Hi, my name is Grace Richter and I am excited to return to Rep. Nelson's office as an intern this summer.

In May, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ursinus College with a degree in political science and a minor in theater. I am proud to say that, while in college, I was inducted into two honors societies, the Cub & Key and Whitian Society (which is one society) and Pi Sigma Alpha (our nation's political science honor society).

In the fall, I will pursue my master's in public policy at Drexel University. I am hoping to pursue a career in international diplomacy after grad school. I love studying international relations, so diplomacy feels like a natural next step for me. I also love to travel. My most recent trip was to London, where my family and I spent ten days exploring the city's sites, culture, and history. I hope to go to Ireland next, as I have ancestral roots there. 

I feel very fortunate to be returning to such a supportive and educational environment after graduating college. This experience in the public service field will continue to equip me with the skills I need for both graduate school and my future career. I am so grateful for this opportunity to come back to the office and further my experience working with staff and constituents alike.

As some of you have noticed, PennDOT has started milling part of Ashbourne Road this week. PennDOT informed our office that part of Ashbourne Road will be paved in time for the Cheltenham Township July 4th parade. 

The rest of Ashbourne Road should be completed by the end of the summer. 

And remember that PennDOT is always hiring. Part of the impediment to fast fixes and road paving in a timely manner is the need for road maintenance workers.

If you'd like to apply for a job, you can look here. 

This was another session week in Harrisburg, as we are inching closer to the June 30th Budget deadline. I’m not sure we’re any closer than we were a month ago, but there are a few notable bills that I want to discuss, and a court ruling that ought to be elevated.

First, many of you got a text earlier this week from some unknown phone number stating that I was voting to eliminate scholarships for over 30,000 students and to tell me to vote NO on HB 2632.

Let’s dig in on this one.

HB 2632 changes Pennsylvania’s school voucher program. PA does not give government funds to private schools (religious or otherwise) for student education.

We do, however, have tax credit programs that allow businesses and other wealthy individuals to pay less in taxes if THEY would send money to those private schools.

Apparently, we prefer to not be the middle man by taxing and then paying the schools, but we will accept an arrangement where someone else pays the schools for us. The problem is that we have very little insight into who’s getting the funds, and are they going to families in need.

HB 2632 attempts to bring a bit more oversight into the process,  ensures that the credits are only given when benefiting families that make up to 350% of the area median income, and allows the credit to cover more of the tuition cost than was previously permitted. HB 2632 does not change the amount of tax credits available to PA businesses for private school “scholarships” (currently about $680M).

That said, the special interests that support these scholarships don’t like the added oversight and they wanted you to let me know. I voted YES on HB 2632 in the Education Committee on Tuesday, and it passed along party lines. I suspect that it will get a floor vote sometime next week. 

Also, this week the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on the legality of Skill Games, the slot-machine-looking game terminals that you might often see in bars, gas stations, hotels, and other spaces that aren’t casinos.

The high court ruled that they are, in fact, like slot machines (of course) and that they should be governed in the same way that we govern slots. The challenge is that we never had this definitive ruling from them prior and the skill game makers argued that their machines required, you guessed it, skills and that would have made them distinct from games of chance.

This desired loophole has allowed these machines to spread throughout the state without any regulation or taxing authority. There are over 70,000 of these machines in PA and now they have 120 days to either be pulled out of the small businesses everywhere, or be taxed and regulated.

We have been expecting this. In PA, we have been projecting the collection of over $500M in annual revenues for the 2026-27 budget. This is great because the state needs the money for our schools, mass transit systems, property tax relief, and to plug the gaping holes in our social service systems.

Keep an eye on a legislative agreement that would tax these skill games… and yes, it should be done before the 120 days pass.

Happy Juneteenth! For those who are unaware of the significance of the holiday: 

Juneteenth is celebrated each year on June 19, honors the end of slavery in the United States and commemorates the day in 1865 when news of freedom finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. This year marks the 161st anniversary of this historic event.

