I’ve been serving this community for five years now.
This year has been a challenging one for me and my staff. Budget delays and shutdowns have caused a high degree of uncertainty. Benefit programs for the sick and hungry, public transit cuts, environmental justice rollbacks, civil rights protections lost, disadvantaged business supports gutted… I will say again, 2025 has been a challenging year.
I want to end this year with a quick message to my staff and anyone else who needs to hear it: I’m so proud of the way you showed up each day. Thank You! You have helped me and you have helped the neighbors in this district and for that I am grateful.
We’re all human and are doing our best to help each other through life’s ups and downs. My team lives in the world of politics, does the work of a social worker, shares the burdens of a lawmaker, with the pay of a civil servant, and when the day is over they return to the same concerns that they spent their 9-5 helping others through… caring for parents and young people, unaffordable housing, and inflation - to name a few!
This message is a two-parter. Next week’s opening will be a bit more ambitious. 2025 wasn’t actually the worst year ever. It wasn’t even the worst of our 5 years in office. We did a great deal, are growing our capacity, and are bearing witness to the sort of impact that elected officials can make when they’re willing to make bold and decisive decisions. To whoever needs to hear this, know that you were built for just a time as this and your time to leave your mark on your community might well be right this very minute.
So long, 2025. Bring on the New Year!
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Office Closure for the Holiday
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My office will be closed this week beginning Wednesday, December 31st, and continuing until the end of the week. We will re-open on Monday, January 5th, 2026, for regular business hours.
If you need assistance, please email RepNelson@PAHouse.net or leave us a message at 215-572-5210. We also have a self-service page that may help with your request in the meantime.
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Wishing you and yours a very happy and safe New Year! From helping neighbors with rebates and senior SEPTA cards to responding to more than 5,000 emails, 2025 was a year of service across the 154th District.
Here’s a look at what we accomplished together!
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Celebration Reminders From PennDOT
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As Pennsylvanians celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year, PennDOT is urging everyone to make safe choices before getting behind the wheel.
Between November 28, 2024, and January 1, 2025, Pennsylvania recorded 11,658 crashes, resulting in 6,333 injuries and 91 fatalities. More than 1,100 of those crashes involved drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, leading to hundreds of injuries and 31 deaths. These numbers serve as a reminder that impaired driving continues to be a serious and preventable risk during the holiday season.
To help keep impaired drivers off the road, local and state law enforcement agencies are participating in a holiday impaired driving enforcement campaign running from November 19, 2025, through January 1, 2026. Drivers can expect to see increased police presence, including roving patrols and sobriety checkpoints, aimed at preventing crashes and saving lives.
PennDOT encourages everyone to plan ahead before celebrating. Choose a sober driver, use a ride-share service, or take public transportation like SEPTA to get around safely. If possible, stay overnight rather than driving, and never allow friends or family members to drive while impaired.
Please also note that all PennDOT Driver License Centers will be closed on New Year’s Day. Plan any license or ID needs in advance.
A little planning can make all the difference.
Let’s start the New Year safely and responsibly! ??
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Click on the Image Below for Information
on Township Events & Updates
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Click on the Image Below for Information
on Active State Programs
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New Year's Day Blood Drive
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Blood donors needed for Red Cross blood drive, this Friday, January 2nd, 10 a.m - 3 p.m. at Curtis Hall, 1250 Church Rd, Wyncote.
Sign up: redcross.org, sponsor code 'cheltenham community'.
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Cheltenham Avenue Corridor Study
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Residents and roadway users: your input is needed!!
With financial assistance provided by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), Montgomery County, the City of Philadelphia, Cheltenham Township, and Springfield Township are working together to study the corridor to identify transportation improvements for all types of users along this important roadway.
Residents and roadway users are encouraged to participate in two ways:
Community input will play a vital role in shaping the future of Cheltenham Avenue.
