This week I took a trip to Pittsburgh to better understand the Artificial Intelligence ecosystem that is driving the city and nation and to wrestle with its implications for education and public safety. I had meetings with leaders in transportation infrastructure, advanced robotics, business funding, and participated in education hearings.

It left me feeling resolute, optimistic, and honestly a bit underwhelmed.

I am optimistic that even with AI, the world's best minds are still being trained in our universities and the work they are doing even to this day will build tomorrow’s economy. As I work to bring an approach to ETHICAL development, I appreciate the ability to lean on our campuses and government to ground us. (Yes, ethical government would be nice, too)

I am a bit underwhelmed in our current political and educational discourse regarding AI. There are very few knowledge economy fields that aren’t currently being touched by AI in the workplace. I am not sure that future deployment of AI won’t result in mass job displacement, but I do believe the expression “You probably won’t lose your job to AI, but you will lose it to someone who knows how to use AI.” Given that, I believe that our schools need to be prepared to start in August with expectation that the 2027 graduating class must be AI proficient. I’m not sure that this is integrated into our educational design. Don’t get me started on how far behind our policy conversations are. Again, a bit underwhelmed is apt.

Finally, I am very much resolved to being a larger part of the solution. I am not some sort of evangelist that believes we should all be replaced by computers. I believe that there is a new day coming and my job is to make sure that our economy, our laws, and our social safety nets are prepared for it. We are not. We must be. Those of us who see it have a responsibility to lead. I will.

I know many of you have been following this series, and it’s been so fun to watch! The Philadelphia Flyers are up 3–0 against the Pittsburgh Penguins and have a great chance to seal the win. ??

Moments like this are a great reminder of how sports bring our community together.

Let’s Go Flyers! ??

GO FLYERS! ??

If you need help getting ready for the Primary, it’s easy to connect with Montgomery County Voter Services! ??

This year, they’re opening four satellite offices and extending hours at their main office in Norristown.

Satellite office hours: 11 AM – 4 PM

• May 2: Pottstown & Willow Grove

• May 3: Lansdale & Lower Merion

• May 9: Lansdale & Lower Merion

• May 10: Pottstown & Willow Grove

The Norristown office will also be open 11 AM – 4 PM on May 2, 3, 9, and 10, in addition to regular weekday hours.

A Mobile Voter Services office will also travel to locations across the county. ??

At any of these sites, you can:

• Register to vote (by the May 4 deadline)

• Apply for a mail-in ballot

• Complete your mail-in ballot on the spot

Learn more here.

??? Montgomery County: "I Voted" General Election Sticker Contest

Montgomery County is hosting a contest where you can create an “I Voted” sticker for the November 3 election.

If you win, your sticker will be handed out to voters across the county!

?? Who Can Enter?

• Anyone who lives in Montgomery County
• Especially students in K–12 (any type of school or homeschool)

? Rules for Your Design

• Must include the words “I Voted”
• Must be saved as a PDF, JPG, or PNG
• No political parties or groups allowed
• Follow all the rules, or your design won’t count

?? How to Enter

1. Download the template
2. Create your design and fill the whole square
3. Complete the submission form and attach a photo or
   scanned copy of the artwork. 

? Deadline

• Submit by April 30 at 11:59 PM

? Need Help? Contact the Voter Services team

Applications are now open for Montgomery County’s first-ever Junior Commissioner Program! ?? 

Starting in the 2026–2027 school year, this program gives high school students the chance to work with County Commissioners, attend meetings, learn how the County operates, and complete a real-world capstone project.

Click here to learn more about the program.

Participants will:
• Gain hands-on experience in county government
• Build leadership and communication skills
• Connect with civic leaders across Montgomery County
• See firsthand how decisions impacting the community are made

Open to rising juniors and seniors with a passion for public service.
??? Applications due May 10
?? $500 travel stipend
?? Apply now

You’re invited to a panel discussion on April 29 at 7 PM in the Springfield Administration Building (1510 Papermill Road, Erdenheim, PA, 19038) featuring Springfield community members, Prothonotary Noah Marlier, District Judge Kate McGill, and representatives from Laurel House and the Springfield Township Police Department.

The panel will share information on resources for domestic violence survivors, including how to obtain a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order and access local support services.

This event is free and open to the public and will also be simulcast on Zoom, passcode: TOWNSHIP. A recording will be available for those who cannot attend.

If you or someone you know needs support, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Looking for a simple way to make a positive environmental impact right at home? The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is offering support through its Lawn to Habitat Program, which helps residents convert traditional grass lawns into native meadows or wooded spaces.

Maintaining turf grass can require a lot of water, fertilizer, and upkeep. By switching to native plants, you can reduce maintenance, improve water quality, and create a habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

Through this program, residents can access technical guidance, educational resources, and even free “Pocket Meadow Kits” that include native seeds and planting instructions. These kits can cover up to 1,000 square feet and will be available in limited quantities statewide.

In our region, registration for the Eastern Region opens on April 28 and closes May 1. Kits are expected to ship the week of May 11.

If you’re interested in making your yard more sustainable while supporting local ecosystems, this is a great opportunity to get started.

Join State Senator Art Haywood for a FREE Paper Shredding and E-Waste Recycling Event on May 9, 2026, from 10 am – 1 pm, in the MLK High School *Parking Lot, 6100 Stenton Avenue, Philadelphia, 19144.

Protect yourself and your identity from theft by joining for this FREE event. For more information on what electronics can be recycled, contact Senator Haywood’s office at 215-242-8171.

Save the Date! Montgomery County is partnering with Cheltenham Township, the city of Philadelphia, and Springfield Township to study the Cheltenham Avenue corridor (Paper Mill Road to Ogontz Avenue) and explore ways to improve safety and accessibility for everyone.

Residents are invited to attend public open houses to learn more, share feedback, and help shape the project:

?? Open House #2
Thursday, May 28 | 6 PM–8 PM
Springfield Township Building (1510 Paper Mill Road)

Review findings and give input on proposed improvements.

You can also share feedback by submitting comments on the interactive map and completing a public survey.

For more details or to register, visit the project website.

Harrisburg Office

325 Irvis Office Building

PO Box 202154

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-1079

Glenside Office

115 East Glenside Avenue

Suite 8
Glenside, PA 19038
(215) 572-5210

Unsubscribe from future updates