Today is 7/25, and it is the sixteenth 7/25 where our minimum wage is still $7.25. Pennsylvania has had the same minimum wage since July 2009, and we are long overdue for an increase. Almost 300,000 Pennsylvanians make minimum wage or near minimum wage, earning only $7.25 to $12 per hour. Meanwhile, the cost of living has skyrocketed. Since the small wage bump in 2009, we have seen a 51% increase in food prices, a 49% increase in medical expenses, and a 67% increase in housing costs with no corresponding minimum wage increase. Over 30 states have raised their wages, including all of Pennsylvania’s neighbors, yet we still lag behind.  

I supported a measure to increase the minimum wage on a county-by-county, year-by-year basis (HB 1549), one that passed the House by a partisan vote but awaits further consideration in the Senate.  

Raising the minimum wage will benefit both taxpayers and businesses alike. With better wages for workers comes less reliance on social services, thus freeing more money to be invested in our communities with the overall goal of shrinking the poverty line. Well-paid workers are better for businesses by increasing employee retention. This would save companies lots of time and resources that would otherwise be spent on hiring and training new employees as replacements.  

And at the end of the day, a livable wage is a basic human right; everyone deserves fair pay for a day’s work. The time is now to raise the wage. Our workers, our neighbors, and our communities deserve better. 

My office is hosting a “Bark in the Park” Dog Licensing Event on Tuesday, July 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Curtis Dog Park | 1250 W Church Rd, Wyncote, PA 19095.  

Did you know that Pennsylvania law requires all dogs eight weeks and older to be licensed? Representatives from the Montgomery County Treasurer’s Office & the Cheltenham Township Police Department will be on site to help with the process. Please make sure to bring the following items, along with your ID: 

• Permanent Identification Verification Form signed by your veterinarian for permanent licenses (print from the link or stop by our office to pick one up!)

• Proof of your dog’s rabies vaccination

• Check/money order made payable to “Montgomery County Treasurer” OR cash

  • An annual license costs $8.70, and a permanent license costs $52.70

  • Senior citizens (65+) and disabled individuals receive a discount: $6.70 for an annual license and $36.70 for a permanent license. If you’d like to receive this discount, please bring proof of age/disability

  • Only dogs who are microchipped or tattooed can receive a permanent license 

Park rules prohibit dogs under six months old and dogs in heat. Please make sure your dog has been properly trained and is on a leash while attending. 

If you have questions, contact Grace at our office at (215) 572-5210 or GRichter@pahouse.net.

My office will be holding another FREE shredding & electronics recycling event with state Rep. Ben Sanchez on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 1 – 3 p.m. at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel | 8339 Old York Rd, Elkins Park, PA 19027. 

As per usual, please limit paper shredding to 2-3 bags or boxes of material per vehicle. Additionally, only certain electronics can be accepted for recycling purposes. Please contact our office to find out what we will be able to take on the day of the event. 

More information to come, but for now, mark your calendars! 

My fifth annual Senior Fair is approaching! The event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel | 8339 Old York Rd, Elkins Park, PA 19027.  

For those of you familiar with this event, you can expect more of the same! For those new, we will have dozens of local, state, and federal organizations on site to offer you information and resources on benefits, programs, and more available to senior citizens. 

You can now RSVP! Fill out the following link that will take you to my website: https://www.pahouse.net/nelson/Form/?id=1769. More details to be announced in the future. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Got the above text from the PA Department of Human Services? It’s legitimate. 

DHS recently launched a survey in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh’s Medicaid Research Center to collect information from Medicaid enrollees about their work experience and challenges or barriers to obtaining work.

Text messages are sent from 1-844-655-2300. All responses to the survey are fully anonymous and have no impact on a person’s current or future coverage.  

PA ABLE is a savings program administered by the PA Treasurer offering people with qualifying disabilities a way to save that does not affect their means-tested benefits.  

To enroll in PA ABLE, a person must have a qualifying disability that started prior to age 26 demonstrated by either entitlement to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits based on blindness or disability; or self-certification of a disability.  

But, starting January 2026, individuals of any age will be able to open a PA ABLE account if their disability occurred before age 46.

What makes a green space urban? The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership wants to see your vision through the lens. Whether it’s nature, people, or the everyday beauty of our watershed – your photo could win cash prizes and community recognition. 

Some parameters: 

• Opens Aug. 1 and runs until Sept. 15

• Open to photographers of all ages

• Submit up to five photos

• Photos must be taken within the TTF watershed

• Categories: Adult, Youth, and Children

• Top prize: $250

• Winning entries will be featured at TTF’s Milestones Ceremony (Nov. 6) and online 

To learn more about this contest, go to TTF’s website.