Dear Neighbor & Estimado Vecino,

I hope you are well. I want 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.?

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.   

Three years after the tragedy at the R.M. Palmer Factory in West Reading that took seven lives, the PA House took action this week. It passed the final of three bills I introduced to address the causes of this tragedy and ensure no other communities have to suffer.

House Bill 1522, which would require businesses and facilities that use natural gas to install gas detectors, is now headed to the state Senate for consideration.

I will continue fighting to get this legislation across the finish line—so the lives we lost are honored with action, and no other family has to endure this kind of tragedy.

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

We advanced the governor’s budget proposal with investments in education, health care, public safety, affordable housing, mass transit, and more, without raising taxes (HB 2400). The final budget still has to be worked out with the Senate.

We’re holding data centers accountable by requiring them to disclose the nature of their operations and report energy and water usage to the state (HB 2150) and providing communities with an optional approach on zoning for data centers (HB 2151).

We’re supporting families by requiring baby diaper changing stations in new or totally renovated public restrooms, including men’s restrooms (HB 1558).

We’re looking out for kids by helping school sports coaches to spot signs of mental health distress or illness (HB 1706).

We’re strengthening consumer protections by updating the law requiring utilities to provide customer assistance programs to people who fall behind on payments (HB 2333).

You can always learn more about the legislation we are working on and watch our meetings on the House Floor and in committee live on the House website.

I had the honor of joining my colleagues in recognizing Black Maternal Health Week with events that both celebrate the incredible work that leaders in Black maternal health have achieved and raise awareness of the work we need to continue. ??

Tuesday marked Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day. I joined several of my colleagues and leaders from across the state to honor several survivors and remember those we have lost.

It is important to remember the atrocities of the Holocaust to avoid the conditions that create hatred, fear, and unimaginable loss. 

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with individuals and groups from across Pennsylvania and hear directly about the vital support they need.

I had the opportunity to meet with Crystal Sterling, one of my constituents and a student at Penn State Berks, who was in Harrisburg advocating for Penn State. It is great to see young leaders like Crystal making their voices heard, and I am proud to ensure that our public colleges get the funding they need!

I also joined my colleagues in the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus in welcoming the National Coalition of Negro Women to the House Floor. The Coalition has led the work to empower Black women across our nation for almost a century, and it is an honor to support their work!

On Wednesday, I joined colleagues from both the Legislative Black Caucus and Latino Caucus to sit down with students from across our Commonwealth – listening, answering questions and discussing how we can strengthen and grow a more diverse educator workforce.

The deadline to register to vote is approaching! To vote in the Primary Election on May 19, you must be registered by May 4. You can register to vote here.

The final day to request a mail-in ballot is May 12, which can be done here.

Applications for Property Tax/Rent Rebates are still available! This program gives money back to PA renters and homeowners for the taxes they paid in 2025 - including seniors, widows and widowers, and those with disabilities.

You can learn more here and contact my office for support with your application. Applications are due by June 30.

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.

Over the weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to join state Sen. Judy Schwank for our shredding event in West Reading. Thank you to the Masonic Lodge for welcoming us and working with us to have a successful event, and Reading Hospital for assisting with traffic control!

Developing our workforce is one of the most important pathways to further success in life, including housing access and investment opportunities. It was an honor to recognize the leaders in our community - John Weidenhammer, Rick Perez, Rosa Julia Parra, and Khalid N. Mumin, Ed. D - who make this development possible at the Berks County Luminary Awards. Congratulations to all the award recipients!

I had the chance to join De Mujer a Mujer for a discussion where I shared insights with several women in our community on public speaking, assertiveness, and self-advocacy, drawing from my journey as an entrepreneur and elected official. It took a long time for me to be able to find my voice, and I am proud to use it to fight for our community today!

As Earth Day approaches, Earth Day Berks and the city of Reading will be marking the occasion with an opportunity to make our community even more beautiful!

The cleanup will take place from 8 AM to noon on Saturday, April 18, at the basketball court of City Park, which will be followed by a celebration at City Park from noon to 6 PM.

If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please reach out to my office to find out where you can find 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.

Helping Harvest will also be collecting non-perishable food items throughout the year at their programs and events. You can learn more about those and how to ensure our neighbors are fed here.

Routine mammograms are important to find the first signs of breast cancer. Tower Health has started its Mobile Mammography stops for 2026, with stops across our community. You can find locations and days here.

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

2nd and 4th Fridays of each month 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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