As secretary of the House Commerce Committee, I am at the forefront of legislation being considered in the House that works to drive Pennsylvania’s economy forward.

When we’re not holding hearings or considering bills in committee, I make it a point to travel the state to better grasp how our laws and investments in commerce impact local communities and economies. This week I joined the House Majority Policy Committee on tours of a mid-state winery and businesses in Reading.

In Reading we examined the impact of City Revitalization and Improvement Zones, also known as CRIZ, and at Nissley Vineyards in Lancaster County we heard from Pennsylvania winemakers who are looking for legislation to support, promote and protect our homegrown wines and local businesses.

The House did its job by voting to fund the state budget and transit systems across the state, including our SEPTA!

??Contact these GOP SEPTA-area Senators and tell them to do their job and fund your transit system! 

Sen. Joe Picozzi: 215-281-2539

Sen. Frank Farry: 215-638-1784

Sen. Tracy Pennycuick: 215-541-2388 

Your voice can make a difference if they hear it!

Applications will be available starting Monday, Aug. 4 for PECO’s Customer Relief Fund, a $10 million initiative by PECO and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia to help reduce the burden of rising energy costs, especially as the result of extreme heat this summer. This is welcome news!

Qualifying customers will receive a grant of $500 toward a past-due balance on a residential electric or natural gas bill from PECO. There are other eligibility requirements. Click here or the image above to find out more.

Celebrate the start of a new school year with me at Sen. Art Haywood’s All Youth Are All Stars Celebration from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Lonnie Young Rec Center. We’ll have video games, face painting, school supplies, free food, community resources and much more as we get our kids back to the classroom and on their way to success.

Join your neighbors, local law enforcement and emergency services, along with my and state Rep. Anthony Bellmon’s offices, for Olney’s National Night Out on Aug. 4. We’ll be at the Aspira Bilingual Charter School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with food trucks, government resources and giveaways.

This annual relationship-building event is designed to bring people and those who serve them together in fellowship and celebration. I hope to see you there!

The School District of Philadelphia’s Back-to-School Bus Tour continues making all the stops. Take advantage of free back-to-school supplies, sweet treats and important resources for you and the student in your life.

Come to Marcus Foster Memorial Stadium on Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for a day of fun.

The next date for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Fresh Food Give-away is Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nicetown CDC.

The municipal general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Make your plan to vote now. Click on the codes in the convenient flyer above if you need to: 

• Register to Vote
• Request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
• Find Your Polling Location

Please stay vigilant and avoid clicking links or giving away personal information from texts or emails that claim to represent transportation agencies in Pennsylvania.

These scam messages have been circulating for months and are ever-changing as word about the specific language being used gets out. They look incredibly official, and these scammers want you to panic and act fast. DON’T DO IT!

Scam attempts should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

If you need assistance with any state government-related program, please don't hesitate to contact my office.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

116 A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2198
(717) 787-7727

District Office

1335 West Tabor Road, Suite 109
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 849-6426