senior centers, home delivered meals, and home care. It supports Childcare Worker Retention and Recruitment so that parents can remain in the workforce and help our economy thrive. It increases funding for police and fire services and addresses many other community needs. Importantly, it does all of this without raising state taxes.

Despite these facts, the Senate is attempting to cover up its failures by falsely claiming that the House is raising your taxes. They cannot point to a single place in our proposals where this is true. This is a desperate attempt to distract from the reality that vital institutions we all depend on are being squeezed because they lack the funding they need.

I remain committed to fighting for a fair and responsible budget that reflects the values and priorities of Pennsylvanians. Thank you for staying engaged, and I will continue to keep you updated on the budget process.

On a more exciting note, my bill, House Bill 1734, passed the House this week with a unanimous vote of 203 to 0. This legislation addresses a practical issue brought to my attention by a constituent. Currently, rental car companies have only thirty days to appeal E-ZPass toll violations incurred by drivers using their vehicles. While the vehicle owner is typically held liable for toll violations, rental car companies are often not the ones behind the wheel. They must act quickly to transfer responsibility to the actual driver but delays in receiving the original invoice can make this difficult.

My bill offers a commonsense solution by extending the appeal window from thirty to sixty days. This change will give car rental companies more time to process violations and ensure that accountability falls on the correct individual. It also provides greater flexibility in cases where invoices are delayed or lost, helping to streamline the process and reduce unnecessary burdens on businesses.

I also have some exciting news for Team 151. Please join me in welcoming Zach Taylor, our new Constituent Services Advisor. Zach grew up right here in the North Penn area and brings with him a true passion for serving our community. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Marketing, and during his time in the south he traveled the country as an Alto Sax player with the legendary Million Dollar Band. We are thrilled to have Zach’s energy, creativity, and dedication on our team. He is eager to meet many of you and to jump right in as we continue working together to strengthen and support our communities. Welcome aboard Zach. We cannot wait to see all that you will accomplish.

Finally, during Pennsylvania’s Veteran Suicide Prevention Week, I was honored to stand in solidarity with my colleagues and community leaders from the local, county, and federal levels at a flag-raising ceremony to raise awareness and show our continued support for veterans. The ceremony included powerful remarks from veterans Representative Joe Webster and Representative Nancy Guenst, which delivered a clear and compassionate message: our veterans are not alone.

This week and every week, we must make sure that those who served know where to turn for support, resources, and someone who will listen. Together, we can build stronger systems of care, reduce stigma, and save lives. To every veteran: we see you, we thank you, and we are here for you.

Upcoming Events

?? Join Us at the Montgomery Township Fall Festival ??

The Montgomery Township Fall Festival is almost here and we cannot wait to see you there. Make sure to stop by our table to say hello, share your thoughts, and learn more about the work we are doing together for our community.

Bring your friends and family, enjoy the festival, and let’s celebrate the season and our community spirit.

?? Join us for our Third Annual Family Resource Fair and Trunk O’ Treat! ??????

We’re thrilled to collaborate once again with Rep. Ben Sanchez, Rep. Liz Hanbidge, and the Ambler YMCA to bring you an event filled with laughter, smiles, and endless fun for the young and young at heart.

Get ready to explore a variety of resources and enjoy some sweet treats from amazing providers. We can’t wait to see you there!

Come dressed in your favorite costumes and let’s make this a spooktacular day to remember! See you there! ??????

?? Join Us for the Third Annual Fall Senior Fair Friday! ??

This event is dedicated to senior citizen living and wellbeing.

Stay informed about services and initiatives in the 151st Legislative District. Learn more about programs for seniors, such as:

PACE/PACENET: Prescription assistance programs to help seniors afford their medications.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program: Financial assistance for eligible seniors to help with property taxes or rent.
SEPTA Key Card
And so much more…

Have any questions? Contact our office at 267-282-6695.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect and learn more! ??