Dear Neighbor,

I’d like to share with you the work that I’m doing in Harrisburg and locally to ensure we Thrive in the 185. Keep reading for more details, follow my social media for updates, and please contact one of my offices to find out how we can help you with state and local programs and resources. #InformationIsPower

Follow me on social media and check out my website!

#GetInvolved and #JoinTheConversation!

Saturday is our big day! Join me and your friends and neighbors for my annual 185 Community Day on Saturday afternoon, June 21 from noon until 3 p.m. at Elmwood Park! This is always an exciting day full of food, fun, and community resources for everyone! See you there!

This week, the PA House voted with bipartisan support for a plan to increase funding for SEPTA and mass transit agencies across the state, as well as additional funding for other road and bridge construction projects. This is the fourth time in recent years that the House has sent a transportation funding project to the state Senate. We’ve put up solutions and made good faith efforts to address transportation projects in every community because we know that Philly and Delco can’t move without SEPTA and Pennsylvania’s economy doesn’t move without a significant investment in our infrastructure.

We must do something to avoid the draconian cuts, and fare increases that SEPTA has proposed to start in the fall. Getting workers to their jobs efficiently, moving tourists to the world class destinations across our region, helping kids get to school on time; SEPTA is engrained in our day-to-day lives.

This plan would keep people moving and our state and local economies thriving - all without a tax increase or imposition of new revenue streams. I’m hopeful that Senate leadership will take this proposal seriously and act on a solution.

I was privileged this week to speak at the "State of Education in PA: Policies and Implications" session at the Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable (PCPR) Spring Symposium at Arcadia University. I was honored to join state Sen. Vincent Hughes and other policymakers in discussing education legislation, funding priorities, and strategies to best support college-bound students across Pennsylvania.

I was happy to talk about my bill that would address the teacher shortage in Pennsylvania by lowering the undergraduate GPA requirement for teacher preparation programs from 3.0 to 2.8. This reasonable lowering of requirements will bring more qualified teachers into the classroom and will modernize teacher certification in PA, opening opportunities for more future educators.

This bill was approved in the House Education Committee with bipartisan support and is ready for consideration by the full House soon.

This week, the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus hosted our PA MOMNIBUS Day 2025 at the state Capitol in Harrisburg and it was an amazing success of celebration, empowerment, and determination to affect change. The PA MOMNIBUS 2.0 is our plan to improve birthing outcomes in Pennsylvania.

Click above to watch our news conference and rally in the state Capitol Rotunda where we outlined the initiatives in the legislative package to strengthen support for maternal health equity.

As a mom, I take seriously the health and welfare of everyone on their birthing journey. It’s not easy and you need all the help you can get. So, I’m watching closely the steps being taken in the federal government to cut Medicaid for our communities. It’s clear that will be detrimental to so many of our families. Medicaid covers nearly 41% of all births in the United States, and these draconian cuts would eliminate a lifeline for millions of pregnant women, especially those in low-income communities and rural areas of PA where we’re already seeing people travelling across state borders to access care. We are going to hold to our coalition and stay focused to ensure that Pennsylvania moms are not left behind in this moment.

You can read more about our day of advocacy here and view photos from all events on our photo gallery.

In this Women’s Health Month, I encourage you to find out about the array of preventive health services that are available to you at no cost through your health insurance – preventive services like regular check-ups and annual or periodic screenings, pregnancy care, and other essential health services.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Human Services (DHS), and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) have launched a new survey this week to identify challenges and questions women have about their health insurance.

Click the graphic above to access the survey. It will be open until July 7 and is available online in English, Spanish and Chinese. Your input will be used to inform the administration and the legislature of the barriers Pennsylvanians face with health care and how we can work together to improve maternal health initiatives and women’s health care.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department urges Pennsylvanians who have insurance questions, or who wish to file a complaint, to visit pa.gov/consumer or 1-866-PA-COMPLAINT.

The actions that are happening right now with the federal government in Washington, D.C. have been very overwhelming with what seems like daily attacks on our neighbors, our freedoms and basic rights. Just remember that there are always people to help. If you are concerned about the actions being taken on immigration, I encourage you to contact these local organizations listed in this document below. Additionally, while my office is here to assist you with state and local services, your concerns on these federal actions need to be heard by your federal officials. Check out the list of our federal representatives and senators and contact their offices for assistance or to let them know about your concerns. We’ve seen recently how advocacy and loud objections can lead to a course reversal or reevaluation by the president and his administration.

Don’t give up and don’t give in.

Know your rights and stay vigilant for your family and your community.

Join me next Saturday, June 28 for a Paper Shredding Event in Tinicum Township from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the 600 block of Jansen Avenue in Essington. This event is free for all residents of Tinicum Township. Shredding your outdated paperwork is the best way to protect yourself from identity theft, so bring your old tax documents, credit card and back statements, utility bills, anything that includes your personal information and we’ll shred and dispose of it safely and securely.

Loved seeing the beautiful Juneteenth artwork at St. Edmond’s during our mobile site hours this week!

Jalen was canvassing South Philly this week letting folks know about our 185 Community Day on Saturday! My staff loves connecting with our communities to let them know about the resources and information available through my offices.

The application deadline for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2025.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has made it easier for older friends and neighbors to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more.

The application period for the 2025 program is now open to get a rebate on your 2024 taxes or rent paid. Thanks to changes PA House Democrats fought for, more people are eligible, and the rebates are bigger than ever!

Give us a call, send an email, or stop by one of my offices to find out if you’re eligible. We can even help you apply.

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has released a multilingual tip sheet for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to help more eligible residents access the benefit. Now available in seven languages—English, Spanish, Arabic, Simplified & Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese—the tip sheet is part of Pennsylvania’s initiative to expand access to state resources.

The PTRR Program, recently expanded for the first time in nearly 20 years, has already provided over $319 million in rebates for 2024, helping over 522,000 Pennsylvanians, including 106,000 first-time applicants. It supports seniors (65+), widows/widowers (50+), and people with disabilities (18+) based on income and rent/property tax paid.

Applicants can file online through myPATH in English or Spanish, with no account needed. Additional support for the PTRR program is also offered at PA Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers, and my district offices.

Additional Spanish-language resources include a translated instruction book and a step-by-step video guide. For more info, visit revenue.pa.gov/PTRR.

My office helps city officials and local organizations connect to state grants available to help them do their important work to improve our communities and the lives of residents. You can find a list of state grant programs that are currently open for application on my website. We update this list as new programs come online so check back often.

In service and in action,

Rep. Regina Young