Dear Neighbor & Estimado Vecino,

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For Spanish readers, please read the full Spanish-language version of this email here.

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I hope you are well. I would like to share important information about my ongoing work. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office for help with any state-related issues. To stay informed,?visit my official page. You can also check your?preferences?to make sure you're signed up for?my emails.?

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Para los lectores en?español, lea una versión completa de este boletín electrónico?en su idioma?aquí.?  

Espero que estén bien. Me gustaría compartir información importante sobre mi trabajo en curso. Y no olvides?visitar mi página oficial?para mantenerte informado.?También puede verificar sus?preferencias?para asegurarse de que está registrado para recibir mis correos electrónicos.   

I want to wish you and your family a happy holiday season! I hope you take the time to relax and connect with family as we approach the new year.

My office hours for the holiday season are as follows:

• December 24 and 25: Closed
• December 31: Closed beginning at noon
• January 1: Closed

Regular office hours will resume on Friday, January 2.

This week, my House colleagues and I passed important bills that will help our neighbors and improve our communities:

Three years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, and that has taken away the rights of so many across the nation. We are fighting to codify the law that already existed from Roe v. Wade in Pennsylvania, ensuring we protect the right to privacy, the right to making your own healthcare decisions, and the right to choose or refuse an abortion, while restricting abortion beyond the point of fetal viability. This will make the law just the same as it was three years ago.

And it is not just members of the General Assembly that will have a say. If this bill passes again next session (2027-2028), voters will be able to cast their ballots and decide whether these protections become part of the state constitution (HB 1957).

We’re protecting your privacy by establishing privacy and security requirements for direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies to protect consumer genetic data from misuse, unauthorized access, and discriminatory practices (HB 1530).

We’re protecting workers by requiring employers to adopt written policies and procedures to prevent workplace harassment, discrimination and retaliation (HB 1825).

We’re preventing human trafficking by requiring hotels, motels and third-party listing platforms to provide training to each employee and rental operator regarding what human trafficking is, how to identify the signs of trafficking, and how to respond if suspected trafficking is taking place (HB 1286).

We’re establishing a statewide literacy program to provide free books to Pennsylvania children ages 5 and under (HB 1663).

We’re providing opportunities for fresh food in schools by establishing the Keystone Fresh grant program so schools can purchase local and minimally processed food for school meals (HB 1768).

We’re ensuring access to healthcare by allowing pharmacists to provide vaccines based on recommendations from Pennsylvania health authorities, which may draw from guidance issued by professional medical societies (HB 1881) and by letting midwives directly refer patients to physical therapy, reducing delays in care (HB 1251).

You can find more information on our work in Harrisburg, including a livestream of our work in committee and in the House chamber, on the House's website.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications! This program provides cash and crisis grants to help families cover their heating bills as we head into winter. Grant amounts range from $200 to $1,000, depending on your income, household size, and fuel type.

You can apply here or contact my office for assistance.

Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program helps older friends and neighbors stay in their homes while affording groceries, medicine, and other necessities. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older.

Rebates range from $380 to $1,000, and the application deadline has been extended to December 31. My staff is available to assist with applications, so don’t hesitate to contact my district office!

If you or someone you know needs food assistance, especially as we reach the holiday season, please reach out to my office to find out where you can get help. You can also click here to go to Helping Harvest's website, which has a map of over 350 charitable food program partners in our area.

Many Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property - money from dormant bank accounts, insurance payments, uncashed checks - and you may be one of them!

My office can help you receive this unclaimed property. Contact us or go to PATreasury.gov/unclaimed-property to see if there is anything available in your name.

My staff had the opportunity to attend several holiday events in our community on my behalf.

First, they took part in Christmas Car-nival, the annual celebration hosted by Tom Masano Auto Group.

Then, they attended the Menorah Lighting on the corner of 5th and Penn Streets in Reading and took part in Alvernia's John R. Post Center's Shine the Light on Antisemitism reception.

Antisemitism has no place in our community or state. I am proud to support our Jewish community, and I wish you all a happy and safe Hanukkah.

This week, the GoggleWorks Theatre hosted a special screening of Josh Dipini’s short film Love Is Only a Feeling. The film follows Lexi and Mikhail as they begin their day connecting over breakfast and a walk through the city, eventually parting ways—each encountering an unexpected turn that unknowingly leads them toward a surprising reunion.

I’ve known Josh since he was about three years old, so watching his talent, determination, and creative voice evolve has been incredibly meaningful and something I’m deeply proud of.

Josh took the initiative to seek out opportunities, utilize the resources available to him, and fully commit to bringing his vision to life. I was glad to support that journey by connecting him to the filmmaking workshop at Outhouse Productions and opening space for him to create. Empowering youth and young adults who show this kind of drive and follow-through is something I deeply believe in and will always champion.

The Reading Community Group will be holding a Christmas Toy and Coat Giveaway on Dec. 20. They will have walk-in hours from 2 - 4 p.m. for families to pick out gifts, as well as the opportunity to meet Santa!

As always, my team and I are here to help you navigate state programs and services. Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas. If you can't make it into my district office, you can visit one of my satellite offices! Find my office information below:

Centro Hispano Casa Senior Center

25 N. 2nd St., Reading, PA, 19601

every Thursday from 9 a.m. to Noon

Spring Township Municipal Building

2850 Windmill Road, Sinking Spring, PA, 19608

1st and 3rd Friday from 9 a.m. to Noon

We also host DAV Services (Disabled American Veterans) in my office

1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610

Every other Monday from 9 a.m. to Noon

Pennsylvania State Capitol

104-A East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-1858

District Office

1111 Penn Ave.
Wyomissing, PA 19610

(484) 577-2756

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