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New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day Transit Guide
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If you’re heading out to celebrate, SEPTA is a safe and convenient way to get around Philadelphia and the region. Below is a quick guide to service updates and event travel tips to help you plan ahead.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront
The Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront will feature two shows, one at 6 p.m. and another at midnight, over the Delaware River. To avoid traffic and parking challenges, consider taking public transportation. Riders can take the Market-Frankford Line to 2nd Street Station or use bus routes 5, 12, 17, 21, 25, 33, or 42.
New Year’s Eve Transit Service
On New Year’s Eve, Regional Rail trains will operate on a weekday schedule with special late-night service on select lines, making it easier to get home after midnight celebrations. Additional late-night service will be available on the following lines:
- Chestnut Hill East
- Fox Chase
- Lansdale/Doylestown
- Manayunk/Norristown
- Media/Wawa
- Paoli/Thorndale (to Malvern Station only)
- Trenton
- Warminster
- West Trenton
- Wilmington/Newark (to Marcus Hook Station only)
Riders should check New Year’s Eve train times for their specific line and refer to regular schedules for fare zones, accessibility, and earlier arrivals into Center City.
All Metro lines will operate on a weekday schedule. Extra trains will run on the Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line before and after the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Penn’s Landing, with late-night service available.
Select bus routes will operate on a modified weekday schedule. All other bus routes will run weekday-level service with no school trips. PDF schedules are available on SEPTA’s website.
Mummers Parade Bus Detours
In preparation for the Mummers Parade, several bus routes will be detoured beginning at 8:15 a.m. on New Year’s Day along 15th Street between JFK Boulevard and Chestnut Street. Affected routes include 4, 16, 17, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 48, 62, 124, 125, B1 Owl, and L1 Owl. Riders should always check SEPTA’s Alerts and Detours page for the most up-to-date information before traveling.
New Year’s Day Transit Service
On New Year’s Day, Regional Rail, Metro, and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule.
Please note that Bus Route 204 will not operate on New Year’s Day.
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Heading to the Flower Show?
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Planning a trip to the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show? SEPTA is a convenient way to get there, especially if you prefer not to drive into the city.
The Flower Show runs February 28th - March 8th and is being held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. If you are 65 or older and plan to use SEPTA, please stop by my office as soon as possible. SEPTA Senior passes take approximately 4–6 weeks to arrive by mail.
?? Our office location:
115 E. Glenside Ave, Suite 8
Glenside, PA 19038
215-572-5210, RepNelson@PaHouse.Net
Starting the process early will help ensure you’re ready to travel when the Flower Show begins!
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Healthy Habits from the PA Dept of Health
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Making small changes & setting attainable goals for the New Year can help you see real progress in your well-being without overwhelming you. Consider these healthy habits to start off the New Year!
?? Eat more fruits and vegetables
?? Get 7 or more hours of sleep a day
?? Exercise regularly
?? Quit smoking, vaping, and other tobacco
?? Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds
?? Avoid excessive alcohol
?? Get an annual checkup
For more tips on healthy living, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health's dedicated webpage.
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Is Your SEPTA Key Card Expiring?
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Check the date! Is your card one of the 46,742 SEPTA Key cards expiring on December 31, 2025? If your card is registered, you can move Travel Wallet/passes to a new card online.
Registering your card not only protects it if it’s misplaced but also makes it much easier to transfer any Travel Wallet funds or unused passes.
You can transfer funds and passes to a new SEPTA Key card online at SEPTAKey.org or via the SEPTA app. All passes and Travel Wallet balances will be transferred. If the new card already has funds - the transferred amount will be added to the existing balance. If Autoload was set on the old card - the new card will automatically be set to Autoload.
To transfer fare products from an expiring SEPTA Key card, you need to buy a new card for $4.95 from a Fare Kiosk, Sales Location, or an external retailer. If you register the new card within 30 days - the $4.95 purchase fee will be credited to your Travel Wallet for future use.
Register your new SEPTA Key card online at SEPTAKey.org or in the SEPTA app available for download here.
