TLDR: Happy Black History Month! Bring on March, Women’s History Month!

On Feb. 1, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln affixed his signature to a joint resolution. This resolution became the 13th Amendment, which abolished the “peculiar institution” of slavery in this country. In 1926, in honor of the anniversary of the 13th Amendment and the birthdays of President Lincoln (Feb. 12) and famous abolitionist, intellectual, escaped slave, and American statesman Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14), Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in the middle of February. Woodson was, himself, a Harvard-trained historian, former coal miner and son of slaves. In 1970, on the campus of Kent State University, Negro History Week became Black History Month. In 1976, President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month as part of America’s Bicentennial Celebration.

Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Gerald Ford and Carter G. Woodson. Kent State. Harvard. The celebration of the accomplishments of Black Americans has always had its roots in a broader American coalition. The juxtaposition of Black History Month 2025 with the federal assault on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is so hard to put into words and harder still to reconcile in my soul.

Individuals and the systems we create tend to favor that which is familiar and most self-serving. When left to these natural tendencies, different is seen as bad. Justice that moves against self-interest is deemed illegitimate. “Peculiar Institutions” like slavery are erected and protected. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts are intended to break our systems out of their familiar tendencies to fairly serve individuals of all walks of life. This is particularly true of those persons who were previously in the shadows of society and whose merits were rarely considered due to their differing abilities and presentation.

This U.S. Supreme Court has taken our dedication to anti-discrimination into a very different space that threatens our ability to right our systemic inclinations. The Trump administration has picked up the ball and run farther into the direction of the familiar than any prior administration since President Andrew Jackson.

I am so thrilled to work alongside our school districts, county, and other educational, business and government leaders in boldly standing up for the actual rule of law and fighting to preserve our community’s values. I am doing everything I can in my role as your state representative to ensure that our shared views are protected and needed resources are not siphoned off. Especially during this Black History Month 2025, our commitment to each other and our broad American coalition must not give way to old habits.

Thank you to our first responders!

The Greater Glenside Civic Association, in coordination with Abington Township commissioners, has launched a survey to gauge residents’ top concerns and questions about the fire at SPS Technologies going forward. If you were affected by the incident, take a few minutes to fill out this survey. If you have any questions, please direct them to info@glensidecivic.org.

As many of you know, beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license/photo ID card (or another form of federally acceptable identification such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID. 

PennDOT is offering special dedicated times at driver license centers across PA to help residents get their REAL ID. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday, March 3 the King of Prussia Driver License Center (143 South Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406) will be open to issue same-day REAL IDs.  

For more information on what documents are required for REAL ID, go here, or reach out to my office at (215) 572-5210 or RepNelson@pahouse.net. For more information on future REAL ID days and locations, go here.  

Many of you have contacted our office with concerns and perspectives on what is happening at the federal level of government. I encourage you to make your voice heard at Congresswoman Madeleine Dean’s virtual town hall next week from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m., Thursday, March 6. The event can be streamed here.

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Foundation has announced that applications are now being accepted for the James. R. Roebuck Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship was named after the Hon. James R. Roebuck, a former member of the PLBC and champion for education.  

Successful applicants will receive a $1500 scholarship made possible by the PLBC Foundation for educational purposes, such as tuition, fees, books, or school-related supplies and equipment.  

Applicants must be a resident of PA, a person of color, and a graduating high school senior or current undergraduate college student. For more information on the scholarship and to apply, go here. Applications are due April 5.  

A Code Blue cold weather emergency will be in effect from Saturday, March 1 at 8 p.m. until Tuesday, March 4 at 8 a.m. Residents who need shelter during a Code Blue can call Your Way Home Montgomery County’s Call Center at (610) 278-3522. Click here for more information. 

PECO has recently updated the eligibility criteria for their Small Business Gas Grant so that more businesses are eligible to receive the funding. PECO is offering a $200 one-time grant (applied directly to your bill) to eligible small business customers with PECO natural gas accounts.  

Applications will be considered in the order they are received, and while funding lasts – apply today. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, go here. 

Applications are currently being accepted for the PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program, administered through The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. TFEC awards two four-year scholarships to PA high school seniors each year.  

Details on eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found here. Applications are due on April 15. 

The PA Invasive Replace-ive Program is a new initiative that will give homeowners and others the option to remove invasive trees and shrubs from their property and replace them with native plants. Doing so helps reduce the likelihood of these species becoming unwanted “escapees” into neighboring properties, parks, and forests.  

Properties owners are encouraged to remove one or more invasive species and receive up to 5 FREE healthy, native, young replacement trees. Program events begin in May. Learn more here. 

 The Philadelphia Flower Show is here. On Saturdays and Sundays, March 1 to 2 and March 8 to 9, SEPTA’s Regional Rail will be offering additional service on the Lansdale/Doylestown, Paoli/Thorndale and Fox Chase lines.  

For more information, go here.  

Has your Medicare plan stopped covering a medication starting in 2025? Have they added a new prior authorization restriction? According to the PA Department of Aging, you are entitled to a 30-day transition fill within the first 90 days of the year. You may also ask your plan for a coverage exception. 

PA MEDI can help you file an appeal or investigate other coverage and saving options. Call the PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and learn more about PA MEDI here. 

Pennsylvania State Capitol

325 Irvis Office Building

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-1079

District Office

115 E Glenside Ave., Suite 8
Glenside, PA 19038
(215) 572-5210