Earlier this week, a bill I am immensely proud of and passionate about, House Bill 1042, was approved by the House Judiciary Committee and is heading to the full House for consideration. This bipartisan effort with Rep. Natalie Mihalek, representing Allegheny and Washington Counties, is all about second chances, safer communities, and smarter spending.
This legislation incentivizes incarcerated individuals to complete vocational or educational programs by offering earned credits toward parole consideration (not a guarantee – but a step forward for those who work for it). It also removes outdated licensing barriers so folks with past convictions can actually use their new skills to get jobs and provide for their families.
The facts are clear: people who take part in prison education programs are 43% less likely to reoffend and 13% more likely to find a job after release. And for every $1 we invest in these programs, we save $4-$5 within just three years. HB 1042 builds on Pennsylvania’s leadership in reducing recidivism and aims to make our corrections system more effective, more efficient, and more focused on real rehabilitation and reentry.
I will keep pushing for smart, commonsense solutions that strengthen public safety and support our communities. Thank you to everyone who’s supported this legislation so far – we’re just getting started!
|
HB 630 (Rep. Melissa Schusterman): This bill would update the Equal Pay Law to prohibit employers from paying workers less because of their gender, race or ethnicity and protect employees from retaliation in any wage discrimination matters. It also curtails the practice by prospective employers of using salary history in pay-setting decisions for new employment. This was a partisan bill that passed the House 102-101 and now heads to the Senate for consideration. Read more about this bill here: Lawmakers push legislation on Pennsylvania gender earnings gap
HB 820 (Rep. Christina Sappey): This bill cuts the costs working Pennsylvanians face by creating the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, a 30% refundable state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This bill only had Democratic co-sponsors but saw bipartisan support in its final passage by a vote of 185-18 and heads over to the Senate. Read more about this bill here: Pennsylvania House Passes Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit Bill
HB 926 (Krueger): This legislation protects our health care workers by creating the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act, which requires a health facility to establish protocols and guidance on programs to prevent workplace violence. This bill was substantially partisan, passing the House 124-79. Read more about it here: Nurses rally as bill to prevent healthcare violence advances – WPXI
HB 1200 (Frankel/Krajewski): This legislation provides for the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania via a hybrid model with private sector growers and processors and public sector retail stores. This bill was VERY partisan with a final House vote of 102-101. Read more about it at the following links:
|
Town Hall with Springfield EAC
|
Join us and the Springfield Township Environmental Advisory Commission for a Town Hall on Thursday, May 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Free Library of Springfield Township (8900 Hawthorne Ln, Wyndmoor, PA 19038).
This is a chance for you to meet your State Rep., learn about key legislation, and discuss the state government issues and concerns most important to you. We will also hear from the Springfield EAC and how their local climate efforts are saving taxpayers money.
|
Feedback Wanted: Outdoor Office Hours
|
With summer weather on the way, we are looking to bring our constituent services outdoors and closer to you! Please reach out to my office and let us know which parks or outdoor spaces in the district you’d like us to visit, weather-permitting, of course.
|
Reminder: Outreach in Oreland next Thursday
|
Join my office for a bite to eat while taking advantage of services like the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program, SEPTA Senior Key Cards, and Unclaimed Property! We will be at Oreland Pizza (1350 Bruce Rd) on Thursday, May 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to help you access these programs.
Questions about what documents you need to bring or whether you qualify for a certain program? Please contact at (215) 572-5210 or RepNelson@pahouse.net.
|
Reminder: Shredding Event next Sunday
|
Join my office and the office of State Representative Ben Sanchez for a FREE paper shredding and electronics recycling event on Sunday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel (8339 Old York Rd, Elkins Park, PA 19027).
We kindly ask that you limit paper shredding to 2-3 bags or boxes per vehicle so that we can serve as many constituents as possible. If you have any questions about what electronics can be accepted for recycling, please contact my office at (215) 572-5210 or RepNelson@pahouse.net.
|
Please click on the image below for information on township events & updates
|
Please click on the image below for information on state government programs
|
Our office recently sent out a letter to all of the 90-or-above-year-olds in the district about the opportunity to receive a special citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives honoring their longevity.
If you already received the letter and sent back your answers to the questionnaire, thank you! If not, there is no deadline, but we would love to get your answers, learn more about your life, and honor you with a citation. If you know a 90-or-above-year-old in the district who would like to be honored, please reach out to my office at (215) 572-5210 or RepNelson@pahouse.net.
|
Now Open: Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
|
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is now accepting applications! This program provides fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from approved farmers in Pennsylvania.
Eligible Montco seniors who are 60+ and meet the income eligibility guidelines can receive five vouchers of $5 each to purchase this locally sourced PA produce from participating farmers markets/farmers stands.
If you are interested in applying for this program, please reach out to my office at (215) 572-5210 or RepNelson@pahouse.net. You can also call Share Food Montco at (215) 223-2220 x138 or (610) 984-4074.
|
Reading Knight and Day Saturday
|
Calling all book lovers, families, and young readers! Reading Knight and Day, brought to you by the Center for Antiracist Scholarship, Advocacy, and Action (CASAA) at Arcadia University, is this Saturday, May 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the University Commons Great Room.
This brand-new community event is all about celebrating the joy of reading and will be packed with fun for the whole family. You can look forward to a live reading of Amari and the Night Brothers, free books to help build your personal library, engaging games and activities centered on literacy, free swag and refreshments, and the chance to connect with friends, neighbors, and educators.
|
New Consumer Protection Hotline
|
Governor Josh Shapiro has launched a new hotline and online tools to make it easier to report scams and resolve financial or insurance issues.
You can call the new hotline at 1-866-PACOMPLAINT (1-866-722-6675), visit pa.gov/consumer, or email consumer@pa.gov for assistance. Whether it’s a denied insurance claim, a financial transaction concern, or an issue with a student loan, the new system connects you to the right state agency to help resolve the problem, providing a clear and simple way for consumers to get the help they need.
|
If you got the above text message from 1-833-648-1964, it is legitimate! The PA Department of Human Services (DHS) is sending text messages to EBT cardholders to raise awareness of the new EBT Card Lock feature. Locking your card blocks all purchases, balance inquiries, and transactions to keep your funds secure.
For instructions on how to lock your EBT card, please consult DHS’s webpage.
|
Reminder: SEPTA Public Hearings
|
These hearings will occur on Monday, May 19 (11 a.m. & 5 p.m.), Tuesday, May 20 (10 a.m. & 4 p.m.), and Wednesday, May 21 (10 a.m. & 4 p.m.). You can attend the hearings inperson in the Board Room at SEPTA Headquarters (1234 Market St, Mezzanine Level, Phila, PA 19107) or remotely via WebEx. Visit SEPTA’s webpage to register.
|
Pennsylvania State Capitol
325 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202154
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2154
(717) 783-1079
|
District Office
115 East Glenside Avenue
Glenside, PA 19038
(215) 572-5210
|
|