Once you have a new SEPTA Key card—you have three options to transfer your fares:
1. Visit a SEPTA Sales Location
2. Call the SEPTA Key Customer Call Center (855-567-3782)
3. Card to Card Replacement
If your card expires and it is unregistered - your only option is to contact the SEPTA Key Customer Call Center at 855-567-3782 to request a credit/refund for any unused Travel Wallet funds. So please remember to register your SEPTA Key card!
You also now have the option to pay your Bus, Metro, and Regional Rail fare using a contactless credit card, debit card, smart phone or watch. Contactless fares are equivalent to using Travel Wallet on a SEPTA Key card. On Bus and Metro, your first two transfers are FREE if you use contactless payment.
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Pharmacy Network Discrepancies
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Some pharmacy network notices may be incorrect.
My office was just alerted by The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID), who says that some Pennsylvanians were mistakenly told that their local pharmacy is no longer in their insurance network.
The department is looking into the issue and working with insurance companies and other agencies to make sure correct information is shared.
Community and independent pharmacies are important because they provide nearby, personalized care that some chains or mail-order options cannot, and help people manage medications and chronic conditions. Incorrect notices can interrupt care, cause stress, and harm local pharmacies.
If you received a letter saying your pharmacy is out-of-network, contact your insurance company or pharmacy benefits manager to confirm. Some companies have already sent corrected letters.
For questions or complaints about health insurance, visit pa.gov/consumer or call 1-866-PA-COMPLAINT (1-866-722-6675).
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LAST CHANCE: PECO Customer Relief Fund Ends
DECEMBER 31st!
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Having trouble making ends meet and need a little help with the bills?
The PECO Customer Relief Fund (CRF) provides a one-time grant of $750 to customers who qualify. Apply ASAP or by Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - First-come, first-served. (May close early if money runs out.)
* One-time grant up to $750.
* Grants will appear in qualifying customers’ bills as credits.
Note: To apply for PECO’s program, you will need a free Submittable account.
ELIGIBILITY
* Current PECO residential electric and/or natural gas customer.
* Owe up to $2,500 (or, with customer co-payment, can bring the balance down to $2,500).
* No theft-of-service charges on PECO account in past 12 months.
* Household annual income between 151% & 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
If your annual household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, visit peco.com/help for information on other programs.
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The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps Pennsylvanians stay safe and warm during the cold months. From December 3, 2025, through April 10, 2026, households can apply for a one-time cash grant ranging from $200 to $1,000 to help pay heating bills, with the payment sent directly to the utility provider or fuel company. If your household is experiencing a heating emergency, you may also be eligible for additional crisis funds.
Eligibility is based on household size and income, and both renters and homeowners can apply. You do not need to be enrolled in another public assistance program or have unpaid heating bills to qualify. Household size includes all people living in the home, including children, relatives and unrelated individuals who share expenses. Annual income from all household members is considered when determining eligibility.
Applications for LIHEAP can be submitted online, by mail, or in-person at your local county assistance office, and applicants must provide a recent heating bill and proof of household income. Our office can also help with your application. Additional documentation could be needed for non-U.S. citizens, households where heating is included in rent, or households with income below basic living needs. After applying, you will receive written notice of eligibility and your grant amount, usually within 30 days. LIHEAP benefits must be applied for each year, with pre-season notifications sent to previous recipients.
For households experiencing a heating crisis - such as broken equipment, lack of fuel, or imminent utility shutoff - crisis grants provide assistance quickly, typically within 10 business days. If you haven’t received a standard LIHEAP benefit this year, you must apply for the program to be considered for crisis assistance. Those who have already received LIHEAP benefits should contact their local County Assistance Office if a heating emergency arises.
You can learn more, apply online, or track your application status at trackmybenefits.pa.gov.
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Harrisburg Office
325 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202154
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-1079
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Glenside Office
115 East Glenside Avenue
Suite 8
Glenside, PA 19038
(215) 572-5210
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