Recognized as a federal holiday since 2021, Juneteenth is a time to reflect on our nation's history, celebrate freedom, and honor the resilience and contributions of Black Americans. Communities across the country will come together through events, education, and celebration to mark this important day.

A reminder that my office will be CLOSED tomorrow Friday, June 19th, in observance of the holiday. We will reopen on Monday for regular business hours at 9:30 a.m.

If you need assistance during this time, check out the Self Service section of my website or leave us a message at 215-572-5210 / RepNelson@PAHouse.net.

Today, I had the privilege of joining community members, local leaders, and our district office interns for a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony in La Mott.

The ceremony was especially meaningful in La Mott, home to historic Camp William Penn, where African American soldiers trained to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. Standing in a community so deeply connected to the fight for freedom serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who came before us.

I was grateful to share this experience with our summer interns and to join neighbors and community leaders in honoring the significance of this day. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this meaningful celebration and keep the history and spirit of Juneteenth alive for future generations.

All PennDOT driver’s license and photo centers, including the full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

Online services will still be available at pa.gov/dmv. 

More details here.

Tonight!! Thursday, June 18, 2026, | 7:00 p.m.

The Springfield Township Police Department and Board of Commissioners have launched a quarterly public safety forum to keep residents informed and encourage community discussion.

The first session focused on cybercrime and fraud prevention. The upcoming session is on Traffic Laws, speed education and enforcement. It aims to give attendees an opportunity to ask questions, share feedback, and connect with local police officers and public officials. 

All community members are welcome to attend.

Location:  Springfield Township Building, 1510 Paper Mill Road, Wyndmoor, PA 19038

REMOTE VIEWING (updated 6/3/26)
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84615823754
Zoom ID: 846 1582 3754
Passcode: TOWNSHIP

Please note that commenting will not be available remotely.

SAVE the Date and join our office for a FREE community screening of Ghostbusters at the Hiway Theater in Jenkintown. This event is part of our ongoing efforts to support local economic development and to celebrate the community institutions that help strengthen our neighborhoods. 

Independent theaters like the Hiway Theater serve as important cultural and economic anchors, attracting visitors, supporting nearby businesses, and creating opportunities for community engagement. 

Admission is FREE, but registration is required. 

SFMNP provides eligible low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits and vegetables in Pennsylvania. Eligible participants will receive five $5 vouchers (totaling $25) to use at authorized farmers’ markets and produce stands across the state.  

The Montco office will be distributing vouchers both by mail and at select pop-up events across the county. 

Completed applications can be submitted by mail or email to infomhs@sharefoodprogram.org. 

• June 1, 2026: First day seniors may redeem SFMNP checks for fresh produce purchased from approved farmers
• September 15, 2026: Last day to mail SFMNP applications
• September 30, 2026: Last day to issue SFMNP checks (in person and by mail)
• November 30, 2026: Last day for participants to use their 2026 SFMNP check

Please contact the Montco Share team with any questions 215-223-2220 ext. 138.

Meet Shortcake ??

Meet Swiss! ??

Swiss is a 5-month-old mixed-breed puppy with a sweet personality and lots of love to give. She is doing well with house training, loves her crate, and enjoys playing with other dogs.

While she can be a little shy in new situations, Swiss is gaining confidence every day and thrives with patience and positive reinforcement. She is especially great with children and is looking for a loving family to help her continue to grow.

Think Swiss could be your perfect match? Apply to adopt through Philly Rescue Angels!

Montgomery County, the City of Philadelphia, Cheltenham Township, and Springfield Township are partnering on a study of Cheltenham Avenue between Paper Mill Road and Ogontz Avenue.

The study is exploring ways to improve safety and accessibility for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, with a focus on addressing speeding, crashes, and gaps in walking and biking infrastructure. 

The corridor study area spans Cheltenham Avenue from Paper Mill Road to the west and Ogontz Avenue to the east. The study will also specifically look at 16 key intersections across Springfield Township, Cheltenham Township, and the City of Philadelphia. 

An open house was held May 28th in Springfield Township. Click here to see the presentation, documents, comments (you can comment on the website as well), and other relevant data related to the study. 

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

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